#blcd 2021 releases

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BLCD Review: Saezuru 7

Title: Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai 7 (囀る鳥は羽ばたかない 7)

Author/Artist: Yoneda Kou

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/07/28

Cast:

Hatano Wataru + Shingaki Tarusuke

Okitsu Kazuyuki

Masuda Toshiki

Ookawa Tooru

Ueda Yuuji

Satou Takuya

Miyake Kenta

Ito Kentarou

Nara Tooru

Synopsis: Adaptation of the 7th volume of the series.

Review Proper

I'm not sure what's gonna end first: the series or my fucking life.

As much as I love Saezuru, it's gone on for so long that it's starting to get old literally and figuratively. You know, I wouldn't even be mad if Yoneda Kou ended the series by killing Yashiro off in 6. 7 is still well-written to a point and the BLCD did deserve to rank second AGAIN in chil-chil 2022, but I'm not sure about the future of this series (it wasn't nominated in 2023 tho which is one of the few good things about 2023's).

I say a lot of things, but I'm still invested in vol. 7 & 8.

I don't know who I'm jealous of, BUT THAT SHOULD BE ME! This scene is in vol 8, not 7, but I wanted to include it anyway.

I do agree that Saezuru portrayal of the whole yakuza deal is the realest 'cause happy endings over there are quite rare, but this isn't a novel that comes out in one go. Doesn't help that June is ass. I've heard from several friends who've read the latest releases that it feels like it's lost its way and that just makes me sad. I'm still hopeful tho.🤧

As I've already stated, this placed second in 2022's awards. I mean, it's Saezuru. Frontier doesn't spare a penny for it lmao. All the major characters are voiced, and they managed to bring the A-listers back again. Sometimes, I forget that Saezuru is actually based on a manga whenever I listen to the BLCDs 'cause the production is just that good.

Shingaki slayed as usual. I've said this many times before, but no matter how bad or how well he does in another role, he will always be Yashiro. I just came from Tsunaida and we're in the middle of a Rei event in Nu:carnival, so I would expect myself to adjust to Yashiro, but I didn't need any of that lmao. Yashiro is truly Shingaki's magnum opus. I'm not at all surprised that he placed 3rd best seiyuu for Yashiro. Deserved.

Speaking of Nu:carnival, I will forever be obsessed with Yashiro's relationship with the other characters aside from Doumeki. Nanahara's voiced by my one true love, Okitsu, but like Yashiro, I love him for his character and not his voice. It is nice having the other veterans in here with him, too. The slut trio is complete with Daddy Complex SatoTaku, Boss Ass Chaser Okitsu, and Damel in Distress Shingaki. #BLESS I want Kamiya to end up with Nanahara.

I haven't heard Wacchan in years HAHAHAHAHA. His Doumeki is still amazing as always. My issues with the story aside, I'm really looking forward to his "break" in vol. 8. EEEEEEE

Special mention to my Ryuuzaki and Miyake Kenta who made their comebacks here too. I missed him so much! LMAO

The BLCD is pretty accurate to the... magazine at least, but June does sell the translated tanko (fortunately). Like the previous installments, reading the manga while listening to the BLCD was so smooth because it was so accurate. Now 7 does end in a cliffhanger, so I don't really advise listening to it if you still don't have 8. But if cliffhangers aren't an issue for you, then break a leg!

[morebedsidebooks]

Spotlight 2021: Yamashita Tomoko

Looking back on 2021 and Japanese comics one of my favourite artists, Yamashita Tomoko, has had a what I’d call a good year. With recent releases of older titles overseas, adaptations in both film and anime, new audiences are discovering her name and work. While a creator who has been delivering exciting work across genres for over 15 years now, it is Yamashita’s boys�� love titles which have gotten the most attention by English licensors. (The defunct JManga service so far was the only company to offer examples outside that genre by Yamashita with Don't Cry, Girl and Mo'some Sting.) Too North American publishers have predominantly chosen to release these comics in a digital-only fashion unfortunately. I hope that will change, along with more examples of what Yamashita has to offer readers following in the future. (Publishers in Europe are another matter. Check out translations in several languages if you can.) So, if one finds their interest now piqued, or are a longtime fan like me, here is a list of all her currently available (BL) comics translated in English.

  Yamashita’s English debut came in 2009 courtesy of publisher Netcomics who delivered two of her comics in both print and digital. (And btw if you know Japanese both further have BLCDs).

Dining Bar Akira (2007)

This lively drawn comic about two quarreling restaurant workers with a six-year age gap (26 & 32) has them feeling out (often literally) their romantic and sexual relationship. The book also includes two shorter comics. ‘Foggy Scene’ with a highschooler keeping a few secrets including his love for a friend. And ‘Riverside Moonlight’ where a 27-year-old gay man finds himself attracted to the 30-year-old teddy bear like coworker at a printing company. Translated by Soyoung Jung. (cw: homophobic slur, physical abuse, sexual content, student/teacher)

 Black-winged Love (2008)

This is a collection of seven moody shorter comics, heightened by effervescent backgrounds and contrasts, the title chapter taking its name from a particularly masochistic young man’s concept of his fetishes. Several other chapters revolve around family from different perspectives and being gay, along with youthful summer love, two friends of twenty years finding their relationship with each other coming to a head, and experimenting through a glib male escort. Translated by Soyoung Jung.  (cw: homophobic slurs, violence, blood, terminal cancer, sexual content, mention of suicidal thoughts, rape)

  The Digital Manga Guild initiative was a beleaguered project of its likewise parent Digital Manga Inc. (Don’t get me started.) However, I would be remiss to not mention among the catalogue the following two titles released back in 2012. (Again, if you know Japanese both further have BLCDs).

I Want a Love Story (2008)

A tender collection of four comics using a lighter touch, the title story concerning a man who unexpectedly finds his feelings reciprocated leading to the start of a first romance. Additional chapters have a lost love seen through a man’s niece, a belated valentine’s confession, and a gay man who unintentionally finds out his salaryman crush is a serious masochist. Localized by group Defiant Endeavors LT. Localized by group Defiant Endeavors LT. (cw: homophobic slur, sexual content)

 Yes, It’s Me (2009)

Delivering a varied collection of six comics in a sketchier style, the funny title story featuring a narcissistic vice president of a company realizing he has room for more than just himself when it comes to love. Other chapters run the gamut from art students and first love, the cruel jealousy overflowing in a young man joining his secret crush in a search for their absent female classmate, two musicians in an orchestra one who teases the other towards a love confession, likes and dislikes between two people, and a piece on gender and sexuality. Localized by group Sinister Hands. (cw: homophobic slurs, rude questions about being trans, mentions of rape, possible death, suicide)

   In 2015 Sublime Manga, the premier boys’ love publisher in English, nabbed the global digital license to the longer paranormal comic series The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window (2013-2021). With 2021 seeing multiple adaptations of this work, I earlier this year did a full-length post here.

  For 2021 digital BL subscription service Futekiya added three volumes of Yamashita’s comics, two based on new editions to their library. (Lists of the localizaton credits are available on their site where you can also read the first chapters for free.)

Illumination  (2007/2018)

This collection of five comics revolves around friends or classmates from different perspectives and attraction with a theme of distance and separation. The title comic presented in alternating three parts with a lonely man who meets a gay bartender while hung up on his oblivious childhood friend. It also notably includes Yamashita’s debut, the yakuza story ‘God’s Name is Night’. Offering a window on the kinds of interesting composition of the comics Yamashita can produce. (cw: alcohol, bullying, homophobia, blood, death, grief, sexual content, mention of car accident)

 Je t’aime, café noir (2009/2015)

Another fine collection, the title chapter features the myriad dramas of patrons and employees at a cafe. Six further chapters contain co-workers with seemingly mismatched personalities, old classmates encountering each other resurfacing hurt and feelings of the past, a timid gamer trying to articulate a love confession and apologise for a sudden drunken kiss, the pleasure and love in cooking and sharing meals with someone special, an eccentric gay neighbor who hasn’t completely let go of the man who left him, and a people watching train conductor startled by the appearance of his first love.  (cw: bullying and homophobic slurs)

 Snip, Snail & Puppy Dog Tails (2012-2013)

An affecting and uniquely charted nonlinear one-volume friends-to-lovers comic showcasing little moments in the lives of its two working adult protagonists and their indistinct relationship. Yamashita's art shines here too in its softness, even quiet panels expressing so much. (cw: brief sexual content)

[asukanon]

Kurui Beta 3rd BLCD.💿

Release date April 21/2021.

The end of UtouSumi 💚❤️ love story ☺️💿

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BLCD Review: Zanzou Slow Motion

Title: Zanzou Slow Motion (残像スローモーション)

Author/Artist: Janome

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/05/28

Cast:

Furukawa Makoto x Nakazawa Masatomo

Eguchi Takuya

Satou Gen

Tadokoro Hinata

Yasuaki Takumi

Matsuoka Yoshitsugu

Ichikawa Aoi

Yanagi Kouhei

Karino Sho

Synopsis:

What happens when two rival directors who hate each other's guts are forced to share one roof? And what if one of them has a secret he's been harboring for years? Throw in a shared love of movies, BL manga, and an accidental kiss, and you've got the next heart-pumping love story in Midorigaoka High and the sequel to Twilight Out of Focus 1. Jin Kikuchihara, third-year director, main actor, and president of the film club, and second-year director Giichi Ichikawa see eye-to-eye on very little. Jin is flashy, flirty, and focused on keeping everyone happy, while Giichi expects the best from himself and others, and will compromise nothing to see his vision through. Constantly at each other's necks, the two can hardly stand to be in the same club. But what will happen when family trouble forces them to live in the same room? Will their shared interests bring them closer as friends, push them further apart as rivals, or something else entirely?

Review Proper

I love Tasogare Outfocus, but this is actually my favorite Janome.

The second installment curse strikes again!

UGHHHHHHH THIS WAS SO WHOLESOME. Don't get me wrong, Tasogare Outfocus is written pretty decently, but I really don't like how Janome just glossed over Hisashi's SA and grooming like that. It reminds me a lot of Etude vol. 1. I can still get over Etude vol. 1 'cause it's not that uncommon to see in sports and Ichi-san's deal with Futami was given some closure in 2, but given how short Tasogare Outfocus was, Hisashi felt like he just lmao byed his teacher. 😔Doesn't help that it kinda doesn't matter anymore in overlap even though it hasn't been long since it ended. Is my son Hisashi really okay now? 🥹

I'm old, so DK BL doesn't appeal to me that much anymore. It's also hard to find good DK rivalries nowadays that aren't just about fucking or delinquents. Zanzou Slow Motion, however, just checked all the right boxes for the category: simple, no drama, and no loose ends. That coupled with Janome's element of touch?

And can we talk about this monologue?

Ugh.

I will say Jin's suspenders, Ichikawa's snatched waist, and the ABO shout-out greatly influenced my decision too. Y'all should get suspended in high school, not wear suspenders!

Onto the technicalities...

I don't think I've heard these two co-star before (or I just don't remember), so I was a bit skeptical especially 'cause last I heard Makonyan in a DK was in, well... Given as BLCD!Ritsu. And where else did we hear Yuuma star in a DK too? Yuuma as Anime!Ritsu. We just had Given Anime!Ritsu in Tasogare Outfocus being somewhat friends with Ichikawa and now we have BLCD!Ritsu (thanks to ecargmura for catching this!) trying to romance him. They used very different tones for Ritsu, but the vibe was the same overall. THEY'RE THE SAME PERSON. Makonyan and Nakamo also played tops in the last works I heard of them (Makonyan as Takaba in Kurui Naku and Nakamo as Yakumo in Nu:carnival), so I was concerned about a lot of things. Thankfully, however, instead of Makonyan going for his Ritsu tone or his lighter Kimitte Yatsu for a more youthful vibe, he went all shounen in here lmaooo.

His bwakame was so funny it reminded me of this:

I love roasting Makonyan more than any other seiyuu out of fondness, but I'm really proud of how far he's gone. He's gotten so much better in his delivery, and it's obvious in his budding anime career, too.

But...

I didn't expect there would be improvements in his bedding techniques too...

What the fuck was that? HAHAHAHAHAHA. WAIT. No, y'all don't understand. I have most of this man's r-18 otome CDs and BLCDs, and I have never heard him this... this hot before???? Jin is such a smooth flirt, so I had some expectations on the delivery, but FURUKAWA MAKOTO HISSES. HE HISSES!!! SIR IS THIS APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR FOR A HIGH SCHOOL BOY??? THEY DON'T EVEN SHOW THEM DO THE DO FOR MORE THAN A MINUTE??? WHERE WAS THE NEED?!

PUTS THE GODDAMN FU IN FURUKAWA MAKOTO ALRIGHT!

First it was Ono Yuuki, now it's Makonyan. Is Nakamo's ass really that good that his tops go all in???

I admittedly don't have a lot to say about Nakamo because that man always slays. I was afraid that Makonyan would overpower him during their Netflix and chill, but as soon as I had that thought, Nakamo pushed back like??? THEM SHAKIRA HIPS DON'T LIE!

HOW DO I LEGALLY MARRY GINGER RECORDS???

I didn't read the scan or the official English release 'cause I actually had the raws, so I can't vouch for the translation. As for faithfulness to the manga, however, I need to stress that there were a lot of rearranged events and cut dialogue. One notable instance was Ichikawa's message for Jin. It was placed after their kiss in the last chapter, so I believe that these changes are quite significant. It is still possible to read the manga while listening to the BLCD, but I suggest reading the manga once first so you're aware of which pages you need to jump to.

Chil-chil Awards 2022 was a scam 'cause this wasn't nominated for ANYTHING! This might actually just be my favorite BLCD of 2021... and Makonyan was my favorite actor in this series so far. OKITSU AND MAKONYAN REALLY SWITCHED IN THIS LOG HAHAHAHA. Makonyan and Nakamo at least won in my heart. 😌 Definitely listen to this if you're a Makonyan fan or if you're a fan of the series in general. It's also perfect if you're looking for something light and sweet but immersive at the same time. Chesk gives this a 9/10! Only the third 9 after Sonna ni and KD!

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BLCD Review: Tsunaida Koi no Kanaekata

Title: Tsunaida Koi no Kanaekata (繋いだ恋の叶え方)

Release Date: 2021/08/25

Shop: CD + Manga

Author/Artist: Yoshio Akira

Cast:

Shingaki Tarusuke x Eguchi Takuya

Nakajima Yoshiki

Oi Marie

Synopsis: The bane of my existence. Adaptation of the second installment of the same name.

Review Proper

When I was dying of an ear infection back in December, I had the most vivid dream of Morpheus from The Sandman sitting at the foot of my bed telling me that my life was one of his tools that he needed back. In exchange for my life, Morpheus promised me he would go back in time to stop me from making a mistake that I wished I hadn't done.

I chose working on this fucking thing.

Don't get me wrong, Tsunaida had the best plot out of the series and all of Yoshio Akira's works. I'd even go as far as saying it's one of the best releases of its time—it was nominated for Best Series in the 2021 chilchil awards for a reason (it was robbed, I tell you). It's just my life has gone downhill since I picked this up. HAHAHAHAHA Not to mention, older Chesk was bad and cringe. I'm sorry for arguing with you over this series, Kimmy. It wasn't worth it.

This series is still ongoing, only god knows why. I got so sick of it to the point that I started hating Yoshio Akira and forgetting all about the plot, so I didn't expect myself to cry during the climax HAHAHAHAHAHA FUCK WHY WAS THIS STILL SO GOOD???? I'M ANNOYED I still hate it tho

I forgot just how painful this was. I'm at this point in my life where if that would happen to me, I would just LEAVE.

Anyway, onto the topic of the BLCD...

I didn't think it was going to be possible, but Shingaki really changed his Hara-san tone!!! Thank god! This is it! This was exactly the tone I envisioned his Hara-san would be in! I'm not sure if it's 'cause everyone from the producers (except the director) and the sound team was changed, but Tsunaida and Kanawanu are worlds apart. I usually dislike inconsistencies in series with multiple installments, but I'll let this slide. Let's all just pretend that Kanawanu doesn't exist.😌

Egu also went a pitch higher in this. It's still far from what I wanted for Kaoru, but he was able to make the role his own. I'm not sure if it's because of the change in the mixing, but Egu finally sounds like he was recording with everyone here. I said in my review for Kanawanu that he wasn't syncing with his own brother, Kakeru, and it turns out that Egu actually was voicing Kakeru too lmao. How can you not sync with yourself, man? But that just means that the mixing for Kanawanu was that bad. I haven't listened to Tabete mo Oishikuarimasen yet, but I feel like Egu and Shingaki should've been nominated for Tsunaida. I mean, Shingaki is a queen as Yashiro and his nomination is deserved, but let's all put those older series to rest now. 😂

I also missed Nakajiki as Keiji-san!!! He promised to bring Hiro along next time, so if I'm not hearing Saitou Souma in Musunda, I will riot! No, I didn't check the cast list.

The BLCD is pretty accurate to the manga, save for that extra bathroom sex in Track 2. It's quite long, but there isn't any complex dialogue, so I suggest just closing your eyes and absorbing the bathroom bambo. 😌 I actually wished it was longer toward the ending chapter because I felt that it was rushed in the manga, but alas. I've read Renta's license, and it's accurate as well. In conclusion, get this if you like the series. 100% recommend!

[trashexplorer]

BLCD Review: Tasogare Outfocus overlap

Title: Tasogare Outfocus overlap (黄昏アウトフォーカス overlap)

Release Date: 2021/06/18

Shop: CD + Manga

Author/Artist: Janome

Cast:

Uchida Yuuma x Matsuoka Yoshitsugu

Nakazawa Masatomo

Ichikawa Aoi

Yanagi Kouhei

Otsuka Takeo

Furukawa Makoto

Satou Gen

Tadokoro Hinata

Synopsis: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Review Proper

That's it. That's the review.

Y'all know I love Janome and this series to death, so I won't be talking about the plot. Am I looking forward to the anime? No.

Yuuma and 2gu-2gu slayed their roles as usual. I can't believe this wasn't nominated during chil-chil 2022. What a huge disservice! How are y'all nominating Takasaki Boscos and Momose Ans on that shit and not Janome?! Yuuma was nominated for 16th best seiyuu for Hisashi and landed right after Matty, but I think he deserves to place higher.

I MEAN, HELLO???? THE NIPPLE PLAY ON HIM???

I don't know what to feel when the normies think of Yuuma as Kaveh and not Mr. Sex-on-Legs himself. I love Yuuma as Alhaitham's a bottom, but Hisashi's just—UGH! He's so sexy one minute, then so soft the other. 🥹

I don't plan to listen to Taiyou-kun, but 2gu-2gu should've been nominated for this instead. 2gu-2gu's range as Mao is just insane. It's also funny that he sounds more like Etou-san than Yuuma lmaooo. I am obsessed with Yuuma as Hisahi ngl, but 2gu-2gu was the star of this BLCD.

UGH.

I really want to marry Ginger's casting director. They don't miss. 😌

I will say that it was a struggle to read the manga along the BLCD. I was a very good girl these past few years 'cause resisted the urge to read the manga beforehand, but my resistance might've added to my struggle lmao. I was jumping from page to page 'cause I didn't know where the BLCD started (actually starts in chapter 3 of the overlap tanko). I wouldn't have been confused if I read the table of contents, but I clearly can't read.

Anyway, I couldn't afford the luxury of buying Kodansha's English release, so I couldn't check the translation. But I mean, it's Kodansha. unless... I don't think they've cut anything out and actually just added more dialogue in, but there's nothing really major, so you can definitely listen to the BLCD while following the manga. I definitely recommend getting this if you love the story or are looking for something immersive. Please love my sons. It's the best red-string series out there even though it didn't mean to be.

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BLCD Review: Sei no Gekiyaku

Title: Sei no Gekiyaku (性の劇薬)

Author/Artist: Mizuta Yuki

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/10/27

Cast: Morikawa Toshiyuki x Nojima Hirofumi

Synopsis:

“I’ll find all of your most sensitive spots.”

Makoto Katsuragi, a man working for an advertising agency, has so far led a perfect private and work life. However, that all comes crashing down in an instant when he loses everything he holds dear. In the midst of his despair, he drunkenly climbs onto the ledge of a tall building and is about to jump, when… “If you’re going to throw away your life…let me have it.” He is saved by these words offered by the sudden appearance of Ryuji Yoden, and decides to do exactly as Ryuji says. From the moment Makoto awakens in Ryuji’s room, his daily life of retraining begins, giving away not only his body but his heart…

Review Proper

Uhh.

Hmm.

???????

If y'all know me and or have read my older posts, you'll know I hate this type of plot. However, I had to listen to this 'cause the last I heard of Morikawa Toshiyuki was in 2021, and Nojima Hirofumi in... 2019?! *goes into existential panic*. It doesn't help that these two were Shigure-san and Haru in Nights Before Night. I wanted my happy ending with them to happen even though it was nearly impossible since these two are already inactive in the BL industry. Having the two of them come back and co-star in a BLCD again is just too good to be true... and I was right. I didn't expect them to come in for one of the sketchiest things in the market. I really don't know what Frontier is smoking, having all the budget for veterans like these only to put them in weird projects.

Biases and triggers aside, I think that Sei no Gekiyaku failed to deliver what it was set to convey. It tried so hard to be deep and psychological in the beginning, but it's like sensei just threw that out the window in chapter 3. It reminds me a lot of Lala no Kekkon and Derail. What was all that build-up for, then? I'm gonna say it. If you wanna use Stockholm Syndrome, then commit. This is also true with the discarded BDSM. I don't like these themes, but damn, do I feel bad for them 'cause they all felt pointless in the end.

Anyway, onto the topic of the BLCD itself...

You'll miss a lot of things if you haven't read the manga beforehand. There was a lot of added and dropped content that was understandable since no other characters apart from the two leads were in the BLCD. But that also led to Ryuji's older brother's presence being missing in the BLCD. Although Ryuji mentions him in the BLCD often enough, the manga just shows Ryuji's trauma better since we get to see him constantly haunting Ryuji. I'm not sure if they've changed censorship laws on BLCDs because the same thing happened in Kuroe to Mesu, but the BLCD was less graphic than the manga. Take that part where Ryuji rapes Makoto in the bathtub. You can hear Makoto take a toy in, but you'll never know it was a dildo mount whatchamacallit if you didn't read the manga.

There's also that part when Ryuji loses it when Makoto smiles when they were fucking. Nojinii does chuckle then, but you wouldn't pick that up if you didn't know what happened in the manga. It might've been better if Ryuji loudly thought: "Oh crap, he smiled."

The original plot was already badly paced, but the BLCD was even worse lmao. The tracks don't even start the same way the manga chapters do. I really don't recommend listening to this if you haven't heard the story and are a beginner to Japanese. Speaking of reading, idk what happened to futekiya, but the translation progressively got worse towards the end of the manga. I also read the scanned version of this when it was still unlicensed, but it was also a bit off.

Now for the light in the tunnel: the voice work.

I tried to fight it. I really did.

But I'm always going to be Moririn trash.

Don't get me wrong, Morimori did spectacular here (duh). But I really hated Ryuji that I initially had no thoughts other than respect towards his voice acting here... until he whispered in Track 4, that is. At some point, I just wanted to throw Nojinii out of the picture 'cause THAT SHOULD BE ME???!!! I'LL SLURP THIS SPAGHETTI OFF THE FLOOR ON ALL FOURS FOR YOU, MORIKAWA TOSHIYUKI!

My god. Frontier sure has taste in VAs but not in stories.

He was just-ugh. I wonder how he does that. Like in Tadaima, he makes you feel like he's talking to you rather than his co-star wtf. I was gasping for air goddammit. This man is a danger to society.

As for Nojinii, I actually thought that his voice was too high for Makoto in the beginning. It was almost in the same range as his Haru, and I imagined Makoto's voice to be lower. It did grow on me, though. I missed my bottom Nojinii. Of course, he did excellent as well. His fear was really believable in the first tracks that I just feel so bad for him 'cause he needed to throw that all away. 🙄

Man, I can't help but think that Morimori and Nojinii were wasted on this work. Again, it's already a miracle to have them back, so this might be the last time they ever pair up again. And for fucking Sei no Gekiyaku? Part of the reason why I stopped listening to BLCDs was 'cause I wouldn't know how to cope if I saw more of my favorite older VAs leaving the industry. That's also why I stopped doing releases lists. Hype around BLCDs has steadily been on the decline and if you haven't noticed, there's been considerably fewer releases too. The manga scene isn't doing well either. I'm just so afraid it'll all run out someday. *crisis*

Going back on topic, I do not recommend this BLCD. If you're into psychological and BDSM, I would look into Harada or Kabukichou Bad Trip instead. If you're a fan of Morimori and Nojinii, I still wouldn't recommend it if the theme isn't your thing. Let's just re-listen to Nights Before Night and suffer instead. 👍

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BLCD Review: Ikigami & Donor

Title: Ikigami to Donor (イキガミとドナー)

Author/Artist: Yamanaka Hiko

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/12/03

Cast: 

Nakajima Yoshiki x Saitou Souma

Yamashita Seiichirou + Kawanishi Kengo

Kobayashi Chiaki

Yashiro Taku

Komada Wataru

Hayashi Miho

Shiozaki Tomohiro

Higa Ryosuke

Abe Ryouma

Torashima Takaaki

Oota Kensuke

Nakashima Takuya

Fujita Mami

Miyama Mari

Souya Kazuki

Synopsis: 

"Your blood and flesh, all of it is mine." An ikigami and a healer, together their souls support each other, blooming into love...

In the distant future, ordinary teacher Yoshino learns that he is a "donor" for the strongest species, the "ikigami." These warriors are tasked with protecting the country. "The unique ability of a donor is to use their bodily fluids to heal ikigami." Yoshino learns this fact and is shocked. Thus, Yoshino is forced to live with Kidou... At first, he is like a beast, demanding Yoshino's bodily fluids, but slowly, the underlying loneliness begins to show...

"Someday, if I met a donor, could they come to love me? That thought is the only reason I survived..."

Review Proper

I can’t believe Yamanaka Hiko’s been terrorizing me for over twelve years now. OH MY GOD I’M SO OLD. And true to the Yamanaka Hiko brand, this turned out to be another fantasy masterpiece (read His 500 Years of Suffering Romance). This was definitely the type of thing that would do great even without the BL aspect of it. Now, I did have an issue with Kidou being an asshole (he's almost killed Yoshino more than once), so I’m not excusing it. But I do get how and why he turned out to be like that and I'm aware that it's important for his character development. The world-building was great, don't get me wrong, but it's definitely dubcon 2015. I would strongly advise you not to get into it if that's a deal breaker for you.

Anyway, onto the voice work.

Souma used a tone so close to Gucci's that I kept imagining Gucci being Yoshino. Yes, I didn't read the manga while listening to the BLCD. It was like after graduating Karasuno, Gucci went on to become a teacher, then a donor lmao. His Yoshino panics more like Honda-san, however, so my final verdict is that his Yoshino is half-Gucci, half-Honda-san.

This isn't Nakajiki and Souma's first rodeo, but I'm glad to say that their performance/dynamic here is different from Mikeneko and XL Size. I expected Kidou to be a mix of Amano and Anaconbayashi-kun 'cause the former was cocky and the latter was stoic, but Kidou was only 50% of that mix and 50% brooding, suffering, I'll-protect-you top. Am I even making any sense? Again, I listened to the BLCD first, but the sound direction they gave Nakajiki was very different from what I thought he'd sound like after I read the manga. It’s almost like what happened with OnoD’s expressive Hasebe-kun in the Kotonoha BLCD vs the more stoic Hasebe-kun in the manga. 

The voice work of our two leads was 👌. This might just be my fave out of their pairings 'cause the sex isn't over-the-top like XL Size and Mikeneko. I will say that I wasn't completely sold on Yamashita Seiichirou as Shibata-san 'cause I feel like he speaks too slowly, but I'm sure it'll grow on me by the time I listen to their spin-off. KawaKen was fine. My heart broke for him every time Shibata-san rejected him, so it's safe to say he's got Taki-kun down already.

Oh. I did have a slight issue with the sfx too. Why was it so watery??? Lmao. Even r18 otome cds aren't that wet. But it's not so glaring that it'll turn you off.

The BLCD was almost perfectly accurate to the manga. I highly recommend this to those learning mid to higher levels of Japanese. Futekiya has licensed volumes 1 & 2, so please try to support the official release if you can. I'd be lying if I said that I agree with how they translated it so... literally?, but I think it's also important to see how things are translated that way if you're aiming to dip your toes into translation aside from studying the language. For example, they used "Living God" throughout the manga instead of "Ikigami." It's correctly translated, but I personally prefer retaining the original title. You know, like how Viz uses "Kaiju no. 8" instead of "Monster no. 8?"

God knows if I'll ever survive the spinoff that I wanted to work on. I avoided talking about it for a reason lmao. Anyway, if y'all liked this, then please give 500 Years (Ono Yuuki x Suzuki Tatsuhisa) and Shortcake no Ichigo Sawaranaide (Nojima Hirofumi x Takeuchi Ken). These two are android bls and Ikigami to Donor is more guide bl, but they both share a futuristic vibe.

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BLCD Review: Nikurashii Kare

Title: Nikurashii Kare (憎らしい彼)

Author/Artist: Nagira Yuu

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/07/23

Cast:

Ono Yuuki x Saitou Souma

Morikawa Toshiyuki

Matsumoto Takuya

Matsui Akiha

Maeda Hiroki

Tonozaki Yuusuke

Horie Shun

Sahara Io

Miyama Mari

Kumagai Mirei

Yamane Masashi

Tamano Shouyo

Miki Shinichiro lmaooo so random

Synopsis: Second installment of the series.

Review Proper

My brain too smooth for this. Don't get me wrong—it's good, but I don't have the patience to sit through three CDs of this. 😂 I fell asleep 5 times. A new record!

It would've been better if Hira just stopped talking to me in formal Japanese 'cause it makes my brain crash. He says a lot of deep things when he can't even grasp the shallowest of concepts. I also have a love-hate relationship with Hira's train of thought 'cause how can he jump to all these conclusions but never the right ones? He's still absolutely sad in the head, but idk, I'm here for it lmaooo.

The same goes with Kiyoi. Like boi, you're the only one with half of a functioning brain here, so idk, use it?

Kiyoi: "I don't wanna be with you anymore."

Hira: *leaves

Kiyoi:

Like in the first BLCD, I still can't figure out if I should feel concerned for him or Hira. I mean, if someone I knew had this relationship, I would personally ask both of them to leave each other and see a shrink. 😂 I dare say that their relationship would be the most normal one there is if Kiyoi wasn't such a tsundere and if Hira was just less of a weirdo.

How are we bringing your parents into this already when you have a wack-ass relationship???

But hey, nothing like a good kidnappin' and one mc almost dyin' to solve communication issues, right?

The things you do, Nagira Yuu.

As usual, the voice work is phenomenal. Saitou Souma won as best voice actor for Kiyoi at the chilchil 2023 awards while Ono Yuuki placed 2nd for Hira. There's just something special about Saitou Souma and Ono Yuuki in Utsukushii Kare. Their chemistry is good and so natural! It's like they bring out the best in each other. I especially love hearing Ono Yuuki come undone under Saitou Souma's Kiyoi but immediately get his revenge in disc 3.

I'm already nominating this as Souma's best match up in 2021. Sorry, Makonyan. Let's see if someone else rises to the challenge.

As for the accuracy...

So I've actually tried listening to this back in 2022. Yes, I'm writing this review in 2024, and this is the very CD that caused my burn out lmaooo. From what I read from the trial, it doesn't start the same as the novel, so I was confused. I didn't take the liberty of buying the whole novel, so I'm not sure if they really do have the same content. They do have the same name, though. Idk. Again, Hira speaks in formal/old Japanese, so the struggle made me put this off. 😅 And it just snowballed from there 'cause I'm loyal to my log. I don't keep up with the manga either, but I think the third volume is still at Utsukushii Kare and not Nikurashii Kare.

Long story short, I can't say if it's accurate to the source material, and I won't be able to recommend read-alongs for both Utsukushii Kare and Nikurashii Kare.

The two installments are equally interesting. Both are jam-packed with nicely paced content. I feel more comfortable with Nikurashii Kare, though, 'cause Hira made me uncomfortable in Utsukushii Kare, while it was Shitara who made me uncomfortable in Nikurashii Kare lmaooo. I loved Hira's little character development here, and I wish I could say the same for Kiyoi.😂The comedy and action were also good, and Moririn's presence made it 100 times better. It might not make my 2021 faves, but it's definitely one of the best-produced ones—it won best BLCD at chilchil 2023 for a reason.

Let's pray to god I survive the third installment. 🤞

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BLCD Review: Old-fashioned Cupcake 2

Title: Old-fashion Cupcake with Capuccino (オールドファッションカップケーキwithカプチーノ)

Author/Artist: Sagan Sagan

Shop: CD + Manga

Release Date: 2021/12/22

Cast: Azakami Youhei x Okitsu Kazuyuki

Review Proper

What to say? Maybe it's the ADHD or the fact that I just came from two long BLCDs, but I'm always in a bad headspace when I listen to OFC. 😅 The second volume just went the second route of sequels: misunderstandings/insecurities featuring third-party appearances. I really get where Nozue-san's coming from and I'm not saying that his insecurities are invalid or whatever—it's just that he's the one who wanted to make their relationship low-key, but he was doing the worst job at it. 🙄And like what I've said in my review for volume 1, they don't have a big age gap, so this age gag with Nozue-san just annoys me. It doesn't help that they mention it every five pages or so. The more Sagan Sagan does it, the more Nozue-san's age sounds more like an excuse than a gag.

Yoneda Kou's spoiled me to the point that I can't accept anything less, it seems. 🤷Don't blame me for comparing, they also have a Togawa over there.

Anyway, that's enough of the plot.

Chil-chil 2023 was a lie. There is no way Okitsu placed fourth while Youhei placed 13th. If anything, they should be reversed—and that's coming from me, one of the biggest Okitsu whores on this site. But being an Okitsu simp also means I know how that man sounds like, and that man sounds awkward af in this tone. His Nozue-san is too slow and too light for him. Nozue-san does have moments where he'll explode in panic or anger, but considering how light and slow Okitsu's portrayal of him is, you would expect his explosions to be more on the lighter side, right? WRONG. HE GOES FULL JONATHAN JOESTAR TO DO IT LMAO

SUNLIGHT YELLOW OVERDRIVE!!!

I failed to mention in my first review that Nozue-san looks like Italy from Hetalia which is why I wanted NamiD for him... if he wasn't so problematic. Anyway, thankfully, we have a live-action. I very much prefer Kouhei Takeda over Okitsu as Nozue-san. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Youhei was the true MVP of this BLCD. I don't get how he placed so low. He was very stable, and his sex appeal shined throughout the CD. It kind of reminds me of Maeno's tbh. Chil-chil 2022 might've robbed him, but this man has earned his seat at the "tops you should look out for" table in my view. Congratulations!

The BLCD was pretty accurate to the manga. Read-alongs are indeed possible with it, but I will say that I had an issue with SuBLime's localization. For one thing, the second volume wasn't consistent with the first. Togawa calls Nozue-san "Mr. Nozue" in the first volume while he calls him "Nozue" in the second.😑I don't want to go on a long rant about honorifics, but when it comes to stories where age is an important factor, I am firm in my belief that the Japanese or a close English equivalent should be used. It's a Japanese story set in Japan; it's not your culture to localize. There, I said it.

Also,

Yes, we stan being redundant even when the original wasn't. 😌 I wouldn't be nit-picking if y'all just licensed Koi ga, SuBLime.

Still, please try supporting the official transla localization if you can. I can't say that the production was great because of Okitsu, but this actually placed fifth in the 2022 awards, so do with that info what you wish. If y'all want more office bl, then I shamelessly recommend Yoneda Kou's Doushitemo Furetakunai (Ishikawa Hideo x Nojima Kenji) and Soredemo, Yasashii Koi o Suru (Morikawa Toshiyuki x Nojima Hirofumi).

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BLCD Review: Derail

Title: Derail (ディレイル)

Author/Artist: Aiba Kyoko

Release Date: 2021/10/27

Cast: Azakami Youhei x Yashiro Taku

Synopsis: Haru & Hikaru are childhood friends who keep scheming to keep each other by their side. But things escalate when Hikaru brings a girl to the apartment they share.

Review Proper

Well,

would you look at that? It’s 2003 again.

I’m sorry, but look me in the eye and tell me this wasn’t a 2003 DK transitioning into fake emo blown out of proportion story. It’s like Aiba Kyoko thought that adding more toner and shading to the art was magically going to make this shit psychological. Psychologically bullshit, maybe. I MEAN, HARU WAS A GODDAMN EDGELORD WHEN HE’S THE ONE BEING PLAYED!!! Yo, just put some clown makeup on Haru this’ll instantly be the “Joker”. 💀

Idk ‘bout y’all, but this plot is just horrible. I can’t believe I said in my review for Pheromone Tantei that Aiba Kyoko’s a better writer than Maruki Bunge. 😂 Thanks for proving me wrong, sis. 👏👏👏 Anyway, just know that the boys here can’t differentiate between love and lust and it should have ended at chapter 2. If I had to choose to waste my time with much ado about nothing stuff, I’ll gladly choose Hello Morning Star. You should too cause wtf.

Onto the technicality of things, I have to say that the BLCD’s pretty much accurate to the manga sequencing wise, but there was a lot of added dialogue on there. What’s the fucking point? It might prove not to be beginner-friendly. 

As for the voice acting, Yashiro Taku was great, as always. It’s been a while since I’ve heard him that high. Part of the reason why I got this was because Haru seemed like he was going to be similar in personality as Onegai, Sonna ni Kamanaide’s Igarashi and it’d be interesting to see how he’ll bottom for such a similar character. I’m really sorry, Horie Shun, but let Taku show you how it’s done. 😂

Now, for Azakami Youhei...

BRO WHAT THE FUCK???

HE BREATHES ON THE MIC WITH HIS NOSE

WHO ALLOWED THIS??? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS???

Idk if y’all can understand, but you can clearly hear him breathe through his nose on the mic. It comes out as a sniff. AN ILLEGAL SNIFF THAT SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED IN R18 OTOME CDS!!! WHAT THE FUCK IT’S LIKE HE’S TALKING DIRECTLY IN YOUR EAR!!! Whatever possessed Frontier to allow this??? Somebody tell Youhei never to do this ever again in a BLCD. Do it in an R18 otome cd instead and I’ll buy everything three times His performance here actually was more reminiscent of a lighter Nakajima Yoshiki than a Taku-chan’s Igarashi-kun. Worked great, though. 

To end, I do not recommend wasting money on this if you’re in it for a good plot. I mean, roommates psychological bl??? That’s an oxymoron in itself. 😂 If you are a fan of this and can handle the added dialogue, then break a leg. If you’re also a fan of Youhei’s OFC performance, this’ll give you a good time too ‘cause his Haru’s a richer (with fucking nose breathing) Togawa. 👍

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BLCD Review: Kuroe to Mesu no Sono

Title: Kuroe to Mesu no Sono (クロエと雌の園)

Author/Artist: Chifuyu

Release Date: 2021/11/26

Cast:

Tachibana Shinnosuke x Yamaya Yoshitaka

Masuyama Takeaki

Komatsu Shouhei

Kakiage Haruna

Aikawa Natsuki

Kisui Shio

Shibuya Ayano

Fujisaki Yuuta

Amano Hirosato

Kanze Noriaki

Synopsis: Sonogi, an employee at the host club "Eden," is in the biggest crisis of his life. He's woken up with female parts in addition to his male ones! After hearing that the number one host at the club, Kuroe, with his beautiful face, baritone voice, and relentlessly womanizing nature, went to med school, Sonogi tries confiding to him in private. Not only does Kuroe wildly misunderstand him, he's weirdly intrigued. Even after hearing Sonogi's story, he's still keen to "study" up on what's happening inside Sonogi's pants! A scary-faced, lovable psychopath toys with a vulnerable, shaved, and untouched new "girl" in this gender-bending romance!

Review Proper

You know, for however stupid that initial plot was, Kuroe to Mesu was actually, dare I say, great.

I know. It’s annoying lmao.

On the surface, it’s like something Momose An or Takasaki Bosco would pull, but it’s unnecessarily deep. 😂 It’s like Ouran High but smutty BL. There. I said it. It doesn’t help that Tachi’s execution of Kuroe was very Mamo-chan Tamaki. I can’t say I can fully forgive the stupid futanari plot, but this shit was funny when it was funny and sad when it was sad. The BLCD’s much more dynamic for obvious reasons, but it maintains the same energy throughout both paper and audio, so I recommend reading the manga along.

Anyway, onto the technicalities,

Dang. Welcome back, Papá Tachi. I was initially annoyed with this casting ‘cause y’all know Tachi’s one of my fave bottoms of all time (Ten Count hello???), and I hate that he only ever gets top roles whenever he comes back to the scene. But if y’all know me, I’m also a whore.

MY GOD. IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I’VE HEARD CHAOTIC TACHI. I really went from “stop it, Tachi” to “step on me, Tachi” back there lmaooooo. It’s like I forgot that one of my fave BLCDs was Shihaisha no Koi where he tops Hirarin (which you should all listen to if you haven’t ‘cause FUCK). I also put him in the “sounds like a bottom but will top you 100%” and “younger guy that will 100% dubcon you”. HIS NAME IS LITERALLY TACHI YANNO (also look at just how accurate my lists are). 😂 Kuroe’s much more of a sadist kookoo-path than Rasheed who’s much more of an ass who thinks he’s hot shit just ‘cause he’s the prince yanno, so there is a bit of a difference in how Tachi performed them. Though, I am sure movic cast him as Kuroe with said performance in mind. I’ve read the manga before I listened to the BLCD and I did have a different idea of how Kuroe would sound like, but when Tachi hit me with that first “Sonomeroooo” I just fell in love. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA SONOMEROOOO I WILL NEVER GET OVER IT. I might not love Kuroe as a character, but shit, this was such a genius portrayal I can’t.

As for Yamati, I can’t believe it’s been 4 years since I last heard him HAHAHAHA THE FUCK. I remember him performing well in Knocking, but he was just ill-suited to that role that it spazzed me out. Thankfully, he was perfect for Sonomero here and had great chemistry with Tachi. Now that’s how you cast! True to his Hanae Natsuki range, the dang man showcased just how good he could squeak here. And even though I majorly dislike those types of bottoms that kinda tread the line of girl almost losing their minds during sex in hentai, Yamati made it so that I didn’t hate Sonomero in bed too much. Tachi himself has stated that he was very impressed with Yamati performing so well when he hadn’t been around that much. Idk. Maybe you’re born with it, maybe it’s Yamati. 

Again, both the manga and BLCD are good buys. In terms of accuracy, though, I’m not sure if censorship is different when it comes to BLCDs, but they had to censor a lot of graphic dialogue in the BLCD and change them into something else. This would’ve been a good Japanese anatomy class (I’m serious) but unfortunately, it becomes more abstract in the BLCD. I did have a few issues with their timing of the bgm (just movic being movic). That scene when the sad piano music played when Sonomero quit and Kurose chases after him— I laughed out loud when it stopped when Kurose went back in to resign then immediately start up again when he came back. Like wtf??? HAHAHAHAHA. But that’s about it. I 100% recommend this if you’re looking for stupid porn with sad plot. I don’t believe I have anything that’s similar in ratio, though, so this might be a first of its kind. 

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BLCD Review: Smoky Nectar

Title: Smoky Nectar (スモーキーネクター)

Author/Artist: Minazuki Akira

Release Date: 2021/07/14

Cast: 

Satou Takuya x Enoki Junya

Komatsu Shouhei

Muro Genki

Taito Ban

Tsuchida Reo

Hasegawa Ikumi

Sugiyama Riho

Kobayashi Kousuke

Okada Sachiko

Kida Tasuku

Synopsis: Writer Hasegawa Mitsuru has been investigating a case that was rumored to be the work of vampires known as “Biters”. His childhood friend, Annaka Yuusei, a.k.a. Anna, warns him not to stick his head into where it doesn’t belong.

Review Proper

Just something about this is weird. The manga’s pretty fluid on its own, but it’s kinda, uhh, choppy? in the BLCD. Although I’m not sure if Smoky Nectar’s a serious manga with some comedy here and there, 50:50 serious and comedy, or is a comedy with some serious moments... it kinda doesn’t work in the BLCD. I mean, SatoTaku and Junya did well during the serious parts, but they seem to stumble during the comedy or the parts that lead to the comedic moments. Maybe the comedy just doesn’t transition well into the audio adaptation. *shrugs*

Let’s jump straight into the voice work, shall we?

I was quite interested in listening to this ‘cause yo??? Juujin bottoms??? If Daath and Kai were in these tones in Kemonohito, I would ship them 100% lmao, but then, uhh, idk, Junya was kind of a mess here. We’ll get to SatoTaku later, but I feel like they didn’t record this together. I do not like how Junya drags his moans on during their bedroom Redcross donations because he sounds very out of sync with SatoTaku’s ministrations (this is only very obvious in the first, though). I think he also has a hard time expressing the deadpan humor Mitsuru has. Sometimes my mind wanders off and starts having thoughts of either Reio, Ban, or Shouhei potentially being a better option for Mitsuru. That might just be my other issue with Junya. He was a bit too low for Mitsuru. I feel like if he was in a higher register, then he would’ve been able to express Mitsuru’s feelings better.

Now, as for SatoTaku, the man wasn’t free of my suspicions either. SatoTaku was a little too smooth to match Anna’s equally deadpan humor. I’m not saying that SatoTaku can’t comedy ‘cause sis you’ve heard Sonna ni, right??? But as compared to Anna, Shinobu’s more dynamic a character. Niyama and Ginger also gave the cast time to prepare before a big change in moods. Huh, I’m starting to think that this is the same thing that went down in Takasaki Bosco’s Torokeru Kuchibiru. I feel like Makonyan or Ono Yuuki would’ve done this better. But I know, I FUCKING KNOW, why Fifth Avenue got SatoTaku for this.

Thanks to Fifth Avenue, I know have my ringtone set to SatoTaku saying “erro” in the Mini Drama on repeat.

Goddamn I fucking flatlined on that one. I wasn’t really expecting much from the Mini Dramas, so thanks. 👍

Anyway, I also have to say that the sound effects as well as the bgms suck balls lmao. FIFTH AVENUE PLS. The main piano bgm also starts and ends in random places. There was also this part where Anna jumps off from a fucking building to the floor on the ground, making a table flip. Like we all know how a table sounds like flipped, right??? It definitely won’t sound like a chair shaking! 😂 I don’t think Fifth Avenue even cared at that point. 

This was actually a pretty decent adaptation despite the many issues I have with it. It’s pretty faithful to the manga too, although I would recommend reading the manga once before ‘cause you wouldn’t know what they were doing in real time without the visual cues. This is an action bl too, after all. If you’re looking for another vampire (the “biter” thing also threw me off a bit, but the “nectar” concept wouldn’t survive without ig) bl, I raise you Yuri Azuru’s Fujitsu de Fumou na Koi no Kami-kon starring Okitsu and Egu. That one’s a little disappointing on the action front, but it was a good vampire bl nontheless. Okitsu’s Lark was also a good comedic/spontaneous type, so that’s good vampire + comedy! 

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BLCD Review: Mask Danshi

Title: Mask Danshi ha Koishitaku Nainoini (マスク男子は恋したくないのに)

Author/Artist: Sangou Mitsuru

Release Date: 2021/10/22

Cast: 

Eguchi Takuya x Kobayashi Yuusuke

Kobayashi Daisuke

Tanikawa Makoto

Koike Takahiro

Okano Yuu

Aoyama Yoshino

Nitta Saki

Yano Yumika

Synopsis:

"The mouth is the second sexiest body part."

The famous cheerful guy, Saikawa had tried to rip off the gloomy kid, Sayama's mask. After that day, he had captured Saikawa's attention and Saikawa had volunteered to teach him for the upcoming examination, but with one condition, Saikawa can do whatever he wants with what is hiding under Sayama's mask.

He hates it when people touch his bare face, lips and inside his mouth, but he cannot say anything when Saikawa touch them. The combination between Saikawa's harassment and the awkward mask boy's behaviour, this manga will pack with sexual tension between these two.

Review Proper

I was initially very sus about the whole thing. Very obvious that I didn’t read it, huh? Seemed like an appeal to fetish based on description, title, and cover alone, so it gave me that b-tier PWP tingle (this later turned out to be Haga-kun lmao). Idk about you guys, but masks, for me, are diskasting. So when they was doing things with Saikawa’s mask on, I was just very concerned.

But again, thankfully, Mask Danshi turned out to be pretty wholesome towards the end. Although, I really have to say that his mask reveal was pretty anti-climactic lmao. I mean, if his main concern was his foul mouth, then even a mask wouldn’t be able to help him. If anything, I would’ve believed it more if he went Etou-san’s route in Customer Masquerade! and turned a 360 to mask his communication disorder. And I thought he was like Kare ga Masuku’s Jirou who was hiding bc idk everyone else just seems to be crayzay over his sexay underage mole. 🤷 Also, Saikawa looks like an NPC so it just didn’t make sense to me. I do love how Sayama’s so whipped for Saikawa, though. What the hell? He’s so sweet ksksksks.

Moving on to the voice acting, ngl I really felt that Egu’s performance here was very similar to Maeno’s in Perfect Propose. Although Kai was a bit colder, he and Sayama had similar personalities, especially in their tendency to mess with their bottoms. Don’t get me wrong, though. Egu was perfect for Sayama. More like, everyone was perfect for their roles. Kobayuu even added some squeakin in there. 👀 The only gripe I have about the voice work was the actor for Saikawa’s child self. Why was she trying so hard to be Edogawa Conan? 😂

Despite this being a stellar adaptation execution-wise, however, I will have to warn beginners that this’ll be hard to follow with the manga. There was a lot of cuts and additions in the BLCD, plus they rearranged some scenes. I also had an issue with the panelling of the manga itself. It makes it hard to sync the scenes with the BLCD tbh. Maybe try reading the manga once first then reading the manga with the BLCD after. Still, I’d recommend this to fans of this series AND we’re getting an adaptation for the sequel too, so we have a lot to look forward to.

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BLCD Review: Haga-kun wa Kamaretai

Title: Haga-kun wa Kamaretai (羽賀くんは噛まれたい)

Author/Artist: Sakashita Senmu

Release Date: 2021/09/10

Cast: 

Takahashi Hiroki x Ono Yuuki

Ishiya Haruki

Miyake Marie

Matsuoka Youhei

Kawada Yuu

Souma Koichi

Synopsis: Prisoner Haga was tired of his boring life in jail and thought of staging a jailbreak! Just at that moment, an alpha prison officer was assigned to him...?

Review Proper

I mean, I knew. 

Still, wait, no, I KNEW. I HAVE NO EXCUSE. I KNEW, BUT WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS PLOT or lack thereof? 😂 The things I do for Ono Yuuki...

Anyway, know that this is PWP to the max and if you’re a plothoe like me, this ain’t for you. We’ll just go straight to the production now.

For those who haven’t noticed already, this is reversed DakaOtoko. It’s not that I haven’t heard TakaHiro as a top before, but as I’ve said in previous reviews, he’s pretty hit and miss. Thankfully, however, he did pretty well. It’s a far cry from his Renjaku-san performance that I love and adore, but he survived at least. Goddamn, DakaOtoko 4 really fucked me up. Sorry, TakaHiro. For more context, he (as well as Kishow and Suzuki Chihiro) pauses and rushes at odd moments. Like rapping then stopping suddenly lmao. It’s not really obvious in Haga, but it’s 100% there if you listen for it. He did have his moments, though. His daddy moments. Best believe this man could be the next Kenyuu or Sugitan if he sets his mind to it. 

As for Ono Yuuki, the true MVP of this BLCD, I felt like he did a bit too much.  😂 It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I can’t deny that he managed to swallow TakaHiro up in this performance. You gotta hand it to this man. His Haga was like a mix of Tattsun’s Gian Carlo, Okitsu’s Maki from Kuchizuke o wa Uso no Aji, and his own Minato. All the queen sluts combined! No wonder everyone else drowned. 😂 And aww I missed Ono Yuuki in more comedic roles. It’s been such a long while. I wish for more of these (but I’m really fine with settling with just Dante for now). 

As for the rest of the cast, I’m pleasantly surprised that they did very well. Ishiya Haruki’s very dynamic here. He could easily match energies with OnoYuu’s Haga, adding to the authentic chaotic omega broham shebang. There’s one of the last three who has Moririn’s range tho. I’m still gonna check that out later, but I was really shook. I hope he does more BL. We need you, sir. 

Overall, the execution was fine. They did cut some dialogue here and there, but there weren’t any major changes. If chaotic omegaverse is your dig, then definitely give this a try. I’m not really an abo enjoyer, so I can’t recommend anything similar sumimasen. The things I do for Ono Yuuki x 2 There’s Kashikomarimashita, Destiny, though.

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BLCD Review: Risouteki Renai Jouken

Title: Risouteki Renai Jouken (理想的恋愛の条件)

Author/Artist: Haida Nanako

Release Date: 2021/11/24

Cast: 

Satou Takuya x Taku Yashiro

Fujita Nao

Amano Hirosato

Ikuta Hikaru

Kanze Noriaki

Kurose Yuuko

Shibuya Ayano

Yuina Mizuki

Synopsis: Katagiri's new editor was looking forward to working with his talented, handsome boss Nishiwaki. However, for some reason, he ended up in a sticky situation with Nishiwaki. Can the incident be blamed on the vicissitudes of love? The answer is unknown… On top of that; Katagiri is also treated like a jerk…!

Review Proper

My expectations were so fucking low.

And it truly served me that real lowness. Thank you very much. 

I mean, sorry Haida Nanako the art alone already looks like this whole shebang was a 2003 revival. Iz like a mix between Hasumi Hana and Minami Haruka lmao both art and plot-wise. It was really just your run-of-the-mill rapist boss top and spineless subordinate bottom combo. The one where they’ll just make the bottom mess up so the top gets an excuse to be appreciated after all his assholery so that the bottom apologizes to him and catches feelings. Anyway, the set-ups here are so damn stupid too, I had to laugh most of the time. Even their first encounter was so dumb ‘cause Nishiwaki drags the drunk Katagiri to bed, sees how he ticks his Miley Cyrus’ 7 Things I Like About You That Are Just Things I Hated In My Ex, assaults him in his sleep, and REDOES HIS DISHEVELLED WINDSOR TIE AFTER HE’S DONE.

I will say tho, dumbass plot aside, that this was okay production wise. Sans the bgm that sounds like it was ripped from Project Makeover. The sequence was pretty accurate to the manga, and of course our boys delivered as always. I was expecting Satotaku to use a tone somewhat close to his Shinobu, so I was really surprised when it came out more Daath. And it kinda... sounded like Ishikawa Kaito lmaoooo. Ishikawa Kaito in like an R-18 otome cd. I SAID WHAT I SAID. 

Anyway, I guess if you’re bored and have nothing else to listen to, then I won’t judge you for picking this up. It’s good for Japanese studies too. Beginners, welcome! If you want something similar tho... uhhh... to my recollection, there’s only one other suits/fashion oriented BLCD released in recent years. Saville Row. Yuck. What is it with fashion BL, really? I think I’m the one in need of good recs for this one. 😂