#posting so many but is our cute little short beloved's birthday

[waterfallofspace]

The Feline In The Ferocious.

The one in which C/huuya meets a kitten in an alley, and D/azai meets the kitten in C/huuya. Feat. Allergic C/huuya, teasing bastard D/azai (with a touch of genuine caring), and an ADORABLE calico kitten that totally has C/huuya’s eyes. I’ve been posting so many fics recently I’m so sorry, but I had to write something for our beloved C/huuya’s birthday, so here it is! Quite short, but it’s just a little birthday gift~ My first attempt at B/SD, so I hope it’s alright character voice wise~ I adore S/oukoku, so while they’re definitely not in a relationship in this, they have their normal banter/flirty/they’re-in-love-but-can’t-say-it thing goin’ on haha~ For anyone bothering to read this, thank you, and I hope you enjoy~ (references to swearing and cat scratches/blood, so proceed with caution if you don’t like those!) For the kitten, I’m picturing a Calico with Blue Eyes, and to know why- just, just google it okay. The colours of its fur are like the combination of D/azai & C/huuya’s hair, with some white to mix it together, and blue eyes like C/huuya’s. (Yes, I’ve fully lost my mind, incase you were curious~)  Characters: D/azai, C/huuya, and an adorable little Calico Kitten with Blue Eyes Word Count: 2.3k  ~~~~~~~

Chuuya is, and always will be, a dog person. He’s liked them for as long as he can remember, but once he found out Dazai dislikes dogs, he’s since grown to love them even more. It’s not like Dazai is scared of them, or even nervous around them. ‘Though could you imagine how wonderful that would be?’  No, sadly, he just doesn’t care for them. A bit disappointing to not be able to scare him. However just seeing the annoyance slip out from behind his mask when Chuuya walks a dog into the room he’s in is enough to bring a frankly worrying amount of joy to Chuuya. All that to say, Chuuya is a dog person. But… he’s never been able to pass by a cat in trouble without helping. It’s a weakness he’s deeply embarrassed about, similar in his mind to being such a lightweight. Just things that feel way too fragile, which is a feeling he can’t stand.  Anyways, this is what’s going through Chuuya’s head as he stops in the alley, eyes meeting the wide ones of a kitten, half stuck in a paper bag. It mews, a pathetic sort of noise that tugs Chuuya’s heart in a way he’d much rather ignore. Alas… “Fuck, what kind of person would do that-” He growls to himself as he gently pulls the bag off of the trembling kitten. “Hey little guy, it’s okay, I’ve got you now. You’re probably hungry, hm? I wish I had something to give you… I’ll try to find somewhere safer for you to go, okay? Maybe there’s an animal shelter or something nearby I could drop you off in front of.” Ocean eyes meet his own, a sadness lingering just below the surface, like waves hiding the current of a stormy sea. A sadness that he couldn’t help but feel a kinship too. ‘Is that what my eyes look like too..?’  “I’m sorry, I would take you home if I could, buuhht… oh hell, not already- heH’ishh’iew-! Ishh’iew-! tisSH-iSHH-kshhh’uee-! kkDXGT’shoo-! dtNNGt’shiew-! hH’NXGT’choo-! Hehh… hEH-! hEH’ktSHH’iew-!”  Chuuya tries to aim away from the kitten as the ticklish fit bursts its way out of him. He can feel his eyes already watering. ‘Damn it, why do I have to stop every time?! Maybe I really am as weak as Dazai says. Can’t even hold a kitten withou-’  The kitten cuts off his self loathing with a gentle purr, the feeling vibrating through his hands. Tiny claws begin to knead into his arm as he lets the kitten settle itself against his chest, the warmth that settles there having no relation to the kitten’s body temperature. “Oh come on- You can’t stay. I’m sorry, I am, but I really can’t take you home with m-” “Chuuya~ Are you cuddling with a sweet little kitten?” And just like that, the warm feeling swells, turning into a burning pit in his gut. Chuuya would know that voice anywhere. ‘Goddamn it, how did he find me here?!’ he groans to himself, considering just for a minute dropping the kitten. However when he looks down, and sees the sad eyes looking back at him once more, all thoughts of that are wiped clean. With a strong sigh, Chuuya whips around to face his ex-partner. A smile is painted across his face, but, like most of Dazai’s smiles, it’s like that of a doll. Fake, carefully crafted, and entirely lifeless. Almost as if there was no humanity in it, just a mask placed to hide whatever was simmering beneath.  “N- no! I am not cuddling! It jumped into my arms, and I didn’t exactly want to throw it on the ground.” “Awww~ Chuuya does have a heart! I was starting to get worried that you were more robot than person!” The words cut as deep as they’re supposed to, and Chuuya can’t help the wince that escapes. Nor can he seem to prevent the anger that flurries inside him as a response. However, there was no time for any of that, as a much more urgent matter was beginning to present itself. “hehh-”  “Hm? What was that, Chuuya? You have something to say?” As desperately as Chuuya wants to find a clever retort, every ounce of control he has is currently being poured into keeping his nose under control. His eyes have, thankfully, decided to cooperate and stop watering, but the tickle that dances in his sinuses is far from backing down.  “Oh shhhhuuuhh… shut up, you Aahhhh-! Guhhh… You ass.”  “Your words, they sting!” Dazai sighs, dramatically draping his arm over his face, before leaning forward again. Chuuya holds his breath, feeling a warmth flush through his cheeks. He’s quite familiar with the look he’s being given. Dazai is studying him, taking in every piece of his situation, and piecing it together into a plan intended to torment him.  Dazai steps forward, reaching a hand out towards his face, and Chuuya closes his eyes, just to open them again at the cry of pain the other man lets out. Looking down, Chuuya sees a red patch start to form on one of Dazai’s bandaged arms, the man looking quite offended as he glares at the kitten Chuuya’s still cradling.  “That thing just scratched me! I’m telling you, this is why cats are the worst.” Giving Dazai a smile dripping with fake sympathy, and the kitten a few scratches behind the ear, Chuuya swallows hard, hoping to gain enough control to use his voice. “I thhhought it was dogs you disliked. Is it just all animals then? Maybe they can juuhhst sense something about you that drives them to hhhhate you. They’re not the only ones.” “Something bothering you Chuuya~?” “Ass. hehH-!” A hand comes up to pinch his nose shut before he’s even conscious of it. A hand that was just petting the allergen he’s currently cuddling holding. Dazai seems to notice the mistake he’s made even before Chuuya, giving him a smile with a lot more emotion in it then the previous one. “Bless you.” “Wha- hEH’ESHH’ooo-! GoddaahH’ISHH’iew-! Damn it- eshh’uu-! ishh’uu-! tshhh’iew-! hH’keSHH’ooo-! hEH- hH’nGT’choo-!”  “Wow! Bless you a lot more than just once! Is Chuuya getting sick~?” Coming from anyone else the question might be asked out of concern, or curiosity, but from Dazai, it was entirely a taunt. Meant to mean ‘I know that’s not it, I know what’s wrong, are you gonna tell me, or am I gonna get to tease it out of you?’  “Shut up. I’m fine. Why are you here anyways, shouldn’t you be off solving some crime or something?” “I am actually working on a case right now! The case of the sneezy Chuuya! I intend to work until it’s completed, and find out who committed this crime against Chuuya’s poor nose!” “You’re such an ass, Dazai.” “I’m an ass for caring about my dear dear friend?” “ihh’kTSHH’ieww-! hH’ishh-kshh-tshhh’oo-!” “What adorable sneezes you have Chibi! Almost… kittenish!” Asshole as he may be, Chuuya has to admit he’s clever. Not only did he figure out what was causing the allergy attack, but also a way to taunt Chuuya with that fact, while also pointing out a weakness he knows will get under his skin. Unfortunately, knowing where it’s meant to go doesn’t exactly stop it from getting there.  “Sh- shut up, Dazai.” “What a retort! I’m wounded, I’m taken down, I’m broken beyond repair~!” Chuuya rolls his eyes at the dramatics, Dazai practically grasping his chest. Then, with a slight eye roll, and a subtle step forward, he lets a seriousness enter his eyes.  “Did you sneeze out all your clever responses along with the cat hair?” ‘Tipping his hand so early isn’t like him…’ Chuuya feels a slight tightness in his chest as he realizes there’s a deeper game going on here that he wasn’t aware of until now. Already steps behind, playing a game in which he doesn’t know the rules. Just one of the prerequisites of talking to Dazai.  Deciding the best course of action is ignoring him, Chuuya turns his attention back to the kitten, who by now is sleeping peacefully, pressing its head gently against his hand. It’s small enough to fit in one, so with the other, Chuuya pushes Dazai aside. “I have places to be. Unlike you, I still care about my job, and intend to get my work done.” Dazai says nothing, but falls into stride beside Chuuya, once again matching his steps as if it comes as naturally to him as breathing. Breathing which, currently, is not coming so naturally to Chuuya. “hHEH- uhhh… hh’NGT’shhhooo-! Fucking hell- NGT-! hH’DNNT-! hEH’kNNT’shieww-! hahh… hAH’nGTtt’shoo-! kKDXNtt-!”  “Stop that.” Chuuya nearly falls over at the voice. All teasing has been lost, and the eyes staring back at his had lost their glimmer of mischief. There was nothing but an unsettling level of sincerity, something that looked deeply out of place on Dazai. “Whhahh… what…?” “I said stop that. The stifling. We both know it’ll just make you sneeze more anyways, and it gives you a headache.” Then, tilting his head with a crooked smirk as he lets the mischief flood back in, he adds- “Plus, I miss the kitten sneezing! It’s so cute to see Chuuya shaking his head like a cat when they get something on their face~ you know, you actually remind me of a cat in many ways. I could list them if you wan-” “Don’t you fucking dare. I’ll… I’ll…. hehh- hDT-!uhhhh”  He manages to stall it off with a wrist pressed firmly under his nose, both of them noticing the way it trembles at the sudden allergen presence. “Didn’t think that one through, did you?” “hEH! ESHH’IEW-! heH’ishh’oo-! Kishhh’oo-! Tshhh’iew-! hAHH’nnmCHH’ooo-! mmMPFSHH’ooo-! mM’tsHH’iew-! hIH’mmtISH’ooo-!”  Setting for muffling them against his wrist, Chuuya ducks his head again and again, Dazai watching intently, muttering something under his breath. It was long gone before it reached Chuuya’s ears, lost in the wind, but if he didn’t know better, he’d have sworn he heard the word cute.  A light ticklish cough works its way out of his throat, bringing tears to his eyes as he attempts to catch his breath through it. This wakes the kitten, who mews softly, intense eyes staring into his own. “Sorry for waking you.” It’s soft, but loud enough that Dazai should have heard it. Still, Chuuya assumes he didn’t, as no comments are raised. Instead, his ex-partner continues to walk in stride, silence hovering uncomfortably between them, broken up only by ticklish coughs.  “There’s a shelter around this block, hand me the kitten.” Chuuya nearly jumps at the sudden noise, his twitching nose taking this lapse of control as an invitation to start up again. “What d- hEH’ketSHH’iew-! hH’ishh’oo-! mM’NNT’shoo-! Ishhh-kshhh-kshh’oo-!”  “Bless you, Chuuya.” The sincerity is back, and still startles Chuuya to his core. “Tha- oh shut up. Where’s the shelter? There’s no way in hell I’m handing her over to you, you’d just toss her in a gutter or something.” Dazai lets a hand fly to his forehead, the other grasping his chest, dramatics back in full swing, and mask comfortably back on. “Chuuya wounds me! I would never do such a thing to an innocent creature! I merely wish to be the one saving- her did you say?- by giving her to the kind shelter staff! And perhaps, even find someone grateful enough to-” “If you finish that sentence I will throw you in a gutter.” They approach the building, and true to his word, Dazai takes the kitten from Chuuya’s arms delicately, and marches into the building with another painted smile. Finally alone, Chuuya allows himself to succumb to the fit he’s been fighting for nearly ten minutes. “ihhh’hEH! hH’ESHH-ISHH-TISHH’ooo-! Fuckin- ihh’keSHH’ooo-! Fuckin’ hell- hAH’ASHH’ooo-! Ketshh’iew-! mM’tiSHH’uee-! Ihh’kishhiew-! heH’ishh’oo! ishh’shiew-shhiew-shhiew-hEH’ISHH’shiew-!” “Adorable. Bless you Chuuya~” “Christ, Dazai! When did you get back?!” “Oh, uhm, I believe it was around ‘fuckin hell’. What language! You should be more delicate with your tongue, it can deal with much more beautiful words than that filth! And, for that matter, a lot more than just words~” “Oi! You realize you just said it too, right?” Chuuya responds, choosing to ignore the last part, though the pink tint that spreads across his face (without his permission) tells Dazai that he did in fact hear it. “But Chuuya forgets, I said it when quoting him! Thus, according to the rules of foul language, it doesn’t count.” “Bullshhhhit. hIH’kishhiew-! hH’ISHH’ooo-!” “Care to look it up in the official rulebook, Chuuuuya?” “Oh, whatever, you ass.” And then, with a gentle tone that neither of them acknowledges, “How’s the kitten?” “They were thrilled to have her. I even got a kiss on the cheek for my efforts!” Chuuya rolls his eyes, but Dazai doesn’t miss the brief flash of hurt that shines through them. “I’m sorry you couldn’t keep her.” “What-?!” “The kitten.” Dazai meets Chuuya’s eyes, a cautious yet soft look in his gaze that Chuuya can’t help but love and hate at the same time. They stay like that for a beat longer than they’d care to admit, both trying to get lost in the silence, lost to the world, to melt away from themselves and find their place in each other. Like they used to. Like they know they can never do again. “Ach. Whatever. I’m a dog person anyways.” “I never did understand that. They’re foul creatures, slobbery, gross, feisty- Hey wait, maybe I do understand!” “Oi you ass, get over here!” Chuuya yells, throwing a punch that Dazai easily dodges, the smirk painted across his face maybe just a touch less fake than it was before. Neither of them talk about it again, both heading their separate ways, but when a kitten shaped stuffed animal shows up outside Chuuya’s apartment, he can’t help but let out a smile along with the sigh.

[voidcat]

Company — Seijoh 4 & animals

(press “Keep Reading” for Iwa, Mattsun & Makki!) 

Oikawa Tooru, cats: It was cute, watching you unhook your hand from his to run towards any cat you saw on the street, crouching down to their level and talking to them as if they could understand you. When he said this one, you laughed and said they did understand but the look in your eyes made it clear you were serious. Getting to see a soft side of yours, unfiltered, shining and radiating so much love was a scene he loved dearly. Your bond with cats went so far back to your childhood and he loved listening to your stories.

But when you appeared in front of his door one day, on the same day as your little trip, with a box in your hand, he knew what was about to come.

“So Tooru.” “No.”

“As you know I’ll be away for a few days and cannot take my baby with me.” “Why…”

“I’ve written down a little manual on her likes and dislikes, her preference of food and how to be pet.” “Can’t you ask Iwa-Chan instead?”

“No because Iwa-Chan does not live in Argentina.” So that’s how he found himself with your cat one morning, leaving the lid open, he went back to bed.

That night when he returned from another practice ended long gone, him staying overnight, he was met with a furious glare. “What are you looking at? I left an extra plate of food for you.” Was all he said.

By the time you returned, it was too early for them to be up. Opening the door quietly, putting your bag down and tiptoeing towards the bedroom, you were met with Tooru sleeping with your cat leaning against his leg. Pulling her to herself and lying besides him with as little noise as you, you joined them.

“Maybe she wasn’t such an awful guest.” Was what he first mumbled to you. As you chuckled, she got up to adjust her sleeping position, hitting him in the face with her tail in the process. “She has a name you know.” “I refuse to say it, especially after getting hit that harshly.” “It’s not that bad.”

He scrunched up his nose once “I’m sorry, Czarina Natalya.” As you laughed again, scratching her head with one hand and stroking Tooru’s hair with the other, he asked: “I still don’t get why you brought her to me. It’s not like I’m that good at taking care of plants or pets.”

“It was so she would take care of you while I was away. Nati is pretty good at that though she likes to act cold hearted.” “I guess that’s a story for another time.” “In the morning. Let’s get an hour of sleep before she starts meowing aggressively for breakfast.”

Iwaizumi Hajime, dogs: It was an ordinary day at the beach. Enjoying the sun and the waves, letting the sounds calm you and having a mini picnic of sorts. Seeing stray dogs by the beach wasn’t extraordinary, it wasn’t a common thing either, but when the white pup approached you shyly, you couldn’t help but pat the spot next to you on the sand. Running to you and laying down under the comforting shadow of the umbrella, she accompanied the two of you for the rest of the day. Petting her on the occasion, offering half of your sandwich and giving water, it was a given she would follow you home. And you didn’t have it in you to reject her.

Iwaizumi wasn’t so keen on the idea at first. The dog did seem well, she didn’t have a collar but she appeared healthy to the eyes. But it was the eyes that captured your heart and that’s how you found yourself listing so many advantages of having a dog to live with. And it was your eyes that Hajime couldn’t argue with so that was how you ended up with a pup. She would wake the two of you up with gently bumps of her nose, accompany Hajime on his regular runs, walk with the two of you to the market and keep an ear out at night to make sure no harm came near you. “Hey Princess!” You would say and she’d lay on the floor, paws raised and belly in the open, a sign of her trust too.

When you woke up that day, it was a bright grey. Clouds clogging up the sunlight, you knew what was about to come. Going through your morning routine and getting urgent things done, you decided to allow yourself a breathe. On your way to the kitchen, you heard the first rumble. Hurrying now and taking out your relaxing tea mix, you went to grab your blanket as the water boiled. Pouring it to your french press and adding the tea, you dropped yourself to the couch. When Cotton saw you, she walked away. “Weird.” You said to yourself. When she appeared minutes later, accompanied by footsteps, you realized why she was gone for a short period of time. As Hajime sat down by your side, pulling you into his arms, Cotton joined in as well, placing her head to your lap and giving you looks of concern once in a while. That’s how you found yourself waking up in the middle of the night, the thunderstorm long gone, you in the arms of Hajime, your beloved girl sleeping with content in your lap.

Matsukawa Issei, fish: When he decided to try all the ridiculous games at the fair one night, insisting on winning a prize, you were too busy laughing to sense the seriousness in his words. But as the night came to an end, your stomach hurting from the Cotton candy you had, Issei walked towards you, the smug expression you’ve come to know so well, painted in his face. Hands behind his back, you started laughing again. No absurd color could be seen so he didn’t go and win any huge stuffed toy. But when he raised his arms with a “Ta da!”, it was a small plastic bag filled with water, and a little orange fish swimming inside. There was no way this was real.

The fish you thought was the side effect of too much cotton candy turned out to be as real as the two of you. Grabbing a big glass and filling it water, you left the fish in the kitchen that night. Waking up to meet with it again was a shock to say the least. So doing what any responsible adult and eager kid would do, you took a photo of it and went out to get a proper tank, decorative rocks and fish food. By the time Issei got up to prepare some coffee, you were still in the kitchen, head rested on your hands, watching the fish and tapping against the tank once in a while. You didn’t see the way he took a sip of his coffee as he watched the two of you.

This became a habit long after, on stressful days, one of you would take away the source of the stress away and guide the other back where Carrotcake was, watching the light break and divide into infinite colors, getting lost in the waves of its tail as it swimming in serenity. The simple life of your fish was a break from anything and everything, especially when you needed escape. Getting too attached to a fish seemed hilarious to you at first but few months in and you found yourselves researching, then going out to get him a friend and a larger tank, now with a little castle they can play in.

As you sprinkled fish food into the water one morning, Issei placed down his mug to the side and wrapped his arms around. “Who knew we would rediscover us in them?” “Next time we go to the fair, I’ll be the one to try and win a prize.” “So the family keeps growing, huh?” “Why not? They deserve a little happiness and love like ours in their lives too.”

Hanamaki Takahiro, birds: It was a regular café try-out. As Makki was trying his profiterole pyramid, your attention was pulled to your phone when the notification bing! Reached your ears. Seeing a video from your friend, who was visiting her family in her home country, you opened the app eagerly. The joyous chirping of the budgerigar filling the café in an instant, you immediately turned your volume down. Seeing the bird sing and move his head as if he was dancing, you couldn’t help but be glued to the screen. Feeling the burning gaze of Makki in you, you showed him the video and watched him as fascination took over his features. After that, it was merely a count down. When he saw an adoption post for one, he sent it to you in an instant and in a week, you were the proud parents of a budgerigar. Spending the day setting the cage in a good place and checking the water and food, you went to bed content.

Waking up with an unfamiliar and loud noise the next morning, alarmed at first, only to remember the bird afterwards, was an experience to say the least. The first time you let Boncuk out of the cage, to fly inside the living room, you had no idea what he would do to your books. Experience being the best teacher, you found yourself running to get a blanket and using it to cover the book cases. Despite the energetic nature of the bird tiring you once in a while, it was fun to have a singer in the house. He would learn where to fly and what not to chew at in time, sit on your arm or on Makki’s head in the evenings, often pooping on Makki’s head and making you laugh the loudest in your life. When he first opened his beak and made a song far from a typical tweet but more like an actual word, you yelled Makki’s name, pulled him by the arm and asked the bird to do it again. And do he did, he could say only one word but it was more than enough. With the same pride parents have when their baby first starts to walk, you took videos all day, called all your friends and made them hear this wonder on call.

Being the two of you, it didn’t took you long to teach the bird a few more words. The best one was when you called Oikawa on his birthday and Makki called out “Okay, Boncuk! Now what do we say?” “Shittykawa!”

As the two of you started laughing, Oikawa hung up, complaining as he did. Yet all the mindless fun aside, your favorite thing was to watch the two of you duet together some nights, the bird singing along to Makki as he would serenade you or dance with you.

Boncuk means “bead” in Turkish, it’s a common name for budgerigars

[vicehectic]

Manga I Read on the Reg

This is just a collection of manga I read regularly whenever they come out.

1. Boku no Hero Academia

Most of you know what this is. In a world where 80% of the population has these special abilities called “quirks”, our main character is part of the 20% that doesn’t have a quirk. The problem is, Midoriya Izuku, hero fanboy and enthusiast, has desperately wanted to be a hero since childhood. Without a quirk, Midoriya is discriminated enough as it is and everyone around him is telling him he can’t become a hero. But Midoriya refuses to give up and prepares for his future in order to become a hero. As high school entrance exams draw near, Midoriya is losing hope but in one miraculous encounter with Japan’s Number 1 hero, Midoriya is given an opportunity to obtain a quirk and pursue his dream to become a hero. 

I’m going to be honest. When I first started to hear about Boku no Hero Academia, I avoided it. I was already in too many fandoms and decided that with all that I had to do in my life: it wasn’t worth it. I pushed it away for later or potentially never. The most I did was click on a couple clips advertising BNHA and decided from those short clips that I despised Bakugou Katsuki. He was the classic bully character that I didn’t need reminders of. He’s the type of person I hate most in the world. I weighed the ethics and morality of this fantasy world way too heavily and moved on. Then, one day, having broken my ankle and forced to stay off it; I decided to read the Boku no Hero Academia manga in it’s entirety in one sitting. Since then I haven’t missed a new release. I think the reason I was so attracted to this series was how much it made me think of Katekyo Hitman Reborn which is one of my favorite franchises. I wanted to see more of a nervous and unsure main character despite being a badass and Boku no Hero Academia has certainly given me that.

This has an anime up to season 3 and a movie. Season 4 and a second movie has also been announced!

2. Haikyuu!!

One of the only sports manga! Haikyuu follows Hinata Shouyo, a short teenage boy entering his first year of high school aspiring to be the volleyball team’s ace despite almost never competing before, and Kageyama Tobio, a genius setter who has previously been abandoned by his teammates. Now, it’s not exactly that cut and dried. Hinata, despite being a nervous wreck and an idiot at times, along with practically being a beginner at playing volleyball with a real team, has incredible athletic ability. The only thing he can really do is jump and at the beginning of his high school career he takes to spiking with his eyes closed. Kageyama is a genius with a terrible personality. His insecurities after being abandoned make him standoffish to nearly everyone, but he always pulls through when aiming his set exactly to where Hinata will hit it. The team they join are full of fun and vibrant characters that have the title of the fallen crows because their school’s team has “fallen from glory”. It’s a typical sports manga with lovable characters and interesting relationships.

I also avoided reading Haikyuu when my friends started talking about it. I had already invested so much time into reading The Prince of Tennis and I didn’t want to get sucked into another fandom. I caved of course. The characters just seemed so fresh and new to me. It was less about the volleyball and more about how the characters interacted with each other. I actually started reading Haikyuu because of two videos on youtube that I believe no longer exist. The first was a compilation of each jump serve layered on top of each other and for each second the character serving would change and it was like art. The second was a compilation of Iwaizumi and Oikawa bickering. That really sold me. 

This manga has an anime up to season 3! Season 4 has also been announced!

3. Akatsuki no Yona

God I love her. Akatsuki no Yona follows the sheltered princess of the Kyouka Kingdom, Yona. Yona has lived her entire life within the gates of Hiryuu Castle with her cousin Su-won, her bodyguard Hak, and her father: the King. All Yona wants in her future is to marry Su-won, despite her father’s insistence that she will not. The night of her 16th birthday, however, she discovers Su-won over her father’s body, pulling a sword out of his corpse. She escapes the castle with Hak and after gathering herself after her father’s death and cousin’s betrayal she visits a priest that tells her to find the four legendary dragon warriors. Kyouka has a legend, in which the first king was a red dragon in human form and was accompanied with four warriors with his dragon brothers’ blood. Yona, with the priest believing she is the reincarnation of the red dragon, sets off with Hak and the priest’s companion to find the dragon warriors. 

I was hooked on Yona the moment it came out. I watched the anime like five times and when I realize there wouldn’t be a second season I read the manga. I’ve said this before in another post but Yona isn’t just a shoujo manga. The main character is a strong inspirational female character trying her best to fix the country that declared her dead. The romance is sweet but also awfully comedic. The fight scenes and the dramatic scenes are intense and draw you in. But just like any other manga, it’s the characters and the relationships that drew me in. Besides Hak and Yona’s thing they’re avoiding talking about; everyone else acts like siblings just trying to stay together the best they can and help anyone they can along the way. The dragon dynamic is hilarious, the backstories are sad, the romance is soft, and the bishounen is a genius. 

This manga has one anime season!

4. Yakusoko no Neverland

The ultimate mind fuck. The orphans at the Grace Field House live peaceful lives with each other and their beloved Mama. It’s one big happy family. They spend the days like any other family would; breakfast, mind-wracking tests, tag, dinner, and rinse and repeat. But even to the children, somethings seem strange. They’re never allowed to venture beyond the gate that surrounds them like a ring in the forest around the house. By the time they reach the age 12, they have to leave their little house. The children that have left never write to them, despite promising they would. The story follows main characters Ray, Norman, and Emma as they find out the secret behind their little house and try to somehow change their pitiful fate. 

So, this is another manga I decided to read in one day. A friend and I decided that since the anime would be coming out soon we would read the manga together in one go. Needless to say we were nearly dead after reading through all of it. So much happens in this that you’re like “what just happened” despite having just read it. You literally have to expect the unexpected when it comes to Neverland. This series would be ruined if I said anymore but the fact that these children can go through that and still smile and have hope despite the odds against them makes my heart warm. 

This manga has an anime that is currently airing!

5. The Rising of the Shield Hero

The one that makes you angry almost immediately. According to legend, the holders of the four heavenly weapons are the heroes that will save Melromarc from the calamity that come in waves to the world. Iwatani Naofumi is just a normal university student when he picks up a book that transports him to another world. It’s entirely by bad luck that he’s given the role of the disregarded Shield Hero who can only wield shields and is ultimately useless offensively in battle. What’s even worse is that the companion who joined him at the start of his journey accused him of raping her and he’s been scorned by the kingdom and all its inhabitants since. The world seems so dark and Naofumi doesn’t want anything to do with the other heroes and incoming waves of calamity. The light in his life returns when he enslaves a sickly and depressed demi-human to fight for him. Raphtalia soon finds her master isn’t scary or cruel and becomes determined to make sure no one will suffer as she once did as a child while making sure Naofumi knows he is loved and appreciated by at least one person. 

God when I first read this I was so mad. Naofumi didn’t deserve any of this, especially when the arrogant king summoned him to fight a battle he had nothing to do with. The same friend introduced Shield-bro to me and practically begged I read it. Yes we call it Shield-bro, it’s a thing. Look up Shield-bro on google and this will come out. It’s just a different sort of isekai where instead of being the hero that’s being praised - you get a real person getting accused of a real crime he didn’t commit. He’s been handed the short end of the stick just for being the Shield Hero no one appreciates. He’s literally the underdog in everything. You just want to root for Naofumi. It’s a really good stress reliever. 

This manga has an anime that is currently airing!

6. Isekai Omotenashi Gohan

This one is so softtttt. Our main character and her little sister gets their literal house transported to a different world. Oh and their dog comes too! Their Japanese home is transported in front of a luxurious foreign-looking castle in which people greet Akane and her little sister, Hiyori, claiming to have summoned the priestess that will save their world from the miasma. Hiyori is delighted and starts her training as the priestess, but Akane has nothing to do as a normal office worker and their home’s homemaker in this new world. After spending a month feeling useless, Hiyori comes to plead her sister for her cooking - starting Akane’s adventure in cooking classic Japanese staples that somehow attracts the attention of the Knight Commander of the Chivalric Order, the King, the kingdom’s princesses and much more. That is, of course, while teaching her knight guard Jade how to cook as well. 

This isn’t very long and updates rarely but it’s so cute. All the antics are just so cute. The food is amazing and it’s just a story about how food brings everyone together. It’s masterful and done well. But it’s also not just a cooking story. Akane and Hiyori both struggle with Hiyori being the world’s priestess and her encountering danger. The sisterly bond is great in this one.

7. Koushaku Reijou no Tashinami

If you can’t tell I’m really into Isekai. This manga follows another regular office worker, but she’s really into otome games. Our main character dies from a car crash and when she wakes up she is in the footsteps of the villainess, Iris Lana Armelia, from a game she had just completed, in the middle Iris’ judgement scene from the love interests because Iris harassed the game’s main character: Yuuri. The original fate of Iris, after losing her engagement from the prince and being exposed of harassment in front of her whole school, leads to a miserable life at a church. Iris, this time around, as an efficient office worker from Japan, gets sent by the Duke, her father, to care for their territory’s fief as fief lord. From there Iris, along with her loyal companions and friends, care for the fief with all of Iris’ knowledge from Japan with plenty of bumps along the way from the game’s love interests and Yuuri. Yuuri may not be the sweet video game protagonist she is thought to be.

So, one day, I had read through most everything and I wanted a little bit of romance in my life. And while this didn’t originally have the romance I wanted, it still piqued my interest. The real appeal to this is how strong Iris is as a character. She doesn’t take shit from anyone and holds her head up with pride. But in the times she is weak she has supportive friends that would do anything for her in a heartbeat. Another appealing factor is how technical and political this manga is. The manga describes real life things to improve the fief such as a banking system and taxation, but also gets political with the two factions of the two princes. It’s a good mix a strong female lead, economics, politics, royalty, and friendship. 

There is also a Light Novel that some amazing people have translated online! Go support them!

8. That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)

More isekai! Just like most isekai main characters, our main character is a simple corporate worker who lives a normal life in Tokyo. Unfortunately, after pushing his friend out of the way of an assailant on the street, our MC dies while hearing a strange voice responding to his dying thoughts. When our MC wakes up he discovers that he is now a slime in a new world and discovers a dragon in the cave he woke up, befriends him, and receives the name Rimuru Tempest. Strangely, Rimuru has abilities that a normal slime would not have - the most notable being his ability to devour anything and mimic its appearance and abilities. Rimuru starts his journey after escaping the cave and one thing leads to another and suddenly there are a bunch of monsters calling him “Master” and “Rimuru-sama” and Rimuru is the head of a monster country. 

I normally don’t like OP characters, but I strangely find Rimuru okay. Rimuru has plenty of over powered characteristics and abilities but Rimuru’s personality and demeanor makes it tolerable. It’s just fun seeing how everyone underestimates Rimuru because he’s a slime. Rimuru is also very morally aligned, in that he’s very clear with his desires and doesn’t tolerate it if the line is crossed. 

This manga has an anime that is currently airing!

9. I Reincarnated into an Otome Game as a Villainess with Only Destruction Flags

EVEN MORE ISEKAI! We follow Katarina Klaus who hits her head and awakens the memories of her past life as a seventeen year old girl in Japan. Katarina Klaus, however, is the haughty aristocrat villainess in a fantasy otome game with swords and magic. Having recovered her memories, Katarina cannot find it in herself to act the same as the old Katarina as she finds aristocratic society a pain. Unfortunately for Katarina, according to the game, death or exile awaits her for each and every route. Katarina decides the best thing to do is somehow protect herself by improving her magic and swordsmanship to escape the death flags. What follows are antics of farming to enhance her magical ability and her unintentional wooing of the game’s love interests. Oblivious and focused on matching the love interests to the game’s main character while avoiding a destruction flag, Katarina doesn’t notice how everyone, even the game’s main character falls for her. Farming, failed match-making, admiration from all sides, and a panicking main character awaits you. 

This is another one that I found looking for romance. This is more of a comedy isekai more than anything. Sure there’s magic and other abilities but the manga doesn’t focus on that. The manga focuses more on the strangeness that is Katarina as she is now. I would have never expected to find an isekai manga MC have a hobby in farming. The way Katarina is so oblivious to everyone falling for her is also pretty great. 

There is also a Light Novel that some amazing people have translated online! Go support them!

10. The Saint’s Magic Ability is Omnipotent (Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu)

God how much isekai do I read? Sei, a regular office worker, was suddenly summoned to another world by a saint summoning ritual with another girl she does not recognize. The prince of this country, despite there being two girls summoned to their world, completely ignores Sei and declares the other girl is the saint who will save the country from the miasma, without confirming his claim. Sei, outraged, demands that because she is apparently not the saint that she be sent back home but is told it is impossible. Sei lives a comfortable but restless life at the castle, having gotten used to the grueling work style of Japan. While exploring the castle she becomes interested in potion making. Her magic is overly effective to everything she does and creates without her meaning to - even her food gives people more energy. As time goes on, more and more people come to respect Sei’s good deeds and starts to think she is the saint while the girl parading around with the country’s prince is a fake. Sei, knowing she is the saint, only wants to live a quiet life creating potions.

This one is just so precious because of how amazing Sei is without meaning to. She knows she is the saint but doesn’t want to admit it. It’s also really fun seeing how she interacts with the other characters. Sei isn’t used to praise or romantic attention. A lot of things are new to her in this new world but all she wants to do is be useful in her own way. 

There is also a Light Novel that some amazing people have translated online! Go support them!

11. The White Cat That Swore Vengeance Was Just Lazing on the Dragon King’s Lap

This is sadly relatable. Ruri has forcibly been friends her neighbor Asahi for years. Ruri is the beautiful daughter to a foreign model and a diplomat of Japan. If you were to look up the definition of beauty in a dictionary, Ruri’s picture would be there. Platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, elegant Japanese features and all. Asahi, meanwhile, has been coddled and loved throughout her whole life because her approachable nature and cuteness that no one except for Ruri seems immune to. Everything Asahi does is somehow blamed on Ruri, even when she isn’t directly involved. Everyone is on Asahi’s side. Having tried to escape Asashi and the negativity of those around her on multiple occasions, Ruri has realized that Asahi is willing to follow her everywhere no matter what Ruri tries. While on campus at her university with Asahi; she, Asahi, and a couple of Asahi’s friends/admirers get transported to another world via magic and everyone rushes to Asahi calling her the lady priestess. Ruri, seeing this as her chance to escape Asahi, is told she is an idiot for thinking she could return to her own world. Almost immediately all those in the Kingdom of Nadarsia hate Ruri because Asahi herself keeps clinging to Ruri while ignoring them. Without Asahi’s knowledge they kick Ruri off the hidden forest and Ruri finds herself in the care of a kind, yet ugly, old lady from the dragon kindgom who takes care of her and teaches her about the magic the fairies grant in this world. Surprisingly, the fairies are seem to gather around Ruri and adore her. When Ruri has gotten used to this world she visits the dragon kingdom on her own, gets scared and wears an ancient bracelet given to her by a powerful fairy that allows her to turn into a cat and is given the title “Cherished One” and meets the Dragon King who falls in love with her cat form. Cue title and roll credits!

I say this is relatable because of a toxic frienship I once had. I broke it off with a friend and for a long time things were awkward among my other friends and a lot of people kept insisting that we would make up someday despite me not wanting that. These friends now have realized that it was a lot more than that and funnily enough they have broken it off with her as well. But this is a cute story about a victim finally getting her vengeance and the love and praise she deserves. There’s also cute cat antics and a sprinkle of romance in it.  

There is also a Light Novel that some amazing people have translated online! Go support them!

12. Boku no Hero Academia: Vigilantes

A very familiar title to another one on this list! In a world where 80% of the population has these special abilities called “quirks”, our main character is part of the 80% that does have a quirk. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with a quirk such as fire manipulation or engines in their bodies to fight crime. Himawari Koichi has the quirk known as “Slide and Glide”, giving him the average ability to slide over plain surfaces. Despite this, Koichi has always wanted to be hero and admires Number 1 Hero All Might as his role model. Despite not being a hero, Koichi uses his quirk in public areas, breaking quirk regulation laws, to get to his destination quickly and hates said restrictions. After a series of events Koichi decides to use his quirk, while wearing an All Might hoodie, to do good deeds for the public - all simple things. All he ever does for awhile is give directions, clean up litter, or return dropped items while utilizing his quirk. But things become dangerous when he meets freelance idol Pop☆Step and a quirkless, yet powerful, old man known as Knuckleduster and they somehow become vigilantes for their neighborhood while getting deeply involved in a quirk improvement drug known as Trigger.

This is what I wanted Boku no Hero Academia to be when I first read BNHA. I wanted a quirkless character fighting crime with their own power. I have to admit I was disappointed when Deku got his quirk. The setting of Vigilantes (or Illegals) is before the BNHA timeline. Eraserhead has yet to become a teacher at UA and the original Ingenium is still running around. We get to see an other side of the heroes we love and hate and get to see how vigilantism effects this quirk filled world. Koichi, while also being an All Might fanboy is different from Deku.  Pop☆Step is a cute tsundere idol who is still trying to climb the popularity ranks. Knuckleduster is a mysterious man who fights crime with his own justice and abilities. It’s an eye opener to another aspect of the BNHA world. 

13. Bloom into You (Yagate Kimi Ni Naru)

The romance that isn’t supposed to be? Koito Yuu is a first year in high school who enjoys reading Shoujo manga. The problem(?) is that she doesn’t understand the feeling of love. Nanami Touko is a third year at the same high school that Yuu unintentional watches get confessed to but Touko refuses. Yuu gets recruited in helping the student council that Touko is a part of and realizes that Touko is the same as her. No matter how many people confess to either of them, be it one or dozens, they will never feel anything when it happens. Yuu goes to Touko for help, realizing that they are the same and gets advice to reject someone who confessed to her at her middle school graduation. But immediately after, Touko confesses that if it was Yuu, she could fall in love with her. What results is a story of a not-so romance and a refreshing coming of age story. 

This is one messed up romance story. Like the relationship Koito Yuu and Nanami Touko have is so messed up. The upside to this story is that it talks about homosexuality and asexuality with so much lax that it’s refreshing. This manga is cute and entertaining at times and the romance is unorthodox. The character backstories are interesting and heartbreaking and the way the characters interact with each other are interesting. You won’t see what happens in this manga in most manga you come across. 

This manga has an anime that is currently airing!