TOP MANGA OF THE WEEK

Senoo Kaoru falls in love with an attractive freshman he meets at the library, Shinohara Akira. Shinohara Souya is unable to let go of the memory of his beloved. And Akira is a lonely boy starving for love. No matter how strongly they wish for it, these feelings wrenching their hearts can never be requited. A secret past binds them together; and the shocking truth will be revealed in the end. What fate awaits these beasts hungry for love, in this tragic story by Hakutou Noriko?

Takayama is gay. While at work he begins to take note of successful and peerless Ishikawa, whom he eyes hungrily. Ishikawa finds out that Takayama is gay when he sees him in a compromising position with a hook-up, but surprisingly he does not out him at work. When a deal of Ishikawa's goes bad, he is infuriated. In a fit of rage, Ishikawa forces himself on Takayama. Takayama decides that he can forgive him for this one-time incident, but can this sordid physical relationship continue?

From Attractive Fascinante: In the Royale School, because of his nice name, Ayamoji Kokuei was being targeted by a yakuza’s son, Shirogane Michihiko (real name: Kintarou). Ayamoji began to skip lessons and repeat grades to avoid meeting Shirogane. When they met six years later, Ayamoji drugged Shirogane and they got intimate. Ayamoji left after that and reappeared five years later. Would the two lovebirds finally be together?

From Attractive Fascinante: Aratsuka Kaoru, a math sensei teaching in an all boys’ middle and high school boarding school, is also known as “Alaska” because of his coldness. He has never been in love before because he’s afraid to share his feelings with another. After some issues, he spent a night in the room of the infirmary sensei, Suzuki Kouta. It was the first time someone touched him. What will happen there after?

From Loveless: How far would you go to discover the mystery behind a smile? Kouhei has been watching Akira-senpai for quite some time. When Akira finally takes notice of him, how much of his cruelty will Kouhei withstand in order to win his heart?

Summary from Fantasyshrine: Kitahara, a website designer and Suzuki, a handbag craftsman, two people with opposite polar personalities, are brought together because of a one-of-a-kind handbag. Due to Kitahara's persistence of owning this particular handbag, the two ended up working together. Though they gradually become aware of the other person, they stubbornly ignore the pull that exists between them. Will they come to terms with their feelings!? It’s a story of two adults both too bashful to express their love for each other.

Ah, where there are innocent and cute young men there will always be older rich men who love them secretly from the shadows and support them anonymously. This one is a bit funnier than most with the D.L.L. having a neurotic side.

What if you were to meet your childhood friend again after ten years of separation? This was exactly the case for Mitsuya, a recently transferred company executive who found out that the person living three doors down from his new apartment was none other than Noboru, his older brother's best friend... and his first love. As a young and brash middle schooler, Mitsuya had forcefully kissed Noboru and drove him away. Deeply regretting his action, he kept a tight lid on his feelings. But now, being with Noboru again is bringing all those heated memories back, as if they were never gone to begin with. "Merry Checker" is adapted from this manga.

After a bad break-up, Kusakate leaves his ex with nothing but his clothes on him. Sitting around in the park with nothing to do and nowhere to go, while contemplating his bad luck he is discovered by Hanamura, a former student of his. Their meetings soon become habitual....

From Attractive Fascinante: Akio’s daily life has been taken care of by his best friend, Ryousuke. Akio has been secretly in love with this best friend for so long. Ryousuke is a serious salary man and always hopes to have a family. However, Ryousuke’s wife-to-be ran away before the wedding. Since then, Ryousuke began to pamper Akio even more. Is Ryousuke taking Akio as a replacement for something he lost? What happened two years ago that made Akio unable to confess?

After living with an abusive father, and a runaway mother, two brothers decide to live on their own. The story follows their life together and how they fall in love with the people they do.

Ichimura has just quit his job of eight years and lost his girlfriend. While feeling bummed out and uninspired, his best friend from college appears on his doorstep. But maybe there was more to their friendship than meets the eye...

After failing Japanaese history, Mio was force to go to extra cram classes. Finding out that his Japanese history teacher, Fumichika, was quite understanding and kind, Mio couldn't help but feel an attraction towards him. After he confessed, Fumichika tells him that his feelings won't last, but if he can accept the risk of not having his feelings reciprocated and the fact that he may end up hurt, they can start a physical relationship. But when Mio desires more...

(1-2) Kagami and Fukamachi are two friends who both secretly love each other, but the other doesn't know it. Then one day, Kagami tells Fukamachi that he's in love with his sister- in which Fukamachi then reluctantly decides to introduce his sister to Kagami. Now Kagami is faced with showing Fukamachi how he feels before he's forced to go out with a girl he doesn't love... (3) Kyouya, a socially awkward college student has trouble smiling and gets bullied at school. What happens when he stumbles into Akira (a high school student) when he's out drinking? (4) Kyouya (not from chapter 3) is in love with Shirou, his business partner, but Shirou already has a lover?! ~Mangaupdates.com

Ha Il Kwon's debut work. The "beauty" virus is spreading around the nation, targetting ugly girls and driving them to madness. Park Jangmi wonders - why must life be so unfair? As she ponders, she stumbles upon a mysterious barber shop, with a mysterious barber...

1,2)I Want to be Myself, I Want to Know More About You- Ookawa Taketo is in love with his Biology sensei, Tsuruoka. After he confessed, Sensei refused to accept him because he was dumped once by a student before. Will Ookawa’s determination and his strong love convince Sensei? From Attractive Fascinante. 3)Route 17- Runner Tsuji is confessed to by his kouhai, star athlete Tenranishi, but without waiting for an answer, Tenranishi tells him to forget about it and runs off! 4)Hope This Can Be Forever- Hiromi's cool exterior hides his growing feelings for Yutaka, but suppressing his emotions where his childish kouhai is concerned is getting more and more difficult. The day is coming when Hiromi won't be able to hold back anymore... 5)The Feeling of Love- Seiji always though a charming smile would get him out of trouble, so he grins idiotically all time. But classmate Inoue only wants to see Seiji smile for real. 6)The Four Seasons at the Toda Flower Shop- Florist Shougo has been alone since his wife Kana died five years ago. Well, almost alone, his annoying and cheerful nephew Takao is determined to stay close to Shougo, no matter what! Takao's love is definitely more than uncle/nephew, but what about Shougo's feelings? 7)Mint Candy- Miyahara's wedding is a reunion for former college classmates stoic Kuze and light-hearted Takeda. Even knowing how cool Kuze is, Takeda is still surprised at his nonchalance, since Takeda always thought that Kuze had a crush on Miyahara...

From The Moon in a Box: Shinoda is still reeling from the sudden separation from his wife when one evening he's lured into a peculiar little shop by the smell of coffee. There, Asukura, the shop's proprietor, converses with him about the beauty and usefulness of broken things. Despite himself, Shinoda keeps coming back for coffee... and conversation.

Koyama Kei lost his mother when he was still in elementary school and never connected again with his distant, workaholic father. The only real light in his home life is his sister Moe: a bright college student who obviously adores him. But Kei has intimacy issues that even his sister can't pick up on. At 15 years old, Kei's never been in love, but he has sex with anyone who shows him interest. While he's in someone else's arms, he can forget the void in his own life. One day in late spring, Koyama discovers what's missing: a slightly spacey med-student named Fujii. Unfortunately, Fujii is his sister's boyfriend.

From Fantasyshrine: Kabutani is a “man-eater” who lives off human energy. One day, he becomes “in-heat” for his classmate, Kiriyama. Though he didn’t believe when his kindred said, “…Nothing compares to the taste of the ‘human’ you love!”, he couldn’t resist a “taste” of Kiriyama… And once he had, he became addicted to that tantalizing taste only Kiriyama can provide. What would a hungry and ruthless Kabutani do to curb his craving…!?

Collection of short stories about sweet schoolboy-romances, includes: 1) Junjou to Furachi Hiroto is shocked when his best friend Satoshi tells him he likes Nao-sempai. But he accepts his friend's choice, even though he can't tell Satoshi about his past with Nao... 2) The Pretender Katase is trying hard to pretend he's normal. He avoids Amero and tries to forget his feelings. But Amero is having none of it, and Katase gives in, granting Amero two weeks to see if this is the relationship he wants. Will Katase give into guilt, or will Amero's love win him over? (from BAA) 3) The Green that was Reflected in Your Eyes Popular student Takamiya brushes a caterpillar off mysterious rich student Sonoda's shoulder. Sonoda is so happy, he begins to buy Takamiya many expensive presents; he also never leaves Takamiya's side. Can Takamiya get Sonoda to stop buying him expensive gifts? Does Sonoda really want to give Takamiya more than just an iPod? (from AF) 4) Second Love Uenaga and Haruno were best friends throughout school, even wearing the same clothes. So why doesn't Haruno remember Uenaga at their school reunion? Is there a deep dark secret that should keep them apart? Do they have another chance for love? 5) I want to become your most important one Tomo always says, "I like Yukihiro." But Yukihiro can't take him seriously because Tomo's always smiling. Yukihiro's own feelings are a confused mess; does he like Tomo, or love him?

Tsubasa and Eiji have been dating for over 2 years, but their bedroom action hasn't progressed far. Eiji, a man in his 35 who has needs that aren't being met, has been using a substitute, waiting for the day when Tsubasa wants to go all the way. Tsubasa, being younger, fears that his inexperience will turn Eiji away. Can these two come to an agreement in the bedroom? And why is Tsubasa in the living room naked with cat ears?

1) Loveliness ~ Maybe I'm Your Steppin' Stone Hirosue Kenji the convenience store clerk has a huge crush on his regular customer Mogi Kousei. When he finds out that Kousei's son is going to the same nursery as his niece, he takes the opportunity to get closer to his dream date. (Kousei was introduced in chapter 4 of I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone) 2) Loveliness ~ Passion Honey Mejiro Yasushi goes home after a hard day's work and finds his lover/cousin cheating on him. He heads over to Kousei's place for a drinking session and Nakano Shunji the grouchy co-worker joins them. Yasushi discovers Shunji's secret in the middle of the night. (continuation of Shunji's story in Otonage.) 3) Loveliness ~ Passion Baby Yasushi learns more about Shunji's painful past and his dependence on Kousei. 4) Loveliness ~ Charm Point Kenji doesn't understand why Kousei and his ex-wife is divorced even though they get along fabulously. He feels uncertain about Kousei's feelings for him, for he could start dating other women again. 5) Special Illustrations Includes: - About Delicacy Kousei and Kenji discuss public baths. - The Best! Shunji and Yasushi is finding his place hot and tight. - Kousei and Kenji's cosplay See Kousei as a host and Kenji as a construction worker. 6) Daylight Kosaka is obsessed with bikes and displays little interest in anything else, while his classmates are drooling over girls. Hotta his classmate has other matters on his mind as well...

From Storm In Heaven: It's all the little things that Ikeuchi does that makes Shinoda want him. Shinoda's been gay for as long as he can remember, but he's still a virgin. Then he falls in love with Ikeuchi, a younger man on the same basketball team. However, Ikeuchi has a girlfriend... is there any way Shinoda can make him want him?

From BLU: From modern-day tales of romance in Seattle, to eerie stories from historical Japan, to Yoshinaga-sensei's depiction of the class conflicts that fueled the French Revolution... In these unforgettable tales, there's a little something for every BLU fan! And perhaps best of all, the characters Claude and Antoine (a young aristocrat and his butler) are introduced in this volume. Catch up to their later adventures in Fumi Yoshinaga's 'Lovers in the Night'! *Contains a oneshot called True Tenderness. 'Ai towa Yoru ni Kizuku Mono' (Sequel)