Hi! Welcome back to my site. More importantly, welcome to my BL library. I am your BL librarian.
Today, we’ll go through all the mail I received in September and check out all the BL manga, manhwa, manhua, merch, and more.
Before we dive in, it is worth noting that I am not sponsored by anyone in this haul. These were all purchases made with my money.
Manga
Manhwa
Manhua
OEL Comics
Novels
Merch
Now, you may all have noticed there was no haul for August. That is purposeful. Because I was traveling and attending Citrus Con in August, I had my mail withheld for the month. By the time I received everything, it was already September. So, you’re getting an extra large September haul. I hope you enjoy it!
Manga
Men of Tattoos – One-Shot
This is actually from a big haul I got from BuyAnime.com’s $2.99 sale. It’s all older manga, including many out-of-print Juné Manga titles. I ended up ordering a second batch since I confirmed from this haul that they aren’t some fake website scamming degenerates like myself. I’m very excited to give this one a shot among all the others, but you’ll see those soon. Stick around to see all the classic manga I added to my BL horde.
My Beautiful Man – Volume 1
I’m very excited to start this, but I want to read it after I read the novel. I love nothing more than comparing various iterations of the same story. I’ve heard amazing things about this story and am looking forward to it.
The Troublesome Guest of Sotomura Detective Agency – One-Shot
I don’t have much to say about this one. The art looks a bit sketchy and out of my comfort zone, which is a good thing. I’m looking forward to giving it a shot.
Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide – Volume 5
I own this entire series, and I have yet to start it. At this point, that’s the story of my life. But this particular volume makes me really nervous about starting this series. Why? The cover art. The character’s eyes are so wide and strange-looking. It makes me very uncomfortable. The art style has always seemed unique and intriguing to me, but the cover choice on this one almost scares me away. Don’t worry. I’ve grown out of my “dropping something because of the art” phase, but it still has me nervous.
Hate Me, but Let Me Stay – Volume 1
If you haven’t seen it yet, I have already done a 1st Volume 1st Impression of this volume. I saw screenshots of this being passed around forever ago, and knowing it was omegaverse with mpreg and child-rearing had me foaming at the mouth to read this one day. I even bought standees for this before I got to read it. Now that it’s out, I’ve got to read it, and I am completely satisfied with all of my purchases. I can’t wait for future entries in this series.
Crossplay Love: Otaku x Punk – Volume 9
I still haven’t caught up with this series. I probably won’t keep reading it until it’s completed, but I’m really looking forward to it all the same. It’s very cute.
Hatsukoi Note – Volume 1
I adore this cover. It’s so raw and emotional that it’s impossible not to want to read it. I anticipate pain, sorrow, and tragedy, and I’m ready to be forever altered by all of it. I’m not sure if the art will be to my taste, but it seems like it will be very expressive, and sometimes that’s all that matters.
After School Etude – Volume 1
I was super looking forward to this title, and I’m so glad I finally have it in my hands. It looks absolutely gorgeous, and it’s about dancers. It just speaks to me.
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! – Volume 12
It’s hard to believe this is still going, and based on what I could find, we can expect at least 3 more volumes after this one. I have yet to catch up, and with all of my one-shot and completed series piling up and waiting on a review, this one might end up on the back burner until it’s complete. I really love it, though, so I’m still fighting with myself on that decision. I suppose we’ll see.
Takara’s Treasure – One-Shot
Minta Suzumaru is one of my favorite creators of all time, so when I saw this was being published by none other than Sublime, it was a no-brainer. I couldn’t pre-order it fast enough. I fully intend to read and review this as soon as possible, so I hope you’ll all be looking forward to that as much as I am.
Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real-Life Boss! – Volume 2
I still can’t believe these volumes ended up being as big as they are because it didn’t seem like they would be this long when reading them digitally. Now that both volumes are out, I look forward to reading the print version and seeing if anything has changed. Then, I’ll finally get to review this big boy.
Link and Ring – One-Shot
I adore this title. I’m so glad MangaPlanet is starting to release print versions of their titles; otherwise, I don’t know if I would’ve ever read it. This became one of my favorites instantly, and I’m so happy I can put it on my shelf.
Re:BIRTH – One-Shot
This is another MangaPlanet release, and again, I’m so pumped to see more of their titles come out in print (sending out all of the good vibes that Beast’s Storm will get this treatment one day). This one wasn’t a favorite of mine necessarily, but it is omegaverse, so, admittedly, it’s already got a leg up because of that. Regardless, it’s a very unique title, and I highly recommend it.
Restart – One-Shot
If you were excitedly waiting to see the rest of my classic manga haul, wait no longer. It’s wild that all of these volumes were only 2.99 USD. I won’t pretend every one of these excites me, but I look forward to them all the same. What I do like is that some of these come with freebies and nice dust jackets you don’t see anymore. It’s a nice touch, and I’m always happy to snag some out-of-print titles for cheap.
L’Etoile Solitaire – One-Shot
When you see a big old Yaoi hand on the cover, you already know you’re in for something… interesting. This one is not very high on my list, but it’s on it all the same.
Sighing Kiss – One-Shot
We have what I presume to be a classic love triangle. The art doesn’t intrigue me, but the story description does. We have a presumed unrequited love from one side, so the bottom decides to accept another’s advances, only for the one he was pining for initially to confess. Could this be a cheater title? Those are typically hit-or-miss, but I’m always open to new (to me) titles.
Barefoot Waltz – One-Shot
Now, this is the one I was most excited about. I love the art style, and it seems to have what starts as a coworker romance that then moves into a time skip with some rekindling. I am intrigued, to say the least. Of all of the ones from the 2.99 haul, this is at the top.
Lies & Kisses – One-Shot
This is the last I got of this particular classic manga haul. While it gives Yaoi hand vibes, something about the smooth coloring on the cover speaks to me. I have no doubt there will be some interesting art choices here, but I’m looking forward to it all the same.
Barbarities – Volume 4
I believe this is the last volume, which means this is now in the running for a review. It has such a unique style and character designs, so I’m pumped to finally have this on my review list. I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am.
Can an Otaku Like Me Really Be an Idol!? – One-Shot
I have reviewed this one already, and while I wouldn’t say it was my cup of tea, it’s hard to resist picking up a Kuma print. They are one of the few publishers that still put out manga with dust jackets, and they’re always super high quality. Admittedly, I may end up giving this one away. Anyone out there that might be interested? Let me know, and comment below.
How to Repair a Broken Cup – One-Shot
Now, this one is very interesting. It apparently has a time-traveling element to it, which I don’t see very often in BL. It being only one volume makes me nervous, but after a quick look through, I’m honestly more pumped than nervous. I guess we’ll see soon.
Manhwa
No Love Zone – Volume 1
I read this manhwa a while back, and while the main story wasn’t my favorite, the art, the child-rearing, and the side stories stole my heart. I had to get the print release, and, as expected of Seven Seas, it feels great. It’s been a long time since I’ve read this one, so I’m intrigued to see how my feelings about it might have changed since reviewing so many other BL. I’m confident this will still be fun, but I’m excited to find out for sure.
Perfect Buddy – Volume 1
I started this manhwa but dropped it in favor of other ongoing titles. It wasn’t because it was bad or anything. I just read so much at once that sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. That said, I’m excited to pick this one back up, especially with a physical version out. It looks great, and I anticipate the story will be even better.
Manhua
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi – Volume 7
No surprise, this is stunning. I’ll just keep it at that because, at this point, I don’t think I can say any more about these beautiful physical prints. As soon as this series is done, I will devour these volumes.
OEL and Other Comics
Bloom and Zoom – Volume 1
This is the start of the Hakei haul. This is one of their ongoing titles at the moment, and it is hilarious. I think I love it even more than their main title that this spawned from, Your Wings and Mine. Admittedly, I am a bit biased since I did edit this one. But still, the art is great, the men are beefy, and it has that classic Hakei humor. Doesn’t get much better than that.
BODY SOUL HEART – One-Shot
Once again, another Hakei title. This is a Riku and Sora fan comic collection, and it transported me right back to the day when I got my copy of Kingdom Hearts and popped it into my Playstation 2 for the first time. It feels good, and Hakei’s interpretation of Riku, in particular, is really fun and refreshes his character. I also edited this one, but I promise this is good.
a refreshing summer – One-Shot
Finally, from my Hakei haul, we actually have a GL. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but I do read things that aren’t BL. This might be my favorite of everything I got from Hakei’s shop. I love the characters and their designs, and the story speaks to that experience of someone leaving young adulthood and still not knowing what to do with their life – an experience many probably have but isn’t as represented in most media. These women are stunning, and I loved editing this one. Yes, I edited this one, too. It’s good stuff, okay? Trust me.
Sparks – Volume 1
This is a bit of a curve ball. I’ve seen this title retweeted on Twitter by a couple of other artists, and while the art doesn’t immediately intrigue me, from what I’ve seen of the story, it seems really dramatic and interesting. I’m always up for something new from indie creators, and I’m looking forward to trying this one.
Novels
Don’t You Like Me – Volume 1
This cover speaks to me on a whole other level. Granted, I’m pretty biased toward illustrated covers in this style since my novels have their own. I know nothing about this title other than it’s gorgeous, but that’s all I need a lot of the time. I’m looking forward to this one. Plus, this came with some extras. Who doesn’t love some early pre-order bonuses? It’s always worth it.
Nanchan – Volume 1
Hardcovers have been a rarity on my shelves as of late since most manga, manhwa, and the like are paperback and softcover. But lo and behold, Rosmei comes out with this gorgeous thing. It makes my heart soar seeing it, and it came with some extras for early pre-order, which I am so happy I got. I’m a sucker for extras.
My Beautiful Man – Volume 1
Here, we have the novel that inspired the manga from the manga section. I love the art on this cover, and I must admit, they look much better than the manga adaptation. Regardless of which cover I like more, I do intend to read this first over the manga. I’ve only heard amazing things, so the bar is super high. I’m excited.
Guardian – Volume 3
We have the last volume of this series, and it came with lots of goodies. This haul really makes my BL gremlin brain happy with all of these extras. These only come with the special edition, and they are very beautiful. I have already started reading this series, and I love it.
Ballad of Sword and Wine – Volume 2
This will be a silly complaint when the cover is still so beautiful, but this is a bit of a downstep from the first volume. I loved the reflective wine drips on that first one, and I was really missing them on this one. Don’t get me wrong, still gorgeous. All danmei covers are, but this one isn’t my favorite in this particular series.
Stars of Chaos – Volume 4
This is the last novel and book of the haul. It’s pretty, and it’s thick. Danmei just never miss.
Merch
He Calls Me Every Night – Gaku Kurama and Sumito Tokitsu Acrylic Stand
I recently read and reviewed this title and ended up really enjoying it. While the first couple isn’t necessarily my favorite, when I saw this standee of them, how could I say no? It’s stunning. Yiggybean never misses with their merch, and I’m so happy they had some for this series.
He Calls Me Every Night – Chibi Group Acrylic Stand
As I said, the main couple wasn’t my favorite, so I wanted something to represent the second couple. They did have a big standee of them, but it was a half-body, which I wasn’t necessarily in love with. It’s pretty, don’t get me wrong, but I really wanted something full-body. Thankfully, Yiggybean has a chibi standee with both couples, which I felt was a decent second option. It’s very cute. I like the first standee for this series more, but this has my favorite side couple, so it’s pretty high up on my merch list. I’m very happy I could get some merch for this series.
Bongchon Bride – Bongchun and Soongap Acrylic Stands
This is one of my favorite manhwa, and I was scouring the internet for some stands because I needed something physical to display my love of this series. Thankfully, Harumio was there to hook me up. These stands actually come in a set of three, with our third being Pilgyeon. I hate Pilgyeon with a passion, so I decided not to get the full set. I’m also not a fan of AU merch, which this is. They’re from a historical title, and I would’ve loved to have gotten some stands of them in their usual garb, but I’m happy to have them, regardless. Harumio keeps me fed.
Smyrna and Capri – Acrylic Stand
Brothers Without a Tomorrow and I have always had a contentious relationship. I avoided reviewing many of their titles for a long time because I hated the art style of their early work. They have, however, really grown and changed for the better, and this title is the epitome of their work as far as I’m concerned. I adore it so, so much, and I had to get some merch to show my love for it. As expected, the art on the standee is super detailed, and it’s probably one of the prettiest things I own. It’s a gorgeous Harumio purchase that was well worth every penny spent.
Our Sunny Days – Haebeom Seal Plushie
As I’ve mentioned a few times in other posts and in videos, I attended Citrus Con last month, and one of the best parts about the convention was the artist alley (of which I was a part of with my novels). As I was making my way around the virtual AA, I found this amazing plushie by Enchanted Vex. Jeong Seokchan is my favorite manhwa creator of all time, and this seal represents one of the main characters from one of their ongoing titles that I am loving. I love plushies, but they aren’t the most common type of merch for BL titles. So, when I saw this, how could I possibly say no? I actually had to buy this plushie twice because my puppy Aster also really loved the first one and ended up sneaking away with it. While I wasn’t happy about that, this plushie was well worth another purchase, so all’s well that ends well. Aster has his own BL plushie skin, and I have my whole one. I adore this.
Conclusion
This is everything I got in September. It was really fun sharing what I got with you guys. If you’d like to see more for the rest of the year, let me know and comment below.
Otherwise, I’ll catch you next time. Bye!