BL Library - Drama

Manga Review | He Calls Me Every Night by Bond Mitsuya

Title: He Calls Me Every Night

Author(s): Bond Mitsuya

Artist(s): Bond Mitsuya

Sumito Tokitsu has returned to his rural hometown after being sent to his grandmother’s house to attend school while his father works back in the city. He isn’t excited or upset, having very little recollection of his time there, and his relationship with his parents is tenuous at best. But his relationship with his grandma is very close, and he’s glad to be doted on for a change. Unfortunately, his peaceful days are followed by less-than-peaceful nights. When he leaves his window open one night, he ends up with an uninvited guest. The guest doesn’t seem to want to steal or hurt Sumito, but he has an odd obsession with touching him instead. What’s even stranger is how much Sumito enjoys their nightly romps.

The village Sumito has returned to praise a being known as the crow demon. It’s a silly story that Sumito doesn’t put much stock in until he meets his nightly visitor at school. The stranger introduces himself as Gaku, the next head of the crow demons. Sumito quickly dismisses such a claim, even as Gaku shows off his wings. But after some magical nudging, Sumito has no choice but to accept that crow demons are real. However, what he can’t accept is that, by Gaku’s claim, Sumito is his fiancee. Sumito has no intention of marrying a strange demon, but as a love rival makes himself known, Sumito finds himself wanting to defend his unwanted position; all the while, his body reacts to Gaku like it knows something Sumito doesn’t.

Title: Love So Pure

Author(s): Plan B

Artist(s): Plan B

Jihyun isn’t the best student. He’d prefer to just have sex, sleep, and work at his part-time job as a bartender, but his mother wants nothing more than for her son to get an education. So, after taking extended periods off, he’s forced to return to college or risk being expelled entirely. But it isn’t necessarily that he hates school that he took so much time off. In reality, Jihyun has gone through a traumatic event with an ex-boyfriend, where much of his personal and private information was leaked, forcing him to leave or risk being bullied and ostracized by his peers. With so much time having passed, Jihyun is hopeful that most people who knew about the situation have graduated or, at the very least, moved on from campus.

Still, he’s not looking forward to waking up early and attending class. However, some of that frustration is alleviated when he finds that one of his classmates, Yohan, is a hulking beefcake – his soldier, as he likes to refer to him. Jihyun would love nothing more than to climb around that giant tree of a man, but he’s pretty sure Yohan is straight. Thankfully for Jihyun, Yohan finds himself entranced by Jihyun, too. But the two want very different things. Yohan, a softy at heart, wants to woo and date Jihyun, and while Jihyun, deep down, would love a relationship, he feels he is incapable of having one due to his trauma. Can these two find common ground, or will they perpetually be stuck in situationship limbo?

Title: Hitorijime Boyfriend

Author(s): Memeco Arii

Artist(s): Memeco Arii

Kensuke Oshiba has a problem. His high school life has been relatively peaceful despite being haunted by a painful event in his past when his best friend left him behind to attend a different middle school. He’s thankfully made friends since then, but that sad memory comes back to the forefront of his mind when that friend, Asaya Hasekura, suddenly transfers to his high school. He’s no longer that little boy Kensuke played with in elementary school. He’s now a handsome young man, taller than Kensuke, and he’s the talk of the school. Kensuke intends to just ignore Hasekura, but then they end up in the same class. Could things get any worse?

Thankfully, Hasekura seems ready to bury the hatchet, which Kensuke is all too happy to do. With their friendship rekindled, Kensuke’s life is back on track. But little does Kensuke know that Hasekura has no intentions of staying just friends.

Title: Subscribers Only

Author(s): Just / Junggak

Artist(s): Just / Junggak

1st Couple (Seasons 1 and 2)

Hanseok Choi is a workaholic. He spends every waking and even sleeping moment in the office, leaving him no time for his personal life. His friend, and coworker, is determined to help Hanseok relax a bit, so he shows him an anonymous online account that posts solo porn. The man is exactly Hanseok’s type, and soon, when he isn’t working, Hanseok finds himself checking up on the man known as mil_tea. But his attention is soon diverted elsewhere once more when a new hire, Doyoon, starts at work, and by happenstance, Hanseok catches sight of a tattoo that mil_tea also has.

2nd Couple (Seasons 3 and 4)

Chakyeong Shin is known as Valenti online, a popular cammer. While playing on camera, Valenti often listens to someone he calls Threesome, though whose actual username is Story Awesome. Story Awesome’s voice sends Chakyeong right into bliss, and many times, he hunts for partners solely based on how closely they can mimic his voice. But when he’s not having fun on camera, he’s renowned interior designer Chakyeong Shin, and for a time, he plans on teaching a class at his old college. While in the middle of class, he sees a beefcake. This man is exactly Chakyeong’s type, named Woojin, and judging by the books hanging out of his bag, he’s a big fan of Chakyeong’s work.

He’d love to leverage that and get the burly student into his bed, but he realizes this fan behavior is a two-way street when he hears him speak. Woojin is a fan of Chakyeong. But Chakyeong is also a fan of Woojin, who is none other than Story Awesome himself.

Title: Fox-Colored Jealousy

Author(s): Machi Suehiro

Artist(s): Machi Suehiro

Akiha has never been able to live the average life of a child, a teenager, and not even a college student. Unfortunately, his family line has been cursed by a fox spirit. The fox spirit waits until Akiha’s heart is weak, usually when he is scared, angry, or feeling some other intense emotion, and then takes over his body. This leads to many situations where Akiha “awakens” in a place he doesn’t recognize or outside, having ruined someone’s garden. Akiha is completely aware of what is happening when the fox takes over, but he has no control until the fox lets him go.

But maybe more troubling than the possession, the fox almost always manifests ears and a tail, which makes it impossible to go out in public without exposing his secret. As a last-ditch effort, Akiha signs up for a college in the city where his distant relatives live and manage a shrine. There, he hopes they will be able to help exorcise or at least put a leash on the fox spirit inside of him. On the way there, he ends up being groped on the train. Worried he might expose the fox if he reacts, Akiha is at a loss of what to do until an attractive stranger rescues him.

As it turns out, the stranger is his cousin, and while he isn’t the sibling who’s a priest, he does seem to have some control over animals. Perhaps he’ll be the one who can help Akiha control the beast inside him. Regardless, the fox does seem to be attracted to him for some reason.

Title: Kill the Lights

Author(s): Jang Ryang / Jangryang

Artist(s): Mync

Haley Rusk, real name Reese, is a wild child. He is well known for drug use, excessive drinking, and his unusual obsession with Noah Raycarlton, a well-known rich kid turned rich man. No matter how bad his public image is, Haley is only interested in his own self-interests. Unfortunately, while trying out the occult to get Noah’s affection, all of the damage to his body finally catches up to him. Haley Rusk, as he is known, passes away due to a heart attack.

Miles and miles away, Mason, a mercenary, is on a mission with two other mercenaries. His target is begging for his life, offering the code to a safe where there are possibly millions, if not billions, hidden away. Mason isn’t interested and takes out the mark, only to be shot by his teammate, who wants the money for himself. This is supposed to be the end of Mason’s life. But to his surprise, he ends up waking up in a hospital room where people talk about how they can’t wait for “Reese’s” inheritance.

Mason couldn’t be any more different than Haley Rusk, but somehow, he’s “reborn” or “transmigrated” into his body. Rather than be bothered or disturbed by the sudden change, Mason sees this as an amazing opportunity. He doesn’t have to do dangerous and horrific work anymore; he has enough money to quietly retire from show business and start a cafe, and if he decides to stay in the business, he can make loads of money in a short time. There’s just one problem: he seems to have kept some of Haley’s preferences. Specifically, his sexual preferences, and when he ends up running into Noah Raycarlton, who he used to protect back in his bodyguard days, he finds himself attracted to him.

Much to Noah’s surprise, this new Haley is pretty attractive to him, too. Haley now reminds him of the man who protected him all those years ago – the man he’s been obsessed with for as long as he can remember.

Title: You Just Can't Beat A Guy With A Double Face

Author(s): Saori Nobana

Artist(s): Saori Nobana

Kaname is your classic delinquent, and that’s precisely what he wants to be. Kaname was inspired by movies where men used their fists to protect others. That has set up his life on a trajectory of violence, but he sees it as a way to protect himself and those he holds dear with his fists, just like those he admired in those films. Unfortunately, he has yet to find someone worth protecting, and he’s constantly fighting with the school’s A+ student, Katagiri. It’s another day of arguing with the “perfect” student in class, leaving Kaname frustrated on his way home.

Unfortunately, Kaname runs into some other delinquents looking for a fight. With three against one, things aren’t looking good for Kaname until a stranger with glasses comes in to beat them off. Soma is this stranger’s name, and if anyone is worthy of Kaname’s protection, it’s Soma. But as Kaname tries to get closer to Soma, Soma does something that Kaname couldn’t have anticipated. Soma kisses Kaname. Kaname can’t begin to understand why. But what’s even weirder is that Katagiri has started avoiding him at school.

Just what is going on?

Title: Recipe For Disaster (Lezhin) | Curious Recipe (TappyToon)

Author(s): COM

Artist(s): COM

Taesoo is a college student. His life isn’t exactly what he expected it would be, but it’s not too bad. He enjoys time with his friends, runs the taekwondo club, and makes the best out of everything. However, things get a bit more complicated when a new neighbor moves in. The man is very extroverted, which already turns Taesoo off, but somehow, this man knows Taesoo’s name. As it turns out, this stranger isn’t a stranger at all. It’s his childhood friend, Junghyuk, who used to be a chubby, bullied boy that Taesoo spent much of his time protecting.

Junghyuk is unrecognizable. He’s buff and unnervingly handsome. But more important than all of that, he bakes. Taesoo has an unquenchable sweet tooth, and while he’s a bit disturbed by how touchy-feely Junghyuk is, he craves more of those sweet treats Junghyuk makes. But while Taesoo is dealing with the obsessive man in front of him, another more obsessive man lurks in the background, waiting to strike.

Title: Achilles and the Boy Next Door

Author(s): Twoony

Artist(s): hakei

Adrian Brent is a physical therapist. He does his best to keep a peaceful life of solitude, and not just because he’s an introvert. Adrian’s real identity is actually Achilles, the Greek warrior from legend. For whatever reason, Achilles hasn’t aged a single day and, as a result, has experienced all manner of history, both violent and peaceful. Tired of all of the loss that unending life comes along with, Achilles would love nothing more than to work, make money, and live a quiet life. But these plans go out the window when a new neighbor moves into Adrian’s building.

This new neighbor is none other than vibrant and extroverted social media influencer Harper Holmes. Adrian doesn’t know him, but many people do, which leads to all manner of people coming and disrupting the peace, whether it be obsessive fans or raucous party-goers. Whoever Harper is, Adrian is ready for him to move along so he can go back to his quiet life. But no matter how hard Adrian tries, he can’t seem to escape Harper and all of his chaos. After an unexpected wrist injury to Harper ignites Adrian’s medical inclinations, the two end up spending far more time together than Adrian would prefer.

Unfortunately for Adrian, as they spend more time together, he finds himself drawn into Harper’s orbit. But can a man who lives forever allow himself to be hurt by love’s brevity once again? More importantly, can Adrian figure out why it seems Harper can read his very thoughts?

Title: Love Nest

Author(s): Yuu Minaduki

Artist(s): Yuu Minaduki

This is the third series in a shared world created by Yuu Minaduki. It is recommended that you read the first and second entries before reading this one, as they share backgrounds and characters.

Masato treasures his days off, often working late hours during busy seasons at work. Unfortunately, the little peace he has at home is disrupted by his upstairs neighbors, who constantly stomp around and make noise. He escapes his home to drown his sorrows at his favorite bar, where he complains to one of his best friends, Naruse. Naruse pokes fun and comforts Masato at the same time but ultimately ends up making him an offer he can’t refuse: to move into one of his houses. Masato is all about it and immediately cancels his lease.

Just as he expected, the house is phenomenal. It has the latest entertainment system, which tickles Masato’s fancy. It’s impeccably clean. But more important, there are no annoying neighbors. Masato is ready to enjoy his new digs when he’s suddenly face-to-face with an unexpected person: Asahi. Asahi is an older man. He’s dirty, inconsiderate, and constantly steals Masato’s food. What Masato thought was heaven is suddenly hell. He has gone from shitty neighbors to a shitty roommate, and Masato can’t wait to find another place so he can escape Asahi.

But as he compromises and grows to learn who Asahi truly is, he finds himself softening up to the older man. But Masato has been betrayed by a straight man before. Though his heart might want Asahi, Masato isn’t so willing to let it guide him that way.

Drama

Manhwa Review | Love So Pure by Plan B

Manga Review | Hitorijime Boyfriend by Memeco Arii

Manhwa Review | Subscribers Only by Just

Manga Review | Fox-Colored Jealousy by Machi Suehiro

Manhwa Review | Kill the Lights by Jang Ryang

Manga Review | You Just Can’t Beat A Guy With A Double Face by Saori Nobana

Manhwa Review | Recipe For Disaster by COM

Manga Review | Love Nest by Yuu Minaduki