Have you ever wanted to rep your BL fan community out in public, or from the comfort of your own home? Well, starting this spring, Renta! can help you out with that — with our very first line of official merchandise made to cater to the needs of all BL fans!
So, what’s all included in this initial batch of exclusive Renta! merch? Well, first up, we’ve got the oh-so-relatable “Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my yaoi” mug — the idea for which was actually inspired by the groggy musings of a certain non-morning person on the BL team (read: me) here at Renta!
We took extra care to make the design simple enough that it’ll fit perfectly into your tableware collection whatever your tastes, yet stylish enough to catch the eye of whatever company you find yourself in and get that vital message across: NO conversation allowed unless we’re talkin’ boys’ love!!!
Also available to spice up your home decor is this lovely wooden-framed “Live Laugh Boys’ Love” sign. It’ll remind you of the TRULY important things in life, and please every suburban mom out there with good taste!
And, don’t worry — we’ve designed some wearable merch for you, too, so you can spread the love of yaoi wherever you go!
How about an “Omega in heat” shirt to show your omega pride AND deter passersby who might otherwise interrupt your neverending hunt for BL? Haters BEGONE! š
We’ve also got a version for all you alphas out there. You matter, and that knot deserves to make its presence KNOWN! š„“
And, to carry around all those THICC BL manga and novels, we’ve got a self-explanatory tote bag. The era of feeling shame around our passions is OVER. We’re proudly announcing our love for yaoi, and everyone and their grandma is gonna know it! š¤
Are you excited yet?? š¤© Keep on reading for even MORE merch, and details on how to get your hands on these prized items! But, hurry — this first run is available only for a limited time, and it’s all first-come, first-served!
š April Fools!!! š
Sadly, there is no Renta! merch as described above. But, that’s not to say there NEVER will be — we’re currently in the process of upping our convention game and planning what kinds of swag we can bring to share with you all! So, if you have any ideas for what kind of merch you’d like to see from us, feel free to share! š
And, if you’re really aching for some legit BL merch, I highly recommend hitting up the Artist’s Alley at Citrus Con this June. Judging from past Citrus Con AAs, it’s sure to be a vast and diverse digital mall featuring some awesome independent artists strutting their stuff. Last year Ames and I spent a good chunk of time browsing the different stores and marveling at just how beautiful BL-themed merch can be! (Also, Renta! will be once again be hosting panels at the con this year— including a guest panel featuring the incredible Pokerou-sensei!! — so that’s another reason to register š)
Now, as an apology for clickbaiting you, I humbly offer some BL recommendations from our recent lineup that I feel perfectly fit the comedic and lighthearted spirit of April Fool’s.
It’s Time For A Snack!! by Sasaki
Who knew an incubus could be brought to his knees by a cute twink with a filthy mind?? š„“
In this fantasy romcom, Theo’s a newbie incubus who’s out on his first mission in the human realm. Unfortunately, as the kids today would say, he has NO rizz, and fails to find any potential sustenance — until he’s noticed by Minato, a kind college student who’s just OOZING sexual energy. Theo thinks he’s hit the jackpot — this guy’s gotta be the perfect snack!
Unfortunately, after their quick introductions are through and they get down to business, Theo finds that Minato might just be TOO sexy for him to handle — just a little foreplay is enough to knock him out! Can the two of them figure out some arrangement that works for them both?
The unending absurdity of series is seriously giggle-worthy, and the pretty top (dem eyelashes!!) and adorably horny bottom make for a well-balanced and delicious BL meal š¤¤
Reborn As A Character In A Dating Sim On Hard Mode by Akimitu
This next one’s a silly yet steamy take on isekai that’s both funny and heartwarming!
After a fateful run-in with truck-kun, our protagonist finds himself reincarnated as Tomoya, a high school student in the world of a dating sim otome game! But, he’s neither the MC nor a love interest, but just the non-romanceable “best friend” side character who’s meant to help the heroine score her dream man. Tomoya thinks he’s got a pretty easy gig, and can just breeze through a dreamy high school life. But things start to go off-script once Yukito, the most popular guy in school and the love interest Tomoya’s BFF is gunning for, starts to take a particular interest in him — even going as far as to help Tomoya out when he magically gets a mini vibrator stuck in his ass! (It all makes sense in the story, I promise.)
This story’s chock-full of visual gags and with an interesting cast of characters, including the female “protagonist” of the game who’s a thirsty little firecracker and a cute hamster-ish cat mascot that’s always encouraging Tomoya to go Get Some. But, it doesn’t disappoint on the ero front, either; let’s just say the “hard mode” part of the title doesn’t just refer to the game’s difficulty š. Plus, the art is absolutely beautiful — I really appreciate how Akimitu draws bodies , as well as the bottom’s blissed-out face when he’s overwhelmed with pleasure š
The Doggy And The Fairy Prince! by Kaibashira
This college romcom’s no stranger to the BLog — the passionate Ames wrote an in-depth review of the original oneshot, which now serves as a prologue to the “main” series, and creator Kaibashira won a spot on our 2024 Staff Awards as one of our favorite up-and-coming authors. But I think it still deserves a mention here, as the main story is currently being released on Renta! and the hilarious adventures of party boy Kuniaki and his angelic boyfriend Sho are the type of thing I just have to share with as many people as possible.
This story centers around two art students at opposite ends of the social totem pole: Kuniaki, an obnoxious drunkard who’s just barely tolerated by his acquaintances, and Sho, a popular and princely young man who’s actually got a more dominant side. Through a strange twist of fate, the two end up becoming an item, but their different personalities mean things will only get weirder from here…
This series has plenty of surprises in store, aside from the pretty and smol boy being the TOP. It features unorthodox squid preparation, a hemorrhoid arc of all things, plenty of secondhand embarrassment via the socially inept Kuniaki, and your typical “first real relationship” issues made all the more memorable by its eccentric cast of characters. But the humor doesn’t take away from the sweet moments, and it’s great to see these two grow as a couple.
I hope you’ll check some of these out and get a good chuckle from them. And, above all, don’t forget to “Live, Laugh, Boys’ Love“!!
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