Reunion & Inspiration: Sorato’s “Fill in Color”

January 25, 2024January 25, 2024 ~ sou ~ Leave a comment

Read it on Renta!:
Fill in Color by Sorato

Japanese Title:
フィルイン・カラー

Links
Sorato Twitter (author)
Sorato Pixiv
comic picn Twitter (publisher)

Next up in our series of reviews spotlighting some of the manga included in our “Stunning Art Sale” is a manga that’s all about art and finding the beauty in life.

Sorato’s Fill in Color is a nice blend of cute and awkward boys, fun dramatic irony, and steamy goodness all wrapped up in some gorgeous art.

Our story opens with Saki (the blonde dude on the cover there), a young man working as a freelance designer, trying to drink his woes away after a disappointing meeting with his latest client. Anyone who’s worked in a creative field where your own personal vision is constantly at the mercy of the demons of capitalism should be able to relate to his struggle

On his way home, he runs into a beautiful young man with stunning red hair — stopping him right in his tracks.

Read on to find out how the spontaneous romance between these two develops into something beautiful and meaningful — just like a work of art.

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BL Anime to Look Forward to in 2024

January 16, 2024January 19, 2024 ~ sou ~ 3 Comments

Gay edit of this meme by u/olafl on Reddit. Animu added by yours truly

Anime has been an important piece of BL fandom for decades, and thanks to online streaming services, it’s now more accessible to overseas fans than ever! Plus, the popularization of simulcasts in recent years has made it so that fans the world over can watch shows basically in real time together each week, and revel in the joy of screaming their reactions with fellow fans over social media.

As much as I love reading the original manga of my favorite series, there’s just something so special about seeing the world in full color, hearing the characters speak, and getting new tunes in the form of those catchy OP and ED songs to add to your playlist each season!

When it comes to BL anime adaptations for television or the big screen, sadly the number of new works coming out each year is but a teeny tiny fraction of the plethora of manga being released, and they’re typically but a blip on the radar to anime fandom at large. However, that just makes it extra exciting when a new BL anime is released! Not only is it fun for established fans of a manga to see their favorite characters and scenes animated, but anime adaptations are also a great way to introduce even more people to the original series, thus adding to the overall hype for a title and growing the BL community as a whole. A win-win for everybody!

It’s a new year and a new anime season is upon us, so I figured I’d give a quick rundown of all the BL anime we can expect this year — as well as a few potential projects in the works that are definitely worth keeping your eye on

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The XL-lent BL That Turned My Expectations on Their Head: Tamachi’s “I’m An XL. Could You Find Me A Spouse?”

January 9, 2024January 6, 2025 ~ sou ~ 2 Comments

Read on Renta!:
I’m An XL. Could You Find Me A Spouse? by Tamachi

Japanese:
XL size Desu ga Kekkon Sasetekuremasuka?
XLサイズですが、結婚させてくれますか？

Links:
Twitter (Author)
Twitter (Publisher)

Once in a while, you find a BL that just hits all the right notes to the melody that is your personal taste — almost as if it was tailor-made for you, like the creator knows and sees YOU.

…BL mangaka probably aren’t all psychics, though, so I’ll just call it a stroke of luck that I encountered Tamachi’s “I’m An XL. Could You Find Me A Spouse?” while on the job here at Renta!

The dichotomy of a BL fan (if you’re like me, that is)

If you’ve read some of my other posts on this BLog, you might have already clocked me as a fluff fanatic — to which I can only reply, “Guilty! ” But, if you’ve seen the full catalog of the series I’ve recommended here, you’ll know I’m no stranger to the, erm… thirstier side of BL as well (in which case, I can only say, “Go ahead and handcuff me ” Sorry). These two “flavors” of BL are by no means mutually exclusive, but striking that perfect balance between the two is an art that, when done exceptionally well, calls for celebration in my book. And if a BL can make me laugh too, that’s just icing on the cake!

That brings us to Tamachi’s “I’m an XL. Could You Find Me A Spouse?” When I first saw the title of this series, my first thought was, “Oh. He’s got a big dick. Whelp, better brace myself to check all those tiny sound effect texts during the seggs scenes.” I must admit I have some prejudices; when I see a BL put its most “sexy” component out front and center, I tend to assume that’s its main draw — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Sometimes you’re just in the mood to see a cute guy getting reamed on livestream, or a precious boy get degraded (and railed).

So, little did I know this series was going to take hold of me and never let go, with its ridiculous premise developing into something far more tender — and even SEXIER — than I was expecting!

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A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Doujinshi Events

December 29, 2023December 29, 2023 ~ sou ~ 3 Comments

It’s the end of the year again, and for the hardcore otaku here in Japan, that means another Winter Comiket.

For the uninitiated, Comiket (short for Comic Market, コミックマーケット Komikku Maaketto in Japanese) is known as the largest fan convention worldwide, held twice a year (in the summer and winter) at Tokyo Big Sight. It’s famous for its gargantuan marketplace of doujinshi, or self-published comics — often created as fanart — catering to fans of nearly every side of manga and anime fandom imaginable. But the fun isn’t limited to indie works — you can find established pros and industry giants setting up shop here as well, often putting out exclusive merch just for Comiket attendees. Plus, it’s a major event in the cosplay sphere as well, so you can enjoy seeing your “favorite characters” walking around in real life all day! To learn more, and to get an inside look at the overall vibe of the event, you can check out this official English presentation prepared by the event organizers!

Perhaps you’re planning to attend this upcoming Comiket, or you dream of one day experiencing it for yourself and want to gear up with the essential knowledge beforehand. And so, as one geek lightly seasoned in attending fan events here in Japan, I’ve attempted to put together a little guide to help you out!

By the way, the tips here don’t apply only to Comiket, but smaller doujin events as well. I hope it’ll come in handy if you ever want to dip your toes in this unique part of otaku culture!

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“Where’s the Dong??” – the Confusing Mechanisms of BL Censorship

December 19, 2023July 12, 2024 ~ sou ~ 3 Comments

If you’ve spent a good amount of time in the spicier part of Japanese BL fandom, it’s likely that you’ve encountered some form of censorship. A dick scratched out here, a hole whited out there — basically anything to keep the images from being completely explicit. It may have left you wondering, in a genre focusing on guy-on-guy romantic and sexual relationships, why is there nary a peen to be seen?

This phenomenon isn’t unique to Japan, though – it’s also present in Korean webtoons, for example, and other adult-oriented media in countries where anti-obscenity or anti-pornography laws exist.

It begs the questions: what rules are in place, if any, that keep us from enjoying our pr0nz in their uncensored glory? And, what point even is there if the intended audience is over 18 anyway, and we already know full well what’s going on behind those teeny tiny censorship bars?

I decided to take a trip down the rabbit hole and explore this sometimes annoying, often confusing, yet in some ways necessary aspect of BL and share my findings with you all. Please note that this article pertains to Japanese BL manga specifically — it’s the type I’m most familiar with, dealing with it on a daily basis for work and enjoying it in my free time as well. The censorship landscape may look different in other countries and across different media, so this is but a small case study!

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Beefcake Special (Happy Good Meat Day!)

November 29, 2023May 21, 2024 ~ sou ~ 3 Comments

For all lovers of BEEF — dinner is served!!

It’s finally cooled down a bit here in Tokyo, and the Christmas decorations lining all the shopping centers and Mariah Carey blaring from every store’s loudspeaker do a wonderful job of reminding me of the upcoming holiday season.

…But maybe you’re the type of person who wishes the holiday cheer could hold off for a bit longer, and prefers to savor the time between Spooky Season and the lively-but-potentially-exhausting year-end festivities. In which case, Japan’s got you covered!

As we briefly touched upon in our Yaoi Day post, Japan has lots of “special” days throughout the year, based on wordplay that’s possible with the Japanese pronunciation of a given date — and November 29th is one of these days! In Japanese, 1-1-2-9 can be pronounced いいにく (ii-ni-ku), which is a homonym for 良い肉 (also pronounced iiniku), which means “good meat.” As such, 11/29 has been designated “Good Meat Day” in Japan.

Unfortunately, as far as special days in Japan go, Good Meat Day isn’t really that big of a deal — beyond some meat vendors having special offers, or meat lovers treating themselves to a delicious, protein-rich meal .

However, here at RentaBLog, we like to spice things up and take every opportunity to celebrate different aspects of Boys’ Love — and thus, I decided that on this day, we’d give the spotlight over to the beefy guys of BL, who make our hearts pound with their rippling muscles — the buffer, the better!

Hope you’ve saved room for a feast, because meat is on the menu tonight!!

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Zombies, Delinquents, and More: The World(s) of Yuo Yodogawa

November 6, 2023May 21, 2024 ~ sou ~ Leave a comment

Available on Renta!: Works by Yuo Yodogawa

Author’s Twitter: 淀川ゆお (@yuo_zero)

Author’s Pixiv: 淀川ゆお

When I first heard whispers that the next Renta! fan letter campaign would center around THE Yuo Yodogawa, I could hardly contain my excitement. My company would be serving as a bridge between international fans and one of my favorite BL mangaka in the game today?? Heck yeah!

In case you’re unfamiliar with the wildly popular Yodogawa-sensei, I’ll quickly share how I became a fan. Have you ever fallen in love at first sight with an art style? I believe that’s what I experienced upon laying eyes on Yuo Yodogawa’s art for the first time. Little did I know when I stumbled upon a chapter in the middle of a random manga and thought, “Huh, that art looks really nice!” that I would quickly be sucked into the Yodogawaverse — and I couldn’t be happier.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing a Yodogawa manga, I suppose the best way to describe their body of work would be as sexy, funny, and cute — but that doesn’t do it nearly enough justice, so I’ll just use this space to gush about a few of my favorite series from Yodogawa-sensei!

I hope you’ll join me in the Yodogawaverse, and discover some BL series that are both awe-inspiring and “aww”-worthy!

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Halloween Special: Monster Fucking Extravaganza

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 ~ sou ~ 1 Comment

Calling all monsterfuckers — this one’s for you!!

Happy Halloween from all of us at RentaBLog!!

This time of the year is all about thrills, imagination, and letting your inner beast run wild — so I figured it’s as good a time as any to put a spotlight on a certain trend in BL that’s been growing ever more popular in recent years… monster fucking!

Maybe it’s the danger of getting intimate with another species, or simply the strangeness aspect that draws so many in. Regardless of the reasons, it’s undeniable that humans have long been fascinated with creatures, and our entertainment (including our “adult content”) reflects that. Plus, monsters come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s something for just about everybody out there!

Whether you’re a seasoned monsterfucking enthusiast, or a curious newcomer ready to dip your toes into this beastly kink, I’ve compiled a list of recommendations that’s sure to please readers looking for something beyond human love.

I’ve done my best to order them from slightly superhuman to totally otherworldly, so scroll on for increasingly freaky finds!

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Beast Week Day 5: Love in a Zombie Apocalypse

October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 ~ sou ~ Leave a comment

Read on Renta!: Fooling Around While The Zombies Roam [Plus Renta!-Only Bonus]

It’d be remiss of me to let the Halloween season pass without giving some much-deserved love to this hit zomBL series that’s just BRIMMING with action, horror, romance, and plenty of heart-pounding smut in between the heart-stopping thrills. Yuo Yodogawa’s “Fooling Around While The Zombies Roam” (Japanese title: ゾンビ・ハイド・セックス / Zombie Hide Sex) is a genre-blending masterpiece that’s exciting right from page 1 and keeps that momentum throughout.

Convenience store employee Haruomi’s life gets flipped-turned upside down when a zombie outbreak throws the world into chaos. By chance, he’s saved by a handsome soldier named Kazuma, but just when the two have made it to safety, Haruomi is confronted by another problem… Kazuma’s hard dick!! Apparently all that adrenaline pumping can get the blood flowing to all sorts of places! Thus begins a confusing yet mutually beneficial relationship between the two —wherein Kazuma protects Haruomi, and in exchange Haruomi takes care of Kazuma’s “needs” with his soft and supple body (sorry, I had to, that boi’s got some CAKE ). The two set out together to find supplies, other survivors, and maybe even a cure for the disease that started all of this… all the while their feelings for one another deepen.

If you’re a fan of shonen battle manga, zombie flicks, and a bit of gore (though nothing too stomach-churning), you’ll love the action-packed man vs. zombie fight scenes. If you like BL on the fluffier side, you’ll enjoy seeing the cute, bespectacled Haruomi and the gruff but kindhearted Kazuma grow closer throughout the series, and become the ultimate power couple in the face of a dangerous world.

You can now read the first 4 volumes on Renta! The story only gets better as new characters join the cast and details about the nature of the zombifying disease are gradually revealed.

I’m currently working on a longer review of this series (with some inside looks at the gorgeous art), as well as other series by the incredible Yodogawa-sensei, that will be up on this BLog very soon — perhaps even with a special announcement… so keep your eyes peeled!

…And that’s a wrap for Beast Week 2023! But don’t worry — we’ve still got quite the MONSTER of a post waiting to be published on the spookiest day of the year, and if any of the manga we’ve introduced this week have appealed to you, we think you’ll be very pleased with it . So, stay tuned for our Halloween Special, and in the meantime, treat yourself to some of these wicked BL titles!

Beast Week Day 1: Vampires

Beast Week Day 2: Beast People

Beast Week Day 3: Succubi

Beast Week Day 4: Werewolves

Beast Week Day 4: A Lone Wolf’s Bad Romance

October 26, 2023 ~ sou ~ 1 Comment

Read on Renta!: Chew Me Up And Teach Me About Love

Okay, so maybe this entry is cheating because technically Kamiya isn’t a werewolf in the traditional sense, but it was only a matter of time before I stopped chatting my coworkers’ ears off about my love for this series in favor of giving it a spotlight on this BLog.

Pokerou’s “Chew Me Up And Teach Me About Love” (Japanese Title: 噛み砕いて愛をおしえて / Kamikudaite Ai wo Oshiete) is admittedly more sweet than spooky, but it’s such a good mix of fluff, angst, and sexiness that I just HAD to recommend it for Beast Week.

Hitomi is a timid but well-meaning college student who finds himself drawn to his buff and manly yet kind neighbor Kamiya. Unsure if his feelings go beyond admiration, he maintains some distance while doing his best to be a good neighbor to the mature and cool Kamiya, in an effort to get closer to the gentle giant. However, he’s forced to confront his confused feelings head-on when one night, seemingly out of nowhere, Kamiya pushes him down and starts licking and grinding on him… Say whaaat?!

It turns out Kamiya has theriomorphosis — a condition which causes a person to develop animal traits (in his case, wolf features) and also become really horny out of a desire to reproduce because, well, of course it does.

Despite the shock of his encounter with his hot neighbor, Hitomi still wants to be a part of his life, and finds himself trying to be as helpful to Kamiya as possible — buying his essential supplies since he can’t go out in public with a tail and ears, grooming him, and just keeping him company in his time of duress (learning that you’re transforming into an animal takes a pretty big toll on one’s psyche, it turns out). Both of them enjoy this arrangement, until they both start to realize they want a little something more out of their relationship… and aren’t sure whether taking that next step is a good idea.

The stimulating sex scenes contrast with the softer emotional side of the story, and each installment keeps you on the edge of your seat.

You need only check the community tags (assigned by the lovely users of Renta!) to see why so many other fans of heartwarming and sexy stories have come to adore this manga.

…There’s so much more I want to say about this series, but we’ll save that for another day when I give it a proper long-form review. In the meantime, why not add it to your Spooky Season reading list and get caught up on this ride of feels? Chapters 5-6 will be available on Renta! from November, and let me tell you, the story gets JUICY — so you won’t want to miss it!

Beast Week Day 1: Vampires

Beast Week Day 2: Beast People

Beast Week Day 3: Succubi