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!
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!
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.
I wholeheartedly agree.
…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!
“Two (upcoming) beast-person manga reviews for Halloween?” Well, no, you see, the beast-people in Yanase Seno’s “Double Beastly Trouble”(Double Dog Buddy) are “beastly” (hah), sure, but they’re a species of their own, therefore they’re not the same as any other run of the mill wolfish beast-person. (Putting those rhetoric high-school classes to good use.)
Our protagonist, Sir Ewan Gwenthia, is an aloof, capable soldier, leading a squad against an underground dogfighting ring, where two members of a humanoid species, known as the “larga,” are being exploited. The two reigning champions, cool Zazie and dorky Seto, are unwilling to part with their turf, just as Ewan himself is loath to come anywhere close to a larga. As circumstances would have it though, the twain choose to follow Ewan as his ‘dogs’ and Ewan is obligated by the military to train and subdue them.
Many Renta! readers might be familiar with Yanase Seno’s gorgeous, crisp art-style from their other hit, “Geminis Craving Love”(Aisaretagari No Gemini), which means they might also be familiar with sensei’s apparent preference for 3P/poly action/ménage à trois. So far, the two larga that comprise this threesome are in agreement that they want to “toy” with Ewan. There’s more to them than their animal instinct for domination though, as, at times, they display a more nurturing side, too. With his small stature and very relatable thirst to prove himself, Ewan seems to bring that protectiveness out in the larga, just as much as their need to “play”.
Personally, I’m very keen to see where this plot is going. Ewan has character the depth of the Mariana Trench, and his unresolved family issues are a key part of the story. There’s also the intricate worldbuilding that doesn’t seem to be just there as a setting, but intrinsically connected to the characters, their background and hopefully their path forward. I’ll stop here before I end up spoiling anything, but, let’s just say, if you’re looking for a beast-flavored ménage BL for this Spooky Season, give Yanase Seno’s “Double Beastly Trouble” a spin. And, if you have read it, do tell, whom of the two larga do you prefer so far? (I’m team Zazie, btw.)
With the forces that decide which manga I get to check each month being out of my control (and fully in the hands of the team project coordinator), Shima Yashiki’s incredibly angsty and sexy “This Poor Beta Doesn’t Know About Love”(Awarena Betaha Koio Shiranai) appeared on my laptop screen at work quite unexpectedly.
Up until this story, I had never read omegaverse once (yet, after this, I also got to enjoy a certain fox-and-mouse romance), so this was a wholly new experience at that time. Obviously, as a twenty-something that spends most of her time online, I’m familiar with the concept, but not the nitty-gritty of it, you know? So, a couple of comprehensive guides later, I rolled up my sleeves and was ready to dive into this manga—to discover the perfect BL about fictional mind-games and emotional edging (maybe even the physical kind, too).
It’s officially (almost) fall, and you know what that means — time to whip out the comfy sweaters, don the snazzy scarves, and (if you’re anything like me) inject pumpkin spice latte directly into your veins!
…That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway, in my feeble attempt to convince myself that summer is truly behind us despite the enduring heat and humidity here in Tokyo.
Regardless of the climate you currently find yourself in, the period between the height of summer and Spooky Season™ is a great time to relax with some comforting BL.
In the spirit of flavorful fall-themed drinks, today I’ve got a sweet manga recommendation for you involving a pure-hearted coffee shop owner, a hot guy in a suit, and a pinch of commentary on the effects of gentrification. And, unlike the tragically short limited-time run of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks Japan, this offering’s available year-round!
When our campaign team decided to hold a fan-letter campaign in honor of HANASAWA NAMIO’s “The Foxy Mouse’s Romance”, I read it to find out more—and then I threw a curse on my colleague that’s been blessed with preparing it for our website, because damn, do I wish I had his luck.
Writing this review to introduce more and more people to the sheer beauty that is this manga, I’m seriously struggling. There are just no words to describe how perfect it is. All I can think to write is an endless string of squealing. It’s that good.
Omegaverse meets the Food Chain
For the uninitiated, ‘omegaverse’ revolves around the idea of a ‘secondary genre’—omega, alpha, beta—based on as-of-now debunked animal behaviors around mating. Betas are the ordinary majority; alphas are bold, aggressive and at the apex of social hierarchy, while the rare omegas suffer through a phenomenon called ‘heat’ that causes them to exude pheromones that make them sexually irresistible to alphas.
Now, throw humans originating from various animal species that retain predatorial/prey dynamics into that mix and you’ve got HANASAWA-sensei’s “The Foxy Mouse’s Romance.”
It follows the story of Sachio, a mouse omega working as a manga artist in a young men’s magazine, and Ukano, a fox alpha and his editor. The dangers implicit in a mouse omega and a fox alpha having to work together are not lost on either of them, especially Sachio who’s painfully conscious of his place in the bottom of the social ladder—and the food chain. Not only is he a sexual target for the alphas around him, but also actual food for predators—especially to Ukano, as mice constitute a fox’s main meal.
But, while Sachio may have his guard up against his editor, Ukano seems unyieldingly determined to pursue Sachio for love rather than for his stomach.
But first, let’s rant about that world-building
I cannot—cannot—overstate that it’s HANASAWA NAMIO-sensei’s world that stole my heart above all else. There are elements familiar to any reader of omegaverse (pheromone blockers, neck guards, secondary-gender clinics, the concepts of a ‘heat’ and a ‘rut’, etc.) but sensei’s animal-kingdom spin on it elevates everything to a different level.
Laws govern peoples’ animalistic, voracious tendencies. Omega-only spaces offer a safe night out. When someone is in their animal form, humans can understand their words only if their own animal ears are out—and, there are even little cards that state, “I have my ears out because I’m looking after someone, thank you for your understanding” to be worn in public in such cases. Grooming salons cater to one’s animal-form fur. Cab drivers must state their species and secondary gender on an ID card for the safety of their passengers. Diseases and phenomena surrounding the animal families or one’s secondary gender also exist, as do various intricacies surrounding sex between predator and prey.
All of it is proof that this universe exists beyond our two characters. HANASAWA-sensei could easily write other stories featuring this same world; and, on this point, the characters that surround our two protagonists are interesting on their own, too. The treacherous civet could have an extra tidbit, Sachio’s two mangaka friends, Tomo and Momoi, could have their own side-stories; I’m personally intrigued by the head editor of the publishing house.
That’s the beauty of this world; every detail that jumps out of the pages amuses and intrigues, and every panel serves the purpose of delving deeper into it all. Which also brings me to the matter of the art—besides being GORGEOUS, it’s also masterfully used to the utmost to tell this story. The paneling is on point. The expressions are fantastic as it is, but it’s the attention to detail that makes this world and the characters come alive, such as Ukano’s eyes dilating when he gets turned on. Anytime Sachio is hand-held in mouse form, you can almost feel the weight of his tiny, pudgy body in your own palm. The art accompanies the writing and dialogue perfectly, which is what makes this world so believable and the characters so relatable and easy to understand.
From (natural) enemies to lovers
Have you ever tried to sleep, only to end up staring at the ceiling with bloodshot eyes, wondering why the Hell you said x-y-z that one time? Then you’re bound to somewhat relate to our mouse protagonist. Who hasn’t wallowed in negativity at least once?
Though cynical at first glance, Sachio’s core is kindness. Despite a traumatic situation with his college friend Tomo, Sachio had always been willing to forgive him. Similarly, he comes to love Ukano, so even when a dire misunderstanding occurs in ch.4, Sachio is ready not only to forgive him, but also to get closer to him. His negative mind twists everything to take others’ mistakes onto himself, not just because he’s self-deprecating to a fault, but also due to his love for others.
Now is the part where I will do my best to describe Ukano without rambling incomprehensibly. I’ve written in other posts that dark stories and vaguely yandere characters are my forte, and, let me tell you, Ukano strikes a perfect balance between being a normal, loving boyfriend but also having this menacing, darker side to him. His loving devotion to Sachio doesn’t override his ‘foxiness’. The art itself often reminds us of his more devious nature via a grey shadow over his eyes. Sachio, at the start, is constantly on his toes around him, and we see that even others get an uncanny feeling from the wily fox.
But, it’s when we see Ukano’s perspective that we get, in my biased opinion, some of the greatest gems in this story. In a scene that explores what it’s like being a predator in this world, Ukano recalls a time that Sachio, too exhausted to keep his guard up, transformed into a mouse in front of him. Ukano transports him home in a bed made of his handkerchief (so. cute.) and that’s when we get this beautiful internal monologue: “Life is sacred, and I was holding someone’s whole life in my hands. That’s how humbled I felt. At the same time… I thought about how I could crush him easily if I wanted to. The sadist in me reared its ugly head. ‘I want to eat him.’ ‘I want to protect him.’”
Compare this to the time that Tomo surrendered to his wolfish instincts and you’ll see how Ukano shines: he’s deeply aware of his nature, but he understands it’s in his own hand to curb his urges. Just like a quote from a certain anime I love goes, “Taking responsibility for oneself is the basic qualification for being human” and truer words have not been spoken when it comes to this universe of beings teetering between human and animal. The line that divides the two is exactly this capacity for taking responsibility, and Ukano’s always on top of that. Contrariwise, when Tomo and Sachio reunite for the first time, Tomo literally runs away from his responsibilities, forcing Sachio to shoulder the blame for everything instead. Ukano could and would never.
Darkness, more darkness, and fluff
Whether or not I realized it at first, perhaps the thing that personally drew me to this story is that it hits that perfect sweet spot between tooth-rotting sweetness and grim darkness. The art is adorable, the interactions hilarious, the romance is great and the love between our two characters is true, but it all coexists with the bleak implications of an omegaverse world and the danger that one could lose control and literally eat their loved one. And, perhaps the best/realest thing about it is that those dangers don’t magically disappear after Sachio and Ukano become a couple; even if it’s through humor, the reader is constantly reminded of that possibility, just as Sachio and Ukano themselves are.
From the first few pages, the manga doesn’t pull any punches. Starting with a kid-friendly show explaining animal families and secondary genders in a squeaky-clean manner, the story soon contradicts this cheaply manufactured narrative with Sachio’s mother calling to tell him that his mouse omega sister got fired from her part-time job for getting into heat in front of an alpha customer and almost getting assaulted/eaten. Our mouse protagonist himself works as a mangaka because it allows him to stay cooped up at home (mostly), away from danger. And the story continues with various examples of how perilous, inconvenient, and downright unfair it is to be born as a mouse and as an omega.
Nowhere does it get more obvious than in the juxtaposition between our two main characters, not just in their obvious difference in status, but also in their thinking. When Ukano stands up for Sachio and the latter thanks him, Ukano thinks anyone would have done the same, but Sachio corrects him that no one would. ‘Foxiness’ aside, Ukano’s mindset is positive, proactive, that of someone who’s strong and therefore able to act for others without weighing any consequences first; Sachio, on the other hand, has had no other choice but to see the world—and his place in it—in the most negative light, existing as literal prey.
Due to his trauma and negative worldview, Sachio takes the blame and compromises on everything, out of love and the idea that it’s his justifiable place to act that way. While that mindset might seem odd to a lot of readers, it makes sense for Sachio as a character to think so, and it’s very pleasingly contrasted with Ukano’s worldview. “The onus is on me as an alpha.” he tells Tomo, his most direct foil in the narrative. While Sachio surrenders to the possibility that he could be devoured at any given moment (and it would be his fault, according to him), Ukano actively takes steps to ensure that he’d never hurt the one he loves, to embrace that danger and then boldly defy it.
At this point it’s rather obvious that I’m rambling, but I can’t help it because there’s so much I could say about “The Foxy Mouse’s Romance”, even going into every single scene I adore (the horrible misunderstanding in ch.4? The jump in ch.5? the hand-holding heavy with implications in ch.7?? The fur-grooming session in ch.8???). If you enjoy elaborate worlds and multifaceted characters, if you fancy a dose of angst in your fluff, if you love stories about (dangers aside) wholesome couples, please give “The Foxy Mouse’s Romance” a chance. And, while we’re at it, why not show HANASAWA NAMIO-sensei your love through Renta!’s fan-letter campaign? All you need to do is either fill in the form here or tweet using the hashtag #SqueaksForSensei. I’m deliberating on sending something too (after I find out a way to convey my admiration in fewer words than this long blog post).
If you’ve read “The Foxy Mouse’s Romance”, what do you love most about it? What are your thoughts? Favorite character? Join me in rambling about it in the comments!
If you’re a fluff addict like me, you’re likely no stranger to the “fathers” trope in BL. Stories centered around two men in love raising a child together are bound to put a smile on your face — though they have plenty of dramatic potential as well.
What is the appeal of dads in BL?
I personally enjoy BL featuring fathers because parenthood is a unique role that puts the nurturing side of the characters on full display. It’s like a comfortable trope I always seem to come back to when I’m in the mood for something uplifting and heartwarming.
In honor of Father’s Day, I’d like to introduce two BL series centered around dads that I found especially endearing!
First up is a lovely story overflowing with adorable found family vibes:
I first read this story a few years ago in its original Japanese and was thrilled to see that we offer it in English on Renta! (A full-color vertical comic version is also newly being released if you’d like an even more vibrant, scrolling experience!)
The story centers on Chiaki and Kazuma, a couple who suddenly find themselves the guardians of their good friend’s daughter Ayu. Though they’re wildly unprepared for parenthood, they do their best to raise the little girl — and become stronger as a couple along the way.
I have a soft spot for “established relationship” BL which focuses not on the couple getting together in the first place, but rather growing closer as they encounter new developments in their lives, and this story makes full use of that appeal. The rapport between childhood friends-turned-lovers Chiaki and Kazuma is entertaining and feels natural of a couple that’s been together for years.
Kazuma, a total softie under his rough exterior, and Chiaki, a fluffy-haired himbo who wears his heart on his sleeve, together make a great pair of doting fathers to their new daughter Ayu. Whether it be balancing childcare with work or facing outdated views of what a family should look like, they overcome challenges and manage to build a warm home with their undefeatable love for one another and their daughter. Ayu is a treat to watch as well, having a mind of her own as she grows into an energetic little girl.
I also appreciate how Ayu’s mother, a childhood friend of the couple, is a character in her own right, and presented sympathetically as a loving parent who wants the best for her kid. Ayu’s connection to both her mom and her two daddies shows that families can take different forms and still be perfectly functional and fulfilling.
This book is a great standalone read for the family dynamic; but if you’re like me and can’t get enough of Chiaki and Kazuma’s chemistry as a couple, I highly recommend the prequel to this story, Someday I’ll Fall for You, which shows how the two first got together — also available on Renta!
And, if you find yourself enamored with Tomo Kurahashi’s gorgeously soft art and touching storytelling, you’ll be very pleased to discover that there are several other titles of theirs available on Renta! right now for you to enjoy!
While family-centered BL tends to be on the sweeter side, it’s important to remember that parents are still their own people, with their own needs. That idea comes to the forefront in my next recommendation…
This spicy BL series is about divorced single father Naruse and his relationship with his part-time housekeeper Asumi. Though their relationship starts as strictly physical, as a way for Naruse to release his pent-up sexual frustration, before long the two grow closer as Asumi spends more time with Naruse and his young son Ichika.
(This is another series I’ve been following even since before joining Renta! and I don’t get enough chances to recommend it…!)
As you might expect from a manga whose hook is “college student housekeeper seduces repressed hot single dad,” this manga definitely delivers on ero, and if that’s what you’re looking for, Serina Seo’s sensual art is sure to please. Ever the responsible father, Naruse is reserved at first, but when he lets loose and allows himself to indulge in the pleasures of adulthood, he’s as sultry as they come (and if anyone deserves the DILF title, it’s him). Seeing housekeeper/homemaker Asumi’s possessive side come out as he becomes more and more attached to his employer is exciting as well.
It’s delightful to watch Naruse and Asumi’s relationship develop beyond their initial arrangement and blossom into true love. Also, Naruse’s toddler son Ichika is one of the cutest child characters I’ve encountered in manga thus far, and it’s easy to see how Asumi finds himself wanting to step up as an extra parental figure to him. I love the scenes of the three of them going about their daily lives as a newly formed family.
The “aww”-inducing family aspect is a major bonus for this initially H-driven story, especially as the series progresses and Asumi increasingly becomes an important part of Naruse and Ichika’s lives. There’s also some intriguing drama as Asumi and Naruse try to figure out their relationship to one another, and later on as new characters enter the mix. Overall, each installment in the series promises tooth-rotting cuteness and steamy bedroom scenes which make it hard to put down.
The series is currently ongoing, and I for one can’t wait to see where Naruse, Asumi, and Ichika’s story goes from here!
These two daddy-centered BL stories paint different but equally interesting pictures of navigating parenthood while nurturing a romantic relationship — I hope you’ll check them out if you haven’t already, and take a moment to appreciate the loving and hardworking dads of BL.
If you’re in the mood for even more BL stories centered on dads, found family, and the like, be sure to check out the BL “family life” tagon Renta!
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.
. So, stay tuned for our Halloween Special, and in the meantime, treat 
). Seeing housekeeper/homemaker Asumi’s possessive side come out as he becomes more and more attached to his employer is exciting as well.
rentaBLog 