She Likes Gays, but Not Me

Have you ever struggled accepting a part of yourself? Closeted homosexual highschooler Jun Andou is unhappy with himself, wishing that he could live a life where he gets married to a woman and has children. Then, he stumbles upon Sae Miura, who he finds out is a fujoshi, a fact she hides from others out of fear of being judged. Seeing how he tries to look past the fujoshi label, she ends up falling in love with him, and confesses. The story exists out of several plotlines involving Jun. Through these, it explores many aspects of its core themes of self acceptance and homosexuality. Theyare handled in such a way, that even if you're not gay yourself, the story is still understandable, moving, and even relatable at times. One of the messages it portrays, is that of trying to look past the simplifications that we regularly apply to our real-life surroundings. Behind all the characters and their actions are emotions and motivations, that can make you understand why they act the way they do. Though some of these actions are a little uncomfortable. For example, Jun regularly meets up with an older married man for sex. While the man doesn't seem to be a bad person per se, he is not exactly healthy in his mind either, and can come of as creepy. You also get to see some moments of homophobia as well. However, it does all still serve the dramatic story. What I like about this manga is how it intelligently tries to look into the thoughts and feelings of the characters, or at least give them some space. That way, it paints a bit more of a nuanced picture, where no one is entirely good or bad. It explores the tragic side of being unable to accept something that is a big part of yourself, and at times, it can get rather gut-wrenching. Originally a novel, the manga seems to have kept its strength. Now told through panels, it has clean artwork, with attractive character designs, while not being stereotypical. The artist has clearly put in the effort to make everyone emotionally expressive, which adds to the weightier moments. This manga has some beautiful messages, told in an intelligent way and with emotional depth. It was quite a good read. Bonus: A recurring element is the main character's interest in Queen, occasionally drawing parallels with Freddie Mercury's own homosexuality. The translation that I found would recommend a song of theirs that was thematically relevant for a given chapter. That enhanced the experience, so when you read or finish a chapter, I can recommend you to listen to the corresponding song.

Gay man here... this manga is a contemporary masterpiece, I'm just gonna say that. This whole manga feels like is full of guilt and self constrain... because it feels like that! Is about a gay man who is "forced" to have a girlfriend, just by that the idea even for me is awful for real but that's the point, this manga is about morals. Everyone has different ways to cope about their own problems and some of them aren't healthy at all and this work, really knows how to work on that (even I struggle irl to get out of the closet). The ethics on thismanga are just down bad, the way on how they solve their own problems don't really make them "be" good people but... who really makes the things in the right way? Usually we just by fear try to protect ourselves from our surroundings and create fields to don't get hurt (just like evangelion, lol) so... I don't think no one can judge the way to cope, really. The way on how the narrative is telled is amazing, the characters and the struggles of them feel real (of course, more idealized). The only downside I see is that the leitmotiff of Queen kinda feels forced at times but I'm not gonna lie, when it hits well, hits like a bullet. Even the "bad" characters althought they are bad, they are humans and you can feel that all throughout the story. The most important part is the fact that KNOWS when to break up the drama and throw you a joke because... if there wasn't any just to break tension I would be lying on the floor of my room while crying. The art is... great, isn't a masterpiece of drawing like idk Vagabond or name your random manga that is amazingly drawed but is a good relax from the common shoujo/josei that you see everyday, which is nice IMHO. Any way, I'm writing to much text but you can see what are the lights and shadows of the work and... maybe is because I'm a soft gaycel who struggles with their sexuality why I'm such a bitch with this. I find the main character an asshole but at the same time just an idiot as I (and I know if you read it, this ain't healty) but that's the charm of that jerk. Just stop reading this and go to read the manga, is amazing and made me cry, with that is enough to know that this shit hits hard. Edit... I ended up being an egg so, take with a grain of salt my opinion

Personally i loved this I just quit something I had been doing for pretty much all my life and have been feeling like my life is useless and I’m just going through the motions with no real purpose but reading this somehow made me feel better and realise I must have something I can do. So for that reason alone this gets 1000/10 I cried for hours and am still crying whilst writing this. I understand peoples issues with the relationships in this manga but if you can Look past that and focus on the true plot and meaning I assure you it’s worth itand can make you feel all types of emotions. Honestly I’m writing this not for others opinions but for myself what you choose to like if your choice to decide not mine to force upon you.This will always hold a place in my heart… thank you.