Only the Flower Knows Vol. 1

花のみぞ知る / Hana no mizoshiru #1

by Rihito Takarai, Kimiko Kotani (Translator, editor, letterer)

Youichi's life at university is going just fine. He isn't having any trouble with his classes, he has plenty of friends, and even a cute girlfriend named Minami. Then the day comes where he meets Misaki. Misaki is a reserved, stand offish fellow but for some reason, Youichi can't seem to get him out of his mind. In fact, he can't seem to stay away. When he lands a job working in the lab with Misaki, it seems more than just the flowers are about to bloom. But will they recognise their emotions for what they are, and have the courage to accept it?

Localized by Kawaii Neko
Translated, Edited, Lettered by Kimiko Kotani

Genres: Manga, Romance, Yaoi, LGBT, Boys Love, Graphic Novels, Queer

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2010

About the author

Rihito TAKARAI (宝井 理人) is a Japanese manga artist.

Takara is also known for her dōjinshi circle called Giga Traper.

Associated Names:
* Rihito Takarai
* ริฮิโตะ ทาคาราอิ (Thai Profile)

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and everything else is fine. But it lacks proper art sequence and a proper plot follow up. It gets really monotonous at times. I don't want to continue with this series.

[Brigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quiet, understated slice of life manga. Youichi is a law student, he has friends and a girlfriend, everything going well. Then he meets Misaki, and something attracts him to the quiet student.

The art is is so sweet and pretty, I thought the kissing scene looked beautiful. Already ordered vol 2 and pre-ordered vol 3. :)

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dolcezza infinita

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cute drawing style is really beautiful and the story is just very sweet and cosy. I really liked it! I'm already looking forward to the second volume.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was honestly hoping for something more in this volume. The art is beautiful but I found the story and dialogues a bit confusing at times (though it might be the translation's fault).

[✧desiree✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3☆ Review:

”𝑨𝒈𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒔…𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔 “𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”

I’m liking this so far. Some of the dialogue made it a bit confusing at times, but it seems like it’s going to be a really good slow burn romance!

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. We follow two college students who are trying to figure out who they are. One is out going, with a girlfriend, while the other is more closed off from the world. When Arikawa gets a new lab partner, he doesn't expect for Misaki to become so close. They become friends and start to bond after a chance meeting at a train station.
This is a beautiful quiet BL that I think more people should read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Reread 11/6/2022*
Revisiting before I dive into the second one. I realize I was getting this and I think Sick confused so I'm glad I refreshed my memory. This is an incredibly sweet and slow burn story. Not much happens between the two beyond a surprise kiss, but the push and pull is part of the appeal. I can't wait to jump into the sequel and watch them get closer. Also want to learn Misaki's secret and find out the reason he's so guarded. Although when I read enough of these that I think I have an idea. Just want to see what they do with it.

*Original Review 3/18/2022*
I really liked this one!! It was really sweet and wholesome and I really want to see their relationship grow. I hope the sequels don't take forever to come out.

[sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rihito Takarai sensei is definitely one of my favorite authors in manga industry. Her art is simple, yet beautiful. I've read all of her works, but I think Only the Flower Knows was her best. It began with slow character development, and they just didn't accept their feelings like usual yaoi mangas, they tried to accept it, and it worked.

One of my all-time favorites.

[polina · Rating 5 out of 5]

やっと読んで終わった！
最初で日本語で漫画を読んだ。嬉しい：）
めちゃ可愛いだった

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am soft for two soft boys.

[Weinlachgummi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nachdem ich die Ten Count Reihe beendet hatte, wollte ich unbedingt mehr von der Mangaka lesen.

Den Zeichenstil fand ich wieder richtig super, doch leider kam ich zu Beginn immer mal wieder etwas durcheinander. Ich muss dazu aber sagen, dass ich noch nicht so geübt darin bin Manags zu lesen. Vielleicht lag es daran, dass ich die beiden manchmal verwechselt habe.

Die Story hat mir soweit gefallen, doch ist irgendwie noch nicht so viel passiert und ich bin gespannt, was nun in Band 2 kommen wird.

Die beiden sind mir sympathisch, doch konnte ich manchmal das Verhalten nicht zu 100% nachvollziehen, ich gehe aber davon aus, dass da noch mehr kommt in den anderen zwei Bänden, sodass ich vergalten schlüssiger wird.

[Jen13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story and the characters were fine. I was a little confused by some of the plot/dialogue. I think I’m intrigued enough to get volume 2 from the library.

[Fny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow and steady. I need more asap.

[somnus 🪴 · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO CUTE AND FLUFFY

[Ri · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read something this sweet. Her art is hands-down gorgeous. Simple, perhaps, but so lovingly refreshing...just like the plotline! I also appreciate that while technically being a yaoi manga it preserves some sense of realism to it when it comes to falling in love.

All in all, a fantastic read.

[Fer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awkwardly written (maybe due to the translation?) and a little slow, but I still really liked it as a whole, especially for the characters and their dynamics. I hope the series stays sweet and healthy as I continue it.

[Rebecca Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh.

Oh.

Oooh.

This was lovely! I truly wasn’t expecting to fall in love with this story, but I truly did 🥺

I mostly purchased this because I kept seeing it on tiktok, and it seemed like the kind of BL I needed to cleanse my palette from the chaos BL I tend to pick up. This truly was everything I could have asked for and more 🙏🏼

Misaki and Arikawa are delightful. Misaki clearly has trauma from his past, and it makes him skeptical of Arikawa. However, slowly but surely Arikawa shows Misaki that he’s just a chill guy that likes spending time with him, and it’s just so sweet 🥺

I truly want to give Misaki such a big hug. He deserves it! He also deserves a good friend 💖 Arikawa is also just a sweetheart.

All in all, I can’t wait to pick up volume two! I really want to see how their romance develops ✨

[Nahia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3'5 en realidad.

Ha sido un poco meh pero el final salva este tomo porque ay. <3

[Haiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I really want to read the second volume, but I don't understand Japanese nor German, so I am going to have to wait for the English version to come soon!!

[Imoogi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg its sooo good for now, but profesor.... ugh i love him hahaha

[Moonlight Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to the next volume!

[Luana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

[ecritpar_julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALE TO JEST SŁODKIE I UROCZE I KOCHANE OMG

[Maja Kraska · Rating 5 out of 5]

jakie piekne

[Sarah Klee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Habe es wegen dem schönem Einband und dem poetischem Titel gekauft, aber der erste Band alleine hat mich dazu bewegt alle weiteren zu kaufen. Die Story und der Zeichenstil sind nicht zu übertreffen

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked this a lot more than I was expecting! This seems like it’s full of angst and melodrama, but at least the tone is well developed so it seems more earned than some.

[Nothing · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well vol.1 wasn't impressive😔