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SOTUS (manga) #3
SOTUS, Vol. 3
Freshman training is finally over, and Kongpob is thrilled to have a chance to get closer to head hazer Arthit. After the two enjoy a casual shopping trip together, Arthit ends up staying over for the night…but when Kongpob accidentally lets his feelings slip, he leaves his upperclassman confused and flustered. Though Arthit tries his best to distance himself, he knows he can only run away for so long before he must respond to Kongpob’s passions―“No matter how far you go, I want to stay right by your side.”
210 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 12, 2024
I will always have a particular place in my heart for SOTUS.
September 3, 2024
noooooo i didn’t want it to end. i loved this manga so much more than i thought i was going to but why do they have to be so fucking short 😭😭😭😭😭
they are such a cute and wholesome couple. i loved how much their relationship developed over these three volumes. it is really criminal that there is no more volumes. i know there is a second book, and i'm pretty sure there isn't a manga version for the second part of their story sadly. but because i love them so much i'm going to definitely read the books and probably watch the series AGAIN 🤣
"even if i don't know what lies ahead... no matter how far you go, i want to stay right by your side."
they are such a cute and wholesome couple. i loved how much their relationship developed over these three volumes. it is really criminal that there is no more volumes. i know there is a second book, and i'm pretty sure there isn't a manga version for the second part of their story sadly. but because i love them so much i'm going to definitely read the books and probably watch the series AGAIN 🤣
"even if i don't know what lies ahead... no matter how far you go, i want to stay right by your side."
July 23, 2024
*Review below for all 3 volumes in the series.*
This was probably one of the most average BL manga I've read. It wasn't bad; it wasn't particularly good. It was just fine. The art was above average, but even then a lot of the characters looked very similar.
The concept of the series is that a group of university freshman are put through hazing rituals by their upperclassman as a way to build unity. It's akin to fraternities but with tasks that are more similar to military boot camp. This could have been a good setting for some darker themes, but it never went there. The "hazers" mean well and even when they demand something extreme they monitor health and put that first and foremost. This opens up the possibility of a sweeter romance, but I never fully felt the connection between the leads. And since so much of the story was focused on the SOTUS initiation, we didn't get much backstory for the leads. This left them likable, but also a bit flat.
I know a lot of people love this one and that there is a TV adaptation, so if you're interested it's worth a try. There's nothing particularly wrong with SOTUS; it just wasn't for me.
This was probably one of the most average BL manga I've read. It wasn't bad; it wasn't particularly good. It was just fine. The art was above average, but even then a lot of the characters looked very similar.
The concept of the series is that a group of university freshman are put through hazing rituals by their upperclassman as a way to build unity. It's akin to fraternities but with tasks that are more similar to military boot camp. This could have been a good setting for some darker themes, but it never went there. The "hazers" mean well and even when they demand something extreme they monitor health and put that first and foremost. This opens up the possibility of a sweeter romance, but I never fully felt the connection between the leads. And since so much of the story was focused on the SOTUS initiation, we didn't get much backstory for the leads. This left them likable, but also a bit flat.
I know a lot of people love this one and that there is a TV adaptation, so if you're interested it's worth a try. There's nothing particularly wrong with SOTUS; it just wasn't for me.
October 14, 2025
So this was a cute slow burn (but slow burns like this, where they end basically chaste, aren’t really my thing) and the final volume was definitely better than the first two. The way the story unfolds and the build up between the two characters was satisfying enough, I liked the premise of the program and head hazer falling for the headstrong freshman unafraid of him. But I really wanted more between them, either relationship milestone wise or steamy scene wise, and we don’t really get either other than a bonus scene after the epilogue (that I’m not sure if it’s even in this volume or was a digital exclusive).
We also never get the scene where the freshman confesses to the junior that he’s been a little in love with him before the program even started. I wanted there to be a “oh my god why didn’t you tell me, I can’t believe I forgot that” scene. It was such a big part of the story I was bummed they didn’t go there.
We also never get the scene where the freshman confesses to the junior that he’s been a little in love with him before the program even started. I wanted there to be a “oh my god why didn’t you tell me, I can’t believe I forgot that” scene. It was such a big part of the story I was bummed they didn’t go there.
September 4, 2024
Review for all 3 volumes in this series .
This defo wasn't my favourite bl manga I've read. It wasn't bad. It was just okay. I thought it wasn't quite boring tbh . For all out of 3 volumes, I think the last volume was my favourite they are cute . Other all, it was just okay
There is nothing wrong with sotus it just wasn't for me.
This defo wasn't my favourite bl manga I've read. It wasn't bad. It was just okay. I thought it wasn't quite boring tbh . For all out of 3 volumes, I think the last volume was my favourite they are cute . Other all, it was just okay
There is nothing wrong with sotus it just wasn't for me.
November 5, 2025
I really love it when a story does a time skip to show how the characters have grown together and in their relationship. It was nice to see how they're not scared to show they're dating anymore. The ending was sweet, and I lowkey forgot that there was going to be a sex scene. It was handled very well, in my opinion. A sweet, intimate scene to end out the final volume *^*
September 14, 2023
Such a good ending for these two. It was a wholesome love story through and through. They both love each other dearly and that’s really all you can ask.
April 21, 2025
I hate how long I put things off sometimes. I think in this case it was a combination of the usual (just got too busy to read when it first arrived, and shuffled it aside in favor of newer books) and not totally loving the second volume. But the final one was so good! When I have time in some distant future, I'll have to go back and reread the whole series...
We start off with the shopping date, which I take back my earlier thoughts on...it actually was a clever way for Kongpob to spend a significant amount of time alone with Arthit, in a low-pressure setting that left them both a bit more relaxed and at ease with each other. They shop, talk, eat a meal together, watch a movie, and then spend the night in Kongpob's dorm, because Arthit's room had coincidentally flooded.
Unfortunately, while Arthit had been working himself up to asking how Kongpob actually felt about him, he wasn't ready for the answer. There's a painful, although not terribly drawn out, chunk of time where Arthit avoids Kongpob effectively enough for Kongpob to start giving up on him. Because there's no pressure or manipulation or anything in their relationship - they're two guys who butted heads but genuinely respected and cared for each other.
Kind of like the straight couple whose wedding they attend, and whose meet cute story is somewhat similar to theirs.
The only hanging thread, kind of, was Arthit saying during the initial shopping date that he was still in love with his longtime crush, a girl who's been dating his friend for three years. That got brushed over a little too easily, and I think Arthit should've had some realization that he was over it, etc. Mainly it just served as a way to hammer in the idea of being too afraid to tell someone your real feelings, because if the romance doesn't work out, you lose the friendship.
But sometimes you lose the friendship anyway, so why not take a chance and go for it?
I just really like all the ... well, I guess Arthit says it in a flashback of when Kongpob first met him during his university interviews. The sense of family in their department and their school. It's something I never really felt - school pride gets so tied to things like sports, and I've never been a big part of that. But the hazing and the underclassmen/upperclassmen structure is all set up to build university-long and perhaps lifelong bonds among classmates going through the same experiences. I like that. I guess American colleges tried to build some of that with frats and sororities, but it's all so much more...toxic, at least in popular culture. (And sometimes in the news.)
Maybe I'll try out the live action at some point, just to revisit the story and to see if they did a good job with it.
We start off with the shopping date, which I take back my earlier thoughts on...it actually was a clever way for Kongpob to spend a significant amount of time alone with Arthit, in a low-pressure setting that left them both a bit more relaxed and at ease with each other. They shop, talk, eat a meal together, watch a movie, and then spend the night in Kongpob's dorm, because Arthit's room had coincidentally flooded.
Unfortunately, while Arthit had been working himself up to asking how Kongpob actually felt about him, he wasn't ready for the answer. There's a painful, although not terribly drawn out, chunk of time where Arthit avoids Kongpob effectively enough for Kongpob to start giving up on him. Because there's no pressure or manipulation or anything in their relationship - they're two guys who butted heads but genuinely respected and cared for each other.
Kind of like the straight couple whose wedding they attend, and whose meet cute story is somewhat similar to theirs.
The only hanging thread, kind of, was Arthit saying during the initial shopping date that he was still in love with his longtime crush, a girl who's been dating his friend for three years. That got brushed over a little too easily, and I think Arthit should've had some realization that he was over it, etc. Mainly it just served as a way to hammer in the idea of being too afraid to tell someone your real feelings, because if the romance doesn't work out, you lose the friendship.
But sometimes you lose the friendship anyway, so why not take a chance and go for it?
I just really like all the ... well, I guess Arthit says it in a flashback of when Kongpob first met him during his university interviews. The sense of family in their department and their school. It's something I never really felt - school pride gets so tied to things like sports, and I've never been a big part of that. But the hazing and the underclassmen/upperclassmen structure is all set up to build university-long and perhaps lifelong bonds among classmates going through the same experiences. I like that. I guess American colleges tried to build some of that with frats and sororities, but it's all so much more...toxic, at least in popular culture. (And sometimes in the news.)
Maybe I'll try out the live action at some point, just to revisit the story and to see if they did a good job with it.
January 9, 2024
The final volume of the series. Sealed with parental warning due to 3-4 pages at the end.
I can't say that I completely like Arthit. He did a lot of mean things as a hazer, but he was trying to fulfill his role set at the school. So, things relating to that, I gave a pass. But some stuff doesn't get a pass. In this volume, Arthit and Kongpob order food at a ramen shop, and Arthit switches their orders - Hot Tom Yum Ramen for Meatball Ramen. Arthit did this food switch before as part of the hazing, but he does it this time because he thinks Kongpob would like the spicy dish. While Arthit's intention isn't to haze, it feels very controlling. Tsudere Arthit can't just say, "The Tom Yum is really good here. Do you want to try it?"
I can't say that I completely like Arthit. He did a lot of mean things as a hazer, but he was trying to fulfill his role set at the school. So, things relating to that, I gave a pass. But some stuff doesn't get a pass. In this volume, Arthit and Kongpob order food at a ramen shop, and Arthit switches their orders - Hot Tom Yum Ramen for Meatball Ramen. Arthit did this food switch before as part of the hazing, but he does it this time because he thinks Kongpob would like the spicy dish. While Arthit's intention isn't to haze, it feels very controlling. Tsudere Arthit can't just say, "The Tom Yum is really good here. Do you want to try it?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2025
Novel vs Manga vs Series.
Loved the series so much I got the novel but because you can't buy the dvd the manga was a good way to relive the series visually. It kept true to the story but there were add libs by Bright in the series who we know is a total maverick that obviously were not in the novel but ok. Yes it's pricey to buy the series on manga that's my only gripe but well worth it as we get an extra at the end with a consummation scene of our 2 mls. Loved that Arthit never changes and his now famous yell "Kongpob" makes me giggle everytime. Buy and enjoy
Loved the series so much I got the novel but because you can't buy the dvd the manga was a good way to relive the series visually. It kept true to the story but there were add libs by Bright in the series who we know is a total maverick that obviously were not in the novel but ok. Yes it's pricey to buy the series on manga that's my only gripe but well worth it as we get an extra at the end with a consummation scene of our 2 mls. Loved that Arthit never changes and his now famous yell "Kongpob" makes me giggle everytime. Buy and enjoy
March 6, 2024
I absolutely adored this story. If someone wants to get into BL manga and wants to dip their toes into something steamy but doesn't want the spice to be overwhelming or the main part of the romantic storyline, this series is definitely the way to go! The characters are compelling and well-written, and you only get the spice at the very end of the 3rd volume. I'm about to go back and re-read the series because it is just so good!
May 18, 2025
NOOOO, I DON’T WANT IT TO END!
Everything was so perfect. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH KONGPOB ARTHIT 😭😭
You give me diabetes, shoot me dead and leave me behind !
Everything I want, everything I love, it’s all right there on the plate, perfectly balanced 😭😭
I’m even healthy now, too. Thank you 👍 also massive love to the artist ! it's so perfect!!
Everything was so perfect. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH KONGPOB ARTHIT 😭😭
You give me diabetes, shoot me dead and leave me behind !
Everything I want, everything I love, it’s all right there on the plate, perfectly balanced 😭😭
I’m even healthy now, too. Thank you 👍 also massive love to the artist ! it's so perfect!!
December 18, 2025
Siempre voy a amar esta historia pero recién me di cuenta que espere tres tomos por un beso 🤣🤣🤣 en la serie fue igual esperamos media vida a ese primer beso 😅 amé el manga ahora me voy a ver de nuevo la serie!
September 18, 2023
This was such a sweet ending for this series. Kongpob and Arthit are so adorable.
October 3, 2023
This series is so nostalgic to me and I can't explain the giddy feeling I get in my heart from these two. Also appreciated the added smut.
October 7, 2023
Great ending to a good series! Kongpop and Arthit are literally the cutest.
October 29, 2023
I didn’t expect to cry reading this manga. I’ve watched the series and read the novel as well. And I’ve always cried every time arthit gave kongbop a chance at the bridge. I just can’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
Doing my silly little dance in my bedroom. They are just too adorable
December 30, 2023
4.25⭐️
January 28, 2024
4.75 stars
Adorable!!!!!
Earnest and sweet!
Exactly what I was looking for when I picked this series up.
Adorable!!!!!
Earnest and sweet!
Exactly what I was looking for when I picked this series up.
March 5, 2024
It was alright. The ending and their relationship was kinda, I dunno, thrown in?
April 13, 2024
Beautiful. Wonderful. Took me right back to watching the show! The manga is so stinkin' adorable!!
May 27, 2024
Adorable
January 1, 2025
And just the perfect sprinkle of angst ~
April 21, 2025
This a story I know, and yet I love to come back to it, especially if it's in a different medium.
September 30, 2025
Good series that I recommend reading if you're interested in the SOTUS system.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews