Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for Mature audiences. Irritated by his own carnal impulses, Ryomei rejects Ao. But how will Ao react when he finds out Ryomei may have a marriage arrangement in the works? And what will Ryomei do when another boy who looks just like Ao appears on the scene? There’s a lot more to come in this crazy series of not-so-unrequited love!
Soooo.... I happened upon this manga series randomly one day when I was searching for something to read. I was instantly drawn into it and addicted to its two main characters. I've never read a yaoi manga before and I know that it's probably not everyone's cup of tea. This, however, was a really sweet story about coming of age and all the crazy things you'll do for someone you truly love and not even realize your doing them until it slaps you in the face. It's a story about not living someone for the way they appear on the outside or their sexuality, but for how the way that person soul and energy make you a better person and make you see the world in a different way. About finding love in the last place you ever expected it to be :D
Ah this issue of Bond of Dreams, Bond of Love had me hooked the entire way through! We saw a lot of plot twists and development here but we also got a lot of character development at the same time. My only issue with this yaoi as a whole is how naive the main character, Ao, seems to be, with just throwing everything straight out into the open and not seeming to care what anyone thinks -- this is a great view to have on the world, but also, it seems to make him a little weaker as a character, purely in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I love characters and people like this, but also, it doesn't seem to suit Ao at all.
We have seen a lot of development from Ryomei this issue which makes me smile as someone who seems to be having issues with his sexuality, and also to hear that Ao is bisexual and not gay, and to have that canonically clarified is great! This is just a yaoi, but at the same time, this is also really good representation for bisexual people reading this.
The plot has really developed since the last volume and it's hard to tell where the plot is going to go again, which is my ultimate "I need to read on" in manga and yaoi. It's wonderful to really make you want to read more. 5/5 and another recommendation from me!
I like the way the story is progressing so far. Ever since Ao told Ryomei that he loves him and wants to sleep with him Ryomei has been struggling to adjust to the new thoughts and feelings bubbling up inside of him. I'd imagine that it feels very uncomfortable suddenly having sexual feelings for someone you've only ever thought of as a little kid in need of protection. He seems to feel guilty about the direction his thoughts take him. It's a good thing that he has Shuji as a friend. He helps to keep Ryomei from becoming buried in those feelings. He also helps him to see that those feelings aren't necessarily a bad thing; if he's starting to feel that way about Ao there isn't anything wrong with exploring where those feelings take them. I love his nonjudgmental personality and matter of fact view of the situation. He's a great friend to both him and Ao.
Mi sono completamente calata nella parte di Ao. conosco i suoi tormenti, comprendo i suoi sentimenti e pian piano si sta distaccando dalla figura di innocentino che disegna il suo bel facciano. anche se dall': inizio ha fatto comprende di sapere bene cosa vuole e come lo vuole. Da quando lessi le scan non vidi l'ora di averlo cartaceo e adesso è mio!
Ao is a menace. He's so funny. I'm not loving this one as much as hide and seek and it's very drawn out, but I'm still enjoying it. They make me laugh.
I’m rather surprised that this is turning out to be a series where the main couple doesn’t actually get together until near the end of the series. That’s so rare in yaoi (at least as far as I’ve read, which is admittedly not much).
I’m pretty sure that being gay is not as openly accepted in Japan as it is here, so I’m doing my best not to be too bothered by the people’s reactions when Ao states his feelings. It’s also partly why I enjoy his blatant, straight-face statements, too, because most people don’t go around telling everyone.
I really felt for Ao in this volume, because of what happened with Ryo. It was a little heartbreaking, seeing his reaction and understanding how he was feeling. The poor guy.
At this point I’m really just waiting for Ryo to just accept it, but I do understand why he’s denying it so much. Also, I like the extra chapter at the back, and how it kind of gives a little more insight/background to Ryo. I’m also still hoping for more sexy stuff.
I’m enjoying the other characters a lot, too, surprisingly. Shuji is probably my favorite, how he pushes Ryo and listens to Ao, and just his general personality. His daughter, Chii, is adorable, too, and I love their relationship. They’re quite possibly my favorite characters/relationship in this series thus far. (Also, Shuji looks like Kento from Kimi ni Todoke, doesn’t he? Shaggy hair and droopy eyes?)
There’s a whole group of characters and their interactions with each other, like Ryo’s family, and I love that. They all just seem so warm and friendly and close; it’s sweet.
We met Aka, Ao’s twin brother, who is going to be causing problems. I’m still expecting something to happen with Shunpei, Ao’s friend, but am starting to wonder if maybe nothing will.
I’m looking forward to the next book, to seeing where the story progresses from here.
Talk about someone being in denial. Ryomei is as gay as a 3-dollar bill, but won't admit it. So, if he were to lose Ao, it would totally be his own fault. And, making Ao feel all terrible like that, just because he refuses to accept his own sexuality is totally pathetic. Ao is an adorable guy, and he is totally head-over-heels in-love with his friend, Ryomei. So, when he is sick, he comes on to Ryo, and tries to get Ryo to make love with him. Ryomei even gets really into it, topping him and all. But, Ao falls asleep in the middle of the foreplay. After that, Ryomei snaps back to reality, and begins to wonder why he was doing such things with a guy. Because, in Ryomei's mind, a guy having feelings for another guy is totally unacceptable. But, Ao has entirely different views. So, what follows is Ryomei rejecting Ao, and Ao feeling miserable for weeks, until a friend finally explains the situation to Ryo, and he goes over to apologize to Ao and tell him that there's no need to continue the avoiding. Meanwhile, Ao's brother, Aka, is down to tell him some important news. But, he never seems to get the chance, so he tells Ao's friend, Shunpei, instead. ----------------- Now, about Shunpei, I feel like he totally has the hots for Ao himself. That explains why he was so mad at Ryomei for making Ao feel bad. It also explains why he didn't like Aka's news about Ao's possible future. I just wish they could have kissed or something. Poor Shunpei! ------------------------------ ------------------------------ This volume was provided to be by SuBLime (the Boys' Love division of VIZ Media), via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Meine Meinung: Ich liebe diese Mangaka. Ihre Mangas sind einfach einzigartig. Ich mochte die Story von diesem Manga wieder sehr, auch wenn der Altersunterschied zwischen den beiden Hauptcharakteren doch recht hoch ist. Ao ist 17 und ist in Ryomei verliebt. Ryomei ist Anfang oder Mitte zwanzig und Priester eines Shinto Shrines. Beide kennen sich schon eine ganze Zeit und sind befreundet. Im Laufe der Handlung gesteht Ao seine Gefühle zu Ryomei und wie der darauf reagiert solltet ihr selbst lesen. Es ist der zweite Teil der Reihe. Die Zeichnungen sind niedlich. Bisher reicht kein anderer Manga für mich an diesen Stil heran. Aber viel wichtiger ist, dass die Geschichte einen wirklich emotional berührt. Das passiert mir nicht oft bei Mangas, aber Yaya Sakuragi hat dies bisher mit jedem Manga, den ich von ihr gelesen habe, geschafft. Ich kann sie und ihre Mangas voll empfehlen. Besser als dieser Manga hat mir nur die Spin-Off Reihe zu dieser hier gefallen - „Hide and Seek“. Warum es hier das Mature-Rating gibt verstehe ich aber nicht ganz. Hier passiert gar nichts sexuelles.
This arrived in the mail today and I couldn't wait reading it, even though I've already read the scanlation. I know I am repeating myself when it comes to Yaya Sakuragi, but I just adore her work. The dynamic between this characters is so refreshing that I don't mind the age difference at all, and they're all so loveable and charming... I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a spinoff featuring Junpei so he can have his own happy ending. <3
Still not entirely sure about this series yet. I really like Ryoumei and most of the side characters, but Ao I can’t seem to like much. I guess it’s the innocence; and yet he’s very forward. I can’t reconcile his young face with his ludicrously inappropriate suggestions. It throws me off. Which is kind of bad because Ao is a central character. Hmm. We’ll see. The artwork is fairly good.
This series. I can't read it fast enough, it's so good! I love Ao and Ryomei and Shunpei! I'm so upset I never read Tea for Two by this author even though I eyed it for years. So disappointed in myself! I want to know what happens with him.
Aoi has a twin. He kept blowing him off for Ryoumei though. I suspect that Aka (Aoi's twin) would probably end up with Aoi's bestie sooner or later 'cause he's so against Aoi's relationship in the first place.