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花は咲くか [Hana wa Saku ka] #2
花は咲くか 2
広告代理店勤務の桜井は、無愛想な美大生・蓉一と出会い、彼が下宿を営むその古くて広い家をたびたび訪れるようになる。そっけなく無愛想に接してくる蓉一を苦手に思いながらも、次第に惹かれていく自分に戸惑う桜井。ある日、蓉一は桜井の自宅に行きたいと言い出した。彼の自分に対する変化に桜井は……!?
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2010
4 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Shoko Hidaka
47 books115 followersShoko Hidaka (native name: 日高ショーコ) is a Japanese mangaka unit.
The drawings are by Shoko Hidaka, and the stories are by Takie (タキエ) but the author name is always "Shoko Hidaka".
Dōjinshi Circle: speaker
The drawings are by Shoko Hidaka, and the stories are by Takie (タキエ) but the author name is always "Shoko Hidaka".
Dōjinshi Circle: speaker
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 9, 2022
Me encanta el ritmo y el slow burn, y más aún que la autora los sabe usar para desarrollar bien la trama y los personajes, sin que aburra en ningún momento.
April 3, 2013
For once a realistically slow development into some sort of mutual love. The first volume showed the fascination Kazuaki has for the beautiful young Youichi and his old house - it even sparks new energy in his professional creativity at a pr company.
This volume makes it very clear that Youichi feels something out of the ordinary for him, too, as all the people who have grown up with him comment on that. I don't think I can call it "know" him, as he has been very unresponsive after his parents's death.
Hidaka-sensei depicts clearly that Kazuaki doesn't want to act on signals he can't clearly understand (not to mention that this is a "gay-for-you" romance, so he feels very conflicted anyway) and that Youichi has no idea of why there's no clear development, he just wants to be there - especially clear when he visits Kazuaki's home for the first time.
That "rival" art student who feels totally drawn to making Youichi his, because he's so mysterious, is at least not an a**hole, thank you sensei. He is very, very open for a Japanese man in that situation and seems to be used mostly to propel the main characters to confront their own feelings about what love is and what they feel for each other. Still, he has a personality in the little screen-time he is given. Hidaka-sensei uses those little personal revelations very effectively to then further the nearness of Youichi and Kazuaki (I especially liked the scene where Youichi uses that certain stare on Kazuaki, hehehehe).
We're finally introduced to the the caretaker of the old house, Kitsubei, another old friend of Youichi's father. His dad seems to be the eminence grise hanging in shadows over Youichi's life.
We FINALLY get Youichi's viewpoint, too! So we can explore his stunted emotional development from his side and how he carefully explores the changes that are with him when he's with Kazuaki. And that the new vistas allow him to see the other relationships, with his cousins or with his father's old friends, differently. He actually starts to articulate his wants. And he shows them to Kazuaki, who reacts... but because he's a decent guy at heart, he also stops when he realizes how new Youichi is to this sort of feeling at all. Lovely scene.
This volume makes it very clear that Youichi feels something out of the ordinary for him, too, as all the people who have grown up with him comment on that. I don't think I can call it "know" him, as he has been very unresponsive after his parents's death.
Hidaka-sensei depicts clearly that Kazuaki doesn't want to act on signals he can't clearly understand (not to mention that this is a "gay-for-you" romance, so he feels very conflicted anyway) and that Youichi has no idea of why there's no clear development, he just wants to be there - especially clear when he visits Kazuaki's home for the first time.
That "rival" art student who feels totally drawn to making Youichi his, because he's so mysterious, is at least not an a**hole, thank you sensei. He is very, very open for a Japanese man in that situation and seems to be used mostly to propel the main characters to confront their own feelings about what love is and what they feel for each other. Still, he has a personality in the little screen-time he is given. Hidaka-sensei uses those little personal revelations very effectively to then further the nearness of Youichi and Kazuaki (I especially liked the scene where Youichi uses that certain stare on Kazuaki, hehehehe).
We're finally introduced to the the caretaker of the old house, Kitsubei, another old friend of Youichi's father. His dad seems to be the eminence grise hanging in shadows over Youichi's life.
We FINALLY get Youichi's viewpoint, too! So we can explore his stunted emotional development from his side and how he carefully explores the changes that are with him when he's with Kazuaki. And that the new vistas allow him to see the other relationships, with his cousins or with his father's old friends, differently. He actually starts to articulate his wants. And he shows them to Kazuaki, who reacts... but because he's a decent guy at heart, he also stops when he realizes how new Youichi is to this sort of feeling at all. Lovely scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2012
As Shoko Hidaka herself says in the afterword - she's really taking her time with this story so that we can get to know the characters and so that the relationships can unfold and develop naturally. And the result? Is incredibly beautiful.
I've mentioned before that I love her artwork, but it can't hurt to say it again. It's very clear, for lack of a better word, and it just fits the understated mood of the story perfectly.
One of the most beautiful BL manga I've read so far. I can't wait for the next volume.
I've mentioned before that I love her artwork, but it can't hurt to say it again. It's very clear, for lack of a better word, and it just fits the understated mood of the story perfectly.
One of the most beautiful BL manga I've read so far. I can't wait for the next volume.
October 20, 2021
This Vol improved a lot! I love the interactions, we get to know Youichi much better! In this vol really feels like slow burn 🔥 and *spoiler* OMG the kiss was amazing I love the details, the expressions everything the drawing made me feel like I was living the moment it's amazing I have high hopes for the next one!
May 3, 2020
Ovviamente non poteva mancare il classico personaggio fastidio, ovvero Koki Fujimoto, compagno di università di Yoichi e innamorato di quest'ultimo, che ha la bella idea di piazzarsi alla pensione Minagawa, suscitando l'antipatia di Shota.
Peraltro, la calma della pensione verrà ulteriormente sconvolta quando Yoshitomi, l'amministratore della casa e vecchio amico del padre di Yoichi, decide di invitare pure Sakurai. The more, the merrier, giusto?
A parte gli scherzi, tutti hanno ormai notato l'interesse e l'attrazione crescenti tra i due.
In questo volume viene dato molto spazio all'analisi dei sentimenti di Yoichi, delle sue difficoltà nel comunicare con gli altri, oltre al fatto che, secondo alcuni, lui si stia semplicemente limitando a seguire le orme del padre senza dare spazio ai suoi veri desideri. In realtà, Sakurai riconosce in lui un vero amore per la pittura e per l'arte, riuscendo ad andare oltre l'apparente freddezza del ragazzo. Comunque, il rapporto tra i nostri due protagonisti fa diversi passi avanti, a dispetto della differenza di età, di esperienze personali e professionali. Ma temo che il momento angst sia in agguato...
Peraltro, la calma della pensione verrà ulteriormente sconvolta quando Yoshitomi, l'amministratore della casa e vecchio amico del padre di Yoichi, decide di invitare pure Sakurai. The more, the merrier, giusto?
A parte gli scherzi, tutti hanno ormai notato l'interesse e l'attrazione crescenti tra i due.
In questo volume viene dato molto spazio all'analisi dei sentimenti di Yoichi, delle sue difficoltà nel comunicare con gli altri, oltre al fatto che, secondo alcuni, lui si stia semplicemente limitando a seguire le orme del padre senza dare spazio ai suoi veri desideri. In realtà, Sakurai riconosce in lui un vero amore per la pittura e per l'arte, riuscendo ad andare oltre l'apparente freddezza del ragazzo. Comunque, il rapporto tra i nostri due protagonisti fa diversi passi avanti, a dispetto della differenza di età, di esperienze personali e professionali. Ma temo che il momento angst sia in agguato...
August 24, 2024
Una obra intensa amb un protagonista que arrossega uns vincles familiars complexos i carregats de trauma, amb la pressió de viure a l'ombra del seu pare artista, incapaç de mostrar els seus sentiments ni interessar-se per res de cop i volta s'enamora d'un home 20 anys més gran i que té un context familiar semblant. M'ha agradat molt més aquesta obra que no pas Blue Morning, però el final m'ha semblat poc satisfactori i mancat d'un clímax a l'altura de tanta intensitat i introspecció... Tan difícil era mostrar la seva vida passats els 3 anys, si finalment fan públics la relació i què carai acaba passant amb la casa???? :/ els tres primers volums són els millors, un crescendo d'emocions en què la relació evoluciona del rebuig a l'atracció total. 3 estrelles l'últim volum pel final.
June 1, 2019
Hidaka lo hace demasiado bien y sabe qué ritmo necesita su historia y sus personajes para darle a sus mangas un toque adulto, realista y único.
En este tomo, la relación entre Sakurai y Yoichi va avanzando en el sentido de que cada vez se sienten más atraídos el uno por el otro y eso que, en principio, no podrían haberse caído peor. También el papel de otros personajes secundarios va ganando protagonismo en la historia y es que, realmente, en este manga cada uno de los otros personajes (Shota, Take y Fujimoto) tienen gran importancia respecto a Sakurai y Yoichi como por ellos mismos.
En este tomo, la relación entre Sakurai y Yoichi va avanzando en el sentido de que cada vez se sienten más atraídos el uno por el otro y eso que, en principio, no podrían haberse caído peor. También el papel de otros personajes secundarios va ganando protagonismo en la historia y es que, realmente, en este manga cada uno de los otros personajes (Shota, Take y Fujimoto) tienen gran importancia respecto a Sakurai y Yoichi como por ellos mismos.
June 23, 2024
one thing about mother hidaka shoko is she's gonna make us READ. the beautiful character designs here are the compensation for tons of detailed dialogues that must be read from top to toe. and she put so much care for the side characters, it's fascinating. (yes, i'm in hidaka shoko reading spree and the conclusion is she's AMAZING.)
November 17, 2017
I love this book!! And to discover it will be a live-action movie soon is even better!
Only volumes 1 and 2 are published in English so far. Vol 3 for early 2018. I know fan-scans are not the same, but I cannot wait to read this whole story!
Only volumes 1 and 2 are published in English so far. Vol 3 for early 2018. I know fan-scans are not the same, but I cannot wait to read this whole story!
March 29, 2021
It's purely a mystery how a manga with adult characters and adult circumstances felt this pure and innocent, I—
Good job, Shoko-sensei❣
Good job, Shoko-sensei❣
February 2, 2024
Ugh this stupid age gap annoys but my heart is burning for these two to be together… So much tension and staring into each other’s eyes…
And lol at Shouta hating Fujimoto. He is hella annoying so it’s justified HAHA!!!
And lol at Shouta hating Fujimoto. He is hella annoying so it’s justified HAHA!!!
December 16, 2019
Pretty good.
July 15, 2022
— 3.5 stars, chapters 7 (part 2) - 12
I took longer than normal to finish this volume so I kind of forgot what I felt about it.
I took longer than normal to finish this volume so I kind of forgot what I felt about it.
June 16, 2023
2.9!
aw the way he tweaked his nose XD
the tension was insane lol lot of will-they-won’t-they going on
i like the way sakurai acknowledged how new everything was to youichi after he kissed him >>
aw the way he tweaked his nose XD
the tension was insane lol lot of will-they-won’t-they going on
i like the way sakurai acknowledged how new everything was to youichi after he kissed him >>
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2015
Just as the title attests, Does the Flower Blossom, art and story by Shoko Hidaka, provides a slow intense burn—a romance that takes a considerably long time to hit a climax before it blossoms.
Sakurai works for an advertising firm and Minagawa is a college student that kind of runs a boarding house. Sakurai is mature, self-reliant, easy-going and has a sense of humour, where in contrast Minagawa is young, immature, introverted and unsure of himself and everyone else around him. These men couldn’t be more opposite. But as the old adage states: opposites attract. And after an accidental meeting at a train station, Sakurai and Minagawa’s lengthy “getting to know one another” courtship begins or more appropriately “their friendship” starts to take shape; a journey that is rocky with highs and lows that kept me glued to each page. There is a lot back-story and a number of secondary characters, one of which, who competes against Sakurai for Mingawa’s affection, a fellow college student.
I read what is available in this series and there are a few things I didn’t care for. In the beginning, the story was stifling and terribly slow, slow to the point I nearly tossed it. And the English translation was horrible. I’m not sure if it was an oversight during the editing process or just the version I have, but unfortunately that was the one major flaw throughout the entire series that drove me batty; poorly constructed sentences and words used out of context. And thanks to confusing dialogue bubbles, I didn’t know which character was talking at times, thus I had to read certain sections through twice.
However, problematic and distracting as the dialogue was, I persevered and I’m glad I did. Hana was Saki ka is an endearing romantic story, the kind that isn’t easily forgotten. Sakurai is patient and loving and when he and Minagawa finally take their relationship to an intimate level, he’s gentle and persuasive. And believe me after reading four volumes of just kissing and sweet words, the sex scene elevated my blood pressure. I also liked the fact that the seme is much older. And the author did a great job with character development, which is something every story needs. Regardless of the issues in the translation, I will continue to read this series until it’s finished. Four stars!
Read Review: http://www.blakrayneblog.com/2015/05/...
Sakurai works for an advertising firm and Minagawa is a college student that kind of runs a boarding house. Sakurai is mature, self-reliant, easy-going and has a sense of humour, where in contrast Minagawa is young, immature, introverted and unsure of himself and everyone else around him. These men couldn’t be more opposite. But as the old adage states: opposites attract. And after an accidental meeting at a train station, Sakurai and Minagawa’s lengthy “getting to know one another” courtship begins or more appropriately “their friendship” starts to take shape; a journey that is rocky with highs and lows that kept me glued to each page. There is a lot back-story and a number of secondary characters, one of which, who competes against Sakurai for Mingawa’s affection, a fellow college student.
I read what is available in this series and there are a few things I didn’t care for. In the beginning, the story was stifling and terribly slow, slow to the point I nearly tossed it. And the English translation was horrible. I’m not sure if it was an oversight during the editing process or just the version I have, but unfortunately that was the one major flaw throughout the entire series that drove me batty; poorly constructed sentences and words used out of context. And thanks to confusing dialogue bubbles, I didn’t know which character was talking at times, thus I had to read certain sections through twice.
However, problematic and distracting as the dialogue was, I persevered and I’m glad I did. Hana was Saki ka is an endearing romantic story, the kind that isn’t easily forgotten. Sakurai is patient and loving and when he and Minagawa finally take their relationship to an intimate level, he’s gentle and persuasive. And believe me after reading four volumes of just kissing and sweet words, the sex scene elevated my blood pressure. I also liked the fact that the seme is much older. And the author did a great job with character development, which is something every story needs. Regardless of the issues in the translation, I will continue to read this series until it’s finished. Four stars!
Read Review: http://www.blakrayneblog.com/2015/05/...
March 19, 2015
When a story makes me all twitchy because I need to know how it'll continue, that's definitely a good sign.
The characters and their history is interesting and I love how it doesn't only focus on the couple-to-be.
I also love the way it's drawn. The UST scenes made me go all tingly :D
Pleeeease continue to be this awesome, series. Pleaaaase.
The characters and their history is interesting and I love how it doesn't only focus on the couple-to-be.
I also love the way it's drawn. The UST scenes made me go all tingly :D
Pleeeease continue to be this awesome, series. Pleaaaase.
January 2, 2016
See review book 1.
August 5, 2016
This review is for the Italian edition.
December 8, 2012
love it sooooo much. It´s getting better and better!!!! I´m so exited to read the next book.
May 11, 2017
Reseña para la serie completa
Does the Flower Blossom? se ha revelado como uno de mis favoritos, ya la tengo en mi wishlist y en cuanto la editen completa en inglés (que la saquen en español ni me lo planteo, así está el mercado del BL en este país), compra obligada.
Es una historia pausada y muy de sentimientos, muy adulta, nada de despliegues sexuales, el acercamiento cuesta y sabe a victoria, he disfrutado sobre todo los 3 últimos volúmenes, y el final... bueno, se me queda corto, pero me encanta como la mangaka ha sido realista y no ha edulcorado todo.
Un aplauso para Hidaka Shoko, a la que empiezo a seguirle la pista desde ya
Does the Flower Blossom? se ha revelado como uno de mis favoritos, ya la tengo en mi wishlist y en cuanto la editen completa en inglés (que la saquen en español ni me lo planteo, así está el mercado del BL en este país), compra obligada.
Es una historia pausada y muy de sentimientos, muy adulta, nada de despliegues sexuales, el acercamiento cuesta y sabe a victoria, he disfrutado sobre todo los 3 últimos volúmenes, y el final... bueno, se me queda corto, pero me encanta como la mangaka ha sido realista y no ha edulcorado todo.
Un aplauso para Hidaka Shoko, a la que empiezo a seguirle la pista desde ya
May 19, 2019
JESUS. CHRIST.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews