My Beautiful Man (Manga), Volume 1

My Beautiful Man (Manga) #1

by Yuu Nagira, Megumi Kitano (Illustrator)

Hira has always dreaded the first day of new classes. Ever since he was little, he's had a stutter that only worsens when he's anxious, causing Hira to always sink to the bottom of the social pyramid. This year of his high school career might not have been any different if it weren't for him: Kiyoi, the most beautiful and kingly man Hira has ever seen. Normally, their lives would never intersect, but Hira suddenly gets a chance to grow closer with Kiyoi when he's made the popular group's gofer and gets Kiyoi's phone number! Hira treasures every order Kiyoi gives him and every bit of change he's handed to run errands... Is this what they call love?

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

176 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2024

About the author

Associated Names:
* 凪良 ゆう (Japanese)
* Yuu Nagira (English)
* นางิระ ยู (Thai)

Reviews

[L Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

When it comes to bl I’m used to so-called bully romances. One of my favorite series is Caste Heaven and that is probably one of the most problematic - wtf did I just read - English translated bl series outside of Korean Manhwa (...because let’s be honest, no one does problematic abusive “romances” quite like them! lol). Of course, there are always those lesser known oneshots that feature extreme forms of abuse, but those aren’t actually marketed as romances, and I’m talking about bls with official English translations.

Anyway, the bullying in this manga isn’t that extreme and it doesn’t even involve anything sexual. Hira has always been an outcast due to his social awkwardness and stutter. He doesn’t have any friends and is often teased by his classmates. No one physically abuses him, but the verbal abuse is bad enough that he struggles with thoughts of suicide. Kiyoi is this beautiful standoffish boy in his class that Kiyoi has a crush on. Because of this, he becomes a willing gofer for him and his group of friends. They all look down on him, constantly calling him their slave, but because of Kiyoki Hira does whatever they ask.

*sigh*

This story was just depressing. Unlike the MC from Caste Heaven who continually rebelled against his abuse and plotted ways to get back at those who hurt him, Hira just took it and felt happy, no, elated whenever Kiyoi showed him even the tiniest bit of consideration. I’m not sure that I liked this, but I am curious to see how Hira and Kiyoki’s relationship changes in the upcoming volumes. 2.5 stars

[Eva]

???

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edit: changed review from 3 to 5 stars based on the second volume. I still think my comments about this volume stand, but I also just really like this story and really like how it is being adapted now that two volumes have been released.

Review of the second volume can be found here. The following has been copied from my review of the second volume, because if people are on the fence about reading this series, I believe it is worth saying:

If you are reading [everyone's reviews] and wondering how on earth [I can say that] everything [will] change to the point where [their relationship] reads as less creepy / more acceptable (in my opinion, anyway), and you don't mind spoilers, here you go: In the second half of the novel is from Kiyoi's POV. And we learn that Kiyoi is just as captivated by Hira as Hira is with him; he's just better at hiding it because he's a tsundere. He wants to be seen and worshiped and looked at. And Hira is giving him exactly what he wants, what he needs, from a partner. And, in the future, Kiyoi is the one chasing Hira, because Hira has given up and accepted his love as unrequited. But it's NOT.

--

Hm. Okay.

My first thought -- the novel is WAY better. So if you're interested in the story and trying to figure out if you should read the manga or the novel, I absolutely recommend the novel over the manga -- with two exceptions.

Exception one: the main reason I think the novel is better than the manga is because we spend much more time in Hira's head, so we get to understand his thought process much better than we do in the manga. But the flip side to that is that his thought process is much darker and more depressing than it's pictured in the manga. Yeah, the same events are occurring, but without fully getting Hira's narration and descriptions of how he sees his school society, other people, and, most importantly, himself, he comes off as a significantly different character -- or at least he did so to me (and so far; this first volume of the manga covers about a third of the first novel, so his character depth may be ramped up in the second manga volume). So if you would rather read a bit shallower (and mildly less depressing/concerning) version of Hira's character, the manga would be a better choice

Exception two: I love the art. Like, a lot. To the point where I am really bummed out that my copy is misprinted, and the inside cover art is badly cut off. Because it's beautiful! I really like the elegance Megumi Kitano gave to Kiyoi -- it captures the way he appears in Hira's eyes so well and makes me really excited for the nsfw scenes makes me empathize with Hira's obsession more than I could when I was reading the novel, as I don't think the translation (or maybe the cultural differences?) did Kiyoi's beauty justice. I also really love how Hira is depicted! His shaggy hair and tired eyes really perfectly captures his depression and self-loathing, while also hinting at him not being all that bad looking, WHILE ALSO really excellently capturing the scolded-dog look he's supposed to have around Kiyoi, WHILE ALSO hinting at the more creepy, relentless, obsessive side we haven't got to fully see yet. God. His design is just SO. GOOD. The scene where Hira is asked if he wants to kill himself, and he thinks "I don't want to. Don't make me." and the LOOK on his face?? literally living rent free in my head. Like, again, Megumi Kitano captured the Hira's emotional complexity around that question extremely well. (It's been almost a week since I read it and I am STILL thinking about this scene)
Anyway!! If you like a more visual medium, I would also recommend the manga, or rather, reading the novel, and then reading the manga as a treat.

Alright, with that out of the way, wow. I just finished My Beautiful Man, novel volume 1 a few weeks ago, and in my review I mentioned that the first half of the novel is really hard to read and I wasn't sure if I could reread the novel because even though I ended up really liking the second half, the first half still left a bad taste in my mouth. A bad taste that wasn't reawakened by reading the first volume of the manga because although this volume covers about half of the first half of volume one (confusing, I know, sorry), it does so in a much brisker and shallower way that worked for a reread but that I do not think works for a first read.

Let me explain. Whenever I read a manga adaptation of a novel, my goal is to not judge which version told the story better, but rather to answer the question of "did the manga adapt the story in an equally effective, but maybe different, way?" Or in other words, I am looking to answer the question of "If I had not read the original novel, would I be able to fully understand the story from just reading the manga?"

To answer these questions for My Beautiful Man:
Yes, I think the manga is adapting this story in an effective but unique way by really harnessing the medium to convey Hira's emotions and paint Kiyoi's beauty, elegance, and indifference. I am excited to see the perspective swap because of how much depth can be added to Kiyoi's emotions in the art, and I am also looking forward to the nsfw scenes; I just know they're going to look amazing. And, as I mentioned above, I really like Hira's design -- I think it captures the complexity about his character that novel readers are privy too, even though we haven't seen all of it in the manga yet.

But to answer my second question -- had I not read the original novel, I don't know if I would be able to fully understand the story, but I don't think so? Reading the first chapter of this manga reminded me of watching the DRAMAtical Murder anime when it aired back in 2014, which I watched with my jaw dropped as a fantastic story I love was getting brutally mauled right before my eyes. Now, My Beautiful Man's adaptation is no where near that insulting or severe, but it did leave me thinking the same question: would I know what is going on if I had not played the game / read the novel? And because I have read the novel, I can't say for sure if I would or would not. Based on the other reviews, I also don't know! -- because a lot of the reviews feel the same way about this first volume that I did about the first third of the novel.

So in that regard, maybe this is a fair adaptation... but something tells me it's not. The Captain Ducky stuff just is not explained in a way that makes sense in the manga, nor, as I mentioned above, is a lot of Hira's though process (so far). He feels so much more tragic and depressed in the manga, where as in the novel, he is both of those things, but he also had an uneasy quality to him that made concerned about his mental well-being. And I just... I don't know. It could be that I know the rest of the story, so I'm reading the beginning parts differently but man. I don't know. I just don't know.

I will be checking out the rest of the series though; the novel has me hooked (even though I have no idea where it's going to go from there), and I really, REALLY, need to see the second half of the first novel as a comic. I need to see the flip side. I NEED IT.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is pretty but I hate the characters. One is super anxious and has a stutter, and the other is his primary bully. He's bullied at school for his stuttering to the point he doesn't even have a real name, just an offensive nickname, and he falls for the lead bully because although he abuses him, he doesn't call him names. I loathe the "bully romance" trope and see that phrase as an oxymoron. Gross. Also didn't realize this was a high school romance and I'm tired of those. Glad this was a Hoopla borrow and not a purchase.

BUT...the cliffhanger at the end makes me curious as to whether my beloved idol trope has entered the scene, so I may continue.

[khai · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was uncomfortable and the misogyny did not sit well with me, and the ending panel just gave me secondhand embarrassment. what a mess.

[alex :) · Rating 1 out of 5]

a bully romance + a main character who’s obsessed with their bully. ugh, we could’ve had it all but the execution was so trash 😩. the pacing was so slow to the point where i couldn’t even root for them to be together bc they basically had no cute/tension filled scenes. give me SOMETHING at least 🫩

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how to feel about this. It's kind of a bully romance since Kiyoi is like "friends" with Hira's bully, but he sort of protects him in a very nonchalant way. It's hard to explain. I'm so curious about how this relationship is going to progress and what Kiyoi's personality will be like since it seems like he's putting up a front.

Side note: hate how the girls are talked about. I mean girls are usually either non-existent or used as a plot point and then quickly discarded in BL, but idk. Gave me the ick.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm intrigued enough to keep reading the series but this definitely left me feeling depressed. It had such a melancholic tone to it.

[fuzzy.bookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a bit of a sucker for stories where someone is dealing with a disability of some kind - in this case a stutter - and, since I already watched the live action adaptation of this series, my heart just aches for Hira in this first installment of the manga version of the light novels.

[chi]

dnf @ 63%

I-
it was just a no for me.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m kind of uncomfortable when I read bully romance. I mean there was no romance in this book, just infatuation. Will I pick up volume 2? Absolutely. 😂

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know Hira can’t help it but he’s making me cringe so hard… I feel very uncomfortable reading this but I want to know what will happen?

[smile · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good for the most part. <3

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up - Unhealthy obsession with casual mentions of suicide. Not my usual thing, but very intriguing and I will plan to read volume 2, because this ended on a bit of a cliffhanger.

[Rosenblue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really pity and sympathize with Hira.
This poor boy is shunned for his speech issues.
He has no friends and is bullied and used as a servant by almost everyone he mets.
I wish he would find a good friend instead of interacting with his toxic/dysfunctional classmates.
I wish he would tell his parents what those kids are doing to him.
He seems suicidal and that makes me wonder and worry about the ending of this story.
I don't want to see yet another main character die due to bullying or abuse.
Koyoi Sou is terrible to Hira yet despite that Hira loves him because he is everything Hirs wants to be:
Confident,beautiful and well liked.
I heard this series was adapted to TV so I decided to read it's manga adaptation (the original story is from a novel)before watching the TV show.
I thought Koyoi would be kinder based on what I read online about this story.
Nope those synopsis are misleading.

[Elaine White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a strange one. It VERY strongly reminded me of the same vibes as Caste Heaven, Vol. 1 just without the rape and card game.

Kazunori Hira has had a stutter since he was young, and was badly bullied all throughout his school life. His stutter is worse when he's nervous. When he's made to introduce himself during a new school year, he's so taken by surprise when the guy before him - Sou Kiyoi - introduces himself. Kiyoi is so beautiful to Kazu that he can't even think, and Kazu ends up stuttering so badly that all he can say is "Hi Hi Hi" instead of "Hello." or "Hi." Somehow, that translates into his classmates calling him HeHe, because they thought he was laughing.

For the next two years, Kazu endures being bullied, being treated like a slave, and doesn't object to the HeHe nickname, all because the leader of the bullies is Sou Kiyoi. They treat him so badly that they even JOKE that they hope he doesn't kill himself because they don't want to be responsible for his death.

The story was sometimes interesting, but often too much. EVERYONE is unlikeable, even Kazu, who is supposed to be super sympathetic. Unfortunately, I just wasn't convinced. There's nothing really redeemable about him, because he ENJOYS being Kiyoi's slave, despite getting nothing in return.

At least in Caste Heaven, the MC's had actual feelings for one another that felt genuine, and when they endured the bad stuff - bullying, rape, slavery - it was only ever done to protect someone else or because they already had shitty lives that made their school life seem almost bearable in comparison. That's NOT the case here. Kazu has a really nice life at home. His only bad experience is the verbal bullying at school. In comparison to Caste Heaven it's not even close to the same experience.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is beautiful but agonizing. I have absolutely no idea how this is supposed to transition into an actual relationship, since at this point, Kiyoi is treating Hira as terribly as the rest of the class does. Hira just minds it less because Kiyoi is stunningly beautiful and more icily cool about it than the loud, mocking boys in their group.

The funny thing is that at least in the manga version, I think Hira's more handsome than Kiyoi. But since he's shy and socially awkward as a result of ongoing bullying for his stutter, he's an outsider who's treated, at best, like a disposable errand boy.

There are glimpses of Kiyoi sticking up for Hira when the bullying gets a little too intense, and also indications that the popular group will toss him aside, too, if he shows too much of his true personality. It still doesn't excuse how Kiyoi has treated Hira, or allowed him to be treated, so hopefully there's a lot of significant growth in how they interact with each other.

The intensity of Hira's pining is handled really well, though, and the tone and pacing of this volume is pitch-perfect. It's not five stars only because it's incredibly depressing and it's hard right now for me to see a positive way out.

[Cassie Renais · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was uncomfortable to read- I can see the dynamic the author is going for, but the execution was almost TOO realistic. The MC's head is a disturbed place; he's really nailing the whole incel/school shooter kind of vibe who falls in love with the school prince. He'd do anything for him in a very creepy way. He's a sympathetic character because he's been bullied for his stutter and is clearly lonely, but it's still uncomfortable to see just how low his self-esteem is and what it makes him think about himself and others. On the other hand, the ML is really walking the line of brusque with a soft heart, or just plain an asshole. The things the MC finds to indicate warmth or connection are trivial, and the ML's behaviour is still overall pretty bad. It makes you want to slap him into being more honest or kind.

That said, I did continue reading past just this volume, and the dynamic smooths out over time as the MC's self-esteem goes up and you get more insight into the ML's head as well; it starts to feel more mutual interest and respect and less dogsbody-obsession x narcissist.

[James Garman · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this we are meeting a high school guy named Hira who has a speech impedinent to the folks at school start calling him He instead. He becomes the gofer of the group which means when a food run is needed, or they want to reserve a table at a restaurant he is the one they designate to go get the food or grab a table for them to eat at.

Meanwhile he develops a real crush with another guy who is very quiet for the most part. His name is Koyi and he never calls Hira He He. However all he seems to do is look at Hira from time to time. But in any case Hira is quickly to go into gofer status when Koyi shows an interest in the restaurant or whatever the group thing is.

This MANGA has few words and I found it a little hardy to follow than Platinum where is was more clear which way the story was going. I am wondering if maybe that was to show that Hira doesn't talk that much because of his speech impediment. But in any case, I think I would limit my recommendation to those that really enjoy and have experience with MANGA.

[Heather Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally in translated!

I loved this show! Japanese. Im so happy I get to see the rubber ducky again..and really hoping for the bath tub scene to make an appearance! (If you know you know!)

This is a slow paced coming of age BL series! Slowburn. And the 2 MLs are completely obsessed with eachother. The one has never liked anything before, but suddenly his love interest becomes his sun! The other has always craved attention, and his love interest always watching him gives him exactly what he needs.

There is some self deprecation, and obsessiveness. Feelings of unworthyness. That should all be fleshed out, and with time, it gets better. Photographer and Actor. Cute, charming. Ok for YA!

Missing a star just because, it can be a bit cheesy at times! A bit cringe! And a bit too much with self worth issues. Still amazing! Love it. And added to my library (really want a dvd of the series to tbh)!!

[Shaun "AceFireFox" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I watched the drama. I intend to read the Light Novel which the first season of the drama is adapted from. This volume only adapts... I don't really remember but like an episode and a half?

Kiyoi is still a bit of a dick but comes across as less so and has a few moments when he does almost treat Hira with some semblance of sympathy. Hira is also a bit complicated as, because of his stutter, he is very closed off and desperate to fade into the background and not be noticed. Yet he gets roped into being the gofer for Shirota and Kiyoi's friends and Hira is only content to do so because it means serving and spending time with Kiyoi. He is okay with being treated like a slave, if only it's Kiyoi doing it. Why? I don't know, he finds Kiyoi beautiful and very Kingly and would do anything for him apparently.

[ℂ ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Panini publica al novembre aquesta nova llicència i m'ha cridat l'atenció per les bones crítiques. Això sí, té un inici i un plantejament peculiars: un noi tartamut i marginat a l'institut s'obsessiona amb el líder de la colla que se n'aprofita i el fa servir de noi dels encàrrecs perquè el tracta amb certa amabilitat (certa molt entre cometes). En només 3 capítols se'ns mostra una relació incipient d'amor no correspost en què empatitzes amb un pobre personatge maltractat. La sorpresa final em fa pensar que el secret els unirà, però continuo intrigada. No sé si aquest sol volum em genera prou interès per seguir la sèrie, ja veurem... 3,5 estrelles que prometen i unes il·lustracions que em semblen precioses ♥️

[Ryofire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good realistic fiction boys love manga with sometimes not great art (particularly the way the mangaka draws necks and faces). I haven't read the light novel this is based on, but I'm curious after reading the manga, given I like the writing. It's a neat exploration of bullying and ostracization in school based on ableism, and how sometimes love doesn't really make sense, and we can love people who aren't really the best for us. The references to teen suicide are depressing but a nice realistic reminder of the outcome of school bullying without proper efforts to curtail it. It's also pointed that although clearly the teachers are useless in this situation, the other students also participate in ostracization, enabling it.

Overall, a neat book. Looking forward to volume 2!

[Kai · Rating 1 out of 5]

It had the potential to be good, but found it boring. To much of a dry story. Not very strong in characters development or storyline flow. No strong character relationship and drama. This is a big toxic relationship that is not good or health in any form. Its shows lack of love and affection. It's sad that people things this is cute and a love story, when clearly it toxic and disturbing and relationship unhealthy. Very sad. This series has a lot that could have been great but author was lacking in development with only sex and toxic slavery being center of the very toxic relationship. This is not for everyone. Sadly Disappointed.

[Heather Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this show and decided to read the manga to see if it had more insight into the characters. So far it's not a huge jump, but I'm enjoying it a lot.

I love seeing the moments that show Hira is an unreliable narrator. He is so wrong about Kiyoi's kindness. Kiyoi is kind, in his own way, and Hira is stubborn not to see it.

Of course, given his situation, it is dangerous to have hope and therefore he may be rejecting it outright to protect himself, but there's also a measure of worship that lends to his denial being more than just armor.

Can't wait to read the next volume.

[MunWolfieSNM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Esto desde luego ha sido muy interesante y nada bonito sjsjjssj
La verdad es que Hi es un personaje bastante interesante, y hasta entiendo algunas de las cosas qué ve en Kiyoi. A Kiyoi quiero conocerle más, porque a veces se porta como un imbecil y a veces parece que quiere ser justo. No se si de verdad lo hace por aburrimiento o es buen tipo o que pasa aquí, pero el final me ha dejado con muchísimas ganas del segundo. Quiero ver cómo estos dos llegan a algo y cómo reacciona el resto.

[Rain · Rating 2 out of 5]

This high school bully “romance” was sad and depressing. This poor kid with a sensitive heart and an eye for photography, has a stutter and is picked on by everyone in school, including the boy he has a crush on. And does this boy protect him? No. He might not join in, but he does nothing to save him either. Not really sure if I want to read the second volume. This story left me more pissed off than anything.

[Autumn L · Rating 3 out of 5]

My beautiful man is a very interesting story. The story makes you want to know more about what’s going to happen with these two. Also, it’s really not a romance story. It’s a one-sided romance. There is bullying in the story and it’s still ongoing. But Hira will do anything for Kiyo. Kiyo seems like a very interesting character because he keeps to himself and he stands up for Hira. I would like to know more about these two and are they gonna last or is something tragic gonna happen.

[Amanda Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. I'm curious if the light novel would have been better, as it seems there's more backstory and character building that's just not translating well through the manga. The art was good and I can see a good story there, despite the characters being unlikable. I hope to see some character growth in both Kiyoi and especially Hira.

[Cheyenne Davey · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh IDK. I'll read the next to see if it smooths out and gets better. but it was awfully dry. not much happened and is quite honestly just depressing.
I typically like a little sadness but this was just upsetting imo. the stalkerish vibes are just apparently not my thing. or at least how it's executed here. hoping it gets better