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冷たくて 柔らか [Tsumetakute Yawaraka] #1
Pink Candy Kiss, Vol. 1
Takara’s world turns upside down when her best friend from middle school reenters her life. She’s bewildered by how the shy, quiet girl she once knew has grown into a charming woman with an air of mystique. Despite Ema being married, Takara can’t help but think there’s something special about Ema’s cool, soft hands against her skin...
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First published June 23, 2023
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June 21, 2024this is good luck, babe! by chappell roan 😭😭
June 29, 2025
these girls are so gorgeous and i like it so much!! its literally like girly cotton candy romance in a book
August 13, 2024
pining 20 years for your middle school bff situationship wlw or repressing any memories of feeling romantic love for your middle school bff wlw
October 27, 2025
lesbian yearning is not for the weak.
August 12, 2025
A thirtysomething woman fresh from a break-up with her boyfriend runs into a childhood friend and slowly remembers, despite her internalized homophobia and two decades grasping at heteronormativity, that she used to be gay. Oops!
Much angst over a revived crush ensues.
It's kind of cheesy, but I've come across so few romance manga about people in their thirties that I find that aspect appealing all on its own.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Chapters 1-5
Much angst over a revived crush ensues.
It's kind of cheesy, but I've come across so few romance manga about people in their thirties that I find that aspect appealing all on its own.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Chapters 1-5
May 14, 2025
The setup is convoluted. If it's any of these factors by itself, it would've been fine. When they're thrown together like this, it stretches credulity. Still, the characters definitely have chemistry together and I'm interested enough to give it a couple more volumes.
April 7, 2025
Adult yuri manga? Interest piqued! Doubly so when it comes with a recommendation I trust attached to it. And this is a good start, very good at times, to a new series.
Takara is dumped by her boyfriend when she thinks he’s on the cusp of proposing to him, but she’s not especially fussed by it. When Ema, her friend from middle school, re-enters the picture, old feelings are stirred up.
Oh, and Ema’s married. Shades of Even Though We’re Adults…, except that story focused on the aftermath of the cheating and what happened, whereas this one has yet to commit to the incoming dalliance. That one was a little bit better, but this is no slouch.
Poor Takara has never felt possessive of another person she’s dated, but she’s getting a crash course with Ema, who she can’t seem to stop wanting to be close to. For her part, Ema is very up close and personal with Takara and the way she flirts with her old friend threatens to set off the fire alarms. Chemistry is not an issue here.
The reconnection clearly means everything to Ema, but Takara’s the one grappling with her feelings. I love, love, love that they addressed that bisexuality is a thing that exists here too.
Poor Takara made her move back in the day, likely drunk on the same heady feelings that are swirling around her now. Critically, we only have her interpretation of Ema’s reaction to judge, which definitely feels like we’ll hear her side at some point.
But that assumed reaction has Takara trying to maintain a respectful distance, which contrasts well with Ema’s approach. Ema is hands-on, ear whispering, and dead set on involving Takara in her life in some capacity. Intentional or not, she is wrecking Takara here.
Like I said, fantastic chemistry between these two. The way the two of them quickly fall into the same routines of their friendship and swap inside jokes and old stories is completely believable. There just so happens to be a bit more underneath.
Ema having two sides to her personality also helps distinguish her and shows that she’s dutifully struggling under her marriage for whatever reason. There are also mother issues involved as well. The fact that Takara knew Ema’s true self is undoubtedly a factor in all this and her moves feel believable given her situation.
I have two primary quibbles with how this story goes. One, Ema’s husband having somebody who’s obviously into him, jury’s still out on whether it’s an affair in progress, seems a little too convenient as a means to enable Ema and Takara to get together without guilt.
Ema’s already viciously unhappy with things, you can see it written all over with how her body language and demeanour shift around Takara versus her husband, so I don’t know that he needs to be up to something as well.
Secondly, the art oscillates between really good and just okay, the latter of which is generous of me because the chibis in this manga are, to me, some of the most hideous I’ve come across in a while.
Still, lots of promise here. The way it explores sexuality and a past that was left behind coming back suddenly are well done and watching these two discover friendship and something more promises to be interesting.
4.5 stars - let’s wait and see for the rounding up, this had a few missteps, but I think the core of it is already really good just as it is. Nicely executed first volume.
.
Takara is dumped by her boyfriend when she thinks he’s on the cusp of proposing to him, but she’s not especially fussed by it. When Ema, her friend from middle school, re-enters the picture, old feelings are stirred up.
Oh, and Ema’s married. Shades of Even Though We’re Adults…, except that story focused on the aftermath of the cheating and what happened, whereas this one has yet to commit to the incoming dalliance. That one was a little bit better, but this is no slouch.
Poor Takara has never felt possessive of another person she’s dated, but she’s getting a crash course with Ema, who she can’t seem to stop wanting to be close to. For her part, Ema is very up close and personal with Takara and the way she flirts with her old friend threatens to set off the fire alarms. Chemistry is not an issue here.
The reconnection clearly means everything to Ema, but Takara’s the one grappling with her feelings. I love, love, love that they addressed that bisexuality is a thing that exists here too.
Poor Takara made her move back in the day, likely drunk on the same heady feelings that are swirling around her now. Critically, we only have her interpretation of Ema’s reaction to judge, which definitely feels like we’ll hear her side at some point.
But that assumed reaction has Takara trying to maintain a respectful distance, which contrasts well with Ema’s approach. Ema is hands-on, ear whispering, and dead set on involving Takara in her life in some capacity. Intentional or not, she is wrecking Takara here.
Like I said, fantastic chemistry between these two. The way the two of them quickly fall into the same routines of their friendship and swap inside jokes and old stories is completely believable. There just so happens to be a bit more underneath.
Ema having two sides to her personality also helps distinguish her and shows that she’s dutifully struggling under her marriage for whatever reason. There are also mother issues involved as well. The fact that Takara knew Ema’s true self is undoubtedly a factor in all this and her moves feel believable given her situation.
I have two primary quibbles with how this story goes. One, Ema’s husband having somebody who’s obviously into him, jury’s still out on whether it’s an affair in progress, seems a little too convenient as a means to enable Ema and Takara to get together without guilt.
Ema’s already viciously unhappy with things, you can see it written all over with how her body language and demeanour shift around Takara versus her husband, so I don’t know that he needs to be up to something as well.
Secondly, the art oscillates between really good and just okay, the latter of which is generous of me because the chibis in this manga are, to me, some of the most hideous I’ve come across in a while.
Still, lots of promise here. The way it explores sexuality and a past that was left behind coming back suddenly are well done and watching these two discover friendship and something more promises to be interesting.
4.5 stars - let’s wait and see for the rounding up, this had a few missteps, but I think the core of it is already really good just as it is. Nicely executed first volume.
.
April 8, 2025
3.5 stars
As a romance, this isn't working for me yet. Like Taka realizes by the end, you can't base an adult relationship on a brief middle school connection; people change. She sees and loves Ema's growth, but is not sure Ema sees hers. And this is aside from all the other reasons a relationship between them would be potentially disastrous.
Taka's personal development is the strongest element of this to me. I particularly loved a scene where she reflects on her own internalized homophobia when she was younger and apologizes to her younger self. That was wonderfully done.
As for the art, the cover is gorgeous, but the art inside doesn't necessarily reflect that. Sometimes it's very pretty and sometimes it's just not. Nevertheless, there's enough here to make me want to continue the series.
As a romance, this isn't working for me yet. Like Taka realizes by the end, you can't base an adult relationship on a brief middle school connection; people change. She sees and loves Ema's growth, but is not sure Ema sees hers. And this is aside from all the other reasons a relationship between them would be potentially disastrous.
Taka's personal development is the strongest element of this to me. I particularly loved a scene where she reflects on her own internalized homophobia when she was younger and apologizes to her younger self. That was wonderfully done.
As for the art, the cover is gorgeous, but the art inside doesn't necessarily reflect that. Sometimes it's very pretty and sometimes it's just not. Nevertheless, there's enough here to make me want to continue the series.
December 6, 2025
Amazing first volume! I loved the characters, pacing, and story so much!
Can't wait to see where the story goes!!
Can't wait to see where the story goes!!
May 7, 2025
I don’t know that I believe she forgot all about her childhood crush only to instantly be in love with her again after so many years of not being in each other’s lives. The pacing of that was a little awkward to me. Also, seems like cheating might end up being a theme here, so we’ll see how that goes 😬
June 4, 2025
The chemistry from the main couple is incredible from the start. Reconnecting after 20 years yet jumping right back into the familiarity they had with one another as if no time passed at all. It felt so real and complex. The art is really pretty as well, the expressions of both Taka and Ema are so cute and really build the relationship of longing that these women have for one another. It’s heartbreakingly sweet.
August 26, 2025
For me personally the artstyle is a little hit or miss (though mangaka often improve skill-wise over the course of volumes released!) but I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book! A lot of GL tend to shy away from addressing matters of being queer in a societal sense (and saying words like straight or lesbian) but this book was a bit of a breath of fresh air! Still have a bit of the heebie-jeebies because the love interest is married? But I’m going to give it a chance anyway.
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April 30, 2025Trobe que els dos personatges principals són complexos i em sembla que están desenvolupant prou bé la seva relació. No és res de l’altre món, però resulta molt entretingut i segurament continuaré la serie de manga.
December 17, 2025
We love lesbian love 🫶
April 14, 2025
I love the concept and the art!! there's not enough adult Yuri manga out there, so I was really excited to read this. unfortunately, it was kinda boring :/ a lot of the same moments were repeated and not much happened. maybe I'll give it another volume?
thank you netgalley and publisher for the arc!
thank you netgalley and publisher for the arc!
September 17, 2025
My main thought is “this is more of what I expected from Even Though We’re Adults!” The premise is very similar (I wonder if there’s a lot of “not the cheating trope!!” Goodreads reviews for this series as well… I’m learning not to check, lol.) but the focus of this series seems to be a romance, while Even Though is more of a drama focusing on the protagonist’s in-laws and the prospect of divorce.
The protagonist is a woman in her thirties and her relationships with men never quite seem to work out. When she meets a married childhood friend, the feelings she rediscovers cause her to question her sexuality. Like Even Though, the character ostensibly lived a “class s” life (a Japanese concept that girls may temporarily have feelings for female classmates and then grow up to have relationships with men; I believe it’s comparable to the US idea of college experimentation and/or “it’s just a phase”). However, that narrative no longer works for her in her thirties. Her feelings for her friend were real, and maybe more real than her feelings for her string of boyfriends.
The author also wrote a really touching plea in the author’s notes: “Love between people of the same sex isn’t just a passing emotion, fake love, or a matter of only lust and sex. At the same time, having sexual desires isn’t something that should be treated with disgust. I truly hope that we become a society in which people are no longer worried about ‘becoming a homosexual’ or thinking they would have been better off heterosexual so they wouldn’t have to feel the way they do.”
I’ve never read something like that in a manga (outside of an autobio comic) and I found it really touching, and (from the little I know) very political. For the record, manga that appear to be gay or lesbian to a US audience might be viewed to its intended audience as more of a fantasy genre that’s disconnected from the experiences of actual Japanese LGBT people (How many times have I read some dialogue like “I’m not gay, I just like you”?) so I found this plea for understanding and progress to be very touching. We may have gay marriage over here in the US, but I relate to her feelings, and I also truly hope things improve for us over here.
The protagonist is a woman in her thirties and her relationships with men never quite seem to work out. When she meets a married childhood friend, the feelings she rediscovers cause her to question her sexuality. Like Even Though, the character ostensibly lived a “class s” life (a Japanese concept that girls may temporarily have feelings for female classmates and then grow up to have relationships with men; I believe it’s comparable to the US idea of college experimentation and/or “it’s just a phase”). However, that narrative no longer works for her in her thirties. Her feelings for her friend were real, and maybe more real than her feelings for her string of boyfriends.
The author also wrote a really touching plea in the author’s notes: “Love between people of the same sex isn’t just a passing emotion, fake love, or a matter of only lust and sex. At the same time, having sexual desires isn’t something that should be treated with disgust. I truly hope that we become a society in which people are no longer worried about ‘becoming a homosexual’ or thinking they would have been better off heterosexual so they wouldn’t have to feel the way they do.”
I’ve never read something like that in a manga (outside of an autobio comic) and I found it really touching, and (from the little I know) very political. For the record, manga that appear to be gay or lesbian to a US audience might be viewed to its intended audience as more of a fantasy genre that’s disconnected from the experiences of actual Japanese LGBT people (How many times have I read some dialogue like “I’m not gay, I just like you”?) so I found this plea for understanding and progress to be very touching. We may have gay marriage over here in the US, but I relate to her feelings, and I also truly hope things improve for us over here.
July 18, 2025
Really soft and dreamy art style. Can’t wait for that girl to cheat on her husband idgaf. I feel like he can see it coming from a mile away anyhow. If you’re looking at your wife talking to a girl she hasn’t seen since 8th grade 20 years ago and think “wow I’ve never seen her look this happy or excited and expressive and warm” I think you already know what it is ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
October 13, 2025
3.5⭐️
Los japoneses y sus ganas de incluir infidelidad… LA PAREJA ME PARECE DEMASIADO TIERNA PERO ME LASTIMA PORQUE EL ESPOSO NISIQUIERA SE VE COMO UNA MALA PERSONAAAA 😩😩 solo espero que se divorcie antes que empiecen algo. Y SI NO, más facil, que el esposo tenga a la otra chiquilla de amante.
Sigo
Los japoneses y sus ganas de incluir infidelidad… LA PAREJA ME PARECE DEMASIADO TIERNA PERO ME LASTIMA PORQUE EL ESPOSO NISIQUIERA SE VE COMO UNA MALA PERSONAAAA 😩😩 solo espero que se divorcie antes que empiecen algo. Y SI NO, más facil, que el esposo tenga a la otra chiquilla de amante.
Sigo
April 3, 2025
Cute, but I dont like how the main character is constantly saying the same thing. Every chapter she says at least once or twice “she’s such a beautiful married woman and I’m alone” basically.
But it’s still cute. Let’s go bisexuals.
But it’s still cute. Let’s go bisexuals.
November 16, 2025
The BEST YURI I have EVER read. I'm SHOCKED?? This book felt so mature and elegant and REAL! From the first page, it was obvious that this wasn't going to be some fetishistic lesbian thing; it wanted to talk about all the things people are scared to talk about. Oh, and also the main pair are ADORABLE!! But just UGH, this book was such a breath of fresh air. It was also delicate in addressing the stress and pressure on women to find partners when everyone around them is getting married. Though I love how self-aware Taka is when she did not care for her ex-boyfriend, lmao. ALSO the artstyle?? Absolutely STUNNING!!! Sooooo cute and unique ahhh every page was so charming. The outfits ate every single time. Oh and did I mention, IT'S SET IN AN OCEANSIDE TOWN!!! Cute... ocean.. scenery...
I can't wait for the next book, what a cliffhanger! I never thought id rate a manga 5 stars because I always feel a level of OTT from the style, but this one... fuck it, 5 stars.
I can't wait for the next book, what a cliffhanger! I never thought id rate a manga 5 stars because I always feel a level of OTT from the style, but this one... fuck it, 5 stars.
January 5, 2025
This really hurts
October 22, 2025
bitter and sweet, angst and love.
November 24, 2025
I knew I would love this and I was right. The art is stunning and the characters are so real it's hitting right in the heart. Definitely recommend <3
April 16, 2025
NOW KISS
June 11, 2025
This wasn’t for me at all. This was such a hard read that I really wanted to dnf.
The story was so slow and if like me you thought that this would help with plot development, you would be hideously disappointed!
Cons
🫖 Slow burn with no burn
🫖 The artwork oscillates between fine to okay, and I feel like I’m being rather generous
🫖 Plot (used very loosely) has been laid out to potentially allow Taka and Ems’ relationship to move forward guilt free
🫖 Lack of character likability
🫖 No resolve or progress. We are still very much as confused as we were at the beginning
The story was so slow and if like me you thought that this would help with plot development, you would be hideously disappointed!
Cons
🫖 Slow burn with no burn
🫖 The artwork oscillates between fine to okay, and I feel like I’m being rather generous
🫖 Plot (used very loosely) has been laid out to potentially allow Taka and Ems’ relationship to move forward guilt free
🫖 Lack of character likability
🫖 No resolve or progress. We are still very much as confused as we were at the beginning
May 5, 2025
Alright, so Pink Candy Kiss is this really sweet manga about a woman in her 30s trying to figure her shit out when it comes to life and love. She's all set to marry this dude, and then BAM! He dumps her. But then she bumps into this old friend she grew up with, and suddenly, feelings start bubbling up. Turns out, she used to have a big ol' crush on this friend, and now all she wants to do is kiss her.
It's this adorable lesbian love story blooming, which is totally my jam. I'm hoping things move just a little bit faster with the feelings, 'cause it felt like it stalled a tiny bit. But at the same time, I'm glad we're not just jumping straight into the horizontal tango in volume one. So, yeah, maybe pick up the pace a smidge, but I really like both of the main characters and hope it stays this cute and fun.
Gotta feel a little bad for the fiancé though; he seems like a decent guy. But hey, your almost-wife is about to get it on with her bestie, bro. 4 Out of 5.
It's this adorable lesbian love story blooming, which is totally my jam. I'm hoping things move just a little bit faster with the feelings, 'cause it felt like it stalled a tiny bit. But at the same time, I'm glad we're not just jumping straight into the horizontal tango in volume one. So, yeah, maybe pick up the pace a smidge, but I really like both of the main characters and hope it stays this cute and fun.
Gotta feel a little bad for the fiancé though; he seems like a decent guy. But hey, your almost-wife is about to get it on with her bestie, bro. 4 Out of 5.
June 14, 2025
yuri manga with 30+ year old characters and yearning!! if "good luck babe" was a manga, it would literally be this
this was a good setup for a first volume and i feel like it'll be more heartbreaking as it goes on. we're introduced to two different girls who reunite in tokyo after being apart since junior high. takara is struggling to find love and a sense of identity until she realizes her feelings have always been strong for one person only: ema, who is sadly married now.
this was a good setup for a first volume and i feel like it'll be more heartbreaking as it goes on. we're introduced to two different girls who reunite in tokyo after being apart since junior high. takara is struggling to find love and a sense of identity until she realizes her feelings have always been strong for one person only: ema, who is sadly married now.
December 1, 2025
This volume was such a TEASE!!!! I need more like, right now. I cannot believe some of the LGBTQ manga coming out recently. I'm obsessed. Pink Candy Kiss was very well done, and kept me desperately wanting more up to the last page. I saw myself in these pages, and I'm so glad that these stories are being told more often in Japan now. Catch me face against the glass waiting for the next volume to come out.
April 7, 2025
"I want to kiss her... but... I'm not sure if I have feelings for her." GIRL... anyways. Another yuri that will wreck me I suspect.
Edit: 3.5 rounded down? It wasn’t bad but tbh it was just kinda… a story? Idk felt a little bland. Maybe I’ll read the others one day.
Edit: 3.5 rounded down? It wasn’t bad but tbh it was just kinda… a story? Idk felt a little bland. Maybe I’ll read the others one day.
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