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The Stranger in the Hoarding House
Burnt out by his job, Kamakura has shut himself away in his home and let the garbage pile up around him. One day, when a friendly neighbor sets foot inside, time which had come to a stop for Kamakura begins to tick forward again, in a story of love and rehabilitation after trauma.
192 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
13 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 5, 2025
This one really got to me. It’s such a gentle, sincere story about burnout and depression, nothing dramatic or over-the-top, just a painfully real look at how heavy life can get when you’re stuck in a routine that slowly wears you down. Kamakura’s not dealing with some tragic backstory or shocking event; he’s just a regular guy, worn out from a 9-to-5 and slowly shutting down from the weight of it all. And that’s what makes it hit so hard. It’s quiet but it’s real.
What I loved most, though, is how the story never tries to turn his healing into some magical fix. His neighbor doesn’t swoop in to “save” him.
He’s just... there. Kind. Steady. Someone who sees Kamakura struggling and decides to show up with softness and patience. No pressure, no expectations, just someone offering gentle warmth when it’s needed most.
Their relationship is so comforting in that way. The way they speak to each other, the way they slowly build trust, it’s like being wrapped in a blanket after a bad day. The dialogue feels like the kind of words you didn’t realize you needed to hear. It’s the kind of love that says, “I see you, and I’ll stay.”
There’s something so important about stories like this. About the reminder that depression doesn’t always look loud and that sometimes healing starts with just one person choosing to be kind.
What I loved most, though, is how the story never tries to turn his healing into some magical fix. His neighbor doesn’t swoop in to “save” him.
He’s just... there. Kind. Steady. Someone who sees Kamakura struggling and decides to show up with softness and patience. No pressure, no expectations, just someone offering gentle warmth when it’s needed most.
Their relationship is so comforting in that way. The way they speak to each other, the way they slowly build trust, it’s like being wrapped in a blanket after a bad day. The dialogue feels like the kind of words you didn’t realize you needed to hear. It’s the kind of love that says, “I see you, and I’ll stay.”
There’s something so important about stories like this. About the reminder that depression doesn’t always look loud and that sometimes healing starts with just one person choosing to be kind.
July 22, 2024
This was a really sweet and wholesome romance about a very depressed, burnout out salaryman and his neighbor 4 years his junior that pulled him out of his hoarding situation & helped him clean things up with no additional expectations, no judgment, no nagging… just helped him in a gentle but steady way. And I don’t think everyone realizes how impactful that is, how when you’re that depressed and low that you don’t want a lecture or to hear all the things you’re doing wrong, you just want someone to take your hand and DO something about it for/with you.
Their romance was gradual, lovely, and very natural feeling. The art style is very cute too. Definitely adding it to my disability rep list because depression can be disabling!
Their romance was gradual, lovely, and very natural feeling. The art style is very cute too. Definitely adding it to my disability rep list because depression can be disabling!
December 8, 2025
La historia es tierna. No lo vamos a negar. Yo en su lugar podría haber hecho lo mismo. Siento que en general la historia se me quedó corta a mi gusto.
August 12, 2025
I thought it was boring just wasn't for me.
November 13, 2025
Literally one of my new favs this was SO cute—10/10 definitely recommend
September 5, 2025
This was such a simple yet heartwarming story! It truly portrays how it feels to be stuck after something goes downhill in life, but that no matter how bad things get, the sun will shine again before you know it. I feel like all the clutter was such a good metaphor of problems piling up and feeling suffocated by them, even in the comfort of your own home.
The romance in this manga was so sweet, cute and healthy and I loved the art style so much - it was so incredibly pretty! One of my favourite scenes was Katsuyoshi standing up to the landlord and making things right with his brother. He was a very sweet person, but it also showed that even the kindest people are capable of making and growing from their mistakes. Kamakura's growth was also so well payed off and it warmed my heart seeing him go from someone who could barely keep himself awake through the day to actually getting better and believing in himself and even going as far as trying to get a job again.
Overall, this manga was amazing and portrayed mental health struggles incredibly well. Absolutely 5 stars from me!
The romance in this manga was so sweet, cute and healthy and I loved the art style so much - it was so incredibly pretty! One of my favourite scenes was Katsuyoshi standing up to the landlord and making things right with his brother. He was a very sweet person, but it also showed that even the kindest people are capable of making and growing from their mistakes. Kamakura's growth was also so well payed off and it warmed my heart seeing him go from someone who could barely keep himself awake through the day to actually getting better and believing in himself and even going as far as trying to get a job again.
Overall, this manga was amazing and portrayed mental health struggles incredibly well. Absolutely 5 stars from me!
September 18, 2025
god… this one was wholesome and cute. Not as explicit, but it deals with depression and hopelessness, and i think it wrapped up so nicely. Kinda insta-love tho, but i didnt mind here
October 20, 2024
tuzsuz salatalik gibi biseydi. salatalik cok guzel bisey mesela ama sade yedikce yavan geliyo tuzlamak lazim. tuzlamamislar bunu
August 13, 2025
SO CUTE. I really liked this one. I really liked the art style too. I would love to read more from this author. I hope they come out with something else in the future.
October 26, 2024
Truly lovely and beautifully drawn! Something i can also imagine i will want to reread again and again
October 22, 2025
Kamakura’s life slid downhill in one, spectacularly relatable, moment. For the umpteenth time his boss was yelling at him and he had his head bowed in apology but those weren’t the words that came out. Instead, Kamakura told his boss to shove it and instantly lost his office job. Living the dream, right?...
Read my full review at Well, Are They? A Queer Review Blog:
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2025...
Read my full review at Well, Are They? A Queer Review Blog:
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2025...
November 18, 2025
This was sweet! It has the usual tropes you’d expect, but the art style has a nice softness to it. Can’t say I’m the biggest fan of how it’s less about hoarding and more about burnout/depression, but that could have been a localization thing.
September 14, 2025
The house of a hoarder isn't the first place you would think of for a romance story, but this was handled really well considering the short format of the media. Values are challenged, compromises are met, and the whole story has the two main characters always trying to be understanding towards each other.
Very cute, enjoyed it a lot!
Very cute, enjoyed it a lot!
December 1, 2025
soooooo cute!
August 5, 2025
Read:
August 5,2025
The story of "The stranger in the hoarding house" follows 30 year old Satoshi Kamakura who suffered from abuse at his old workplace.
Due to the lack of support from his work colleagues and the fact he lives alone he starts pushing aside throwing away his trash and living his days in depression.
One day while he was sitting in his apartment alone someone broke a hole in his window with their baseball(this person was never found nor have they apologized or fixed Kamakura's window) while his neighbor Arai Katsuyoshi was passing by.
A little while later Kamakura hears the landlady knocking on his door asking for him to answer the door.
She has been noticing a smell coming from Kamakura's apartment and wants him to do something about it by cleaning his apartment.
Kamakura tells her it isn't her concern since he always pays his rent on time.
Katsuyoshi promises to help Kamakura clean up his place so from then on they start cleaning the apartment and due to spending some weeks together they become closer.
Katsuyoshi is 4 years younger than Kamakura but despite this Kamakura appears to be. be the same age as Katsuyoshi.
He is also very protective of Kamakura and is there for him when he overheard the landlady insult Kamakura.
He later admitted to originally helping Kamakura because his brother had a similar situation when he was in highschool.
Unfortunately Katsuyoshi's relationship with his brother was nearly ruined because of the parents shaming Katsuyoshi's brother and indirectly pinning the brothers against each other.
Somehow his brother overcome his struggles on his own.
Nothing is explained about how that happened or why the brother stopped going to school.
Unfortunately the parents are never seen apologizing for their actions and Kamakura's boss is never punished for his actions against his employees.
Also Kamakura's family is never mentioned.
I wonder if they knew he was suffering for years.
Kamakura was rude to the landlady in the first chapter but since the land landlady called Kamakura a social outcast,was extremely unprofessional and unreasonable I believe she deserves his rude comments and I don't believe she deserved an apology from Kamakura and I wish she realized her error.
Kamakura is a timid,sweet and forgiving person so he forgives her and his colleague he blamed his for his treatment by their boss.
He's too nice,I wish he would be more confident.
The same goes for Katsuyoshi's younger brother,he was too kind.
I hated that he forgive his parents for making his life a living hell.
Their parents are cruel and deserve to be disowned by their sons for life.
In the final chapter Katsuyoshi tells Kamakura that he and his brother made up with each other this part of the story didn't feel satisfying because it was a major part of the story being mentioned in passing.
I'm a little surprised it was mentioned at all because it didn't seem like Katsuyoshi was going to visit his brother on-screen.
Now despite all the plot holes and the romance being rushed I liked most of the interactions between Kamakura and Katsuyoshi.
Both of them are such sweet and caring people.
The artwork is beautiful.
Kamakura is one of the prettiest main characters I've ever seen.
I saw a comment from someone complaining about the lack of "smut" scenes in this manga being disappointing.
I have to disagree with that person.
The "smut" scenes aren't needed because the. ot would have taken away from the beauty of this story.
There are already two very awkward scenes that happened between these characters so I think the love scene was fine the way it was.
The love scene was beautifully drawn,it wasn't graphic or gross either.
I could see the passion and sweet love that Kamakura and Katsuyoshi have for each other.
The pose of Kamakura hands and his expressions during this scenes and their date in the last two chapters is stylish and pretty.
Every movement of Kamakura is pretty.
It would be great if this manga was adapted to TV with more fleshed out backstories of the characters.
August 5,2025
The story of "The stranger in the hoarding house" follows 30 year old Satoshi Kamakura who suffered from abuse at his old workplace.
Due to the lack of support from his work colleagues and the fact he lives alone he starts pushing aside throwing away his trash and living his days in depression.
One day while he was sitting in his apartment alone someone broke a hole in his window with their baseball(this person was never found nor have they apologized or fixed Kamakura's window) while his neighbor Arai Katsuyoshi was passing by.
A little while later Kamakura hears the landlady knocking on his door asking for him to answer the door.
She has been noticing a smell coming from Kamakura's apartment and wants him to do something about it by cleaning his apartment.
Kamakura tells her it isn't her concern since he always pays his rent on time.
Katsuyoshi promises to help Kamakura clean up his place so from then on they start cleaning the apartment and due to spending some weeks together they become closer.
Katsuyoshi is 4 years younger than Kamakura but despite this Kamakura appears to be. be the same age as Katsuyoshi.
He is also very protective of Kamakura and is there for him when he overheard the landlady insult Kamakura.
He later admitted to originally helping Kamakura because his brother had a similar situation when he was in highschool.
Unfortunately Katsuyoshi's relationship with his brother was nearly ruined because of the parents shaming Katsuyoshi's brother and indirectly pinning the brothers against each other.
Somehow his brother overcome his struggles on his own.
Nothing is explained about how that happened or why the brother stopped going to school.
Unfortunately the parents are never seen apologizing for their actions and Kamakura's boss is never punished for his actions against his employees.
Also Kamakura's family is never mentioned.
I wonder if they knew he was suffering for years.
Kamakura was rude to the landlady in the first chapter but since the land landlady called Kamakura a social outcast,was extremely unprofessional and unreasonable I believe she deserves his rude comments and I don't believe she deserved an apology from Kamakura and I wish she realized her error.
Kamakura is a timid,sweet and forgiving person so he forgives her and his colleague he blamed his for his treatment by their boss.
He's too nice,I wish he would be more confident.
The same goes for Katsuyoshi's younger brother,he was too kind.
I hated that he forgive his parents for making his life a living hell.
Their parents are cruel and deserve to be disowned by their sons for life.
In the final chapter Katsuyoshi tells Kamakura that he and his brother made up with each other this part of the story didn't feel satisfying because it was a major part of the story being mentioned in passing.
I'm a little surprised it was mentioned at all because it didn't seem like Katsuyoshi was going to visit his brother on-screen.
Now despite all the plot holes and the romance being rushed I liked most of the interactions between Kamakura and Katsuyoshi.
Both of them are such sweet and caring people.
The artwork is beautiful.
Kamakura is one of the prettiest main characters I've ever seen.
I saw a comment from someone complaining about the lack of "smut" scenes in this manga being disappointing.
I have to disagree with that person.
The "smut" scenes aren't needed because the. ot would have taken away from the beauty of this story.
There are already two very awkward scenes that happened between these characters so I think the love scene was fine the way it was.
The love scene was beautifully drawn,it wasn't graphic or gross either.
I could see the passion and sweet love that Kamakura and Katsuyoshi have for each other.
The pose of Kamakura hands and his expressions during this scenes and their date in the last two chapters is stylish and pretty.
Every movement of Kamakura is pretty.
It would be great if this manga was adapted to TV with more fleshed out backstories of the characters.
August 31, 2025
Unfortunately thin on story to back up the gorgeous art.
This had so much potential. Kamakura's a shut-in who quit (or got fired from) a job with an abusive boss who'd verbally berated him until he snapped. The boss then threw a coffee cup at him, and his closest friend at work - who'd recommended the job to him in the first place - told him that it was his fault and he should just apologize.
In response, Kamakura pretty much just closed down from depression. I get that...the lasting trauma from difficult workplaces simply isn't talked about enough. It's not something you can move on from that easily.
Kamakura, though, took it to an extreme. I guess he must've been getting all his food and things delivered, since it seems he probably hadn't left his apartment in months, even to take out the trash he'd been bagging up but leaving in ever-increasing piles. By the time a stray baseball smashed in his window, attracting the attention of his downstairs neighbor and their landlord, the situation was so bad it would've been warranted for the landlord to evict him.
Katsuyoshi, I think, felt bad that he'd drawn the landlord's attention, and offered to help Kamakura clean everything up - and to house him in the meantime.
It's a pretty rash course of action, which eventually gets sort of explained by Katsuyoshi's backstory of having a younger brother who'd become a shut-in, refusing to leave their family home or go to school after an undisclosed incident. I really thought that would've been a bigger storyline, but all it does is add a little emotional weight to Katsuyoshi standing up to the landlord, who was convinced the cleaning was a temporary solution and Kamakura was beyond help.
He'd been cruel and hurtful to his brother and had ruined their relationship as a result, but he could fix things by helping this stranger.
Which kinda works. Except everything with his family is so muddy and kind of contradictory. He says he's working at his dad's restaurant, but unless his dad is rich and owns a whole chain or something, I don't see how that's possible. He was on his phone with the dad in his introductory scene...presumably on his way home from work...talking like he hadn't seen or spoken to him in a while. And then when he reaches out to his brother and kind of patches things up, he says he's going back to the family home to visit.
So that didn't make much sense. And I really would've liked to know what had happened with his brother and why somehow who said horrible impatient things to his shut-in brother would be that deeply selfless and kind with a complete stranger. There was no growth shown over time. Just two vastly different personalities, really.
Jumping into the physical side of things was also very abruptly thrown in, and I wasn't the biggest fan of how that scene played out. I honestly don't think it was necessary at all...it could've been left at Katsuyoshi finding the dildo in the pile of trash and then slowly realizing that actually, he didn't mind the idea of seeing his terribly handsome neighbor in that way...
The way their relationship progressed after the fact was pretty cute, with Katsuyoshi stumbling awkwardly through trying to keep in contact, and the clearly much more experienced - at least with guys - Kamakura pulling together the courage to make the first moves. As someone who'd sworn at his boss in the opening scene, that kind of assertiveness - with a little anxiety mixed in - worked well with his character.
And like I said, the art is really lovely. So I did like it...it just could've been an incredibly good story with some closer attention to plot and consistency and ... more time to unfold, really. Cleaning the apartment probably took a week, tops, and they were "in love" in that time frame? I know it was a one-shot, but you can still pack a lot of more realistic relationship progression within that space.
This had so much potential. Kamakura's a shut-in who quit (or got fired from) a job with an abusive boss who'd verbally berated him until he snapped. The boss then threw a coffee cup at him, and his closest friend at work - who'd recommended the job to him in the first place - told him that it was his fault and he should just apologize.
In response, Kamakura pretty much just closed down from depression. I get that...the lasting trauma from difficult workplaces simply isn't talked about enough. It's not something you can move on from that easily.
Kamakura, though, took it to an extreme. I guess he must've been getting all his food and things delivered, since it seems he probably hadn't left his apartment in months, even to take out the trash he'd been bagging up but leaving in ever-increasing piles. By the time a stray baseball smashed in his window, attracting the attention of his downstairs neighbor and their landlord, the situation was so bad it would've been warranted for the landlord to evict him.
Katsuyoshi, I think, felt bad that he'd drawn the landlord's attention, and offered to help Kamakura clean everything up - and to house him in the meantime.
It's a pretty rash course of action, which eventually gets sort of explained by Katsuyoshi's backstory of having a younger brother who'd become a shut-in, refusing to leave their family home or go to school after an undisclosed incident. I really thought that would've been a bigger storyline, but all it does is add a little emotional weight to Katsuyoshi standing up to the landlord, who was convinced the cleaning was a temporary solution and Kamakura was beyond help.
He'd been cruel and hurtful to his brother and had ruined their relationship as a result, but he could fix things by helping this stranger.
Which kinda works. Except everything with his family is so muddy and kind of contradictory. He says he's working at his dad's restaurant, but unless his dad is rich and owns a whole chain or something, I don't see how that's possible. He was on his phone with the dad in his introductory scene...presumably on his way home from work...talking like he hadn't seen or spoken to him in a while. And then when he reaches out to his brother and kind of patches things up, he says he's going back to the family home to visit.
So that didn't make much sense. And I really would've liked to know what had happened with his brother and why somehow who said horrible impatient things to his shut-in brother would be that deeply selfless and kind with a complete stranger. There was no growth shown over time. Just two vastly different personalities, really.
Jumping into the physical side of things was also very abruptly thrown in, and I wasn't the biggest fan of how that scene played out. I honestly don't think it was necessary at all...it could've been left at Katsuyoshi finding the dildo in the pile of trash and then slowly realizing that actually, he didn't mind the idea of seeing his terribly handsome neighbor in that way...
The way their relationship progressed after the fact was pretty cute, with Katsuyoshi stumbling awkwardly through trying to keep in contact, and the clearly much more experienced - at least with guys - Kamakura pulling together the courage to make the first moves. As someone who'd sworn at his boss in the opening scene, that kind of assertiveness - with a little anxiety mixed in - worked well with his character.
And like I said, the art is really lovely. So I did like it...it just could've been an incredibly good story with some closer attention to plot and consistency and ... more time to unfold, really. Cleaning the apartment probably took a week, tops, and they were "in love" in that time frame? I know it was a one-shot, but you can still pack a lot of more realistic relationship progression within that space.
November 5, 2025
I was in a bad mood when I originally reviewed this, apparently. It’s so cute actually, and while it does feel rushed and their romance does sorta come out of nowhere, there are definitely signs I didn’t pick up on at first. I stand by that the climactic sex scene was wildly anticlimactic though. Oh and him offering Katsuyoshi help finishing masturbating was still crazy like bro really panicked and offered the first thing that came to his mind. But I really like this one now, gotta say.
——
Original review, 28-Oct-2025:
This felt like someone’s first book, so I did some research and I believe that I’m correct in that presumption? Not a bad thing, and I mean no disrespect since this is still a huge accomplishment. There were just some serious pacing issues, and the two main character’s romance felt like it came out of nowhere. There wasn’t even a discussion about whether either of them were gay/ bisexual, which always bothers me since it just feels very unrealistic and inauthentic to the queer experience. I felt like I had to suspend so much disbelief, especially when out of nowhere Kamakura offers to help Katsuyoshi out sexually.
On that note, I absolutely loved the -accidentally got caught in a private moment- plotline, I thought that was actually quite ingenious and not something I’ve seen before in a bl. Plus… it was hot. They start to deal with the aftermath of that moment normally, both mortified of what just happened, when all of a sudden Kamakura offers to help Katsuyoshi finish??? I feel like the way I’m describing it honestly makes it seem more smooth and sane than it felt to read lmao. I was truly so confused, it genuinely came out of nowhere. Kamakura only offered because he felt guilty and it was just… weird! Katsuyoshi’s response also made the scene less hot imo, because he kinda quietly agrees to this and doesn’t seem super into it, since he’s been pretty thoroughly humiliated. It was just a little hard to sit through.
I feel like the entirety of their relationship can be summed up from my feelings towards that one scene. Just “what?” and “huhhhh???” over and over again. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a cute story and romance. And I love the mental illness representation, depression is depicted in a very realistic way here and I do appreciate that. In particular, I loved the scene where Katsuyoshi helps Kamakura bathe for the first time in, presumably, a while.
All that being said, I just don’t fully see the romantic chemistry between these two. I think they like each other and get along well, but then there’s that weird brother-complex that Katsuyoshi has and is the catalyst for him helping. Like I said, this whole thing is just a bit of a mess (no pun intended). And then once they finally do get together at the end their sex scene is so short and disappointing!
Oh also the art style is pretty good! Loved their faces. Couldn’t get over Katsuyoshi’s 2016 YouTuber hairstyle tho lmaoooo. He got so much hotter when he had his bandana on, or when he styled it so it was more slicked back.
Anyways I guess I would still recommend, since it’s still cute and wholesome and has good depression representation. Just a bit disappointing for me.
——
Original review, 28-Oct-2025:
This felt like someone’s first book, so I did some research and I believe that I’m correct in that presumption? Not a bad thing, and I mean no disrespect since this is still a huge accomplishment. There were just some serious pacing issues, and the two main character’s romance felt like it came out of nowhere. There wasn’t even a discussion about whether either of them were gay/ bisexual, which always bothers me since it just feels very unrealistic and inauthentic to the queer experience. I felt like I had to suspend so much disbelief, especially when out of nowhere Kamakura offers to help Katsuyoshi out sexually.
On that note, I absolutely loved the -accidentally got caught in a private moment- plotline, I thought that was actually quite ingenious and not something I’ve seen before in a bl. Plus… it was hot. They start to deal with the aftermath of that moment normally, both mortified of what just happened, when all of a sudden Kamakura offers to help Katsuyoshi finish??? I feel like the way I’m describing it honestly makes it seem more smooth and sane than it felt to read lmao. I was truly so confused, it genuinely came out of nowhere. Kamakura only offered because he felt guilty and it was just… weird! Katsuyoshi’s response also made the scene less hot imo, because he kinda quietly agrees to this and doesn’t seem super into it, since he’s been pretty thoroughly humiliated. It was just a little hard to sit through.
I feel like the entirety of their relationship can be summed up from my feelings towards that one scene. Just “what?” and “huhhhh???” over and over again. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a cute story and romance. And I love the mental illness representation, depression is depicted in a very realistic way here and I do appreciate that. In particular, I loved the scene where Katsuyoshi helps Kamakura bathe for the first time in, presumably, a while.
All that being said, I just don’t fully see the romantic chemistry between these two. I think they like each other and get along well, but then there’s that weird brother-complex that Katsuyoshi has and is the catalyst for him helping. Like I said, this whole thing is just a bit of a mess (no pun intended). And then once they finally do get together at the end their sex scene is so short and disappointing!
Oh also the art style is pretty good! Loved their faces. Couldn’t get over Katsuyoshi’s 2016 YouTuber hairstyle tho lmaoooo. He got so much hotter when he had his bandana on, or when he styled it so it was more slicked back.
Anyways I guess I would still recommend, since it’s still cute and wholesome and has good depression representation. Just a bit disappointing for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2025
[As always, my reviews are mostly for me, so they can contain spoilers.]
Note: I've decided I want to start noting the Peen Visibility Level in BL manga when I review them because I never know what I'm gonna get when I pick one up. Sometimes we get an outline, sometimes we get super-detailed anatomy. Just a note for myself and anyone else.
Explicit Content/PVL: The single sex scene is actually quite clean and basically fade-to-black, but there is an earlier, pretty brief handjob scene where it's the white silhouette.
This one was very soft and sweet. I loved how quiet and tender Kamakura and Katsuyoshi's relationship was.
The art was also really lovely. There were some excellently-composed panels with interesting perspective, the characters are very expressive, and Kamakura's hair was stunning.
Kamakura's reason for becoming a shut-in is explained, but it's not very detailed. He didn't get along with his boss, got sick of being blamed and yelled at, and told his boss to stfu. Then his senpai didn't back him up, so he felt useless and betrayed, quit, and stopped leaving his home.
It's not mentioned how long he's been locking himself away in his apartment. However, I don't think this is the best representation of that kind of life, trauma, or recovery. It's a single volume with romance as another factor taking up space in the story, so not much time is spent on Kamakura's first excursion outside of his or Katsuyoshi's apartment, and he goes about doing some shopping and going out with Katsuyoshi without any real issue.
Note: I've decided I want to start noting the Peen Visibility Level in BL manga when I review them because I never know what I'm gonna get when I pick one up. Sometimes we get an outline, sometimes we get super-detailed anatomy. Just a note for myself and anyone else.
Explicit Content/PVL: The single sex scene is actually quite clean and basically fade-to-black, but there is an earlier, pretty brief handjob scene where it's the white silhouette.
This one was very soft and sweet. I loved how quiet and tender Kamakura and Katsuyoshi's relationship was.
The art was also really lovely. There were some excellently-composed panels with interesting perspective, the characters are very expressive, and Kamakura's hair was stunning.
Kamakura's reason for becoming a shut-in is explained, but it's not very detailed. He didn't get along with his boss, got sick of being blamed and yelled at, and told his boss to stfu. Then his senpai didn't back him up, so he felt useless and betrayed, quit, and stopped leaving his home.
It's not mentioned how long he's been locking himself away in his apartment. However, I don't think this is the best representation of that kind of life, trauma, or recovery. It's a single volume with romance as another factor taking up space in the story, so not much time is spent on Kamakura's first excursion outside of his or Katsuyoshi's apartment, and he goes about doing some shopping and going out with Katsuyoshi without any real issue.
September 4, 2025
Dieser Band hat mir wirklich gut gefallen. Ich fand es schön, wie sehr der Fokus auf der mentalen Gesundheit beider Figuren lag und wie jemand eines anderen Leben verändern kann. Arai hilft Kamakura allein durch seine Beständigkeit und Existenz, aber auch Kamakura hat trotz seiner Probleme einen positiven Einfluss auf etwas, dass Arai bereut. Die Vermieterin ist wirklich ein Beispiel davon, wie Leute stereotypisch auf Leute mit Messie-Syndrom reagieren, was auch eine gute Gegenseite war. Jedoch lag der Fokus auf den beiden, was eine gefühlvolle und ruhige Beziehung ist. Okay, diese eine Sache da in der Nacht fand ich dann doch etwas komisch und nicht ganz in den Kontext passend, alles andere war für einen Einzelband aber echt richtig gut gemacht. Das Pacing hat mir gefallen, dass es keinen Bahei um Sexualität gab auch. In gewisser Weise hätte ich eine Kurzreihe von 2-3 Bänden gerne gehabt, weil ich manche Aspekte mehr verstehen wollte. Aber trotzdem gab es alles, was es geben musste, um die Geschichte rund und trotzdem emotional zu machen. Der Zeichenstil hat mit seinem hell/dunkel auch sehe zur Stimmung beigetragen. Würde den Band jedem empfehlen! Klar, dass mit dem Messie-Syndrom mag vielleicht im ersten Moment abschrecken, finde die Darstellung aber echt gelungen und nicht verhunzt. Das Kamakura so schnell da rauskommt, ist vielleicht nicht ganz realistisch, aber für die Geschichte passt es. Eine wirklich tolle BL-Story. :)
December 2, 2025
Sweet and Caring story!
I like this story. It was very interesting to read. I love how their relationship grew and they both worked out their personal issues with family and work.
I’m straight female and I think I can be open minded compared to when I was younger. When I started reading BL stories it was because I was curious and I asked my gay friend some personal questions after reading some BL stories. Like who decided to be top or bottom in the relationship. A very rare thing that is mentioned in the book unless it’s an omega storyline which is obvious who it will be. Some stories were very graphic (pornography) and some were just a hint but tasteful sex scenes for those who didn’t want it to be graphic. I like the storyline of how they come together in their relationship and if there is any growth in their relationship to move the story forward to the next level. I don’t see any difference between straight and gay couples romance storylines. To me it all about your preference and what you enjoy to read.
This book has tasteful sex scenes and characters growth. I will recommend it to anyone who is interested in BL stories.
I like this story. It was very interesting to read. I love how their relationship grew and they both worked out their personal issues with family and work.
I’m straight female and I think I can be open minded compared to when I was younger. When I started reading BL stories it was because I was curious and I asked my gay friend some personal questions after reading some BL stories. Like who decided to be top or bottom in the relationship. A very rare thing that is mentioned in the book unless it’s an omega storyline which is obvious who it will be. Some stories were very graphic (pornography) and some were just a hint but tasteful sex scenes for those who didn’t want it to be graphic. I like the storyline of how they come together in their relationship and if there is any growth in their relationship to move the story forward to the next level. I don’t see any difference between straight and gay couples romance storylines. To me it all about your preference and what you enjoy to read.
This book has tasteful sex scenes and characters growth. I will recommend it to anyone who is interested in BL stories.
November 6, 2025
This kept it simple and sweet, and so it was a breeze to read. It deals with some fairly heavy themes, but is ultimately a hopeful story. The characters are likeable and easy to root for.
The characters have just enough meat to them to have believable motivations and interests that overlap in a realistic way, leading to gentle chemistry that doesn't feel forced. At first, Katsuyoshi (the neighbour) just seems like a nice guy cardboard cut out, but it turns out that there's some depth there that underpins his kindness to Kamakura. Similarly, Kamakura is obviously dealing with a lot to have become a shut-in hoarder, but the story doesn't linger too much on his trauma and instead focuses on the little things that help him get better and re-enter society.
The smut is minimal, and honestly, is possibly unnecessary to this story, since it feels more kindness-of-strangers slice of life than it feels strangers hooking up to survive in a lonely world.
Overall, this was just a very neat, easy read that left me feeling happy.
The characters have just enough meat to them to have believable motivations and interests that overlap in a realistic way, leading to gentle chemistry that doesn't feel forced. At first, Katsuyoshi (the neighbour) just seems like a nice guy cardboard cut out, but it turns out that there's some depth there that underpins his kindness to Kamakura. Similarly, Kamakura is obviously dealing with a lot to have become a shut-in hoarder, but the story doesn't linger too much on his trauma and instead focuses on the little things that help him get better and re-enter society.
The smut is minimal, and honestly, is possibly unnecessary to this story, since it feels more kindness-of-strangers slice of life than it feels strangers hooking up to survive in a lonely world.
Overall, this was just a very neat, easy read that left me feeling happy.
September 17, 2025
For a single volume this was actually super cute!! It didn't feel rushed, or like info had been cut out. And it even left enough room at the end where if Aruku-San wants a sequel they can make one. There was just the right amount of smut and sexual tension to balance out the plot too. Honestly I really adored this book, and would highly recommend if you want something more story focused about two men falling in love and finding strength and courage within the other. :)
Please consider this is you want are looking for a comfortable read.
Please consider this is you want are looking for a comfortable read.
January 9, 2026
Overall a very sweet romance between neighbors. The hoarding aspect was what intrigued me, but it wasn’t really the focus of the story. Instead it was a symptom of the trauma that Kamakura was reacting to. Katsuyoshi reaching out to lend a hand to a neighbor in need ends up changing both of their lives.
I was a bit surprised when the spice level ratcheted up a few notches quite abruptly. My library did not have a “Mature” label on this one so just be aware. Everything is respectful, so no issue for older teens, just a FYI.
Spice level briefly attains a 🌶️🌶️🌶️ to 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 out of 5.
I was a bit surprised when the spice level ratcheted up a few notches quite abruptly. My library did not have a “Mature” label on this one so just be aware. Everything is respectful, so no issue for older teens, just a FYI.
Spice level briefly attains a 🌶️🌶️🌶️ to 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 out of 5.
April 28, 2025
Ah, I honestly didn’t think I’d end up loving my time reading this manga. Kamakura-san is just so beautiful, so adorable, and incredibly captivating, even with that gloomy aura around him.
The topics this manga touches on are actually pretty heavy, but I’m really grateful they didn’t dive too deep or make it overwhelmingly serious. If they had, I think this manga could’ve easily been way too triggering for a lot of people, including me.
The topics this manga touches on are actually pretty heavy, but I’m really grateful they didn’t dive too deep or make it overwhelmingly serious. If they had, I think this manga could’ve easily been way too triggering for a lot of people, including me.
July 12, 2025
Myślę że historia zyskała by jesli była przynajmniej w dwuch fomach brakowało mi trochę pokazania jak bohaterowie zbliżający się do siebie, my oczywiście widzimy dlaczego się zbliżyli ale trochę dzieje sie to w tle.
September 7, 2025
TBH, I didn't read what type of manga this was (the title made me think it was gonna be spooky), but nope, it's a yaoi which, slay. It was ultimately a really sweet story. I'm only disappointed there aren't more books.
September 14, 2025
I loved the concept and characters of this manga so much!
My only complaint is that this seemed really rushed. I wish the author would have slowed down with the pacing and allowed a little deeper insight into the characters backstories.
Overall, a good read and fantastic art style.
My only complaint is that this seemed really rushed. I wish the author would have slowed down with the pacing and allowed a little deeper insight into the characters backstories.
Overall, a good read and fantastic art style.
September 29, 2025
Stars mostly for character art. Not enough development to believe in the romance, but it's no worse than half of what's out there. I'll just re-read Mr Mini Mart (Conbini-kun) instead for the subject matter.
November 14, 2025
La premisa de la historia es muy interesante, pero siento que fue todo muy rápido. La historia es muy corta, lo cual es una lástima porque siento que tenía potencial para ahondar en la parte de la salud mental. Por cierto, el dibujo es hermoso.
January 11, 2026
4 Stars
This manga was very cute. The premise was a little strange but showed mental health struggles. The romance was cute and you could tell these two genuinely enjoy each other's company.
This manga was very cute. The premise was a little strange but showed mental health struggles. The romance was cute and you could tell these two genuinely enjoy each other's company.
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