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Wolf Magic
Cool and popular Nagase has no problem getting men to respond to his good looks and charm! But has he ever really been adored? And why is his ultra-shy friend Higuchi suddenly on his mind every minute of the day?
Wolf Magic tempts and teases with the trembling excitement of first love! Will a quiet florist find the man of his dreams during business hours? And can an innocent friendship blossom into full-blown romance?
Wolf Magic tempts and teases with the trembling excitement of first love! Will a quiet florist find the man of his dreams during business hours? And can an innocent friendship blossom into full-blown romance?
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 15, 2014
Wow. That was an emotional roller coaster.
Wolf Magic contains stories about two different couples. The first is “The Water of Love for the Withered Flower.”
Hanasaki has a scary-looking face like a yakuza, but in actuality he works at and owns his deceased parent’s old flower shop. Customers are especially uneasy in his glowering company. Young school boys call him “the yakuza florist.” His girlfriends, co-workers at his old job, and other people he doesn't know very well tend to say negative hurtful things to him about his appearance and stoic demeanor because they make superficial assumptions. His perception of the people around him and life in general is pretty negative because of it, and he works very hard to keep everyone at an arm’s length. That starts to change when he meets Hata, a custodian at a wedding hall he once delivered flowers to. Hata, a passionate guy, sees through Hanasaki’s pretense and falls in love at first sight. Hata’s presence and encouragement begins to change Hanasaki’s perspective of himself and others. When Hanasaki gains awareness of his misery at being judged by his appearance he is finally able to admit to himself that he has come to depend on Hata’s kindness. That emotional growth within Hanasaki finally allows him to accept Hata’s love and stop shutting out the people who care about him.
The second story is the titular “Wolf Magic.”
Nagase is a good-looking guy, well-liked by the girls at his school. However, he doesn’t desire any girl’s attention. He wants “to be loved like a woman by a man.” This one’s atmosphere reminded me a lot of Yamashita Tomoko's Illumination.
Looking forward to more from this mangaka... definitely adding some Zippo titles to my next AmazonJP order. :)
Wolf Magic contains stories about two different couples. The first is “The Water of Love for the Withered Flower.”
Hanasaki has a scary-looking face like a yakuza, but in actuality he works at and owns his deceased parent’s old flower shop. Customers are especially uneasy in his glowering company. Young school boys call him “the yakuza florist.” His girlfriends, co-workers at his old job, and other people he doesn't know very well tend to say negative hurtful things to him about his appearance and stoic demeanor because they make superficial assumptions. His perception of the people around him and life in general is pretty negative because of it, and he works very hard to keep everyone at an arm’s length. That starts to change when he meets Hata, a custodian at a wedding hall he once delivered flowers to. Hata, a passionate guy, sees through Hanasaki’s pretense and falls in love at first sight. Hata’s presence and encouragement begins to change Hanasaki’s perspective of himself and others. When Hanasaki gains awareness of his misery at being judged by his appearance he is finally able to admit to himself that he has come to depend on Hata’s kindness. That emotional growth within Hanasaki finally allows him to accept Hata’s love and stop shutting out the people who care about him.
The second story is the titular “Wolf Magic.”
Nagase is a good-looking guy, well-liked by the girls at his school. However, he doesn’t desire any girl’s attention. He wants “to be loved like a woman by a man.” This one’s atmosphere reminded me a lot of Yamashita Tomoko's Illumination.
Looking forward to more from this mangaka... definitely adding some Zippo titles to my next AmazonJP order. :)
January 1, 2015
I really liked this book. It's pretty simple but left me with a good feeling.
There are two stories, one about a florist who has a scary face and has a complex about it, and one about a gay man looking for love who finds a weirdo. Personally I preferred Wolf Magic more, but both stories were sweet and the characters really moved at their own pace not yaoi pace.
Maybe it was too simple and I don't think I was as emotionally connected as I should've been, but overall I'm really glad I impulse buyed it and I want to read other titles by this author.
There are two stories, one about a florist who has a scary face and has a complex about it, and one about a gay man looking for love who finds a weirdo. Personally I preferred Wolf Magic more, but both stories were sweet and the characters really moved at their own pace not yaoi pace.
Maybe it was too simple and I don't think I was as emotionally connected as I should've been, but overall I'm really glad I impulse buyed it and I want to read other titles by this author.
January 30, 2025
This is a story split into 3 parts - part 1 is actually a standalone story with nothing to do with either of the other two parts. Parts 2 and 3 are connected by character, but occur years apart.
PART 1: The Water of Love for the Withered Flower - 4*
I really liked this story. Sousuke is called Yakuza by the local kids because of how he looks, and he's openly treated badly by people who can't believe he's a florist. He inherited the business after his parents died, but as much as he tries, people are scared of his face. He acknowledges that, over the years, as people berate him and are rude to him, he's started to behave as scary as he looks.
There's only one person who sees through his low self-esteem to see the man beneath - Hata. Hata is openly gay and has fallen in love with Sousuke, despite his prickly personality. Hata manages to get him to open up by being persistent.
It's a little stalker-y, a little one-sided for half the story, but it does end up really cute as Sousuke begins to recognise how he really feels about Hata. The overall story is rushed towards a romance, but it's definitely cute and has a good ending.
PART 2: Magic for a Wolf - 5*
I LOVED this part. This is a high school story about Nagase, who is gay and has a crush on Masaya Ido - who just so happens to be dating Nagase's friend, Yurika. She complains about Masaya to him, and while Nagase hasn't met him yet, he soon does and falls for him instantly. He knows Masaya is unattainable, until Masaya confronts Nagase about being too close to Yurika. He thinks that Nagase is in love with Yurika, so Nagase confesses that he's actually in love with Masaya, so he doesn't need to worry. Only, Masaya begins to wonder...and he kisses Nagase. Unfortunately, it doesn't end well - Masaya isn't gay, just curious and probably a little jealous and petty. Nagase ends up with his heart broken and...this part ends! I was shocked, gutted, devastated for Nagase. Ugh! The feels were heavy for the poor, sad teenager who just wanted to be loved but was used instead.
PART 3: Wolf Magic - 5*
Here, we get to see Nagase as an adult! I was SOO happy his story continued, because it's by far the best part of the book. It's been 2 years since he left high school, Nagase is working and getting by on occasional flings and friends-with-benefits that will never end in love. And he's okay-ish with that. Of course he still wants more, but he's STILL in unrequired love with a player at work, who is no good. History is repeating itself, except Nagase is more closed-off and guarded now. He's careful. Until he ends up sitting next to the silent, introverted Higuchi at a work event. A missing phone and keys leads to him taking Higuchi home, to give him somewhere to stay the night. Then they begin this tentative, sweet friendship. Higuchi says very little, Nagase loves that about him and feels somehow accepted, while in his company. It's beautiful, it feels tragic, and it feels forbidden and doomed, but somehow it all works out and Nagase gets his happy ending!
FINALLY, Nagase gets his man!
PART 1: The Water of Love for the Withered Flower - 4*
I really liked this story. Sousuke is called Yakuza by the local kids because of how he looks, and he's openly treated badly by people who can't believe he's a florist. He inherited the business after his parents died, but as much as he tries, people are scared of his face. He acknowledges that, over the years, as people berate him and are rude to him, he's started to behave as scary as he looks.
There's only one person who sees through his low self-esteem to see the man beneath - Hata. Hata is openly gay and has fallen in love with Sousuke, despite his prickly personality. Hata manages to get him to open up by being persistent.
It's a little stalker-y, a little one-sided for half the story, but it does end up really cute as Sousuke begins to recognise how he really feels about Hata. The overall story is rushed towards a romance, but it's definitely cute and has a good ending.
PART 2: Magic for a Wolf - 5*
I LOVED this part. This is a high school story about Nagase, who is gay and has a crush on Masaya Ido - who just so happens to be dating Nagase's friend, Yurika. She complains about Masaya to him, and while Nagase hasn't met him yet, he soon does and falls for him instantly. He knows Masaya is unattainable, until Masaya confronts Nagase about being too close to Yurika. He thinks that Nagase is in love with Yurika, so Nagase confesses that he's actually in love with Masaya, so he doesn't need to worry. Only, Masaya begins to wonder...and he kisses Nagase. Unfortunately, it doesn't end well - Masaya isn't gay, just curious and probably a little jealous and petty. Nagase ends up with his heart broken and...this part ends! I was shocked, gutted, devastated for Nagase. Ugh! The feels were heavy for the poor, sad teenager who just wanted to be loved but was used instead.
PART 3: Wolf Magic - 5*
Here, we get to see Nagase as an adult! I was SOO happy his story continued, because it's by far the best part of the book. It's been 2 years since he left high school, Nagase is working and getting by on occasional flings and friends-with-benefits that will never end in love. And he's okay-ish with that. Of course he still wants more, but he's STILL in unrequired love with a player at work, who is no good. History is repeating itself, except Nagase is more closed-off and guarded now. He's careful. Until he ends up sitting next to the silent, introverted Higuchi at a work event. A missing phone and keys leads to him taking Higuchi home, to give him somewhere to stay the night. Then they begin this tentative, sweet friendship. Higuchi says very little, Nagase loves that about him and feels somehow accepted, while in his company. It's beautiful, it feels tragic, and it feels forbidden and doomed, but somehow it all works out and Nagase gets his happy ending!
FINALLY, Nagase gets his man!
October 20, 2019
Typically with compilations like this, the first story is pretty good and then the rest kind of suck but with this there were only 2 stories and they both were really good! I really enjoyed the "yakuza florist" story for being just being wholesome and showing us this guy who wants to change but then learns to allow others to help him, and the second story, which admittedly was not AS good but still decent about a trio of folks learning about themselves and discovering (and breaking self imposed) boundaries.
May 30, 2020
Super sweet
Oh my goodness, both stories gave me the major feels! Sweet, slightly tattered men who just needed the right lovers to come around and make them trust in love. Well written and sweetly drawn.
Oh my goodness, both stories gave me the major feels! Sweet, slightly tattered men who just needed the right lovers to come around and make them trust in love. Well written and sweetly drawn.
January 13, 2019
A collection of three stories, one of which doesn't have an hea. The stories are slow-moving and uneven and didn't hold my interest.
January 29, 2023
Sad but sweet
Left me a little depressed. It's sad but sweet. There's a happy for now feeling to the 2 stories. No clear happily ever after. Nice art, really simple and clean.
Left me a little depressed. It's sad but sweet. There's a happy for now feeling to the 2 stories. No clear happily ever after. Nice art, really simple and clean.
September 25, 2014
In essence you have two stories in here:
The first is a florist whose looks are at odds with his profession and people's constant negative reactions haven't done much for his self confidence. We have an upbeat young guy who fell in love at first sight and now won't buzz off. Plus the random flower plant that basically is the personification of our protagonist.=)The story was kind of fun but I couldn't understand why people thought his looks were so at odds with his job. So he looked like a Yakuza, what of it? I personally think contrasts like that are too brilliant! =D
Oh, and there is the second story which didn't start out well for our dear little self centered darling. I wanted him to cheer up but I suppose high school sucks when your keeping yourself locked away. It's not like a lot of us haven't faced similar situations (unable to be honest with everyone around you, that is ). But don't worry! Things pick up for our little cherub who so desperately wants love but can't seem to find it where he's searching. Step in our amazing quiet and calm looking guy with the somehow adorable bowl cut and things take a turn for the good. =)
Overall, I'm thinking a 3.7 star rating would be accurate. It wasn't fantabulous (I think I've seen that advertisement on television one too many times if it's showing up in my review)but then again one can only hope to feel so much with short stories in under 200 pages. The art in here really was wonderful. It looks elegant instead of clunky like some artists end up doing with their work.
I think I'm spending too much time on here... I'm off to go read some more and wait for books to arrive *waves goodbye whilst retreating once more into the comforting gloom that are my bookshelves*
The first is a florist whose looks are at odds with his profession and people's constant negative reactions haven't done much for his self confidence. We have an upbeat young guy who fell in love at first sight and now won't buzz off. Plus the random flower plant that basically is the personification of our protagonist.=)The story was kind of fun but I couldn't understand why people thought his looks were so at odds with his job. So he looked like a Yakuza, what of it? I personally think contrasts like that are too brilliant! =D
Oh, and there is the second story which didn't start out well for our dear little self centered darling. I wanted him to cheer up but I suppose high school sucks when your keeping yourself locked away. It's not like a lot of us haven't faced similar situations (unable to be honest with everyone around you, that is ). But don't worry! Things pick up for our little cherub who so desperately wants love but can't seem to find it where he's searching. Step in our amazing quiet and calm looking guy with the somehow adorable bowl cut and things take a turn for the good. =)
Overall, I'm thinking a 3.7 star rating would be accurate. It wasn't fantabulous (I think I've seen that advertisement on television one too many times if it's showing up in my review)but then again one can only hope to feel so much with short stories in under 200 pages. The art in here really was wonderful. It looks elegant instead of clunky like some artists end up doing with their work.
I think I'm spending too much time on here... I'm off to go read some more and wait for books to arrive *waves goodbye whilst retreating once more into the comforting gloom that are my bookshelves*
November 29, 2014
I'm not even going to hide it. Nagase's story had me sobbing through half of this volume. At times it was physically painful for me to read. But I loved it! Higuchi is such a strange guy and he's not drawn like the standard character in this genre, but I loved him. And Nagase just broke my heart. His first story is seriously painful, but the second is hopeful and thank God for that, because otherwise I just couldn't deal with it.
The first story in the volume is about a yakuza-looking florist. It's cute but nowhere near as good as Nagase's stories.
The first story in the volume is about a yakuza-looking florist. It's cute but nowhere near as good as Nagase's stories.
January 25, 2016
I love this book! I don't even know why exactly. It's probably because it gives me so many feelings that I normally don't get from one-shots. The art is really good and the main characters (Hanasaki & Nagase) do a lot of growing despite the shortness of their stories. I like that the whole thing was simple, believable and well-paced.
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January 16, 2016
3.5 stars.
August 7, 2015
A simple story, very sweet. Each one about someone shunned finding love and acceptance in a world they thought had none. Nice easy read.
December 26, 2015
No title
This was pretty good. Quite cute. I enjoyed the first story greatly. Wish there was more "action" in the second.
This was pretty good. Quite cute. I enjoyed the first story greatly. Wish there was more "action" in the second.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews