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Voices in the Sea Foam
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26A darkly beautiful modern BL fairytale about overcoming reincarnation and tragedy to fight for true love
Hauntingly gorgeous, this complete-in-one college romance puts a contemporary twist on the Little Mermaid’s cursed search for prince charming
Some curses just won’t stay dead
For years, Aito thought he was just a normal kid—until the day he fell in love with a boy at school. Suddenly, a flood of memories come rushing back, reminding him of his first life as the tragic little mermaid who risked everything for her prince, only to fade away into foam. But memories aren’t all that Aito inherits, as a mysterious power wrenches away his ability to speak or stand before his crush without agonizing pain. Ever since, Aito has sworn off love in self-defense, but a fateful encounter with his charming college classmate Toru might just irrevocably shake up his world…
Hauntingly gorgeous, this complete-in-one college romance puts a contemporary twist on the Little Mermaid’s cursed search for prince charming
Some curses just won’t stay dead
For years, Aito thought he was just a normal kid—until the day he fell in love with a boy at school. Suddenly, a flood of memories come rushing back, reminding him of his first life as the tragic little mermaid who risked everything for her prince, only to fade away into foam. But memories aren’t all that Aito inherits, as a mysterious power wrenches away his ability to speak or stand before his crush without agonizing pain. Ever since, Aito has sworn off love in self-defense, but a fateful encounter with his charming college classmate Toru might just irrevocably shake up his world…
226 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2024
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
March 18, 2026
it’s like the little mermaid but make it gay (kinda)
March 17, 2026
5 ⭐️ This Little Mermaid inspired story was breath taking, and I loved every page! Aito can't fall in love without loosing hos voice, and ever since he was a child, he's avoided falling for anyone. Until one day he meets Toru who wants Aito to sing for him. This story was so beautiful, and I loved the inspiration form the Little Mermaid, the sea theme, and the art style was simply perfection. Overall, it was a great story, very interesting characters, and just a wonderful story. An absolute must read for anyone that loves mermaids, pining, beautiful art, and a cute love story.
A big thank you to Kodansha for giving me an arc of this beautiful manga!
A big thank you to Kodansha for giving me an arc of this beautiful manga!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Kodansha for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am so sad to give this a fairly low rating - the cover is absolutely gorgeous and I like the premise; a reimagining, or almost sequel if you will, of The Little Mermaid set in modern times. The inside art is pretty and the idea really was neat. Unfortunately, this story lost me already around the first chapter. I realise this is a standalone and therefore quite condensed but I found this to be one of the worst cases of instant love I've ever come across. I can get behind instant attraction or infatuation, but the main character is cursed to feel miserable once he falls in love. He literally falls in love in chapter one simply by looking at someone for the very first time and immediately triggers the curse.
I just don't buy into that and it took away any form of tension and of things to root for. It also sadly continued that route as the story went on and it caused me to loose focus and ultimately I stopped caring about it one way or another. I can still see it appealing to some people and for those who mostly care about art - sure, why not? I really wish I had liked it more but it is what it is.
March 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing me with this ARC.
AHHH I loved this BL retelling of the Little Mermaid! For some reason I thought this was going to be a series, which could have had more potential for more yearning and magical mermaid moments, but this was still so cute. I beg the author to make a sequel or something because I love these characters. And the art was GORGEOUS!!
AHHH I loved this BL retelling of the Little Mermaid! For some reason I thought this was going to be a series, which could have had more potential for more yearning and magical mermaid moments, but this was still so cute. I beg the author to make a sequel or something because I love these characters. And the art was GORGEOUS!!
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March 18, 2026That was really good and it has been so long since I’ve read a one shot manga.
Not gonna lie I was skeptical at first but it ended up being pretty good and I kinda wished that it was longer maybe with more one to one moment between our characters or the process of making the song. This would have made their relationship stronger.
Not gonna lie I was skeptical at first but it ended up being pretty good and I kinda wished that it was longer maybe with more one to one moment between our characters or the process of making the song. This would have made their relationship stronger.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a sweet, and a little dark BL retelling of The Little Mermaid, following Aito who is haunted by a curse from his previous life as the mermaid princess and is now struggling to come to terms with his feelings after falling in love again.
The romance is love at first sight, which is generally not my favourite but largely works in this case as it follows the original little mermaid story. What I did really enjoy was how openly Toru expressed his interest in Aito and how they genuinely got to know each other better through little interactions and outings. Especially the way Toru had no issues with communication despite Aito being mute around him felt touching to me, so the romance overall was very sweet.
Mizuki was a great supporting character, as well - I enjoyed their dynamic with Aito and how supportive they were as a friend to both.
I tend to struggle with truly enjoying one shots as I usually feel like I cannot really commit to the romance because of the inevitable density but it really worked for me this time! The characters' feelings for each other did develop a bit quickly and I do wish we could have gotten a few more pages towards the end (and after) as the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, the story had an okay pacing and came to a good end.
I also really liked the flashbacks to Aito’s life as the mermaid princess and thought the author found a good balance between telling the backstory and continuing the present timeline.
The art is beautiful and captures the slightly melancholic atmosphere very well, especially the water elements and scenes in the ocean are stunning.
Overall, I’d recommend this as a short and sweet BL oneshot for readers who enjoy retellings and are in for a slightly angsty and sometimes brutal, but gentle romance.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for providing me a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The romance is love at first sight, which is generally not my favourite but largely works in this case as it follows the original little mermaid story. What I did really enjoy was how openly Toru expressed his interest in Aito and how they genuinely got to know each other better through little interactions and outings. Especially the way Toru had no issues with communication despite Aito being mute around him felt touching to me, so the romance overall was very sweet.
Mizuki was a great supporting character, as well - I enjoyed their dynamic with Aito and how supportive they were as a friend to both.
I tend to struggle with truly enjoying one shots as I usually feel like I cannot really commit to the romance because of the inevitable density but it really worked for me this time! The characters' feelings for each other did develop a bit quickly and I do wish we could have gotten a few more pages towards the end (and after) as the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, the story had an okay pacing and came to a good end.
I also really liked the flashbacks to Aito’s life as the mermaid princess and thought the author found a good balance between telling the backstory and continuing the present timeline.
The art is beautiful and captures the slightly melancholic atmosphere very well, especially the water elements and scenes in the ocean are stunning.
Overall, I’d recommend this as a short and sweet BL oneshot for readers who enjoy retellings and are in for a slightly angsty and sometimes brutal, but gentle romance.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for providing me a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Aito is a reincarnated mermaid princess, one who died tragically from unrequited love. He believes the curse followed him into his new life as a human. Aito has sworn off love because of it. However, a chance encounter with Toru causes him to change his mind. Can Aito find a way to break his curse? Or will history repeat itself?
Toru is a junior in the sound and engineering department of college. After watching a video of Aito singing, he realizes he wants him to do vocals on a track. Whenever Toru is around Aito, the other man cannot speak. When he finds a way around their communication barrier, Toru finds himself falling in love with Aito. Can he convince Aito to go out with him?
Poor Aito. I can understand his reasons for being so jaded about happy endings and love. Being bombarded with such heart-wrenching memories at a young age would have anyone swearing off love.
I only have one small nitpick. I would have liked more of Toru’s point of view. Aito’s friend Mizuki has more scenes than Toru – which seems odd and off putting for me. It did not allow me to connect with him.
Mizuki may be a side character but he/she is a GREAT friend. I admire how far he/she went to help Aito overcome his curse. There was no derision, just acceptance.
This is basically a Boys Love twist to The Little Mermaid telling – the Grimm version not Disney. There are no heated sex scenes nor any heated kissing. Overall, it gives off a wholesome vibe.
A one-shot manga. So the pacing between Aito and Toru is rushed in some places. I would not be adverse to another volume being released, side stories showing the progression of Toru and Aito’s relationship.
Toru is a junior in the sound and engineering department of college. After watching a video of Aito singing, he realizes he wants him to do vocals on a track. Whenever Toru is around Aito, the other man cannot speak. When he finds a way around their communication barrier, Toru finds himself falling in love with Aito. Can he convince Aito to go out with him?
Poor Aito. I can understand his reasons for being so jaded about happy endings and love. Being bombarded with such heart-wrenching memories at a young age would have anyone swearing off love.
I only have one small nitpick. I would have liked more of Toru’s point of view. Aito’s friend Mizuki has more scenes than Toru – which seems odd and off putting for me. It did not allow me to connect with him.
Mizuki may be a side character but he/she is a GREAT friend. I admire how far he/she went to help Aito overcome his curse. There was no derision, just acceptance.
This is basically a Boys Love twist to The Little Mermaid telling – the Grimm version not Disney. There are no heated sex scenes nor any heated kissing. Overall, it gives off a wholesome vibe.
A one-shot manga. So the pacing between Aito and Toru is rushed in some places. I would not be adverse to another volume being released, side stories showing the progression of Toru and Aito’s relationship.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Voices in the Sea Foam, by Kotarō
226 pages
★★★★★
Voices in the Sea Foam is a stunning retelling of the Little Mermaid fairytale. It manages to pay homage to the origins of the fairytale – the darker than Disney version – while somehow being completely original at the same time. The story was beautiful and full of emotion, and it's secured a place on my Best of 2026 list.
Aito was just a little boy when he experienced his first love, which sparked memories of a past life as a mermaid princess. We see a few flashbacks that show us how she bargained away her life as a mermaid to become human to be with the prince.
Ten years after the curse hits, Aito is in college and has sworn off love forever. Then Toru enters his life and the curse sparks anew. Luckily, Aito has an amazing roommate, Mizuki, who is an even better friend and helps Aito navigate time with Toru while suffering the effects of the curse.
I absolutely loved Aito and Toru, both separately as individual characters as well as together as a couple. I also utterly loved Mizuki, who I wish could have their own spin-off story. I loved how they were so supportive of Aito, always believing his curse without ever seeing it until Toru came along.
Overall, I thought it was a stunning story with beautiful artwork, and a really clever take on a story that's been retold so many times in so many ways. This managed to be original, emotional, and beautiful.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Voices in the Sea Foam, by Kotarō
226 pages
★★★★★
Voices in the Sea Foam is a stunning retelling of the Little Mermaid fairytale. It manages to pay homage to the origins of the fairytale – the darker than Disney version – while somehow being completely original at the same time. The story was beautiful and full of emotion, and it's secured a place on my Best of 2026 list.
Aito was just a little boy when he experienced his first love, which sparked memories of a past life as a mermaid princess. We see a few flashbacks that show us how she bargained away her life as a mermaid to become human to be with the prince.
Ten years after the curse hits, Aito is in college and has sworn off love forever. Then Toru enters his life and the curse sparks anew. Luckily, Aito has an amazing roommate, Mizuki, who is an even better friend and helps Aito navigate time with Toru while suffering the effects of the curse.
I absolutely loved Aito and Toru, both separately as individual characters as well as together as a couple. I also utterly loved Mizuki, who I wish could have their own spin-off story. I loved how they were so supportive of Aito, always believing his curse without ever seeing it until Toru came along.
Overall, I thought it was a stunning story with beautiful artwork, and a really clever take on a story that's been retold so many times in so many ways. This managed to be original, emotional, and beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Voices in the Sea Foam by Kotaro is cute and gay Little Mermaid retelling. The manga follows Aito, who always thought he was a normal guy until falling in love awakens memories of his past life as the Mermaid Princess, and with that a painful curse. Now, he tries to stay away from romance, but meeting Toru makes that almost impossible. Whenever he sees him Aito becomes mute, and walking feels like stepping on knives.
This was amazing. The main characters were really cute together. I liked how patient and supportive Toru was. It took me a while to understand the curse and everything about the past life that was being introduced, but in the end it all came together. Especially the end end made so much sense, and I loved the realization.
I enjoyed the concept of a reincarnated Little Mermaid. I think it is closer to the original version of the Little Mermaid rather than the Disney movie, but it's also been a few years since I watched it.
The art style was very beautiful. I especially loved the chapter panels and the ocean scenes. I took a few screenshots because it's just so beautifully drawn and stunning to look at.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It’s a short, cute Little Mermaid retelling with adorable main characters and gorgeous artwork.
This book comes out on May 5th, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was amazing. The main characters were really cute together. I liked how patient and supportive Toru was. It took me a while to understand the curse and everything about the past life that was being introduced, but in the end it all came together. Especially the end end made so much sense, and I loved the realization.
I enjoyed the concept of a reincarnated Little Mermaid. I think it is closer to the original version of the Little Mermaid rather than the Disney movie, but it's also been a few years since I watched it.
The art style was very beautiful. I especially loved the chapter panels and the ocean scenes. I took a few screenshots because it's just so beautifully drawn and stunning to look at.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It’s a short, cute Little Mermaid retelling with adorable main characters and gorgeous artwork.
This book comes out on May 5th, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Voices in the Sea Foam
-May 5
-BL
-Green flag, reincarnation, twist on fairytale
-Kodansha and Netgalley ARC read
I really liked this one and while I was trying to hold off on posting it closer to the release, I just couldn’t help sharing it sooner. The art work is gorgeous and I really like how this one intertwined The Little Mermaid concept by going with the darker version of it. It showed the lengths the MC was willing to go and even in the modern time he had the fears not having his love reciprocated- which in the first life meant turning to sea foam.
While we did get some of Toru’s POV, it would have been interesting if his soul was also reincarnated and maybe recovered some memories of that time. I would be interested to see some of his views of that time. But I do like how Toru was still drawn to Aito and how it felt like he picked up on moments when Aito was plagued with pain/discomfort.
It was a twist on the original version of Little Mermaid, where the little mermaid is reincarnated and our MC (Aito) gained all his memories from that time, when he fell in love with a boy at school. Consequently, not only the memories come back but also the “curse” that was placed on the mermaid. Now when he is in front of his crush, he is unable to speak and it’s like swords are pierced through his feet when he tries to walk. However, he only had the one encounter with his crush… that is until they met in college.
-May 5
-BL
-Green flag, reincarnation, twist on fairytale
-Kodansha and Netgalley ARC read
I really liked this one and while I was trying to hold off on posting it closer to the release, I just couldn’t help sharing it sooner. The art work is gorgeous and I really like how this one intertwined The Little Mermaid concept by going with the darker version of it. It showed the lengths the MC was willing to go and even in the modern time he had the fears not having his love reciprocated- which in the first life meant turning to sea foam.
While we did get some of Toru’s POV, it would have been interesting if his soul was also reincarnated and maybe recovered some memories of that time. I would be interested to see some of his views of that time. But I do like how Toru was still drawn to Aito and how it felt like he picked up on moments when Aito was plagued with pain/discomfort.
It was a twist on the original version of Little Mermaid, where the little mermaid is reincarnated and our MC (Aito) gained all his memories from that time, when he fell in love with a boy at school. Consequently, not only the memories come back but also the “curse” that was placed on the mermaid. Now when he is in front of his crush, he is unable to speak and it’s like swords are pierced through his feet when he tries to walk. However, he only had the one encounter with his crush… that is until they met in college.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. I loved this concept! I'm always interested in fairytale retellings, this one being about The Little Mermaid was a nice reinterpretation.
Tha art was really great. The cover was one of the things that made me pick this up and I wasn't disappointed. The author's style made the story flow easily and the addition of sea elements into some of the panels was awesome. There were stunning full panels throughout the volume.
The story starts with love at first sight. It's not really a preferred trope for me but I can't really complain about it considering that the original also had instalove vibes. Ultimately, what made me like it was how the ML fell for MC during their quiet moments. The scenes where they shared conversations through their eyes or any other form of communication that wasn't speaking were emotive. I wanted more of that to feel a greater connection with the romance.
Despite guessing right where the story was going, the direction it eventually took felt generally satisfying for me, although I wasn't a fan of was the pacing from the last chapters, I wanted them to be slower or have one more chapter before the climax.
Speaking about that, the climax itself was beautiful. I think it felt fitting enough in a story about reincarnation and second chances at life. I would've loved that the theme had been expanded more though. Part of me also wondered about how it'd had been if it went down another route, because I felt the author kind of chose the easiest one.
I wish we got at least more pages for extras, but other than that this was an adorable story about a little mermaid being reincarnated and finding love this time around.
PS. I loved the dynamic between MC and his friend, they were adorable. I love to see friendships like that.
-I received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.
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Tha art was really great. The cover was one of the things that made me pick this up and I wasn't disappointed. The author's style made the story flow easily and the addition of sea elements into some of the panels was awesome. There were stunning full panels throughout the volume.
The story starts with love at first sight. It's not really a preferred trope for me but I can't really complain about it considering that the original also had instalove vibes. Ultimately, what made me like it was how the ML fell for MC during their quiet moments. The scenes where they shared conversations through their eyes or any other form of communication that wasn't speaking were emotive. I wanted more of that to feel a greater connection with the romance.
Despite guessing right where the story was going, the direction it eventually took felt generally satisfying for me, although I wasn't a fan of was the pacing from the last chapters, I wanted them to be slower or have one more chapter before the climax.
Speaking about that, the climax itself was beautiful. I think it felt fitting enough in a story about reincarnation and second chances at life. I would've loved that the theme had been expanded more though. Part of me also wondered about how it'd had been if it went down another route, because I felt the author kind of chose the easiest one.
I wish we got at least more pages for extras, but other than that this was an adorable story about a little mermaid being reincarnated and finding love this time around.
PS. I loved the dynamic between MC and his friend, they were adorable. I love to see friendships like that.
-I received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.
Tags:
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first time ai review a manga book. I felt drawn by the cover and the description of it and decided to give it a try. I am glad I was given the change by the publishing company.
His story, yes, it’s about The Little Mermaid’s past life. It’s about how we sometimes drag fears and not always we understand where they are coming from.
The Little Mermaid is reincarnated in Kasugai, a young man in college who falls in love at first sight with Tachibana, who was The Little Mermaid’s Prince in a past life. Kasugai cannot talk when Tachibana addresses to him. In his head, Tachibana is not giving him any mind and he suffers in silence. Ready but unable to have another sad love story and it’s ending and afraid turn into sea foam again, his friend desperately tries to hep him find how to break the curse. But it was never the curse rom his past life. It was deep rooted fear he dragged. That caused him not to be able to speak or walk without pain.
It’s a cute reincarnation story that filled my heart and soul. It’s beautifully written, carefully crafted, showing how simple yet complex the human emotions can be. I absolutely recommend this story if you are looking for something quick and elegant to read.
His story, yes, it’s about The Little Mermaid’s past life. It’s about how we sometimes drag fears and not always we understand where they are coming from.
The Little Mermaid is reincarnated in Kasugai, a young man in college who falls in love at first sight with Tachibana, who was The Little Mermaid’s Prince in a past life. Kasugai cannot talk when Tachibana addresses to him. In his head, Tachibana is not giving him any mind and he suffers in silence. Ready but unable to have another sad love story and it’s ending and afraid turn into sea foam again, his friend desperately tries to hep him find how to break the curse. But it was never the curse rom his past life. It was deep rooted fear he dragged. That caused him not to be able to speak or walk without pain.
It’s a cute reincarnation story that filled my heart and soul. It’s beautifully written, carefully crafted, showing how simple yet complex the human emotions can be. I absolutely recommend this story if you are looking for something quick and elegant to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a short but sweet oneshot following Alto, a young man who is plagued by visions of his previous life where he loved and was cursed for that love as a mermaid princess. I was stoked knowing the history of The Little Mermaid and Hans Christian Andersen to see a BL directly playing off its queer subtext, and it definitely delivered. I loved that the story paid tribute multiple times to the gender-bending inherent to the premise, both with the main character's reincarnation and with trans representation in Alto's friend Mizuki.
While there were some uneven spots of pacing, especially in the beginning, the story conveys a lot of emotion through its art and makes good use of sparse but meaningful dialogue. Alto and Toru develop their feelings gradually, but each of the moments they shared were well-crafted and highlighted the bond they shared even when Alto couldn't find his voice. I had one major question throughout the story that left me feeling itchy and unsatisfied, and I was rewarded with an ending that tied it all together.
I would recommend this for romance fans that like sweeping, dreamy fairy-tale vibes, healthy doses of angst, and happy endings.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.
While there were some uneven spots of pacing, especially in the beginning, the story conveys a lot of emotion through its art and makes good use of sparse but meaningful dialogue. Alto and Toru develop their feelings gradually, but each of the moments they shared were well-crafted and highlighted the bond they shared even when Alto couldn't find his voice. I had one major question throughout the story that left me feeling itchy and unsatisfied, and I was rewarded with an ending that tied it all together.
I would recommend this for romance fans that like sweeping, dreamy fairy-tale vibes, healthy doses of angst, and happy endings.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Little Mermaid meets Twilight. I don't know why, but that is what this book reminded me of.
I'm not usually much of a retelling girlie, but I liked the way this story was given an original spin through reincarnation and included aspects of Japanese folklore.
The art is gorgeous, and the cast was entertaining, both the main and secondary characters, with a special shout-out to the female characters, who aren't always given any attention in BL. And this is before we talk about how good the romance was.
I love a slow burn, and I love seeing two people be respectful of each other's boundaries and willing to wait for the other. Toru was the best at how he reassured Aito and did not pressure him into anything, ever. Plus, they are both artists, and they share their art! How cute is that?
I thought there would be nothing in this book I could enjoy as much as the romance, but I loved the way the book addressed Aito's past life as a mermaid princess, and him wearing a dress without a problem as a favour for a friend.
I would love to read more by this author, particularly if they decide to venture into more adult stories, because I think they could really shine there.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics and Vertical Comics.
I'm not usually much of a retelling girlie, but I liked the way this story was given an original spin through reincarnation and included aspects of Japanese folklore.
The art is gorgeous, and the cast was entertaining, both the main and secondary characters, with a special shout-out to the female characters, who aren't always given any attention in BL. And this is before we talk about how good the romance was.
I love a slow burn, and I love seeing two people be respectful of each other's boundaries and willing to wait for the other. Toru was the best at how he reassured Aito and did not pressure him into anything, ever. Plus, they are both artists, and they share their art! How cute is that?
I thought there would be nothing in this book I could enjoy as much as the romance, but I loved the way the book addressed Aito's past life as a mermaid princess, and him wearing a dress without a problem as a favour for a friend.
I would love to read more by this author, particularly if they decide to venture into more adult stories, because I think they could really shine there.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics and Vertical Comics.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really loved this take on the Little Mermaid, or should I say, sequel to Hans Christian Anderson's original (and tragic) Little Mermaid.
Aito learns when he experiences his first crush that he is the reincarnation of the mermaid princess whose voice was stolen, given legs that felt like swords pierced with every step, and died to dissolve into sea foam- and that he is still cursed. Since then, he has avoided love and believed he would never be able find love, just as he hadn't found true love in his previous life.
When he meets Toru, a fellow student at his university, Aito once again can't speak or take a step without pain. But Toru still seeks Aito out, and they find a way to communicate. With his friend Mizuki, Aito seeks to break his curse.
I loved this adaptation of the Little Mermaid story, and how faithful it was to Hans Christian Anderson's version and his feelings. I do believe he would've loved to see a BL romance verisoin with a happy ending, lovely artwork, and story that spoke to understanding, self-determination, and the strength of love.
As a complete one-volume story, the pacing was good, story was clever, and characters were enjoyable and great romantic leads.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Aito learns when he experiences his first crush that he is the reincarnation of the mermaid princess whose voice was stolen, given legs that felt like swords pierced with every step, and died to dissolve into sea foam- and that he is still cursed. Since then, he has avoided love and believed he would never be able find love, just as he hadn't found true love in his previous life.
When he meets Toru, a fellow student at his university, Aito once again can't speak or take a step without pain. But Toru still seeks Aito out, and they find a way to communicate. With his friend Mizuki, Aito seeks to break his curse.
I loved this adaptation of the Little Mermaid story, and how faithful it was to Hans Christian Anderson's version and his feelings. I do believe he would've loved to see a BL romance verisoin with a happy ending, lovely artwork, and story that spoke to understanding, self-determination, and the strength of love.
As a complete one-volume story, the pacing was good, story was clever, and characters were enjoyable and great romantic leads.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for an ARC of this book. What follows is my honest review.
A sweet BL twist involving a reincarnation of The Little Mermaid. The art style is gorgeous and I was immediately intrigued by the magical yet tragic vibes of this story. Aito’s conundrum feels pretty overwhelming at times and I liked how there were some parallels between the curse and anxiety symptoms being implied.
The romance is very wholesome and clean - no explicit scenes here. The development of the romance is quick and fairytale-esque so if that isn’t your cup of tea this might not be for you. I personally would have enjoyed more scenes with Toru or from Toru’s POV so we can see why he’s so interested in Aito. Even seeing the scene of him asking Mizuki for advice i think would have helped add some depth to his feelings.
Overall The Little Mermaid inspiration and the modern BL reframing was done really well and it was a nice wholesome one-shot. To be honest I think a second volume showing the development of Toru and Aito’s relationship would be fantastic and improve the overall story.
3.5 stars ✨
A sweet BL twist involving a reincarnation of The Little Mermaid. The art style is gorgeous and I was immediately intrigued by the magical yet tragic vibes of this story. Aito’s conundrum feels pretty overwhelming at times and I liked how there were some parallels between the curse and anxiety symptoms being implied.
The romance is very wholesome and clean - no explicit scenes here. The development of the romance is quick and fairytale-esque so if that isn’t your cup of tea this might not be for you. I personally would have enjoyed more scenes with Toru or from Toru’s POV so we can see why he’s so interested in Aito. Even seeing the scene of him asking Mizuki for advice i think would have helped add some depth to his feelings.
Overall The Little Mermaid inspiration and the modern BL reframing was done really well and it was a nice wholesome one-shot. To be honest I think a second volume showing the development of Toru and Aito’s relationship would be fantastic and improve the overall story.
3.5 stars ✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Manga | LGBT+ | Mermaid
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
•Plot: Voices in the Sea Foam. The MC doesn’t believe in happy endings, and his past life was as a mermaid princess. (Yes, he has a different gender in his current life) He’s cursed and not supposed to fall in love.
•What I liked: It’s not a secret that he was once a mermaid princess; it’s talked about casually with his friend, who appears to be trans. The art is nice, and I like the sea turtle drawings whenever they appear.
•What didn’t work for me: The pacing was a little uneven at times towards the middle.
•Themes / Ideas: Selective mutism because of a curse, past lives, male loves male.
•Who I’d recommend it to: If you like The Little Mermaid, this is sort of like a male love male version of it. Teens and up.
Overall/Thoughts: The MC struggles for the majority of this manga without a voice or being able to walk around his crush. His crush was his former lover in a past life. It’s like The Little Mermaid. There aren’t any spice/sexual scenes in this manga nor romance scenes, but there is some gentle mutual affection.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
•Plot: Voices in the Sea Foam. The MC doesn’t believe in happy endings, and his past life was as a mermaid princess. (Yes, he has a different gender in his current life) He’s cursed and not supposed to fall in love.
•What I liked: It’s not a secret that he was once a mermaid princess; it’s talked about casually with his friend, who appears to be trans. The art is nice, and I like the sea turtle drawings whenever they appear.
•What didn’t work for me: The pacing was a little uneven at times towards the middle.
•Themes / Ideas: Selective mutism because of a curse, past lives, male loves male.
•Who I’d recommend it to: If you like The Little Mermaid, this is sort of like a male love male version of it. Teens and up.
Overall/Thoughts: The MC struggles for the majority of this manga without a voice or being able to walk around his crush. His crush was his former lover in a past life. It’s like The Little Mermaid. There aren’t any spice/sexual scenes in this manga nor romance scenes, but there is some gentle mutual affection.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing ARC access!
Voices in the Sea Foam caught my attention on NetGalley after seeing the gorgeous cover. I found myself requesting it like a sailor drawn to siren song and fell in love with the lush, atmospheric romance that I found within the pages. For anyone who loves fairy tale retellings or a good slowburn in general, this manga is the perfect read.
I found Aito to be a very compelling character, and I thought his interactions with Mizuki were really heartwarming. I wish we could have seen a bit more of Toru and his personality, as the main push for their romance is heavily entangled with their past lives, but I loved that their attraction was something that was developed mutually and with plenty of healthy boundaries. I was especially touched at Toru's patience with Aito, and Aito's own growth in regards to his curse and his past life as a mermaid princess was also a very satisfying journey.
The art is gorgeous, the characters are endearing, and I had a super fun time! Highly recommend, and I will keep my eyes peeled to purchase my own copy once it hits the market!
Voices in the Sea Foam caught my attention on NetGalley after seeing the gorgeous cover. I found myself requesting it like a sailor drawn to siren song and fell in love with the lush, atmospheric romance that I found within the pages. For anyone who loves fairy tale retellings or a good slowburn in general, this manga is the perfect read.
I found Aito to be a very compelling character, and I thought his interactions with Mizuki were really heartwarming. I wish we could have seen a bit more of Toru and his personality, as the main push for their romance is heavily entangled with their past lives, but I loved that their attraction was something that was developed mutually and with plenty of healthy boundaries. I was especially touched at Toru's patience with Aito, and Aito's own growth in regards to his curse and his past life as a mermaid princess was also a very satisfying journey.
The art is gorgeous, the characters are endearing, and I had a super fun time! Highly recommend, and I will keep my eyes peeled to purchase my own copy once it hits the market!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
꧁Voices in the Sea Foam by Kotarō꧂
2026📚: 66/150
☆☆☆☆
- BL manga
- reincarnation love story
- college setting
- true love over tragedy
💘 Aito + Toru
So when Aito is a kid, he has these dreams (I think, kinda confusing, about a mermaid) and then he meets the new boy, Kinoshita and his heart thumps wildly. Then his memories return and he remembers he used to be a mermaid princess who was ripped apart because of love. Y'all, this was pretty brutal, ngl.
Fast forward to Aito in college and he's anti-love with every fiber of his being. He acknowledges the curse placed upon him and it seems his bestie is the only one who knows his secret. For ten years he avoided feelings...until he spots Toru on the beach and ba-dump.
But--gasp--the curse isn't quite the same. Over the course of multiple "songs" we get a gentle slow burn romance, a fun twist, and a decent ending. Like usual, manga tends to just END. I could've read sooooo much more but in the end, I liked it.
[I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kodansha Comics via NetGalley. My reviews are my own.]
2026📚: 66/150
☆☆☆☆
- BL manga
- reincarnation love story
- college setting
- true love over tragedy
💘 Aito + Toru
So when Aito is a kid, he has these dreams (I think, kinda confusing, about a mermaid) and then he meets the new boy, Kinoshita and his heart thumps wildly. Then his memories return and he remembers he used to be a mermaid princess who was ripped apart because of love. Y'all, this was pretty brutal, ngl.
Fast forward to Aito in college and he's anti-love with every fiber of his being. He acknowledges the curse placed upon him and it seems his bestie is the only one who knows his secret. For ten years he avoided feelings...until he spots Toru on the beach and ba-dump.
But--gasp--the curse isn't quite the same. Over the course of multiple "songs" we get a gentle slow burn romance, a fun twist, and a decent ending. Like usual, manga tends to just END. I could've read sooooo much more but in the end, I liked it.
[I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kodansha Comics via NetGalley. My reviews are my own.]
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!
I enjoy classic retellings and this was a beautiful rendition of the Little Mermaid.
The first chapter threw me off a little at first, but once I kept reading, the story was easy to follow. Aito is the reincarnation of the Mermaid Princess and has been cursed. If he falls in love, he loses his voice and it feels like walking on swords. If his love falls for someone else, then he'll become seafoam just like the Little Mermaid did when her prince married another. For years, Aito has avoided falling in love like the plague so he won't meet the same fate. However, that changes when he meets Toru, a guy at his school. Now he can't even speak in front of him and every time he walks, it feels like his feet are being stabbed with every step he takes.
Overall, the story was well done, but it felt like something was missing. It was a good short read and I'm happy with the ending, but the manga had me wanting more. I'd give it a 3.5 rating.
Note: I'm not sure why Netgalley classified this as Erotica, since there is zero spice. At most, it's just hand holding one time. Literally.
I enjoy classic retellings and this was a beautiful rendition of the Little Mermaid.
The first chapter threw me off a little at first, but once I kept reading, the story was easy to follow. Aito is the reincarnation of the Mermaid Princess and has been cursed. If he falls in love, he loses his voice and it feels like walking on swords. If his love falls for someone else, then he'll become seafoam just like the Little Mermaid did when her prince married another. For years, Aito has avoided falling in love like the plague so he won't meet the same fate. However, that changes when he meets Toru, a guy at his school. Now he can't even speak in front of him and every time he walks, it feels like his feet are being stabbed with every step he takes.
Overall, the story was well done, but it felt like something was missing. It was a good short read and I'm happy with the ending, but the manga had me wanting more. I'd give it a 3.5 rating.
Note: I'm not sure why Netgalley classified this as Erotica, since there is zero spice. At most, it's just hand holding one time. Literally.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honestly, it was just "meh" for me.
The art is perfectly fine, it's standard manga style, but there wasn't anything particularly distinct or memorable about the visuals. The story follows a very familiar path, and unfortunately, it hit a few tropes that I personally don’t enjoy. I’ve never been a fan of the "instant love" trope, and even though this one tries to ground it in a childhood meeting, it still didn't give me enough reason to actually care about the romance as they reunited as adults.
It also felt a bit too much like a Little Mermaid retelling in a BL setting. While it's not a beat-for-beat copy, the parallels were strong enough that it felt unoriginal. I’m generally not a fan of retellings to begin with, so having such a predictable foundation made the characters feel a bit bland.
There was nothing here that made me want to root for their relationship or fight for their love. I found myself skimming a few pages toward the end just to get through it. It’s not a bad book by any means, it’s competent and the art is okay, but it’s just a bit boring and lacked the spark needed to keep me engaged.
The art is perfectly fine, it's standard manga style, but there wasn't anything particularly distinct or memorable about the visuals. The story follows a very familiar path, and unfortunately, it hit a few tropes that I personally don’t enjoy. I’ve never been a fan of the "instant love" trope, and even though this one tries to ground it in a childhood meeting, it still didn't give me enough reason to actually care about the romance as they reunited as adults.
It also felt a bit too much like a Little Mermaid retelling in a BL setting. While it's not a beat-for-beat copy, the parallels were strong enough that it felt unoriginal. I’m generally not a fan of retellings to begin with, so having such a predictable foundation made the characters feel a bit bland.
There was nothing here that made me want to root for their relationship or fight for their love. I found myself skimming a few pages toward the end just to get through it. It’s not a bad book by any means, it’s competent and the art is okay, but it’s just a bit boring and lacked the spark needed to keep me engaged.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the opportunity to read an ARC of this story.
I'm not a big fan of mermaid stories but the cover of this manga caught my attention. Now I'm glad I gave it an opportunity because I enjoyed the plot more than I thought I would.
When he'a a kid, Aito discovers he's the human reincarnation of a mermaid when he meets a boy he likes. As a mermaid, she was cursed with no voice and feeling her feet stabbing when she turned into a human for love. Now Aito, when he's close to the person he likes, he loses his voice and feels his knees tremble.
His life goes on until when he turns into a young boy and meets someone he immediately falls in love with: his college classmate, Toru. Now the story repeats itself.
I really liked the relationship between them build up and how understanding and sweet Toru was through all the book. I also enjoyed Mizuki, Aito's best friend, who was the best character of them all. Such a nice girl!
I specially liked the author drawing style. There were so many tender moments expressed with such emotion... So touching!
This isn't an unforgettable story, but it's enjoyable and its characters grow on you.
I'm not a big fan of mermaid stories but the cover of this manga caught my attention. Now I'm glad I gave it an opportunity because I enjoyed the plot more than I thought I would.
When he'a a kid, Aito discovers he's the human reincarnation of a mermaid when he meets a boy he likes. As a mermaid, she was cursed with no voice and feeling her feet stabbing when she turned into a human for love. Now Aito, when he's close to the person he likes, he loses his voice and feels his knees tremble.
His life goes on until when he turns into a young boy and meets someone he immediately falls in love with: his college classmate, Toru. Now the story repeats itself.
I really liked the relationship between them build up and how understanding and sweet Toru was through all the book. I also enjoyed Mizuki, Aito's best friend, who was the best character of them all. Such a nice girl!
I specially liked the author drawing style. There were so many tender moments expressed with such emotion... So touching!
This isn't an unforgettable story, but it's enjoyable and its characters grow on you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This has definitely been one of the most beautiful manga I’ve read so far this year. The use of flowing imagery captures a sense of distance and tragedy and loneliness and beauty that really sells the essence of this story.
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This is very much YA but it still takes on the darker aspects of the original Little Mermaid story, with the MCs tongue being metaphorically but also visually cut out and feeling as though they’re stepping on blades every time they see the one they love. While the world building was a little fuzzy (turns out its reincarnation but how the MC comes to terms with that we don’t see), the ache in the story really captured me from the start and I was intrigued the whole way through the story.
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There are soft and sweet moments, especially towards the end, but there are painful moments to get there.
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I’m very intrigued by this mangaka and would definitely keep my eyes open for future work from them. I think they have a very intriguing POV as a storyteller.
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*I received an eARC from Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
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This is very much YA but it still takes on the darker aspects of the original Little Mermaid story, with the MCs tongue being metaphorically but also visually cut out and feeling as though they’re stepping on blades every time they see the one they love. While the world building was a little fuzzy (turns out its reincarnation but how the MC comes to terms with that we don’t see), the ache in the story really captured me from the start and I was intrigued the whole way through the story.
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There are soft and sweet moments, especially towards the end, but there are painful moments to get there.
.
I’m very intrigued by this mangaka and would definitely keep my eyes open for future work from them. I think they have a very intriguing POV as a storyteller.
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*I received an eARC from Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You had me at “male Little Mermaid reincarnation,” I’m not even going to pretend I needed more convincing.
This was such a soft and emotional read 🥹
The story follows Aito, a college student who starts remembering his past life as a tragic little mermaid and realizes he may be cursed to suffer whenever he falls in love again.
The tone and the way the story unfolds is very sweet and intimate. The art style is soft and clean, with very expressive faces and a delicate feel that really lets you understand their emotions. I loved the close-up panels and the fashion details. They’re fashion students, after all. The mermaid drawings especially were beautiful.
I liked that it was inspired by a story we all know but still had its own unique twists. Two boys falling in love while fighting an evil curse. That is what trope dreams are made of.
I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys soft BL, beautiful art, and a touch of fantasy.
** Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was such a soft and emotional read 🥹
The story follows Aito, a college student who starts remembering his past life as a tragic little mermaid and realizes he may be cursed to suffer whenever he falls in love again.
The tone and the way the story unfolds is very sweet and intimate. The art style is soft and clean, with very expressive faces and a delicate feel that really lets you understand their emotions. I loved the close-up panels and the fashion details. They’re fashion students, after all. The mermaid drawings especially were beautiful.
I liked that it was inspired by a story we all know but still had its own unique twists. Two boys falling in love while fighting an evil curse. That is what trope dreams are made of.
I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys soft BL, beautiful art, and a touch of fantasy.
** Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was part Little Mermaid retelling, the Grimm version not Disney, part typical BL and I quite enjoyed it. Aito was a mermaid in another life, cursed to lose his voice and his ability to walk when faced with the person he loves. Toru hears Aito sing on TikTok and desperately wants Aito to record a song for a film he is working on for school. Aito, knowing he can't talk to Toru, initially refuses but Toru convinces him they can make it work. To be honest, Toru is kind of overly understanding of Aito's inability to talk around him, but it works for the story. A lot happens in a short time and I won't spoil it but it ends with Aito calling Toru's name and finally admitting his feelings. It's a sweet ending but leaves some things unresolved. Also, turtles are involved and I love turtles. My only real complaint is that this is probably to cleanest BL I have read since the early volumes of Sasaki & Miyano. There is literally no spice. But otherwise this was a worthwhile read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Imagine Little Mermaid did not have a happy ending and she gets reincarnated into a human. This time is a little boy name Aito. He met this new students and literally his little brain recognized it's the prince that abandoned her/him.
At current time, Aito met Toru, but he can't speak (because the witch took her voice, remember?) and he can't walk because it's so painful like stepping into swords. How do you break the curse?
The drawing is done beautifully and the translation is done smoothly, which as reader we appreciate. This is a unique take for BL. Aito remember his prior life and the sacrifices she gave up for the prince. Also bitterness that the prince didn't pick her. In this life, how does Aito make a break thru? I love Aito's friend who is trying to help him break the curse and be a great support. This is very endearing story.
Thank you NetGalley & Kodansha Comics for ARC.
At current time, Aito met Toru, but he can't speak (because the witch took her voice, remember?) and he can't walk because it's so painful like stepping into swords. How do you break the curse?
The drawing is done beautifully and the translation is done smoothly, which as reader we appreciate. This is a unique take for BL. Aito remember his prior life and the sacrifices she gave up for the prince. Also bitterness that the prince didn't pick her. In this life, how does Aito make a break thru? I love Aito's friend who is trying to help him break the curse and be a great support. This is very endearing story.
Thank you NetGalley & Kodansha Comics for ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for giving this BL Recairnation manga .
It was quite disappointing read because I felt the whole story was quite disjointed and the ending was pretty unsatisfying to make up for the whole story, For 6 chapters, even though it was short enough there just wasn’t more to offer as a reader. Ngl, the art is stunning with the bois and the whole thing with our MC as a mermaid princess in his previous life was a good idea to create a mystery and it gave “The Little Mermaid” vibe around it., I would love to give my verdict on the end but for the sake of the review, I want to make this review spoiler free so if you want to read it for yourself to understand what happened, I highly advise you to read this manga. But again, I wish this story was done better unfortunately…
It was quite disappointing read because I felt the whole story was quite disjointed and the ending was pretty unsatisfying to make up for the whole story, For 6 chapters, even though it was short enough there just wasn’t more to offer as a reader. Ngl, the art is stunning with the bois and the whole thing with our MC as a mermaid princess in his previous life was a good idea to create a mystery and it gave “The Little Mermaid” vibe around it., I would love to give my verdict on the end but for the sake of the review, I want to make this review spoiler free so if you want to read it for yourself to understand what happened, I highly advise you to read this manga. But again, I wish this story was done better unfortunately…
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an arc. All opinions are my own.
★ Rating: 5/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance Manga
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅
I LOVED this omg! The love interest is such a genuinely good guy (and he's gorgeous which never hurts) and their relationship is really sweet. I do kind of wish Toru would have learned about the Aito's past life, even if it was just in a little mini scene after the main story, but that's alright.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
★ Rating: 5/5
Genre: Fantasy Romance Manga
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅
I LOVED this omg! The love interest is such a genuinely good guy (and he's gorgeous which never hurts) and their relationship is really sweet. I do kind of wish Toru would have learned about the Aito's past life, even if it was just in a little mini scene after the main story, but that's alright.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this e-arc for review!
This was such a sweet BL romance story about a boy that after falling in love at first sight of another boy in elementary school triggers his painful tragic past life memories of being the little mermaid princess that turned into sea foam when the prince she traded her voice and tail for fell in love with another. He tries to avoid love after finding that out and finds himself struggling to speak or walk whenever he has feelings for someone, so he says he suffers from the witch's curse, the one from his past life. He falls in love again as a teenager and this time the love interest begins engaging conversation with him and so he's fighting with his curse whenever he is around or even if he just thinks about him.
This was an interesting reimaging of the little mermaid but with reincarnation and becoming a BL.
This was such a sweet BL romance story about a boy that after falling in love at first sight of another boy in elementary school triggers his painful tragic past life memories of being the little mermaid princess that turned into sea foam when the prince she traded her voice and tail for fell in love with another. He tries to avoid love after finding that out and finds himself struggling to speak or walk whenever he has feelings for someone, so he says he suffers from the witch's curse, the one from his past life. He falls in love again as a teenager and this time the love interest begins engaging conversation with him and so he's fighting with his curse whenever he is around or even if he just thinks about him.
This was an interesting reimaging of the little mermaid but with reincarnation and becoming a BL.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.75 stars
This was just so good, I loved the emotional depth and the love the characters had for each other, I just know this series is going to be a 5 star series. The art style was beautiful and I really enjoyed this Little Mermaid setting, and how it talked about destiny, which I know many people find cringe, but I just love it. It´s basically about a guy who was once a mermaid princess but was then reincarnated as a human boy. All´s well the first ten years, but then he falls in love with a boy in Elementary school. Suddenly, his memories all come rushing back in, and he collapses to the floor. He thinks it is because of his past life, so he can´t fall in love. Ten years, later he falls in love again, and the curse starts acting up. So he decides to try and get rid of his curse.
This was so cute, I loved the art style and I am definitely reading the sequel :)
This was just so good, I loved the emotional depth and the love the characters had for each other, I just know this series is going to be a 5 star series. The art style was beautiful and I really enjoyed this Little Mermaid setting, and how it talked about destiny, which I know many people find cringe, but I just love it. It´s basically about a guy who was once a mermaid princess but was then reincarnated as a human boy. All´s well the first ten years, but then he falls in love with a boy in Elementary school. Suddenly, his memories all come rushing back in, and he collapses to the floor. He thinks it is because of his past life, so he can´t fall in love. Ten years, later he falls in love again, and the curse starts acting up. So he decides to try and get rid of his curse.
This was so cute, I loved the art style and I am definitely reading the sequel :)
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