Blue Summer Haze 1

Blue Summer Haze #1

by Dondon

Genres: Manga, Romance, LGBT, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Boys Love, Sports Romance

208 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2026

Reviews

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Kodansha for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review is for volume 1 only.

I am pretty indifferent to sports romance stories but they do bring along certain dynamics that I like in fantasy, e.g. a sense of high stakes, competition and rivalry. So while I went into this with zero interest in baseball, I do think it presents a good story and gives the characters a good anchor to bond over. Makoto seems to have only become a baseball player reluctantly as all he wanted was to play with his childhood friend. The latter than moves away and shows up again unexpectedly a few years later down the line. I thought this part felt a little rushed, especially given that this is the start of a series and it had room to give things a bit more time. In the meantime, another baseball player started to develop feelings for Makoto which leaves these three in conflicts around love and their shared passion for baseball.

This is the type of love triangle where it's really hard to guess who will be end game. It's also too early in the plot for me to say how I'd like things to resolve and it's also still very open as to how long the series will be. So far, all three are likeable and I think even the rivals in love are being pretty decent to each other.

I personally don't love the art - there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, it's well drawn! - it's just not my personal taste. I did enjoy the story enough to be curious how it continues, but at the same time, I think I will wait to see how long this series becomes before I decide whether or not to continue.

[Lupin · Rating 5 out of 5]

AND THEY WERE BATTERYMATES!

What an absolute delight of a read. The expectations I had coming in were absolutely hit out of the park with what I read. Romance, angst, and a love triangle that I was invested in?

Oh.. baseball yaoi did it all and promised me more. I am so invested in this trio and the art is gorgeous to look at. Waiter, more of them trying to figure out their sexualities while playing a sport that gives such tangible representations of their bonds!

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this manga from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


Now those who know me know that I don’t love love triangles. In fact. I generally avoid them. But sometimes I find the rare love triangle that works for me. Like in this one. We got our top baseball player/pitcher Minami Makoto. He loves/has an interest in his childhood friend (though haha, it takes him a bit to figure things out) and the one who got him into baseball and the one who disappeared until now, Shusuke Waya, if Waya has an interest back? Well you will have to find out as you read. Then there is Shiratori Hokuto who is also on Minami’s team, and he? He loves Minami. Yup. He really gets close and personal with him, though my heart broke as Minami only seemed to have eyes for the childhood friend who has now returned. I was so invested in these three and was wondering what would happen, who would get to be with Minami, would Minami purely go for Waya or would he give Hokuto a chance? At this point I have to say I am more invested in Hokuto x Minami because I just didn’t like how Waya never contacted Minami after he left + the fact he never told him he wasn’t doing baseball ever again while Minami was working so hard to get to a good level so that the two could reunite at a big event. I just wanted to hug Minami so many times, luckily he has Hokuto who is very much active in his affections. I loved seeing how the story continued between these three, there is several moments of drama (and some typical romance hijinks) that had me gasping, giggling, and maybe also crying a bit, especially when we got to learn what happened to Waya, though I definitely will stick to what I said earlier, he should have told Minami sooner. I am definitely invested in the lives of these three guys and I am curious who Minami will choose. Will he go for his childhood friend or will he go for Hokuto who has been with him and baseball for some time.

Next to drama and romance we also have a whole load of baseball! From trainings to how Minami got into baseball to competitions to training camps and more. I am normally also not a baseball girlie, but I really enjoyed it in this one. Probably also because of the art, with some great expressions, fun action moments, and more. I was definitely rooting for Minami’s team! And I really had a laugh at the newbies and how they clung to the older boys.

The art was so pretty and I love the style. The guys were all drawn in a hot way and I love it! I also enjoyed the little bonuses like introductions and baseball stuff.

All in all, if you want a fun love story with drama and baseball I would recommend this one!

Review also posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Cassandra]

I LOVED this. I love baseball BLs (Replay is one of my favorite BLs). The start to this was extremely strong. Childhood best friends promise to meet each other one day at a baseball competition when one is moving with his family away at the end of Junior High. Enter Senior year of high school, Makoto is working hard to keep his promise with a new catcher and they are amazing together. They are very close in the game and in life. His bestie comes back unexpectedly and starts a catalyst being honest about how these three feel. Even though it is a love triangle, I didn't mind at all. In all honesty, right now, I'd be happy with either or both (which I am sure would never be end game). I liked the pacing and how the story is developing so far.

6/6 stars

[Cherie • bookshelvesandtealeaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was a fun start to a romance series with some great, easy-to-love characters, but overall I found it moved a little bit too fast for me. I know it’s a sports romance and it’s only volume one, but I felt like the baseball stuff often overshadowed the romance stuff and I would have enjoyed it more if it had felt a little more balanced. Maybe this is one I’ll enjoy more when it’s finished and I can binge it.

That being said, it was still a fun read and I absolutely adore Dondon’s art style!

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Dondon and Netgalley for a copy of this cute baseball read!
I really enjoyed my self. I liked the plot and the art. It is so good.
The characters are so attractive and fun to get to know.
I’m not sure who I’m rooting for!
I’m so excited to read the next volume!
I recommend to people who love queer romance, baseball, and manga.

-baseball
-manga
-mlm
-high school
-reuniting with a childhood friend

[SheaOlayy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh and the love triangle begins… I hope the new high school catcher/friend becomes what the pitcher (love interest) needs 🫡🩵

[My Fairytale Days · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: readers who love adorable BL manga, childhood friends, love triangles, slow-blooming romance, and stories that will have you rooting for every almost-kiss.

There is something wonderfully dangerous about an adorable manga. You convince yourself you'll just read one more chapter... and before you know it, you're wondering where the rest of the book went.

From the very first chapter I found myself smiling. This manga is full of those awkward little moments that make your heart flutter. Lingering glances, playful teasing, almost-kisses... it kept giving me that ridiculous urge to curl my toes and silently beg the characters to just kiss already.

I quickly became attached to all three boys, which honestly surprised me. Makoto completely won me over because he isn't just sweet. One minute he's adorably flustered, the next he's properly fed up, and somehow that combination made him feel incredibly real. Hokuto stole my heart, though. He's playful, cheeky, wonderfully honest about how he feels, and every time he appeared I knew the page was about to sparkle. Shusuke is still the mystery for me. I adored the little glimpses of his childhood friendship with Makoto, and I have a feeling there's much more to him than we've seen so far.

I also have to admit... I couldn't care less about baseball. Thankfully, I didn't need to. The sport simply became the place where these characters could meet, tease each other, and slowly untangle their feelings. By the time I'd reached the final chapter, I'd almost forgotten the story revolved around baseball at all.

Another thing that completely charmed me were all the little extras. The notes between chapters, the character pages, the team roster, and even the author's afterword made the whole volume feel as though it had been put together with genuine affection. Those little touches made me smile just as much as the story itself.

My biggest complaint is almost unfair... it ended. It flowed so effortlessly that it almost felt like watching an anime in still images, and before I knew it I was staring at the last page wishing I already had volume two sitting beside me.

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• Wonderfully expressive artwork that captured every blush, smile, and heart-fluttering moment.
• A love triangle where I somehow found myself rooting for everyone.
• The bonus pages, character notes, and author's afterword that made the whole volume feel like it had been put together with genuine affection.

🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• It was over far too quickly. I wasn't ready to leave these characters behind.
• Shusuke still feels like the mystery of the trio, and I'd love to see him take up more space in the next volume.
• One panel made me chuckle because, while a character was being hugged, it looked as though his bum had decided to make a run for it without the rest of him. Thankfully, it was a one-off in an otherwise beautiful volume.

🎨 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
The artwork is clean, expressive, and wonderfully easy to follow. Every emotion shines through so naturally that the romantic moments become even sweeter. The pages flowed so effortlessly that it almost felt like watching an anime in still images, making it one of those manga you can completely sink into without ever feeling lost. Apart from one unintentionally hilarious panel, I absolutely adored the artwork.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

A little thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this manga. All thoughts, feelings, and bookish ramblings are entirely my own. 📖✨

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

For as much as I claim to not like sports, I will still occasionally pick up stories about them if they are queer in some way. Heated Rivalry, anyone? This habit of mine made me pick up Blue Summer Haze despite knowing little if anything about baseball. I've definitely enjoyed other sports anime/manga like Free and Hanebado based mostly on their character writing and subtext, but its certainly a welcome change of pace to get one that is textually queer. And oh boy, is it! It's got a all-guy love triangle and everything. Our main cast are very direct to the point that we have two declarations of feelings in the first volume alone.

Makoto is a talented pitcher who has bases his dreams, aspirations, and goals solely around getting to be near his childhood friend Shusuke who moved away in elementary school. By throwing himself into the sport that brought them together, he hopes they'll get to see each other again and feels betrayed and empty when they meet again in high school and he realizes Shusuke has no such plans.

Hokuto, similarly, is a great pitcher yet abandons his position and career possibilities solely to be near Makoto, when he sees what a great player he is. They have a testy, zesty relationship that pushes them both to play better. I like both of the dynamics at play here, and it doesn't feel unbalanced or obvious who Makoto will end up with.

The biggest thing holding Blue Summer Haze back is its break-neck pacing. Shusuke, Makoto, and Hokuto feel like the barest sketches of characters, and there's already far too much happening between them before we really understand what makes them tick, even if their concepts are solid. Similarly, if you come into this expecting this to be equally balanced between sports and romance, you will be disappointed. It very much feels like baseball is the vehicle that the story develops the romance through, instead of the other way around. The rest of the team are also barely characters, which doesn't help the feeling that this is primarily a romance series with sports vaguely going on in the background. It might be surprising considering my previously mentioned avoidance of sports stories but, I did kind of wanting them to showcase it more!

Thank you to Kodansha Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate love triangles. I might've skipped this one if I'd realized earlier that was the premise. But...I really...liked it...?

The endgame feels pretty obvious. One pitcher, two catchers - it's reverse Ace of Diamond, but as an actual BL where there are two confessions in the first volume alone. Regardless of the setup, childhood friends always win, don't they?

Plus Makoto not only explicitly confesses his feelings to Shusuke, it's clear that he's been in love with him for at least three years - waiting all that time for Shusuke to keep his promise and reunite through baseball, which Makoto's only kept playing because of his longstanding attachment to his best friend. Despite his rejection, which leaves Makoto crying and clinging to his new devoted catcher, Hokuto, it's clear that Shusuke's feelings aren't all that straightforward. (Or...straight.)

So a little agony and some misunderstandings before the inevitable romantic reunion seems like the telegraphed plotline.

But I just...really like Hokuto. And that scene at the end made me wonder if it's possible the dynamic could shift. After all, a lot of Makoto's angsty emotions are tied up in the fact that he never got closure with Shusuke, so once things get out in the open and they're able to interact again as their present, older selves, maybe emotions would shift?

I don't know. I'll have to see how the rest of the series goes, because right now this is surprising me with how much I would be okay with an OT3. Not that it would happen, but all of the dynamics are really interesting. Hokuto and Shusuke start out with some antagonistic standoffs that start to turn into a weird camaraderie.

They're both really nice guys in different ways, and Shusuke is strangely supportive of Hokuto's feelings for Makoto. And Hokuto's the one responsible for pulling Shusuke back into Makoto's daily orbit by making him the team manager. (Since Shusuke's shoulder injury means he can't play baseball anymore.)

It's just a very interesting story with fresh vibes, and I hope I'm happy with wherever the relationships go. I can't find any spoilers online so I'll just have to ride it out.

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

The character art was awesome, all the characters/teammates were fun, and the story was a great mix of sporty entertainment and unprocessed emotions! I was really charmed by Hokuto's openness about his feelings

There's the usual angst about harbouring feelings for your best mate and then dealing with not even being able to crush and pine in secret because they had to move away. It always kills me that these dudes can never keep in contact with each other lol. It's always the hard cut-off and this gaping hole of sadness from the loss until they meet again and it's like their heart explodes on sight!

Makoto and Shusuke were adorable as kids though. And I'm glad they had a really solid friendship when they were little.

I loved the wayyy Shusuke naturally fell into being Hokuto and Makoto's new manager! He's seriously so smooth and it was really awesome how he connected with the team so easily! He's so sunshine and the way he paid attention to the details and really cared about everyone made the manager role perfect for him.

Makoto really felt poorly about Shusuke quitting baseball, but I'm glad that they're close enough to have a conversation early on about how that had nothing to do with Makoto's skillset nor their friendship. I really appreciated how honest and up-front Hokuto, Makoto and Shusuke naturally were with each other.

Hokuto was a veeeeeery effective partner and I really enjoyed his style 😏 I loved that he was really into Makoto's spicy pitching when they'd first played against each other, and after THAT he was IT for Hokuto!

I really liked the way all three of them were grappling with their complicated, heart-throbbing feels, but they were all individually so lovable and adorable and them settling into a friendship really added to the overall chemistry.

The ending was a bit abrupt but totally understandable, and I'm really IN THIS NOW, so I cannot wait for where Book 2 goes next because I'M HOOKED and I want MORE asap!

[Eve Rever de livre · Rating 4 out of 5]

English/Français

Okay, okay, okay! I have to admit something about this manga. I don't like sports or love triangles, BUT IN THIS CASE... I LOVED IT !

Okay, I’ll calm down. I’m really, really glad I got to discover this title early thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. It’s a sports BL set against the backdrop of a love triangle. Makoto never gave up on baseball even though his childhood friend moved away suddenly. Still keeping his promise today, he joined his school’s team and is close with his teammate (I think, I didn’t quite get the rules) who knows how to talk to Makoto.

When his best friend returns, things get complicated in his head but also in his daily life. I found this love triangle very sweet and rather heartwarming for this first volume. You can feel the kindness between all the characters. I’m really surprised, but I almost want to see all three of them together because they’re so nice.

So there you go... I enjoyed this sports romance with a love triangle.

------

Ok ok okkk ! Je dois vous avouer quelques choses à propos de ce manga. Je n'aime pas le sport ni les triangles amoureux MAIS ICI.... J'AI ADORE !

Bon, je me calme. Je suis vraiment très contente d'avoir découvert ce titre en avant première grâce à Netgalley et la ME. On est sur un BL sportif sur fond de triangle amoureux. Makoto n'a jamais abandonné le baseball malgrès que son ami d'enfance à déménager subitement. Tenant sa promesse encore aujourd'hui, il s'est intégré dans l'équipe de son école et il est fort avec son équipier ( je crois j'ai pas tout compris niveau règle ) qui sait parler à Makoto.

Quand le meilleur ami revient les choses se corsé dans sa tête mais aussi dans son quotidien. J'ai trouvé ce triangle amoureux très doux et plutôt bienveillant pour ce premier tome. On sent la bienveillance de tout les personnages entre eux. Vraiment je suis super surprise mais limite j'ai envie de les voir tout les trois ensembles car ils sont tellement gentils.

Donc voilà... J'ai aimé une romance sportif avec un triangle amoureux.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually bought this purely for baseball, then found out it was a BL. I had a suspicion when I saw that intro page, but I didn't think too much of it. Again, I wanted to read this for the baseball. Now I realize the romance sliced into the story makes it interesting, as well.

I feel kind of bad for Shinsuke. I remember there was a time in my life when basketball (not baseball) was the only thing in my life keeping me going. Eventually, that wasn't the case anymore, and I had nothing. Just like him. So yeah, you could say I feel for him, and even relate. It's a tough state to be in. And imagine coming back, just to see "your guy (Minami) moving on" (I know they're not together). Shunsuke is kind of getting "replaced" by Hokuto. Even took his jersey number. Although it seems small, it's a cruel detail. Someone "stole his pitcher," as well.

I hope Hokuto is end game! Personally, I would prefer someone who knows what they want. Additionally, Hokuto seems like a great guy. I'm not saying Shunsuke is not. It's okay to be confused sometimes, but I personally wouldn't waste my time on someone who's not sure about me. But they're teenage boys, right? It's only natural. Shunsuke seems to have some internalized homophobia towards himself (maybe I read that wrong), or maybe he's just genuinely shocked. I remember being friend with this one guy, seeing that as solely friendship, but I think he liked me more than that. It makes your skin crawl when you don't reciprocate those feelings. So I suppose I relate once more, if you remove the gay part (I'm a girl).

I just want to share this thought, but Shunsuke seems like he might be "two-faced." That COULD be in a menacing way, but now that I think about it, I think it's more him putting on a "golden boy facade." Again, that's just a thought.

[Hilary Fudge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I start out by saying, a sports manga that is canon BL? Yes please, sign me up!

I'm going to start out by saying this story isn't going to be for everyone, it has a love triangle, and I understand there are people that hate that. If that's you, this book probably isn't going to be for you.

This story starts out with Makoto, our pitcher, and Shusuke, his best friend and catcher for the baseball team. Shusuke moves away, but Makoto keeps playing baseball in hopes that they will see each other again playing against each other in a tournament.

After that short backstory, we jump to present day where Makoto is in high school and still pitching for his baseball team with new catcher Hokuto, and they make an amazing duo. Shusuke then transfers back home and goes to the same high school and the drama begins to unfold.

As can be expected, because I've already said it's a love triangle, Makoto has feelings for Shusuke, Hokuto has feelings for Makoto and Shusuke's feelings seem to be for Makoto as well.

I want to point out that there is actually baseball in the manga, and I imagine moving forward there will be more. It isn't just that they are baseball players, we actually see them playing. However, it's not so much that if you don't understand the sport you would be confused. I think it's the perfect balance.

I have to be so honest here, I am so shocked we ended up with a confession in volume 1, and I was pretty sure I knew what was going to happen and was actually surprised. This volume has left me, not confused per say, but so curious how everything is going to play out between all these boys.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Kodansha comics for an advanced readers copy of #BlueSummerHaze by Dondon to read and review.

[Continuity · Rating 3 out of 5]

{3.5}

Blue Summer Haze is a sports manga without all the queer-baiting, and for that, this mangaka has nothing but my praise. I was apprehensive when I started reading and realised that this manga was hinting at a love triangle. I always fall victim to preferring the relationship that doesn’t come into fruition. While there is a fairly equal balance between both love interests, I fear that this volume is hinting towards the relationship I prefer the least. Though this is just purely personal preference. (With it being a love triangle and this being only volume one, there’s no definitive answer on how the story is going to play out, and thus, I am unable to give fully fleshed out thoughts.)

Overall, this manga was cute. The character designs were charming, though the artist only really put thought into the design of the three main characters. This made the rest of the team background noise, when a lot of times, the biggest strength in sports manga is the team as a whole and their interesting dynamics. Though with little time, it is difficult to build that up, plus the insignificance of the rest of the team could be a purposeful decision by the author to highlight the importance of Makoto and Hokuto.

The interactions between the characters were adorable as well. We could see through subtle actions and reactions how much each of them cared for one another. I’m interested in seeing how this will play out and enjoyed it more than I thought. Will definitely pick up the second volume. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Tags/Warnings
.
.
.
Tropes: Childhood friends, love triangle

[Meagan McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for giving me the opportunity to read this manga for an honest review!!

A baseball diamond, a love triangle, and two catchers with their eyes on the same pitcher bring the heat in this baseball BL.

Makoto played baseball with his best friend and former teammate Shusuke, the catcher of his baseball team when he was younger. But when Shusuke suddenly moved away, Makoto was left devastated, but he clung to the promise they made together that they would someday reunite for the championship game at Koshien Stadium.

Now in high school, Makoto is the ace pitcher of the baseball team, and he and Hokuto, the team’s catcher, are an all-star duo. But once Shusuke suddenly transfers back to Makoto’s school it gets harder and harder for the boys to keep their heads in the game under the scorching heat of the baseball diamond, and from the stares of Shusuke and Hokuto at Makato.

I read this book in a matter of under an hour I was so sad when I got to the ending. I want more!!

First off, this manga had me at "love triangles!"

This was such a light read, the art was beautiful. The way the artist draws Makato's eyes when he feels sad, inspired, and just that happy look is so pretty.

I felt as though the pace was extremely fast when it came to the romance side, I'm not sure how sport mangas are compared to other mangas I've read but I still found this little love triangle between the trio absolutely adorable.

I honestly can't wait to read the next volume! If you love love triangles, BL, sporty mangas with romance then this book is for you!

[Ersi Safitri · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics US for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This manga follows Minami, a high school senior who has played baseball since childhood because of his neighbor and best friend. When his friend moved away during their final year of middle school, the two promised to meet again at Koshien. Years later, Minami finally reunites with him—only to discover that his childhood friend is no longer playing baseball and is now the manager of Amagawa High School's baseball team.

For readers who may not know, this is a BL manga. At least in this first volume, the romance feels soft, fluffy, and heartwarming rather than intense. The story balances its baseball setting with the characters' relationships quite well.

The artwork fits the school setting nicely. The character designs are simple but appealing, and the English translation is easy to follow. I also appreciated that even as someone who knows very little about baseball, I was still able to enjoy the story without feeling lost.

The characters are likable, and I enjoyed seeing Minami's feelings toward his childhood friend develop. There is also another character who seems interested in Minami, which adds an interesting dynamic to the story.

My main issue is the pacing. The story moves quite quickly at times, and there were moments when I found myself wondering if I had missed a chapter because events seemed to progress so suddenly.

Overall, this is a promising start for readers who enjoy school-life stories, sports manga, and gentle BL romance. I'm curious to see where the story goes next.

Actually rating: 4.25 ⭐

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Blue Summer Haze” vol. 1 by Dondon

5⭐/5⭐

Wow, I absolutely inhaled this volume. The level of angst was exquisite, and I could not put this book down! This is a YA boys love contemporary romance, but with a love triangle twist.

Makoto is a dedicated baseball pitcher, who is only interested in furthering his participation in the sport due to his close friendship with Shusuke. They’re best friends, teammates, and have plans to continue playing baseball together for as long as possible. But one day Shusuke abruptly announces he’s moving away, and tells Makoto to continue playing so they can eventually play together again on the same team.

Makoto continues playing baseball, becoming a fierce and talented pitcher on his high school team. His team captain, Hokuto, has stepped into the role left vacant by Shusuke. They are a wildly successful pair, with Hokuto playing as catcher, and have a strong connection both on and off the baseball diamond.

But everything gets thrown into chaos when Shusuke transfers to Makoto’s school and announces he no longer plays baseball. Now, Makoto is devastated, having only joined this sport and continued playing in the hope of one day playing alongside Shusuke.

Oooohh, the tension between each of these guys was palpable! You can really feel how deep Makoto’s affections are for Shusuke, while also seeing how Hokuto cares for Makoto…and then perhaps Shusuke returning that affection towards Makoto. You can tell this is going to be a super dramatic and angst-y story, and I cannot wait to read more!

[Mei ☽︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Kodansha Comics for the opportunity!

I love BL. I love Sports. I love throuples that form from love triangles. As soon as I saw the cover of volume 4 of this, I came running. Blue Summer Haze is THE PERFECT combo for me and I need the rest of the series in my hand right now.

I KNOW the blurb says love triangle and it clearly doesn't have an ending yet, but I am so copium and believing that the mangaka will give me a satisfactory ending, whatever that may look like.

The art of Blue Summer Haze is gorgeous with beautiful lines and sparkles in the expressions, the characters themselves and the environment. Dondon uses all elements to give the nostalgia summer feel of playing sports in the summer and a very precious romance plot. The emotions here are so so good! I'm someone who hates love triangles. The chemistry between all three of our leads is SO palpable, I truly cannot believe how lucky I feel to be reading this and that Dondon has me shipping every single side of the triangle. The dynamics and tropes in this are a classic, but it's so refreshing to see it played out in this sports-focused BL. Childhood friend vs new friend vying for the same guy, which gets complicated because feelings are Super Duper hard.

Again, I truly ship the two rivals with the MC and I need volumes 2-4 in my hands ASAP.🤣 I've definitely found a new forever-follow author!!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the heat of summer, Makoto's final baseball season is scorched with his first love moving back and transferring to his school.

Makoto started playing baseball because of his childhood friend, Shusuke, all the while falling in love with him as well. When Shusuke moves away before they begin high school, Makoto is devastated, but hopeful they will play together again someday, so he continues to play despite not loving the game. In his final year of high school, Shusuke comes back and stirs Makoto's heart once again. The revelation also reveals Makoto's current catcher's love for him; after seeing Makoto pitch as his opponent, Hokuto became enthralled with his play and wanted to become a battery with Makoto. Thus begins our heated summer play.

A baseball BL full of chasing and yearning? I'm so sat. Although I am not a fan of a love triangle, I'm very curious to see how this turns out. I'm hoping the mix of baseball and fulfilling baseball goals can help balance out the love triangle nonsense that usually follows. We don't just focus on Makoto, thankfully. We get a glimpse at Hokuto and Shusuke's povs and how they feel. There's a lot of good potential here, and I'm hoping to follow this manga to the end.

Blue Summer Haze is perfect for anyone that has ships in Daiya or any other baseball anime and loves coming-of-age manga.

thank you to netgalley and kodansha for the eARC!

please give this manga some love :')

[˚₊‧✩ ryane ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ☆
✶ thank you to netgalley, kodansha, and dondon for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review ✶

you had me at bl sports manga

now normally i avoid love triangles, so i was hesitant to start this one but i actually enjoyed it here. the characters are endearing and i’m interested to see how everything develops.

makoto, our mc, has based everything in his life on the intention to be near shusuke, his childhood friend and catcher who moved away before high school. at the beginning of third year, shusuke has transferred to makoto’s high school and has stopped playing baseball all together. instead he becomes the team’s new manager after some probing from hokuto. shusuke and makoto’s relationship is sweet and emotional as they battle newfound feelings and old hurts.

now hokuto, on the other hand, becomes makoto’s new catcher and they form a dominating battery. makoto and hokuto are more touchy with each other as they push each other to play better. i love their banter and the way they understand each other.

i like the dynamics of both relationships. even shusuke and hokuto have a pretty good relationship with each other as they both want to support makoto. makoto is the cutest and i definitely see the resemblance to a black cat <3

and to top it all off, the art style is stunning. i enjoyed how the romance and the sport elements were weaved together because baseball really is the reason any of these relationships are even happening.

[Astrophel Beeneedssleep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an arc. All opinions are my own.

★ Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Sports Romance Manga
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅

Super sweet love triangle dynamic

Okay first of all, I loved the art in this. Dondon uses very little solid black and instead uses a tone of different screentones which adds so much texture. I also think it's super cute anytime Makoto is shown being cat like.

I think the relationship dynamics were really interesting. However, I kinda wish we were given reason to believe Makoto might choose Hokuto. He's very openly in love with Shusuke, who also clearly liked him back even if he isn't ready to admit it yet. It did make it a little less fun to read because I think part of the fun of a love triangle is not knowing how it's going to end up. Now, maybe's I'm totally off base (get it cause like, baseball), and Hokuto is end game. I do want to eventually continue this series so I guess I'll find out eventually.

* 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

[Tiffany Seward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manga | LGBT+ | Baseball

Thank you to Kodansha for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

• Plot:
Blue Summer Haze Vol 1 starts with MC reflecting on a fond memory from his kid years: him as a pitcher and his crush as the catcher. Over time, they grew apart because his crush had to move. Then it skips to him as a teen.

• What I Liked:
They reconnect as teens when his crush moves back and attends the same school. The MC only played baseball to see his crush again and to continue what they used to do. The MC devlops a new friend in the absent of his crush and that guy finds a way to have his crush involuntarily back in his life as the baseball coach. His new friend is supportive and cute.

The two guys kind of fight over the MC his crush and his new friend.

• Themes / Ideas:
Love triangle & queer

• Who I’d Recommend It To:
If you're interested in reading a queer story involving baseball.

• Overall Thoughts:
I’m rooting for the MC’s new friend to win him over, whom he made after his crush left him. That guy seems more supportive, direct, and honest about his feelings. But it looks like the MC crush might be returning his feelings in the next volumes. He seems confused because he saw him just as a close childhood friend. There are no sexual scenes, just a quick kiss and slight intimate touches.

[Alessia · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!]

I really enjoyed this first volume and was pleasantly surprised by how invested I became in the story so quickly.

Blue Summer Haze combines baseball and romance in a way that feels balanced and engaging. Even if you're not familiar with baseball, the sport never feels overwhelming, but it still plays an important role in the characters' relationships and development.

What I liked most was the dynamic between the three main characters. Makoto, Hokuto, and Shusuke all have distinct personalities, and their shared history creates a lot of emotional tension from the very beginning. I was initially unsure about the love triangle aspect, but it ended up being one of the most interesting parts of the story. The relationships feel complicated and genuine, and I found myself invested in all of them.

The chemistry between Makoto and both boys is excellent, and I especially enjoyed seeing how his bond with Hokuto contrasts with his long history with Shusuke. The story also moves faster than I expected, with some surprising developments already happening in the first volume.

Overall, this was a strong start to the series. The characters are likable, the emotional drama is compelling, and the ending left me eager to see how everything will unfold in the next volume.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Dondon, Kodansha Comics, and NetGalley for this ARC! This is the perfect summer read for fans of BL sports romances with beautiful artwork, lovable characters, and just the right amount of angst and longing. Volume 1 left me eager for more! From the gorgeous panel art to the pacing of the story, Volume 1 completely won me over. I really love how their eyes are drawn so expressive.

Minami has been childhood best friends with Shusuke, when they are in middle school they both play on the same baseball team. Shusuke plays purely for the love of the game, while Minami joins so he can spend more time with his best friend/secret crush.

Shusuke moves away and fails to contact Minami all those years. So when they are reunited in high school and Shusuke confesses he quit baseball Minami is upset.
Adding to the drama is Shiratori, who has feelings for Minami even as Minami continues to pine for Shusuke. Rather than keeping them apart, Shiratori surprisingly invites Shusuke to become the baseball team’s new manager, cue in a complicated love triangle.
As much as I enjoy the history between Minami and Shusuke, I’m rooting for Shiratori! He’s absolutely gorgeous, refreshingly straightforward, and unafraid to show how he feels about Minami. I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Dondon and Kodansha for providing me with an early e-ARC of this volume.

I am not usually someone who gravitates towards sports romances, but after how much I enjoyed Blue Box, I decided to give this one a chance. As I happened to read it on a really hot day, it ended up being a great atmospheric summer read.

One of my initial concerns was whether I would struggle to keep track of the different players but that was never an issue. The story does a great job of giving each character their own distinct appearance and personality. You can easily tell everyone apart and become invested in their individual dynamics. It helps that the artwork is absolutely gorgeous throughout. There is a bright, summery quality to the artwork and the cherry blossom scenes are particularly beautiful. The character expressions do a wonderful job of conveying both their excitement and vulnerability.

I also appreciated that the romance does not spend too long dancing around its central feelings. Rather than relying solely on prolonged misunderstandings or grappling with their feelings, the story establishes its emotional direction fairly early on which made it easy to become invested from the start. I think this will make it onto my "to purchase" list when I next have chance.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue summer haze by Dondon is a very interesting love triangle sports bl. I haven't read much manga with love triangles in it but this plot is very interesting. The book starts with Makoto a pitcher, who loves playing baseball with his childhood best friend Shusuke who soon moves away promising Matoko that they will one day reunite. The story continues with Makoto in the present, playing baseball with the team captain and catcher Hokuto. With the hopes of Shusuke coming back soon, one day he finally transfers to his school.

The plot is interesting but I feel it is slightly rushed, Shusuke coming back and being apart of the team happens really quickly and the story just springs into the love triangle after showing a bit of sports scenes. Since it's only the first volume so much has already happened which I think could've been slowed down. This story is more character driven although not fully, ending on an interesting cliffhanger I can't wait to read more. Although the plot moves quick there is absolutely no indication on how the love triangle will go. The characters are nice and I absolutely love the art in this especially the eyes.

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC!

[james · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for the e-ARC!

The drama and angst in this BL was soooo juicy !

I love the setup: Makoto and Shusuke are childhood friends who played baseball together who were separated when Shusuke had to move away due to circumstances. Makoto only ever played baseball because of Shusuke, so when Shusuke comes back into his life, Makoto feels betrayed when he finds out Shusuke no longer plays baseball.

I absolutely LOVE Makoto and Shusuke's dynamic, as well as their character designs. The mangaka does an amazing job with faces/facial features.

It's so interesting to think about human connection through sport, and in Shusuke and Makoto's case, I wonder if they can figure out how to connect on other levels as well.

There is actually also a third character named Hokuto who is now the catcher Makoto pitches to, and he makes this story a love triangle. His character also adds to the theme of love influencing your participation in sport.

All three main characters are all deeply connected through the game of baseball and there is so much room for more angst and messy drama I'm really looking forward to reading the second volume whenever it comes out !!

[coury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kodansha Comics for this ARC on NetGalley!

I'm delusionally (unless proven otherwise) rooting for Hokuto and Shusuke to get a little closer to really make this a perfect love triangle. I was thoroughly entertained throughout this manga volume, especially when it came to Hokuto’s shenanigans to get Makoto’s head in the game (and, of course, for an excuse to get closer to Makoto). I like that we got to see Hokuto’s perspective and the origin story of when he noticed Makoto and developed feelings for him. I also liked the scene where we see from Shusuke’s perspective how he came to find Makoto and Hokuto in a ‘it’s not what it looks like’ predicament. This shift in perspective and time made the scenes even more emotionally significant and had me equally rooting for both love interests. This kind of feels like a sporty and gay version of True Beauty, although I immediately had a preference for who I wanted the protagonist to be with in that series. For this? I'm not 100% committed either way and I even ended up also shipping Hokuto and Shusuke too because I can see the potential for each pairing. I'm interested to see how the relationships develop in the next volume(s).

[Jada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review.

Best friends Makoto and Shusuke have been playing baseball together since they were young children. Makoto loved being the pitcher and having Shusuke as his catcher, so when Shusuke moves away, Makoto is left devastated. The promise of meeting again at the Koshien championship game in high school keeps him going.

Now in their third year of high school, Shusuke transfers to Makoto's high school, where Makoto is the ace pitcher with the team captain, Hokuto, as his catcher. As a love triangle forms, the boys must navigate their tumultuous hearts and the pressure of the baseball season.

I'm not really a sports person, but I love a good romance sports manga! The team dynamic was so fun, and the boys' characters complemented each other very well. I really can't tell which way the triangle will go, and I love both of the rivals for different reasons. I was left with the signature nostalgic feeling that high school manga is known for. I appreciated that the author didn't assume everyone reading knew all the baseball lingo. I felt like I was able to fully enjoy the story even though I have no knowledge of the sport.