Escape Journey, Vol. 2

Escape Journey #2

by Tanaka Ogeretsu

Naoto and Taichi’s turbulent high school love crashed and burned, but a reunion in college puts love back on their radar.

Naoto and Taichi’s first try at love during their high school days crashed and burned. Years later the two unexpectedly reunite on their first day of college. Tumultuous love often burns hot, and the glowing embers of their previous relationship reignite into a second try at love.

It’s been a few years, and Naoto and Taichi’s relationship has been going smoothly, with the two growing and learning little by little. It’s now their senior year in college, and Taichi decides to enter the school’s Mr. S University pageant in hopes of winning the grand prize—a hot springs vacation for two! But just as their relationship appears to be free of drama, underclassman Kei Nishina tells Naoto he’s spotted him kissing Taichi on campus. Will he out the closeted couple or keep their secret but for a price?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Yaoi, LGBT, Boys Love, Comics, Queer

250 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2016

About the author

Tanaka Ogeretsu (おげれつたなか) is a Japanese manga artist.
She uses this name for her Boys Love manga production.
She also publishes non-BL manga under the name Marumero Tanaka (たなか マルメロ).

**Please note that book records based on scanlations are not allowed on GR due to the illegal nature of scanlations. Abuse is subject to report to GR staff.**

Reviews

[Floripiquita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque a veces los protagonistas toman decisiones que no entiendo, su historia de amor es bonita y bastante más realista que otras que leído.

[Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm too old for this drama... The art is wonderful, though.

[MaDoReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5
Esta serie ha sido un gran descubrimiento, estoy colgada de estos 2 muchachos, angst del bueno, de ese que hace que ames más aún al otro. Son perfectos *supiros*

El dibujo es absolutamente fascinante, voy a seguir a esta mangaka muy de cerca, y, por favor, que salga pronto el siguiente tomo, después de ESO yo necesito calmar mis nervios :O

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am pretty sure Escape Journey was supposed to be a single volume manga only, but got a continuation because of its well deserved popularity. Because of that, I was a bit wary of where this was going to go, but I need not have worried. If you like your BL with a RL touch, this definitely is for you, although man, why does RL have to be this depressing for gay people? Sigh. Surprisingly I even liked the drama involving the ~other guy, mostly because it wasn't handled in the usual cheap way. I am really curious (aka dying to know) how it all turns out....

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I question the author's decision to leap ahead three years, skipping over most of college and the progress of the kids' relationship. Why?

New character was interestingly nuanced.

[Donatella Principi · Rating 5 out of 5]

STUPENDO! Rispetto al primo volume c'è maggiore approfondimento psicologico dei personaggi. La storia si concentra maggiormente sui sentimenti dei protagonisti e sulle loro preoccupazioni di essere accettati non solo come singoli ma come coppia. Sul loro cammino incontreranno molte difficoltà e ho apprezzato un approccio ai problemi più maturo rispetto al precedente volume. C'è un cliché ma non mi ha infastidita, penso abbia reso la storia più movimentata portando i personaggi quasi al limite e facendoceli vedere sotto una luce diversa. Il finale è stato un colpo al cuore

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nishi saved this volume. I really like his character despite the weird pointless blackmail that was included. Like what was the reason? I reallyyy don't like Taichi. He's built up to be this sweet and shy dude, but he has anger issues and he really doesn't talk about anything. Nao deserves better, but I KNOW Nishi is stuck in second love interest hell. He's just going to move along the plot and bring the MCs closer and add a little drama. Ugh.

[maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

MUCH better than the first volume, at least from what I can remember! And that ending though...kind of need volume 3 right now!

Note: I am currently on a hiatus from reviewing. I need a bit of a break from the pressures of reading, so I'm just going with the flow this year. I'll obviously still be reading, but at my own pace and when I feel like it. Thank you for understanding!

[Alienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm rating Volumes 2 and 3 because they actually stuck to the good parts of the series (drama! romance! friendships!) and not harmful shit that made me want to chuck the whole thing out the window! I really enjoyed the manga overall. Just...rip those three pages out of your copy of Volume 1.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having got the main couple together in the first volume, it's time to disrupt their relationship. They deal with conflict both internal and external as they move toward coming out in a very homophobic environment. Also, a romantic rival is introduced to play upon their insecurities and Taichi's intense jealousy. Unlike the first volume, this one has a cliffhanger ending.

[Rainy-Night-Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars 💕

[Richelle Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was so cute!!!

[Aki Ryuichi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi consejo es que si lees el manga, compra el 1, si te gusta, DEBES comprar el tomo 2 y 3 juntos, sino, morirás de angustia jajajaja 🙈

[nukes · Rating 3 out of 5]

storylines like these are so fucking exhausting. i think i’ve reached my quota of queer trauma porn

[Messier Escárcega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy shit! I need the third volume now!

[Miky · Rating 4 out of 5]

1° lectura: Mayo 2020
2° lectura: Febrero 2021

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Thoughts after reading***
Pff normally I hate a 3th character being put in the story for the drama but this was done so well!

***Read for the Manga Olympics Reading Challenge***
Runs from Friday July 23 to Sunday August 8

The person responsible for this challenge is Christy Lou on YouTube . They announced this challenge in their Manga Olympics Reading Challenge! | Announcement video. They have made a lovely bingo board which you can find on their Twitter

CHALLENGES
Complete 5 Challenges for a Bronze Medal
Complete 8 Challenges for a Silver Medal
Complete all 17 Challenges for a Gold Medal

I’ll try to read a different manga for every prompt but I don’t know how successful I’ll be. I’ve read this manga for the prompt:
3. Track & Field: Read a Short series (4 vols or less!)
Escape Journey, Vol. 1 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka and Escape Journey, Vol. 3 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka

1. Triathlon: Read a whole Series
Love in Limbo by Haji, vol.1 and Love in Limbo by Haji, vol.2
2. Swimming: Read a Sports manga
High School Debut (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1 by Kawahara, Kazune

Escape Journey, Vol. 1 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka, Escape Journey, Vol. 2 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka, and Escape Journey, Vol. 3 by Ogeretsu, Tanaka
4. Sailing: A manga that gives you summer vibes
Love Hina, Vol. 01 by Akamatsu, Ken
5. Gymnastics: Read a manga with a female main character
BL Metamorphosis, Vol. 1 by Tsurutani, Kaori
6. Taekwondo: Read an Action Manga
Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 7 by Arakawa, Hiromu
7. Tokyo 2020: Read a manga set in Tokyo
Manga to come
8. Skateboarding: Read a new release
BL Metamorphosis, Vol. 3 by Tsurutani, Kaori. Published in December 2020 and I’m counting a half year as a ‘new release’.
9. Fencing: Read a fantasy manga
Revolutionary Girl Utena Complete Deluxe Box Set, second volume by Saitō Chiho
10. Table Tennis: Read a manga recommended by a Manga content creator
Spy x Family, Vol. 1. I needed an easy recommendation and it just so happened the moment I was looking for one the YouTuber Swiss Bohemian recommended this series in their I like 'em, those japanese comics! (manga collection video tour 4K) video. So I’ll just re-read this volume for this challenge.
11. Shooting: Read something outside your comfort zone
Chobits 20th Anniversary Edition, vol. 1 by CLAMP
12. Rugby: Read a Shonen/Seinen
Love Hina, Vol. 02 by Akamatsu, Ken
13. Cycling: Read a Shojo/Josei
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 1 by Shiina, Karuho
14. Volleyball: Read a manga you've been excited for
Don't Call Me Dirty by Kanbe, Gorou
15. Archery: Read an underrated Manga
BL Metamorphosis, Vol. 2 by Tsurutani, Kaori
16. Weightlifting: Read the manga that's been on your TBR the longest
Princess Ai: Ultimate Edition by Kujiradō, Misaho
17. Softball: A manga that features an ensemble cast
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Vol 2 by Fujita

[Dark Side of the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of follow-lived, which meant that I had to wait for a third volume.


Remember the review of the first volume of "Escape Journey", in which I cried, it was over too soon? Last Kotori release issued another volume of this great yaoi manga. I read it in one sitting, and now suffer even more than the last, because the ending made me a heart attack.

Naoto with Taichim are finally happy couple. Although still hide their relationship from their families and the whole world, it is increasingly invade their thoughts about admitting their sexual orientation and partner. Especially that quite often they are not able to keep his hands to himself and public places, even the slightest touch is everything to them. Approaching the end of the study. Taichi is offered a sign up for the contest Mister universe and use of this option, especially as it is to win a trip to the hot springs winner and accompanying person. And with that Naoto Taichim want to finally break away from all, this contest seems to be a good idea. Naoto wants to support her lover, but unable to keep his hands to himself steals a kiss him in the school that brings them trouble.
In the form of Nishina, who gives Naoto choice.
Truth or Taichi.

Ogeretsu great Tanaka leads the whole story! I am charmed and Naoto Taichim and I can not wait to the last, the third book of poems, who will explain once and for all the whole story. Both characters are well drawn, both the characters and appearance. Handsome, being opposites, and yet wanting to be together, even though the whole world is against around.

In this book of poems in the lives of our men going up much more than in the first. Here we spin action, there is a new boy who at first is only an observer until starts to play a specific role in the whole show. In addition, we also have a reaction of relatives, the confession of the truth about their sexuality ... which as you know is not the best. And the pain. The pain that arises from the lack of acceptance of a situation such as it is.

Dash manga is enjoyable. I like this style and Ogertsu Tanaka immediately caught my eye in his first manga. In addition, neon jacket that once again we zaserwowało publishing Kotori is my favorite color - green. I'm very curious what will be the last wrapper. In general I am everything related to this story, but that you wrote.

"Escape Journey" # 2 is a good continuation of the first volume. Pokusiłabym even to declare that it is better than its predecessor, because more happens in it. In total, the author of the first volume of warmed us, and only showed the true nature of the second. Yes, I know, I repeat, but I'm really curious to see what will happen in the third book of poems. That I can better shut up already.
Reach for this manga, yaoi theme if you do not mind. I would recommend !

[Tuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike volume 1, volume 2 offers a more serious and even emotional take on the now three years strong relationship between Taichi and Naoto. Taichi begins to see that his love for Naoto is so immense that he kind of wants to let the whole world know including his parents. Ultimately, though he finds that this isn’t as easy as it seems and the world can be cruel including with parents that will just say the most awfulest of things right to your face.

This situation is only the beginning of a lot of stress for him as he goes through this final year of school and battles reconsidering what love with Naoto really mans and if he is really as strong as he said he was with being able to tell others as well as the real world implications of being gay in Japan such as the limited housing opportunities due to perceptions of being gay.

This stress leaks out to Naoto who know has to figure out what Taichi is really going through and unfortunately, based on what we’ve seen these characters do in the past, their avoidance of dealing with issues among each other often leads to bad things happening and ultimately bad decisions. Complicating things further is a new gay character who seems like he wants to make a move on Naoto but holds himself back until the opportunity presents itself, at least, in the eyes of Taichi who happens to catch them being close…

I loved this volume as well as the new character involved and how he kind of subverts expectations for awhile. He seemingly embraces, or rather is the living image of some of the things that Taichi realizes faces being gay and the consequences of it being known and affecting the future. And similarly, for Naoto, he presents a challenge of sorts that he wants to overcome to prove that his relationship with Taichi can last.

Overall loved this volume a lot and loved this serious direction it took and am hyped for what happens next. I can only hope Nishi is really not planning to make a serious move and is only doing this to get Naoto to stop crying and to bring Taichi and Naoto together again, else I fear their relationship may fall apart.

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Después del increíble primer tomo de Escape Journey, Ogeretsu Tanaka se ha marcado un segundo tomo impecable donde trata temas espinosos y realistas en una relación homosexual.

Han pasado unos años desde el final de tomo 1 y Taichi y Naoto continúan su relación. Después de que Nao y Taichi se confesaran su amor y que, al fin, resolvieran sus diferencias, todo parece ir bien en su relación de pareja. Si bien tienen sus discusiones, sus más y sus menos, las cosas van bien. El único problema es que deben mantenerla en secreto ya que en la sociedad no está bien visto (es más, en Japón hay mucha homofóbia) que dos hombres tengan un romance. Un día, cuando Nao y Taichi se están besando a escondidas en la Universidad, Nishina, un chico que está estudiando arte, los ve y les hace una foto. Aunque no pretende extorsionarlos, le pide a Nao que le haga de modelo a cambio de borrar la foto.
Este hecho es uno de los detonantes en los que gira la trama en este segundo tomo: en el futuro que puede tener una familia homosexual, el ser descubierto, en si durará para siempre.
Tanaka trata con absoluto realismo las reacciones de los personajes, del dolor, de las dudas. De la amargura. Con crudeza, los protagonistas comprenden que del amor no se vive, que por mucho que se quieran y quieran estar juntos para siempre, las cosas no son tan fáciles cuando el mundo rechaza las relaciones no heteronormativas.

Sin duda, Tanaka se está luciendo (o se ha lucido ya que el manga ya está finalizado con 3 tomos) con esta historia. Todavía no entiendo que no haya sido licenciada ninguna de sus obras en España puesto que son muy realistas, humanas, crudas, adultas y con mensajes importantes respecto a las relaciones homosexuales masculinas.

[Lou (Lou and Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this volume was better than volume 1, and I am more invested in the story than when I started the series... I just haven't gotten over the rape scene from volume 1, so that really prevented me from liking this volume more than I could. Which is a shame because I really liked Nishina, a character introduced in this volume. But it's also a shame that another beloved yaoi trope of blackmail was used in this volume. At least the blackmail wasn't as extreme as I originally thought it was going to be, and I ended up liking the blackmailed (Nishina) the most out of everyone in the series haha.

The plot of this volume was quite good. There was a lot of drama in this volume, so you could see the characters act more like people. You saw them in long term committed relationships, struggling with the idea of coming out to families, thinking about the impact that has on family and friendships, the sustainability of being in a relationship, family problems, and so many other things. If there wasn't a rape scene in the first volume, I would have loved this volume so much. I could even get over the blackmail because it really wasn't blackmail, and it lead to a really great friendship... somehow.

In terms of the characters, my favourite is easily Nishina. Then it goes to Naoto. I still don't really care for Taichi, and the ending of this volume is literally all his fault so I hope that he likes his vinegar. I have massive second lead syndrome, but I don't think it will amount to anything sadly.

Would I recommend this series? For volume 1... maybe not. But you don't need to read volume 1 to read volume 2, so just start there haha.

[Alma Lectora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naoto y Taichi fueron pareja en el instituto pero un día, Taichi decidió dejarlo. Años después, los dos se vuelven a encontrar en la universidad. Deciden ser solo amigos. Pero ven que eso no va a ser posible porque sigue habiendo algo que les atrae sin remedio entre los dos.
Es una historia de segundas oportunidades. Con dos personajes con personalidades muy diferentes. A lo largo de los tres tomos podemos ver una evolución de los personajes muy madura. Además de la de su relación y de como intentan salvar cualquier obstáculo los dos juntos.
En el primer tomo hay un suceso que estuvo a punto de hacer que dejara la serie sin terminar. Pero viendo que era una serie corta, me anime a terminarla. Este hecho es bastante duro y sensible. Pero no se vuelve a repetir, y como digo, los personajes y su relación evoluciona muy bien.
No solo presentan problemas de pareja como pueden ser los celos o las desconfianzas. Sino que en el tomo dos y tres hablan de los secretos que tienen que tener para que nadie sepa de su relación. O del momento de decirlo, la aceptación de su familia y amigos. Como lo aceptan o no la sociedad, y todas las trabas que les pueden llegar a poner incluso para alquilar un piso.
Una historia que comienza siendo la típica historia gamberra de amor, termina siendo una historia que toca temas muy duros y difíciles para las parejas gays en Japón.
La ilustración a mi me gusta mucho (os dejo algunas imágenes para que lo veáis) Y os advierto que es manga para público adulto porque la mangaka nunca se corta en las escenas en ninguna de sus historias

[Anna Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really mention this in my review of volume 1, but I love the art of this series. It's super cute and I think it fits the story really well. I would definitely read more works done by this artist because the art is so good. And the story continues to be good in this volume. This volume picks up a few years later when they are in their last year of collage and Naoto and Taichi are still together. It didn't feel like they had been together that long though, with their like emotional development and relationship together it felt like only a few months after the last volume ended. There of course a new character introduced that causes problems in their relationship to come out, which I am seeing a huge trend in the romance manga I read, and I kind of like Nishina as his own character but he was kind of a little shit in relation to the main couple and kept sticking his nose in their business. And I guess I understood why, but it was still annoying when Taichi and Naoto are supposed to be in a pretty serious relationship. So overall this volume was pretty on par with the enjoyment of the first I just am going to need my boys to actually communicate with each other for once in their lives.

[R E · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Even more emotionally compelling than Vol. 1, Escape Journey #2 has confirmed this series as one of my favorites. The art remains top-notch, the visual storytelling excellent, and the narrative pacing nearly perfect.
​​
​​Taichi Hase and Naoto Husami’s relationship of the past two years is going well. Creator Tanaka does a wonderful job portraying the couple's confident intimacy and comfort in expressing day-to-day gripes with each other, and she does it with a remarkable economy over a few pages. But few couples have problem free lives, and several, interlinked issues snowball out of control over the course of the story.
​​
​​More than anything, it's the emotional depth Tanaka explores in this manga that is gripping and resonate. She introduces Kei Nishina, an artist in his Junior year at college, in this volume, and I was instantly hooked. Each character has his own past trauma or anxiety over the future, and the narrative and visual depiction of these anxieties and the way they play out in the present clearly marks Tanaka as a master storyteller. I was deeply affected by each, and can't wait to see what happens in volume 3, which I have on my shelf.
​​

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol 2 in this Japanese college drama manga. Our main couple is together and they seem happy, but life is stressful. They both have class and they are working. Being a gay couple is different than the norm and in a conformist society like Japan, it's difficult no matter how accepting people are. The weight of that seems to be where a lot of stress is coming from.

A third wheel is introduced here. I have my doubts as to if it would develop the way the story says it does, but they know their characters best. At the beginning, there is lots of sugar and sweetness between the couple. As the stress and life events mount, there is hardly any toward the end. They are tearing them apart at this point. It's so not fun to read that part.

Wow! Huge cliff hanger at the end. Good grief. I need the next volume now!

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I even still reading the same book series? This volume is nothing like the first volume which is a good thing because the first volume was extremely questionable. It put the main characters in a bad light. Here you get the actual relationship vibes and the drama without it being toxic. But because of volume one I almost kind of want to ship the secondary side character with Naoto. The amount of time that keeps being skipped I think leaves a lot to be desired and I would have loved to have seen the start of their relationship during the high school years. Overall Im happy I gave the series another chance. I will definitely be going out to purchase volume three.

[Estrella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es el primer manga que leo que trata las complicaciones que la sociedad puede traer a dos jóvenes que intentan ser felices, vivir por su cuenta, la parte en la que le dicen a Taichi que dos mujeres compartiendo piso esta bien y que no tendrían problemas encontrando apartamento pero que al ser dos hombres iban a tener dificultades... me rompió el corazón, pero en general es un tomo lleno de angst, dudas, miedos, necesito leer el tercer volumen, espero que los problemas entre ambos se solucionen. Mi manga favorito dentro del género de BL

[Iyas Utomo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second volume is better than the first, even though Taichi is still annoying because he can't communicate well. Overall, it's more enjoyable.

I don't get why the author made his character like this. You could say Taichi is a red flag. He decides everything on his own and has serious anger issues. I try to understand him, but I still think Naoto deserves better.

I thought Nishi's appearance would be the answer, but it seems the author didn't want to give Nishi a more serious role, which is a shame.

[Lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is a bit heavy. Sure the uke is a bit funny but overall the story was heavy. It's good though. The first volume I only rated it 4 stars cause I was a bit mad about the 'rape' scene. I mean, sure Taichi stopped after he saw Nao crying. But still it's still rape. He didn't want to do it. He said no. I wish the creator did something more about that scene.

But yes, Volume 2 is definitely better and I liked it even though it was a bit heavy drama.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beh, cos'è 'sto volume?!

Il primo volume era bello e autoconclusivo... Ma invece l'autrice continua la serie con questo... Aggiungengo un nuovo personaggio perché così, non sapeva cosa scrivere? Oppure le hanno chiesto di continuare perché il primo volume aveva avuto più successo del previsto?

E ci son i soliti problemi perché i due non si parlano mai...

Speriamo che il terzo volume si riprenda.