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Melting Lover
A bond of love is a beautiful thing, but what happens when outside pressures force it into forms both strange and strained. A lovesick youth encounters a mysterious shapeshifter with the ability to take on the appearance of his beloved. A hitman forswears pleasure, but cannot shake the fun-loving angel determined to follow him on his assignments. Two circus performers keep explosive secrets from one another while sharing the trapeze. And an android finds himself malfunctioning under the gaze of his pet human. Melting Lover explores the shadowy territories of love through Bukuro Yamada’s sweet art and gentle literary touch.
208 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2019
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195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 19, 2020
Anthologies are always tricky for me and I normally end up really liking some of the stories and being not so impressed by others. Bukuro Yamada's Melting Lover was an exception and I truly liked all the short stories composing the volume.
Pervaded by a sense of dystopic reality, the stories feature supernatural creatures (werewolves and angels) and sci-fi beings (androids and mysterious, shape-shifting blobs) crossing paths with humans who are more or less willing to embrace this bizarre dimension.
Yamada's drawings are very nice and the page layout tends to cover a wide range of solutions, from more conservative to more experimental ones.
A truly interesting collection!
Pervaded by a sense of dystopic reality, the stories feature supernatural creatures (werewolves and angels) and sci-fi beings (androids and mysterious, shape-shifting blobs) crossing paths with humans who are more or less willing to embrace this bizarre dimension.
Yamada's drawings are very nice and the page layout tends to cover a wide range of solutions, from more conservative to more experimental ones.
A truly interesting collection!
December 31, 2019
First off, KUMA did a lovely job with the print edition of this. The dust jacket is nice, the paper is thick and bright, the ink is vivid. The gutters are a good size, so none of the art or dialogue is cut off by the binding. The translation is good too - I didn't notice any typos or find anything unclear.
As for the manga itself, I liked the art a lot. I did enjoy the stories, though aliens, angels, werewolves and cyborgs aren't really my thing, so 4-stars in lieu of 5.
As for the manga itself, I liked the art a lot. I did enjoy the stories, though aliens, angels, werewolves and cyborgs aren't really my thing, so 4-stars in lieu of 5.
June 29, 2021
Going into this I expected it to be weird, but it turned out weirder than I thought. Each story has a dark element and a supernatural element to it, which was super interesting. I liked the fact the most of the main characters were bad people. Like the first follows a stalker and the second a murderer. I liked the different perspective. The stories were thought provoking.
The art is pretty too. It’s not very defined. Some of the lines kind of blend into each other, which gives a really nice messy effect. Overall really liked this weird collection of stories.
The art is pretty too. It’s not very defined. Some of the lines kind of blend into each other, which gives a really nice messy effect. Overall really liked this weird collection of stories.
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April 17, 2020Note to self: re-read because you have only a vague idea what you thought about it... it was weird, I felt sorry for someone...
September 2, 2025
if there's one thing that will never fail me, it's BL 🤭
no kidding, this book made me actually sob and i love it so much that i want to reread it over and over again for the next 9 days before i have to return it to the library
i hope the person that gets it after me loves it just as much as i do
no kidding, this book made me actually sob and i love it so much that i want to reread it over and over again for the next 9 days before i have to return it to the library
i hope the person that gets it after me loves it just as much as i do
February 10, 2020
For a compilation manga, this was REALLY good. All of the stories had something unique about them, and they weren't the same thing over and over. The characters were all individuals with their own motivations; some selfish, some nurturing, some genuinely wholesome, but all complex with their own flaws and personalities. This was beyond what I had expected for a manga in this format. On top of all of this, the art style is GORGEOUS.
October 3, 2019
3.5 stars. Definitely not what I thought it was when reading the first/title story. Huh. I can see why Kuma chose this as apart of their launch series now.
December 26, 2021
This cover is as pretty as the content.
I had no idea what I was getting into, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I had no idea what I was getting into, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
dnf
April 6, 2023DNF, I got bored after the cover story
November 30, 2024
This entire review has MASSIVE spoilers. Recommended reading AFTER finishing the volume yourself first.
Read at your own discretion.
Melting Lover
I love the psychological peculiarities that come with stalker stories as well as how different and deep these stories are compared to other romance or mystery tales. However, Melting Lover takes those complexities one step further and adds in a bizarre physical element to it as well. A shape-shifting blob that takes on the form of Keisuke’s would-be lover (at his request). In a way, Keisuke is dealing with what feels like a breakup. He’s dealing with a broken heart. But instead of moving on, he manifests his feelings into an obsession for his senpai who had broken his heart. He cyberstalks him, keeps photos of him on his wall, and loses himself in fantasies of being with him. That’s when a shape-shifting blob shows up in need of a home to hide in. Having taken the form of Keisuke’s senpai initially (after seeing the photos on Keisuke’s wall), Keisuke doesn’t want this feeling of senpai’s attention and recognition to go away. His tendencies toward senpai grow fiercer as the blob’s human form feeds into Keisuke’s fantasies. In the end, he’s able to recognize the blob for who he is and not the form he takes, and to let a bit of those fantasies go. It’s a happy end and a happy beginning.
Bottom of Heaven
I like how the angel doesn’t feel angelic, but they don’t feel wrongly human either. They’re distinctly human while undeniably an angel. It’s almost like they’re somebody normal, with the job of an angel. Much like most people with jobs, they bend the rules where they think it won’t hurt them. However… Perhaps hedonism wins over even that. The “are you sure about this?” alongside the appearance of Sylvan’s black wings signals to us that both the angel and the human are going somewhere neither of them have been before, but they’ll go together. It’s an open ending, but I think they’re trying to sneak into the back door of heaven together. If that means there’s a bottom rung, they’ll be there. Or perhaps they’re going to hell together, hmm? I think the most important detail here though is the togetherness, and the strangeness of the hedonistic angel with the feeling yet celibate yakuza lackey who until now had pretended there’s nothing to feel.
The Circus After Midnight
I don’t have too much to say about this one. But I’m glad the two leads were able to find each other again and rekindle that which they both had thought was lost. Don’t give up hope. There’s always a brighter tomorrow waiting for you. Even if things are tough now, a week from now, a month from now, eventually there will come a day where you’ll be glad to have made it there.
Noisy Jungle
Through a steady narrative, we figure out that the world of Noisy Jungle is that of a futuristic world where androids, made by humans, are the dominant race, and humans have become pets alongside other animals of varying types. Since the narrative is led by someone who isn’t human, it only possesses and describes what feels like distant echoes of the human emotion. It’s incredibly well done and the neither cheerful nor grim empty cavity it leaves even at the end is a perfect testament to its own story and narrative.
Melting Lover: Ever After
This bonus chapter shows us more of Keisuke’s journey of healing and let go of what could have been and instead embracing what is. At the same time, “Riku” is learning more individuality and how to express himself freely.
Melting Lover (the manga volume of compiled short stories)
Bukuro Yamada draws from a deep well of human emotion and plays it on the faces and in the actions of the characters they create. If they stated they strived to showcase the parts of humanity the media doesn’t typically give much time to, I’d applaud them for a job well done. They take scenarios and situations that happen in real life or media enough for us to feel comfortably familiar with, then they effectively discard that comfortability in illuminating the strange and the deep. Scars that won’t scab over, the hesitance to let the levy break on your heart, the pain of losing someone but never truly knowing, an alien blob in hiding, a hedonistic angel companion to a serial killer, a beast-man for a roommate and best friend. These things are special, irreplaceable, and attributes of human creativity and feeling.
In terms of the design of the English release of the book itself, I really like how they have it a dust jacket like how manga is so often released in Japan. A somewhat plain paperback tome with a vibrant dust jacket.
Read at your own discretion.
Melting Lover
I love the psychological peculiarities that come with stalker stories as well as how different and deep these stories are compared to other romance or mystery tales. However, Melting Lover takes those complexities one step further and adds in a bizarre physical element to it as well. A shape-shifting blob that takes on the form of Keisuke’s would-be lover (at his request). In a way, Keisuke is dealing with what feels like a breakup. He’s dealing with a broken heart. But instead of moving on, he manifests his feelings into an obsession for his senpai who had broken his heart. He cyberstalks him, keeps photos of him on his wall, and loses himself in fantasies of being with him. That’s when a shape-shifting blob shows up in need of a home to hide in. Having taken the form of Keisuke’s senpai initially (after seeing the photos on Keisuke’s wall), Keisuke doesn’t want this feeling of senpai’s attention and recognition to go away. His tendencies toward senpai grow fiercer as the blob’s human form feeds into Keisuke’s fantasies. In the end, he’s able to recognize the blob for who he is and not the form he takes, and to let a bit of those fantasies go. It’s a happy end and a happy beginning.
Bottom of Heaven
I like how the angel doesn’t feel angelic, but they don’t feel wrongly human either. They’re distinctly human while undeniably an angel. It’s almost like they’re somebody normal, with the job of an angel. Much like most people with jobs, they bend the rules where they think it won’t hurt them. However… Perhaps hedonism wins over even that. The “are you sure about this?” alongside the appearance of Sylvan’s black wings signals to us that both the angel and the human are going somewhere neither of them have been before, but they’ll go together. It’s an open ending, but I think they’re trying to sneak into the back door of heaven together. If that means there’s a bottom rung, they’ll be there. Or perhaps they’re going to hell together, hmm? I think the most important detail here though is the togetherness, and the strangeness of the hedonistic angel with the feeling yet celibate yakuza lackey who until now had pretended there’s nothing to feel.
The Circus After Midnight
I don’t have too much to say about this one. But I’m glad the two leads were able to find each other again and rekindle that which they both had thought was lost. Don’t give up hope. There’s always a brighter tomorrow waiting for you. Even if things are tough now, a week from now, a month from now, eventually there will come a day where you’ll be glad to have made it there.
Noisy Jungle
Through a steady narrative, we figure out that the world of Noisy Jungle is that of a futuristic world where androids, made by humans, are the dominant race, and humans have become pets alongside other animals of varying types. Since the narrative is led by someone who isn’t human, it only possesses and describes what feels like distant echoes of the human emotion. It’s incredibly well done and the neither cheerful nor grim empty cavity it leaves even at the end is a perfect testament to its own story and narrative.
Melting Lover: Ever After
This bonus chapter shows us more of Keisuke’s journey of healing and let go of what could have been and instead embracing what is. At the same time, “Riku” is learning more individuality and how to express himself freely.
Melting Lover (the manga volume of compiled short stories)
Bukuro Yamada draws from a deep well of human emotion and plays it on the faces and in the actions of the characters they create. If they stated they strived to showcase the parts of humanity the media doesn’t typically give much time to, I’d applaud them for a job well done. They take scenarios and situations that happen in real life or media enough for us to feel comfortably familiar with, then they effectively discard that comfortability in illuminating the strange and the deep. Scars that won’t scab over, the hesitance to let the levy break on your heart, the pain of losing someone but never truly knowing, an alien blob in hiding, a hedonistic angel companion to a serial killer, a beast-man for a roommate and best friend. These things are special, irreplaceable, and attributes of human creativity and feeling.
In terms of the design of the English release of the book itself, I really like how they have it a dust jacket like how manga is so often released in Japan. A somewhat plain paperback tome with a vibrant dust jacket.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2020
1. Melting Lover: 3/5
2. Bottom of Heaven: 2/5 (really thought this would be my favorite and I am really disappointed...)
3. The Circus after midnight part 1: 4.5/5 (really liked this first half. So far my favorite
4. The Circus after Midnight part 2: 2.5/5 (really disappointed. What made this good completely disappeared in part 2. Also really was not into the weird furry sex scene at the end.)
5. Noisy Jungle: 2/5 (Way too short of a story. I had no attachments. The world was interesting and it had potential, but there was nothing really to this. Quite boring honestly.)
6. Melting Lover: Ever After: 2/5 (Honestly just not necessary)
2. Bottom of Heaven: 2/5 (really thought this would be my favorite and I am really disappointed...)
3. The Circus after midnight part 1: 4.5/5 (really liked this first half. So far my favorite
4. The Circus after Midnight part 2: 2.5/5 (really disappointed. What made this good completely disappeared in part 2. Also really was not into the weird furry sex scene at the end.)
5. Noisy Jungle: 2/5 (Way too short of a story. I had no attachments. The world was interesting and it had potential, but there was nothing really to this. Quite boring honestly.)
6. Melting Lover: Ever After: 2/5 (Honestly just not necessary)
June 27, 2021
CW: Abuse, Sexual Assault, Murder, Blood, Violence
These stories were definitely out of the ordinary. We have Gelatenous globs, furries, androids, and angels in this collection. I didn't dislike any of the stories, but not many of them stuck with me. My favorite is The Circus After Midnight Part 1 & 2, despite it's dark themes. It's the longest story and the most developed.
I definitely love the art style. The characters all look really cute. This collection just didn't hit the way I wanted it to.
These stories were definitely out of the ordinary. We have Gelatenous globs, furries, androids, and angels in this collection. I didn't dislike any of the stories, but not many of them stuck with me. My favorite is The Circus After Midnight Part 1 & 2, despite it's dark themes. It's the longest story and the most developed.
I definitely love the art style. The characters all look really cute. This collection just didn't hit the way I wanted it to.
January 25, 2022
This is a collection of short, dark sci-fi BL stories. I think they could be better if they were longer, had more room to get fleshed out, but the premises themselves were pretty cool in a wtf type of way. Don't recommend for readers seeking romance with likable characters. These were messed up.
I can see myself forgetting about these with enough time, but I'm glad I read them. Didn't care much for the angel one, but enjoyed the others. My favorite was probably the android one at the end. 3.5 stars overall.
I can see myself forgetting about these with enough time, but I'm glad I read them. Didn't care much for the angel one, but enjoyed the others. My favorite was probably the android one at the end. 3.5 stars overall.
October 14, 2024
This definitely isn’t one of my more favorite, Kuma company prints. but I did find the miniature stories very interesting. Considering it is discontinued I’m not mad that I purchased it. And just like you are my happiness. It definitely leaves an idea on your head. I definitely wish that they were better at finishing off stories because it almost feels incomplete, but I am not mad that I read it and it was a very quick read for me. that being said, I know I’m not gonna rememberthese stories in a week
September 30, 2025
Super, super odd short story manga collection :D
Like, suuuuper odd. It wanted to go darker places and it certainly did, but I don’t know if it did that in a compelling way. I struggle with short stories generally, so no surprise it left me hanging in some regard for every story. Super inventive art style and I think many an oddball out there will enjoy this, but I was not feeling it too much.
CNs for rape, blood, questionable android-human ethics, murder, a form of identity theft (I think?) (that story also has an ethics problem, imho :D)
Like, suuuuper odd. It wanted to go darker places and it certainly did, but I don’t know if it did that in a compelling way. I struggle with short stories generally, so no surprise it left me hanging in some regard for every story. Super inventive art style and I think many an oddball out there will enjoy this, but I was not feeling it too much.
CNs for rape, blood, questionable android-human ethics, murder, a form of identity theft (I think?) (that story also has an ethics problem, imho :D)
February 19, 2023
I just have no words… It had so many wrong things to it.. i don’t feel satisfied at all… maybe if they followed one story and developed that would have been more interesting,but it’s just not. Too many stories and all of them are f*ed up … it wasn’t a good read for me.
I still have to mention that the quality of the manga (the paper, dust cover, etc) is immaculate. I hope more manga’s had this quality.
I still have to mention that the quality of the manga (the paper, dust cover, etc) is immaculate. I hope more manga’s had this quality.
September 4, 2025
Melting Lover immediately intrigued me by the beautiful cover art. Unfortunately, the short stories about the complicated characters did not live up to expectation. A lot of dark and supernatural themes are used along with explicit scenes, but it felt like it didn't go as far as it could have. I wished there was more romantic and sexual tension in the characters shown outside of the explicit moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2021
This was an alright compilation of short stories. The main story this manga opens with paled in comparison to the two part story in the middle, which I feel deserved it's own book and an expanded story.
Overall it was an alright read. Every sorry has a little bit of smut, if that's what you're after.
Overall it was an alright read. Every sorry has a little bit of smut, if that's what you're after.
March 20, 2022
This book is about love but it is definitely not fluffy. It’s the darker side of love and honestly it makes me think about just how far some characters go.
Ugh I loved it all!!! I would love a couple of novels/mangas dedicated to these, especially about the angel and the hitman coz FUCK what the fuck 🥺.
All of the stories all so good and bittersweet in a way. But it’s all HFN/HEA.
Ugh I loved it all!!! I would love a couple of novels/mangas dedicated to these, especially about the angel and the hitman coz FUCK what the fuck 🥺.
All of the stories all so good and bittersweet in a way. But it’s all HFN/HEA.
September 9, 2020
Bit of an odd one this. Multiple stories all with a science fiction flavor (for want off a better description) I had no idea what to expect, but it really wasn’t what this was. Didn’t hate it but probably wouldn’t read again
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March 12, 2021I loved this! So many memorable stories. I loved the tofu boy! How creepy this could have become before love conquered all. This isn't all gumdrops though, there are some pretty dark themes going on in here. Those with a sexual assault trigger beware.
October 1, 2022
anthropologies always get me. im not a fan of finding love through trauma - all four stories were just about trauma / sexual abuse and overcoming said trauma thru rough sex which is not a healthy solution.
only gave it two stories bc the art was beautiful but the plot really spoiled it :/
only gave it two stories bc the art was beautiful but the plot really spoiled it :/
April 14, 2023
Some pretty disastrous duos in this anthology… so naturally I adore it. I want to know more about blob lore !! Where did he come from? How did he exist before? And the angel one deserves a continuation as well. Overall a beautiful work. 💜
July 4, 2025
Deeply intense. At times very emotional. Check trigger warnings. It’s the same character design for each different story just different names for them. I liked that part but some parts made me feel queasy. The Japanese Gays can be intense!
January 4, 2020
The art is simply beautiful... The stories were not what I was expecting, but they were all pretty cute.
January 23, 2022
3.5/5 rounded up
April 28, 2022
Wasn't for me. At all. It just really wasn't what I was expecting, and I didn't like the overall dark tone of this manga.
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May 3, 2022big black mirror vibes were had
July 5, 2022
Fun and spicy
July 6, 2022
Some of these stories are very odd, the carnival one was so sad but the art was beautiful. I've not read a manga quite like this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews