Escape Journey #3

Escape Journey #3

by Tanaka Ogeretsu, Tomasz Molski (Translator)

Naoto i Taichi spotykali się za czasów szkoły średniej, jednak ich związek opierał się głównie na seksie i nie wytrzymał próby czasu. Na rozpoczęciu roku akademickiego zupełnym przypadkiem wpadają na siebie. Taichi chętnie odnowiłby starą znajomość, lecz Naoto nie wydaje się tym pomysłem zachwycony. Wciąż czuje żal do byłego chłopaka i z początku traktuje go z dużym dystansem. Z czasem przekonuje się, że Taichi bardzo się zmienił. Czy świeżo odnowiona przyjaźń ma szansę przekształcić się w coś więcej? Tym bardziej, że na horyzoncie pojawia się ktoś, kto także jest zainteresowany Taichim…

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

162 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2018

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

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

this manga series is definitely one of my favorites. it was so cute all around and it was a great wrap up for Nao and Taichi. Would love to learn more about Nishi though D:

[B. Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread September 2020
This manga still holds up. I maintain what I said earlier. I just love the support they got though. There's a nice message, that while there's people who won't understand, the people who love you will continue to love you (and that it's on them if they don't.)

---

A nice ending to a rather nice surprise of a manga. I was surprised by the way it highlighted the struggles of the LGBT community and how that was integral to the plot. (Most books of this genre gloss it over.)

I'm assuming this was the end, though I do know some series prolong past the natural ending. But this book was shorter than the previous ones by at least a hundred pages, so... Seems like it was the end. Altogether pretty happy with this series.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was fine I guess. Nishi didn't really get anything substantial to complete his character arc? moment? I don't know what to call it. Tachi was fine in this novel, but like they just argue so much over dumb shit and I really don't think it's cute. They're like "LOL we're in a fight cause we couldn't decide what movie to watch but we'll always make up :3" I'm just not a fan of that kind of relationship I guess. But I liked their friends and the way the story went in terms of coming out, but overall this series was just okay.

[Donatella Principi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Finale un po' affettato e scontato ma non mi è dispiaciuto. Fra i tre della serie è quello che mi ha colpita meno perché più breve, non succede granché. Nel complesso però mi sono affezionata molto ai personaggi di questa storia, ho gioito e sofferto con loro. È un manga di puro intrattenimento che riesce a prenderti ed emozionarti. Ci sono diverse scene di fan service ma anche un vera e propria storia d'amore che ho apprezzato molto, così come l'evoluzione del rapporto fra i protagonisti dal liceo all'università. Caldamente consigliato agli amanti dei Boy's Love

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second story arc comes to its conclusion, and once again it feels like the series could be complete. But I suppose the creator could always revisit the characters and shake up the new status quo again.

The characters deal with homophobia in public and private life as they continue to come out to friends and family. In addition to the drama, there is much yaoi fan service with very-lightly-censored explicit sex.

[romi · Rating 3 out of 5]

teniendo historias como esta y neon sign amber no puedo creer que un manga tan poronga y aburrido como yarichin bitch club sea la obra más conocida y aclamada de la autora

[Aki Ryuichi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este tomo es complementamente necesario de comprar, si ya obtuviste el 2,porque sino, tu corazón no lo soportará.

El tomo 2, me dejó con el corazón en la mano y este, me lo arregló 🤣.

Asimismo, gracias a Panini, conocí la palabra más quita libido del mundo "Achúchame".

Igual que en los otros dos tomos, demasiados modismos, lo que no se agradece ni en lo más mínimo.

[Riki (˶˃⤙˂˶) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5💫

This final volume gave me everything I could have hoped for—emotion, passion, and a deeply satisfying conclusion. Overflowing with tender moments and raw feelings, it had me tearing up more than just a few times. Ogeretsu Tanaka once again proves why she’s one of the best in the genre, blending drama, heartbreak, and reconciliation in a way that feels both gut-wrenching and incredibly rewarding.

The journey (pun intended) of Naoto and Taichi has been anything but easy, and this volume beautifully ties up their story, giving us the warmth and love they deserve after all the struggles. The art remains breathtaking, with Tanaka’s signature attention to detail making every moment—whether quiet and intimate or fiery and passionate—utterly captivating. And, of course, the sex scenes are top-tier, seamlessly blending emotional depth with stunning visual storytelling.

Beyond the romance, I also really appreciated Nao’s continued friendship with Nishina. Nishina, the absolute hottie and low-key tsundere, completely stole my heart. I’m thrilled he remained a meaningful part of Nao’s life, though it does hurt knowing I can never have him for myself (why must the best ones be fictional?!).

As a series, Escape Journey has been packed with intense drama, emotional turmoil, and deeply transformative moments. Watching these characters struggle, grow, and ultimately find happiness made every heart-wrenching moment worth it. This finale left me feeling full, happy, and a little bit melancholic that it’s over.

A perfect, emotional, and very steamy conclusion!

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so sweet and wonderful. I love how devoted these two are to each other. I love that they have friends and family that support them. It's a wonderful manga.

[Xwhateveruwant · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Amy Tasukada · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was soo cute!

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Thoughts after reading***
So many good moments in this one.

***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. 2 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
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

[Ester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunque este tomo ha sido algo más flojo que sus predecesores (y demasiado corto T_T que los anteriores y que el anillo de Nao está desaparecido en combate), Ogeretsu le ha dado otro toque necesario a la historia que, a la vez, le da un cierre que me ha parecido precioso y realista al mismo tiempo.

Después de la última pelea entre los dos, Naoto acude al certamen de Mr Universidad donde Taichi vence. Al darse cuenta lo mucho que quiere a Taichi, Nao no puede evitar llorar ante la situación y Nishina lo abraza antes de llevárselo. Solos, Nishina intenta besar a Nao, pero este lo rechaza a causa de que, a pesar de todo, él ama a Taichi. Entonces, ante la necesidad que sienten el uno por el otro por verse, Taichi le dice a Nao que lo ama delante de otros alumnos y, sin que nada les importe, se besan en la universidad.

A partir de este suceso, Ogeretsu tira más el hilo de la vertiente social japonesa sobre los prejuicios que hay sobre el colectivo LGBT, los miedos de ser descubiertos y rechazados por no ser "normales". La realidad, sensibilidad y realismo con los que Ogeretsu ha tratado todo esto me ha emocionado, sobre todo por el mensaje de esperanza, por el cambio que empieza a haber en algunas personas y el hecho que el amor por alguien no va a cambiar a causa de su sexualidad.

Desde el primer tomo, que salió en 2015 y esté en 2018, vemos cierta evolución en el dibujo ya de por sí hermoso de Ogeretsu. Me encanta su uso de las tramas, de los trazos y, sobre todo, de lo sexys que dibuja a sus ukes (y a los semes). Además que, como acostumbra, las relaciones sexuales están increíbles. El modo en el que traza los cuerpos hace que traspasen el papel y que el lector se sumerja en la pasión de sus personajes (sobre todo en el extra final del tomo). Simplemente sublime.

Así que, por todo, este manga es más que recomendable porque lo tiene todo: historia intensa, romance y salseo del bueno, dibujo precioso, personajes carismático y bien construidos y una trama realista con un bonito mensaje final.

[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

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is volume 3 of the College Japanese Romance. I have enjoyed this story. The characters are great and the journey has been fun. At the back, the author was talking about writing more story, but this was published in 2018 and translated in 2019, so I don't think the author is going on with this. It's a shame as I wouldn't mind having some more story.

This volume starts out Nao is talking with a friend in the middle of campus when Taichi declares his love in front of everyone. Nao responds the same and they run and kiss in front of everyone. It makes a huge stir. I love the public declaration. We need more of that. I would have loved another volume just to see how they deal with it.

Both boys tell their families who they are in love with and they have mixed experiences on both sides. Taichi's mom just isn't okay with it and it's her own problem. Nao's family seemed a little chaotic, but they all came around and were supportive.

I guess in Japan, parents can do an adult adoption and then it's a way for the couple to be together legally as brothers or whatever. I never heard of that.

School has finished up and the two were just so cute together. They go on a holiday together and it's so steamy. I will miss this series. IT was good. Much better than others out there.

[Tuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 3 did an awesome job covering how Naoto’s family handles his coming out and admittance of his relationship with Taichi and swaying the family’s thoughts on the matter of his orientation. I also did how it covered the other end also enjoyed how it covered the ongoing evolution of Taichi’s relationship with his mom and coming out to her and how her response ties in to what she may have felt about him and the family before the divorce. It would be interesting if we got even more of the series and saw how things evolved between them, and especially his half-sister of sorts.

Lastly the reveal of Naoto and Taichi’s relationship to their closest friends was also interesting both with the tears but also with the resolution of it. Was all amazing from start to finish.
And lastly, just on the whole vibe of everyone’s future together, it was a very hopeful and wonderful volume that brought the years long relationship to the best point ever. Taking us back to the scene on the bikes by the river and the emotional tears from it was beautiful.

Very, very wonderful manga, and one that will be reread for years to come.

[Shakira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanaka sensei does an amazing job at displaying the ups and downs in a relationship. Her stories are like a roller coaster so it’s quite fitting for this series to have “journey” in the title. My favorite part about this series is that Nao’s character is able to put these complicated emotions into words. At the beginning of the story, he’s conflicted with his relationship with Taichi because they’ve already crossed the lines of being just friends, but at the same time they fail as lovers. It’s never enough, no matter how they label their relationship. That really stuck with me because I believe many people that go from friends to lovers experience these exact emotions since they risk losing both aspects of their relationship. Nao said, “I already knew what it was like to be more than friends and that’s why I couldn’t stop.” Then there’s struggles the lgbtq community fave in general about being accepted by society and many other aspects. I loved that in the end the message is basically loving how/who you want to love no matter what obstacles you face.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

Di nuovo comincio a recensire una serie dal volume finale, che ho letto un paio d'ore fa.

Credo che Tanaka-sensei sia ormai la mia autrice di yaoi preferita. Non che io apprezzi la totalità di ciò che scrive, però di suo mi son piaciute parecchie cosine. E anche questa serie, secondo volume a parte, ha fatto il suo dovere.

Per quanto ci siano i soliti stereotipi del genere letterario cui appartiene, la storia mi è sembrata molto fresca e molto più realistica di altre. I personaggi mi son piaciuti ed erano facilissimi da distinguere, cosa che per me è importantissima.

Ho pensato che il primo volume potesse funzionare benissimo come volume unico. Che il secondo, invece, fosse un tentativo malriuscito di allungare il brodo. Ma questo terzo e ultimo volume si riprende benissimo e riesce a dare una conclusione degna di questo nome alla storia.

Molto soddisfatta del mio acquisto. Di seconda mano.

[Megan | The Mood Read Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My biggest critique is probably how quickly this volume moved and how short it was compared to the first two. I really loved this story (with the exception of a problematic scene in the first volume that probably should have been a larger drawback for me), and was sad to let Naoto and Taichi go.

They really grew as characters throughout the series, and I was so glad to finally see characters having important conversations. They come out to their families and friends and have real, hard conversations about their future. There were moments in this volume where I was afraid the characters were going to make assumptions and not resolve their issues with communication, but they really did a good job talking about their problems and how they felt, especially in this volume.

Definitely recommend!

[Keiko Tsuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,20 stelle ✨
Purtroppo il più breve dei 3 volumi, ma anche qui ci sono molti messaggi importanti.
Mi è piaciuto molto il fatto che vengano affrontate varie problematiche, ma sempre in modo leggero eppure incisivo.
Mi sono affezionata ai personaggi in questi 3 numeri... Nel complesso forse avrei preferito conoscerli maggiormente, o meglio, sapere come passano il tempo assieme, che altro fanno oltre al sesso quando sono soli, ecc.... Ma alla fine in poche pagine di manga viene espresso altro e in modo adeguato, e va bene così.
Mi è piaciuto anche il finale dolce, tranquillo e rilassato.
Mi mancheranno i protagonisti... Avrei voluto leggere ancora di loro due.

-----SPOILER-----
Mi spiace solo per Nishina, che alla fine resta solo... Mi piacerebbe leggere una storia tutta per lui in una sorta di spin off.

[Anna Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a conclusion to the series I liked this volume. It picks up exactly where volume 2 left off and honestly surprised me with where it went. This was a good wrap up to the series because it started with them confessing and finally being out to people at their university and continued with what happens next. It focused on wrapping up loose ends and giving a very real world look at what challenges being a gay couple living in Japan might have. It was super wholesome and sexy, like the rest of the series, and I felt like it took all the threads and brought them to a satisfying ending. For a series with only 3 volumes it told a really good story and gave me everything I wanted out of it. Would recommend if you're looking for a good BL manga to read.

[Mosley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So overall I think my favorite volume was two. Like I stated in my last review I kind of feel like each manga was its own kind of thing, it didn't really feel like a continuous series. Lots of jumping around, overall this one was very cute and fluffy but I think there was a lot left to be desired for the in-between stuff and then when things started getting good it was like it was in fast play and then it was just over. Honestly I think this needed to be a longer volume series to get everything acrossed.

[Liss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wie immer war der Zeichenstil wunderschön! Aber irgendwie hat mich das Ende doch enttäuscht. Der Cliffhänger wurde schon auf seite 1 aufgelöst und danach war der Rivale einfach nicht mehr existent. Ging mir irgendwie zu schnell und fand ich auch nichg realistisch. Dann die Sache mit der Adoption. ich weiß nicht, ob ich da was aus den vorherigen Bände vergessen habe, aber für mich hatte das Thema überhaupt gar keinen Zusammenhang und war für mich an den Haaren herbei gezogen. Doch ein enttäuschendes Ende für diese Reihe

[Iyas Utomo · Rating 2 out of 5]

If they really want to be together forever, they need to fix their communication.

Naoto's mom is right: what's the point of registering on the same family card if they're not sure about their choice and are easily influenced by others? The lack of communication in a relationship that focuses only on sex is so frustrating.

Besides that, I'm getting a bit greedy because I want a spin-off of Nishi's story. I think Nishi's character is more complex and it would be more enjoyable if there was a manga just about him.

[Jiji Jidapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

เนื้อเรื่องดี มีเรื่องทั้งปมความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งคู่เอง ทั้งปัญหาที่เกิดขึ้นจากคนรอบตัวและสังคม ลายเส้นสวย ฉากรักมีพอประมาณ โฉงฉ่างพอสมควร แต่ก็สื่อความรักและความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งคู่ได้ดี

อ่านแล้วก็สะท้อนใจว่าทำไมความรักและความสุขของคนสองคนถึงต้องขึ้นอยู่กับคนรอบตัวและสังคมขนาดนั้น ในเรื่องยังดีที่ครอบครัวและเพื่อนรอบตัวส่วนใหญ่เข้าใจ เป็นมังงะที่สื่อปัญหาที่คนที่มีความสัมพันธ์แบบ ช-ช ต้องเผชิญในสังคมที่ปิดกั้นได้ดี ในแนวให้กำลังใจ หน่วงนิดๆ แต่ไม่หนักจนเกินไป น่ารักดีค่ะ

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Nishina barely registered in this volume, which felt like such a waste of a great character, and a reduction of his existence in the story to ‘side-drama that was never going to go anywhere’. Not that I wanted him to end up with Nao, I just wanted him to end up somewhere.

The series is now officially finished, it seems, but in the afterword the author says she ‘wants to give Nishina a chance at happiness too’, so I have hope that not all is lost for the sweet moody one…

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taichi yelling out that he loved Nao in front of all those people..
Nishina truly loving Nao (even though he’ll never love him back) and letting him have the sketchbook … Taichi’s little sister giving him that drawing…
Nao’s family being accepting..
Mika being so sad that Nao couldn’t confide in her as a best friend… she would’ve never forced mixers on them if she knew… lol

And finally that ending of the two riding the bike together….

I’m crying so much!!! SO BEAUTIFUL.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE.

I don't know if it's just me, but I felt like the art was just especially on point in this volume. I was constantly admiring just the way everything was illustrated, especially when scenes were framed by foliage and shrubbery. Maybe I just never noticed it before, but this is so beautiful.

[Kennedy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I stated from the second volume book review, I never had the chance to finish reading the series beyond the first book in 2019. I think that between the three volumes, that the second one is my favorite. I did enjoy the raw emotion from this volume, it felt like it was leaping off of the page. I'm so so happy that with the rough start Naoto and Taichi had from the first book was beautifully ended in the last book. I really am glad that I stuck around to see the ending. The scene where Taichi is talking to his mom about how his relationship with Nao is no different than a "normal" relationship really moved me. It was good to see both sides of the spectrum where they were not accepted and then accepted. It's very real and when they did feel love and accepted, I felt warm.

[Sephreadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serie che si conclude nel migliore dei modi, anche se ho avvertito una certa ansia nel chiudere la serie, avrei davvero preferito qualche pagina in più, ma nel complesso bellissima serie. L'accettazione, la pressione della società, l'omofobia, la famiglia c'è tutto e anche di più, con personaggi secondari ben credibili e un buon bilancio tra serietà e divertimento