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Therapy Game #1
Therapy Game, Vol. 1
Recently dumped, and very straight, Shizuma tries to drink his sorrow away, only to wake up being spooned by a man!
When he explains to Minato, his drunken fling, that he doesn’t remember a thing about their night together, Minato secretly vows to seduce him again—and then dump him as revenge! But even the best-laid plans can go awry when Cupid has his way.
When he explains to Minato, his drunken fling, that he doesn’t remember a thing about their night together, Minato secretly vows to seduce him again—and then dump him as revenge! But even the best-laid plans can go awry when Cupid has his way.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2018
127 people are currently reading
2654 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 367 reviews
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March 20, 20224.5 stars ☆
June 9, 2022
Why didn't I read this manga before? It was fantastic. I loved every single second of reading "Therapy Game". Infact I finished all three available volumes within just 2 days. This series has quickly become one of my all time favourite manga series. It was cute, sweet, sexy and absolutely hilarious. At the same time it was very very emotional. The author portrayed grief, trauma, depression, abandonment issues so sympathetically that it left me at awe. It was a short illustrated book, yet it managed to make me feel so much! The characters were wonderful. I loved Minato and Shimuza as the main couple. Their chemistry was sizzling hot. But they also had a good understanding in between them. The side couple was cute too. Overall, "Therapy Game" is an amazing Yaoi Manga series to read. It's definitely worth your time. Highly recommended....
August 22, 2024
I ADORED THIS 🥺🫠💓💖🥰🥲
towards the end, it did break my heart a little bit.....it was worth it though 😭
"i didn't expect him to open up about himself. it makes me glad. he's surprisingly cute when he smiles and looks to me for affection. i find it hard to look away."
~ plssssssss i can't 😢
"i've never met anyone like you before....someone i just can't tear my eyes away from."
"this is my own fault. i finally found something to hold dear. and i ruined it."
~ my heart hurt so bad for minato in this moment. i could sympathize with him so much 💔
i love how quickly they fell for each other. and the art is so gorgeous, it made me want to cry.
i honestly want to give this 5 stars but i find i judge too quickly with manga and i need to read more before i fully decide on a rating that high. the last manga series i read i rated the first one 5 stars and the rest of the volumes were all 3 stars so....😭 and by the end i regretted giving the first one 5 stars.
anyway, onto the next volume!
towards the end, it did break my heart a little bit.....it was worth it though 😭
"i didn't expect him to open up about himself. it makes me glad. he's surprisingly cute when he smiles and looks to me for affection. i find it hard to look away."
~ plssssssss i can't 😢
"i've never met anyone like you before....someone i just can't tear my eyes away from."
"this is my own fault. i finally found something to hold dear. and i ruined it."
~ my heart hurt so bad for minato in this moment. i could sympathize with him so much 💔
i love how quickly they fell for each other. and the art is so gorgeous, it made me want to cry.
i honestly want to give this 5 stars but i find i judge too quickly with manga and i need to read more before i fully decide on a rating that high. the last manga series i read i rated the first one 5 stars and the rest of the volumes were all 3 stars so....😭 and by the end i regretted giving the first one 5 stars.
anyway, onto the next volume!
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June 29, 2022
2019:
A good story! I like that it has depth to it. The plot isn't new, Minato wants revenge because Shizuma forgot about the night they spent together. Minato places a bet with his co-workers that he can make (straight?*) Shizuma fall in love with him and plans to break his heart. People who know this kind of story will also know how this turns out. Since this is only volume one, the problem is not solved yet and the cliff-hanger ending was really quite cruel!
Despite this predictable plot I liked how Shizuma and Minato get to know each other and see their bond grow. Plus points for Shizuma calling out his friend for being homophobic towards Minato and saying he doesn't want people around him who don't respect others.
While the plot that brings Minato and Shizuma together isn't very innovative the way the story is told and how their feelings and the relationships are handled make the difference. And I really enjoy that.
*EDIT (in 09.2020): Presumably straight at first, it turns out that he later identifies as bisexual.
Content warning for both volumes (may be incomplete)
A good story! I like that it has depth to it. The plot isn't new, Minato wants revenge because Shizuma forgot about the night they spent together. Minato places a bet with his co-workers that he can make (straight?*) Shizuma fall in love with him and plans to break his heart. People who know this kind of story will also know how this turns out. Since this is only volume one, the problem is not solved yet and the cliff-hanger ending was really quite cruel!
Despite this predictable plot I liked how Shizuma and Minato get to know each other and see their bond grow. Plus points for Shizuma calling out his friend for being homophobic towards Minato and saying he doesn't want people around him who don't respect others.
While the plot that brings Minato and Shizuma together isn't very innovative the way the story is told and how their feelings and the relationships are handled make the difference. And I really enjoy that.
*EDIT (in 09.2020): Presumably straight at first, it turns out that he later identifies as bisexual.
Content warning for both volumes (may be incomplete)
April 18, 2022
Oooh a couple of the scenes were so filthy, but..
Your Honour, they're in love .
They're flawed, they mess up, but they found each other and they're growing (and they're downright gorgeous).
Your Honour, they're in love .
They're flawed, they mess up, but they found each other and they're growing (and they're downright gorgeous).
July 19, 2023
This definitely has one of the prettiest drawings.
Plot? Meh, everything happened too quickly.
Plot? Meh, everything happened too quickly.
July 1, 2023
I'm liking this story more than the one in シークレット××× Secret XXX , the characters are more interesting and the story more complex. The art keeps being stunning. I'm looking forward to read how this is going to end.
October 30, 2019
Absolutamente enamorada del bellísimo Minato
November 12, 2020
Huh, probably should have planned my work reading and my not-work reading out a little better - BL is not exactly the thing to read right after a book on the importance of consent.
July 30, 2023
Gorgeous, hilarious, sweet, sexy. These two are going to live rent free in my head for a good long while. I can't wait to continue their story.
January 4, 2025
08/09/23: i would never have guessed that mito would be a jerk here given how adorbs he was in the last volume. i know the revenge thingy is an overused plot narrative, but i can't help but always get teary-eyed whenever the couple breaks up :( (it's not like i've experienced it myself or what, but it always gets me everytime)
01/04/25: rereading this is me manifesting that i get to have a partner like shizuma MY BOI IS JUST PERFECT
01/04/25: rereading this is me manifesting that i get to have a partner like shizuma MY BOI IS JUST PERFECT
June 6, 2024
I don't understand why this manga is so popular; the characters were exquisitely done, and the drawing is undoubtedly gorgeous, but the plot was really simple and nonexistent. There were clearly elements of dub/non-con afterwards that didn't sit well with me, and the relationship was really hurried, beginning with a one-night stand when one half of the couple was quite inebriated and can't actually remember the events of the night.
March 27, 2022
On my hands and knees for them both 🛐
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April 11, 2022
One of my favorites 🖤
Minato = 🐯
Spice 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Art 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 x Million
Minato = 🐯
Spice 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Art 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 x Million
February 12, 2024
I think I’ve read this 3/4 times now? But each time is 5 stars, I love Shizuma and Minato so much
July 28, 2020
FINALLY! A manga that explicitly expresses consent and says "No is No!" - Also the main character recognizing that he is at least bi without the whole trope of "maybe I'm straight but just into this one guy" that manga tends towards. I love the scene of him standing up to his friends for LGBTQIA+ rights. I'm so happy with this author.
October 17, 2018
There were many cute and funny parts, but this story was also more serious and a bit darker than the other one, still I liked it.
4 stars.
4 stars.
January 29, 2026
Review for the complete series 1-2
This was a series that I had largely avoided as cover, title and blurb had me think this is a fairly typical BL series with spice over plot. I did end up giving it a try as some trusty friends said they think I would like the plot and characters. Well, they weren't wrong!
After being dumped by his girlfriend, Shizuma gets completely drunk in a bar where he meets Minato and with whom he ends up spending the night. The problem: Shizuma doesn't remember a thing in the morning and the enraged Minato tries to think of a way to get revenge.
Despite knowing the blurb, both characters turned out to be quite different from what I had expected of them - this is largely due to the revenge plot and I was expecting much more of a playful tug and pull between them but they turned out to be more on the sweet and thoughtful side of things. They are also very different from each other which lets it fit in nicely with opposites attract plots. Both also seem to handle difficulties in different manners and, despite several misunderstandings, I do think they manage to have good talks about what they're thinking of feeling. An initial downside for me was that I felt like love proclamations happened way too early, but then some of the twists and misunderstandings mellowed that a bit.
As a whole, despite the fairly high amount of spice, this series was definitely more character and plot driven. It touched on several more serious topics and generally handled its themes well. I enjoyed both characters and was rooting for them to be happy. At this point, I am not sure yet if I will be reading the sequel series as I was quite happy with this one as it was.
This was a series that I had largely avoided as cover, title and blurb had me think this is a fairly typical BL series with spice over plot. I did end up giving it a try as some trusty friends said they think I would like the plot and characters. Well, they weren't wrong!
After being dumped by his girlfriend, Shizuma gets completely drunk in a bar where he meets Minato and with whom he ends up spending the night. The problem: Shizuma doesn't remember a thing in the morning and the enraged Minato tries to think of a way to get revenge.
Despite knowing the blurb, both characters turned out to be quite different from what I had expected of them - this is largely due to the revenge plot and I was expecting much more of a playful tug and pull between them but they turned out to be more on the sweet and thoughtful side of things. They are also very different from each other which lets it fit in nicely with opposites attract plots. Both also seem to handle difficulties in different manners and, despite several misunderstandings, I do think they manage to have good talks about what they're thinking of feeling. An initial downside for me was that I felt like love proclamations happened way too early, but then some of the twists and misunderstandings mellowed that a bit.
As a whole, despite the fairly high amount of spice, this series was definitely more character and plot driven. It touched on several more serious topics and generally handled its themes well. I enjoyed both characters and was rooting for them to be happy. At this point, I am not sure yet if I will be reading the sequel series as I was quite happy with this one as it was.
December 7, 2020
Cries
December 18, 2022
Read this for a yaoi vlog project on YouTube, check it out: https://youtu.be/xQXDRVCfBr4
January 23, 2025
[ Read in December 2021, May and November 2023, and January 2025. ]
Minato and Shizuma woke up next to each other after a drunken night and Minato basically tells Shizuma that he has to take responsibility of what he’s done, never being explicit but you kinda guess what happened.
Minato is stylish and emotionally reserved, but when it comes to sex, he’s eager to have it with Shizuma, who just got his heart broken by a cheating girlfriend. He comes as a straight man but he cannot resist Minato’s luring body. Yet, he’s a kind man and takes him on a date, at least to get to know each other.
They do fall in love (Minato doesn’t want to admit it but he’s fully there too) but there’s a bit misunderstanding and with the help of side characters, they talk things through and hopefully will date each other –officially, at least.
I love this manga’s art style and of course I kinda saw myself in Minato’s personality, so it’s almost embarrassing to say that I was high heels in love with Shizuma the moment he gave him that sincere smile.
But be careful ‘cause it mentions some heavy topics like suicide, domestic violence and abuse of minors.
Minato and Shizuma woke up next to each other after a drunken night and Minato basically tells Shizuma that he has to take responsibility of what he’s done, never being explicit but you kinda guess what happened.
Minato is stylish and emotionally reserved, but when it comes to sex, he’s eager to have it with Shizuma, who just got his heart broken by a cheating girlfriend. He comes as a straight man but he cannot resist Minato’s luring body. Yet, he’s a kind man and takes him on a date, at least to get to know each other.
They do fall in love (Minato doesn’t want to admit it but he’s fully there too) but there’s a bit misunderstanding and with the help of side characters, they talk things through and hopefully will date each other –officially, at least.
I love this manga’s art style and of course I kinda saw myself in Minato’s personality, so it’s almost embarrassing to say that I was high heels in love with Shizuma the moment he gave him that sincere smile.
But be careful ‘cause it mentions some heavy topics like suicide, domestic violence and abuse of minors.
February 15, 2022
This was my first ever BL manga and it was quite the wild ride. Thanks Maddy for gifting me this one!! So much fun :3
February 3, 2026
It’s been years since I first read this manga …and I do have to say I still like it but I ask myself now why this manga was so hyped back then. I mean the story isn’t really special nor do the characters stand out in any way. But as I said i still enjoyed reading it.
January 17, 2025
Pero... AY 😩
NO ME DEJEN ASÍ.
NO ME DEJEN ASÍ.
January 24, 2022
Cute! I can see why people really like this story.
Though I haven't read the series this spun off from, I didn't find it too confusing to read. The art was lovely, the premise was interesting and I liked Minato as a character. Weirdly enough, I found the extra scenes to be where you really see Shizuma's love for Minato grow because during the main series,
So, overall, this was enjoyable. Not my favorite story, but I was entertained.
Though I haven't read the series this spun off from, I didn't find it too confusing to read. The art was lovely, the premise was interesting and I liked Minato as a character. Weirdly enough, I found the extra scenes to be where you really see Shizuma's love for Minato grow because during the main series,
So, overall, this was enjoyable. Not my favorite story, but I was entertained.
February 13, 2022
Oh. My. God. This book! I really loved this one. The ups and downs, the little twists and turns, and all of the emotions. I just didn’t know what to do with myself when I finished this manga. Especially when it ended on a fucking cliffhanger like that! *shrieks into the fandom void*
I loved that this started with a drunken one nightstand and turned into some sort of revenge seduction thing. And then when Minato and Shizuma catch feelings for each other?? Good god! It was just so good. I love these two idiots to pieces and I want them to work their shit out. I also really loved Shizuma’s pets. I wish they had been in the story a little more like the rabbits in Secret XXX, but I’m sure we’ll see them again in the next volume.
If you can’t tell, this book left me a sobbing mess and I’m ordering the next volume as soon as I’m done writing this review. I just need more of Minato and Shizuma in my life. Therapy Game is getting a solid five stars.
I loved that this started with a drunken one nightstand and turned into some sort of revenge seduction thing. And then when Minato and Shizuma catch feelings for each other?? Good god! It was just so good. I love these two idiots to pieces and I want them to work their shit out. I also really loved Shizuma’s pets. I wish they had been in the story a little more like the rabbits in Secret XXX, but I’m sure we’ll see them again in the next volume.
If you can’t tell, this book left me a sobbing mess and I’m ordering the next volume as soon as I’m done writing this review. I just need more of Minato and Shizuma in my life. Therapy Game is getting a solid five stars.
December 12, 2025
NA TAKOVÝHLE CLIFFHANGERY JSEM SI V MANZE ODVYKLA, do háje, ještěže mám po ruce hned druhej díl 😂
Mnohem lepší, než jsem čekala. Místy trochu rychlý, ale vtipný, „protiklady se přitahují" tu jede na maximum. A má to nádhernou kresbu.
Rereading prosinec 25: Přečetla jsem si to letos ještě jednou? Ano. Asi tak mě to bavilo a s takovou chutí jsem se k tomu vracela. :D
Mnohem lepší, než jsem čekala. Místy trochu rychlý, ale vtipný, „protiklady se přitahují" tu jede na maximum. A má to nádhernou kresbu.
Rereading prosinec 25: Přečetla jsem si to letos ještě jednou? Ano. Asi tak mě to bavilo a s takovou chutí jsem se k tomu vracela. :D
October 20, 2020
2020 Read #655
Um...this was okay, I guess? I’m starting to realize I don’t really care for the more explicit BL out there, but the character interactions were cute regardless. I don’t think I’ll be rushing for volume two, though.
Um...this was okay, I guess? I’m starting to realize I don’t really care for the more explicit BL out there, but the character interactions were cute regardless. I don’t think I’ll be rushing for volume two, though.
March 4, 2023
Minato
The art is just gorgeous. Love how Minato is drawn and characterised. Would love a birthday date like Yuka got. She's horrible, though
The art is just gorgeous. Love how Minato is drawn and characterised. Would love a birthday date like Yuka got. She's horrible, though
September 29, 2020
I really like this one and how unproblematic it was, the main topics were the importance of communication, and how trauma and your flaws don't have to be a barrier for experiencing love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 367 reviews