No one can stop me from saying it- "Therapy Game" is the best Yaoi Manga series ever written. At least among all the ones I have read. Trust me, I have read tons...
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 mental health representation was one of the best I have ever come across to.
The characters were wonderful. Minato is my darling. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Minato. He has quickly secured his place as one of mpst favourite characters. He was so fierce, endearingly rude and savage. It's hard for me to describe Minato's gorgeous personality. You have to read this series for that (Just Go already and read it). However one thing I really want a say, Minato is like a pretty male version of me.
I can'trecommend this series enough. Please go and read it.
08/09/23: shizuma said everything i wanted to hear from my [redacted] I'M CRYING and it's even more of a coincidence that i was in the same state as minato before. good for my bois that they're happy :') i will live my failed love life through them, as all delusional girlies like me should be doing
12/19/23: IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING IM NOT CRYING i will do anything to protect this couple istg they have my whole heart 🥺
01/05/25: i'm still head over heels to shizuma HE SETS THE STANDARD WAY TOO HIGH
I loved this so much! I’m really hoping SubLime picks this up soon because I need a physical (English) copy on my shelf! I loved getting to see everyone again, especially Shohei and Mito! I’m not liking Shizuma’s Parson though. She seems rude/shady...
this trope is so hard to do justice and this nailed it imo. i love that we get to see how their relationship is still developing after getting together. i find a lot of the conflicts in this trope can be so annoying and unnecessary BUT THIS WAS NOT!!! UGH and minato was so clingy and soft. it's my favorite when the prickly character gets only soft and vulnerable around their love interest.
minato's insecurities honestly break my heart. he's a very relatable character in my eyes and that just makes me root for him even more. shizuma makes sure to debunk those though and it was sweet as hell. the ending had me giggling and kicking my feet. at the end of this manga, the author described minato as "who's still a panicky newbie at true love" and ugh it's such a perfect way to describe him.
THE FREAKING CHERRY BLOSSOM AND HOW MINATO CALLED SHIZUMA HIS CHERRY BLOSSOM 🥺🥺🥺🥺 never though i'd cry over a flower before.
*minato and shizuma relaxing in bed cuddling together and minato says* "the breeze feels so good. the weather's great. the cherry blossom bloomed. and you're here with me. i have everything i need right here, y'know? maybe this is what heaven is like." 🫠🫠🫠
*also minato and shizuma relaxing in bed cuddling together and shizuma says* "when i woke up to see you sleeping beside me...i couldn't think of anything that'd make me happier. if every morning could be like this one, i'd be the happiest man in the world."
clingy minato is my favorite and i thought his insecurities were portrayed very realistically. neither mcs are perfect, but it only made me love them more bc of their vulnerable, human side. i honestly feel like these two balance each other so well and i think it's why i love how they just... match as a couple. 🥺
I wasn't expecting this level of spicy... The art is wonderful and I'm a bit nervous about the drama that's going to come for sure, but so far I liked they treated the challenges they got their way in a mature way.
This wasn't as angsty as the previous installments but still so enjoyable! Minato got on my nerves a bit but Shizuma is THE blueprint. I just want them to be happy forever, thanks.
Minato has had it rough in life, his past sucks, of course he's gonna have a ton of insecurities--but they were over the top. Shizuma is a frickin' saint. Still, there are so many precious moments/details in this series that I can't help but still fall for it every time.
minato and shizuma remain adorable ! i have to admit, i prefer restart to the prequel. seeing them acting so domestic and in love warms my heart in this cold winter.
**I use the CAWPILE rating system created by BookRoast to do my reviews
UGHHHH I got to see more of my boos! This needs to be published in the US NOW...please 🥺!
Character -9/10 I just absolutely love Shizuma and Minato as a couple. They balance each other out so well. I love how supportive Shizuma is of Minato and that he is not afraid to tell someone that they are lovers. I think that's what makes this story so amazing. Also I just love how real Minato is. His insecurities are real and I am glad that Hinohara plays on that in this manga. No relationship is perfect and we definitely see that. Also we also see that Shizuma is not perfect, that he tends to rush into relationships and do things without the others complete approval. But they both always come from a good place when making decisions.
Atmosphere- 9/10 Once again I think the biggest thing that makes this novel is how well the mangaka deals with situations in the novel and her corresponding art to it. Because it's how to discern world building in manga, it's important that the mangaka takes the time to show things in detail to create a sense of world element. We get to see the characters interact in many settings and how their relationship progresses because of it. We see how the environment shifts when one character is in destress or when another is amoured so its definitely lovely.
Writing/Art Style- 9/10 Because this is a manga, I decided to add art style to this category (I will add this reminder every once and a while lol). I think that Hinohara is a stunning artist. Everything is laid out so cleanly. Even in her debut manga シークレット××× Secret XXX she was so detailed in everything. However, I definitely think the Therapy Game volumes is her best work. I love the detail she puts into the world and her characters. I love how easy this manga is to read and that as a reader it's easy to understand the flow and how the characters speak to each other. Especially being able to differentiate thought vs. speech bubble. I love the precise lining in the world and how elegant everything is.
Plot- 8.5/10 Because I see this as more of a novella to the Therapy Game, Vol. 1 volumes, I definitely find the plot to be more lacking. I am not saying this had NO plot to it at all. It did. There was so much focus on taking away insecurities and building a relationship. However it was not linear there were some things that were driving the plot and some things that were just fluff. Either way I was okay with it because I got more of my boos! I did like that we focused a lot on relationship and trust building. We definitely pick up after Therapy Game with Minato still feeling very insecure about himself and Shizamu. What I love is that Shizamu is there at every turn to prove him otherwise.
Intrigue- 9/10 Nothing could pull me away from this manga even if it wanted to. I love this pair and I love their story and I want to see more and more of them. I want to see them continue to build that relationship with each other. I want to see where they go next.
Logic - 8.5/10 There is a lot I loved and never once did I go back in confusion, or wondering. However, there were some things that didn't make sense or were silly to put into the manga. Now first is the ending it was definitely abrupt...however, I have a feeling that we are about to see another volume come from this! EEEEEEKKKK!...especially since this says Therapy Game Restart 1...emphasis on the one. So that I can put aside. What I can't put aside is the weird boss of Shizuma. I mean I really didn't understand what this boss was playing at, or why this boss was a bitch - if you read this manga you understand where I am coming from. And I don't understand her true purpose to the manga. So maybe if there is another volume, 🤞, then maybe we will see the reason.
Enjoyment- I am so glad that we are getting more Shizuma and Minato. They are a beautiful couple and I need my boos! I just love this series so much and it holds a special place in my heart. It's definitely focused on the fluff and hardships of the romance over the sexual side of the relationship which is kind of refreshing. Maybe it was テンカウント 1 Ten Count 1 that gave me the idea that all Yaoi's are mostly based on sex (even though I love that series as well). Which is completely not true! So yah, I loved LOVED this manga and was so excited to realized that it existed.
The ✨Couple✨ The series just becomes increasingly sweet and wholesome! Minato, a self-aware, insecure baby trying his damndenest not to bring his trauma into his relationship with Shizuma because Shizuma is so precious to him! Shizuma, ever patient, ever loving and always unashamedly proud of his gorgeous Minato... call me a hopeless romantic, call me a besotted idiot, I don't mind because this couple is to be protected at all costs.
I absolutely support them evolving as individuals and together as a couple, and I want to keep following their journey, so the question is... VOLUME 2 WHEN?
(Oh and this volume has a lot of explicit spice. I warned you.)
The ✨Art✨ I go starry-eyed at every panel because Meguru Hinohara has the most incredible grasp on how to draw gorgeous characters. As shameless as it is, I adore how every character glows on every page.
Oh my god, I love these two idiots so much! I love that they love each other so much and just want to spend time together, but things just kept getting in their way. I also loved that Minato was finally starting to except that he deserves the love he has with Shizuma. And I loved that what Shizuma wanted more then anything was to be with Minato after a long work day. I honestly don’t know how I survived this book with all the feelings flying around (in a good way!).
I’m so in love with this series, and I just want to dive into the next volume. These two idiots are everything. And I have to give this this five out of five stars.
I have been looking forward to reading this manga for almost a year and I've gotta admit that as happy as I was seeing Shizuma and Minato again I didn't find this volume nearly as entertaining as the two previous ones. The art was still beautiful and the sex scenes were just as explicit, but the story! 😔 It was just so... meh.
☆ I was surprised to learn that everything that's been happening in their relationship has been taking place simultaneously to the events in Secret XXX. I knew that some parts of their story overlapped but I just assumed that Itsuki and Shohei were already living together by the time the events of this manga started. I guess not.
☆ Minato's personality has changed so much now that he's in love. I'm not used to seeing him so mopey and and listless. I really didn't like it. Of course he'll always be a diva but his diva-ness has been toned down a lot.
☆ I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it again, Kohei is the absolute definition of a cinnamon roll. 🥰 He is the most adorable uke I've ever seen.
☆ What's up with that director at Shizuma's clinic? I can't wait to find out what her deal is. And why doesn't Shizuma just work at his father's zoo?
☆ Finally....Ugh!!! I really really REALLY wanted to enjoy this more! Maybe I was expecting too much. I just hope I like the next volume more.
[ Read in June 2023, February 2024 and January 2025. ]
Minato and Shizuma have been dating for months now and with it comes the question of what will happen next. The interaction with Shizuma’s friends and co-workers are making Minato a bit jealous but Shizuma quickly talks things through with him and he reassures him he only has eyes for Minato and he wants to make him happy.
Minato, too, wants to cherish Shizuma but all his past trauma its taking its toll on him. Fortunately, they to take the next step and plan on living together.
Now, I’ve felt this from the first volume but both of them are important to me ‘cause I see myself in Minato and his own emotional struggles. He’s sexy, flirty and confident in himself, but when it comes to his relationship with Shizuma, sometimes he doesn’t know what to do since he doesn’t want to hurt him or get hurt.
Either way, Shizuma is such a good man and I really do have a crush on him. Their sex scenes feel so much more than physical connection and I can’t wait to read the next one! This BL manga is just the best!
2⭐️ per l’art style perché sapete che è la mia rel1gione ma a parte questo— leggendoli più per toglierli dalla lista visto che immaginavo mi andasse a rovinare praticamente tutto il development avuto nella loro main saga; su riparte da zero, pretesti di trama - diciamocelo - unrealistic e la storia che va avanti letteralmente sempre sulle stesse due identiche problematiche; enough
❤️the storyline continues from the end of Therapy Game vol 2 with Shizuma & Minato & their relationship
❤️Shizuma passes his vet certification exam & starts his first job at a vet clinic (along with Tatsumi)
❤️Minato feels the strain that Shizuma starting a new job as a vet can put on their relationship because of all the work he’s had to do
❤️Minato and Shizuma haven’t had many conversations or seen each other for a few weeks & Minato is struggling with feeling lonely. He is still so supportive of Shizuma & his dream but he is having a hard time
❤️I love the bonus scenes we got at the end with Shohei trying to cheer Minato up & giving him one of Shizuma’s shirts in secret 🥺
❤️Minato’s brother brings in cherry blossoms for the shop & there’s one that hasn’t bloomed yet that Minato takes home & tries to care for it & let it bloom—it’s really comforting to him when it grows & it’s almost a companion for him in his loneliness
❤️Shizuma & Tatsumi aren’t starting off in the way they expected at the clinic but they are pushing through because they want it to work out
❤️Shizuma & Minato finally get some time together & ugh, they’re so cute. I love how Shizuma still picks up on Minato’s true thoughts & worries even if he doesn’t verbalize them
❤️Minato doesn’t want to come off as too clingy or needy & is struggling internally & is holding back from being completely honest about how he feels to Shizuma
❤️Shizuma asks Minato something at the end of this one & I really wanna read the next volume to get more of them right away! I’ll be sad when it’s over 🫶🏼
❤️also note:: their spice together is uncensored & 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Not gonna lie I first read Therapy Game many years ago (when I probably shouldn't have even known what a BL is but alas) so I don't remember much from the prequel. Restart was a nice story about Shimizu and Minatos' after lives and while I did enjoy the overall storyline I have to bitch about many little things. Like Minato's jealousy. It probably has to do with some tragic backstory that I can't remember no matter how hard I try but personally...if my partner was that jealous I just wouldn't be able to stand it. Shimizu smiles at women he works with? Preposterous, he cannot do that. His boss drops him off cause they were coming back from a patient's house? (they're vets btw so there's a lot of overtime and hanging around with the staff which is pretty obvious to me) OMG he's definitely interested in her and just thinks about cheating. I'm sorry but I just couldn't stand the possessiveness. It was probably the only thing that pissed me off cause aside from that the story was pretty enjoyable. I especially liked the side story of the vet director, certainly an interesting character. That aside, the artstyle was gorgeous like always. I really love how the characters looked - especially the bits with Minato doing his photographer gig with his drag friends. They were all gorgeous.
I absolutely love this series so much ~ I loved Therapy Game but this continuation of their story is my fav! Maybe because now they're actually together and we get to see more couple situations. Anyways HIGHLY recommend for BL manga readers <3