UGH THE WAY I WANT HAPPINESS AND PEACE FOR THIS FICTIONAL COUPLE IS UNHEALTHY, but here we are because Minato and Shizuma's progression is so amazing to watch, both as individuals and together as a couple 🥺
I teared up when
I love how they are managing their relationship; Minato is opening up a lot more and Shizuma is as loyal and kind as always. They still have ways to go, but that's any relationship, I have so much faith in them it's unreal ahaha! I DON'T love however, the weird hints at potential drama brewing involving Shizuma's hot boss? I don't doubt Shizuma at all but it seems too trope-y. I hope the next volume isn't going to ruin a perfectly good series but unnecessary drama.
12/19/23: their relationship may not start off well, but the way they are trying to get in sync with each other's needs and flaws is a sign that it will last (at least, i hope so). & i am expecting that there will be another volume after this because this ended on a cliffhanger :D
You know it's a good manga volume when it makes me cry. :')
Minato continues to surprise me with his character growth and maturity. Shizuma's progression within his career is a delight to witness! I JUST WANT THEM TO LIVE TOGETHER, FUCK, AND BE HAPPY.
I can't believe I put off reading this volume only to find out it's not the last of the series, like I'd thought.
Don't get me wrong: I love these characters and am delighted that I'll get to spend more time with them. But now there's the waiting game for future volumes, and this drama with Shizuma's hot boss, which makes me a little nervous and reluctant to do all the "you've GOTTA READ THIS" advertising I was primed to do after finishing off what I'd thought would be a wonderful final volume.
It's not that I'm worried about Shizuma, really. If you had to pull out one guy from BL manga who'd never, ever cheat on a significant other, I'd think it'd be him. But putting him in awkward situations like his boss seeing him in his underwear as he was changing...and all that emphasis on how incredibly beautiful she is, and how her personality is a little bit like Minato's...I mean yeah, that's not my favorite thing in the world.
The funny part is, about halfway through this volume, I was composing something in my head about how much I adore this series specifically because there are never petty little dramas or misunderstandings. When something starts worrying one of the characters - like Shizuma thinking he's suffocating Minato, leading to awkward tension between the two of them - they almost immediately bring it up and talk through it.
I love that impressive, mature level of communication; it's one of my favorite things about Shizuma's and Minato's dynamic. They feel like a real couple, who have the entire package: physical attraction, and emotional and intellectual bonds that will keep them close as they grow old together. They get along and talk and don't just have hot steamy sex every time they see each other (although yeah, that definitely happens too).
So I'm a little frustrated that there's going to be a competing love interest thrown into the works, in a situation where Shizuma's already triggering a lot of Minato's anxieties and literal PTSD by choosing work over him. By making him feel abandoned, like his mom was, when his dad was cheating on her...
It's definitely something they're going to have to talk through; it ended up truly not being a big deal in this volume, since it was just Minato's insecurity cropping up, and he genuinely felt fine as soon as he was with Shizuma again. But with the beautiful boss showing up in that final panel, and Minato's jealousy being a huge component of his personality, and something he brings up often - his incredibly deep fear of someone he loves cheating on him - it makes sense that it'll become some sort of major plot element.
I just hope nothing happens that'll sour my view of their relationship and this story, because I love it so, so much.
The four stars for this volume is really just because I'm mad at the cliffhanger and afraid of what's coming next. But the actual story and time spent with the characters was really great, yet again - and Hinohara's art simply cannot disappoint. It's some of the most beautiful art I've seen in any of the manga I've read. I hope this can remain one of my permanent favorites...whenever it actually does finally come to a close.
i loved knowing a lot more about minato's younger years. shizuma, the workaholic should ease off a bit, though. sir, you have a demanding boyfriend at home.
Holy shit, I love this series so freaking much! I think this is my favorite volume so far. I just love these two idiots so much! I honestly loved the all the character growth that we got. I also really liked that both Shizuma and Minato were so open with how much they love each other and that they were more open with what they wanted from their relationship moving forward. I also really loved that they both found each other absolutely adorable and couldn’t hide it. There was also so much more depth in this volume, both in regard to Shizuma’s struggles at the vet clinic and with Minato’s self doubts and mental health. I’m just in love with this series and I can’t get enough. I really hope we get the next volume soon. Therapy Game Restart volume 2 is getting a solid five stars!
I enjoyed the restart series so much because it’s not often that you see the “busy” stage in relationships in mangas and animes. I can’t even recall reading or watching a manga or anime that shows the stage in the relationship where one person is busy, trying their best to balance their relationship and work life, and accurately show how hard and heartbreaking it can be. it was portrayed so well and so perfectly here. I’m currently experiencing this myself so it hit me so hard reading this, but the portrayal, the character’s actions and emotions, it’s all *chef’s kiss*!
I mistakenly assumed that this was Vol.2 of Therapy Game so it was a bit confusing to see Shizuma and Minato already in an established relationship. But I am not complaining because this sequel is easy to follow and the dynamics between the two MLs is just as mature and engaging as expected.
Shizuma and Minato try to deal with their individual work commitments while still trying to make time for each other and they also consider the possibility of moving in together. Stepping away from the usual trope of relationship rifts arising due to a lack of communication, the two main leads continue to exhibit a steady degree of respect for each other as they face new challenges. I love the artwork of this series and every tiny nuance or shift in emotions is effectively captured by the quirk of an eyebrow, the tilt of shoulder or a sudden shift in body language. Somehow the smut never seems gratuitous and is woven in effectively with the story.
I adore these two and their vastly opposing personalities blending in beautifully to form a steady couple dynamic.
Auch der zweite Band des „Therapy Game“ Spin-Off‘s - „Therapy Game: Re“ - hat mir wieder sehr gut gefallen. Die Reihe hat großes Potenzial, zu meiner liebsten Manga-Reihe zu werden. Abgesehen von den wunderschönen Illustrationen, die mich immer wieder begeistern können, wird auch die Geschichte rund um Minato & Shizuma absolut nicht langweilig. Sie erleben in ihrer noch recht frischen Beziehung so einige Höhen & Tiefen und ich liebe alles daran, vor allem aber ihre Dynamik und wie sie am Ende immer wieder zueinander finden. Möchte einerseits am liebsten sofort alle verfügbaren Bände verschlingen, andererseits aber auch noch lange etwas von der Reihe haben. Gott sei Dank ist sie aktuell noch nicht abgeschlossen.
5 stars!!! My babies remain a constant five glorious stars. I love them so much! Watching their relationship continue to grow and change is so enjoyable. Additionally seeing how they open up to each other and explore their vulnerabilities is refreshing. There's still some trauma and secrets that haven't come to the surface and we ended this volume with a bit of a shock but these two remain my fav couple of all time which is saying something.
La forma en que han crecido ambos personajes es increíble, también quedé anonadada con la excelente representación de una relación, siendo algo sumamente realista. Lo que no me esperaba era que aún estuviera en emoción ¡NOOOO! JAJAJAJA, ese final, ay, necesito maaaaaas.
Solo voy a decir que Shizuma es Crush supremo, que lo amo muchísimo y que Minato se merece que lo quiera tanto y que lo mime. Ambos son las piezas de un puzzle y encajan a la perfección
Awh, they are so cute 😍 love how shizuma and minato were so open with how much they love each other. I am so curious with he director I sure she is up to something .
I honestly agree with most of what past me said. That last smutty scene was truly sus, and it made the volume end on a sour note for me.
However! The rest of this volume is amazing, so I’m bumping it up to a 4.5🌟 I feel like the conflicts Minato and Shizuma have continue to be realistic. Ultimately, both of them want the best for their relationship. So, they might not put all their cards on the table at once, but they do air things out. I have faith in them and their relationship!
2022 review
If I’m being honest, the main reason this is getting 4🌟 instead of 5 is that the last smutty scene in this volume…I dunno. A bit sus.
Regardless, the rest of this volume was wonderful! I love seeing the conflict of Shizuma truly trying his best to be both a great boyfriend AND a great vet, and he kinda struggles with the boyfriend part. He isn’t wrong per se to stay at work especially when there’s an emergency, but he should also be considerate of how Minato’s trauma makes him respond to certain things.
At the end of the day, what I really want is for Minato to seek some actual therapy. Some of the stuff he feels he is truly entitled to feel, but some of it he truly needs a professional to help him work through it. At the very least he needs to talk to Shizuma, so they can both work out how to keep the relationship healthy. It’s not at all Shizuma’s responsibility to make sure Minato is sane, but he can do his part to not exacerbate issues!
Regardless, I still love my boys and Shizuma is still the light of my life. However, as someone who has experienced trauma, I’m starting to feel a bit more protective of Minato.
Also! These two need to move in together already! My heart can’t take it. Especially since the mangaka is trying to add drama with the director 😭