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Black or White #3

Black or White, Vol. 3

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For these two typecast actors, love can’t always be black or white.

Shin is an actor whose awkward personality has gotten him typecast as the villain, whereas his secret lover Shige garners all the prime princely roles. As their careers advance, can these two endure all eyes being on them not just in public but in private too?

Up-and-coming actor Shin has become friendly with Tatara, a veteran actor he admires, which makes Shin’s boyfriend Shige visibly jealous. And when Shin and Shige finally get their chance to work together, the situation only worsens. Being forced to keep his relationship a secret while on set is more than Shige can handle, so he calls Shin to his dressing room and ends up telling him that this was precisely why he didn’t want them to become intimate. Unfortunately for the secret lovers, Tatara is eavesdropping and overhears it all!

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2019

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175 people want to read

About the author

Sachimo

59 books63 followers
Name in native language さちも

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5 stars
149 (27%)
4 stars
221 (41%)
3 stars
143 (26%)
2 stars
16 (2%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for L Ann.
744 reviews160 followers
November 20, 2022
My favorite volume so far. Lots of steamy scenes and great plot development. I like creepy semes so that bonus scene didn’t bother me at all. 4.5 stars, rounded up
Profile Image for Ester.
1,202 reviews67 followers
May 10, 2021
Lo que estoy disfrutando con este manga no está escrito. Está al nivel del disfrute que tuve en febrero leyendo todo los tomos de Hidoku shinaide. Este maratón Sachimo y maratón Black or white me está dando l vida.
Me gusta que la trama siga avanzando, pero sin prisas. También que sensei haya logrado un muy buen equilibrio entre la vida de actores de los protagonistas y la suya personal. I need more.
Profile Image for Reibekah.
634 reviews4 followers
June 5, 2022
This maybe felt more well rounded? The whole manipulation of image thing is interesting to me.
Profile Image for Marty.
109 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2025
By far my favorite volume so far! The bonus scene was... something but other than that I really loved it, they are so cute together! 💛
Profile Image for Dara ♡.
84 reviews
July 24, 2022
I did not like how it ended because it was so wrong on so many levels of what he did to him. Smh.
Profile Image for Lou.
532 reviews2 followers
Read
March 24, 2023
Hmm, okay. This is the type of series that kind of lives and dies on its main couple and I don't know if it's delivering. I liked the fact that the story focuses on an established couple, established the the point that they live together, but it's missing some of the coziness? comfort? sweetness? that I want from an established couple set-up. Look, I've been reading What Did You Eat Yesterday? and Futari Ashitamo Sorenarini, so maybe it's not fair to this series, because both those series gave me that established relationship domesticity that hits oh so right. Are these two invested in each other? Yes, but it feels very fraught and fragile, and I think it could benefit from moments of levity. I dunno, because honestly I enjoy the fact that they need to learn how to communicate and went so long with clarifying how they handle their relationship physically, but there's a spark of some sort that's not quite there. I've enjoyed Sachimo's work before (yanno, the one with the butlers), but this one doesn't seem to work as well. It sort of feels like the tone is a little similar in terms of things being kinda Dire and Dramatic, but the circumstances here don't quite mesh with it??

Also, the bonus scene did leave enough of a sour taste for me to consider putting the series down. I have two more volumes checked out from the library, so I may finish those off, but I do hate shit like that. Just unnecessary.
Profile Image for Chelsea &#x1f3f3;️‍&#x1f308;.
2,029 reviews6 followers
May 11, 2022
So close to a volume without the non-consensual aspects of the last 2 volumes until... .

This volume continues with Shin progressing in his relationship with his mentor Tatara. That's still the most interesting aspect of the story for me. Tatara wants to keep Shin from having the same roadblocks in his career while also noticing, if Shige and Shin's relationship is found out, it will ruin Shin's career. He really seems to care about Shin and there's some strange foreboding here with others worrying his influence will cause trouble for Shin in the long run.

Shige has a role as a love interest in another project. It's causing Shin to feel insecure and he sort of tries to overcompensate for that by pushing their physical relationship a bit further than he was initially comfortable with. We also gain more of an understanding for Shin's attachment to Shige in this volume.

So, overall, I enjoyed this about the same as the last volume because the last chapter was just my least favorite thing in BL novels: non-consensual encounters. *Sighs*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Adam.
1,021 reviews
February 1, 2024
Now that Shin and Shige have really blossomed into their respective acting careers, jealousy and stress begin to threaten their hidden relationship. How long can they manage to stay a secret? Black or White continues its steamy story but this instalment was a little confusing at times. Decent read.
Profile Image for Tachan.
2,580 reviews23 followers
October 31, 2023
Maintenant qu’après des années de cohabitation, nos héros ont enfin franchi le cap des relations non platoniques, cela change beaucoup de choses dans leur existence ainsi personnellement que professionnellement. La voie du succès est encore longue.

Comme A 25:00 à Akasaka que je lis également chez l’éditeur, j’aime me plonger dans le quotidien de deux membres de l’industrie du spectacle. Ici, ils sont déjà plus âgés et n’ont pas la même carrière. La récente évolution et concrétisation de leur couple va venir perturber un peu l’équilibre qu’ils avaient trouvé et c’est cette recherche d’un nouvel équilibre que nous allons suivre.

Shige, qui semble pourtant le plus calme et posé des deux, est celui qui va le plus me surprendre dans ce tome. Ayant longtemps mis des freins à leur relation, on comprend que c’est parce que c’est quelqu’un de très possessif qui veut garder pour lui le jeune Shin, qu’il admire depuis toujours. Il en est conscient et a peur de cette possessivité qui malheureusement va exploser au grand jour, suscitant quelques premiers remous ici.

Shin, lui, reste très naïf dans ce tome aussi. Il exprime plus facilement ses désirs, ce qui est une amélioration, mais il reste aveugle à tellement de choses. J’aime cependant, grâce à lui, découvrir les premiers pas dans la célébrité et le succès d’un jeune acteur, sa reconnaissance par les autres acteurs du milieu, ainsi que les professionnels sur les tournages. Et puis, il y a le cas Tatara, ce vétéran dans le milieu dont il va attirer l’attention et susciter sans le savoir le désir de protection. Cela risque de chambouler pas mal les choses par la suite.

J’ai donc aimé suivre les trajectoires sécantes de nos héros dans ce tome, avec un Shige un peu en perte de vitesse dont la vie personnelle va perturber une vie professionnelle un peu mollassonne et un Shin au contraire qui va se sentir pousser des ailes. J’aime la façon lente et tranquille dont l’autrice décrit à la fois leur relation intime et leur carrière. Les incursions sur les plateaux de ces dernières sont toujours enrichissantes, que ce soit en nous montrant le sérieux et la modestie d’un Shin dans ses scènes d’action, ou à l’inverse en nous montrant la banalité et l’ennui des rôles répétitif d’un Shige dont on ne voit que la belle gueule. Le regard est critique et intéressant.

Autre façon que dans A 25:00 à Akasaka de parler de romance dans le monde du showbiz, Black or White propose à la fois quelque chose de plus doux et mature, avec des acteurs plus âgés et une histoire plus profonde. J’aime la façon dont lentement la relation des héros se transforme et influe sur leur jeu. J’aime le regard critique que l’autrice pose sur le milieu mais sans en faire trop. J’aime la suite compliquée qui se dessine avec l’arrivée de Tatara dans le jeu.

Avis complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....
Profile Image for Kate Elizabeth.
80 reviews4 followers
July 11, 2022
You know the ending of this volume is worth of negative stars…. A side story-esc chapter where the love interest rapes his sleeping boyfriend…… and it is rape let’s be clear, there’s nothing “dubious” about it. I have no words, only utter disgust and fear for the main character. And for what? As if the love interest wasn’t already a walking read flag you need a rape scene to solidify his villainy?? Even tho I’d bet my right tit they end up together anyway? The character monologues about how bad he is for doing this to his sleeping partner but he “can’t help himself” the usual bullshit and then does a 180 and brushes it off saying the experience will live in his mind as “fap material for at least a month” I….. few things have left me feeling this at a loss for words, unless this actively gets addressed in future volumes and this man face hard fucking jail time and consequences I don’t wanna fucking hear it. I’m so fucking tired of predatory queer relationships being normalized or romanticized , I don’t care if “it’s fiction” or “he apologizes in future volumes”. Rape is Rape and one you do that to someone I whole heartedly believe you deserve nothing less then painful death. For this to be toted as a BL? God I hope I am wrong and that this manga will flip the abuse/rape is ok if you love them trope on its head. All anyone who thinks this is an over reaction needs to know is this, recently I participated in a high-school queer student event at my university, and to learn the books these kids desperately want or love was manga such as other BL with rape, but not portrayed as horrific or wrong, such as “Ten Count” was so heartbreaking and terrifying. I’m tired of rape in BL only to be romanticized or blown off as not a big deal breaker. I don’t deserve to read this “Queer Rep” and neither do queer youth. Fuck this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Grace.
288 reviews4 followers
July 11, 2022
CW - mention of sexual assault

Listen, there has been a lot of things in this manga that has put me off. In particular the manipulation Shige does to Shin throughout the story but this volume finally tipped me over the edge. I will not be continuing.

To have a literal rape scene be in what could be considered ‘bonus content’ is what pisses me off the most. Shige rapes Shin in his sleep - I do not care what way the author is trying to paint this when Shige repeatedly tells himself what he is doing is wrong and disgusting. YES it is. You are raping your partner in sleep and will continue to lie in the morning about it. There was no consent, not even the BARE MINIMUM. Shige goes on and on about he is secretly a ‘non princely man’ or ‘no better then a man’ and YEAH he is a real piece of fucking work that’s for sure. The fact that THIS is what he does, and what the author thinks is humorous in the morning after, is what really sets me off. Sexually assaulting your partner when they are sleeping next to you, trusting you to show them the barest amount of respect, isn’t ‘hot’ it’s disgusting. You know the scenes with this couple has always made me feel uncomfortable - there’s some weird power thing at play, or maybe this really is going to be about an abusive relationship. But whatever it is, it isn’t good. I honestly hope this story ends with Shin realizing what a class A-Hole Shige is and leaves him. Goes on to be a wonderful actor and maybe gets together with Tatara who at least seems to be picking up on the red flags that Shige is dropped EVERYWHERE. Really disappointed.
Profile Image for ℂ ✧.
2,384 reviews
August 6, 2023
Impossible no pensar en Embracing Love, Vol. 1 per la dinàmica de dos actors que en certa manera són rivals, però aquesta sèrie és molt més wholesome i gens complicada ^^' Es tracta de dos actors que projecten una imatge completament diferent de com són en realitat i que fins ara han estat encasellats en un mateix tipus de rol (el morè fent de malvat i el ros fent de príncep). Són parella des de l'institut, viuen junts, es recolzen i s'admiren mútuament, però han de dur la relació en secret perquè al Japó la indústria de l'entreteniment funciona així. Tot i que no hi ha gaire acció i el drama que s'entreveu és mínim i es resol de seguida, anem veient una evolució de personatges tant en l'àmbit personal com professional. Ta bé :3
Profile Image for Calista.
5,432 reviews31.3k followers
June 17, 2024
Volume 3 of the Japanese manga about two actors in a relationship in the industry. The last volume was great and this one was just about up to that four stars also, but not quite.

This had a lot to do with the industry. They were playing a celebrity quiz game and it was very confusing. I couldn't follow what was going on. Two of the characters are simply too similar.

Someone else has figured out these two are a couple. It seems like it's going to be difficult to keep the relationship a secret. The relationship itself is still in a sweet stage. They both get jealous of the other, not horribly, but enough to be relieved when they see each other. There is still a lot of sugar in the writing.

I look forward to Volume 4.
380 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2022
3.5 stars. Didn't love it as much as volume 2, but it was still fun and I think I officially like Shige even though he's... a lot lol pretty messed up....
It's just so entertaining! I'm so looking forward to the next volume!

-Wish the manga volumes had those intro pages with the character summaries and their relationships to one another. Not only would it be helpful when I forget characters' aliases or need to remember side characters' names, but since from now on I'll be reading the volumes as they're released, they'd be nice refreshers in between volume time gaps.
-Shin looks so good in his Ranger Academy costume lol Honestly if Ranger Academy was an actual manga or TV show I'd wanna check it out.
Profile Image for R..
2,076 reviews
May 13, 2025
Shin seems both aware and oddly clueless at the same time, while Shige is even more visibly jealous at times. Neither one seems aware that Tatara has discovered their secret, but for the moment, he at least seems to be on Shin's side as they've made unlikely friends in the business, so hopefully that will be another win for this couple. Even Shin seems to get jealous at times now, not that he has much of a clue what to do with it. On a whole, they still aren't talking a lot about their insecurities or how to work on things together, especially if their secret does come out as things seem to be hinting towards.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Bee (BacchusVines).
2,138 reviews15 followers
April 4, 2022
*I know something you don't*

This volume was wild. Y'all, the moment when Shin freaking makes Shige TAKE IT. Oh, the conversations around what they like and want to do, the possessiveness of Shige toward Shin, might not work for everyone, but I swear it works. There's a good bit of graphic oral and penetration sex, and the faces Shin and Shige make.

Is this series lewd and good? Yes. Am I worried about the next volume? FUCK YES.

(Also, the short story is exactly the kind of person Shige is.)
Profile Image for Amber L.
581 reviews5 followers
May 12, 2023
I'm still not sure about this storyline. I mean it's about two actor who fell in love with each other but needs to keep it a secret. I mean I do love the idea of this storyline. However it just feels sometimes all over and jumps to one area to a whole other different area then goes back the first one. Now.i understand back story and all but just seems like it's all over the place so far. I'll continue to read the rest of the books I have no I don't think I'll buy anymore. I still like the author and I'll read more of I see their work. But right now I'm just not sure...
Profile Image for Dylan.
1,008 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2022
CW: NTR, Sex while Sleeping

The end of this volume has some things that people may not like, but I still really enjoy this series. These two actors have a dynamic I really like, and their relationship gets hot and heavy in this volume. I love how these two men feel so authentic and real. They do have to hide their relationship because of their work, but that makes their passion for each other stronger. I highly recommend this series.
341 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2022
It's so cute getting to watch Shin and Shige's relationship develop as their careers continue to expand. There's nothing they wouldn't sacrifice to be together and they still want to protect each other while the other one pursues their dreams. This is a most fluffy and I wouldn't mind if it stayed that way. If it does turn up the drama I want the support for their relationship to be overwhelming!
4 reviews
March 2, 2022
Great Continuation From Vol2
The story continues at a decent pacing. The artwork is good. There's more chibi drawings than the other vols which were cute and very well placed in the context of the story.
What this book gives us is a more adult version of BL manga's - juggling work, priorities, careers, downhill of careers and lot more.
Profile Image for Emma Lynn.
248 reviews11 followers
May 23, 2024
The tension in this volume is so good. It was much slower than past ones, but what you learn in this book makes you wonder what the goals of these characters are and why people are becoming obsessed with Shin. The ending makes me feel like something bad is going to happen in the next volume, and that scares me because I love Shin so much and want him to be happy.
Profile Image for Shae.
3,221 reviews349 followers
June 2, 2022
True Rating: 4.5 stars!

This series continues to be nearly perfect. I always feel like there is one small thing about each volume that doesn't land quite right for me. I don't know how else to describe it. But in general, it's one of my favorite BL's that I am reading at the moment.
Profile Image for Yui.
Author 7 books4 followers
June 29, 2020
Oh man. Hört echt wieder spannend auf. Hab so Angst vor dem was alles passieren könnte. 😨
Profile Image for Reba.
95 reviews2 followers
March 12, 2022
This story is going so well however after reading this volume I feel like the big struggles are just around the corner
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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