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The Two Lions

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Not long after he starts university, friendly, big-hearted Junpei runs into the very unfriendly Leo. As they speak, Junpei learns that they went to the same high school and that Leo was the "Demon Lion" feared back then as a secret gang leader. After those days spent as a lonely, misunderstood high schooler, Leo escaped to a faraway college to make new friends. Junpei becomes his first and vows to help Leo make more, but are his feelings for Leo stronger than friendship?

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2019

58 people are currently reading
2713 people want to read

About the author

Nagisa Furuya

17 books323 followers
Nagisa FURUYA (古矢渚, Furuya Nagisa) is a Japanese mangaka.

See for her doujinshi works under circle PLUG.

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5 stars
1,199 (33%)
4 stars
1,571 (43%)
3 stars
730 (20%)
2 stars
117 (3%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
Profile Image for daph pink ♡ .
1,301 reviews3,282 followers
August 1, 2021
I have said this before and I will say it again Nagisa Furuya writes one of the best yaoi mangas ever.

Her books are pure joy and beautiful.

-the book explores the theme of moving on from past experiences and giving chance to new life which lay ahead of you.
- what's interesting is that fact that the book is written from other person POV so we get an outside look like through eyes of someone else.
- the art us spectacular as expected from Furuya.
- the fact that major emphasis of the story was on building the grounds of friendship first between our introvert and extrovert MCs is something I cherished the most.

Overall a fun, heartwarming and beautiful manga. Highly recommended to someone who want to read something light yet full of emotions!

Profile Image for Dilushani Jayalath.
1,031 reviews197 followers
May 26, 2023
Update : 26.05.2023

Two years later, I still like this book. It’s a simple yet heartfelt story and reminded me of Our Dinner Table although it does not reach that level of wholesomeness. It’s a story without any judgement and just two people slowly falling in love. The best kind of romance in my eyes. I just wish this author wrote longer stories for us readers to fall in love too. Just when the story gets good, she ends them.

End of Update

What a simple but cute story. The whole thing had a really sweet vibe to it. If you're looking for a realistic wholesome story that you needn't to wait for years for an update, this is the one for you. The art style is simple yet beautiful making the experience of reading this much more worthwhile. The story itself will leave you with little pangs in your heart that will really feel good. Sit back and enjoy the short but cute ride.
Profile Image for jay.
1,095 reviews5,937 followers
April 27, 2023
reading manga is way more exhausting than reading a full length novel...

i didn't really care for this at all... it was fine. i guess they are kinda cute. the "dark past" subplot felt kinda unnecessary though.

also there's something about yaoi manga i don't really vibe with idk


read as part of 202-Queer 🌈✨

april reading: 23/26
Profile Image for Lauren Lanz.
900 reviews308 followers
July 14, 2024
Leo was babysitting a cat named acoustic oh my god 😭 this manga was pure wholesomeness and joy.

Junpei coming out to himself so nonchalantly was everything and also so funny: ’Turns out I like boys. I had no idea. Never know what’s gonna happen in life.’ That’s my unbothered king!

This wasn’t anything unique or never seen before, but with romance manga, I tend to really enjoy the more mundane. Simple school romances and yearning between friends always gets me. Both leads were really sweet in this case, making the story altogether really enjoyable!
Profile Image for Cristina.
Author 38 books108 followers
April 30, 2020
What a lovely discovery! Nagisa Furuya is an entirely new mangaka to me and Les deux lions is a sweet and tender story of friendship - and perhaps more - between two former schoolmates who finally get to know each other once at university.

The story is made up of small events and details, chats during lunch and friends hanging out in idle moments. On these events, Furuya builds up the characters of Leo and Junpei, with their different personalities and idiosyncrasies.

Story and art are both beautiful and subtle. Recommended!

Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,324 reviews69 followers
February 5, 2022
I do love it when an author gets it right about how certain things influence our behaviors, and Leo's tendency to assume that he's the problem in every social situation based on how he was treated in high school is spot-on. That this is also a super-sweet love story just makes it even better.
Profile Image for Clau.
143 reviews113 followers
May 30, 2022

¡Es lo más tierno que he leído este año! 🥰

Me declaro totalmente enamorada de Leo y Junpei. En especial de Leo.
La historia es tan bella que aun después de haberla terminado sigo sonriendo.

La verdad es que no tenía idea de que me iba a encontrar cuando comencé la lectura, pero este manga es perfecto; es lindo, tierno y divertido. Junpei y Leo son super tiernos, lo juro.
La historia, aunque es sencilla, me ha encantado porque relata como ambos chicos inician una amistad y posteriormente como se va transformando en algo más. Además, tiene ese toque del chico extrovertido con el chico reservado y malo al que todos le tienen miedo.

PD: Necesito con urgencia que esta historia tenga más capítulos.

Profile Image for sil ♡ the book voyagers.
1,361 reviews3,191 followers
November 24, 2023
I feel like expected more romance and swoony moments in this than the reality lmao. It's a good story though! The flow was good and easy to follow. The characters charming and you instantly love them. The grumpy x sunshine trope, the loner x the outgoing one, The friends to "oops I fell in love with him" to lovers??? Iconic. But I still wanted a lil bit mooooore.

It deserves a sequel where they show you their time together after the confession/decision to go out *eye emoji*
Profile Image for L Ann.
748 reviews160 followers
February 20, 2022
2.75 stars, rounded up

For a BL with a 13+ age recommendation I was pleasantly surprised by how much I did not dislike this story. Most oneshots geared toward a younger audience leave me either bored or wanting more.

This story wasn't anything groundbreaking and I've seen slightly altered versions of this story on more than one occasion but this variation was entertaining enough to hold my interest till the end. Onizuka's physical appearance reminded me so much of Takato from Dakaichi (Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu) that I just went ahead and imagined him to be his younger brother...and that helped too.

Junpei was such a sweetheart. The way he immediately reached out to Onizuka, knowing his reputation without knowing the story behind it, shows just how incredibly kind he was. Onizuka had been misunderstood throughout high school and all he wanted was friends. He was lucky that he and Junpei ended up at the same college.

There wasn't really any romance depicted in this story. Its mainly about a boy discovering that he has feelings for another boy. In terms of intimacy, there was just one kiss and it took place in the bonus story after the main story was completed. Ultimately, this story is pretty forgettable with nothing really standing out about it, but in the moment it isn't too bad. Younger audiences will appreciate it a lot more. 💛
Profile Image for Brigi.
925 reviews100 followers
December 6, 2022
This was so nice and just totally my kind of BL story (pacing and romance-wise).

Junpei starts his first year of uni and he notices a student on campus who seems very familiar. A while later, he sees the student's library card and realises they went to the same school. Not just that, but the guy was the rumoured "yakuza" boss of the school. Despite this, Junpei befriends Leo who's very much an introvert and has a hard time making friends. He even introduces some of his friends to Leo, and is happy to see him branch out. But then Junpei realises he might be feeling something else besides friendship.

It is a sweet story, I really love reading about characters becoming friends and how their relationship progresses. The panels with Junpei and Acoustic the cat were adorable!
Profile Image for Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎.
1,286 reviews187 followers
December 16, 2021
You did it again, Nagisaaaa! I love you! The magic is still there! Man, I was sobbing way too hard when Oji-san met Onizuka once again and expressed his gratitude. I love that scene so so much. It was worth it. I love that kind of feeling.

I'm just really happy that Leo finally found someone who will treasure him. Gosh, I'm literally crying. Waaay too good for me.

Anyway, I love this manga so so so so much! I hope there's a volume 2 on the way because I'm thirsty for mooore of Junpei and Leo.

And heeeeey, Junpei's gay panics are freaking hilarious!
Profile Image for Maisha  Farzana .
679 reviews451 followers
June 14, 2022
Wow! It was so good. A simple and short manga but it still managed to surprise me. I expected it to be cute, sweet and funny. And it was, all of those. At the same time, this manga was quite emotional. I loved the characters and how fleshed out they felt. The romance was swoony. The art style was really good. The social anxiety rep was wonderful. I finished it in a single sitting. Someone said Nagisa Furuya writes the best bl manga. I, now, totally understand what they meant by that. I second their statement, it was amazing.
Profile Image for Gloria.
269 reviews163 followers
January 25, 2024
Dibujo 5⭐
Personajes 4⭐
Argumento 3⭐
Coherencia 4⭐
Originalidad 4⭐
Disfrute 4⭐
Profile Image for Daniel.
1,026 reviews91 followers
August 9, 2023
Enjoyable relatively low-angst sort of story. Very G rated.

I picked this up because I liked My Summer Of You: Vol. 1: The Summer Of You by the same mangaka.

This is very cute. It has a kind of condensed feel, like it runs though a number of tropes without wallowing in any of them. I liked the couple a lot. I'm not sure if anyone will consider this a spoiler or not, but it's basically one of those


There's a cat. If you're into that.
Profile Image for reese ♡.
81 reviews13 followers
September 22, 2020
Another lighthearted undiscovered gem from Nagisa Furuya. Reading this feels rewarding after a long day of work.
Profile Image for Green Yuki.
395 reviews5 followers
March 28, 2022
Cómo es posible que sea tan cortito 🥺.
Me quedé con ganas de más, sin duda los dos me gustaron mucho. Amo a Leo y a Jumpei.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
450 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2025
Review: 4.5 stars

Okkkk, I just love this one. It’s nothing special and more like a slice of life of two university students who met in university even though they kinda indirectly know each other from going to the same school.

Junpei with his out and friendly personality making friends with the very unapproachable Leo. Their friendship is so fun to see where Junpei taught Leo the meaning of how friendship works but how he unexpectedly falls for Leo. Just when it is getting good, the story ends but I do love that it shows the beginning of their relationship.

Overall, I adore this one and it helps that the artwork is just lovely!
Profile Image for Andy .
396 reviews11 followers
December 10, 2020
A really cute manga that tended to be subtle instead of saccharine. We focus on a popular very friendly guy who eventually becomes friends with a rumoured "demon king" from his highschool. The demon king in question however, is just a defamed strongly trained guy who does not like seeing injustice looking to turn things around in university.

I loved how there were so many small moments (like eating meals, opening up and being awkward) that built towards developing feelings. The supportive friends, actual communication (no drawn out angst, just good old fashioned coming-to-the-point - YAY!) and great plot cohesion were plus points.

It was wow seeing everything come full circle
Profile Image for Juan Arcones.
Author 17 books366 followers
July 30, 2021
Los yaoi siempre son mi debilidad aunque el problema es que siempre están cortados por el mismo patrón y es lo que le pasa a este. El dibujo es bonito pero sin nada especial, aunque Oni es monísimo y me encanta. Quiza le falta algo de fuerza, un giro sorprendente o un algo más

Aún así, se lee rápido, se disfruta y es una historia de autodescubrimiento muy bonita. Se agradece que estén en la universidad en vez del instituto como otros yaois
Profile Image for Julie.
2,624 reviews197 followers
December 20, 2021
I absolutely ADORED their relationship so much!! Leo is so so cute. I love his grumpy face!! This would've been 5 stars if it weren't for the end.



Despite my issues with the ending the entire build up there made me absolutely giddy. I love the sunshine boy x grumpy boy pairing so much. I really loved these characters and watching their friendship grow.

I just need a sequel or spin off because I'm so unsatisfied by that ending. I wanted to see more of a romantic relationship happen. :((
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for aria ✧.
921 reviews155 followers
June 14, 2022
There are different types of strength, that's all. Become strong, and then become just as kind


This was such a nice, short and cute read. We follow Shishido and Onizuka as they start university. Though from the same high school, Shishido does not recognise Onizuka until he learns his name. Onizuka had a reputation of being an undercover boss who beat up people and because they were in different classes, they never interacted. Because of the rumours, Onizuka never had any friends. So he goes to a university far away hoping for a fresh start. He doesn’t expect someone from his old school. Intrigued by the aloof man who seems to hate him, Shishido starts noticing him everywhere and when he learns who he really is, it doesn’t deter him from being friends.

Ugh this was so cute and adorable.
Profile Image for Meagan (FranticVampireReads).
800 reviews53 followers
February 21, 2025
I really liked this one! Leo was just looking for a fresh start in college and Junpei kind of was too. When they met they somehow figured out they went to the same high school without ever really knowing each other outside of the rumors about Leo being a gang leader. I loved that they had this reluctant friendship (at least on Leo’s side) that grew into feelings and wanting to spend more time together. And a little bit of a sexuality crisis on Junpei’s part. It was sweet and fun and it’s getting four out of five stars!
Profile Image for Jen13.
154 reviews6 followers
April 8, 2022
This was a sweet and light BL that hit all the emotional beats for me. The art was very good and so were the characters. I loved Leo and Junpei and would love to get a part 2 to this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews

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