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Old-Fashioned Cupcake #1
Old-Fashioned Cupcake
A visit to a pancake shop leads to an unexpected May-December romance that breathes life into the monotonous routine of an older salaryman.
The daily grind both soothes and troubles older salaryman Nozue, until an unexpected visit to a pancake shop with his blunt younger coworker shakes things up!
At 39 years old, Nozue lives a routine, if not melancholic, life of sleep and work. Togawa, his younger subordinate, finds it troubling and takes it upon himself to shake up Nozue’s routine. During a lunch outing, the two go to a pancake shop full of exuberant young ladies to “do what girls do,” and it’s just the thing to breathe life into Nozue. The two men start an unlikely friendship—and perhaps something a little sweeter!
The daily grind both soothes and troubles older salaryman Nozue, until an unexpected visit to a pancake shop with his blunt younger coworker shakes things up!
At 39 years old, Nozue lives a routine, if not melancholic, life of sleep and work. Togawa, his younger subordinate, finds it troubling and takes it upon himself to shake up Nozue’s routine. During a lunch outing, the two go to a pancake shop full of exuberant young ladies to “do what girls do,” and it’s just the thing to breathe life into Nozue. The two men start an unlikely friendship—and perhaps something a little sweeter!
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2020
69 people are currently reading
1727 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
September 20, 2023
What a beautiful, feel-good story that was. There was something relatable in the story as well and completely made the characters realistic. There was something wholesome in the story and the progress of their relationship was done impeccably. Even the concerns they had and the way they communicated their concerns made sense. As a person working myself, power imbalance in these sorts of relationships makes sense and the fact that Nozue held himself back due to these reasons was relatable. Not that I had ever wanted to pursue a relationship with anyone at work XD
The first volume was paced well and by the end, the story was tied up nicely. I will admit that I picked up this story after seeing the trailer for the adaptation, now I’m truly excited to see how they will adapt this to the screen.
The first volume was paced well and by the end, the story was tied up nicely. I will admit that I picked up this story after seeing the trailer for the adaptation, now I’m truly excited to see how they will adapt this to the screen.
June 25, 2022
i want what they have.
it was perfect. is easily going to be one of my favorites comics.
it was perfect. is easily going to be one of my favorites comics.
August 21, 2023
Old-Fashioned Cupcake was SO GOOD. I truly can recommend it to anyone who loves romance and workplace situations. It was sweet, angsty, and the pining in this one was sooo hard. I love the art, the pace, and the writing so much. There's nothing wrong with this story AT ALL.
I'm so happy to see that there's going to be a sequel and it's coming out next month. I, for sure, will be there.
I'm so happy to see that there's going to be a sequel and it's coming out next month. I, for sure, will be there.
April 4, 2022
You know what's regret? It is to not read it right now, in this moment, that you are breathing!!! It is a regret to not allow yourself some of the finer things in life. In my case: this! Augh, boys' love indeed warms a young woman's heart. This is just too fluffy and it's making my day!! I'm so in love with it! I CAN'T STOP SMILING! I EXACTLY UNDERSTAND NOW WHY RACHEL SAID IT LIKE SLEEPING WITH A HANGER IN YOUR MOUTH! AND THE ART IS SWOONWORTHY TOO. I'M SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS! CAN I DIE NOW? And please resurrect me to indulge another story like this!
March 18, 2025
Beautiful story. Pure happiness. 10/10
September 10, 2023
It's a rather "dense" manga (as in lots of panels and a lot more small moments captured than in your average manga), so I felt like it had a certain depth. I enjoyed all the dates and the pining was excellent.
August 6, 2024
main character is in his 40s, which makes this story even more adorable!
i loved how the relationship developed and the story unfolded. Norzue and and Tagawa deserve to be happy!
i loved how the relationship developed and the story unfolded. Norzue and and Tagawa deserve to be happy!
August 11, 2024
Love is not limited to the young. “Old-Fashioned Cupcake” by Sagan Sagan is a slice of life, romantic story between two people who are past their twenties. There is an age gap of ten years since Nozue is about 40 and Togawa is about 30 but even though it seems important to Nozue, it is not really the main issue. The point is that they discover their love for each other and Togawa helps Nozue step out of his comfort zone and experience life.
The setting is an office environment where Nozue is a kind and considerate boss and Togawa is his assistant. This professional relationship is more of an issue than the age gap, because the blossoming romance does need to navigate office politics. But again, this is more the context than the main conflict.
The book focuses on their sweet courtship, because they decide to behave like teenage girls by going to pancake places and cafes, which are usually frequented by women rather than men. These excursions turn into implicit dates and all the while Togawa is trying to make his feelings for Nozue turn into a reciprocal relationship. Togawa may be the younger person, but is he the more proactive and more willing to put himself out there. Nozue is emotionally shut down and needs Togawa’s help to open up.
This is a sweet, awkward love story between two people trying to live a life that is true to them. At the end of the book they manage to make it to the bedroom and there are some fairly steamy scenes in the bonus story.
The setting is an office environment where Nozue is a kind and considerate boss and Togawa is his assistant. This professional relationship is more of an issue than the age gap, because the blossoming romance does need to navigate office politics. But again, this is more the context than the main conflict.
The book focuses on their sweet courtship, because they decide to behave like teenage girls by going to pancake places and cafes, which are usually frequented by women rather than men. These excursions turn into implicit dates and all the while Togawa is trying to make his feelings for Nozue turn into a reciprocal relationship. Togawa may be the younger person, but is he the more proactive and more willing to put himself out there. Nozue is emotionally shut down and needs Togawa’s help to open up.
This is a sweet, awkward love story between two people trying to live a life that is true to them. At the end of the book they manage to make it to the bedroom and there are some fairly steamy scenes in the bonus story.
May 9, 2025
Review for the complete series/Volumes 1-2*
I picked up Old-Fashioned Cupcake because I watched the live adaptation a year or so ago. I absolutely loved the drama series and thus wanted to familiarise myself with the source material. Both versions are quite different from most of its genre tackling some interesting subjects and being thoughtful - it left me reflecting on my own life and nodding in agreement with the main characters' discoveries. That being said, while this is also a beautiful manga, I ultimately preferred the drama. That's not to throw any shade on the manga version, it's also largely just personal taste. For one, I didn't love the art and probably wouldn't have picked it up for that reason alone. I also simply preferred the actors' portrayal of the main characters. There were times I found myself a little frustrated with them in the manga while the live action variants were endearing with all their faults.
Nozue, an almost 40 year old, whose life largely rovolves around work has fallen into a rather jaded routine. He seems equally unhappy and indifferent to how is life going and blames it on age. Enter his younger colleague Togawa who challanges Nozue's outlook; together they start to go out to try new things - food, activities - that Nozue's perceives as something intended for young people.
While not explicitly written out that way, what I took away from this series was that age is a perception and you're largely as old or young as you make yourself out to be. It also looked into what causes a person to feel that way and I definitely found myself guilty of one; a monotonous routine can make time feel like it's moving a lot faster.
Ultimately, Nozue and Togawa also develop feelings for eachother which adds more conflicting thoughts for the former; with a 10 year age gap and him being Togawa's senior at work, he sees a rocky road ahead of them and struggles with all the changes this might bring to their lives.
While I sometimes felt a little frustrated with Nozue for thinking things over a little too much, I think this is a really well thoughtout and heartfelt story. For the art and slightly softer personalities shown in the drama, I would recommend the tv show before the source material. But at the same time, this is a case where I'd say: why not both?
* this review is for volumes one and two. Volume one can be read as a standalone with the second being a direct sequel. Both have a conclusive ending and are, albeit in a slightly different order, covered in the drama. It looks like the author might be adding more volumes but as of now, this functions perfectly as a duology.
October 23, 2021
I usually don't do age differences (39 vs 29 yr olds) nor do I do middle aged characters in my romances but this was genuinely so nice!
The protagonist, 39-year-old Nozue, leads a comfortable but very repetitive life, where every day looks the same; he lives alone, he cooks for himself, he goes go work where he's liked by everyone, and then he comes home to his empty place. This simplicity in his routine eases him; yet he finds himself in a slump where he is weighed down by the passage of time. He just does not enjoy anything the same way any more.
His subordinate at work, Togawa, notices this and so intends to rectify this.
Their relationship was so gradual but healthy and shown in such a beautiful way! And the DOMESTICITY. I'm hurt.
It is slow paced and cute and funny and I'm just wAITING FOR THE NEXT UPDATES BECAUSE PLEASE. THE PART WHERE IT LEFT OF......now why would anyone do this to me.
Overall rating: 5/5 stars!!!!!
The protagonist, 39-year-old Nozue, leads a comfortable but very repetitive life, where every day looks the same; he lives alone, he cooks for himself, he goes go work where he's liked by everyone, and then he comes home to his empty place. This simplicity in his routine eases him; yet he finds himself in a slump where he is weighed down by the passage of time. He just does not enjoy anything the same way any more.
His subordinate at work, Togawa, notices this and so intends to rectify this.
Their relationship was so gradual but healthy and shown in such a beautiful way! And the DOMESTICITY. I'm hurt.
It is slow paced and cute and funny and I'm just wAITING FOR THE NEXT UPDATES BECAUSE PLEASE. THE PART WHERE IT LEFT OF......now why would anyone do this to me.
Overall rating: 5/5 stars!!!!!
January 23, 2022
this was so soft. I enjoyed the slow plot and that the story mostly focused on them spending time together - it gave time to their feelings to grow and made it more realistic! (4.11)
September 1, 2023
El drama tiene mucho tiempo en mi lista, pero cuando me salió la recomendación del manga en Amazon, no dudé en que tenía que leerlo primero.
Me gustó mucho, me sentí bastante identificada con los sentimientos de Nozue, a pesar de la diferencia de edad y los amé a él y a Tagawa <3
Me gustó mucho, me sentí bastante identificada con los sentimientos de Nozue, a pesar de la diferencia de edad y los amé a él y a Tagawa <3
January 22, 2025
It was a bit predictable, but overall, it was a nice relaxing read—bonus points for there not being any miscommunication nonsense drama.
December 6, 2023
"What's new must grow old, but it can always be polished back to shine. You taught me how, but I'm older than you. I think I'll be a little better at it than you are.
Better at it tomorrow than today. Better still in two days. Even better yet in a year. Hell, give me five years and I'll be a pro at it, I'm sure. And then, when you're old enough to look back in regret at five years gone, I'll have so many things I can teach you."
five whole stars simply for being so sweet, my teeth almost ached :')
i adore the art style in this. it made all of nozue and togawa's interactions so much more fun and sweet, and i loved how much togawa teased nozue to make him blush. the story starts out a little solemn due to nozue's complicated feelings at being almost 40 and not feeling he's accomplished much in life to make it feel exciting. for togawa to step in and have him explore so many fun things like trying new food and gossiping about embarrassing things added a shine to nozue's eyes that you can see so clearly in the art. i loved seeing nozue become more comfortable with potentially breaking boundaries, eventually feeling so at home with togawa that he could make the most expressive faces when before, he was mostly quiet.
the bonus stories at the end really cinched the 5-star for me because it made me see that i could read all the little slice-of-life details of their established relationship forever and not get bored. which means i will definitely be reading their other story as soon as i can.
i'm happy that nozue has someone like togawa in his life and even more that togawa has someone to show much affection towards who will show him the same. they deserve to live a life filled with small regrets that gives them the chance to try more new things. together <3
(p.s. was not expecting the explicit sexual content to actually be on page, visuals and all lol togawa will never fail to find a way to tease nozue, that is the love of his life)
Better at it tomorrow than today. Better still in two days. Even better yet in a year. Hell, give me five years and I'll be a pro at it, I'm sure. And then, when you're old enough to look back in regret at five years gone, I'll have so many things I can teach you."
five whole stars simply for being so sweet, my teeth almost ached :')
i adore the art style in this. it made all of nozue and togawa's interactions so much more fun and sweet, and i loved how much togawa teased nozue to make him blush. the story starts out a little solemn due to nozue's complicated feelings at being almost 40 and not feeling he's accomplished much in life to make it feel exciting. for togawa to step in and have him explore so many fun things like trying new food and gossiping about embarrassing things added a shine to nozue's eyes that you can see so clearly in the art. i loved seeing nozue become more comfortable with potentially breaking boundaries, eventually feeling so at home with togawa that he could make the most expressive faces when before, he was mostly quiet.
the bonus stories at the end really cinched the 5-star for me because it made me see that i could read all the little slice-of-life details of their established relationship forever and not get bored. which means i will definitely be reading their other story as soon as i can.
i'm happy that nozue has someone like togawa in his life and even more that togawa has someone to show much affection towards who will show him the same. they deserve to live a life filled with small regrets that gives them the chance to try more new things. together <3
(p.s. was not expecting the explicit sexual content to actually be on page, visuals and all lol togawa will never fail to find a way to tease nozue, that is the love of his life)
August 28, 2022
Bon, c'était juste super mignon, cette romance adolescente autour d'un trentenaire et d'un quarantenaire, qui fonctionne bien avec le thème du personnage central qui a l'impression d'être un peu à la ramasse, à un âge qu'il juge dépassé et beaucoup d'ennui dans son quotidien. Le dessin est aussi très agréable, avec ces petites touches délicates et sucrées qui vont bien avec l'histoire.
Donc, même si ça me laisse en fin de compte assez indifférente, et que je l'oublierai assez vite, ce n'est juste que la résultante de mes goûts qui ont changé, ainsi que mes envies...
Donc, même si ça me laisse en fin de compte assez indifférente, et que je l'oublierai assez vite, ce n'est juste que la résultante de mes goûts qui ont changé, ainsi que mes envies...
February 2, 2022
Un manga plus adulte, des préoccupations et réflexions plus mâtures, c’est très plaisant et je me suis vraiment attachée aux personnages 😍
May 15, 2022
Très chouette manga ! Les personnages sont réalistes et ont des réflexions cohérentes avec leur situation, ça fonctionne très bien. En plus, graphiquement c’est super joli.
January 16, 2024
my babies, my loves, my battle, my pride and joy, my everything
August 29, 2023
maybe i do wanna fall in love
Read
January 30, 2024starting the new year out by fujoing out. fuck that old man 2024.
January 1, 2024
4.5/5stars
this one overall was just truly a good story - the characters are very dynamic, their worries and concerns are real, and I love their relationship together. Again, I love that we are normalizing people still figuring things out - the MC in this is almost 40 and realizes he wants to change his life. Also the art style in this is VERY unique - I really liked it!!
this one overall was just truly a good story - the characters are very dynamic, their worries and concerns are real, and I love their relationship together. Again, I love that we are normalizing people still figuring things out - the MC in this is almost 40 and realizes he wants to change his life. Also the art style in this is VERY unique - I really liked it!!
July 7, 2025
I love it so much. It’s incredibly healing to watch Sanae Nozue bloom again after decades of stillness. This is why humans are awesome sometimes when they help someone light up again, simply through love and care. Because they do love them. I love it. I wish I could throw it into a blender, make a milkshake out of it, and drink it. I genuinely believe it might heal me too.
February 3, 2025
Story: 4/5 ⭐️
Audio Performance: N/A 🎙️
Spice level: 2/5 🌶️
Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
A good start to a slice of life age gap relationship. This volume focuses on how their relationship develops from boss-subordinate to partners.
Audio Performance: N/A 🎙️
Spice level: 2/5 🌶️
Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
A good start to a slice of life age gap relationship. This volume focuses on how their relationship develops from boss-subordinate to partners.
January 27, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Super sweet.
Super sweet.
January 28, 2024
old man yaoi 🫡
November 6, 2022
Un très adorable manga BL qui a pour prémisse un jeune homme (Togawa, 29) qui propose à son supérieur (Nozue, 39) d'aller expérimenter des pâtisseries suite à la remarque que Nozue se sent vieillir et qu'il aimerait bien ressentir l'insouciance des jeunes filles qu'il observe en train de prendre un selfie.
S'en suit une romance qui se développe sur plusieurs chapitres avec Nozue qui se sent rajeunir sans vraiment s'intérroger sur la cause réel de ses sentiments pendant que Togawa peine à mener la relation plus loin. Avec, évidemment, des hauts et des bas dans la relation grandissante, causée par des quiproquos des fois, par des attitudes cavalière de l'un ou de l'autre et par certaines attentes sociales et de travail qui leurs sont imposées.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié la présence de deux chapitres bonus après le manga pour explorer la relation un peu plus loin dans leur cohabitation et voir où elle s'en allait.
C'est un très beau et bon BL dans l'ensemble, avec juste ce qu'il faut de tension, de très nombreux double-entendre qui font sourire, et une belle progression et esthétique générale qui dépassait les simples préconceptions de sortir avec une personne pour se sentir plus jeune. La différence d'âge est très souvent soulignée (de manière comique ou sérieuse) ainsi que la position hiérarchique inégale et bien que ce n'est pas questionnée de manière très sérieuse (je sens quand même la critique du fantasme toutefois quand on parle des autres subordonnées qui imaginent d'autres situations), dans cette situation de travail, on sent que les différences ne sont pas si grandes que ça non plus (sinon qu'au niveau des référents) et reste dans les relations éthiques.
S'en suit une romance qui se développe sur plusieurs chapitres avec Nozue qui se sent rajeunir sans vraiment s'intérroger sur la cause réel de ses sentiments pendant que Togawa peine à mener la relation plus loin. Avec, évidemment, des hauts et des bas dans la relation grandissante, causée par des quiproquos des fois, par des attitudes cavalière de l'un ou de l'autre et par certaines attentes sociales et de travail qui leurs sont imposées.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié la présence de deux chapitres bonus après le manga pour explorer la relation un peu plus loin dans leur cohabitation et voir où elle s'en allait.
C'est un très beau et bon BL dans l'ensemble, avec juste ce qu'il faut de tension, de très nombreux double-entendre qui font sourire, et une belle progression et esthétique générale qui dépassait les simples préconceptions de sortir avec une personne pour se sentir plus jeune. La différence d'âge est très souvent soulignée (de manière comique ou sérieuse) ainsi que la position hiérarchique inégale et bien que ce n'est pas questionnée de manière très sérieuse (je sens quand même la critique du fantasme toutefois quand on parle des autres subordonnées qui imaginent d'autres situations), dans cette situation de travail, on sent que les différences ne sont pas si grandes que ça non plus (sinon qu'au niveau des référents) et reste dans les relations éthiques.
January 12, 2024
I enjoyed this! As much as I like reading about high school romances, I've been craving something different lately and this hits the spot. The way their relationship progresses feels natural and is really satisfying to watch. My only complaint is that Togawa can be more flushed out. He feels a little flat compared to Nozue. As for the art, I have nothing but praises. Sagan is a brilliant mangaka: they know when a page needs to be busy and when it needs room to breathe so certain moments can stand out. The paneling here are more complex than you would normally see in a manga yet never feel exhausting to get through, which is something I struggled with in Haikyuu!!. Another thing that strikes me is Sagan's knack for depicting conversations. They have a good grasp of pacing and can make scenes where two characters are talking engaging, which most comic artists struggle with. Would definitely recommend this, cannot wait to see more of their work.
May 14, 2021
Najlepsze boys love jak przeczytałam w tym roku!
June 2, 2021
I love that characters here aren't another shy teenagers, who don't know anything about life, but mature and smart men!! Really loved this manga <33 hoping for sequel in my language 😳
October 31, 2021
segunda vez que lo leo, 31 oct. ¿por qué le coloqué 4 estrellas antes, si me encantaaaa? Que bonita relación en verdad y todo el crecimiento de la pareja, amo este slow burn
Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews