TOP MANGA OF THE WEEK

Three delusional high school boys weave an intricate tale as they search for the meaning of life, love, and everything in between.

Ichita and Hiromu are childhood friends and neighbors. But when Hiromu sees Ichita making out with another guy, he calls it "disgusting" and stops speaking to Ichita. Does Ichita just want his friend back? Or does he want something more from Hiromu?

From Attractive Fascinante: Ch. 1-3: Kazuma, a yakuza, got shot and was saved by the heir of a tea ceremony family, Shibata Yukihiro. Yukihiro, being the illegitimate son, never allowed himself to ask for anything. Kazuma was the only one that Yukihiro had wanted to protect even though the burden that Kazuma carried was too dangerous. What should they do? A very in-depth story revolving around the Japanese traditions and the underworld and how the gentle and delicate Yukihiro and a powerful Kazuma managed to influence each other to find their true self. Ch. 4 - At First Sight Liam Brink, a university student, has a bit of an usual hobby - 'observing Maddox,' Maddox being another university student. The two have never spoken to each other until one day when Liam is knocked down by another student and his glasses are broken. Ch. 5 - Cry for the Sun Ethan's father just passed away. During the funeral, Ethan is torn by feelings of hatred towards the man that was absent through much of his life, though he doesn't understand the root of these feelings. Suddenly, he notices a mysterious weeping man at the edge of the funeral service that he doesn't recognize, but deep in his heart he somehow knows him - how can this be? Ch.6 - Garance A continuation of Kazuma and Yukihiro's story.

Iizuka's gay, and unfortunately for him it's an open secret among his co-workers, who all but whisper about it the second he turns his back. Even worse, he begins falling for his new boss, Takase--at least until they go out drinking one night and Iizuka wakes up the next morning with no memory of what happened.

From Attractive Fascinante: A sexy and cool French restaurant boss, Sonobe Munekazu, suddenly appeared in front of Hisaya and took him home after saving Hisaya from his violent ex-lover. Hisaya started working in the restaurant later while staying together with boss. Love sparks flew and jealousy arose when the boss's friend, Nagamori Kyou, appeared. Hisaya began to doubt himself and the boss. Was there a real reason for the boss to pick up a total stranger?

Upbeat Ritsuro and downbeat Ken have been longtime friends. Although Ken leads a dark life of prostitution after dropping out of high school, Ritsuro still cares about him. When Ritsuro realizes that what Ken wants is something more than friendship he vacillates between Ken and his girlfriend Moeko, setting the stage for a bizarre love triangle.

Fuji Azuma is thrilled to have the chance to spend two whole weeks with his adorable 8-years-younger nephew Taira, head over heels for the kid and the proudest uncle there ever was. But when he learns at the end of their time together that Taira and his mother are moving overseas, he's shocked to receive a parting kiss and a vow that Taira won't return "until I'm taller than you, Azuma-san." Four years later...and Taira's back to make good on his promise.

Yuuto has been living for years with Hisataka but he's wondering what are his true feelings for his lover since in the beginning, he accepted the relationship without being in love with Hisataka...

Honda is a pharmacist who is overworked due to the hospitalization of his co-worker (who he's secretly in love with). Luckily, one of his customers, Sasashi, turns out to be a doctor who is looking for a job. Honda immediately hires him, but then learns that not only was he fired from his previous job for embezzling, but he's a notorious playboy too.

The Sequel to; 'Signal' and prequel to "Hatsukoi no Atosaki" From Attractive Fascinante: Sakaki, a president of an import interior company, wouldn’t get serious with anyone. He became afraid when he started to care about Okada, a hetero. Sakaki couldn’t remember anything when he found himself waking up in Okada’s home. With Okada’s unconscious speech and conduct, Sakaki felt bothered. Will the storm calm down?

Izumi starts high school on a low note. For some unknown reason, rumors refer to him as the notorious Izumi, a thug who loves to fight. The truth is dramatically different. Izumi is the housekeeper for his widowed father, and spends his after-school free time doing the shopping, cooking and cleaning. He doesn't have the time or energy for friends, so his bad reputation actually is useful. But what is the problem with Segawa and Sawatari? Why are the school idols always being so friendly with him? Don't they know about his reputation? What sort of friendship do they have in mind anyway? Why does Izumi start to feel like a ham-bone caught between two hound dogs?

Far away from home, Yuuji and Minato have carved a place for themselves in Alberta, Canada, with their new baby daughter, Yui. Yuuji works at a University, while Minato – though still as childish as ever despite being a new dad, works at the conservation center as a mediator for the better understanding between humans and Dinosauroids. It’s been a year since the contagion called X Syndrome had been unleashed on the human race. Just as distinguished government officials and police force began to regain control of the situation, the existence of the Dinosauroids became known by the academic community. Dinosauroids – while they have a tendency to possess superhuman abilities, female births are extremely rare and problematic. Which is why the existence of Yuuji (a converted female Dinosauroid), and the newly born Yui are so valuable and sought after by many – most of whom wont hesitate to resort to dubious means to acquire either one of them! True to words, Yuuji has indeed become the beauty as many had predicted – provided he takes off his heavy glasses of course! He is never short of admirers – both males and females, including a University student Linea, and the various Dinosauroid males eager to mate with a Dinosauroid female. And this is where the role of a female in a heavily populated male Dinosauroid society comes to play. Add to that, the various nefarious people after the newly born Yui, both the parents Yuuji and Minato might have their hands full this time around as well. This is the third and final installment of the Animal X series.

Kazuma is a shy high-schooler who happens to be gay, and in love with a popular and handsome, Ayase. A while later, Ayase befriends Kazuma, having found out that Kazuma is gay, and admits that he too is gay, and convinces Kazuma to go out with him. Yet all Ayase does is have sex with Kazuma, causing Kazuma to feel insecure, are they dating or are they just sex buddies?

To his co-workers, Shin Yuukare appears to be the perfect elite--efficient, unruffled, and flawless, unlike his clumsy and easily flustered subordinate Mizusawa. It'd be hard to find greater opposites anywhere and yet when the puppy-like Mizusawa confesses to his idol, no one's more surprised than Mizusawa when Shin accepts and they start dating. But perhaps life is relative and no matter how elite you are there's always someone else you just can't measure up to and sometimes the most hopeless person move mountains if the right person believes in them. Can Mizusawa help Shin get out of the shadow of his little brother and can Shin let Mizusawa bask in the warmth of his heart?

From DMP: A collection of romance stories. We begin with the title piece, in which a concubine falls head over heels for his king. But what happens when the king's ambitions blind him to that love? Several short stories follow: Hibana, a troubled circus acrobat finds comfort in the arms of another of the circus' performers. But there's more twists to the story than Hibana's flips through the air. In the next story, a loving servant of a prince lets himself be put under a magic spell in order to spend one cherished night with him. The following yarn is about Canary, a very unusual boy who is owned by an old woman who exploits his talents, and the young stranger who meets him and teaches him about love. The manga concludes with two stories of students Okabe and Hidaka, and their exploration of their feelings for each other.

(adapted from cottonholic on nihonomaru): Fujiwara is a man of unusual tastes—he finds plain-looking, borderline unattractive men appealing. And Karahashi, his lover and middle school teammate, has started to be insecure about this. What will he do to keep Fujiwara’s attention? Continuation of chapter 4 of Shiranai Kao (Fujiwara meets his old classmate Karahashi again after several years. But Karahashi's appearance has completely changed!)

1-3) Imperfect Love Spell First year Ueda isn't interested in joining any of the clubs until Momotani Yuushi, crybaby vice-president of the supernatural club runs into him. Unable to leave his pathetic (and adorable) sempai alone, Ueda finds himself drawn into the increasingly odd life of the supernatural club. 4) Yowareru Karada- A swimming lesson reveals ulterior motives between a sempai and his cute kouhai. 5) Doukashiteiru!- Manager Muroi is regarded as attractive but clumsy and hopeless as marriage material by the girls in the office. Good thing there's adorable and sincere Ogawa and stoic Taki to take his mind off his hopeless love life. 6) The Power of Pants (Pasokon no Pa wa Pantsu no Pa)- Computer geek and general otaku Takahashi considers himself undersized, but only has porn to compare himself to. Takahashi's recently struck up an unlikely friendship with jock Miyamoto. Maybe this could be his chance to compare size... 7) You're Still Standing at the Same Place, Looking at the Same Sky- Sou always admired Ryu sempai from the aeronautics club and his close relationship with Komori sempai. Two years later Sou runs into them and finds out Komori is getting married. Can he replace Komori in Ryu's affection?

A collection of five short stories:1) RikaraSeiten is the illegitimate son of the King. He's considered to be an insult to his kind and his brothers make fun of him by humiliating him and his position. It's thanks to Rikara, a prisoner (or as Seiten would say: a fallen angel) that he finds the strength to fight and win back his life.2) Rougoku ni Saku HanaA stern magistrate, Hakuto, is habouring unrequitted love for a superior and seeks a quiet spot i which to shed his tears but finds more than he imagined in the form of forgotten prisoner Doukoku.3) Lingering Attachment (Miren)After all else is destroyed a general and his lord come to know each other's feelings. 4) Bed de Kimi toAfter graduating high school two soccer team mates enjoy life as newly weds but have problems finding time to be alone.5) Tag Out!When baseball captain Tamaki hit a stray ball into the principal's office he never expected it would lead to him becoming a servant for the young, handsome and rich school alumni Shinobu.NOTE: Chapters 1-3 are set in ancient China, whereas chapters 4-5 are set in the modern day Japan.

Collection of short stories: 1) Anohito to Nitenai Kuchibiru Kaji was in love with his sempai for years but his sempai got married and had a child. Kaji takes care of the kid and watches him growing up... 2) Kuchibiru Kara Biyaku Sequel to Anohito to Nitenai Kuchibiru 3) Blood When their father dies, the rival half brothers must sort through their feelings of anger, regret, pain and desire that their lives have been steeped in thus far... 4) Kagari Oni An exorcist solves a mystery involving demons. Not really a romance, just a historical fantasy story. 5) Datenshitachi no Yoru S&M relationship between step siblings is taken to extremes. 6) Double Snake A former gangster has turned into a regular office worker, but he still sleeps with his gangster lover. But one of the newbies doesn't like the fact that his favorite 'boss' is having a relationship with an office worker.

After winning a match with Shinonome, the strongest guy in school, Shinonome pursues Kanai romantically for some reason. At first Kanai is confused, but being touched by Shinonome's purity, his feelings gradually begin to sway... He even dreams of being with Shinonome! What could this mean!?

From Nakama: One day, Katsuragi Megumi, a café manager, came across a deeply wounded patissier, Honda Yuuji. Since then, Honda has helped out at Megumi's café. Even though Megumi is much older and a bit clumsy, his cuteness truly touched Honda. One night, Honda sees Megumi screaming some man's name while masturbating. Seeing such an obscene Megumi, Honda realizes that he actually loves Megumi.

From Blissful Sin: Asuka is the lover of his stepbrother, Rei. However, the differences in their personalities, the appearance of a rival, and other obstacles! This is the story of their love overcoming perversion.

Senoo Kaoru falls in love with an attractive freshman he meets at the library, Shinohara Akira. Shinohara Souya is unable to let go of the memory of his beloved. And Akira is a lonely boy starving for love. No matter how strongly they wish for it, these feelings wrenching their hearts can never be requited. A secret past binds them together; and the shocking truth will be revealed in the end. What fate awaits these beasts hungry for love, in this tragic story by Hakutou Noriko?

A kingdom's ruling faction sends out a secret agent to find the kingdom's missing prince. Love begins to grow between the missing prince and the agent sent to find him but political intrigue intervenes upon their arrival in the kingdom.