Junjou Romantica

A compelling plot, though initially I was puzzled by the seemingly random characters introduced in each volume. However, discovering how they were all interconnected surprised me and heightened my desire to read further. The seme and uke characters consistently follow a similar style and preference (older seme and younger brat), with no role reversals, yet it remains enjoyable. The distinctions among the characters lie in their divergent life paths that ultimately lead them to meet and shape their destinies together.

Junjou Romantica, a series that supposedly portrays wholesome and interesting romance between well-drawn characters… in some alternate universe, perhaps. Instead, what we get is a rape within the first 22 pages of chapter 1, presented as an ideal way to kickstart a relationship.

Seriously, the manga transitions from an explicit depiction of rape involving a character who looks underage to a scene where the assailant and the victim casually chat over tea, completely ignoring what just transpired. The scenario can be summed up as A: "Hi, I brought you soup" B: "Welcome to the rape cave, lol," followed by casual conversation? The transition from rape to romance doesn't even give the poor guy time to breathe; it's instant brainwashing for BL purposes. Maybe one day, writers of BL will realize that gay people don’t start dating by raping someone.

"Something happens, but it literally doesn’t matter to the story" is a recurring theme in Junjou Romantica. The goal isn’t to tell a story but to come up with a short exchange before sex, then draw said sex. That’s the depth of storytelling you should expect, and even then, you’ll likely be disappointed.

But the story isn’t the worst part of this manga – it’s just average yaoi storytelling. What truly stands out is the horrendous art. Seriously, the very first chapter features beautiful artwork with anatomy so hideous that one character’s finger is literally the length of another character’s head. And this is far from the only instance. This manga makes you realize that the "yaoi hands" meme is not an exaggeration. You won’t understand how terrible the art is until you see it. It’s on a level that makes you want to start a charity called "Lessons on Basic Anatomy for BL Authors." The art is so bad it couldn’t have survived outside the yaoi genre—or maybe could have as some bottom-of-the-barrel shoujo manga. Only in the latest volume does the art start to look slightly less goofy. Yes, it took about two decades of publishing for the artist to improve from eye-cancer imagery to tolerable doodles.

If only it were just the art style that was bad, but no, the composition is absolutely terrible. In fact, you might better understand what’s happening if you tried divining it from a bowl of dog water rather than from the actual pages of this manga. The only joy I derived from this manga’s art is screenshotting the worst parts and sharing them in a group chat for laughs.

Returning to the story, most chapters consist of silly relationship drama straight out of Hallmark movies, followed by a kiss, followed by some (badly drawn) sex. But hey, it has penises, which satisfies the usual needs of readers of this type of fiction. There’s no reason at all to care about the story other than just liking boys fucking each other.

I think the only reason Junjou Romantica is popular is that it’s from the early 00s when demand for BL skyrocketed, but also when most BL manga were just 1 volume long, so the demographic longed for longer-running series, even if said series is basically recycling scenarios from shorter titles. There is literally nothing original or unique about Junjou Romantica, not even anything slightly out of the mold.

Shungiku Nakamura is best known for her manga "Junjou Romantica (Pure Romance)," which features three interconnected stories that share similar themes such as significant age gaps, jealousy, love triangles, and unrequited love. Despite focusing on three couples, the primary couple, Usagi and Misaki, receives the most attention but shows minimal development. Without the other two stories, "Junjou Romantica" would be less enjoyable.

The narratives can become predictable, with each story starting with a major issue resolved over a few chapters, followed by quick resolutions of random problems in subsequent chapters. While these challenges help depict the struggles of same-sex relationships, more drama-free chapters would be appreciated. The extras, however, compensate with their cuteness and humor, particularly through awkward scenes and exaggerated character reactions.

The stories are ordered based on relationship development from most to least:

Junjou Egoist

This story has excellent pacing. The couple grows individually through early relationship complications, leading to less intense later dramas. New issues arise due to their demanding jobs, and it takes time for them to openly communicate. Nowaki's cheerful personality adds comedy and charm, while Hiroki’s tsundere attitude can be extreme, sometimes violently so. However, Hiroki gradually opens up, showing kindness, and Nowaki’s reactions are adorable. Their relationship, despite spending little time together, feels the most realistic among the three.

Junjou Terrorist

This tale involves a 35-year-old college professor (Miyagi) and an 18-year-old high school student (Shinobu), adding a thrilling dynamic since Miyagi was Shinobu's sister's ex-husband. Unlike the others, external factors don't escalate the drama; it remains within their relationship. Shinobu's straightforwardness can be annoying, often causing issues by yelling and sulking until Miyagi resolves them. Miyagi’s blend of seriousness and playfulness makes their relationship engaging. Their moments together are delightful and humorous, though Shungiku focuses on them less than the other couples.

Junjou Romantica

Misaki starts as a promising tsundere, affectionate towards Usagi, but things deteriorate primarily due to Misaki’s indecisiveness and immaturity. After four years living together, their relationship remains static. Usagi consistently initiates intimacy, but Misaki’s mixed feelings create a standstill. Their sexual encounters lack excitement compared to the other couples, with Misaki aggressively opposing then reluctantly giving in. This inconsistency makes their mutual feelings confusing.

Their story introduces numerous characters who repeatedly cause unnecessary drama, disrupting Misaki and Usagi's alone time. Resolved issues recur endlessly, making the plot repetitive. Shungiku’s artwork improves in later volumes, with clearer panels and detailed emotional expressions. The sex scenes are graphic yet pleasing, and chibis add brightness, although identical-looking characters can confuse some scenes.

Overall, including three stories enriches "Junjou Romantica." While flawed, "Terrorist" and "Egoist" offer more satisfying progressions with mutual feelings and open communication. In contrast, the main story stagnates, needing earlier development or more focus on the other couples to enhance appeal.

When I began reading this, I was quite taken aback by the explicit content. However, as I delved deeper into the story and got to know the characters, I became so captivated that I abandoned my initial thought of stopping. Gradually, you become accustomed to all the intimate scenes :P This was actually the first boyXboy romance I've ever read, and I must say, I give it a thumbs up ;)

JUNJOU ROMANTICA was my gateway into the world of yaoi, also known as Boy's Love. Before diving into it, I didn't have any specific expectations or preconceptions. My previous obsession with shoujo had kept me from exploring this genre. It all started when I watched the JUNJOU ROMANTICA anime and instantly fell head over heels in love. Upon discovering there was a manga version, I became hopelessly addicted! Wow, JUNJOU ROMANTICA was absolutely captivating; I couldn't get enough of it!

Misaki is struggling academically and dreams of getting into university. Fortunately, his brother's best friend, Usami Akihito, steps in to tutor him. Misaki soon learns that Usami harbors feelings for his brother and, aside from being a renowned novelist, secretly writes Boys' Love novels, sometimes incorporating people he knows, like Misaki's brother. Initially, Misaki and Usami don't hit it off, but they gradually grow closer. Usami eventually falls for Misaki due to his kind and caring nature.

I adore both Misaki and Akihito. They are incredibly amusing together. Akihito is very direct about his emotions, while Misaki avoids anything romantic. Their story is endearing: an older man falling for a high schooler and trying to win his heart. I loved how their relationship evolved from mutual dislike to genuine care over just a couple of chapters. The only downside is that I'm not particularly fond of the artwork. It's not terrible, but it's not my favorite either. Thankfully, the art improves significantly in later volumes.

JUNJOU ROMANTICA features three different couples, each connected to at least one person from another couple. The second couple introduced in volume 1 is Hiroki and Nowaki, known as the Junjou Egoist pair. Hiroki, Akihito's childhood friend, has long harbored unrequited feelings for him, making it a heartbreaking read. When Nowaki enters his life, things begin to change. Overall, if you're new to yaoi, I highly recommend JUNJOU ROMANTICA. Watching the anime is a must too; it offers even more laughs and enjoyment!

I truly adore this story! I have already read all the chapters up to now and I simply can't stop enjoying it, even though I've been reading it for many years. It was my first time reading a yaoi manga, and I think it was a good decision because even if you don't particularly like this genre (yaoi-shonen ai), you might still enjoy the story. It's like a shoujo story but with all the complexities of a same-sex relationship.

It's amusing to see all the situations around them; it can make you laugh and then feel deeply moved (okay, maybe not cry, but you really feel something in your chest). A romantic manga that makes you unable to put it down! Especially as you progress through the story and more characters are introduced.

(Sorry for my bad English UU)

I only read one chapter of Junjou Romantica, and it was the most disturbing content I have ever encountered. A child being sexually assaulted by a 28-year-old man is portrayed as a sweet beginning to their relationship. This is genuinely one of the most disgusting and repulsive things I've ever come across, and it's shameful for anyone to enjoy it. Furthermore, the artwork is absolutely the worst I've ever seen. Characters are illustrated with an almost amateurish level of incompetence, featuring awkwardly angled chins and the notorious "yaoi hands" on every page. Backgrounds range from non-existent to completely indecipherable. The combination of pedophilia, the cutesy portrayal of rape, and the overall poor quality makes Junjou Romantica the most unappealing thing I’ve ever read. It’s alarming that this series is so popular. This isn't cute or well-written; it's simply vile. You should feel ashamed for liking it. I despise you.

At the time of reading, I have completed three volumes.

Note: This also includes Junjo Egoist.

This manga is progressing nicely. We are gradually learning more about the characters, and the focus is shifting back to Romantica rather than Egoist, making the manga truer to its title. From a yaoi perspective, this manga has everything you need – an appropriate amount of explicit scenes mixed with tender moments and a touch of shyness. It's a yaoi fangirl's dream.

In terms of story and plot, Egoist is advancing better than Romantica. However, from the beginning, Egoist had more mystery, providing more to uncover. Romantica is more about observing the relationship's progression rather than being full of twists and turns. In that sense, they differ but the author has done a commendable job making both stories enjoyable and engaging.

The characters are well-designed for their roles and are developing nicely. This is especially true in Romantica, where Misaki and Usami evolve as their relationship deepens.

The current letdown for me is Egoist. As the backstory unfolds, I feel somewhat confused. It seems like everything is happening too fast; before we get to know the characters in the present, we're plunged into their past.

On the other hand, Romantica has captured my heart. I can't wait to read volume four, hoping it’s filled with plenty of Romantica chapters.

If you enjoy your yaoi graphic with a dash of shipping, then pick this one up. It took me three volumes to fall in love with it, but it's worth it.

Nanashi Moriko *definitely a Romantica fan girl*

24/08/07