One Night with the Conglomerate Son

In all truth, this ranks among the least problematic yaoi series I've encountered thus far, despite its inherent twists. My appreciation for it stems from its candid acceptance of a gay relationship as one between two men—not a dynamic involving a submissive man and an aggressively dominant alpha male, which often perpetuates heteronormative misconceptions.

That said, the story's challenging aspects primarily stem from the characters' human nature, which I found strikingly authentic. Consequently, I appreciated this element. While I wasn't particularly enamored with the series due to personal disinterest in the plot, I acknowledge that the manga was objectively well-crafted. Let’s delve into specifics.

The narrative follows a conventional path, focusing on repressed sexual desires and the contrasting natures of individuals. Without giving away spoilers, clichés do surface, yet the portrayal of human nature remains undeniably realistic—a key reason I valued the storytelling approach—it felt genuine.

Moreover, the artwork is exceptionally clean, realistic, and skillfully executed, differing markedly from typical yaoi or shoujo styles where semes resemble slendermen. Notably, there are no seme or uke stereotypes in the art; discerning these roles proves difficult even upon deeper reading, a feature I greatly admired.

Regarding the characters, I personally found them less appealing (largely because I disapprove of infidelity), which biased me somewhat. However, they were well-written, though their actions occasionally frustrated me or left me questioning their motivations.

I enjoyed the manga enough to progress through it swiftly. Its standout qualities lie in avoiding heteronormativity and refraining from overly romanticized portrayals. These factors solidified my view of it as 'good.'

I recommend this if you: enjoy realistic love stories, appreciate explorations of human depravity, prefer shorter mangas, admire well-drawn works, dislike stereotypes, tire of seme/uke dynamics, or oppose heteronormativity in gay relationships/media.

I would not recommend this if you: favor the seme/uke structure, anticipate immediate full-on smut, or seek indisputably happy relationships/endings.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

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There will always be a manga with very obscure scenarios. Those with extensive narrations and dialogues that lead you into deep thought and reflection. Male homosexual relationships are intriguing, and "Kyuuso wa Cheese no Yume wo Miru" is particularly intriguing.

It is unmistakably a mouse trap.

If you ever thought about reading one of the most decent stories that includes homosexual relationships, you may consider this one. It interweaves art, characters, and plot into a flawless lacework with no strings left unwoven.

The story technically revolves around Kyouichi, a married man with a lot of adultery involved. And it seems that these little mistakes he has made have given a way for Imagase to create a new connection with him. Unfortunately, Imagase, a past underclassman of his, is a hired investigator for his wife. Imagase knows the bad stench of the relationship. Kyouichi’s gone frantic. He’s confused. He is dead meat if this news reaches his wife. But Imagase assures him that his little play arounds with different mistresses will end up like a bubble with an exchange of one little thing.

His body. Imagase wants it. He has wanted it ever since college days.

What makes "Kyuuso wa Cheese no Yume wo Miru" different from all the other mangas is the package itself. It’s simply alluring, deceiving, and blinding. One may dislike it for some imbecile reason; others may be totally into it. I may join the latter; I may also be the first. It is confusing. Beautiful. Really something sensible as a yaoi read.

Story-wise, the manga has given a new meaning to its league. It’s simple at first but definitely changes its pace towards the following chapters. It focuses on Kyouichi’s unfaithful, simple-minded, dense, and confusing train of thought. However, it also talks about some past events during their college days and Imagase’s view about Kyouichi. When looking from Imagase’s standpoint, it makes the story more depressing and bitter. The hardest part of his unrequited love is that he is in love with someone who is straight and indecisive. The only way to show him this kind of love is by forcing himself onto Kyouichi. The volume has numerous love-making scenes and dialogues along with it. Still, it retains the yaoi feel, only better.

The art is interesting in different ways. It sometimes focuses on the eyes, the lips, and other parts where it shows more affection, emotions, and compactness. All in all, the art is actually kaleidoscopic in a way. It’s sometimes intense and sometimes gentle. There is no stable and monochromic style in it. The scenes are different from the others. It communicates with the reader as if trying to say something behind the profile. The sexuality is occasionally in cold sobriety. The feelings are forced unto each other. The other may not want it; the other will. It defines two different people from different worlds. Not as equals, not as people on the same wavelength.

The characters deserve a grade of 100 out of 10. The way they were delivered is simply astounding. In terms of character portrayal, it is one of the best that I have come across. Kyouichi’s wavering feelings have left Imagase unable to hold back his emotionality. Imagase is temperamental for the time being. Why? Is it because he got his hopes up to where he thinks that Kyouichi might have a slightest chance to fall for him? Maybe. Or, maybe not.

Imagase’s nature is somehow childish. He wants to own Kyouichi. He’s possessive and doubtful of him when he is with the girls. These feelings germinated from the time they went into the same college up to when Kyouichi had gotten married. Is he a bad person? I don’t think so. I believe he’s just someone who can’t hold on to his feelings any longer. For several years, he had kept them. He treasured them as if he had hope. He did have.

Kyouichi is your run-of-the-mill playboy character. Not actually the type wherein he’s in a harem but he just sticks to whoever shows affection to him. May it be love or lust, he is easily swept away by feelings. Confused with Imagase and to his own sexuality, he fights back against the fact that he might be a homo. But beneath his inane decisions and thoughts, there is a hidden abashment of his own mistakes. He wants to renew himself, and he just didn’t know the right way to do it.

Beside the manga lie cigarette butts that remained untouched. The atmosphere reeks of cigarette. Whoever reads this piece of art may fall into deep slumber and dream that life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain.

I typically avoid yaoi. Occasionally, I do indulge in adult mangas, and yuri doesn't bother me, but the thought of sex scenes involving gay men usually makes me uneasy.

However, I must say that "Kyuuso wa Cheese no Yume wo Miru" stands out as the best adult manga I've ever read, and it's one of the few—whether adult or not—that genuinely portrays what a real homosexual relationship might look like.

I have always been interested in questioning and exploring sexuality. I believe sexual identity exists in a gray, ambiguous area where nothing should be rigidly labeled or defined. Kyouichi finds himself pondering similar thoughts as he develops a relationship with his college kouhai, Imagase. For them, sex represents the complete acceptance of each other's inner struggles. The characters are wonderfully flawed, gradually shedding the societal and conventional constraints that hinder them, revealing themselves simply as human beings.

The sex scenes are remarkably well-executed—they're invigorating and thrilling. Believe me, this comes from someone who initially disliked yaoi. There's no clear divide between the sex and the dialogues in between, so don't consider skipping them.

While the art isn't flawless, it aligns perfectly with the rest of the story. The boys are depicted in ways that highlight their sexual characteristics (Kyouichi as the more masculine type and Imagase as the more feminine).

Also, make sure to read the sequel. They enhance each other and provide deeper insight into Kyouichi's internal conflicts and a clearer understanding of Imagase's feelings for his sempai.

Ultimately, this manga left me reflecting on my own sexuality. If I were to meet an attractive gay woman who fell in love with me, how would I respond? Would I pursue it? Would it be just for the thrill? Could I call it love?

<p>Wow, this one truly left me in awe. I perceive it more as a psychological anti-romance rather than a typical BL. The primary allure lies in the character-driven drama and the relentless interpersonal tension between Imagase and Kyoichi, who resemble a cat-and-mouse duo. Both are portrayed as deeply flawed individuals—Kyoichi comes across as an utter doormat, manipulating those around him, while Imagase exhibits obsessive tendencies bordering on stalking. Their actions are neither excused nor sugarcoated within the narrative, creating a distinctive dynamic that sets their relationship apart, impacting not only themselves but also those surrounding them. The two find themselves ensnared in a never-ending cycle of jealousy, rejection, desire, and lust, with numerous unexpected twists and turns that kept me gripped and on the edge of my seat.</p>

Some individuals may take offense to the nature of the characters in the manga, but I certainly did not. It was both honest and enjoyable. The character development was brilliantly executed, with genuine inner turmoil, melodrama, and angst woven into the storyline. The manga's greatest strength undoubtedly lies in its character appeal. The two main protagonists are relatable; they are not mere constructs of typical shoujo excitement but possess real flaws, which they openly acknowledge. Themes such as doubt, confusion, trust, conformity, the pursuit of true love, and our aspirations for life are vividly portrayed on the pages. From the title, through the plot, to the characters themselves—everything is captivating. The artwork is also profoundly evocative. A hand grasp, a head pat, or falling tears—all rendered with great emotion. Give this manga a chance! <p>

There aren't many yaoi plots that stand out from what's already been done. Typically, the story revolves around a married man who cheats on his wife, leading her to hire a private detective to catch him in the act. The twist? The detective is an old flame from college who once harbored feelings for him. It's the classic tale of a gay man falling for a "straight" man, with the obligatory female "villain" appearing to snatch the indecisive "straight man" away from his gay lover.

There are times when I wish we could delve deeper into certain characters, like the ex-boyfriend who mysteriously shows up for dinner or even the ex-girlfriend of the supposedly straight character. Instead of being mere catalysts for the main pairing, their stories could add more depth.  

Yet, despite these shortcomings, I still found enjoyment in the story and appreciated the subtle complexity of the characters.  

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Don't be misled by the summary: The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese doesn't follow your typical coercion -&gt; love storyline. What sets this manga apart from others in the genre is its addition of realism to the usual BL tropes. Coercion isn't romantic. Lust remains lust. Straight men don't magically become gay after one homosexual encounter. The characters in the series are flawed, complex, and deeply human.

(Admittedly, Imagase is somewhat of a weak point - I couldn't really warm up to him, even though he does rise above the standard stalker character archetype. Somewhat.)

From the synopsis alone, The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese appears like a standard cliche-filled BL manga, with a thin plot that serves merely as an excuse to get the two leads into bed together. Yet this manga transcends its seemingly ordinary premise to deliver a mature, unflinching examination of a far-from-perfect relationship.

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Story [7/10]
There isn't much plot in this series, but that's likely because the manga isn't focused on plot per se. Its emphasis lies on people, emotions, and the challenges and destructiveness inherent in relationships.

Art [8/10]
The art is competent, if not extraordinary - the mangaka does exhibit a sensitive use of space and visual pacing, which more than compensates for that.

Character [9/10]
See above. The manga makes no excuses for its characters and doesn't try to idealize their actions. There are some weak points - not all of Kyouichi's reactions are convincing - but there's a significant amount of realism and character development, a stark contrast to much of BL.

Enjoyment [7/10]
It's difficult to truly 'enjoy' this series due to its emotional intensity. While none of the characters is outright "bad," they certainly have their negative traits, and observing their stories unfold is somehow more painful precisely because of their imperfections and humanity. If you appreciate drama and angst, you might enjoy this more than I did. Perhaps 'enjoyment' is the wrong criterion to evaluate this series: if assessed for emotional impact, it would undoubtedly score high.

When it comes to the yaoi genre, I typically don't expect much in terms of storytelling. Sure, you can find fresh twists or intriguing details amidst classic stereotypes, but more often than not, all the elements seem to revolve around just one thing: sex.

Well, this story is different. This manga isn't your typical yaoi. It surpassed all my expectations and genuinely surprised me—in a very good way.

The premise is something I've seen countless times before: a senior meets their junior from the past, the junior has been in love with the senior for a long time without confessing, and the junior exploits the senior's weakness, demanding "I want your body in exchange..." But things aren't as straightforward as they seem. This is a profound story where the characters' emotions are conveyed exceptionally well to the reader. You're allowed to witness their struggles, hesitations, and the complexities of such a challenging situation—a homosexual falling deeply in love with a straight man who feels nothing in return, neither love nor sexual attraction. Here, neither love nor sex is taken for granted; everything unfolds after a thorough development of the characters' feelings and thought processes. Even the intimate scenes serve as reminders that love between the same gender isn't simple.

The dialogues are brilliant. After reading other works by the mangaka, I'd say this one has a touch of her psychological flair. Mizushiro Setona did an outstanding job with this story. I consider this the best yaoi I've encountered so far, and perhaps that's because of the seasoned mangaka's skill. The characters feel real—you see their strengths, weaknesses, growth, mistakes, and how they move forward. Their emotions resonate deeply, and you can truly empathize with them. Additionally, both characters act like actual men—you won't encounter the seme/uke stereotype here that makes you think you're looking at a woman instead of a man.

The art is decent, though not groundbreaking. Mizushiro Setona has her unique style, which has improved over time. While it might seem a bit odd initially, it grows on you and evokes a calming sensation later. She excels at portraying emotions—not only through words but also through the characters' expressions. My only critique about the art is that some characters resemble each other, but everything else compensates for it.

So... If you enjoy well-crafted stories that make you think while keeping you thoroughly engaged, stories that explore genuine love and its progression at a steady pace while reminding you of the true feelings of being in love and the challenges of unrequited affection, and if you're into yaoi—this is the perfect choice for you.

---Queen2408 for The Anti Girly Uke Yaoi Club. You're invited to join and participate in the discussions.