Continuing on for my Kuro’s Guide to Boys Love series, I figured I’d write up some One Shot reviews. You can check out my previous post, which was a general guide to the genre here.  The one shots I review below are aimed at first time readers, or people who just want to see if their interested in BL. However I highly recommend anyone to check them out, they’re all incredibly sweet and heart warming.  Since I’ve compiled these one shots for beginners, there’s no naughty bits in them 😛

Hare no Hi – Asada Nemui

If there’s one, one shot that you read this year, it has to be this one. Hare no Hi by Asada Nemui, is from a father’s point of view as he realises that his son is gay. The father is also gay, and through his son’s action, the father reflects on his life and love experiences. In such a short amount  pages, this one shot manages to reflect all the emotional struggles of discovering one’s sexuality, coming out and falling in love for the first time. This one shot is by far one of my favourites, and I highly recommend every manga reader to read it – even if you’re not interested in Boys Love. It’s a one of a kind masterpiece.

Isshunsaki wa Koi – Miya Taira

Isshunsaki wa Koi by Miya Taira is only about 9 pages long. But it’s a really good intro into the sweetness you can expect in a lot of Boys Love comics. It features two high school friends who find out their slowly developing feelings for each other. It’s a great intro to the genre.

Kimi ga Terasu Koi no Hikari – Takayama Haruna

This was actually one of the first ever Boys Love one shots that I read. The one shot features quite a simple story, but it’s developed in a very rich way. A gay office worker is trying to find his way through the world and stumbles across a planetarium. He begins finding solace in staring up at the projection of stars and comfort in the worker’s presence. It’s a very short and sweet story about falling in love.

Koi no Enchousen – Ichikawa Kokoro

Imagine a chance reunion with your first love – and they don’t remember you!? That’s what happened to Akihiro, and his old high school teacher. After being injured and fired from work, Akihiro stays in his first love’s apartment, and well things develop how you’d expect them to. A lot of Boys Love manga have a similar feel to them, and also crazy coincidences.

Kanjou Spectrum – Yoneda Kou

Yoneda Kou is a very popular BL mangaka, and I personally adore her work. While most of her work is quite hot and sexy, Kanjou Spectrum focuses on the emotional side, that Kou is a master at. Kugou notices the quiet Usui staring at his best friend, Nakaya. Kugou, bored and a little interested, confronts Usui, and promises to help Usui in his love quest. But on the way Kugou begins feeling jealous – why can’t Usui love me? This is a one shot that will definitely make your heart go doki doki!

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I hope you all enjoyed these recommendations! If you’d like to keep up to date with all  my upcoming posts, hit that subscribe button! You can subscribe with your email or wordpress account.