100dB Pouring into You by Toworu Miyata

Kanata leads a peaceful, if not slightly dull, life in rural Hokkaido. The boredom is only compounded by the fact that Kanata's favorite utaite (online singer), Hyte, has stopped uploading new music. Enter Utagawa, a new transfer student from Tokyo. Kanata can't help but be drawn to the mysterious boy even though he insists he wants to be left alone. But when the class has to sing during music class, Kanata feels as if he's been struck by lightning when he hears the new student's voice...! Why is it so familiar...? Could Utagawa possibly be--? Don't miss this sweet high school romance from the creator of Living With Him and Delivery Hug Therapy! This volume comes with an exclusive Animate bonus manga! 

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/4gZFlIH)

This series is quite charming and somewhat innocent. While the boys push boundaries leading up to sex, they do so cautiously, which feels natural for two boys exploring their feelings. When I say they are innocent, I mean that despite a hint of possible stardom in their future, they’re still living the typical high school life—participating in the school festival, dating, and having sleepovers at each other's houses. The artwork is nice; I personally prefer larger panels, but the artist fills every inch with detailed micro-scenes. The supporting characters are well-crafted—they don't overshadow the main story but each have distinct personalities.

Sayonara Game by Yuu Minaduki

 

Arimura enlists the help of Yosuke—a younger baseball club teammate from his high school days—to tutor his little sister. Yosuke has always been rather brusque around Arimura, but to the older man’s surprise, he discovers Yosuke actually looks up to him. Could Yosuke’s admiration be masking something more?

My Rate: 7 (amzn.to/3WdPHet)

Sayonara Game was nice, but instead of being hot, it felt more warm—let me clarify. The story was pleasant, but it seemed a bit restrained, as if the main characters weren’t fully opening up. Arimura appears to be gradually falling into a relationship with Yosuke, but it seem more not to disappoint the other man rather than being interested himself; it’s like he’s unsure how to reject him, so he just accepts Yosuke’s feelings. For Arimura, love arrives later in the story, which I thought was nice because Yosuke truly deserves it. The artwork was good—though the panels were somewhat crowded—and while the plot was engaging and well-developed, it maintained a subtle, gentle tone rather than a hot one.