Welcome to BRB, everyone! I’m extremely
late with my post because I just arrived back home. I had to work out of town for a
few days, which put me behind schedule. Anyway, I’m back with a busy weekend
ahead. And, I don't know if I should laugh or cry. :(
Ikumen After, story and art by Kazuma
Kodaka, is a very sweet, on-going manga series first released in 2010 that is
not a yaoi. I know, you’re in shock, that I’ve actually read a non-yaoi manga. :P
Well, I have, kind of. Ikumen After is a yaoi, but a tame one, which is called
shonen-ai, or the equivalent to puppy love within Japanese comics. The relationships
are gay and the men may hold hands, kiss, and express feelings for one another
verbally, however, physical interaction doesn’t happen. In other words: sex
might be implied, but it’s never shown. Once the artist crosses the line and
draws explicit sex the manga is automatically labelled a yaoi (hard core). 
Asakura and Izumi are both single fathers; Asakura is a widower and Izumi by an unfortunate circumstance or perhaps fortunate, depending how you view his story. And they happen to meet when they
take their sons to the same daycare. Their sons are already friends. They start
to talk, and once they discover they live not far from one another, they meet
up in the mornings and take their sons to daycare together. Asakura and Izumi get
to know one another and, eventually, their friendship grows. They discuss child
rearing and the past as well as a few personal secrets, and of course, life
happens along the way. I’ve found and read seven chapters to this manga so far,
the latest of which was released in 2013. And I believe that’s all there is
available at present.
Ikumen After is basically cute and fluffy. Aside from a steamy kiss, Izumi wanting sex, and Asakura masturbating then admitting to it later, there
isn’t any explicit content. Like I said, this manga is a shonen-ai, and has to
be accepted as such. As usual, Ms. Kodaka’s artistic skills are second to none;
her characters are attractive, their personalities endearing, and the story is
charming. What can I say…I really enjoyed IA. I give this comedy-drama 4 stars!
Happy Yaoi Hunting!
Blak Rayne
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