Manga Review - 'Dekoboko Sugar Days' by Atsuko Yusen

2023 EDIT: Part of my (latest) 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.

Final Score: 3/5





Original Review:



A very cute, very romantic and very sexual yaoi manga; one of the first I've ever read.

Yuujirou Matsukaze is the tough, dark-haired boy, and Rui Hanamine is the super tall, cheery and feminine boy who has doted on Yuujirou ever since he helped Rui out of a gutter when they were little kids. Both are adorable in their own way, and are insecure in their own way.

And they are deeply in love with each other.

There are sweets, too, if you can't already tell by the manga's title and cover. And fruit juices. How fitting.

'Dekoboko Sugar Days' chronicles Yuujirou and Rui's young lives; from childhood encounter, to realising and confessing their true feelings, to lovers still in high school. They are central in the manga, and there are not many female characters (Rui's older sister is the closest to having a presence, though I'm not sure she is even named). Both boys' male friends are surprisingly supportive of the two getting together (in fact, the friends may be m/m together, too). It's great that it's a single volume standalone - a self-contained romance story, no dragging, no contrivances or any other BS - to boot.

However, by the end of 'Dekoboko Sugar Days' it is implied that Yuujirou and Rui have not yet come out to their families, and the issue is never approached, much less discussed. Is this to show that it doesn't really matter? The ending sex scene is iffy - I won't give away details, but the manga had fully incorporated the importance of consent and both partners expressively enjoying themselves, up until that part. But I guess they are? There are a few questionable lines of dialogue. This blurring of the lines of consent is why I'd avoided yaoi and yuri properties for so long (that and the fetishization for the heterosexual target demographic (and talk about graphic!)).

But as a whole, 'Dekoboko Sugar Days' is a wonderful love story and coming-of-age narrative. It might help the advocation for universal acceptance of the LBGTQ community, and make them feel seen, unashamed, respected and loved. Of course it's a funny comedy, as well. There is fourth wall breaking!

For mature readers only.

Final Score: 3.5/5