Takashi Ikeda

The creator actually tries to introduce some drama into this low-impact series by delving more deeply into the main characters' careers -- they are juggling auditions and a pitch meeting -- and some entanglements between side characters.

Since this cuts into the amount of time I get to see the main couple hanging out together in their home, I have to disapprove. Bring back the cozy cocoon!

Regardless, I'm definitely coming back for the finale next volume.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapters 49-72 show more -- One-Page Bonus: The 1/7 Plan Strikes Back show less

Another nice slice-of-life dip into a long-term romantic relationship between two adult women. There is not a lot of drama to be found here, but it's cozy as hell.

The second volume of this women-loving-women anthology takes a step up in quality for its second outing even as the theme of taboo relationships brings in a few yucky tales with pedophiles and stalkers. There's a bit too much infidelity for my taste, but enough of the stories were twisty or humorous enough to earn the collection a thumbs up.

The stand-out story is "Swallowtail Takes Flight," a fantasy piece about a wasp and a caterpillar. "That's What She Wants" and "A Passion for Your Work" show more were well done tales about affairs and manipulation.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Call of the Mayflies / Izumi Kawanami -- Photography Addiction / Goumoto -- That Girl in the Library / Megumi Tsuji -- That's What She Wants / Canno -- A Passion for Your Work / Shuninta Amano -- The Left Leg Shackle / Hachi Ito -- My Little Sister's Ice Cream / Mako Takahashi -- The Fourth Woman / Natsumi Matsuzaki -- Swallowtail Takes Flight / Yu Yoshidamaru -- Slit / Takashi Ikeda -- At What Point? / Milk Morinaga show less

I was charmed by the little slice-of-life vignettes about two women who are two-years into their romantic relationship and a year into living together. One is 22 and the other 32, so they have little age gap frictions once in a while, but generally the tone is light and giddy as they are very deeply in love.

Some romantic rivals are hinted at and some family history foreshadowed, but the book is generally drama free. The humor is fairly reserved too, so unless you like seeing a couple show more lovebirds cuddling, you might not get much out of it. show less