Hi, pornies! I hope you are feeling good today. I come with a new manga review I stayed up late with last night because I couldn't put it down. It is a beautiful, unconventional story about two outcasts that try to find love. I'm speaking about Don't Call Me Dirty, by Gorou Kanbe. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy for an honest review!
- Series: Don't Call Me Dirty #1
- Print Length: 176 pages
- Publisher: Tokyo Pop (January 28, 2020)
- Publication Date: January 28, 2020
- Genres: Comedy, Gay, Manga, Romance, Yaoi
- Rating: 4 / 5.
After some time attempting a long-distance relationship, Shouji is crestfallen when he finds out his crush isn't gay. Having struggled with his sexuality for years, he tries to distract himself from the rejection, in part by helping out at the neighboring sweets shop — but when a young homeless man called Hama shows up at the store, Shouji finds himself curious to learn more about him.Attempting to make their way in a society that labels each of them as 'outcasts' and 'dirty,' the two men grow closer. Together, they begin to find they have more in common than either of them could have anticipated.
I admit I had my doubts about this manga. A love story with a homeless man? It was a little weird, uncomfortable even, but I decided to put any kind of prejudice aside, give it a try, and oh dear, I'm so glad I did it! This is a really cute and funny love story that makes time pass you by, and you won't even notice!
Gorou Kanbe presents us an unconventional couple which doesn't work out very well on the beginning, and you may even think they are only friends at first, which is something I LOVE. There is no kind of insta-love, love at first sight, or anything similar. Hama and Shouji take their time trying to get to know each other, trusting each other, and going through a few difficult, uncomfortable situations that make them develop a bond.
One of the strongest points is the social commentary. Don't Call Me Dirty is a manga that speaks honestly about homeless people and the way they are seen trough our lens, how "common" people perceive them, and the treatment they get. There came a point when I was so frustrated about how Hama was being treated I realized I would have done something similar. Many of us need that ego check.
There were a few times the art didn't convince me, when some details were not as clean as the rest of the book, and I would have liked to know much more about Hama's story and how he ended in the streets, but Don't Call Me Dirty is still a manga I'm glad I could read. Gorou Kanbe presents a story that is as much about love and honesty as it is about our so-called modern society, with human characters and a plot that combines romance, comedy, and a light dose of drama.
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