Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC!

I rate this 1.5 out of 5 stars; I rounded down to 1 star because of how disappointed I am with how the story unfolded.

The only positive thing I have to say about this manga is I loved the art. The art is beautiful, and the artist did a fantastic job paying attention to small details!

However, the story itself is a mess. The plot jumps back and forth from the past when Hozumi and Mishima first meet, some moments in their relationship, when they break up, and seven years later when they reunite. Although I didn't get confused when jumping between the timelines, I often kept asking myself "why is the story being told like this?" It could've worked as a linear timeline; or better yet not have all these flashback moments. I was expecting the characters to build upon their relationship in the present time and learn to trust and love one another again. There were some moments but could've been more if the story was more focused on the present timeline.

The characters feel flat to me. I especially hate Hozumi. He is pushy, selfish, and aloof; he doesn't take Mishima's feelings into account. I hate their relationship even more and wish Mishima stood his ground and didn't take Hozumi back. Since the manga is short, I feel like I didn't get enough time to know the characters more. Maybe I wouldn't hate Hozumi as much as I do if that was the case.

I also have a huge problem with how Hozumi's older brother practically came out for him to his parents. Like...that isn't something for the brother to do; this was Hozumi's responsibility. Nothing makes me madder when others out others.

The ending also left unanswered questions and I feel there should be a continuation to the story. However, as noted in the description, it is a one-shot piece.

This unfortunately wasn't for me which sucks because I really wanted to like it. Cover of this manga is really cute and the art style is really pleasing to look at.

But whole story felt flat at some points, issues were brushed aside very quickly - which okay, it could be like that, but with the quick pace and spanning several months... it just felt a little off. Also the first sex scene didn't really feel consensual, I believe it was, but it came out wrong and one-sided in the story.

It had some cute moments - I really liked the bonus for example, but overall it was quite disappointing.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to netgalley for letting me preview this manga.
The drawings are very beautiful, the story is very cute.
Two friends who love each other but who for different reasons break up, let's not spoiler it, and then leave on board. To then return after seven years.

The plot left me less than satisfied, it's all too fast. I wasn't very convinced.

The White and Blue Between Us by Kiyuhiko is a second chance romance between two young men who separated years ago over a lie. This story is sweet and a depiction of a first love. There is spice in this manga. One of the scenes probably should’ve been edited out because it appears that it was not consensual and was quite jarring. It really takes away from wanting to root for the couple and the overall story. If it was left as just a kiss then the taboo would have still been there without the assault. That scene was brushed over like it wasn’t a big deal and I’m unsure if something was missed in translation. The other explicit scene was more relationship based and sweet.

The story showed how the characters overcame their own doubts and adversity to find each other and possibly find each other again. If it wasn’t for that one scene this would’ve been much more highly rated. I have no idea if the mangaka really understood how that scene would be perceived. It’s truly mind-boggling. I would recommend this but would warn whoever reads this to try to disregard that scene and enjoy the rest of the story.

The White and Blue Between Us is about two boys who reconnect after seven years. After their time apart, Hozumi is eager to spend time together again and Mishima is still hurt over the white lie that Hozumi used to distance himself after graduation.

It was supposed to be a love story, but ultimately I didn't really feel any real chemistry between the two characters. I think this is largely in part to a lot of Hozumi's actions. It isn't labeled as stalking in romance, but that's certainly what he seemed to be doing when Mishima made it clear he didn't want to see him. And the assault.... it was both unexpected and added nothing to the story. If anything, it made me hate both characters. Hozumi for the act itself and Mishima for forgiving him. Nothing about this story made me believe these two characters were in love.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.

(1.5)

i really liked the art style of this manga but unfortunately it fell completely flat in all other areas. the story didn't feel complete or fully thought out and the characters were very one dimensional.

This is one of those 'high school romances that didn't work out, resulting in the two drifting apart only to meet again and get back together years later' kind of manga, which usually end up either really good and emotional with some dream-like touches or really messy, shallow and poorly put together.

The White and Blue Between Us is, sadly, the latter case.

The plot is barely fleshed out and the characters are so flat, they're obviously no more than mere plot devices. The manga severely lacks depth in every way that matters. Too much was glossed over, too few emotions were involved, and many parts of the story were just too convenient. Hozumi's reason for breaking up with Mishima was ridiculous, and their getting back together without much struggle, conflict or tension was also unbelievable. Yeah, I get that Mishima still loved Hozumi so that's why he let him have his way but that's just...no. Have some self-worth, Mishima!!!

Also, the first smut scene was basically rape. Without proper context and without properly expanding the characters, their stories and everything else that's important, that scene left a very wrong impression which was probably not what the mangaka intended.

I think the foundations of this manga have potential and that's why I find it such a shame that it was poorly executed. Depth is crucial so when it's barely existent, the work becomes completely forgettable...

I really liked this book, it doesn't have a linear narrative, which makes it stand out from other books, and it made me curious to know about the characters and how their love began to emerge. And because things are calmly explained throughout the book, and not immediately answers the reader's questions, we get hooked.
The characters are also adults, which is different from usual, but they both connect with having to follow in their family's footsteps to help them.
And in this process, they will rediscover the love they had for each other, I thought this part was fantastic, but I wish it had had more depth to it and not explored so superficially.

The illustrations are wonderful, and bring the characters to us through their expressions and give them personality.

A really good book.

The art in this manga was really pretty but the plot left something to be desired.

The pacing was odd and the progression of the story was, at times, confusing. I liked the concept of the story, I just felt the execution fell flat. I wish the resolution of the conflict between the characters felt more authentic and fleshed out.

But I really did enjoy the art in this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha publishing for the ARC.

Giving this one a 3.5 out of 5. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. TW dubious consent

Overall I was really excited about this BL since it featured older protagonists who had drifted apart and then came back together. And overall the story was cute but about 2/3 of the way in there is an encounter with dubious consent that just rubbed me the wrong way. Nothing is super explicit, but not my cup of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of The White and Blue Between us by Kiyuhiko. This graphic novel was unfortunately not for me. The artwork was beautiful but the plot was all over the place and I feel like nothing actually happened. It was also too short to wrap up which meant I never connected with any characters. It does have LGBTQIA+ representation but that and the art style were the only redeeming factors.
The whole thing was based on miscommunication and it was done in the absolute worst way which meant I did not route for the couple at all which was the entire point!

I love when I run across a good BL one-shot. The second-chance romance is heartwarming, and the art style is gorgeous. The story left a bit to be desired though.

I appreciate the bonus chapter filling in more of the high school gaps, but I wish there would have been more from the time they are in currently. I feel like there could have been more flashbacks while incorporating where they are now, because as it stands it seems like a whirlwind when reconnecting. I wish we knew more about Mishima and his story, since the story is technically about the couple.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for the ARC!

A cute little Romance about rekindled love. We jump into the story with the reunion and find out the history through flashbacks. Mishima, the quiet reserved one, and Hozumi, the louder more outspoken one, seemingly make for an odd couple but their feelings for eachother make it work. This was a cute story that gives the readers all they need to follow the lives of these two men. A nice story to read in one sitting.

I enjoyed this manga. I'm a sucker for second-chance romances and this read. It's a quick, enjoyable read and in the little time I fell in love with Mishima, I just wanna hug him.

The art is amazing but I was not expecting the spicy scenes oh well xD

Overall, worth a read if you're looking for something short and easily resolved conflict.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for the eARC!

What I liked about this book: the artwork.

Everything else was incredibly underwhelming.

There was absolutely no plot apart from "Boy dated boy in high school. Boy broke up with boy in high school. Years later they reunited". The reason for the break up was ridiculous and there was absolutely no groveling. Both MCs also had no personality whatsoever. One of them was a hikikomori, but for some reason it was only randomly mentioned and then completely glossed over. The first smutty scene also felt really wrong and one-sided.

It's a shame because adding more depth to their characters would have immensely benefited the story. But when you publish a story that is both lacking in plot and character work, it ends up being utterly forgettable.

The publisher sent me this book for review consideration but all opinions are my own.

I’m not a huge manga fan, let alone have I read enough to really decide if it’s my thing or not. However, I think the second chance romance in this was very interesting. I was intrigued by the idea behind the story, however, the plot felt a bit messy and rushed. I did enjoy the aspect of these characters healing from the past and the self-growth. The black-and-white illustrations were fun though.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to read this book!

It was quick, bittersweet, and melancholic!

I enjoy reading manga and decided to give this story a try. It explored painful emotions, forgiveness, mistakes of the past, rekindling love, and past experiences that led to their present state.

This being a quick read meant fast paced progression so going in depth would be less apparent in the story. However, this had a good ending and I like it when a story ends happily overall.

I also went in blind not knowing what to fully expect, but this is more for an adult audience.

I grew up with early 2000s anime and manga, so the "traditional" art style was really huge for me. I loved the metaphor between the title and the connection between these two as they were both complicated. No one is perfect, and he was just trying to protect him, to I do appreciate him explaining himself. I also loved that his family was so supportive of the relationship. That part always makes me nervous due to knowing the general attitudes towards it in Japan, but I was ecstatic that Hozumi's brother and parents were so receptive to it and wrapped him in love and support. We need more of it in the world!

I wasn't a fan of the pacing. We got four chapters of beautiful art and multi-faceted characters with little character development. I wished there was a little more of it, especially once Hozumi and Mishima rekindled, I really wanted to see more of their growth as a couple instead of a 6-month time-skip. The spice felt a bit out of place to me, there for the sake of having it. Also, I was honestly really confused for a large majority of the story which wasn't fun.

Overall, this was a nice, cozy read and I would recommend it to fans of cozy BL manga!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for the e-arc!

I am an avid one shot reader and I tend to think they tell a story better than a full series. This story follows two guys after a breakup trying to reconnect years later. I think this was a well rounded story about love and regret. The pacing in the volume is a bit fast which makes part of the story suffer at times. However, I think compared to other one shots the story feels complete. I would recommend if you are a fan of small towns and second chance romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for the eARC!

This was a really cute, quick read. I liked the characters a lot, and I wish it had been longer so I could see more of them!

The romance was sweet, especially the flashbacks to high school, I loved watching Ishizaki gradually break through Mishima's walls and become his friend.

The art was great, too, especially the gorgeous cover. Definitely recommend if you want a cute romance manga to fill half an hour.