Thank you netgalley for an advanced ARC of this manga

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this as much as I was hoping for, it is not a bad book by any means it just was not f0r me and found the main characters annoying...

Number Call
-Release March 12

Thanks to @Netgalley and @Kodansha for the opportunity to read Number Call and give my opinion/review on it.
This BL moves pretty quick, so the character development doesn’t go too deep. The art is simple but it works for this and we still get the sense of how the characters are feeling. The plot is not anything new, as we have two completely different personality main characters (one more outgoing than the other) and the MC realizes his feelings are more than just friendship then distances himself from the other. Something I like about this one is that near the end we do get some of Hachi’s perspective/thoughts and what drew him to Akito.Akito’s friend Yokoi kinda cracked me up with what he did once he saw Akito had some interest in Hachi after meeting him. It is a fluffy BL, so if you are not into smutty BL and are into more lighthearted ones this would be for you.

From the first look at his name, people call him Eito. Although he is used to hearing it and the jokes, he generally corrects them that it is Akito. However, there is something that keeps him from correcting Hachi Hatta when he calls him Eito. After Akito and Hachi have their first encounter, they start running into each other more and start to get closer. At some point Akito starts to hope that he is special to Hachi and realizes that his feelings are more than just for a friend. This development gets Akito thinking and he starts to distance himself from Hachi. Will he regret his decision?

More of my opinion:
So I wouldn't say this is ranked in the top of my BL list ,but it would be placed somewhere in the middle. If this was when I first started reading BL then it would probably be closer to the top; however since then, I have read a wide variety and it now has to compete with some really great ones. I would definitely recommend this one to someone just getting into BL and like fluffy manga- knowing not everyone is comfortable with more smutty or intense ones right off the bat.

This sweet and lovely story follows the life of two boys - Tomoya Hatta and Eito Tachibana. One day, one fallen through the window piece of paper starts their story of friendship leading to something bigger and brighter.
They easily get connected with each other: both Eito and Hatta have number 8 in their names, which is the basis for constant puns and jokes. Though, this very number becomes their special things - their path to infinity.
This story is amazingly written and drawn and reading it was an absolute pleasure. The most important thing I have to mention is that characters in this manga actually TALK with each other, trying to resolve all the misunderstandings which is, in my opinion, the best thing ever. It's written in medium pace: you won't see any rushed decision here. Atmosphere of school days, of first frienship and relationship makes this story comfortable and nostalgic.
With all the pride and joy I give this story 5 stars and absolutely recommend it for reading.

I got this book for free via NetGalley for a review.

The story follows two boys throughout the school year after they meet and realise both their names relate to the number eight.

This story is just so wholesome. It's a gentle slice-of-life about two boys getting to know each other and themselves. The story is slow paced, but very enjoyable to read.

The characters were really well written. They seemed very realistic and it was easy to route for them throughout the book.

This is the author's first manga and they did so well with it, you couldn't tell.

I feel the same way about this that I felt about the other books by Nagisa Furuya that I've read. I don't like the art style, but I still like the book because the story is cute. Cute and simple in a good way.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for a copy of this Manga in exchange for an honest review.

This manga felt like a warm hug of YA BL cuteness and I adored reading the story of Eito and Hacchi and their link due to the number 8.

The artwork is gorgeous and the story is a little slowburn but it was nice to see the way the characters interacted and realised their feelings, it was good to have the manga split into dual POV.

I would definitely love to read more from this Author after reading this sweet story.

Number Call is a short and cute story about falling in love during high school, and while it was an enjoyable read, I'm afraid I can't say it has to offer more than that.

The premise of the story is definitely interesting and unique and what made me want to read it, but something was definitely missing. Eito and Hachi indeed had chemistry and had some wholesome moments, but I think it lacked originality, despite the unique theme with number 8 and their names. It follows the usual route of every other high school romance, which is in no shape or form bad, but it added nothing new or exciting to it.

Some depth from the story was lacking as well. While we got to see our characters interact in school and on their way home, we didn't get to see much of them beyond that. Also, we got to know some of their personality traits, but not enough to actually understand them. That was especially visible during the "conflict", which didn't make a lot of sense and wasn't needed in my opinion.

However, I think most of these have to do with the fact that this was mangaka's debut, and I'm surely going to give her more recent work a try.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning of this one was a bit slow so I almost lost interest but I'm glad I stuck with it. This story was so sweet and fun and I had a great time reading it. I loved both of the main characters. Nagisa always does a great job of making her characters feel so real with the way they interact with each other. Overall this was a really great and heartwarming story about new connections.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a high school romance focused on 2 guys who's names translate to 8. Because of this, they take notice of each other and become friends and eventually grow feelings for each other.

This was a cute slice of life, low angst, adorable romance.

Number Call is the story of two boys who have both been influenced by the number eight. Eighto and Hachi become friends when they realize they both have a connection to the number eight and a friendship between two very different people begins. Eighto and Hachi have a sweet and slow-burn romance set against the backdrop of school. Number Call is a great choice for readers looking for a lighthearted queer romance with a cute couple. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.

Thank you to Nagisa Furuya, Kodansha Comics, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Instagram, Storygraph, Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc.

Having read My Summer of You by this author previously and falling in love with the characters and the story - Number Call also didn’t disappoint! A cute story that I’ll definitely be recommending to my manga loving friends :)

This was so cute! Eito and Hachi just click and their relationship is just so wholesome. I especially loved the little epilogue comic TT-TT

This was my first translated Japanese Graphic Novel. I enjoyed the style of the illustrations but felt overall the story just did not work for me. I would have also loved more of a HEA, I am still confused if they actually got together or not. Their was some hand holding and a kiss.

It was a quick read, I think I would probably prefer it in a physical book over reading it on screen.

I think these book is perfect for people who love translated Japanese Graphic Novels especially with a queer storyline.

I like this book because I find the storyline very unique yet relatable. For instance, the connection to someone whose name is like a number strikes me as particularly intriguing. At the same time, I couldn’t help but notice the queer allegory. Hachi feeling safe and familiar with Eito because "they share the same name" reminds me of how queer people find solace in each other's company, especially in a world that can feel alienating.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy to read and review!

This was very cute, I enjoyed the concept of numbers and names and how the two characters begin to know each other because of such a coincidence. I did not, however, like the whole "I have to tell him my real name, this is so critical to our future relationship" This conflict felt a bit forced and I wish the story was just about falling in love with each other and not knowing what these feelings are, the name thing was cute but conflict revolving this part of the story was not needed.

3.5 stars
Omg I really enjoyed this! I thought it was really sweet and cute and made me squeal several times. My only qualms were that it was confusing at times, which may be more about the translation than anything, but sometimes the references to his name got me a little confused. Overall though, solid ya manga!

Short and sweet! Loved the two main characters so so much they were so wholesome and funny together. My only critique is that I wish it was longer, I highly recommend it!!

This is the first Nagisa Fury’s story I’ve read, but I’m sure it won’t be the last one!

We follow the story of two boys who get to know each other by chance, through the number eight that both have in their name.
The story is simple but not too fast paced, I liked the two main characters.
If you want to read a cute story this is it!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for this e-book copy!

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

I've fallen in love with Nagisa Furuya's storytelling. They tell such beautiful YA stories, that are both about friendship and love.

Number Call is about two high school boys who discover they both have a name related to the number 8. Hachi accepts the coincidence and quite likes his nickname; Akito never did...until now. When they meet, it's a story of fates aligning at the right time. They bump into each other more often, gradually become friends, and then they begin to realise that their friendship means more to them that maybe it should. They slowly grow an appreciation for each other, and begin to count on the other person being in their life.

With the end of high school fast approaching, they have to be brave if they want to figure out what is between them before school ends.

The story is lovely, the art is gorgeous - as I'd expect from the author - and the characters are genuinely loveable. I loved that they went naturally from strangers to passers-by, to friends to realising they cherished each other a little more than friends. There was no big love declaration, and no long drawn-out misunderstanding, but there was a cute confession and a discussion about a potential and accidental misunderstanding between them.

Tachibana Akito, nicknamed Eito, thanks to the misread characters of his name, feels irritated by the nickname. A chance encounter with Hatta Tomoya (aka Hachi), the word-play around the nickname becomes the foundation for a kinship. As his proximity to Hachi increases, his dislike for the nickname ebbs.
Belonging to completely different departments, initially, they exchange greetings in the hallway. As small talk turns to shared study sessions in the library, their friendship gradually evolves into something more romantically spruced. Akito’s blossoming feelings create a growing awareness of Hachi while Hachi remains oblivious. Should Akito confess, or should the feelings go unaddressed? Can distance help, or will it make things worse?

Thoughts:
With a unique premise of shared nicknames, this is dual POV, high school BL manga done right. Its endearing characters, well-developed school vibes, and realistic + nuanced portrayal of growing feelings make it memorable. The romance was so natural, and definitely on point!
Friends to lovers with slice-of-life vibes. Akito is a clumsy-ish introvert, two traits I love in a person. And Hachi consistently seeks Akito’s company, the extrovert who chooses you vibe. There is a healthy balance to their romantically charged dynamic, even though Hachi is late to the party, his feelings aren’t disproportional to Akito's. The dual POV allows the reader to pick up the subtle changes in their thoughts and shifting feelings.
My favorite part about the characters was that they weren’t trope-y. No topper/ loser or famous/non-famous emphasis. They are regular students whose academics don’t factor in their dynamic and weren’t unduly forced. Away from the trope-heavy cliche, its simplistic authenticity establishes a heart-touching connection with the reader.
It is emotive, pulling the reader into the character’s emotions effortlessly. You feel the cute, sweet, fuzzy, and romantically charged feeling in the belly.
Gist: I loved it. Would Highly Recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this e-Arc copy, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Note to Publisher: You have a wonderful artist in Nagisa Furuya. The BL space needs non-smutty heart-warming work like hers, I hope she works on more nuanced and longer BL mangas, I am looking forward to her successful career.