Welcome to The Avocado’s weekly discussion of Japanese pop culture! One of my favorite modern BL manga is Pink Heart Jam by Shikke. Originally published in Mellow Kiss magazine, this series is complete with two volumes. But there’s also a sequel, which I started reading this week! Pink Heart Jam: beat is ongoing with one volume currently available in English. This series centers on two college students studying music. They’re in the same music club, but they first connect when Haiga (the younger of the two) visits a “soapland” in the hopes of understanding his sexuality. Unexpectedly, his cool and talented senpai Kanae works there. The story takes off from there, building a fully lived-in world in just two volumes, while (of course) being very romantic and steamy as well. The art is also fantastic! And there’s great fashion too (if you’re like me, you may find yourself unconsciously copying Kanae’s hairstyle). The sequel takes place a couple years after the original series and follows the couple as they navigate their post-college life. So far, it’s great! If any of that sounds interesting to you, check it out.
And, as always…
What have you been watching/reading/playing/eating/listening to lately?
Happy Wednesday! 🌸