Houtou Musuko to Koi no Ana

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I can see how the average Westerner would see this story and be weirded out by the cousin thing. Western culture has normalized a certain moral standard that influences our perception, especially for those with no/little knowledge of cultural norms that exist worldwide.

With that in mind, this story did a really good job with the character development, especially given it's length.

You get to know why the characters feel the way they feel and see how those feelings change, and become stronger. With real world challenges put forward as the catalyst rather than the typical tropes of "I still love you just because" or "I don't ... meet your expectations therefore I can't love you back" with the overplayed resolution of "we can't help but fall into each other's arms so we may as well stay here".

Instead they are given real world complications and while the story never provided us the solution to the problems they'll likely face, it at least gives the characters the motivation to grow emotionally which was really cool to see.

The art is well done as well.

If you can put aside prejudices likely built from western idiology this would be an amazing short read.

**Side Note**
The only reason I didn't give it a higher rating than 8/10 is bc of how I choose to rate manga so I know which ones I want to re-read.
This is a great one shot that I'll likely think back on one day but I save the 9/10 and 10/10 for manga I know I'll re-read, and oftentimes those manga are longer and more complicated. Like Blue Sky Complex, Blood Bank and At the End of the Road.
Either way this story is a must read for BL/yaoi enthusiasts, especially if you're needing a break from yaoi that is overwhelming.

But I am a boy...So you cant marry me..
Who decided that?

A beautiful tale inshort.
After Stumbling upon Houtou Musuko to koi no Ana, I realised that a perfect romance does not require alot of chapters or the need of flowery embellishment which alot of romances tend to do.
Dealing with a realistic scenario of Minori(The main character being gay), the story unfolds by giving us an in depth analysis of his mental, psychological and emotional state(Later on). and finally his main struggles. The 2 main characters are basically the influence for each other and contribute to each other s growth and development.
THe story tells us how no ... one is actually perfect through the development of the characters as well.

The pacing in simple words is just right. With a good build up from start to finish, great characters and a great ending, i think its safe to say that its a great hidden gem among alot of mangas.
NOt to mention my prespective on erotica has changed by alot...

THe only reason to why alot of people rate it low would be the fact that the 2 characters are cousins. So just a side info
As an asian myself, its not a stigma(Unlike westren countires) in fact to have relations with your cousins rather then someone outside is much more common. Especially in the rural areas, not to mention the age gap(WHich isnt even large)
SO yeah in the end its realistic, wholesome and at the same time beautiful.

But they're cousins tho? Honestly, there were a lot of things they really need to consider - they live in the country side where basically everybody knows everybody's business, his folks are old and probably adheres to tradition, they're cousins and both gay, which are all signs of having their relationship would not be smooth. But love is love is love is love, and like what Sousuke said "May it be a man or a woman as long as it's Minori-chan". Although I was holding my breathe until the end to see how it would turn out (I was really hoping they would officially get ... together once the seme graduates high school and became and adult) but it just happens right there so I guess it's fine then. Not gonna lie, that extra chapter where they told the childhood friend made me emotional too. He was a good friend. :)