Imagine the guy you want to be with says he can’t be with you because you’re too young. Devastating right? But then said guy turns around and writes a song about it that catapults his band into the spotlight, all while you’re still pining over him…
About About a Love Song
About a Love Song is a boys’ love manga series by Hiriko Natsuno, published in English by TOKYOPOP. Hiroko Natsuno is also the mangaka behind At 25:00 in Akasaka. In About A Love Song, we meet Hoshina, a part-time convenience store worker and full-time band member. He’s pretty blasé about everything but does have a bright spot in his life: Seto. Seto is his convenience store co-worker who’s younger. Hoshino finds Seto so adorable and cute that he looks forward to working with him.
One day after work, Hoshina finds Seto crying in the rain and takes him home. Hoshina, believing Seto is a college student, doesn’t want to take advantage of him in an emotional state. But one thing leads to the next and they mess around together. The next morning, to Hoshina’s absolute horror, he discovers that Seto is in fact not in college, and is a high school student! (who is of age.)
My Thoughts
Age gap romances are always complicated but when done right, are some of my favorite stories. About a Love Song takes a complex relationship and really makes the people behind it shine in a thoughtful way. Once Hoshina learns Seto’s age, he immediately changes his work shift to avoid being around him. He understands that as the older one, he has more life experience and more power to influence Seto. I appreciate the way this is addressed in the story. When Seto confesses to Hoshina his feelings, Hoshina does not dismiss them outright. He explains to Seto why he doesn’t think them being together is a good idea.
While Seto is the younger one, I admire his strength and passion. When Hoshina sets up a boundary between them, he is upset. Seto ultimately respects Hoshina’s decision, but knows in his heart he’s not giving up on loving Hoshina. They spend a lot of time apart and move forward in their lives without each other. As painful as it is for the both, it is the right thing. As jarring as the premise is initially, About a Love Song is a tender story of making sense of love, when it doesn’t feel so rational.
Where to Buy About a Love Song, Volume 1
About a Love Song, Volume 1
Author & Illustrator: Hiroko Natsuno
Translator: Carissa Tenorio
Editor: Emelia Baum
Retouching and Lettering: Vibrant Publishing Studio
Publisher: TOKYOPOP
About a Love Song, Volume 1 is available for preorder now and will be released on December 9.
Thanks TOKYOPOP for the ARC!
