In a rural town, a surgeon trying to rebuild his career is met with a yakuza who swears he’s going to make the doctor fall in love. But who really falls in love first?
About Afterglow
Afterglow is a boys’ love manga by Wagimoto Wagase. It is published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. The story centers on Higuchi Kiyotaka, a doctor who has recently been transferred to a small hospital in a rural town. Kiyotaka was on the path to be a star cardiovascular surgeon, but an incident has now left him riddled with panic attacks and anxiety. As Kiyotaka struggles to deal with his new assignment, he meets the one person everyone warns him about: Tenju.
Tenju is the local yakuza who finds Kiyotaka drunk one night and takes him in. After a passionate night, Tenju and Kiyotaka find themselves playing with fire. At first, the fling feels purely physical, but soon both Kiyotaka and Tenju start uncovering what lies beneath the surface, and they can’t stay away from each other.
My Thoughts
A doctor and a yakuza? A small town? Secret hookups? HELL YES! The art alone was enough to let me know I needed Afterglow injected directly into my veins. There is something so satisfying about two people who, by all accounts, should not be together, defying the status quo and falling in love.
Both Kiyotaka and Tenju are incredibly fleshed out and have so much to them. In a one-shot, Wagimoto Wagase manages to build a world where you feel as if you know these characters inside and out. Kiyotaka is going through so much guilt and resentment, really hating himself for the position he is currently in. Tenju’s laidback and calming nature is exactly what Kiyotaka needs to let his guard down and work through his problems.
On top of this deep and touching story, the chemistry between Tenju and Kiyotaka is palpable through the pages. Tenju is such a great lover; definitely the type to talk you through it. He’s crude in some ways, but combined with his sexiness and overall aura, it works so well. There’s a reason why Kiyotaka keeps going back, even though he knows the situation is wild.
Afterglow is a story you’re going to revisit time and time again. I hope we get more works by Wagimoto Wagase in English because I need more manga like this ASAP.
Where to Buy Afterglow
Afterglow
Story and Art: Wagimoto Wagase
Translation: Minna Lin
Lettering: Kaitlyn Wiley
Editor: McKenzie Carnahan
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Afterglow is available for preorder now and will be released on November 18.
Thank you, Seven Seas Entertainment, for the ARC.
Was drawn in purely by the art, but story wise it sounds like a pretty unique set up. Excited to try it out!