The line between hell and heaven turns out to be a man in a white coat…
About Heaven and Demon
Heaven and Demon is a boys’ love manga series by Aga Naomi with art by Oyoshikawa Kyoko, published in English by Takeshobo. It takes place at an all boys’ high school where Aoki is a language teacher who has disdain for the school nurse, Tengoku. There’s just something about him that Aoki can’t put his finger on. When Aoki has to visit the infirmary to check on a student, Tengoku instantly pounces on him. Suddenly the two find themselves wrapped up in an arrangement that gets weirder by the day…
My Thoughts
There hasn’t been a story that has made me repeat “trust the process” as much as Heaven and Demon has throughout these three volumes. You have a perverted school nurse harassing, almost bullying this repressed teacher and you think, “what is going on?” But then, the repressed teacher starts liking it?! Ah, this is crazy. Initially, I thought this would be a “one and done” type of story, where I read it and never think about it again. However, it started taking a turn and I can’t get it out of my head.
On the surface, it seems so wild but as you dig deeper, there’s just so much here. Aoki seems to be living his life on auto-pilot. Past romantic relationships haven’t worked out and he’s coasting as a high school teacher. He’s sure there’s something off about Tengoku, but can’t seem to prove it. When Tengoku starts messing with Aoki, some of the things he’s shoved in the darkest corners of his heart start surfacing. Why is this seemingly physical relationship affecting him this way?
Heaven and Demon tugs at a thought I have often: how closely the physical and emotional are linked. What seems to be physical in nature slowly starts opening emotional doors and in fits of passion, people’s true hearts come undone. Just when you think this is a one-sided benefit to Aoki, the tables turn and Tengoku starts unraveling too. I enjoyed seeing both character’s grow and change as a result of their connection, even if it does start in a weird way. It’s also an incredible show at how much love can begin to heal wounds we didn’t even know existed. I love how every subsequent volume explores a new point of their relationship and how hard it can be to let someone in.
I’m so happy to learn there’s a fourth volume and I’m hoping that gets licensed soon. I cannot get enough of these two.
Where to Buy Heaven and Demon
Heaven and Demon
Art: Oyoshikawa Kyoko
Story: Aga Naomi
Publisher: Takeshobo
Heaven and Demon, Volumes 1-3 are available now on BookWalker.
Thank you BookWalker for a copy to review!
