REVIEW: Pink Heart Jam beat, Vol. 1 Is The Perfect Sequel to a Story We Loved So Much

The BL series Pink Heart Jam by Shikke has been one of my favorites since it was serializing on Futekiya a few years ago. I couldn’t have been happier when SuBLime, Viz’s BL imprint, announced it would be licensing the print editions and the sequel, Pink Heart Jam beat.

Pink Heart Jam follows Haiga, a college freshman who is navigating his sexuality. When he meets Kanae, a senpai in his music club, the two begin a complicated relationship. Kanae works at a sex parlor on the side, and Haiga becomes his customer. While Haiga works out his sexuality, the two grow closer and ultimately become a couple.

I fell in love with Haiga and Kanae in Pink Heart Jam! I revisit the story often because I can’t get enough. Haiga’s curiosity, which transforms into a yearning for Kanae, makes my heart race! Although inexperienced, Haiga is the ultimate lover boy. His determination to make Kanae his is charming, and you can’t help but fall for him too. Of course, Kanae’s apprehension of Haiga is understandable. But as Kanae starts falling for Haiga, you just want to let him know his heart is safe. The two-volume series ends right as the couple makes it official, which isn’t unusual for BL. However, you are left wanting more, and luckily, Shikke delivers with the sequel, Pink Heart Jam beat.

Sequels for series can be hits or misses sometimes. Will they capture the original essence that made us fall in love with the stories? Will it be new enough to engage us and keep us wanting more? I’m happy to report that Pink Heart Jam beat does all that and more. Shikke manages to expand the world of Haiga and Kanae without losing the original spark we felt in Pink Heart Jam.

In Pink Heart Jam beat, two years have passed since we last saw Haiga and Kanae. Haiga is now a college senior, on the cusp of graduation. He’s currently rethinking what he wants to do professionally after he graduates, and is contemplating becoming a music teacher. Kanae is working as a producer in a recording studio. He works very long hours and has an erratic schedule. Haiga and Kanae are all grown up and working through their personal issues, while still learning about each other in the relationship.

I loved seeing these new, adultier sides of Haiga and Kanae. They fumble through career prospects, being out in the “real world,” family relationships, friendships, and more. Haiga and Kanae’s relationship transforms ever so slightly, but in a realistic way. They still have challenges, but nothing too contrived or exaggerated for the sake of adding drama.

I may be biased because I adore Haiga and Kanae so much, but I think we need 10 volumes of this sequel. It is so well done and makes me so excited for what is to come for the couple. It manages to remind us why we loved them in the original series and also gives us new reasons to root for them in this iteration.

Pink Heart Jam beat, Vol 1

Mangaka: Shikke
Translation: Adrienne Beck
Touch-Up Art and Lettering: Deborah Fisher
Cover and Graphic Design: Alice Lewis
Editor: Jennier LeBlanc

Publisher: SuBLime Manga

Pink Heart Jam beat, Vol 1 is available for pre-order now and will be released on May 13, 2025.

Thank you to Netgalley and Viz/SuBLime for an advanced review copy.