It's been seven years since Hozumi left the island town he grew up on, leaving behind not only the seaside, but also Mishima- his close friend and first love from high school. The two haven’t spoken since Hozumi turned Mishima down when he rejected him and lied about his own feelings, so when Hozumi returns for his high school reunion, he wants nothing more than to make amends with Mishima--a task easier said than done. In their years apart, Mishima has distanced himself from not only Hozumi, but everyone in the entire town, choosing to live alone in the lighthouse his grandfather used to tend to. Will Hozumi finally be able to break down Mishima's walls, clear the air between them, and finally confess his true feelings, or are the two fated to be separated from one another?
By Kiyuhiko
Series The White and Blue Between Us
Volume 1
Release Date 13.02.2023
Genre Yaoi
Age Rating 18+
Publisher Kodansha
CW Assault
Rating ★★☆☆☆
My Review
I was on the fence about reviewing this manga, because I was initially very hyped about it. The description said it was “perfect for fans of My Summer of You, Seven Days, or I Hear the Sunspot.” Since My Summer of You is one of my favorite manga series, I had pretty high expectations when I started this one.
First, let’s talk about the positives. The background art is beautifully detailed, and you definitely feel that breezy, beachside atmosphere. The lighthouse, in particular, stood out as a key feature, adding an interesting element to the setting. The story also gives some background as to why Mishima secluded himself in the lighthouse, but that’s probably as deep as it goes.
If you exclude the smut (which feels like it was thrown in just for the sake of it), the plot doesn’t really do much else. There’s also a dubious scene that doesn’t seem entirely consensual, which is a trope that shows up in a lot of BL and once again never gets addressed properly. It felt unnecessary and uncomfortable, to be honest.
I get that this is a one-shot and it’s a fairly thin volume, but there just wasn’t much of a story beyond “high school lovers reunite.” There’s no depth, no real exploration of the characters. You don’t have time to get attached or learn anything meaningful about them. By the time I finished the manga, I was left thinking, that’s it?
Overall, while the artwork is undeniably beautiful, the lack of story and depth of the characters left me kinda disappointed. Two stars, just for the pretty art.
