Nana to Kaoru: Black Label

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A great side story to the ongoing (at this time) manga, "Nana to Kaoru". My first impression of this story was that it would probably evolve like the main manga arc, which is to say that there would be too much delay in the development of the relationship between Nana and Kaoru, and at first it appears that this is going to be the case so I was just prepared at that point to enjoy some comedy and then some. However, the manga quickly switches gears to focusing on Sarashina and Tachibana and their unorthodox relationship as the couple invite Nana and Kaoru out to ... spend a few days of vacation with them in the country.

The thing that keeps this side story fresh is actually the exploration of the older couples Master/Slave relationship and their feelings about the complexities of such an arrangement and attempting to define what makes a "couple" between lust, desire, need and love. Furthermore there is a great exploration of the power dynamic in such a relationship from the side of the submissive partner that isn't usually explored in any kind of h-manga (which is one of the things that always make Nana to Kaoru a pleasure to read - it's based in reality and not just fantasy). All of this was incredible to read.

Overall the plot was really well done and (for once!) the reader is rewarded with some nice character development between Nana and Kaoru as they struggle to define what their relationship means to them. Furthermore it's interesting from an outside observers perspective that the author has created a scenario where all the "power" in the relationship if you will actually rests with the submissive partner (Nana) and there is some hints of both Nana realizing this as well as starting to come to terms with what she's doing (or not doing) in her relationship with Kaoru and how it may be impacting both of their desires. On the whole this is really just clever and entertaining stuff and even a notch above the regular "Nana to Kaoru" writing.

Overall, if you're a fan of the main series, then you're going to love "Black Label". It has everything that you've come to expect from "Nana to Kaoru" but ontop of that is a deeper exploration of the psychological and relationship aspects of the main characters relationships. Truly a treat to read.

Well, it was funny and also continues the main story, this time show as a more mature perspective in their relationship with a linear development.

I really enjoy this so much because every single time kaoru changes the actitude and pass to be the dominate partner (M) , and the rest of the time he is a loser. But he change for love and that is enough reason to read it.
The second main protagonist,NANA, is so hot and she also change her way to look for the love that she feels for kaoru.

Most of the chapters usually follow a formula of development, I could explain ... it in the following way:
Kaoru is curious about something perverted, Nana ends up involved and giving in to her longing for "liberation of stress". The manga usually gives us fan service of Nana and at the same time their relationship becomes that of a master and slave. Although they will go back as a couple, this happens until both have exposed their inner being and demonstrated their true love.

Post date: I don't speak ingles so well , please forgive me for possibles grammatical errors.

I don't want to go on a rant so I'll try to keep this short. I'll start this off by say, if you are hoping to read this series for the kinky factor and mostly just that than I think you'll like this a lot? Maybe? I'm not really into S&M so those segments didn't do much for me outside the first few sessions but obviously if you are into that stuff then by all means enjoy.

If you're a poor hopeless romantic idiot like me who is going into this expecting a well told romance story with a kinky factor and amazing character ... development and whatnot, then do yourself a favor and don't read this. I'm not going to spoil anything but I will say this series is the literal embodiment of nothing happens. The whole story revolves around male MC liking female MC and female MC somewhat liking male MC but mostly liking the S&M sessions and then they have some sort of conflict. They then proceeed to have a session to "clear up the air" and then repeat. Theres a lot of side plots that I personally was invested in or at least curious in and all of them aside from a few got dropped entirely with no resolution or just forgotten and the very few that did have resolutions, felt more like cliffhangers or had no proper resolution. The ending was a huge let down, both in this and the previous manga.

If you want to read something similar that follows the same vibe as this story (a kinky "romance" comedy) but with an actual ending and actual development then I'd recommend reading a series called Sundome.