Slow Starter

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"Slow Starter" is a great shounen-ai series to read, especially for those who are just starting to test out the waters in this genre. It's a relaxing manga to read when you're not looking for an overwhelming amount of drama or crazy plot twists.

The plot is centered around two boys from different high schools who happen to take the same train together every morning. My favorite aspect of the series is that the author is able to make the characters and their interactions seem very realistic. The feelings between them are raw and genuine and very sweet.

With its light atmosphere and likeable characters, this is ... a series I pick up over and over again whenever I'm in the mood to read a short simple story with fun characters and a nice plot.

Editing this 10 years later to say that I finally understand the reason why I was so innately driven to read this manga over and over again -- which is that it was because it was the first time I had consumed a piece of media that reflected exactly how I perceived and experienced romance in the most nuanced of ways. Shoutouts to Ichikawa sensei for creating this wonderful story that ultimately became the catalyst of me discovering that damn I'm gay as hell (in like an agender way).

Ichikawa Kei is great at creating these slice-of-life stories that aren't particularly steamy, but will still tug at your heartstrings. Slow Starter is no different.

Frankly, Ino and Kiyo are adorable. Both are a little awkward with one another, but they're just so happy to spend time together - it's heart-warming. What I love about this manga is that it leaves out a lot of the romantic plot tropes that we usually see (like a character being bullied, neglected or injured in some other way). Ichikawa Sensei completely ignores the Seme/Uke dichotomy, with both Ino and Kyo being your average High-school males - and that's ... so refreshing.

It's important to keep in mind that this is a Shounen-Ai manga, so any steamy parts are kept to a bare minimum. But, that doesn't take away from this story at all - instead it keeps the focus on Ino and Kiyo's relationship from a romantic point of view rather than a sexual one.

The artwork itself isn't extraordinary by any means, but it's not bad either. Ichikawa Kei has a way of drawing her characters that feels sweet and wholesome. When the characters smile - you'll smile and when they laugh - you'll laugh.

Overall, I'd say this is a fantastic Manga if you want something that's heartwarming and sweet - and because there's hardly any graphic images, this book is safe for younger teenage readers as well.

Mind you I havent read the sequel "Slow Days" but slow starter is exactly like the title. It's very slow but super duper adorable, finished it with in one day, so you can get a feel of how it sucked me into it.

My only two complaint is maybe because I am not 100% great at reading mangas but the talking bubbles started to get confusing. I would always get mixed up of who is saying what and sometimes it pissed me off so much that it would ruin the moment for me alot
I would just be so confused on what going on, and then ... the next thing you know we on a different scene and something is happening and I have NO IDEA wtf is going on.
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Also the ending PISSED ME OFF, *calm breathing* HOW YOU GOING TO JUST END IT LIKE THAT AND THEN GO INTO OTHER STORIES!!! *signs* I was so freaking confused!!!! I thought i was still reading the manga and then BOOM nope!

Other then that the plot is very REFRESHING. I get so tired of all the boy love mangas being so center around sex and more sex. It can get tiring. But this one was beautifully put together. I say just give it a chance.