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morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Seven Days is an adored and memorable title in the boys love genre, with a nice live-action adaptation to its credit as well. The two-volume comic series features popular first year high school student Touji, who dates the first person to ask him out on a Monday but only for the week. Until, instead of a girl, the handsome upperclassman Yuzuru on a whim asks him out. The story written by Venio Tachibana may have a corny proposal of falling in love in only one week but, the execution is methodical, subtle, and appealing. Over the course of the week readers learn about both beyond the pretty boy images the characters have, with a little glimpse at their different home lives too. Both have reservations about love. Touji from a wealthy family with a complex home life. Yuzuru with a more average family including a little sister but, is often told his looks don’t match his personality, and rejected. Takarai’s first comic, her art likewise showcases an expressive touch, from faces to backgrounds, and pivotal picturesque kisses, all adding an ambience. Plus, nice paneling at the archery club that also ties the two characters together.
Taking three years to complete in Japan it was first brought over in English in 2010 and 2011 from Juné Manga. Please note however an English reprint (2016 on) suffers from severe printing errors. There is the digital edition translated by Melissa Goldberg by which to still experience this classic. That is unless you can track down an old copy, an endeavor which may be both difficult and expensive. How such defects are acceptable in any circumstance is beyond me. Fortunately, in 2019 another North American publisher SuBLime Manga licensed the series in a new edition as an omnibus format with translation by Adrienne Beck.
Seven Days is still a lighthearted, and charming comic where love does exist. Great for teenagers as well. Or for anyone who wishes to explore m/m Japanese comics this series is a good entry point.
Even better if you've read the YA novel Date Me, Bryson Keller. Further, it could also be refreshing for those familiar with the genre.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
wolfiegrrrl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A huge selling point for Seven Days is that the usual "but we're both guys!!" type of homophobia that seems to be a staple of a lot of other stories in the BL genre isn't present here, which makes it very refreshing to read. Aside from a few offhand comments from hopeful girls who don't believe Yuzuru and Seryou are dating, their relationship and feelings are simply accepted as perfectly natural if not confusing to navigate. So, the focus of the story becomes the process they undergo to identify and resolve the obstacles that pop up between them, both internally and externally.
This first volume perfectly showcases what it's like to fall in love where you least expect to. It starts with a curiosity or an interest in spending time with someone, then you start to notice little things about them that make you feel a certain way you don't have words to describe yet, and gradually develops into lingering stares and little touches and awkward fumbling moments that you quickly try to brush off or explain away - but deep down underneath it all, you're feeling your heart flutter in a way that feels both good and a little scary... and you're left wondering if the other person feels it too because you're not brave enough yet to ask outright in case the answer is a resounding "no".
The "seven days" premise serves as set dressing for Yuzuru and Seryou to experience all of these firsts after a string of failed relationships that had left them feeling hopeless. It is extremely sweet and wholesome to watch them try to navigate their feelings. The major conflict in the story is the misunderstanding hanging between them about this "expiration date" on their relationship and Seryou's ex-girlfriend who is most definitely taking advantage of him.
This first volume perfectly showcases what it's like to fall in love where you least expect to. It starts with a curiosity or an interest in spending time with someone, then you start to notice little things about them that make you feel a certain way you don't have words to describe yet, and gradually develops into lingering stares and little touches and awkward fumbling moments that you quickly try to brush off or explain away - but deep down underneath it all, you're feeling your heart flutter in a way that feels both good and a little scary... and you're left wondering if the other person feels it too because you're not brave enough yet to ask outright in case the answer is a resounding "no".
The "seven days" premise serves as set dressing for Yuzuru and Seryou to experience all of these firsts after a string of failed relationships that had left them feeling hopeless. It is extremely sweet and wholesome to watch them try to navigate their feelings. The major conflict in the story is the misunderstanding hanging between them about this "expiration date" on their relationship and Seryou's ex-girlfriend who is most definitely taking advantage of him.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
The content warnings are about a pair of side characters for mentions of cheating on each other and one character forcing a kiss on a main character in one scene. The main relationship itself is extremely wholesome and sweet.