Koimonogatari: Love Stories Vol. 01

Koimonogatari: Love Stories Vol. 01

When Yuiji accidentally overhears his classmate Yamato confessing to another friend that he’s gay, his perspective shifts. Seeing Yamato in a new light, Yuiji does his best not to let prejudice color his view, but he still finds himself overthinking his classmates’ interactions now. He especially notices the way Yamato looks at one particular boy: Yuiji’s own best friend.

Even though he tells himself he shouldn’t get involved, Yuiji finds he just can’t help it; watching Yamato’s one-sided love draws him in a way he never expected. At first, it’s empathy, knowing that the boy Yamato has his sights on is definitely straight and has no idea. But as his own friendship with Yamato develops and the two of them grow closer through a mutual study group, Yuiji comes to truly care about Yamato as a person, regardless of his sexuality. He only wants Yamato to be happy, and to be able to express his true self.

Biographical Notes:

Tohru Tagura is the manga artist of Koimonogatari: Love Stories.

Title Notes:

A single story from two points of view and two very different life experiences: a young gay man and his straight schoolmate.

Explores the societal prejudices and anxieties surrounding being a gay man in Japan, including the struggle of confronting your true self through the fear of rejection and exclusion.

Offers a view through the eyes of someone learning how to accept his friend’s sexuality and how to support him in his coming-out journey.

More details on Tohru Tagura:

Tohru Tagura’s Twitter Page

More works by Tohru Tagura