Hiro Kotori's Pure BL: Love Struggles in "How to Start a Dreaming Carp"
There is some really sweet news for the fans of Boys' Love manga today. The first and second volumes of Hiro Kotori's popular work, "How to Start a Dreaming Carp", have finally been released as e-books this April 3rd. It is a very heartwarming series that explores the innocent side of romance and the confusion that often comes with first love. Many readers have been waiting to dive into this digital release to see how the story of two very different boys unfolds in a boarding school setting.
The Story of Mizuki and Kitajima: A Pure Romance
The plot mainly revolves around Mizuki Otsu, a young boy who has a very specific dream. Since a long time, he has always wanted to fall in love with someone who looks like a prince from a fairy tale. To chase his dreams and experience a new life, Mizuki enters an all-boys boarding high school. As luck would have it, he ends up sharing a room with Kitajima. For Mizuki, Kitajima is exactly the kind of person he admires—he is incredibly good-looking, smart, and has that princely aura that Mizuki has always longed for.
However, life is not always like a perfect storybook. Even though Mizuki thought Kitajima was the perfect person, she soon learns that he is having a lot of trouble understanding romantic feelings. This creates a very interesting dynamic between a boy who longs for love and a princely boy who doesn't quite get what love is supposed to feel like. It is a pure BL story about two people who are completely new to these intense emotions.
What Makes This Manga Special?
If you are looking for a story that focuses on emotional growth and soft moments, this is definitely for you. The series handles the "forced proximity" trope of roommates quite well, showing how their daily interactions lead to deeper realisations. Here are some key highlights of the series:
- Relatable Characters: Mizuki’s starry-eyed outlook on love is something many of us can relate to from our younger days.
- The Princely Trope: Kitajima isn't just a perfect idol; his inability to understand romance makes him feel more human and vulnerable.
- Sweet Art Style: Hiro Kotori’s illustration style perfectly captures the "dreamy" atmosphere of the title.
- Setting: The all-boys boarding school provides a classic backdrop for this next big manga trend in the BL genre.
The journey of these two boys is filled with small, awkward moments that eventually build up into something much bigger. It is quite lovely to see how Kitajima slowly starts to process the feelings that Mizuki brings into his life. For those who enjoy a slow-burn and gentle narrative, the e-book release of the first two volumes is a great way to start this journey.
Overall, "How to Start a Dreaming Carp" is a testament to how first loves can be both confusing and beautiful at the same time. Whether you are a long-time BL fan or just looking for a soft romance, this manga offers a very refreshing experience. Don't forget to check out the new e-book volumes and see for yourself why so many people are talking about Mizuki and Kitajima's budding relationship.
