MANGAKA: Isino Aya
PUBLISHER: Opera Magazine, Akaneshinsha
PUBLISHED: 2018
2 Vol
After weeks – literally – of searching for the next addition to this series of manga recommendations, Pride edition, I present to you: Country Dairies.
Okay. You might be wondering why I’m putting front and centre a story where the only canon LGBTQ+ character is a fleeting one but…. Well, this search for unproblematic manga has been a really hard one and I’ll take what I can get. Seriously, you can’t imagine the number of manga I’ve subjected myself to, to deliver this beauty unto you.
Country Diaries is a BL manga by Isino Aya where Kurumizawa, a professor, abandons his city life for farming and it’s all very pure. He loves nature and finds peace and joy in working his little farm and finding a community among the other farmers there.
The house he moves into is in need of serious repair so when Usa Giichi – son of local farmers, and a carpenter by trade – finds him in his broken house, he offers to fix things up.
Together, they work to make Kuru’s house habitable and find a rhythm that has Usa essentially move in.
Honestly, this whole story is so cute and this might be a spoiler but… they are basically married and it’s adorable. Usa is a little rough around the edges whilst Kuru is an adorable cinnamon roll that perfectly fits him.
They get teased a bit about their proximity, their relationship, but don’t get your hopes up. It’s not clear whether there will be a third volume but these two men are a not a couple by the end of the second volume. They just happen to be what every couple could only dream to aspire to.
If you’re curious about the LGBTQ+ content, well, it would be the gay student who tries to get Professor Kuru to come back to the city. He’s obviously infatuated with his professor but don’t worry, this doesn’t even threaten Kuru and Usa’s relationship.
There clearly is more to the story, even if Isino Aya doesn’t explore it further. Usa, at one point, realises he knows very little about Kuru and why Kuru uprooted his life. While we do get a glimpse of why Kuru gave up his life, I still feel like there is more for us to see.
I really hope Isino Aya releases another volume so we can see where they’re relationship goes – if it ever goes anywhere. I’m also interested in how Kuru adapts after a full year of farming. Also, he starts teaching locally – something I would like to see him navigate.
The art style is… uniquely shaky. At first, I thought it was a webcomic but no. All the backgrounds are… different from the standard and it might be disorienting at first but it fits the story being told.
Personally, this manga was a hit for me – a strong 9 out of 10. It might not be your cup of tea as it heavily focuses on farming but I think that if you just want a sweet story, or a slice of life manga or even just something laid back with low stakes, this is perfect for you.
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