365 Days of Manga, Day 145: The Paradise on the Hill

THE PARADISE ON THE HILL (Oka no Ue no Rakuen, “The Paradise on the Hill”) (丘の上の楽園) • Momoko Tenzen • DMP (2007) • Taiyou Tosho (Craft Original Comics Anthology, 2002) • 1 volume • Yaoi, Romance • 16+
Stuffy, emotionally constipated girls’ high school teacher Kijima develops a friendship with awkward, unsure PE teacher Ono after Ono asks Kijima how to deal with the unwanted attentions of their all-female pupils. They then most of the book nearly confessing their love to each other under the leafy boughs of the school grounds or in the refuge of Kijima’s office. It’s a sweet if rather slow tale of blossoming love, and the characters are rather well rounded, especially Tsuda, the female teacher who pushes Kijima and Ono into confronting their feelings. However, despite the book’s charm, the dialogue, pacing and art are not particularly remarkable. Instead, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of Boy’s Love clichés—the constant longing looks, lengthy introspection, the assumption by both parties that their love could only be one-sided. The bonus story, “Summer Rain,” is a short poetic tale of a young man and the aftermath of his tragic relationship with a married man. (Review by Leia Weathington)

Today’s review is by comic artist/writer Leia Weathington. And today’s winner is Jared W. of Massachusetts! Congratulations, Jared, and I hope your manga love blossoms under the leafy boughs of whatever tree you choose to read your forthcoming manga under.