Glass Syndrome is a collection of two BL stories where the first story is of Toomi and Nijou. Nijou is a people pleaser and can't say no and Toomi have abandonment issues. So, when both of them meet each other the story starts.
This manga was okay. I didn't like it very much since the relationship didn't look very natural and also not much time was given for the development of characters and plot.

Second story is about Kasumi who is in one sided love with his bestfriend, later to realise that he loves his senior. This one was out of my understanding. It was super short and I thought that the book had some error so it started some random story.

Overall, an okay read

This was a nice read but it was nothing fantastic either. Indeed, I felt like I had already read this story before. We have one character who wants to please everyone and cannot say no and the other who is more rebellious and has his problems too. What bothered me is that I felt like their relationship started way too easily and was kind of rushed. Moreover, it was quite short as there is a bonus story at the end (that I didn’t fully get to be honest). If it had more development, I think I would have liked it better. Overall, it’s a cute story but not one that I will remember.
I recommend it if you want to start read shonen-ai or if you’re looking for a simple one.
2.5/5

Omg omg omg!!

I really loved this manga, it was soo beautiful and heart warming but it can also be seen as upsetting as it makes you feel for the boys in this manga. Yes this is m+m romance!!

It's super easy to read and I'm pretty sure if you love m+m romance you will definalty love this manga!!

Thank you Netgalley and to the author for allowing me access to this amazing read in exchange for an honest review!

This manga had a lot of potential within the complexity of its plot, at least with the first story. Both stories feel rushed, the connections are vague, I had some expectations and they were not met. However, it was memorable, I'll look for more content from its creators.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In my pursuit to explore more graphic novels, I requested this one, as the concept seemed sweet and I figured after some of the more involved and heavier books I’ve read lately, it would be a light change of pace. In the end, I found that there was a not a single moment in which I settled into the story, smiled or found anything natural.

The romance aspect had plenty of potential to be great, but everything was oddly rushed, the sharing and intimacy was abrupt and really out of place, and even the ending was just kind of sudden and unclear.
I suppose the disappointment (other than what I mentioned above) is just that I was expecting a natural relationship to evolve from a situation that certainly would have allowed for it, and instead had two particularly different individuals just slammed together, and I was supposed to see it as believable.

I gave the two stars because the artwork is undeniably lovely, and this is graphic novel so 90% of it is delivered via that art.

Really enjoyed reading this romance. Romance manga is definitely something I’m interested in getting into more as I used to really enjoy manga when I was younger and now as an adult really enjoy romance. It’s nice to read queer manga as well. I liked the plot of the first two characters seen the most. The other story felt like a page filler really but I enjoy them like short stories or one shots. The themes might not be for everyone, I’m always a bit iffy about underage characters but it’s not particularly graphic.

Glass Syndrome contains two stories, and both have epilogues. I enjoyed reading it, but I also wish that each of the stories were given more space to develop, especially since things got heavy at certain points. These stories were not anything remarkable, but they were enjoyable, fairly standard BL stories with hopeful tones.

Glass Syndrome contains two manga, as well as a very brief sequel for each. The main story follows Nijou, a student who feels suffocated by his teachers and peers high expectations of him. At the request of his teacher, he checks on Toomi, another student who is avoiding school due to familial issues. Both characters seem very different at first glance, but are each facing both external and internal issues that are beyond their own control.
These stories could have been more fleshed out, but if you're looking for a brief, fluffy, feel-good read, they are worth picking up.

In this manga we have 2 stories.

The first one it's about two school friends Nijou the class president and Toomi his classmate, this one was pretty cute, since Nijou it's the most pressured teen in this one, he tries to get on everyone good side but this it's so bad for him in the long run, you know what they say if you make everyone happy you will never be happy, and no better example of that, that Nijou suffering from this every time someone touch him he feels disgusted.

Toomi on the other hand, it's the only touch Nijou can actually put up with, but he is suffering from abandonments issues since his father disappeared on him one day and he has trying to do everything in his power to bring money in to survive in the apartment he lives, when this two encounter each other it's a so sweet romance to read, they have lots of issues but it's just so lovely seeing them try to navigate everything for themselves.

The second one, was super short, but also super delectable to read, in this one we found Kasumi suffering from a childhood unrequited love and in addition to that a love triangle since his upperclassman Saiki told him he is in love with him. By the end he outgrown his love and make a decision and let us to enjoy the adorable outcome of that.

*Thank you to TokyoPop and NetGalley for an eARC of this manga. All opinions are my own.*

This manga follows Toomi, who's father left him, and Nijou, the poster child who was told to check up on Toomi.

The story itself was alright. I enjoyed the plot, but the real standout is the two main characters, who are both very dynamic. This manga pretty much focuses on the faults and insecurities of the two MCs as they fall in love, and that aspect was well done.

On the other hand, I thought the pacing wasn't the best, and some aspects of the story didn't make sense. There is an entire side story that had no bearing on the original plot, and it was both confusing and kind of pointless.

I thought the main romance was cute, but it wasn't my favorite story overall.

3 stars

C/W: Underaged camming (the character is under 18), stalking

Glass Syndrome by Eiko Ariki consists of two one-shots and their epilogues.

Glass Syndrome is the main story in this series. It pulls from a lot of BL tropes in a really interesting way. I think it is a story that would appeal to fans of traditional BL storytelling, I liked how the story tackled the effects an unstable household might have on a child's education, the burdens placed on children who have to look out for themselves and consent (and what it might look like). Another topic that I thought was handled really well, was the negative effects having a so-called positive stereotype could have on someone. It was a much heavier story than I initially thought and was (in more than one moment) absolutely heartbreaking. I can easily see readers absolutely loving Nijou and Toori's story.

Similar Figures of Love is definitely something that I think would resonate with older readers. I actually wish it was longer as we meet Kasumi and Saiki without much fanfare or development. I would have loved to have seen a more slow-burn story between them, as unrequited love isn't a topic I see handled well in BL a lot. It is a very plain story, but a much-needed break from the intensity of Glass Syndrome.

The art style is crisp and unsurprising, which makes for a seamless reading experience. The translator Christine Dashiell did a wonderful job with capturing the characters voices and translating them for an English reading audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Toykopop for providing me with an e-arc of this manga.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tokyo pop and LOVEXLOVE for the digital copy. 

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This story looks like a drama with many hot scenes, but it is actually a romantic drama about two students who must deal with their own issues. They both fall in love, but the process is bumpy.

I love the main couple very much, even if their path is difficult and their first impressions were not good, they continued to advance until they became the support of the other. The story deals with tough subjects as well as its short duration allows and the characters grow consistently. 

The volume is divided into four chapters, a main story that gives the compilation its name and a shorter story to complete it. The side story is simpler, but still charming. Both have a good development, and finish their plot in a satisfactory way.

The art is beautiful and detailed, the color palette is very nice, but the character design is a bit generic. 

Overall it is a very entertaining and easy to read self-closing volume. I had a good time reading it.

3.5.

The artwork was pretty cute, but ultimately the story lacked depth. Although the narrative did touch on some serious topics, these did feel somewhat glossed over at times. My other main complaint is that it felt too insta-lovey for my tastes, but that might just be due to the shorter length of this manga. ⁣
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I do think the characters and story could have been done better justice if Glass Syndrome was longer. I could totally see myself reading this if it turned into a further developed series. Interestingly enough, the accompanying and much shorter story, Similar Figures of Love struck deeper chords in me and was able to do more with less to create an effective and heartwarming narrative. ⁣
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I’d definitely be interested in checking out other works by this artist and would recommend Glass Syndrome if you’re looking for a quick and sweet manga read. Thanks so much to TokyoPop and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for review. Glass Syndrome is out August 10th!

Glass Syndrome is a complicated romance manga that follows two different relationships. In the much longer chapter one, 'Glass Syndrome,' Nijou is a chronic people pleaser who is asked to check up on an absent student he used to go to school with, Toomi, only to discover that his father skipped town and abandoned him He later uncovers exactly how Toomi has been making enough money to get by, and this inspires a lot of complicated feelings about himself and what he wants. In the shorter chapter two, 'Similar Figures of Love,' Kasumi has an unrequited crush on his friend and roommate, Chihiro, while Kasumi's upperclassman in the music department, Saiki, has an unrequited crush on him.

I walked away from this manga with very conflicted feelings. Overall, I loved the art style and I liked how complicated and broken the relationships were. (As Marie Kondo would say, I love mess.) Nijou and Toomi both have struggles and refuse to communicate at times, but I ultimately enjoyed how their story ended. On the other hand, I felt as if their story could have had more development, as their bigger conflict felt like it came to a breaking point too early. For one thing, Toomi used to go to school with Nijou and often mentions how he was 'back then,' alluding to some kind of history with him, and I thought that would be explored more and factor into their relationship. In the end, though I was rooting for them, it seemed like their story was missing some pieces.

When the second story began, I actually mistook Kasumi for Nijou for a moment and thought we'd be getting a bit of backstory for Nijou and Toomi's younger days. I didn't mind having a second story in the manga, and I love a good chain of unrequited love, but wanting more development from the first relationship left me wondering why a second had been added. (And this is totally on me, but their size difference had me worried that Kasumi was a lot younger than Saiki. It took me way too many rereads to figure out they were going to university and not a boarding middle/high school.)

One thing I enjoyed about both stories was the elements of consent added in. For Glass Syndrome, Nijou adorably asks for consent for everything until Toomi tells him it isn't necessary, and in Similiar Figures of Love, Saiki is reprimanded for stealing a kiss from Kasumi and the only way they kiss again is if Kasumi asks for it. I loved the potential of both dynamics and would have preferred to see Similar Figures of Love expanded into a full manga, with a little bit of padding added to Glass Syndrome to have two well-fleshed-out stories. I would still reread this and overall did like it!

❧ 3 ★

The premise of the story definitely caught my attention but the development of it throughout the manga wasn’t my favourite. I just felt like it all went by too fast and wasn’t fleshed out enough. I wish we had gotten to see more of the relationship develop between Nijou and Toomi.

I still had a good experience with this manga! I just wished we had more time with them and their story. There was a lot more that they could’ve went in with between why Nijou is the way he is and Toomi’s backstory. Just felt like a lot of wasted potential!

2.5/5⭐️

Dealing with personal demons, It's a story of two polar opposite young men's finding comfort in each other. Nijou the perfect poster boy secretly hates the unnecessary attentions he receives. Abandoned by his dad, Toomi is a mess, both mentally & financially. It follows a comfort/healing troupe with a spice of cross dressing.

It was cute, fluffy and swoony. I loved the dynamics of the protagonists. The way their perspective changes and they come to realize they need each other is a spectacular sight to behold. But i strongly believe this story could use some moderation and modifications, especially, the cross-dressing portion desreved a bit more focus.

The second mini comic "similar figure of love" had a yaoi setup and in compare to the titular one It's less complex and do i dare say, plain! It's not necessarily a bad plot, just plain. .

The art style is also pretty dope. And yes, the protagonists were distinguishable without their hair color. lOl! It's a school based setting and the whole atmosphere was pictured sincerely. Overall a good, light read. Would Recommend.

Glass Syndrome is short and sweet bl mini-collection containing two love stories. Since most bl mini-stories are usually only a handful of chapters long, they' can be a bit hit or miss - but I felt that Glass Syndrome did well in having an ideal balance of hurt/comfort in addition to its pretty and clean art style. It was refreshing story that helped shake me out of my manga slump!

The main couple are Nijou and Toori: Nijou, a popular student who feels burdened by his classmates' attention and expectations, and Toori, a boy who has been abandoned by his father and whose lonliness is keeping him from attending classes. The two find unexpected comfort in one anothers' company and grow closer to each other as their romantic love begins to develop.

The side story couple in Similar Figures of Love were a bit less developed and not as exciting, but I feel like this is fairly common in bl collections. Kasumi's love for his best friend Chihiro is unrequited, while at the sime time he is being pined after by his upperclassman Saiki. Kasumi tries to follow Saiki's example of just finding happiness in seeing the person he loves be happy, and in doing so learns that love can change and take different forms over time - like "a gem changing to a piece glass".

Overall, Glass Syndrome is an engaging love story and a fairly fast read. I will definitely reccomend it to those who are always on the lookout for good bl stories!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.

Glass Syndrome is made up of 2 different shonen ai stories. Between the two I did like Glass Syndrome way better than Similar Figures of Love. Similar Figures of Love just felt really rushed like it was added as an after thought or something. Despite that it was cute and had its charm. Glass Syndrome was beautiful, simple and full of emotion. I really liked how natural their relationship felt as the story progressed. I also loved that Toomi and Nijou actually communicated! I kinda wished the second story was more of Toomi and Nijou honestly. I really liked the delicate artwork even though it's still kinda your typical manga artwork though. I also think the cover is beautiful. I recommend this if you want a good solid boys love story.

The art style is very normal for manga and works well with the plot.
Story Number One (Glass Syndrome): This was a very lovely tale. I enjoyed how organic the relationship between the two characters was. It was very endearing to see them together and sharing an apartment in the end.

Story #2 (Similar Figures of Love): I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite of the two. The plot appeared rushed, particularly when it comes to the chemistry between the characters. The finale was a letdown.

Thank you to both Netgalley and Tokyopop for letting read this manga.

Glass Syndrome is sad and hollow and beautiful in its own way. A really simple, but full of emotion. I liked that a lot. Nijou is the class president, but feels suffocated by the role. He ends up helping his classmate Toomi, who he used to go to school with and Toomi's presence eases him and the boy cries. Toomi's dad has left him and he has to support himself by playing a girl online and soon these two guys start growing feelings for one another. There's also another smaller story in the book, but that felt slightly out of place and I would've liked to enjoy Nijou and Toomi more. The fear of roles you cannot fill and the fear of being abandoned are well portrayed and the guys actually talk, which is great.

The art looks delicate and it works well with the heavy atmosphere. There's no sex seen, which works too, since this story is more about emotion than carnal desire. The constant hollowness makes this still hard to approach on some level, even though is surely is refreshing. Good basic and solid boys' love though.