
Member Reviews

A sweet story about an introvert who finds himself haunted by a very outgoing ghost. This was a quick, fun read. I wish the story had been a little fleshed out and we got to see a little more of their relationship growing, but a fun read.

It's a nice one shot manga with a semi ghost story.
I enjoyed reading it, though the story felt a little dragging sometimes.
Good choice for people who like yaoi melancholic Mangas with ghosts and more or less hinted happy ends

"most ghost stories you hear about usually wrap up when the phantom gets back their memories, finds some kind of peace, and disappears. but here i am, dwelling on how much i don't want to let him go."
"23:45" felt somewhat flat for me. although the setup makes way for an interesting mystery, it doesn't really deliver very effectively. i'm not sure if it was a matter of the translation or the original text, but the dialogues and internal monologues were kind of hard to follow at times.
the panels were nice, but they didn't stick in my memory very long. i think had this story been fleshed out over several volumes rather than as a stand alone, it would've been more compelling and had given more space to connect with the characters.

1.5 rounded up for Goodreads.
This was.. a bit of a mess, I’ll start with the good first tho. I liked the art. My issue with this book is that it’s extremely choppy and confusing. I’m not sure if this is because the original author or a struggle with the translation but the weirdly flowery language in one line then random dialogue boxes that cut into narration boxes really felt jarring. I have been reading manga since 2002 so the issue definitely isn’t the backwards Japanese reading format, this one just made very little sense.
Plot wise, the story is very thin. Our MC Iku can randomly see dead people when he moves to Tokyo for school, the explanation for why we can see ghosts is never explained. Iku also does not seem to care that much into looking into any kind of reason why he started saying dead people. I say ‘people’, but honestly, it’s never explained if Iku sees anyone other than our other MC. This story could have been fun, but ultimately it was just lack luster bordering on frustrating.
I do want to think NetGalley and Kodansha publishing for providing this manga for review.

An interesting story of a college student and the "relationship" he forms with a ghost who is caught in a loop with his "death" replaying itself every night. I did find it an enjoyable read although for me it was a bit slow to get into and then there were parts that I kind of got lost or it was like some scenes were skipped... Overall I liked it but not enough to read more.

This manga was such a fun story with great characters and a romance I really enjoyed watching flourish. This story was heartwarming with paranormal aspects and was a unique plot that I enjoyed. A great oneshot that I would honestly love more installments of.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this manga
This was a lovely emotional story which I felt drew me in and care for the characters and the connection growing, which was lovely and at the same time sad because we get a bit of back story for the main character.
I definitely will be continuing with this series because I loved it ❤️

I really enjoyed the story up until the end. It felt a bit lackluster for what the first 90% of the story was.
Some might love this, but it just missed the mark for me.

Ohana's "23:45" is a sweet and tender paranormal story that explores the relationship between a boy and a ghost. It’s refreshing to encounter light-hearted mangas with character-driven narratives and themes like this one. While the heightened "spice" in manga can occasionally feel distracting, choosing not to go that route allows readers to enjoy the charm of the characters. Ohana does an excellent job developing Seo Mimori (the ghost) and Iku (the human). Their interactions feel natural and genuine, creating a bond that resonates with readers.
That said, I wished for a deeper emotional connection between them to evoke a stronger 'Boy Love' vibe. As it stands, their dynamic feels more like that of a human boy and his ghostly friend. The revelation surrounding Mimori’s death brings the story to a satisfying and poignant conclusion, offering much-needed closure.
I’m unsure if the next volume will continue to explore Seo and Iku’s relationship, but if it does, I hope it dives deeper into their bond, adding more emotional depth to their connection.

A very heartwarming story with some bittersweet moments. This story had a lot to unpack and I found I was easily pulled into the book.
The art style is lovely and one that I enjoy seeing in my mangas.

A young man accidentally forms a friendship (which develops into more) with a ghost that is stuck in a loop and must go to a specific bridge at 23:45 each night. The characters in this manga were very sweet and I loved the art style. A compelling speculative LGBT manga, definitely one to read.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this manga, I think the mangaka nailed that aspect of making it a little eerie, introspective but also hopeful. Reading it almost felt like you were floating through the story as a ghost yourself seeing moments between the characters. The romance aspect was cute but not enough for me and that let it down a little but there's only so much you can fit into a one shot, they always leave me wanting more.

Two people with different issues affecting their lives collide when Iku Kurihara bumps into Mimori Seo while crossing a bridge. The twist, only Iku can see Mimori.
Mimori hasn't spoken to anyone in a long time so becomes attached to Iku. Watch how their relationship helps provide insight on how they should move forward in their lives.
I loved the ending and I can't say more without spoilers! The artist was able to convey the emotions of the characters perfectly.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-Arc and this is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this and it was a fun read but I didn’t find the story flowed very well. I enjoyed the character dynamics but I found the story choppy. The illustration are amazing!

It was cute and the end felt refreshing, although it did have the feeling of a debut work... The pacing needs some improving. But the feedback is overall positive.

This was an interesting and cozy story as we followed the main character's relationship and quest to learn more about the other male lead. It overall suffers a bit from being a one shot, as the characters could've been explored more than they were. Overall worth a read if the premise catches your eye!

23:45 is a beautifully drawn manga with an incredible concept. I loved the idea of a ghost who can interact and potentially fall in love with a living man. The relationship between Iku and Mimori was sweet and I liked how it helped Iku grow and understand his mother more. What didn't work from me was the formatting and pacing. I found the story confusing sometimes and I didn't always understand what was happening. It felt a bit disjointed in some areas. Overall I enjoyed the story but wished it had a smoother flow.

4 stars, rounded up from a 3.5
This story was cute and I appreciate that it was a single volume, as it kept the story from being too dragged out. That said, it could have done with a little more dragging. A lot of the romantic scenes felt a little vague and like they could have been more developed. When they kissed(?) and slept together (?) I was mostly wondering if it was real, and a little lost on what had actually been done, which isn’t really want I want out of the climax of a relationship lol.
The ending was cute, I liked that’s Mimori was still willing to hear Iku out even tho he couldn’t remember him anymore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the e-ARC!
Me? Reading cozy manga in the year 2025? I don't know how I got here, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
23:45 is a quietly poignant M/M manga with the lonely, nerdy Iku moves to Tokyo and finds himself sharing his space with a ghost, the charming yet melancholic Mimori. Their dynamic is endearing, full of small, intimate moments that blur the line between friendship and something deeper. While the romance is subtle, the emotional weight of Iku’s trauma and Mimori’s presence is beautifully handled. The storytelling shines in its "show, don't tell" approach, though occasional scene jumps can be a bit jarring. Still, the plot twist and full-circle ending made it a satisfying read that I would definitely recommend for those who love a short and sweet story.

23:45 is a heartwarming and poignant BL manga that presents an intriguing premise. The story follows a socially awkward, introverted protagonist who relocates to Tokyo, where he discovers that he has the unusual ability to see a ghost—specifically, a charming and somewhat mischievous spirit. This ghost, Mimori, gradually becomes a constant presence in his life, even going so far as to essentially "move in" with him.
The contrast between the two characters—our reserved and solitary MC, Iku, and the spirited, ethereal Mimori—is one of the story's most delightful aspects. Their interactions, filled with subtle warmth and humor, create a genuine sense of growth and connection between them. However, despite the emotional depth of their evolving relationship, I couldn’t help but feel that their dynamic leaned more toward friendship than romance. This is a minor disappointment, as I believe that a more substantial narrative could have addressed this imbalance, perhaps with a longer format to fully explore their potential as a romantic couple.
Nevertheless, 23:45 remains a thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling read, with a surprising and well-executed plot twist surrounding Mimori's tragic demise. The full-circle conclusion adds a layer of