Disclaimer: This is a review of a mature 18+ series. This series is not suitable for minors.
When friends personally recommend a manga to me it, I will immediately go and buy it. This is exactly what happened with Punks Triangle by Yuho Okita. A few weeks ago when I went to watch the Colorful Stage movie with my friend Rebecca Ann, they were raving about this and told me that I really need to read it. Then I went on Twitter and saw that my moot and BL connoisseur Court was also highly recommending it as well! Two stamps of approval from two people I really trust with recommendations? Consider myself influenced!
Genre: BL, romance, slice of life
Age Rating: Mature
Publisher: Seven Seas
Status: Complete, one volume
Synopsis:
When Chiaki was in high school, one of his friends took him to a fashion show where his life was turned upside down by a male model with piercings strutting down the runway in punk attire. From that moment he was determined to become a designer with the goal of one day getting that male model named Ai to wear one of his designs. Fast forward a few years, Chiaki is now a fashion and design student who’s often cold and rude to his other classmates because he sees them as his competition. Well it turns out that they actually do become his competitors when his professor announces that his school is hosting a prestigious competition to design an outfit and the winning design will be worn by Ai- the same model Chiaki is infatuated with! There is one problem, this competition will require Chiaki to work with one of his classmates and due to him being rude to people, he ends up getting paired with the unfashionable and introverted guy named Enaga.
One night while browsing Ai’s social media, Chiaki recognizes the location Ai posted on his story and he decides to go to that club in hopes he might be able to see Ai. After a run-in with some rowdy men, his idol Ai sweeps in to save Chiaki. As you can imagine, Chiaki loses it but Ai not only keeps him company but also offers to teach Chiaki how to have fun at night. Although he still idolizes Ai, Chiaki finds himself warming up to Enaga while they’re forced to work together on his project.
Favorite Things:
Chiaki: He was so adorable! I really loved how enthusiastic he was about the things he loved. You can really see how much fashion means to him and his drive to become a good designer. He also really loves Ai! I found his fangirling and Ai shrine to be so cute! He was so damn likable and I found myself getting so happy for him.
Ai and Enaga: Although Ai was a popular model with his face plastered on magazines and ads, he was still so kind and humble. I also really enjoyed his interactions with Chiaki because he was so patient and caring towards him. Maybe it’s my perception of fame, but often I think people’s demeanors change when they become big so it was great seeing Ai treat Chiaki with respect. Enaga also was so loving and patient. I also really enjoyed the Enaga and Chiaki moments, those had me kicking my feet.
Fashion: The punk fashion in this series is so cool! I think Chiaki and Ai are easily some of the coolest looking characters I’ve ever seen. I also really enjoyed seeing all the piercings and alt hairstyles too. As someone who likes piercings, I am fighting the urge to get another piercing after reading this.
Pacing: This manga does have 276 pages, making it a thick one shot and I can tell you that the pacing is perfect. The plot flowed so well between Chiaki and Enaga, and Chiaki with Ai. Nothing felt particularly rushed in this. The creator really gives the reader a chance to learn more about both leads and root for their romance.
Rating: ★★★★★ / 5
Punks Triangle has quickly become one of my favorite BL one shots, this was fantastic! I cannot emphasize how good it was! My friends were certainly not wrong about this one. I loved the characters, the story, the artwork, and all the fashion. And despite the fact that is a one shot, Court did let me know that there is a sequel that is coming out! I cheered!!! I just hope this series has some merch because I need some Chiaki and Ai merch in my life.
Shop here: Books-A-Million / Alibris
LOOOVED this one. Can’t wait for their next title coming soon 👀👀👀