Antique Bakery · review
Don't be fooled by the description. The selling point may be the found family of cute boys running a bakery together, but there is a darker mystery plot lying just below the surface. The main characters in this group are all charming in their own ways and they each have interesting backstories and unique personality quirks that get a chance to shine in the spotlight, so it's easy to see why their bakery is so successful. They complement each other very well and the largely episodic nature of the story contributes to the fun slice of life atmosphere. This manga repeatedly sets up expectations through tropesand societal bias regarding gender roles and homosexuality; and then immediately breaks them down on the next page, subverting expectations in every aspect of the story and its characters. The concept and execution are interesting and often humorous, but the pacing gave me whiplash. Fortunately, it isn't too distracting and almost becomes endearing. The ending is the part that initially confused me and left me wanting a more satisfying conclusion to the mystery that had been building.
I would recommend this story to someone who enjoys a bit of genre bending, found families, and baked goods with a hint of mystery to whet the appetite.