The Boy Who Cried Wolf · review
9
/10
Much of this remarkable one shot manga is a rolling car crash that you can't look away from as the viewpoint character, deeply closeted Yuudai, and his secret crush Kimikazu have a drunken encounter after graduation. The episode is tragic and somewhat reflective of author Mentaiko/Itto's own experiences (and many others in unprogressive times and places) of putting up an exaggerated straight facade for fear of exposure. Well-realized characters are illustrated beautifully in the author's distinctive bara style. Explicit but not erotic due to the painful emotional rollercoaster you experience while reading, this is nevertheless one of Mentaiko's best works. Recommended.