Japan's Gengoroh Tagame, revered globally for his erotic gay manga, went mainstream with My Brother's Husband, published in the U.S. in two volumes. He continues to entertain general audiences with Fish and Water, translated again by writer/musician Anne M. Ishii.
Akira, who works in sales, isn't sure what to do with a hefty box of fresh-from-the-farm cabbage he's given during a site visit. Remembering his culinary friend Koji, Akira calls him with an offer to share and happily accepts Koji's invitation for "something delicious" he'll create with the veggie windfall. Akira arrives at Koji's and immediately notices Koji's long hair. Koji admits, "I haven't been to the barber in a while. Pandemic lockdown." He encourages Akira to stay over so they can drink with dinner. His toothsome spread inspires Akira's gratitude: "I could eat like this every day," to which Koji quips, "In that case we should get married." Akira is quick to admonish him about saying things he doesn't mean, but he underscores his sincere appreciation by doing the dishes. When they part the next morning, Koji notices Akira has left his toothbrush in the bathroom, and Akira wonders why he made things awkward.
In meticulously drawn black-and-white inked panels (with a few R-rated glimpses) Tagame reveals a charming love story about which the readers quickly know more than the two single men, who are perhaps not quite ready to admit their attraction. The small joys of domesticity they increasingly share nurture both bellies and souls. Tagame particularly excels in capturing nuanced emotions and gifts audiences intimate access to a couple tentatively falling in love. Satisfyingly swoon-worthy fun indeed. --Terry Hong