Feature
A heart-warming masterpiece that depicts a very unlikely friendship.
BL Metamorphosis Metamorphose no engawa
TSURUTANI Kaori
22nd Japan Media Arts Festival Manga Division New Face Award
Publisher: KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Publication year: 2018
Volume: 5 volumes (finished, 5th volume is to be published in Japan Dec.2020)
Copyright: ©2017-2020 Kaori Tsurutani/KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Publisher: KADOKAWA CORPORATION
Publication year: 2018
Volume: 5 volumes (finished, 5th volume is to be published in Japan Dec.2020)
Copyright: ©2017-2020 Kaori Tsurutani/KADOKAWA CORPORATION
About the author
Covers
Original pages in Japanese
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Translations matching the texts from the right corner of the top row to the left of the bottom row.
English Translation © Seven Seas Entertainment
English Translation © Seven Seas Entertainment
Chapter 1 Page 1
1. Chapter 1
2. THE THING ABOUT TIME IS…
3. IT SLIPS PAST YOU BEFORE YOU REALIZE IT.
4. OH DEAR!
5. WHAT…? BUT...BUT WHEN…? OH DEAR, OH DEAR…
6. ……
2. THE THING ABOUT TIME IS…
3. IT SLIPS PAST YOU BEFORE YOU REALIZE IT.
4. OH DEAR!
5. WHAT…? BUT...BUT WHEN…? OH DEAR, OH DEAR…
6. ……
Rough designs in comparison with the published page
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Rough designs
Original pages
Character settings
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Character design sketch previous to the start of the serial publication. The design here is closer to the final one than it was to the notes and ideas. At this stage, Yuki’s personality was defined.
Notes in the sketch:
1. Yuki Ichinoi (75 years old)
Calligraphy teacher. She lost her husband, has no children, and lives alone in a house. She is naive, speaks her mind, and is straightforward about the things she likes. Sometimes she can't read a situation. She likes dressing smartly, cooking delicious food, and having fun. She is curious about many things. She is a scatterbrain.
2. She is basically mild-mannered, but strict in a way that is typical of older people.
Click to enlarge
Character design sketch previous to the start of the serial publication. It is interesting to see that, in comparison to Yuki, Urara’s design has a different touch (pay attention to the nose.)
Notes in the sketch:
1. Urara Sayama (17 years old)
Second-year high school student. Hidden fujoshi. Her parents are separated, and she lives with her mother. She doesn’t do any after-school activities and works part-time at a bookshop. She doesn’t care about her appearance. Ever since she was a little girl, she has always been able to read situations. She is very self-conscious and isn’t able to pursue her hobbies openly. Deep down, she is kinder than anyone else. She doesn't think much of herself and she can't get that notion out of her head. On the other hand, strangely enough, she gets over things quickly and is optimistic. She’s good at saying, “Oh well, fine”. (She’s stubborn when it comes to anything that’s non-negotiable for her).
Click to enlarge
Notes and ideas from summer of 2017. In the Japanese texts one can clearly see that the story for the first episode was already quite clear at the time.
Notes in the sketch:
1. On freedom 2. Comically Humorously Freely 3. It's very hot. An old woman drinks from a bottle of tea with a special gesture. (the heat is unbearable!) Cool air from a bookshop. What a beautiful drawing! Shall I wrap it up for you? No, thank you. 4. Did you see that? 5. Wasn't she an elegant old woman? 6. The stage is set!! 7. What kind of teacher is she? Calligraphy. She has all kinds of students. 8. An elementary school student writes a random word. 9. She cooks, she explains the meaning of words. (Calligraphy classroom) And now… Let's describe the contents Huh? 10. Huh, what? Uh oh! Oh, is this the end?! 11. To be continued 12. Should I go and buy it? I'll do it tomorrow. 13. They meet 14. She starts tomorrow. 15. Damn, I fell asleep with the light on again! 16. She hides something 17. She goes to school 18. Oh... That cover. 19. Shall I wrap it up for you? 20. No, thank you. 21. The next day, she goes to buy the third volume. 22. A volume a day, are you alright? 23. She can't ask her that. 24. Something can give them the chance to make a connection. 25. (Illegible) 26. (Illegible)
Director’s comment
“BL Metamorphosis” is a heart-touching work about a young girl who befriends an old lady and introduces her to BL (Boy’s Love) manga. The story starts when the elderly lady, ICHINOI Yuki, casually enters a bookstore and discovers a book that catches her eye. She buys it and is immediately fascinated. Later, SAYAMA Urara, a young and shy bookstore employee, helps guide her into the BL and dōjinshi (self-published books) world. This is the start of an unconventional and touching friendship. Urara has hidden her passion for these kinds of stories, as do many BL readers in Japan. However, Yuki is not prejudiced and embraces it as natural.
BL depicts homosexual relations between men – from romantic love stories to hardcore porn. The genre was and is created mostly by females and for female readers. It has often not been represented outside of Japan, with a few exceptions. However, BL is finally catching the attention of readers in Western countries. More and more stories are being translated and published every year.
This unique manga conveys joy, hope, and infinite tenderness. Readers discover the possibility of communication through the power of manga regardless of age. It shows how manga gives birth not only to stories and characters but also to great friendships that can, as in this case, bridge generation gaps.
“BL Metamorphosis” (5 volumes, finished -5th volume is to be published in Japan Dec.2020) is available in English from Seven Seas Entertainment.