Details
Title:
The Guy Three Doors Down
Chłopak z sąsiedztwa
3軒隣の遠い人 (Sangen Tonari no Tooi Hito)
Author: Suzuki Tsuta
Artist: Suzuki Tsuta
Volumes: 1
Publishers:
Kotori (Polish, 2016)
Tokuma Shoten (Japanese, 2007)
Stoic Seme and First Love a Decade in Making
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
When I think of my early years of BL/yaoi reading days, there are a few names that stand out: Suzuki Tsuta is one of them. The era of 2000s yaoi is tied in my mind with her art, sharp angles and ikemen men.
Browsing my bookshelf, I couldn’t help but re-read years after one of her early works: 3 ken Tonari no Tooi Hito, known as Chłopak z sąsiedztwa in Polish. This manga has never been officially released in English, making it a real treat to have it physically in Polish published by Kotori.
The volume consists of two stories, one spanning four chapters, the other just a one-shot. The main story focuses on a pining not-so-onesided love story between Mitsuya and a three years older friend of his brother Noboru. That age gap, though small, creates a rift between characters complicating young emotions further and further. It culminates in a sudden kiss and cut-off contact. This would be another unfulfilled first love if not for a sudden meeting ten years later…
The last story is a supernatural twist on a crime author going into recluse mode in a small village to focus on writing. At night, he keeps being visited by a boy through his window, who can somehow walk on water. Yet, during the day the boy doesn’t recognise him.
We follow the main story from the perspective of Mitsuya. He is a very brusque character and I love him for that. I enjoyed how his demeanour was a natural barrier that hid his feelings from Naboru as a kid. I couldn’t help but picture young Michael Fassbender as him, the kind of face that looks handsome with no smile whatsoever! I have a weak spot for aloof seme pining with (seemingly) unrequited love for a long time. Here, him realising he is not over his feelings, even after ten years was just a cherry on top! I wish the pacing had been a little better but as the story was contained in only four chapters, it felt satisfying nonetheless.
The last story was interesting with a supernatural twist that I couldn’t help but wish it be a little longer! I don’t want to give too much away as it’s just a one-shot, but I’m always up for supernatural stories in my yaoi.
The physical release is the standard form for Kotori releases. I adore the shade of green colour!
Oh how the tables have turned in BL market!
I am a huge fan of the flap being a part of the cover, the dust jacket is often too expensive for publishers and this is a nice compromise.
All in all, this manga reminded me why Suzuki Tsuta is such a beloved BL manga author in my eyes. There is something in her art style that just draws you in. I laughed HARD when I saw the author’s post-credits scene where she asks her editor about doing a middle-aged uke. How times have changed since 2007: the time of old men yaoi is NOW!
I’m happy to see her newer works being published in English. Barbarities (historical yaoi) and Heaven’s Design Team (comedy seinen) which I’m looking forward to buying in the future! Her newest project is a manga in the Fate series: Fate/Prototype. I shall keep my eye on it as I need to catch up on my Fate series backlog! I hope her other works get attention from publishers in the future as well.
