The American edition will keep the cover illustration but will replace the Japanese cover copy.

Rated “M” for “Mature Audiences 18+”

In the boys’ love (BL) manga, Sweet Regard, written and drawn by Juji Fusa, a man discovers in his heart unsettling feelings for his hated brother-in-law.

Kohei Sasahara resented Shingo Otsuka, the man who stole his beloved little sister Chieko’s heart.  Shingo even took the Sasahara family name as proof of his devotion to Chieko and her family, and Kohei’s heart reluctantly melted towards Shingo.  In the wake of his sister’s death, Kohei finds his once-despised brother-in-law clinging to him.  Shingo is always on Kohei’s doorstep, and after a strange encounter, Kohei finds his sleep ruled by torturous nightmares and his days plagued by a longing for his Shingo’s companionship.  If these two men must admit to the deepest secrets of their hearts, will their relationship be able to survive the scandal.

Sweet Regard certainly has a wicked premise – a brother and his deceased sister’s husband become lovers.  The actual manga is sweet and tepid, like a hot cup of cocoa left to cool for too long.  The figure drawing, while not awful, is not strong – a must for good yaoi (the explicit subset of BL manga).  Sweet Regard is just not the scandalous read it should be.

B-