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BL Metamorphosis
BL Metamorphosis
BL Metamorphosis
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BL Metamorphosis
First volume cover, featuring Urara (left) and Yuki (right)
メタモルフォーゼの縁側
(Metamorufōze no Engawa)
GenreSlice of life[1]
Manga
Written byKaori Tsurutani
Published byKadokawa Shoten
English publisher
MagazineComic Newtype
Original runNovember 17, 2017 (2017-11-17) – October 9, 2020 (2020-10-09)
Volumes5
Live-action film
Directed byShunsuke Kariyama
Produced by
  • Hidehiro Kawano
  • Yutaka Tanito
  • Hiroko Ōgura
Written byYoshikazu Okada
ReleasedJune 17, 2022 (2022-06-17)

BL Metamorphosis (Japanese: メタモルフォーゼの縁側, Hepburn: Metamorufōze no Engawa; lit. 'Veranda of Metamorphosis') is a Japanese manga series by Kaori Tsurutani. BL Metamorphosis was serialized digitally in the monthly manga magazine Comic Newtype from November 17, 2017, to October 9, 2020. It follows the story of Ichinoi, a 75-year-old woman who discovers a love for Boy's Love manga, and forms an unexpected friendship with Urara, a high school BL fan, as they explore the genre together.

A live-action film adaptation premiered on June 17, 2022.

Since its release, BL Metamorphosis won the New Face Award at the 22nd Japan Media Arts Festival Awards and was nominated for the Manga Taishō in 2019 and 2021.

Plot

[edit]

Yuki Ichinoi, a 75-year-old woman lonely after the death of her husband, comes across a BL (boys' love) manga in the bookstore one day and buys it out of curiosity. This catches the attention of one of the bookstore clerks, Urara Sayama, a shy 17-year-old high school student and a fujoshi with no friends. As Ichinoi returns to buy more BL manga, the two develop an odd friendship despite their 58-year age difference.

Characters

[edit]
Yuki Ichinoi (市野井 雪, Ichinoi Yuki)
Portrayed by: Nobuko Miyamoto[2]
Urara Sayama (佐山 うらら, Sayama Urara)
Portrayed by: Mana Ashida[2]

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]

BL Metamorphosis is written and illustrated by Kaori Tsurutani. It was serialized digitally on Comic Newtype from November 17, 2017, to October 9, 2020.[3][4] The chapters were later released in five bound volumes by Kadokawa Shoten.

At Anime Expo 2019, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they had licensed the series in English for North American distribution.[5][6]

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1May 8, 2018 (2018-05-08)[7][8]978-4-0410-6830-4April 28, 2020 (2020-04-28)978-1-6450-5295-1
2November 8, 2018 (2018-11-08)[9][10]978-4-0410-7350-6July 28, 2020 (2020-07-28)[11]978-1-6450-5504-4
3June 8, 2019 (2019-06-08)[12][13]978-4-0410-8224-9December 22, 2020 (2020-12-22)[14]978-1-6450-5783-3
4March 10, 2020 (2020-03-10)[15]978-4-0410-8841-8March 30, 2021 (2021-03-30)978-1-64505-995-0
5January 9, 2021 (2021-01-09)[16]978-4-0411-0813-0September 28, 2021978-1-6482-7304-9

Film

[edit]

A live-action film adaptation was announced in January 2021.[17] The film is directed by Shunsuke Kariyama, with scripts by Yoshikazu Okada, and produced by Hidehiro Kawano, Yutaka Tanito, Hiroko Ōgura. It premiered on June 17, 2022.[2][18] The film won Best Picture at the 32nd Japanese Movie Critics Awards while Nobuko Miyamoto won the Diamond Award (also titled the Nagaharu Yodogawa Award).[19]

Reception

[edit]

BL Metamorphosis appeared on the top 50 best manga in the magazine Da Vinci.[20] It was the #1 top-ranked manga in the women's category by Kono Manga ga Sugoi! and was named the #1 Best Manga of 2019 in Kono Manga o Yome![21][22]

Publishers Weekly described the series as having an "unhurried pace" and praised the artwork, comparing it to Princess Jellyfish due to its female-centric view on subcultures in Japan.[23] Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network also praised the story, describing it as a "lovely story of friendship" built on common interests.[1]

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Result
2018 4th Next Manga Awards Web Manga Shortlisted[24]
2019 12th Manga Taishō Manga Taishō Nominated[25]
22nd Japan Media Arts Festival Awards New Face Award Won[26]
2021 14th Manga Taishō Manga Taishō Nominated[27]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

BL Metamorphosis

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
BL Metamorphosis (Japanese: Metamorphose no Engawa, メタモルフォーゼの縁側) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kaori Tsurutani, centering on the heartwarming story of a 75-year-old named Yuki Ichinoi who accidentally purchases a (BL) manga and becomes captivated by the genre, leading her to form a deep intergenerational with Urara , a high school girl working at the bookstore. First serialized digitally in starting in November 2017, the series has been collected into five volumes by , with the final volume released in 2021, and an English-language edition published by from 2020 onward. Praised for its gentle exploration of themes like late-life discovery, fandom community, and bridging generational gaps through shared hobbies, BL Metamorphosis emphasizes the universal appeal of BL beyond typical demographics. The garnered critical acclaim, winning the New Face Award in the Manga Division at the 22nd in 2019, the first prize at the 2018 Bros. Comic Awards, and nominations for the 12th in 2019 and the 14th in 2021. In 2022, it received a live-action directed by Shunsuke Kariyama, starring as Urara Sayama and as Yuki Ichinoi, which premiered in Japanese theaters on December 9, 2022, and highlighted the series' themes of and connection.

Overview

Premise

BL Metamorphosis centers on the unlikely discovery of (BL) manga by Yuki Ichinoi, a 75-year-old living a quiet life in suburban after the death of her husband. While seeking respite from the heat in a local bookstore, Ichinoi unwittingly purchases a BL volume, a subgenre of depicting romantic and often erotic relationships between male characters, primarily created by and for women. Fascinated by the stories within, she returns to the store, where she encounters Urara Sayama, a shy high school working part-time as a and an avid BL enthusiast. The narrative unfolds in the everyday settings of a modest suburban and the women's personal homes, serving as gateways into the vibrant world of BL . Through their chance meeting, Ichinoi and Urara form an intergenerational friendship built on their mutual passion for the , with Urara guiding the elderly newcomer in navigating its conventions and recommendations. What sets the story apart is Ichinoi's unexpected immersion into BL as an older woman, challenging assumptions about age and interests in fandom culture and illustrating the genre's appeal beyond traditional demographics. This late-life discovery sparks a transformative connection that transcends generational divides, emphasizing shared joy in storytelling without regard to societal expectations.

Themes

BL Metamorphosis explores themes of intergenerational friendship through the evolving bond between the elderly widow Ichinoi and the teenage Urara, who connect over their shared interest in (BL) manga, demonstrating how common hobbies can bridge significant age gaps and foster mutual understanding. This relationship highlights the potential for older individuals to form meaningful connections with younger generations, challenging assumptions about isolation in later years. A central motif is the discovery and reinvention in later life, exemplified by Ichinoi's late-blooming fascination with BL manga, which allows her to revisit missed opportunities and embrace new facets of her identity, thereby subverting stereotypes of aging as a period of decline and stagnation. Through this transformation, the narrative portrays media consumption as a catalyst for personal renewal, enabling Ichinoi to express desires and curiosities often overlooked in depictions of elderly women. The also delves into and community, positioning BL as a gateway to , , and growth, where shared enthusiasm creates inclusive spaces that transcend societal barriers. It subtly comments on norms in Japanese society by illustrating how BL fandom, predominantly female-oriented, provides a refuge from conservative expectations, allowing participants to explore emotions and relationships freely without judgment. Finally, empowerment through media underscores how facilitates emotional connections and self-expression across diverse demographics, as seen in the way BL inspires Urara to embrace her interests unapologetically and envisions a shame-free future for herself. This theme emphasizes media's role in affirming individual agency, particularly for women navigating stigma around their hobbies.

Production

Development

Kaori Tsurutani, born in 1982 in , established her career in slice-of-life prior to creating BL Metamorphosis. Her debut work, Okina Daidokoro, secured the runner-up position at the 52nd Chiba Tetsuya Newcomer Awards in 2007, highlighting her early talent for portraying everyday human connections. Tsurutani's subsequent serialized series, don't like this, published by Torch Comics in 2018, explored intergenerational bonds formed through unexpected shared hobbies, laying groundwork for similar dynamics in her later projects. The conceptual origins of BL Metamorphosis stemmed from Tsurutani's observations of elderly individuals discovering new genres, including BL, often through intergenerational exchanges in bookstores. This idea evolved into serialization on Kadokawa's Comic in 2017, reflecting her interest in how such interactions can foster unexpected friendships and personal renewal. In the writing process, Tsurutani prioritized an authentic depiction of BL , steering clear of explicit romantic elements to emphasize emotional resonance and character development. The narrative focuses on the subtle joys of and self-discovery, drawing from real-life nuances of reader engagement without relying on conventional romance tropes. Artistically, Tsurutani opted for a straightforward, expressive style characterized by clean lines and nuanced facial expressions, ideal for capturing the quiet emotional shifts in mundane settings. This approach underscores the manga's themes of gentle transformation and connection, allowing subtle feelings to emerge naturally through everyday visuals.

Publication history

Metamorphose no Engawa (メタモルフォーゼの縁側), later localized in English as BL Metamorphosis, began in Kadokawa's digital magazine Comic Newtype on November 17, 2017, and concluded on October 9, 2020. The series spanned five volumes during its run. Kadokawa published the collected tankōbon editions starting with the first volume on May 8, 2018, and ending with the fifth on January 9, 2021. Seven Seas Entertainment acquired the English-language license for and released the first volume on April 28, 2020, followed by the second on July 28, 2020, the third on December 22, 2020, the fourth on March 30, 2021, and the fifth on September 28, 2021, completing the series. The has seen international releases in other languages, including French by Ki-oon Éditions, with the first published on June 6, 2019, and the fifth on April 15, 2021; and Spanish by Norma Editorial under the title Metamorfosis BL, beginning in 2020.

Plot

BL Metamorphosis centers on the unlikely friendship between two women from different generations who bond over their shared passion for boys' love (BL) manga. The story follows 75-year-old widow Ichinoi, a retired calligraphy teacher living a quiet life after her husband's death. While shopping at a bookstore, she accidentally purchases a BL manga and becomes unexpectedly captivated by the genre's emotional depth and romantic narratives. Returning to the store for more recommendations, Ichinoi meets Urara, a 15-year-old high school girl and avid BL fan who works part-time there. Urara, who initially views her interest in BL as something that sets her apart from her peers, recognizes Ichinoi's enthusiasm and decides to mentor her in navigating the world of BL fandom. Together, they explore various BL titles, attend fan events like doujinshi conventions, and discuss the stories that resonate with them, bridging the generational gap through their common hobby and finding mutual support in their personal lives.

Characters

Yuki Ichinoi

Yuki Ichinoi is a 75-year-old living a quiet life who accidentally buys a (BL) manga and becomes enamored with the genre. Initially lonely after her husband's death, she forms a close friendship with Urara through their shared interest in BL.

Urara Sayama

Urara Sayama is a 17-year-old high school student and avid BL fan, known as a fujoshi. Shy and without close friends, she works part-time at a bookstore where she meets Ichinoi and introduces her to the BL community.

Adaptations

Manga editions

BL Metamorphosis was collected into five volumes by Kadokawa's Comic Newtype imprint, compiling the chapters from its digital serialization.
VolumeRelease Date (Japan)ISBN
1May 8, 2018978-4-04-106830-4
2November 8, 2018978-4-04-107257-8
3June 8, 2019978-4-04-108224-9
4March 10, 2020978-4-04-108841-8
5January 9, 2021978-4-04-110813-0
Each volume features depicting key characters in serene, everyday settings that reflect the story's themes of quiet discovery and connection, such as the elderly Ichinoi Yuki on a or alongside the young Urara. The volumes include lists of included chapters, author afterwords providing insights into the creative process, and occasional bonus sketches or illustrations by Tsurutani . A special limited edition, the Metamorphose no Movie Memorial , was released on June 10, 2022, by Kadokawa to coincide with the live-action . This collector's set contains all five volumes housed in a custom box with original artwork drawn by Tsurutani, featuring exclusive volume designs without dust jackets and a focus on film-themed for fans. Digital versions of the Japanese have been available since 2018 on platforms including and , offering the full series in e-book format with the same content as the print editions. Internationally, licensed the series for English-language release under the title BL Metamorphosis, publishing five volumes from April 28, 2020, to September 28, 2021, in trade paperback format with dimensions of 5.75" x 8.25". The English editions feature localized emphasizing the intergenerational friendship and BL elements, adapted to appeal to Western readers while faithfully translating the original dialogue and cultural nuances related to .

Live-action film

A live-action of BL Metamorphosis premiered in on June 17, 2022, directed by Shunsuke Kariyama. The film has a runtime of 118 minutes and was distributed by . The cast features as Urara Sayama, the teenage BL manga enthusiast, and as Yuki Ichinoi, the elderly widow discovering the genre. Supporting roles include Kyohei Takahashi as Tsumugu Kawamura and Kotone Furukawa as Yu Komeda, alongside other established actors such as Tomoko Ikuta and Taeko Ito. The screenplay was written by Yoshikazu Okada, adapting key elements from Kaori Tsurutani's original serialized from 2017 to 2020. Production involved producers Hidehiro Kawano, Yutaka Tanito, and Hiroko Okura, with filming locations including to depict the convention scenes. While faithful to the manga's emotional core of intergenerational friendship formed through shared interest in boys' love manga, the film condenses the timeline for narrative pacing and includes minor adjustments to plot details for cinematic flow. It emphasizes visual representations of BL manga pages to highlight their influence on the characters' lives.

Reception

Critical response

BL Metamorphosis has received widespread praise from critics for its heartfelt portrayal of intergenerational friendship and its accessible introduction to the Boys' Love (BL) genre. awarded the first two volumes an A- grade, commending the emotional depth in depicting loneliness and companionship through the protagonists' shared passion for BL , noting how the story captures "the joy of finding like-minded people at any age." Similarly, highlighted it as "one of the most affectionate and authentic portraits of the BL community," emphasizing its empathetic representation of female-oriented across generations. Some critiques have pointed to pacing issues, particularly in the slower development of certain plot points and the gentle, slice-of-life rhythm that may feel drawn out in later volumes. Al's Blog described the friendship's progression as "slowly and somewhat awkwardly," aligning with observations of the series' quiet, unhurried style. Audience reception remains strong, with an average score of 7.73 out of 10 on from 2,058 users (as of 2025) and 4.35 out of 5 on for the first volume based on more than 3,100 ratings, reflecting broad appreciation for its wholesome tone. The work has been noted in Japanese media for broadening BL's appeal to diverse readerships, including older audiences, through its focus on cross-generational bonds formed over genre fandom. The live-action , released in 2022, earned positive reviews for its touching execution and strong performances, with Asian Movie Pulse calling it a "pleasant movie" that effectively captures the 's warmth and satisfies fans of both and family dramas. In 2024, the film was featured in a virtual screening at the Comic Arts Festival (VanCAF). Overall, critics and audiences celebrate BL Metamorphosis as a wholesome, inclusive entry in the BL genre that resonates beyond its core fanbase, offering emotional insight into friendship and personal growth.

Awards and recognition

BL Metamorphosis (originally titled Metamorphose no Engawa) has garnered recognition for its unique exploration of intergenerational friendship within the Boys' Love genre. The manga won the New Face Award in the Manga Division at the 22nd in 2019, honoring emerging talents in Japanese media arts. It received nominations for prestigious Japanese manga awards, including the 12th in 2019, where it ranked sixth overall, and the 14th in 2021. The series was also nominated for the 25th in 2021 and the 66th in the General category in 2021. The work has been included in cultural retrospectives on the BL genre, praised for its role in broadening the appeal of Boys' Love narratives to diverse audiences.

References

  1. https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/bl-metamorphosis/
  2. https://overseas-promotion.j-mediaarts.jp/en/manga/tsurutani/index.html
  3. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=22798
  4. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-13/bl-metamorphosis-manga-gets-live-action-film-in-december/.190919
  5. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21504857.2013.793207
  6. https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781645052951
  7. https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2020/11/13/bl-metamorphosis-vols-1-2/
  8. https://solrad.co/review-bl-metamorphosis-v-1-by-kaori-tsurutani
  9. https://www.cbr.com/review-bl-metamorphosis/
  10. https://brainvsbook.wordpress.com/2024/04/19/dont-like-this-tsurutani-kaori/
  11. https://overseas-promotion.j-mediaarts.jp/en/manga/tsurutani_interview/index.html
  12. https://okazu.yuricon.com/2020/08/30/bl-metamorphosis-volumes-1-and-2/
  13. https://bloomreviewsblog.com/2020/05/19/bl-metamorphosis-volume-one/
  14. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-06-27/mizuki-tsujimura-goman-to-zenryo-novel-gets-manga-adaptation/.212407
  15. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-11-24/live-action-bl-metamorphosis-film-unveils-cast-staff-summer-2022-opening/.179950
  16. https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/321712000755/
  17. https://sevenseasentertainment.com/books/bl-metamorphosis-vol-1/
  18. https://sevenseasentertainment.com/books/bl-metamorphosis-vol-4/
  19. https://sevenseasentertainment.com/books/bl-metamorphosis-vol-5/
  20. http://www.ki-oon.com/mangas/tomes-1144-bl-metamorphose.html
  21. https://www.otakunodera.fr/product/show/9791032706657/bl-metamorphose-t05-vol05
  22. https://kurogami.com/en/product/metamorfosis-bl-03-manga-oficial-norma-editorial-spanish
  23. https://comic-walker.com/detail/KC_002801_S
  24. https://global.bookwalker.jp/debb7471b1-2c55-4b84-9758-e9e3ca0237a0/
  25. https://asianwiki.com/BL_Metamorphosis
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20413256/locations/
  27. https://asianmoviepulse.com/2023/02/film-review-bl-metamorphosis-2022-by-shunsuke-kariyama/
  28. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-02-22/live-action-bl-metamorphosis-film-reveals-trailer-poster-more-cast-june-premiere/.182895
  29. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bl-metamorphosis/gn-1/.161304
  30. https://alsmangablog.wordpress.com/2020/06/06/bl-metamorphosis-vol-1-review/
  31. https://myanimelist.net/manga/113289/Metamorphose_no_Engawa
  32. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49882162-bl-metamorphosis-vol-1
  33. https://tr.jpf.go.jp/bl-metamorphosis-vancaf/
  34. https://j-mediaarts-festival.bunka.go.jp/en/award/single/metamorphose-no-engawa/index-2.html
  35. https://myanimelist.net/news/57168001
  36. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-18/full-14th-manga-taisho-awards-points-revealed/.170622
  37. https://mangahelpers.com/forum/threads/general-manga-news-and-announcements.52718/page-43
  38. https://mangahelpers.com/forum/threads/general-manga-news-and-announcements.52718/page-42
  39. https://www.comicsbeat.com/review-intergenerational-friendship-blossoms-in-bl-metamorphosis/
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