Whatever I thought I was getting myself into with this was not what I actually ended up getting. Which, in this case, is so thrilling because this came at me from left field with its lgbtq+ diversity and obvious intrigue to whatever backstory that's about to break my heart when it drops in a future volume.

It's not a fast or a typical boyslove romance. It reads as its title suggests, a travel journal of one couple's adventures outside the one home they know. It reflects the flaws but also the strengths of their relationship as they encounter new conflicts and friends.

I would relate it to Our Dreams At Dusk in that there a lot of things that are to be read through subtext and side characters rather than via an on page explanation.

Additionally, the art is beautiful and filled with full panels of details and cultural inspiration. As a whole, I felt so touched while reading this and I sincerely want the next volume as soon as possible even though I know it'll break me.

Rainbows and Sunshine Book Blog
June 14, 2021

This was such an adorable manga! I cannot remember the last I read a book with an established couple but this was so good. From the first page, you can see how much they love each other. They have been together for a while and it amazing to see their bond. And bickering.

I'm a sucker for travel and I always imagine a world tour when I think of the future, so I jumped on this one 'cause they're going on one. In volume one, they visit 3 countries and I loved how we got to see all the various place. I've been to Georgia and India of course (but not specifically Varanasi), so it was also fun to see familiar things.

The art is beautiful and we get a couple of chapters for each country but it was very well done. Also love the focus on food because YUM!

I cannot wait for more of Asahi and Mitsuki, especially love their mature relationship. Also so excited for them to visit other countries!!! I hope we get to see more of how they met and started dating in the future volumes. Definitely recommend it!

*ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

The first thing that caught my attention about this manga was the cover. I was scrolling through Netgalley when I saw it and I immediately needed to know what it was about. Then I had to click the request button once I read the synopsis. This manga series chronicles the travels of a gay couple, Asahi and Mitsuki, as they travel the world before they head home to get married.

We don't see many Boy's Love manga volumes that focus on an already established couple and it was refreshing to read it. You can tell that they are very comfortable with and care for each other but there is still a mystery for the reader around how these two got together. You get the feeling from their interactions that their relationship is still relatively new. One thing I loved about the relationship is that it falls very much into the sunshine and grump trope and I am here for it. It was interesting seeing the progression of this already established couple fall even more for each other and get even more comfortable with each other as they go on this adventure. I was living watching each character step out of their comfort zones to do activities and see places the other wants to experience. It was heartwarming to read.

As someone who misses traveling, I ate this one up. The art style took me a bit to get into but once I got used to it it really brought the story to life! The places they visited in this volume and the people they met made the story intriguing. I got sucked in and I read the whole thing in one sitting. And you all! This manga was so cute! But now I have so many questions that I need answers to! How did they meet after college? How did they get together? What happened to Asahi before their trip? I need to know more! I can't wait to get my hands on the next volume but I might die of impatience waiting for it to drop in February 2022.

TOKYOPOP’s Love X Love line of manga has been knocking romance stories out of the park, especially in the BL genre. With Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Volume 1, romance blends with travel and ultimately tell a story of a couple deepening their connection and discovering more about themselves along the way.

Created, written, and illustrated by mangaka Mone Sorai, Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Volume 1 is published by TOKYOPOP through their Love X Love imprint, translated by Katie Kimura with retouching and lettering by Vibrraant Publishing Studio. In this volume, we’re introduced to a couple made up of polar opposites. Asahi Suzumura is serious, anxious, and an ex-salary man, while his boyfriend Mitsuki Sayama is an easygoing free-spirited professional photographer. While they may seem like an odd couple, they’ve known each other since high school and have promised to get married—once they vacation around the world and end up back in Japan, of course.

The power of Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Volume 1 is how Sorai not only shows an already existing relationship but also how they explore Asahi’s impetus to travel. As the pair travel from country to country, the different people, cultures, and cuisine they encounter begin to bring them closer together. And when they have chance encounters with both strangers and old friends, they begin to be more open about their relationship allowing walls they had put up—or more specifically that Asahi put up—to begin to fall slowly.

As a romance, Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Volume 1 is stunning. Most BL tend to focus on couples coming together. Still, this one focuses on an existing couple discovering each other and learning how to take the next step in their relationship. It’s an added lens that makes every sight they see and every experience they have, carry even larger importance.



Beyond the beautiful romantic storytelling, Sorai’s artwork beautifully illustrates diverse landscapes with both vibrant fashion and food that pop, even without full color. Additionally, they illustrate emotional and tender moments between Asahi and Mitsuki. Small touches, longing looks, bouts of bickering, and all of these small moments paint a larger picture of affection and love that is palpable even without dialogue. Instead of telling the audience every moment of their romance, Sorai shows it to us, with tiny hints on the page showing that there is more to the story than what we so far. From Mitsuki’s camera to the scar on Asahi’s chest, there is more to told, and I can’t wait to read it all.

While some elements of the series feel slightly dated, in ways of translation and reaction to different cultures, those are quickly blown past. Additionally, the places that the pair visit aren’t your standard fare. The story starts in Japan and then moves to Thailand, India, and Georgia (of all places), showcasing the wonder and culture in each country.

Overall, Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Volume 1 offers a beautiful story that I’m happy is a series and not a one-shot. Asahi and Mitsuki’s dynamic is playful and intimate, and there is just enough mystery to their journey that will help spread the story across multiple volumes.

Two best friends go on a world tour together. The idea is to see if they can survive the trip, which would mean they would probably be able to survive marriage. One man was a systems engineer and a track start. Something is up with him. I think he was sick. At one point the illustrator shows what appears to be a chest scar from some sort of surgery. He is not out and proud. He doesn't want others to know he is with another man. Reading between the lines, I don’t think his mother knows either. The other man is a good time boy who is a photographer who doesn’t take things too seriously. They make a wonderful odd couple. They start their trip in Japan (home), visit Thailand, and then on to Georgia. They meant friends old and new, and try out what sounds like some wonderful food. This was an interesting, quick, and brainless read. I would read the next one if it was in front of me.
#Popsugar
#readingGraphics

liked this one. It was cute, but far too short for a travelogue that includes three countries.

The scene with the internalized homophobia broke my heart.

I’m really surprised that there are BL manga out there now with very fresh plots like this one! This manga is about a couple, Asahi and Mitsuki, going on a trip around the world together before coming back to Japan and getting married. It’s already interesting that they are in an established relationship, which I haven’t seen much of in BL manga, but I think the whole concept itself of traveling the world with your partner is incredibly romantic so I had high expectations going into this!

Sometimes for me stories with an established couple can be boring because there’s very little conflict or it’s too fluffy, but I never got bored of Asahi and Mitsuki’s relationship. From the first couple of pages, it’s clear that they have history with how comfortable they are with each other, but there’s also a newness to their relationship. There’s this mystery surrounding how they got together and why they were *really* going on this trip that had me super invested in their relationship from the beginning. I was reading into every gesture and conversation to try and piece together their relationship. Clearly one of them is more comfortable being out, so I look forward to seeing the other become more comfortable with the relationship and himself as the story progresses.

Reading this while the whole world is dealing with a pandemic made me want to travel so badly! Just like Asahi and Mitsuki were in awe of the places they were visiting and discovering, so too was I while I read this. The art is absolutely gorgeous! The locations honestly took my breath away and the food made me so hungry. It felt very well-researched as if the author had been there themselves.

On the surface, I think this manga seems like a simple story; it’s just a couple traveling the world together, but there is a lot of nuance because they are two gay men who are still navigating coming out and testing the waters of their relationship. I definitely want to continue with them on their travels, but what I’m most excited for is seeing what will happen when they come back to Japan and how their relationship will have evolved hopefully for the better.

I never thought that a travelogue/romance manga that follows a new couple with great plans for the future as they travel around the world in order to know each other better could have so much heart. Not to mention that each chapter does a great job of showing just how different each country is while also showing each of them in great light. It's an educational romance that made me want to go explore what the world has to offer.
The story is cute and light, but it continuously hints at some past darkness that's partly what's pushing Asahi and Mitsuki on their journey around the world. The slow reveal of what happened to Asahi and the little hints at the feelings they've had (and hidden) for each other since high school make their every interaction that much more precious.
The art is a little wonky at times, but I suspect it's just the artist's style. It even sometimes looks like it's on purpose. But the panoramic and tourist shots are gorgeous. You really do get a sense of how different and beautiful each country they visit is.
I'm definitely on board to see where else these two travel and grow as people. Not to mention how well each chapter represents the best (and food!) of each of the countries they visit.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and LOVE x LOVE for the early read!

This was an adorable manga based on the travels of a young couple.
If you enjoy BL, travel or older romance/josei in general, I believe you'd enjoy this

*DISCLAIMER* I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. I only accept books I think I’d like because life is too short to waste on bad books. That said if I don’t like a book, I’ll say so, free or not. With that out of the way, onto the review:

Asahi and Mitsuki are going on an adventure before they decide about settling down. I mean if two people can survive a trip around the world together, they can survive a lifetime together, right?

Mitsuki seems up for anything, even though he’s afraid to fly. Asahi is more cautious but anxious to travel and see the world.

As they travel they make new friends. They eat foods they’ve never seen back home. They prove how small the world is as they bump into old friends in unlikely places. And they start to learn new things about themselves and their relationship.

I debated between 3-4 stars. If I were only judging the artwork, I’d give this book 5 stars. It depicted different countries and their cultures very well. The problem I was this one was that the story itself started out very slowly and was almost confusing. The confusing aspect is partially because their relationship is a bit confusing. Especially since Asahi is not very confident about being out yet. Still it took me about half the book to really get interested and that’s a problem for me. By the end I was curious about how their story ends, but not enough to really be on the lookout for further books. If they catch my attention later, I’d probably read them. If not I’m cool with that too, so I think this one’s a three.

Oh boy, how I love this manga! Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel guide is a fun, delightful story and journey. I can honestly say that this manga is well-done. The characters' chemistry was so adorable, and I loved seeing their adventures around the world while also taking steps to figure out and deepen their relationship.

The story followed Asahu, an introverted guy who worried a lot, and and a happy-go-lucky Mitsuki. They were inna relationship and both decided to travel around the world. They promised that when they got back to Japan, they would get married.

Their travels were really fun and relatable. I was able to go to Thailand last 2019, and the places Asahi and Mitsuki visited were also the places I was able to visit. That was why reading that chapter was more fun and felt real for me. I also experienced those struggles they encountered whenever visiting a new country. I loved how each country they went to was depicted truthfully, or closest to the real thing, especially the cultural differences. I haven't been to both India and Georgia, but this manga made me want to visit them someday.

As the story progressed, we saw glimpses of Asahi and Mitsuki's past during their high school days, which made me curious how their relationship started. The struggles and worries regarding their relationship were also tackled. I really liked that there were no unnecessary dramas but just two characters talking and sorting out their feelings and worked on their relationship.

This is just the first volume and I know this manga series will offer a lot more on its next installments. The art style, characters, and the story itself were all on point. I am really looking forward to the sequel. I hope Asahi and Mitsuki will add my home country, Philippines, to their list!

5/5 stars!

I had mixed feelings about this manga. It seemed a little bit like the characters would mostly tell how they were feeling rather than show, but it was a cute little story. The relationship aspect started off very slow and it took me a second to realize the main duo was a couple. Once you read more they just get cuter and cuter though. I loved reading about their travel adventures and the people they met along the way. I also learned that there’s a variety of different gender identities in Thailand which is really neat. One thing I thought was a bit sad was how Asahi doesn’t like to express his relationship with Mitsuki in public; he doesn’t acknowledge their relationship. But I like how throughout their travels and experiences, Asahi slowly becomes more accepting(?) of their relationship and goes through some character growth. Overall this is a really fun and heartfelt story and I can’t wait to see where they travel to next! Also Mitsuki is just a literal ray of sunshine I love his character so much.

I did not know what to expect with this graphic novel but I did enjoy it. For this first volume, the story feels secondary while the places the two protagonists visit are at the forefront. You only get little snippets of memories and moments between Asahi and Mitsuki regarding why they are taking a trip around the world and how they even ended up together which is slightly disappointing but also makes sense since you don't want to pack everything in the first volume of an entire series.

Instead, each place the couple visit offers up more backstory and a sneak peak of the couples relationship as they continue to travel together. That being said...the richness of the world and the places our couple visits is so breathtaking and I found myself taking mental notes about these places for travel destinations in the future.

Vol 1 was a semi slow but great start to what seems like a really great and heartfelt series.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this copy.

I highly recommend Our not so Lonely Planet a lovely slice of life manga about a couple travelling the world. The amount of love the mangaka put into the manga shines from the pages and I'm so glad I had an opportunity to read it! I look forward to the rest of the series!
This manga has a diverse cast (in terms of gender, race, sexuality etc.) and full of travel and food and culture. I loved every moment of it, it felt like I was watching a travel vlog of a couple travelling the world. It was so wholesome and their relationship was realistically complex and loving. I loved all the food!! It was drawn so deliciously and the characters enjoyed it with such gusto! The main characters have been in a long term relationship which was refreshing to read as opposed to most romances which focus on the beginning stages of a relationship. The heart of the story is the relationship between Asahi and Mitsuki who despite loving each other deeply Asahi is anxious about being a gay couple due to how it seen in Japanese society and tries hides their relationship, while easy going Mitsuki wants to get married and openly tell everyone that they are dating. The conflict is both relatable and heartbreaking and the reader really roots for them to learn to understand each other and gain confidence in their relationship and identity.
While there was no deep exploration of the countries they travelled to given it was mostly visiting tourist spots and trying local delicacies the story was so fun and the art was wonderful! The artist put so much effort and care into drawing the various locations in great detail.

Oh my goodness, what a little warm piece of love this one was! Laidback Mitsuki and straight-laced Asahi have decided to travel around the world together with the promise that they'll get married when it's over. Each chapter focuses on a new place and what that country is known for or specific site-seeing sites. The panels were filled to the brim with details about these places--even the food looked amazing! I loved the contrast with the bare and simple spreads that were featured here and there, highlighting a particular view. I think the was one of the most LGBT friendly BL's I've read, where it focuses a bit on how other countries view and see people who lead different lifestyles. It was so heartwarming.

If you enjoy travel/food logs with the romance taking more of a sub-plot then this is the perfect series! I'm looking forward to seeing what countries our couple go to next!

<i>arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

This was soooo cute! I didn’t realize going into this story that our two main characters were dating so when I found that out, I was so excited! I always love to find more LGBTQIA+ stories to read, especially a manga!

In this we follow Asahi and Mitsuki as they leave on their travels around the world. We follow them through a few locations in this first volume. I loved all of the food descriptions and all of the rich culture in each place that they travel to.

I also adored all of the talk around them being apart of the LGBTQIA+ community and how they are navigating life together. There are a lot of great messages in this. Like how you’re completely valid, no matter your sexuality or gender.

I think this was an excellent start to the series and I can’t wait to follow along with them as they continue their journey!

4/5 ⭐️

(I received a free digital copy of this manga via Netgalley!)

I wasn’t expecting to feel emotionally connected to two characters in a manga about traveling, but I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out that Mitsuki and Asahi are both very real characters, and very relatable in their struggles with the world around them and their own feelings. They’re dating, and decided to travel around the world - if they can do it, they’ll get married.

The tourism part is very straightforward: we get (gorgeous) illustrations of famous touristic places and food from each country, learning about cultural differences with the protagonists. Between that we see little glimpses of their past in Japan, creating curiosity regarding what happened to Asahi, how he got together with Mitsuki, since apparently they’ve known each other for a while already, and making the reader curious to learn more. At least I felt this emotional attachment already, but it could be because this kind of relationship really appeals to me; Asahi and Mitsuki are the grumpy/sunshine couple and it’s so nice seeing their contrasting personalities and the soft moments they share.

There’s also other LGBT characters, including a trans woman they meet in Thailand, their first country, and we get to learn a bit more about how gender and sexuality is seen there, so that was really cool. There was a hint of some internalized homophobia, which I’d love to see more developed in future volumes. I really want to read more!!!

Carefree and easygoing Mitsuki and serious and insecure Asahi might seem like they'd be oil and water. But they're determined to make it work. Especially after Asahi had a bit of a health scare. Now they're knocking one of their biggest goals off of their bucket list: A Trip Around the World. And after they do that, Mitsuki proposes that they get married. Let the adventure begin.

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This is an absolutely adorable Boys' Love manga. Adorable. Mitsuki is the vibrant, bouncy, outgoing himbo of a man. You know the kind of guy who just lightens up the mood just by being there. While Asahi is a super sweet and shy guy with some serious hidden depths. Super adorable. But because homosexuality isn't as accepted in Japan as it is in other countries, there's concerns about being out to their friends and family. While Mitsuki knows his own mind, Asahi worries that Mitsuki is going to be throwing his life away if he 'settles' for him. This thread is sort of the core conflict that runs through the story while each chapter is a new place that they're visiting on the trip.

It's here where the artwork really shines and the story takes a back seat. The renderings of the food and locations of each country on Mitsuki and Asahi's journey is gorgeous. Stunning. Like some of the food looked so good that I wanted started to get hungry while reading this. This is the perfect manga for anyone missing out on travel during the Covid-19 pandemic. Even the realities of flying on a Japanese airline were hit -- and yes... the airplane food is better on ANA and JAL than it is on any of the American carriers. Trust me.

Honestly, this is a wonderful pick-me-up manga.

So I'm happy to give this.

Five stars.

I received an ARC via NetGalley

Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide is actually very nice! I do like the combination of boys' love and traveling. Asahi and Mitsuki are together and they decide to make a trip around the world and we get to see the world together with them! Their plan is to get married when they come back to Japan and I also enjoyed the mystery behind Asahi's current state. I loved the fact that we get to see countries, their attractions and foods. Especially Thailand, since I recognized the places and everything having been there myself too. In this part our guys also visit India and Georgia and I'm intrigued to see where they go next (I do hope they visit my country Finland). The manga is quite serious and realistic, which is great. These two are adults and normal people, which is rare in BL.

The art looks very nice and realistic too, which fits well with the story. The foods look delicious and the places are recognizable. This is such a different kind of manga and it doesn't feel like a travel commercial either, but actual story that makes both Asahi and Mitsuki grow. I love traveling myself too and thus many of the things felt so familiar. A great series!

I knew the moment I saw the cover and the first few pages that I will definitely love this manga, and I DID!!

This manga features a soft shy gay guy, Asahi, who worries a lot and wants everything organized, and a happy-go-lucky bisexual, Mitsuki, who adores Asahi unapologetically!

It follows the beginning of their journey around the world so the manga chapters are divided into trips: their journey to Thailand, India, and Georgia.

Not knowing much about how their relationship started, aside from a few frames that show their high school days, just adds a bit of mystery on what is to come in future volumes and I love that!

It also features one of my favorite tropes ever: oh-no-there's-only-one-bed!! Please, if you're looking for a manga that has A M A Z I N G art style and explores amazing culture around the world and a very wholesome-yet-chaotic gay relationship, I highly HIGHLY recommend this!