These ’toons explore relationships through diversity, change

By Michelle Adams-Thomas | Manor Ink

This review considers two serial webtoons, “Spicy Mints” and “Mr, Gaijin.” They can be read at webtoons.com.

Oh, how I love “Spicy Mints” and the creativity it shows!

The art is extraordinary, and the way inclusiveness on race, sexual orientation, beliefs and other considerations are portrayed is very inspiring. The conflict between the warmth of the characters and the coldness their world makes them natural allies of one another.

The story concerns a teen and his best friend trying to adjust to their new life as college students. As a refined person, Mint, the protagonist, does not get along with some of his peers. One that annoys him is Tsurai, an outgoing, sloppy and sometimes foolish person. As the gregarious fellow he is, Tsurai reaches out to Mint because he finds him to be interesting. Ironically, Mint falls in love with him. The problem with this is Tsurai also falls in love, but with one of their mutual friends.

Because “Spicy Mints” has so many emotional moments, it kept me hooked. With each chapter the plot thickens, and the characters’ rich back stories result in personalities that the reader really wants to get to know. Though the story is primarily about the possibility of Tsurai and Mint developing a relationship, it’s the side characters that bring the story together. If you enjoy reading fiction about the strong bonds between people as they navigate their lives, I do recommend “Spicy Mints.”

I also love how the webtoon’s author, Remmul, is so kind to his followers. I appreciate his hard work on the series, and am pleased with the promptness with which he posts it. Follow this author, and you too may be as inspired as I am about “Spicy Mints.”

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“Mr. Gaijin” is a webtoon based in modern day Japan and created by the artist blumeenou.

Takamura is a straight-A student whose life is running smoothly until he meets Carlos one day. Carlos, a foreigner recently arrived from Spain, is trying to get used to life in Japan. As he adjusts, he notices that he cannot forget his encounter with Takamura, and soon begins to attach himself to the man.

Takamura, however, does not like this. From the start, Carlos knew he liked Taka as more than a friend, and those romantic feelings Taka could not help but notice. He repeatedly refuses Carlos’ advances until he notices that he too has developed an attraction for his friend. Overworked and stressed out by a future his father has planned for him, Takamura soon has an emotional break. His hope that his father would accept his relationship with Carlos goes unfulfilled, and Carlos tries to help him by letting him stay with his family.

As the story goes on, the young men grow out of touch with one another, but the twists and turns of their friendship-turned-romance are ever so unpredictable. I love how the author depicts their two different worlds and how their lives differ from one another. I also find myself thinking of others in similar situations. Change in a relationship can happen so quickly that one may not be ready for it, and family acceptance is essential in dealing with such difficult, frustrating times.

I got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to talk with the author of “Mr. Gaijin,” blumetenou. Blume is a Spanish artist and student who has been working on the series for about six years. He enjoys drawing and telling stories, and hopes to become a professional artist someday.

“Webcomics helped me to be myself,” he said. “They’re an outlet for life’s problems. I’m also so happy and glad for my webtoon readers. They’re such patient and lovely people.” How kind of him to be so thoughtful about his readers! If you enjoy “Mr. Gaijin” at webtoons.com, please support the author @blume_tenouart.