❥ 2 stars ☆

❝One simple word... One little smile... makes such a difference.❞


This is Nagisa Furuya’s first manga book, and I wanted to read it since I’ve read and really liked all her other mangas that she has written after this one, but this manga was unfortunately underwhelming for me.

Maybe I had a bit too high expectations for this manga, or it may be because this was the first one that she wrote, so she has gotten a lot better since then, or the story just wasn’t for me.

I felt like the story was a bit more slow paced. While reading her other stories, the stories has drawn me in right away and I’ve loved the stories as soon as I started reading them, but it just didn’t happen with this one.

I liked the associations and references with the number 8 in the story; both the main characters having names, nicknames and birth dates associated with the number 8. The number 8 can understandably be meaningful to many people, and the most common association is probably that it looks like the infinity sign, 8 meaning fate etc.

I also didn’t really like the art in this manga, while I’ve liked the art in the author’s mangas after this one.

💌 Thank you to NetGalley + Kodansha Comics for a digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a good time with this manga! The story flowed nicely and the number 8 being a connection between the two main characters was unique. The development of their relationship was sweet, and the occasional chnage of POV from Eito to Hatta was a nice bit of insight into the other's mindset.

As usual, it has the usual small conflict of most BL protagonists, where they think 'I'm not gay, but I like you', but it's actually not too prominent in this, and the two of them seem to overcome this quickly, which was super refreshing!

I think the weakness was in the side characters; I felt like the friends were barely there, only occasionally popping in for funny dialogue or contextualising some small things. Though with only 196 pages, I understand the author would want to focus on the relationship between their two main characters instead.

Overall, this was short and sweet, and I enjoyed my time with this manga!

2.5 stars

this was a really cute comic for what it was! the plot wasn't very interesting and i thought that the whole thing with their names was pretty low stakes but it was still a really sweet and short story.

i would have liked to see the world better developed and learn more about both of the characters' lives outside of their interactions with each other. i think basing the whole thing off of their names wasn't the best choice because it wasn't very interesting. but the drawings were so lovely and i had a fun time!

thank you to netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Soft dnfed this, it was just too much for me the angst in this story.
Also if I can't get into a story I'm trying to do more soft dnfs these
days :)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6297674370

This was a cute, quick manga for any age group. It was very slice of life, easy reading with no stakes or drama; just two high school boys with similar names who happen to find out they have more in common than their nicknames.

3.5 Stars

What I enjoyed about Number Call is the pacing, the story is slow and gentle and truthfully not much happens. However, this makes the emotional connection of the two main characters much more convincing. I think this makes the reader more invested in the romance.

As an aside, the watermark colour lines on the review copy were really distracting at times. I appreciate this might be needed in review copies due to copyright but maybe there is another way of doing it?

Number Call is a romance between two boys who bond over the same nickname: Eight, both caused by different ways to read their names. By this chance meeting, they grow closer and then apart as they wrestle with their growing feelings for each other and what their future might hold.

This is a pretty easy read with a sweet storyline and simple art. The translator did a good job with the really specific culture surrounding the names & etymology at work here, which couldn't have been an easy feat. The lack of backgrounds also helps pick up the pace since your eye doesn't have as much to follow. I would recommend if you like more innocent style high school romances.

This was such a cute read. I really liked those two characters and the pun with the number. The fact that they're both connected with the number 8 because of their names and how it annoys one but still gets him connected with the other guy is just too cute. I know how it is to be called a name you don't necessarily like but get to like after a while. Now I seriously don't know why I hated it so much at first haha. Anyway, this was such a cute story and I loved it so much.

Eito and Hachi are so adorable! I love the sweet innocence of this story. I especially like getting inside Eito's head as he processes everything that's happening.

CUUUUUTE!!!! I love a good pun, and if that pun just happens to inspire some cosmic love connections between two boys, nice to see it. The line work is crisp, the story always tight, and I loved the sentiment of wishing you met someone earlier in life. Okay I will go cry now.

This was a really cute story about two boys who came together because both their names make people think of the number eight. They become friends and get closer, and one of them catches feelings. They spend some time apart, but eventually come back together. Super cute <3

This was so cute!! I'm honestly giggling like an idiot right now because of how much i liked it. In all honestly this just like any other boys' love manga but that's what made me really like it. That's exactly what I wanted right now. I really liked the two main characters, but they were so OBLIVIOUS. How can someone be so oblivious?

One thing I would like to point out that I didn't really like was how the characters looked a bit to similar to eachother. Sometimes I genuinly couldn't distinguish the main characters from the side characters. They all looked too alike!

"Number Call" is so sweet and what I would expect from a cute boys love story. Two schoolmates become friends after learning that they both share a name that sounds like the number "8". The progression from strangers to friends to something more felt very natural and not forced like some other stories in the genre. This was a very wholesome story that I would recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted romance or anyone looking to learn more about BL.

A must-read for fans of Nagisa Furuya!
I couldn't believe this was her first published original manga, the quality is amazing. The art, the characters and their interactions, everything feels natural and unique at the same time.
And the premise, albeit surprising, it's handled in a realistic way that gives meaning to the story.

one of my favorite genres seems to be "brought together by coincidence". this one is no different.
the story is very enticing and a page-turner. you get to know them more in-depth and connect to both. they develop such a cute relationship and I'd love to read more volumes of their story.

This was Heartstopper in manga. A contemporary romance set in high school, about two boys that connect through their names been confused with the number eight. This was such a fell good read! It felt very realistic high school, with both guys having great friends, it was funny and just a good read. If you’re looking to just relax with a book and have a tea, it’s a great option.

Two boys in different classes bond over their name. One coincidence leads to another and soon their paths start crossing. This is a sweet and mundane story that reminds me of my own high school experience. The one downside that I didn't enjoy was that it felt as if the story went by so fast. Would love to see a following volume with them much older, The two are kindred spirits, who, I believe would spend the rest of their lives together. We often get stories with so many different problems so this was a mouth of fresh air. Would love to see more like this.

"Wait, you're calling me Mr. Eight?" - Eito


Eito Tachibana has a "unique" name. One that's caused him a lot of grief over the years because of the jokes and "funny" puns. The number eight being the number he's grown to dislike. . . Until he meets Tomoya Hatta, Hachi, with the Kanji for eight in his name and his nickname meaning eight in Japanese!


Little encounters and small talk turns into something more as the two keep meeting within the halls of their shared High School. Some feelings arising that Eito isn't sure about or what to categorize them as. But there's something else that he hasn't told Hachi about himself that may just change everything!


"I'm NOT messing with you. I'm just poking fun." - Yokoi

"I KNEW I should've gone to a different high school. . ." - Eito


Eito's a bit of a serious student who's also shy. Keeping to himself except for the few he's allowed close to him or who've just found amusement in making fun of him. (In the best way! No bullying in this manga!) Yokoi being a supportive bestie but also a little bit nosy. I loved Yokoi's character a lot and how he helped to bring comedy and clarity when needed! Hachi being the opposite of Eito. Sunshiny/Golden Retriever personality that draws people to him!


I enjoyed watching the two interact with one another. Funny how you don't realize someone's constantly near until you start searching for them, intentionally or not. Then they just seem to appear constantly within your orbit. I enjoyed the very fluffy, cutesy moments! The two MCs having gay panic and embarrassing moments! Eito blushing is one of the panels I absolutely adored!


"I've liked numbers, ever since I was a kid. The number eight is a particular favorite of mine." - Hachi


I was happy to have dual POVs with this manga! The main one being Eito's but we get a chapter to see inside the mind of Hachi. Understanding just how deep the opposite personalities run! I totally get where Eito is coming from! With people misspelling or just mispronouncing your name because your parents wanted to be cool and unique. . . I liked the takes on their names and even each other's!


Now this BL manga is lighthearted but there are some sad moments. The two trying to understand one another and their feelings. Sexual awakenings for both boys! We do get an HEA and now I really want to read the other manga by this author! This is a YA manga and the most PDA we get is an on-page kiss! I didn't pick up on any language and there's no heavy topics. Again, very lighthearted and cute romance!


Enjoy the shojo manga with goofy, comical moments and blossoming romance! Don't forget to give the author some stars!


shutupandbookup.com

“Number Call” is about two high school boys who bond over their names as they both allude to the number 8. The more time they spend together, the more they realize how well they truly fit together.

This story was adorable and I loved both of the main characters. I think it’s charming that Eito is so nervous and I love how encouraging and playful Hachi was! Definite a fun, feel good read :)

Heartwarming gay story with fantastic artwork. An enjoyable lgbtq+ romance that is perfect for young queer adult readers.