Ten Count, Vol. 1

Shirotani is a white-collar worker who suffers from OCD, in the form of an obsession with cleanliness, but he tries to make the best of things. When he meets Kurose, a therapist willing to work with him off the books, the lives of both improve in a story arc that’s as sweet to watch as it is informative about the disorder and its treatments. But when the two start falling for each other, Kurose pulls back for professional reasons, and Shirotani is forced to confront his issues alone—or die trying. Despite the series’s mature rating, the first volume has little that could be inappropriate for teen readers. The psychology is spot-on, and the story and art are both permeated by a realism often missing from the “boys love” genre, showing why Takarai’s previous work (Seven Days) has been translated into several languages. Though satisfyingly self-contained, this volume ends on a note that will leave readers eager for the next volume. A strong series that readers should take note of. (Aug.)