Akira Minato wanted to give up his hectic corporate job and live a life of easygoing leisure. When he inherits an old laundromat from his grandfather, Minato feels like his wish has come true. However, his life of relaxation doesn’t last for long as Minato soon encounters new customer Shintaro Katsuki, a high schooler with whom Minato forms an instant connection. Not only does Minato strive to keep the fact that he’s gay a secret, but he also tries to hide his attraction to the teenage boy who is determined to grow closer to him.
Minato’s Laundromat, Vol. 1 is a BL (Boys’ Love) manga with an age gap relationship between a 30-year-old man, Minato, and a 17-year-old teenager, Shintaro. Minato’s laundromat, the titular place, serves as the initial setting for Minato and Shintaro’s meeting, and many of their interactions occur there.
The flirtation between Minato and Shintaro begins almost immediately after their meeting. Shintaro comes from a big family, so he is able to have some time to himself at the laundromat. Much of the volume centers on their conversations, and Shintaro’s determined interest in Minato. Minato’s sexuality, which the volume’s description indicates is the big secret of the volume, is revealed to Shintaro within the first chapter in a contrived manner. The story seems to force the characters to be what it wants them to be: two prettily-drawn males, one older and one younger, who are going to get together. Minato and Shintaro are explored as characters as the volume progresses, but the romance almost seems to detract from their development.
Age gap relationships seem to be a recurring theme as it’s eventually revealed that Minato harbored an attraction to one of his teachers when he was in high school. This comes to light when Minato decides to go to a school reunion that the teacher is supposed to be at, though the teacher ends up not attending. Around the same time as this part of Minato’s past is explored, Shintaro indicates that he and Minato apparently knew each other 10 years previously, though Minato has no recollection of this. Rather than being intriguing, the continuing emphasis on age gap relationships makes it almost concerning, though Minato seems to be trying to constantly fight his attraction to Shintaro due to the age difference. However, it seems like a losing battle on Minato’s end.
Also, the use of the laundromat as just a setting for Minato and Shintaro to meet is disappointing. Due to it being referenced in the title and the importance of Minato inheriting it from his grandfather, it feels like it would play a more symbolic part of Minato’s development. There are a few flashbacks and some interactions with customers, but the relevance of the laundromat seems to lessen as the story progresses.
The art is lovely and perfect for a slice-of-life story. The panels are soft and have a warm quality to them. Though common in manga and anime, the older character Minato does not look old at all, which makes the age gap aspect a bit a of a surprise if one just looks at the cover and misses the almost subtle description on the back of the volume indicating that Minato is older while Shintaro is a high schooler.
The manga is currently being translated into English. It has a publisher rating of Teen, but due to the age gap romance and the majority of the perspective coming from Minato, the older character, Minato’s Laundromat seems to fall solidly into an Adult rating. In addition, while there are not any explicit visual scenes in the first volume, there is some explicit language. For example, Shintaro finds out Minato’s gay when Minato casually utters a sexual desire of his in a rather vulgar manner. After the fact, he realizes that he said it in conversation with Shintaro. Overall, while the characters are intriguing, and the art is beautiful, the story does not flow in a manner that does service to Minato or Shintaro.
Minato’s Laundromat, Vol. 1
Story by Yuzu Tsubaki
Art by Sawa Kanzume
Yen Press, 2023
ISBN: 9781975365240
Publisher Age Rating: Teen
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
Minato’s Laundromat, Vol. 1
By Yuzu Tsubaki
Art by Sawa Kanzume
Yen Press, 2023
ISBN: 9781975365240
Publisher Age Rating: Teen
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
