Tokyopop has announced the upcoming release of the new gritty BL manga Love Murder Basketball, which weaves a tense cat and mouse murder mystery against the backdrop of professional sports. The manga will be released in uncensored print and digital format, beginning November 28, 2023.
Love Murder Basketball is a new series that will be published under Tokyopop’s LoveLove imprint, featuring a story penned by Kurutta Hito with artwork by Tsunderuuu. It is based on a popular OEL webtoon that has been read more than 360 million times and currently has more than 45,000 subscribers.
Describing the series and its characters, writer and creator Kurutta Hito says:
Goro, one of the main characters, is of Japanese and Melanesia-African American heritage. His heritage is an important part of his narrative, and I wanted to explore what it’s like to be a multicultural kid growing up in a homogeneous culture.
During the early stages of the creation of his character, I had a distinct notion that he should be unlike anyone else in the BL community. I wanted him to be unique in his own way. I was also aware that it would not be easy to do. Every character in this series brings a smile to my face, and I sincerely hope that readers will develop the same sentiments regarding any of the characters that ultimately win their hearts. There is a character for everyone. Your readership of Love Murder Basketball is appreciated.
Tokyopop describes the synopsis of Love Murder Basketball as:
As the son of one of the most infamous Yakuza bosses in Japan, Shoto Tanaka’s life is anything but ordinary. Then he meets the most popular athlete in Japan, Goro Nakamura. Goro is used to putting on a show for the public, and since he comes of a family of wealth and notoriety, he is frequently in the limelight. Shoto, like many others, is captivated by Goro’s icy charisma.
What Shoto doesn’t yet know is that Goro is also the infamous “Animosity Serial Killer.” In what ways will Goro and Shoto’s profound devotion to each other and their conflicting ideologies impact their complex relationship and those around them?
Source: press release
