Hey there, my dear friends!
To my lovely lovebirds and manga addicts! I am your favorite blogger and today, we’re dicussing about a topic that’s a little less about literal rainbows and a lot more about colors, or just say the “smutty” side of life! Let’s talk about “Iro” (色), but not just any “color.” We’re talking about that “Iro” – the kind that makes hearts flutter, cheeks blush, and sometimes, makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled into a shoujo or jousei or even smutty manga!

The “Iro-Iro” world of romance is where “colors” get complicated (and so that we have fun!)

Yes, “Iro” in Japanese obviously mean color, we all know that. But it can also hint at romance, sensuality, or even a dash of naughtiness. It’s like the word itself is winking and flirting at you, don’t you think so? So, buckle up, because we’re going on a hilariously tour of where this “iro” pops up in Japan and its beloved manga.

In Tokyo where I live, it’s not hard to experience “Iro”.
You can see salarymen trying out their best pick-up lines in Ikebukuro or Kabukicho, tourists getting swept up in the eccentric charm, and everyone generally operating on a slightly elevated level of “iro.” It’s like a live-action romantic comedy where everyone’s a little tipsy, naughty and the punchlines are often lost in translation. You wonder if you’ve witnessed a thousand tiny, hilarious love stories unfold, or at least a few very ambitious attempts!

Now, let’s talk about manga. This is where “Iro” truly takes center stage and puts on a show. And yeah, my beautiful beautiful dramatic Sheila Manga!

– Every good shoujo manga has it – the “Almost there, but so obvious” kind of Iro:

That moment when the heroine’s face turns into that delicate shade of pink, practically screaming, “Oh no, he just touched my hand!” It’s a subtle “iro”! But does it convey a lot of unspoken emotion? I might say “Yes”. Sometimes it’s so exaggerated, you wonder if they’ve just run a marathon while holding their breath. It’s the innocent “iro” that makes you go “aww” then blush and then immediately crave a relationship that gives you equally dramatic blushes.

– Jōsei/Seinen/Smut Manga’s “Let’s get the real deal” Iro:

Then you move into the world of josei or seinen manga, and suddenly the “Iro” gets a little less subtle. Let’s talk about those characters who are definitely thinking about more than just holding hands, and you know what I mean. The art style might become more detailed, more suggestive, and the “Iro” of passion, or even outright mischief becomes undeniable. It’s like the manga artist decided to turn up the “color saturation” dial on human desires. You might find yourself slowly shifting in your seat, wondering if your parents would approve of what you’re reading (they probably wouldn’t, and that’s half the fun!). But reading smut manga secretly is fun! But risky! But it’s fun!

– The “Iro” of unrequited love:

Don’t you dare to forget the “Iro” of unrequited love! That particular shade of despair mixed with desperate hope that fills so many romantic manga. It’s the “Iro” of longing glances, dramatic sighs, unspoken feelings and characters getting drenched in the rain or the snow while contemplating their hopeless affections. It’s less about a physical color and more about the intensity that saturates every panel, making you want to grab the characters and scream, “JUST TELL THEM HOW YOU FUCKING FEEL ALREADY!”

Remember: “Iro” isn’t just about colors like red, pink, or blue. It’s the vibrant, often hilarious, and sometimes a little bit scandalous, tapestry of human connection, love and desire, and all the wonderfully complicated feelings that come with it.

Tell me:
What are your favorite “iro” moments in Japan?
What is the manga that just perfectly captures that “colorful” essence of romance?

And remember, a little “iro” makes life much more interesting!