Sachi Narashima’s popular boys’ love manga, Cosmetic Playlover, alongside its spinoff series, Bitterness Playlover, are set to publish their final chapters in the December issue of Libre Publishing’s Magazine Be-Boy on November 7. The conclusion marks the end of an era for fans who have followed the series’ romantic narratives since their respective launches in 2017 and 2018.
The End of an Era for Cosmetic Playlover
Cosmetic Playlover (Japanese: コスメティック・プレイラバー, Kosumetikku Pureirabā), written and illustrated by Sachi Narashima, began its serialization in Magazine Be × Boy on December 7, 2017. The series quickly garnered a dedicated following for its compelling story set in the vibrant, competitive world of department store beauty counters.
The main story centers on Natsume Mamiya and Touma Sahashi, two beauty consultants for the cosmetics brand Romy Feerique. Initially, Natsume is annoyed by Touma’s nonchalant attitude despite his clear talent. The dynamic shifts dramatically when Touma discovers Natsume’s secret — that he is gay — leading to a complex and evolving relationship between the two. Their journey navigates workplace challenges, personal struggles, and romantic entanglements, including Natsume’s promotion to manager and Touma’s training in Paris.
The manga has been licensed for English digital release by Animate International and is also available through Manga Planet’s futekiya (BL) category, making it accessible to a global audience. Its popularity even led to a live-action television drama adaptation, with the first season premiering in August 2024 on Fuji TV and a second season already slated for January 2026.
Bitterness Playlover Spinoff Also Concludes
Accompanying the main series’ finale, the Bitterness Playlover spinoff will also release its concluding chapter. This particular spinoff, which has been irregularly serialized in Magazine Be × Boy since July 6, 2018, delves into the lives of different characters within the Cosmetic Playlover universe, focusing on Keigo Kakizaki and Yukito Saionji. Kakizaki, initially a rival beauty consultant, later becomes a concierge for a department store and a key figure in the spinoff’s narrative, especially in his relationship with the eccentric Yukito Saionji.
Narashima also created another spinoff, Twilight Playlover, which ran from October 2020 to July 2021 and focused on Atsushi Nanjo and Iori Kosaka. However, only Bitterness Playlover is ending alongside the main series in the upcoming issue.
Fans of Sachi Narashima’s “Playlover” series are preparing to bid farewell to these beloved stories, anticipating how the final chapters will wrap up the intricate relationships and narratives that have captivated them for years.
