Viz Media’s SuBLime imprint, specializing in boys’ love (BL) manga, has announced the acquisition of two new titles: “Sleeping on Paper Boats” by Teki Yatsuda and “Trickster’s Tale: Hu Yan Zhuan” by Hontoku. The announcement, made on Valentine’s Day, signals another exciting addition to SuBLime’s catalog, with both series slated for physical and digital release in late 2025.
“Sleeping on Paper Boats”: A Tale of Trauma and Temptation
Written and illustrated by Teki Yatsuda, “Sleeping on Paper Boats” (Japanese title: Kami no Fune de Neru) is scheduled to release on October 14, 2025. This poignant story delves into the life of Kei Kitahara, a celebrated screenwriter in postwar Japan.
The Burden of Creation
Kitahara makes the difficult decision to retire after realizing that the people he bases his characters on meet unfortunate ends. Haunted by this realization, he withdraws from the world, resigned to a life of misery.
An Unexpected Encounter
Kei’s bleak existence takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a stranger who finds him beaten and drunk in an alley. Drawn to the stranger’s captivating innocence, Kei feels an irresistible urge to write about him. However, fearing a similar tragic fate, he vows to never use his pen against his savior. The manga explores whether Kei can resist the temptation or if his creative compulsion will endanger the newfound connection.
A Glimpse into Post-War Japan
“Sleeping on Paper Boats” offers a glimpse into the atmosphere of postwar Japan through the eyes of a man grappling with guilt and the possibility of redemption through an unlikely relationship.
“Trickster’s Tale: Hu Yan Zhuan”: A Forbidden Love Across Centuries
Hontoku’s “Trickster’s Tale: Hu Yan Zhuan” is set to launch on December 9, 2025. This series explores themes of forbidden love and supernatural elements within a Chinese-inspired setting.
A Demon’s Devotion
The story centers on Feijin, a half-fox demon, half-human, who loses his family at a young age. He is taken in by Sage Gaochun, becoming his pupil. Over centuries, Feijin’s admiration for his master evolves into romantic love. However, the master-pupil relationship makes such feelings taboo.
Forbidden Desires and a Dark Past
Despite repeated confessions, Feijin is gently rebuffed by Gaochun. Driven by desperation, Feijin resorts to using magic to seduce his master, leading to a passionate encounter that reveals Gaochun’s hidden past. Feijin learns that Gaochun was once deeply in love with a demon and suffered severe consequences for it.
Exploring Themes of Forbidden Love and Past Trauma
“Trickster’s Tale: Hu Yan Zhuan” delves into the complexities of forbidden love, the weight of past trauma, and the challenges of overcoming societal restrictions in a world filled with mythical beings and ancient secrets. The story blends elements of fantasy, historical drama, and romance. The manga is also known by alternate titles, including:
- Hu Yan Zhuan
- 狐艳传 (Chinese)
- 狐艶伝 (Japanese)
- Kitsune Den
- Finding Gao Chun
It falls into the following genres:
- Drama
- Fantasy
- Historical
- Romance
- Smut
- Supernatural
- Yaoi
The series contains mature themes, reflected in the categories assigned to it:
- Age Gap
- Chinese Ambience
- Drawn by Hentai Artist
- Fellatio/Blowjob
- Frottage
- Half-Demon
- Height Difference
- Ideal Man
- Long-Haired Seme
- Long-Haired Uke
SuBLime: A Decade of Boys’ Love
SuBLime, a BL imprint of Viz Media, has been publishing boys’ love manga for over ten years, primarily focusing on Japanese licenses. The imprint has become a prominent voice in the BL community, offering a diverse selection of titles that explore various themes and relationships.
Commitment to Completing Series
SuBLime aims to finish every series they license, contingent on their ability to secure the rights for subsequent volumes.
Uncensored Releases
SuBLime is committed to releasing uncensored versions of their titles whenever possible.
Digital and Print Availability
SuBLime offers both digital and print editions of its manga. Digital versions are available for purchase directly from their website in PDF and EPUB formats. For print editions, SuBLime provides links to various retailers on each book’s page.
Licensing Requests
SuBLime encourages fans to submit licensing requests through a fan wishlist form. These requests, along with the latest BL manga releases, are reviewed monthly to determine future acquisitions.
