Talk Otaku to Me!

(And My Introduction to the Omegaverse)

Author: Mitsuru Si

Publisher: SuBLime Manga

Genre: BL, Omegaverse, Romance

Number of Volumes: 8

Status: Ongoing (Volume 8 has been confirmed to be the final volume)

Content Warning: This manga contains mature themes and explicit content. It is rated for 18+.

I won’t lie- when the concept of the Omegaverse was presented to me, I was overwhelmed. Secondary genders? Heat? Rut? Pheromones and suppressants? It telt like I was learning a shit ton of new vocabulary for the same yaoi I already enjoyed.

Then, on a run to EntertainMART with my best friend and partner-in-yaoi, I came across volume one of Megumi & Tsugumi by Mitsuru Si. I didn’t know it then, but this was a defining moment in my BL journey.

The first volume of Megumi & Tsugumi offers exactly what a newbie to the Omegaverse needs- it even has a cute little blurb at the very beginning that gives an explanation of the logistics of secondary genders, their biological realities, and the implications that come with them.

After actually comprehending the mechanics of the Omegaverse, it was just a hop, skip and jump for me to begin pondering the power dynamics that could emerge with a society that incorporates an Alpha/Beta/Omega hierarchy- Omegas would be at the mercy of Alphas, Alphas would lord over Omegas, and the only people who would have any sense of freedom or choice would be Betas. However, I was surprised (and thrilled!)  to find that Megumi & Tsugumi managed to convey the reality of that without subscribing to the narrative that it’s the only way things could work.

The story itself not only revolves around the defiance of this idea, but gives us a main cast that is in active pursuit of a different way of thinking and living. In the face of the pressure that comes from a society that’s always been subject to the stigma of Omegas being less than Alphas, the central characters of Megumi & Tsugumi don’t waiver in their beliefs.

Mitsuru Si has a simplistic art style that involves expressive faces for characters and doesn’t rely on detailed backgrounds. The worldbuilding is done well- between volume 1’s intro to the Omegaverse, and social dynamics being explained through dialogue and story progression rather than being spoonfed to the reader, it’s easy to orient and immerse yourself.

The pacing of volume 1 is immaculate. I wasn’t left wondering when consequences of actions were going to appear, and while we get to the explicit content rather quickly, it doesn’t feel rushed. Every scene of physical intimacy feels earned, and emotional vulnerability is handled exactly the way you’d expect of teenage boys.

Dialogue is distinct between characters- each of them has a unique voice and style of speaking that contributes to the story’s flavor. Both what is said and not said furthers plot progression, and there’s a consistency in character throughout.

Megumi & Tsugumi are easy characters to fall in love with, and the start to their story has already begun pulling on my heart strings. I finished volume 1 with butterflies, giggling like an idiot, and searching the B&N site to see if my local store had volume 2. Though I was a little heartbroken at finding out the series is set to end at volume 8, I’m excited to see the ending Mitsuru will bring to such a heartfelt and memorable story.