Fox-Colored Jealousy presents a relationship that, however endearing, you hope remains friends. Friends can enrich each other’s lives, and all relationships should.
Fox-Colored Jealousy submerges BL in animal spirit possession hijinks between two men. But it’s not without problems. Plus, even more cringe is that the pair at the center of this unconventional whirlwind romance are distant cousins. So, enjoying the romantic and oh-so-sweet moments of first love remains marred by that fact. While Fox-Colored Jealousyhas the romantic beats found in yaoi, the incest aspect harms the otherwise lovely story.
Created by Machi Suehiro, with translation by Leighann Harvey and lettering by Dietrich Premier, Fox-Colored Jealousy introduces us to Akiha, a young man who moves to the city for college and finds himself staying with distant relatives. In the Yen Press manga, his encounter with a predatory man on the train sets off a series of events that develop his confidence. The attractive and kind-hearted Yukuri plays a significant role, especially when Akiha’s fox spirit takes over. Plus, it leads to some unexpected and humorous situations.
Fox-Colored Jealousy Is Adorable But Problematic
What motivates creators to continue crafting tales of love between relatives is incomprehensible. Though it’s uncertain how distant the relation is between these men, it still adds discomfort. So, cheering for them has an undercurrent of “ew.” But Akiha is sweet, and there are so many moments where his blush combined with the fox ears and tail adds sweetness to the story.
Fortunately, it does not become overly explicit. Since Akiha and Yukuri are cousins, it would be less sexy and more awful. Fox-Colored Jealousy presents a relationship that, however endearing, you hope remains friends. Friends can enrich each other’s lives, and all relationships should. But cousins in love keep ringing each other between thoughts of “so cute!”
A Lesson About Niceness
Yukuri takes on helping Akiha in Fox-Colored Jealousy because the fox spirit seems to adore Yukuri. Given how cats at the house flock to Yukuri, they assume there is something that attracts animals to Yukuri. So, Akiha’s aspect would be no different. Since Akiha struggles to control the fox within, he has little experience mingling with others. Still, Yukuri’s help allows Akiha to enjoy himself a bit. But Yukuri has issues of his own. His kindness sometimes gets misinterpreted for something more. But with Akiha, it’s the reverse.
How Common Is Animal Spirits In This World
As Yukuri attracts animal spirits in Fox-Colored Jealousy, having two around him adds a mystery about Yukuri and the world. It’s unclear if Akiha hides due to embarrassment or because it’s a secret few know. But having Yukuri’s possessive friend, Hayato, also have a spirit animal possession shows it’s far more commonplace, or Yukuri is special. So, he seems like the animal spirit whisperer.
Meanwhile, his friend Hayato exhibits territorial behavior for him. Overall, Hayato seems dislikable, manipulating Akiha as Akiha develops affection for Yukuri. While it was the fox spirit crushing on Yukuri initially, Akiha’s feelings evolved.
Fox-Colored Jealousy inundates readers in sweetness, from Akiha’s ears and tail to his adorable blushes that inspire “awws.” While Akiha is an innocent delight and Yukuri is a gentle, caring man, it’s impossible to root for them as a couple fully. However, each is wonderful, and if the story focuses on friendship and romance with other men, Fox-Colored Jealousy can turn the discomforting moments around.
