Name: Ten Count
ISBN: 9781421588025

Rihito Takarai

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani's attraction to his counselor grows.

Ten Count

While out on the town with Kurose, Shirotani daydreams about the younger man kissing him. His desire quickly overcomes his phobia of human touch, and he gives himself over to his counselor’s hands for relief. Watch as the relationship between the corporate secretary and his counselor continues to boil over in this story of love and therapy. -- VIZ Media

Ten Count, Vol. 3 (Yaoi Manga)

☽ jess ☾

Ashling Brown

I enjoyed the time I spent reading this, and after finishing, I immediately bought volume 2.

Although the story felt a little flat at times, I think it could progress into something wonderful!

Katerina Thorson

5/5

Oh.My.God - there are no words for what I have to say about this manga. First of all the art style is absolutely gorgeous. I was just in awe at all the detail that we are given. I mean even down to the tiniest of details was given to us. It was like the world was coming alive in front of me. 

And then of course we have the characters - Shirotani and Kurose. Both very distinct and individual characters. We have Shirotani who is a assistant to a President that suffers severe germophobia and OCD behaviors. You can definitely see that it effects his every day life. What I loved so much about this manga was the reality of mental health issues - especially since I myself suffer from OCD and depression.
 
So many times books or manga's skim over mental healthand focus either on the romance or on how the character was miraculously cured. This is not the case for this book at all. Takarai delves deep into the mental health side and we get to see the reality of Shirotani's situation. 

Then we have the lovely Kurose - a behavioral therapist. There was much I loved about Kurose. He is definitely the stereotypical brooding, badass, doesn't give a shit about anything character. Although, you definitely notice that he is anything but. Many readers were angry about the fact that Kurose states in the manga "If you follow this ten step program you will be completely cured" and we all know that Germophobio and OCD is not curable it just becomes tolerable. As I have, by the time I have written this review, finsihed the series - I can say that (view spoiler)[Kurose does not believe this at all, but says it to make Shirotani feel better. (hide spoiler)]

One thing I do want to bring up that plays a huge role in both Kurose's and Shirotani's life is abandonment. Especially (view spoiler)[when at the end of this volume Kurose abandons Shirotani. As you can imagine when someone with mental health issues is abandoned, we tend to blame ourselves. As if it's our own fault, that we are too much for the other person. (hide spoiler)]

Such a beautiful manga and I can't wait to write the reviews for the other 5 volumes. I read them way too fast. I just needed it all! Do I recommend buying this series - abso-fucking-lutely.

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder in this doctor-patient romance fraught with compulsion! Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows. Shirotani begins opening his heart to Kurose, until the counselor suddenly tells him that their sessions are over. Shocked, Shirotani withdraws into his home, refusing to come out. Out of the blue, Kurose texts him and asks to see him. What will Shirotani do when he finds out the secret Kurose has been hiding from him this whole time?

5/5

By far one of my most favorite Yaoi manga's to date. In the last 4 months I have read a lot of Yaoi manga, especially during pride month. However, Ten Count is the most laid out, plot driven, smexy time of a manga. Yes, be warned this second volume is much more explicit than the first. Actually the first was very clean. However, we get more of the characters, more of the background of Shirotani's childhood and what possibly happened to make him a OCD germaphobic. 

I mean this is just a glorious manga. Volume one ripped my heart out with Kurose deciding to end their lessons and while I understand why now it just doesn't help my heart. Many people found it silly how Shirotani acted and I disagree whole heartedly. Due to my own experiences with mental health issues and abandonment, Shirotani did what any mentally struggling individual would have done - shut down. I mean think about it, your whole life you are considered a failure, that what you do is not good enough, that trying to get better is just going to slow. So when Kurose left it felt like true abandonment. He felt like it was his fault like most individuals who go through mental health challenges.

I think that's what makes this whole manga very raw and very realistic. Yes, some things might not happen the way we want in real life and it does in the manga. However, it is a work of fiction and we don't read books for them to be close to our own realities. 

This is truly a one of a kind manga series and I most likely will reread it but focus more on the art rather than the story.

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder in this doctor-patient romance fraught with compulsion! Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows. While out on the town with Kurose, Shirotani daydreams about the younger man kissing him. His desire quickly overcomes his phobia of human touch, and he gives himself over to his counselor’s hands for relief. Watch as the relationship between the corporate secretary and his counselor continues to boil over in this story of love and therapy.

5/5

*This manga contains explicit content - please be advised before reading
What an amazing story line so far. We really delve deep into the issues of Shirotani's past and the love that Kurose holds for Shirotani. Since my opinion on the manga hasn't changed so far. I am going to discuss the one thing that really makes me uncomfortable about Yaoi manga - sexual assault being seen as "love".

By now, I have read enough Yaoi manga to make a somewhat decent view on the matter. Every Yaoi manga, so far, that I have come across with "explicit content" contains a gay character that forces himself on a somewhat straight character and the somewhat straight character says "NO"!. However, the gay character is like "well I know you are liking it because you are aroused sooo I am not gonna listen to that." I struggle with this a lot especially due to my own past with a sexual assault. I understand...no actually I don't understand why mangaka's have to use this type of plot premise in manga's. I am sorry but when a person says "NO" they mean "NO".

Unfortunately, while I do love the story of Ten Count, we see a lot of this with Kurose forcing himself on Shirotani...even after Shiro says "NO". Although, I believe in this manga both characters are gay just not out of the closet. Sexual assault is real whether you are straight or part of the LGBT+ community. In fact, there is a higher percentage of sexual assault in the LGBT+ community so I don't understand why authors see this as "love" when they put it into novels. 

So yes, while I love the story and will give that a 5/5 stars...I am not okay with how mangaka authors are writing off sexual assault as if it's love and that it's okay. It's not.

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder in this doctor-patient romance fraught with compulsion! Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows. At the mercy of Kurose’s hands and words, Shirotani finally hears the full reason Kurose fell in love with him. The truth is such a surprise that Shirotani runs away from him in shock, and it isn’t long before his body starts aching for Kurose’s touch, causing Shirotani to soothe his own desire. But in doing so, he scares up memories of the traumatic event at the core of his compulsion.

5/5

Lots of things are happening. The storyline is really starting to pick up. We are finally revealed Shirotoni's past that developed his Germophobia and OCD tendencies. I am not sure how to feel about it to be honest. Do I understand it yes, but it is definitely in the category of f*cked up and slightly weird. I do feel like out of all the manga's in the series, this one is the most dark and twisted. 

We also get to see inside of Kurose's head more and I honestly enjoy that. Do I agree with his reasons and intentions...not really but unfortunately there are people in real life that think they same thing. At this point in time, I definitely see the Kurose and Shirotani's relationship on the more abusive side and maybe the author was trying to show this in a different light (doubtful) - I just don't know. Still, I loved the story line and the progress we are getting into the plot.

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder in this doctor-patient romance fraught with compulsion! Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows. Seeing Kurose for the first time in two months, Shirotani takes a big step forward in their relationship—and his treatment—by kissing Kurose’s hand when asked. Then, after Kurose fails to invite him home, Shirotani chases after him! Could this new, more impulsive side of Shirotani signal a new phase in their tumultuous relationship?

5/5

So that just happened. Umm...hmm. Wow - Just don't know what really to say XD. I mean holy shit we were given a heavy dose of well hotness to say the least. We are definitely revealed a lot with Shirotani and his struggles with not only coming to terms with falling in love but with also facing his dark desires. But the thing that I loved the most is that we finally got to see the shell of Kurose break and he, himself, reveal his own insecurities and fears. 

And then of course there is that ending and I am just like ...are. you. kidding. me?!

Yup that is all.

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder in this doctor-patient romance fraught with compulsion! Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows. Shirotani and Kurose continue to grow ever closer as a couple. One day, while out on a date with Kurose, Shirotani runs into Ueda, the woman responsible for triggering his germophobia. The encounter causes emotions Shirotani has long buried to surface. Will this be the catalyst that drives Shirotani to once and for all allow number ten on his list?

5/5

Was this series more f*cked up than life itself?... Yes, yes it was. But that's the reality of life right? We are dealt a hand of cards, sometimes more than we can deal with. These characters are flawed, damaged, broken, liars, and just borderline disturbing. However, I think that's the point of this manga series in a way.

I do think we are left hanging on a cliff at the end and the whole reason behind Shiro's OCD/Germophobic disorder was kind of left on the hinge. Here he is finally facing the cause of his disorder and it was wrapped up within a page. It was like it became insignificant. I feel like we could have had multiple more books - one to just focus on Kurose's disturbing past and then to develop the relationship between Kurose and Shirotani. 

So why did I rate it 5/5, who knows. Probably because I loved it. It was addicting and messed up - just how life is supposed to be. 

A note on Shiro's and Kurose's relationship. After reading this series and looking at the relationship, I would definitely classify it as very abusive. You have Kurose who pretty much has told Shiro - throughout the series - that "no one will love you as I do, no one will accept you for your issues as I will". Most abusive partners, who want to keep the person they are abusing, will say exactly this. So, personally, their relationship is messed up. And it isn't just Kurose it is definitely Shirotani as well. The man who seems to have found a very dark part of himself. Do I still think they are a cute couple, absolutely. However, in the future when I do re-read this series, I will go in knowing that there relationship is not a healthy one. 

I am also glad it came to light that OCD/ Germophobia can not be cured. It can become manageable but it doesn't ever go away 100%. Thank you to the author for acknowledging that...just really late into the series is all.

Insiya Ghadiali

Shirotani begins opening his heart to Kurose, until the counselor suddenly tells him that their sessions are over. Shocked, Shirotani withdraws into his home, refusing to leave. Then, out of the blue, Kurose texts him and asks to see him. What will Shirotani do when he finds out the secret Kurose has been hiding from him this entire time? -- VIZ Media

Ten Count, Vol. 2 (Yaoi Manga)

Seeing Kurose for the first time in two months, Shirotani takes a big step forward in their relationship—and his treatment—by kissing Kurose’s hand when asked. Then, after Kurose fails to invite him home, Shirotani chases after him! Could this new, more impulsive side of Shirotani signal a new phase in their tumultuous relationship? -- VIZ Media

Ten Count, Vol. 5 (Yaoi Manga)

Ten Count 01

Elena

Ten Count, vol.1

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows. -- VIZ Media

Ten Count

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