Author
"Title" (Publisher) Date of issue rating m/m
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A-E:
Abekawa Kineko
"Nureta Houkago" (Shoubunkan) Jun/2003 *** 8.4
Hard-core shota PWP series of the perverted teacher of the elementary school who educates honor student sexually. The story:(A primary school teacher, Yoshio Tahara is very perverted and rapes innocent pupil boys. Tahara loses his passion when the pubic hair of the boy grows. He is now loving intensively Satoru Terayama, a pupil of 4th grade. Then senior pupil who was dumped by Tahara bully Satoru by harassment. But Satoru is so cute that senior pupil begins to love him. Tahara turns a cold shoulder to Satoru to regain but it works the other way. Senior pupil and Satoru become a couple...). This series was terminated by the suspension of the magazine of the serialization. So this book is published after long interval as the author also can not recall her passion at that time. Then this series is different from the author's current line. But the readers can find the indications of current taste, otaku-ish parody. In this book there are a lot of nostalgic parody of old animation or old idol young stars (The name of teacher, Yoshio Tahara comes from "Yoshio Nomura" and "Toshihiko Tahara", members of "Tanokin Trio", the young idols. The scene of applause with "Omedetou" is the last one of "Evangellion". Katou & Chousuke comes from "Drifters", the very popular comedians. "Aenai Jikan ga Ai Sodaterunosa" is lyric of the song of "Hiromi Gou", "Aishuu date" is the song of Tahara. "Popura no Eda ni naru" is a lyric of the theme song of the drama, "Ienakiko" of "Yumi Adachi" and "Ai wa merry-go-round" is a theme song of the animation, "Bug tte Honey" of "Takahashi Meijin", the game idol of Hudson). Perhaps I think the author wanted to write such parody only using shota manga because she is too shy to write hard-core shota magna. At her postscript, she says now she can not write shota but I think it is good decision for her. Because she has created her representative masterpiece & smash hit, "Rakkyou no Kawa" series after this! (by Slash-kun 16/Aug/2003)
"Rakkyou no Kawa vol.2" (Wani Books) Oct/2002 * 9.5
The sequel of very popular & funny 4 Koma manga of manga club activity at high school. The impact of the series never fades in this volume. The story:(The elder sister of Shintera will come back to djs after some interval. Takizawa is roped in to act as her assistant, a comfort boy. Takizawa sees the fearfulness of spinster djska that Shintera can not go against with his own eyes. There are some funny events: Takizawa meets biological teacher, adviser of manga club, Masayoshi Natori, aka Justice who is a Kamen rider freak and he is scolded by Justice because he knows little about rider series or Hagino finds her steady and Takizawa decides to resign manga club. But in the end, Takizawa is persuaded warmly by the members of manga club to come back again). Very hilarious as first volume. In this volume, the families of the members come on. Especially the sister of Shintera is very powerful! The author really describes the character of veteran female mangaka very well. The sister resembles Satosumi Takaguchi or Sayuri Ichijyou!! A defiant attitude, boldness, audacity, grimness, high intelligence (have a good academic background) of delo diam is too exactly expressed. Her word, "Comfort boy (Uruoi)" is very hilarious. The solidarity of female djska of mature age or loyalty of younger female djska to senior ones is very unique and sometimes a little fearful. But they are manly and lordly because they keep doing what they want and do not take any notice of men. Her relationship with Shintera is also very funny (I'm very glad to know even Shintera has a soft spot). Shintera is very nice character in this volume yet. He is very cunning, calculative, nimble and good at craft and guile. It's natural that he keeps cheating adult people since his childhood. But he likes awkward girls with spectacles and becomes mad when he forgets time-shift of TV animation. Very artistic, passionate (loves minor things) and beloved character. In this volume among many otaku hobbies, doll, rider and military hobbies are highly featured. Doll is very costly hobby and now is a hobby for guys (grin)! Now we can see the covers of many djs for male readers with a lot of frilly dress!! The cover of yaoi djs is rather macho and strong. It's reverse phenomenon. About special effects' stuff, the author explains they are divided into two groups, Tsuburaya's monster films and riders' films (like Kamen rider). Fans of two groups are quite different and not friend. The episode of Gunjin-kun's examination of japanese history (the coverage is "WWII") is so hilarious. The author is very good at parody art. She shows imitation of Kazuo Umezu in the 1st volume and shows one of Shigeru Mizuki in this volume (Look close!). The relationship between Shintera and Izumi is very erotic in this volume, too! Shintera praises Izumi's talent of game and confesses he enters this high school because Izumi enters, too. Izumi expresses the fearfulness of Shintera's sister by nice analogy that nobody, even Shintera can not resist her. In their friendship there is a firm bond of the strong confidence for their high ability. Very envious. It's the funny parody of the sport manga, passionate aces' friendship. According otaku reader, this series is very comfortable as well as "Cromartie Koukou" by Eiji Nonaka. There is no competition. Only solidarity of foolish (ordinary) students. By reading it, the negative phases of humans will be affirmed. Therefore no matter how many times we read this, we can find amusement. The episode that all members try to stop Takizawa's resignation is very common for japanese who believe absolutely the groupism. The episode of semester final examination (most manga club members lose passion after exam) is too penetrating because I was a member of manga club!! The report of Japan Sci-fi convention at the end of the book is very interesting (The author is very strong otaku!). And the self-introduction of the members is very hilarious, too!! Especially Hagino's table is so funny. Her favorite witch girl is "Snipe Sensei" of "Harry Potter" (She suspects he is uke!) and her favorite djs is Gundam Wing, Treeze uke. Say, Kouji Shintera and Izumi Yaotome may come from Kouji Nanjyou and Takuto Izumi of "Zetsuai/BRONZE" by Minami Ozaki. Maybe...! (by Slash-kun 14/Jun/2003)
"Rakkyou no Kawa vol.1" (Wani Books) Feb/2002 * 10
Comical 4 Koma manga of Manga club at high school. Otaku(nerd/geek/freak of manga/animation) oriented. The story:(Masamune Takizawa wants to end his miserable nerd life - lowest classes of young people - enters very smart coed high school and changes his appearance completely cool like the young idol star of Jenny's talents. But he is threatened by an evil president of student council, the leader of manga club, Kouji Shintera using old xerox copy djs Takizawa made to join the club. Takizawa wants to refuse it but meet good senior members, very reliable & superstar djska, Izumi Yaotome, very manly costume player, Makiko Date and very pretty but enthusiastic yaoi djska, Tsukiko Hagino and is impressed by their freakishness. Takizawa begins to realize his identity at the mercy of Shintera who is very freak of freaks. Additionally new members, a typical awkward girl with spectacles, Sasami Matsushima, aka Chamy and military freak, aka Gunjin-kun join the club later and it occurs that funny episode of Takizawa's younger sister who hates Otaku very much. Takizawa's season of discontent is really horizonless). Entirely hilarious! I never dreamt the author writes such hilarious comedy like that!! The members of manga club are so unique & distinct and cover well most patters of representative otaku. Hidden otaku/pseudo & fake disguised popular kid, Takizawa, Clever maneuverer, Shintera (Very funny! Superficially invigorating leader, excellent student but super unscrupulous wheeler-dealer), wise man, Izumi (Very funny, too! Gentleman, adult with commonsense, manly and typical "accomplished professional otaku". Unexpectedly shy and cute), yaoi djska Tsukiko (She likes hard stuffs and macho & oyaji Uke! though she looks very naive & cute), Very handsome costume player Make (She is idol of girls) and awkward teacher's pet, Chamy and military freak, Gunjin-kun. They are very common in manga club of japanese schools. The episodes that shows geekiness the members are so geeky (difficult for ordinary people). I'm very surprised to see the author knows very old and minor manga & animation very much! Nobody may be able to guess all the source of quotations/parody. But this manga may be best test, educational material to check how familiar the non-japanese reader is to japanese otaku culture. People usually abominate/dislike otaku but in this book they are described as very amiable existence. The author loves Otaku so she depicts Otaku though she is a woman. Otaku, the people who love something very earnestly is very pity, laughable and charming. The sight of author to Otaku is very warm and she even respects Otaku. As the pure people who is very dedicated & passionate for what they love. Especially Izumi who should be usually hated as fat Otaku guy in ordinary society is described as an hero who is very familiar to everything in this story. He is very brave, magnificent and not slavish in the least. In japanese society people respect crazy people who has mastered one thing though it is not popular (But I think in western society, freaks of non-macho, non-masculine things are not treated respectfully). This perhaps accounted for the fact that Otaku male readers have appreciated this series highly. Of course female readers can enjoy this as extravagant friendship story of guys. They are freaks, so their solidarity/bond is very warm. I really envy the good friendship between Shintera and Izumi because they respect their freakness and confide each other. BTW Slash-kun participated to manga club when I was a student at university, so I laughed a lot at short bulletin manga by the members at end of this book. It describes well the typical manga club bulletins. Especially Shintera's dark, weird and surrealistic manga is very nice! Intelligent students often draw such very occult mysterious stuffs because of poor painting. I think the cultural club (not sport club) is really pleasant. So the members of the clubs are completely all right though they are not popular with opposite sex. For me, this series is also very nostalgic and reminds me of good young days. (by Slash-kun 14/Jun/2003)
Agawa Kouko
"Trouble Maker vol.2" (Coa Magazine) Apr/2003 *** 8.5
The sequel of the very popular series of plural adult couples including CEO brothers. The story:(A secretary of the president of the big ad agency, Matsuzaki is hardheaded but very jealous. He feels jealous even Kenichi Sakaki, his lover, a brother of his CEO, just talks with his colleague on business pleasantly. Kenichi gets angry at too strong monopolistic desires of Matsuzaki. But his brother, Shinji Sakaki tells him Matsuzaki has loved him for over 10 years. Hearing it, Kenichi forgives Matsuzaki / Matsuzaki is jealous of new company rep of Kenichi, Shinjyou again. OTOH Shinji's awful mother brings the proposals of marriage to Shinji. Hide Sakaki, the lover of Shinji, a subordinate of Kenichi grows suspicious / Shinji makes plan to refuse his mother's proposal but Hide knows it through Kenichi's talking on the phone. To prove his innocence, Shinji gets on the phone to his parents and refuses the marriage meeting in front of Hide / TV commercial of Shinji's company leaks out. Matsuzaki suspects Shinjyou is a spy. Matsuzaki and Shinji interview Shinjyou and knows that Shinjyou does not love Kenichi but Shinji / Shinjyou encounters Shinji and Hide who are dating. Shinji intentionally tantalizes Shinjyou. Shinjyou declares love-war to Hide). Secretary, Matsuzaki is really nice as usual. Subordinate seme! He looks very polite as good secretary but actually a very cold wheeler-dealer. This volume is really gorgeous because the reader can see cool Matsuzaki goes mad by jealousy. The sex scenes Matsuzaki bullies Kenichi are very funny (The author may like "in a doghouse play", so Shinji also bullies Hide sexually and it's very exciting). I think most of japanese yaoi readers love Matsuzaki. It's natural that this series is very popular. This story is ordinary as white-collar's story but I think this drama is rather costume play of business suit than office drama. Five men are very characteristic but Hide becomes vivid because he has a rival in love, Shinjyou. In previous volume, Hide was too easy-going. The last 4 koma manga is also hilarious! I'd like to read the sequel soon because the ending is so cliff-hanging. (by Slash-kun 21/Jun/2003)
Akai Toreno
"Kimi wa Boku ni Ai wo Tsukisasu - Shinshou vol.2" (Ohkura Shuppan) Sep/2003 *** 8.73
The series of name-piece and extreme Angst short story between Leonard and Director-General of CIA, Drake（Leonard, an officer of Defense Intelligence Agency, a subordinate of his uncle-in-law, Joseph, tries to debauch Drake. But Drake has known Leonard long before this, then he beats Leonard at his own game by the past with comtesse. The biter is sometimes bit...) and short sketch about encounter of Issac and Dennis (Happy days at their college. But Issac is too perfect elite. Joseph asks Dennis to part with Issac. Leonard asks Issac to become an undercover. Then Dennis is selected as a security policeman of Joseph and meets Issac again...). The story of name piece series:(The recollection of Justinine who finds the incestuous relationship between his father and his brother, Christopher and goes mad. Morgan takes Justinine to the hiding where Dennis is confined and injected with truth drug. Justinine intentionally rapes Dennis in front of gangs and rescues Dennis. He asks Dennis's emergency treatment to Christopher, a veterinarian. Dennis confuses Justinine with Issac, then he clings on Justinine. Morgan's brother plays cat with Morgan. Raul rushes in Dennis. He gets into fistfights with Justinine. Dennis accepts Raul's intense love of jealousy. Hearing the accident of his daughter, Joseph comes to LAPD. He questions Leonard whether Leonard is lover of Drake or not). Oh. The 2nd volume is sooooo interesting!! As a matter of interesting plot, the degree of danger increases, degree of violence also becomes extreme! (Dennis is so much stabbed by knife. He is so busy because he is wanted by two guys at same time! He is a prize beyond guys' reach. Oh. Like a heroine of "Mezon Ikkoku" (g)). Super daily life. The process that Justinine who had been hostile to Dennis can not neglect Dennis and is gradually attracted to Dennis is so dramatic! And the scene that Dennis wants Justinine by the confusion is overwhelming. And complex & intertwist relations with brothers make this story more dramatic. I love brothers' stories. Morgan and his heinous brother (so dangerous), Morgan's cellmate (He saved Morgan) and Justinine who disguises himself as his brother. And the relation between Justinine's brother, Christopher and his father is also very deep (Christopher is so lovely that he is glad of Justinine who depends on him!). And Leonard who suffers from one-sided love for Joseph, a typical intelligent uke is sooooo attractive! A guy like enchantress. Leonard may upstage hero, Dennis. I love Spancer Drake because I really understand he loves Leonard so much! Many readers could not read this because this was djs. I'm so glad that I could read read many pages at one sitting. Thanks for Ohkula Shuppan! I'm so eager to read the sequel soon!! (by Slash-kun 24/Jan/2004)
"Kimi wa Boku ni Ai wo Tsukisasu - Shinshou vol.1" (Ohkura Shuppan) Aug/2003 *** 8.69
The much-awaited sequel series of great long series of tragic security policeman who loves a son of President of the United States of America! The story:(Dennis who was a SP is now working as a detective of LAPD. Scolding grandstand play of a new detective, a cowboy, Justinine, Dennis finds the image of his defunct lover, Issac in Justinine. Dennis visits a grave of Issac at Arlington and meets Issac's father, Joseph there. Joseph gives Issac's memento to Dennis. Owing to too painful memory, Dennis collapses in front of the Raul's house. Raul comforts Dennis in the bed. Next morning, Dennis goes for breakfast but Raul runs away with the idea that Dennis escapes from him. Raul makes a bolt for airport. At Raul's house, Dennis tears and throws away a unfinished note for Raul alone... / Tossing the gang's house, Dennis and his colleagues find many counterfeit cards. Raul comes for backup as a law enforcement official of "Department of the Treasury". Director-General of CIA, Drake tells ex-CIA officer, a nephew-in-law of Joseph, Leonard that Joseph may run as a candidate for the presidency. He orders Leonard to be a double spy. Recollection of Leonard: The romance between Leonard's sister and her husband, Joseph started... Raul makes a pass at Dennis. Executive officers of Democratic Party come to persuade Joseph but Joseph refuses it. Seeing it, Joseph's daughter, Carroll comes to angry words with him. Dennis makes a quarrel with Justinine, then he is kissed by Justinine. Carroll finds a photo of Dennis and Issac, then she leaves home for LAPD alone. Justinine becomes an undercover and pretends a brother of John who was a cellmate of Morgan, a manager of night club of gangs. Carroll goes to the night club alone and is involved into clash with riot police. Dennis saves her but he is kidnapped by gangs). The reissue of sequel djs series of same title books from Biblos. This series is now a sort of Akai's lifework, so it's so interesting & dramatic! I'm very glad that I can read her commercial book because Akai is one of very few talent who can write mannish & hard detective action-oriented drama like Karan Dan, the author of "Hardline series" (US Navy Seal yaoi manga). Dennis who is broken by Issac's death, can not recover himself (Very woebegone uke character like Capt. Loy of "Hardline"), is devoted to his work and never reflect on himself is so painful! But loverly. And he is a man of great physical strength. Raul who comforts Dennis is really a nice guy! Without misunderstanding at Washington, I wonder they could be couple now...It's very an ironic fate. Of course, the funny mood of young & reckless wild subordinate officer, Justinine and his colleagues relieves me very much. I wonder Dennis's emotional damage would heal between 2 handsome guys? Oh. I'm looking forward to next volume. Issac's father, Joseph is also very gorgeous guy!! So I also understand Leonard's agony and want him to be happy. Akai has a great knowledge of western culture or scenery and customs, so I think Akai has watched so many western detective TV drama or movies on a regular basis. Her pen name comes from a beloved vehicle of detective from old american TV drama (David Michael Michael. Red Ford Grand Torino with white line. But Akai hates the japanese letter, "Tori", so she changes the sound "Torino" into "Toreno". So her name did not come from japanese car, Toreno! I reconfirmed at Akai's site and she surprised people with her great indulgence for american TV drama!). I'm very satisfied with this hard-core mannish story! BTW on this book Ohkula shuppan holds conjoint sale campaign with Outou Shobou. Ohkula shuppan seems to buy a novel brand (Eclipse) from Outou Shobou. But Gentousha started new novel brand, "Links" for Eclipse from Outou Shuppan. Umm. It's very strange and confusing...(by Slash-kun 24/Jan/2004)
Akana Meiko (& Kadomatsu Wahei)
"Mitsumeru Hitomi" (Shoubunkan) Feb/2003 *** 8.4
Various short stories (Very popular student who often makes his girlfriends more attractive like prof Higgins in "My fair lady" tries to change his old friend whose father just died. Old friend keeps hiding his beautiful face because his father hated it which resembled his bitch mother / Hero is asked to buy sanitary goods by his sister with wearing female clothes. He hits with a very handsome delinquent student and date together / The hero who suffers from the death of his cat falls in love with a student who resembles his cat very much. But the student is very violent like stray cat / After parents' death, the hero is taken in by a kind acquaintance who has been familiar with hero's father. But a son of the acquaintance rapes the hero to inflict a revenge. Heroes mother had been a lover of the acquaintance / The guy saves the self-abandoned boy at the night park. But the boy kills his father who has abused him.../ The teacher of the art school teaches very talented boy and they will love each other / Very hopeful student confesses his love to the colleague of the teacher of previous story. He studies art very hard to attract the interest of the teacher). Some stories are comedy and others are dark angst ones. Many of them are students' stories. Maybe because this book was written by two authors (Akana drew art and Kadomatsu made plot), both art and story are surprisingly skillful considering that this is the first book. The discussion at the postscript between Akana and Kadomatsu is also very interesting and I think such nice pairs seem to have great possibility for making good yaoi books. The art is very atmospheric and composed like "Suzuhara Shino" (but this art may be prettier like "shota manga" of Kousai Shobou). I'm very looking forward to this pair! (by Slash-kun 08/Mar/2003)
Akiba Jiro
"Hysteric Queen vol.2" (Taiyou Tosho) Feb/2003 *** 8.4
The sequel of the title series of the funny romance between typical "queen uke" and "unsophisticated sevak seme" and some old short works (Very beautiful idol student has disguised himself as weak boy for his lover. But the lover should face the challenge of very mighty foe / A cute student loves his classmate's father. They overcome the difference of their age / The private tutor loves his student. But the student can not forget his dead father and often compares with tutor / The student realizes the importance of his lover who patched his romantic wounds of his previous love affair). The story of the sequel:(A young student Togawa who has a spite against Iori Nishizawa tries to entice Yamane who is a lover of Iori. But Iori entices Yamane much sexier.../ Yamane and Iori are going to enter different univ after graduation. Yamane tries to change the school of his choice..). This book is author's 11th book, so she is considerable veteran yaoi manga. As compared to her previous book from Magazine Magazine, I could read this favorably because the author seemed to write freely & favorably (From an objective perspective, her book from Magazine Magazine was most excellent but the it was written by editor's intention - aiming at the entertainment for readers - not by author's free imagination). In this book, there are some natural scenes where I'm moved or feel sympathy. I have become acutely aware that persuasive & dramatic plot is fundamental to "sexual excitement of yaoi" (The yaoi reader can not become sexually excited without enough catharsis from "characters' emotional conflict and reconcilement"). I hope this author will make technical progress by editor's advice and at same time she will keep writing what she wants to express honestly. (by Slash-kun 08/Mar/2003)
"Shatter Chance" (Magazine Magazine) Dec/2002 *** 8.4
Various short stories with a lot of explicit & hard sexual expression (Very popular talented photographer has recently gotten into a groove but has a crush on the beautiful insurance salesman. He asks salesman to be his nude model and remembers what state of mind he was in at first / A vulnerable heir of yakuza group should become a bedmate of a cadre member of yakuza though the cadre member to survive. But he finally become able to control whole the group by his sexual attraction.../ A young homosexual & timid novelist has a crush on a beautiful student of same apartment. They encounter the accident of elevator and are locked in it together. But the student turns out to be cruel seme.../ Hero demands the shy father of his friend for the debt repayment of playing mahjong for money / At architect studio, two design engineer groups always compete each other and try to find sexual scandals each other. The employee who loves his supervisor can not endure such futile competition.../ Hero goes to the psychic treatment internal medicine and confesses his old trauma. He can finally admit he felt the sexual pleasure when he was raped at childhood... / The student wonders that his attractive private tutor also teaches other student by sexual ways... / Young politician is involved in the conspiracy of the ambitious secretary of the rival politician). The author's tenth book. The first book from Magazine Magazine. I always expect the first publication from Magazine Magazine for mangaka who never issued from it because the policy of editors of it is very strict. I think this author really broke a leg (At her postscript, she confesses she makes effort & research by comparing her works with other mangaka's works on the magazines). So sex scenes are very exciting and the stories are enough interesting. Especially the confession story at mental hospital has a good theme and her "pure middle aged guys of uke" are unique for me! I'd like to read the story with more complex/difficulties or deeper theme next time. (by Slash-kun 22/Feb/2003)
Amano Moe
"Makeruna BABY" (Houbunsha) May/2003 *** 8.43
The author's first book. Various short stories (The two good friends suffer from the rumor at the school that they are homosexual. Hero denies it but his friend says he can not keep being friend.../ Hero who has an ambition to be a lover of the rich girl and realizes it but can not accept the fact the classmate who keeps yearning hero and part-time working decides to start sugar daddy business / The funny fantasy that "Kaguya hime" is a boy! / Hero breaks the expensive dish of his rich friend and becomes a housekeeper of the friend. But for his mother's operative treatment, he decides sugar daddy business / The boy is kidnapped by a gang. The gang cherishes hero but hero can not allow it. Then gang makes hero free but.../ The hero goes to the school instead of his twin sister. But the senior student who was her lover demands hero to be his substitutional lover, too). All the short stories with smiles and tears are interesting! Art and the stories are not so unique but the view point is "from seme", so her stories seem unique(the emotional expression of seme who is attracted by uke's single-minded actions). The author is good at making the stories and adopts the folk tales well. And her sincere and single-hearted characters move the readers. I like 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th stories. The unbendable word of uke is very powerful. I'm very touched by the agony of seme in a dilemma. The 3rd and 5th stories are unique AU fantasy. The author is very brave though she is a new mangaka. The stubborn couples of 4th and 5th stories are good and very heartrending. The downhearted gang of 5th story is also pitiful & delightful. The scene that the saucy senior student of 5th story suddenly shamefast is very interesting. The author is very good at expression of characters' emotion. Therefore her plot is not boring though it is a little common. She has a knack for moving the readers. Seems like professional though this is first book. So it is to be a little regretted that sex scenes are not so natural and joint(penetration) part is too much emphasized. At end note, the author confesses she is not accustomed to write sex scenes, so I think she need not to push. But I believe she will overcome her few defect soon after writing many works, so I'm very looking forward to her promising future.(by Slash-kun 05/Jul/2003)
Amow Yuuki
"Happy Place vol.3" (MOVIC) May/2003 *** 8.5
The last volume of the series. The story:(A student fashion model, Takachi Matsuoka and a student, Sou Takemasa can be finally couple. Takachi confesses his childhood to Sou for the first time. Takachi's parents died early, then Takachi has survived alone with a great effort. Takachi makes a business visit to america and decides to visit old lover of his grandmother who already died and withdrew from forbidden love. But the airplane crashes accidentally. Takachi escapes death but suffers a memory loss. Takachi is picked up by good family and now becomes a member of the family. Sou tries to step away if Takachi is happy...). Very good and elaborated plot! The nice combination of amnesia and the competing of severe memory of childhood is appropriate to last volume of the series. Very sweet but a lot of thrill and tension makes readers involved in the story. Until 2 volumes, Takachi has loved Sou so much at a one-sided but in this volume their relation turns the tables. Their love is tested. I can see very well how much Sou loves Takachi who never give up his severe life and keeps smiling. The climax scene that Sou nearly leaves Takachi, then Takachi recovers his memory is so overwhelming! It really makes me relieved. Amou's art is very lovely and tender but her sex scene of "Kakioroshi (newly written for this book)" is very erotic and it's my delightful surprise. I think better of her than I did before. The last volume with happy ending Takachi appreciates the good people around him despite of his unhappy childhood is very satisficing! (by Slash-kun 22/Nov/2003)
Anthology
"Daze vol.3" (Sanwa Shuppan) Mar/2002 *** 8.4
The writers are: Sadahiro Mika (Swordfish kills very cruelly the prison inmates who raped Sen but Sen can not refuses Swordfish's love and harbors him. But the warden finds the proof of Sword's murder...), Honjoh Rie (A garcon has an upset with his colleague's irresponsible extracurricular activity), Endoh Risawo (Very impressive & dramatic story! The relationship of very popular mangaka duo who have worked since they were students faces a crisis because one mangaka finally loses his virgin by the woman who is working at sex trade shop), Hamada Mikae (Funny & unique short story. A poor boy thinks the good & unique birthday gift for his rich patron), Shiranagi Yurika (Hero can not abandon a poor boy like "stray cat" even if his girl friend leaves him), Mihashi An (The long series story. The fifth & final episode. Yoshiki finally takes Shintarou who has been confined in Makio's room...) & Suzuhara Shino (Yuugo knows Shirou's dirty family business. Then Yuugo can not help but rape Shirou on the roof of their school. Shirou goes to the shamisen contest in Tokyo and Yuugo is involved in the motorcycle accident on the way of the send-off...). The serialization works are enough good but some short stories are unsatisfactory. It's a pity such rough stories cause the readers disappointment because other short stories are very interesting! (Especially I'm really moved by the story of Risawo Endoh!). I really want the editors of this anthology to control the quality more strictly...(by Slash-kun 01/Feb/2002)
Aoi Futaba & Kurenai Mitsuba
"Shiyouyo" (Biblos) Jul/2003 *** 8.45
Contrastive two long short stories. The two stories:（An ace sprinter of athletic club at high school loves his beautiful manager very much. They are third-year students, so they are going to retire the club soon. But the manager wants the ace to win the match, so he trains the ace very strictly. The ace offers terms to it. If he wins, the manager should kiss him. The manager gets panicky and nearly tumble the goalpost of football. The ace gets injured to save the manager. Then ace loses the match but the manager performs a promise. The manager wants to enter the same university as the ace. He studies hard and has no time for making love with the ace. Then the ace invites the manager to his house / Hero who is asked to research the extramarital affair happens to see the homosexual murder. The client of the research, hero's friend also engages in illegal sale of drug and is abducted by yakuza. Hero goes to rescue his friend but the homosexual assassin exposes hero's real character which he single-mindedly kept hiding...). The first story of the school resembles Yuu Asagiri or Yoshiki Aya. The plot is not so complex and seme's passion is very strong and cheerful. The characters are attractive and sex scenes are satisfactory but it is little off-center. The 2nd story of the assassin is mysterious, unusual, dark, serious and a lot of violence. It is very unique and has something attractive and different from SF fantasy like "WEST END". The sex scenes are both very hard. The setup is very exciting! Hero who manages to pretend that he is an ordinary guy vs dark and psycho assassin who tries to expose hero's desire. The process the hero begins to show his evil personality is so cool! The author describes the story very suggestively (Not open all), so the impression after reading is so strong! This story is not likely to Biblos but I prefer 2nd story very much. This book will show the contrastive attracion of the author to the readers.(by Slash-kun 13/Sep/2003)
Aoki Sou
"Sonna Kimi to Boku dakara" (Take Shobou) Feb/2003 *** 8.58
Various short stories (Hero comes to Tokyo and finally finds a good friend who has same taste - being homosexual - at his univ but he becomes unable to be content with his stance as a just good friend / The guy asks his best friend, an up-and-coming novelist to take him to the awards banquet. There he is regarded as a partner. He happens to listen in the argument the lover of novelist and his real lover and knows the novelist loved him when they were students.../ The sequel. Hero & his girl friend and the novelist and his partner plan double date. The novelist meets a guy with whom he spent very good time together when he suffered from severe love for his best but straight friend / heartwarming PWP. Two students can become homosexual couple after their graduation of the school without any difficulty. But hero suspects his partner accepted his proposal against the will / Sentimental happy PWP. Hero accepts fake date with his friend who is pursued by a nasty girl. They go to the hotel and try the sex there.../ Hilarious PWP. Fairy of penis who appears when hero's penis will be rubbed more than 666 times saves hero's lover!). Author's first book from Takeshobou. First some stories are serious and sincere (Young heroes who have kept hiding his homosexuality encounter other gay guy for the first time, then open up, experience first sex and finally find their happiness) and last some ones are comical happy stories of young couple or splatter fantasy. I enjoyed both PWP (very funny and tactful - full of ideas - not stupid & not boring) and serious stories very much but I think serious ones are greater works because they express the puzzlement, shyness and awkwardness of adolescence very well, elaborately, meticulously and freshly!! Especially the third story is very impressive! The universal theme - any bitter memories of youth will be changed into sweet ones as time go on - is well-described. It reminds me of the lyric of the japanese famous song, "Seishunjidai". The second story is a little bitter for adult readers. At first story, the author expresses the comfortless atmosphere "bachelor apartment" well and uses small tools like "Udon - Japanese wheat noodle (Local specialty in Shikoku. It means the hero came from Shikoku - rural area in japan)" very effectively. When I read the author before, I did not think this author was great mangaka but after reading this book, I should give her more credit (Aoki has great talent of making stories!). I finally find the reason other yaoi fans are making much of this author. The author makes readers remember the nostalgic good days of youth when they really spent severely and felt crushed. Such feeling is universal impression for the readers at any age. So Aoki's serious & sincere works have broad support from readers. I'd like to appreciate Take Shobou that makes me find it. (by Slash-kun 15/Mar/2003)
Araya Miki
"Violence na Kimi ga Suki" (Outou Shobou) Oct/2003 *** 8.48
The author's forte, splatter (violence) comedy. The story:(A stupid & tall student as a post, Myouenji loves small but cool & delinquent student, Kuroda at first sight. Myouenji keeps stalking Kuroda though he knows Kuroda adores Masaki, a very cool guy and how much Kuroda takes a punch at him. But soon after Kuroda falls down the stairs, he kisses Myouenji in mistake for Masaki...). Very hilarious as usual. Myouenji, uncool seme with his black hair, black-framed glasses is very attractive! He is awkward and cries very much and his action is so funny. But his face is very handsome, so the readers can enjoy without reserve Myouenji's being beaten by small but mighty, Kuroda. And sudden change of Myouenji (into very handsome guy) is very funny, too. Araya's new trial, using bold type (not hand writing letters) for "Tsukkomi (Critical explanation)" is unique and fresh for me. It makes the atmosphere comedy manga for male readers. By the appearance of mysterious guy, Masaki (Too cool though he is a father!), Myouenji suddenly kidnaps & rapes Kuroda. The blowed-away plot is so hilarious as usual. The heavy usage of the sound, "Kiraaan" is very effective. Entertaining in every sense of the word. BTW this book is issued from Outou Shobou and its selling agency is Ohkula Shuppan. I wonder how Kaiousha and Ohkula Shuppan acquire Outou Shobou's line up...(by Slash-kun 06/Dec/2003)
"Secret!" (Kaiousha) Jul/2003 *** 8.4
The long PWP series of a high school teacher and his student & lover who has strange proclivities. The story:(A newly appointed teacher, Shuuji Niou and his honor student, Yuu Takayama fall in love together and become a couple. But Yuu turns out to be a transvestite & somnambulist. He enters boys' high school to break away from transvestism but the reaction backfires on him. Shuuji suffers from the bad rumor that female ghost often wanders in the school at night. Yuu has not slept for three days to save the situation, but worse comes to worst as a reaction / Shuuji gets a hate mail. A student, Yamamoto who adores Yuu, has it in for Shuuji. Then Yuu has a date with Shuuji who has his tail down at a lewd house. But Yamamoto takes a photo of them / Even during summer vacation, Yuu wants to stick with Shuuji, so he comes to the home town of Shuuji. When Yuu meets Hada, a childhood friend of Shuuji, they somehow create a strange atmosphere / Shuuji becomes a jury president of "Wearing female dress contest" at school festival. Yuu gets hurt by Shuuji's light jest and makes effort too much to win the grand prize). The author always makes the readers laugh with hero's ridiculous pose and ridiculous comedy with good tempo/pace. Very pretty & small girl will come to mind when people hear "wearing female dress". But in this author's case, very sturdy, tall and handsome and serious seme wears it. It's very funny because he is typical seme! Looks like "beauty in male attire" or *real* drag queen (ill-matched dress with macho body)". The sense/taste that the author dares to choose it is very unique. It's also very funny, the teacher of hero, Shuuji's unlucky tendency that attracts more and more transvestites (Yamada wears the female dress in the end)! And I'm often moved by his deep reflection that he regrets his lack of consideration as a teacher. So this story is not only splatter comedy but also touching human drama. The readers will feel warm by the author's tender point of view for queer seme with fatal fault (But without fault, hero is so perfect and handsome) ! (by Slash-kun 30/Aug/2003)
Asagiri Yuu
"Kin no Kain" (Biblos) Mar/2003 *** 8.55
The unique long story that the younger brother with inferiority complex will be enchanted by his brother's overwhelming lover. The story:(Shun goes to the secret night club with his bad friends. He nearly becomes a victim of a satan of S&M show but is saved by a mysterious fashion model. The model is Kain, Shun's brother's lover. Shun hates himself by the guilty feeling of his brother's accident but Kain lets Shun forget it by powerful making love. Shun returns to his school but meets again with Kain who is a transfer student from Viet Nam. Shun is really hurt by his tragic memory with his brother and abuse by his mother then Kain comforts Shun by sex. Shun has been threatened by satan group but can not confesses it to Kain because Kain's fame will be damaged if Kain tries to revenge. Shun thinks his brother and Kain love each other by brother's last letter and goes to satan for his punishment...). Very decadent and eccentric because Kain comes from "Nuoc Cong Hoa" (Viet Nam), mentally threesome sex story (very hard-core sex scenes like works from Houbunsha), not school story and there is no preachments or moral lessons. The author is middle-aged woman, so she can write such decadent stories (In Asagiri's postscript there is a lot of something convincing)! Especally last additional story is very interesting!! I love Shun's brother (who has dark desire) very much. Asagiri's sex scenes are always very exciting (uke's face at sex is so pleasant) and in this story, the exposure of only anal with half-wearing underwear is very unique!! (In Japan, the exposure anal is unregulated -not obscenity- but I think it is very strange....) Anyway I can really enjoy this book. (by Slash-kun 15/Mar/2003)
Asaoka Minagi
"Parsley vol.1" (Shinshokan) Dec/2002 *** 8.65
Very natural long series of the student couple who attend same college (literature department) and whose proper circle is also same. The story:(Enokawa and Mitazono are students who lives at same apartment. They happen to make love together on the day when they are too drunk. Enokawa is afraid it would impair their good friendship and regrets very much. But Mitazono keeps his usual attitude / Mitazono feels ambiguous disquietude because he does not have sex with Enokawa since their virgin night. When they are getting on a streetcar, Enokawa is sexually molested. Taking advantage of it, Mitazono can escape from "their dead center" and get laid with Enokawa / Very impressive episode! Timid Enokawa is often traumatized by manlike Mitazono. Enokawa can not abandon competitive spirit for Mitazono because he is also *guy*. They borrow old masterpiece movie at rental video shop. Enokawa weeps so much and remembers his traumatic & clunky memory with his girl friend. But he is relieved to see that Mitazono also weeps a lot / Enokawa realizes his love by seeing Mitazono's deep-inside tenderness and Mitazono also realizes by seeing Enokawa often talks of "the truth of life" unexpected & honestly / Enokawa feels unexpected because Mitazono's ex-girl friend comes back / Mitazono wonders why he loves Enokawa by comparing his ex-girl friend who is just right for him.../ The virgin night from Mitazono's POV. Mitazono is puzzled by Enokawa's unique attitude and wonders where their boundary of "friendship and love" is with happy feeling). The author already issues two books (one long fantasy series), so I thought she is a sort of "fantasy mangaka". But this book is very realistic & meat-and-potatoes romance (blurring the boundary between "friendship" and "love"!) like works by "Tomo Ootake" or "Keiko Konno"(The author also often uses "monologue" like them and it provides this whole story very deep & meaningful atmosphere)! And I'd like to specially mention that author describes very vivid/colorful "intellectual & funny conversation between two college students" with her realistic college experience (She uses effectively many intellectual words like "algorithm", "Albert Camus", "Mother goose", "deductive method", "proposition/thesis", "casuistry/philosophism","matador",,etc). The author makes good, interesting, persuasive & stylish stories well by her small, daily and ordinary experience!! I really realize that good student stories are still interesting for adult readers like me. Two characters are very attractive & contrasting (Enokawa is natural "space out" guy and Mitazono is very logical & nihilistic) and it's very interesting that the author writes each episode from each POV by turn (Hero counterchanges but not reversible). Some slash writers write similar POV stories (Trial of writing same stories from each POV), so I think some slash fans and yaoi fans want to enjoy identifying with both characters (uke & seme) at same time like me!! (by Slash-kun 4/Jan/2003)
Atene
"Yappa Ai desho!?" (Oakla Shuppan) Mar/2003 *** 8.45
9(so many!) short stories (Hero returns his home town after a long time and enters the high school. There he encounters his old friend, a brilliant student council president but was very sooky in his memory. He approaches his old friend in a familiar way in public but is given a cold shoulder. But in private old friend shows his strong passionate love to him... / The too tender seme watches S&M video and tries it to his lover. He has always lost ground for his too aggressive lover. Uke may not look it, but he is really impressed with seme's new trial / Undersized student reluctantly becomes couple with very tall classmate by too pressing courtship of classmate. But seeing the tall guy who is very popular among girls at mixer, undersized boy feels jealous and realizes his lover for tall guy / The heartwarming romance between a jobless & lazy lodger and a very clever son of the apartment landlord. The son encourages press to lodger to find the job. But lodger actually starts working hard, the son feels lonely and remembers the old days when he was separated by moving and preparation of entrance exam. When the lodger has a flu and the son looks after him, the son suddenly finds the red-mark on his birthday at the calender / The manneristic couple tries to appear on the adult video. But after shooting video, a video staff deceives uke and tries to shoot video of promiscuous sex / Hero has his brother-in-law of 7 years younger by their parents' remarriage. Younger brother is very nasty boy, so hero tries to bully him but feels sexual desire and becomes couple unexpectedly... / The sequel. The younger brother feels unsatisfaction because elder one does not court him. But their parents will not be at home for a day by short trip. After supper, the younger brother grumpily goes to the bed soon but is waiting for his brother at his brother's bed.../ Hero encounters his classmate who is going to buy adult porno magazine at convenience store. They turn out to be neighborhoods and stay at one's home during one's parents absent and experience the sex / The honor student and the teacher of chemistry have been a couple. But the student goes sullen to know the bad rumour between the teacher and his female colleague. The teacher blames his suspicious lover with test-tubes). The art of characters is very attractive and natural! Uke is very cute and seme is very cool! The author's simple art is very easy to read. And in every story, sex scenes are very aggressive and hot! I wonder the many readers can not decide this author's works are pretty or erotic. But I think "the mysteries of it" is her attraction. But all the stories are so short that the impression of the story may be too simple (feel enough dramatic movings are a little missing or end too early). But but I feels this author may have some possibility/potential to write good drama in future because the stories of brothers-in-law are very interesting. If the author will challenge longer story, I think she can do much better. Next time, I'd like to read longer stories! (by Slash-kun 05/Apr/2003)
Azumi Moka
"DESTINES CROSS vol.2" (Shinkousha) May/2003 *** 8.5
The sequel of the rock band's long series. The pleasure and anxiety of Kazune who can sing with Sakyou together. The story:(Sakyou joins the band of Kazune and all members lodge together. But Tamaki, a guitarist tangles with Sakyou and shows his displeasure at Kazune because Tamaki knows homosexual relationship between Kazune and Sakyou. Mizuki comes to drop across the camp and Sakyou fights with Kazune about his cross / At a club, BREATH, Kazune encounters Masago, the classmate of his high school. They performed as DUO singers. Masago comes to listen to the street performance of Masago and sings together. They escape from the crowd in a hurry and Masago kisses Kazune at deserted place. It reminds Kazune of his trauma, then Kazune runs away. Kazune confesses his past to Sakyou / Sakyou is too busy to meet with Kazune. Kazune also gets into a slump. By the advice of Mizuki, Kazune and Sakyou make love in the studio but Sakyou breaks down from overwork / Kazune visits a grave of Sakyou's mother together. They also meet Sakyou's brother, a resident priest. Kazune knows the complex family circumstances of Sakyou and appreciates Sakyou's grand parents who has brought up Sakyou / The disturbance of bomb at concert. Kazune wonders he really has talent because someone gave up becoming musician by listening Kazune's singing. But Sakyou respects Kazune's talent with earnest admiration). This volume resembles the atmosphere of djs or fan's book. This volume resembles djs or fan book, so fans of Kazune & Sakyou will enjoy their various episodes (The high school days of Kazune, Kazune's severe trauma, Sakyou's family,,etc) very much! (But the author says her djs of this story is very dark and hard. I want to read very much!!). I think the author loves Kazune and Sakyou so much that she can help cherishing them. In this volume, the author expresses well Kazune's exceptional talent (he does not realizes but very tough like the typical heroine of shoujo manga) and how deeply Sakyou loves it though Kazune sometimes resists Sakyou. Actually, they loves their talent each other!! The author's art is very beautiful as usual and its sensitive lines reminds me of "Hoshi no Tokei no Liddell" by Yoshimi Uchida. The full-length portrait of Sakyou and his leather wear are very cool! The author often goes to rock concert and is very familiar with playing piano. Her knowledge contributes to this series well. (by Slash-kun 24/May/2003)
Benisako Harumi
"Taboo no Ori" (Kousai Shobou) Feb/2003 *** 8.6
Very extreme erotic, dark & incest long angst series and one short hilarious comedy between cool widower and a beautiful childminder of his son. The story of long series:(The CEO of financial company, Kazumune takes charge of his nephew, Miyuki who only survives the car-accident with his parents in the heavy snow. Kazumune had hardly interacted with his sister, Miyuki's mother for long time. Then Miyuki thinks Kazumune hated her and hates him, too. But Miyuki enjoys new high school and has a good friend, Shigenari. At night when Miyuki suffers from a nightmare of the car-accident, Kazumune comes to comfort Miyuki. Miyuki gathers the nerve to ask Kazumune about his mother, but Kazumune suddenly rapes Miyuki in a glow of anger. The secretary & the partner of Kazumune, Masaki Oomori visits to inquire after Miyuki and tells the secret of Kazumune. Kazumune loved his sister! But for Miyuki, the fact Masaki is a lover of Kazumune is more serious & shocking. Miyuki runs away from home and crashes in Shigenari's house. Seeing anxious Kazumune, Masaki feels jealous and kidnaps Miyuki and makes his subordinates rape Miyuki. Owing Shigenari's information, Kazumune saves Miyuki. Kazumune has a fixation for Miyuki and they make love together everyday. Miyuki feels happy but at once feels uneasy because he has serious secret. Shigenari begins to feel sexual desire for Miyuki and invites Miyuki in his room. Shigenari knows Miyuki's forbidden relation with his uncle, then tries to rape Miyuki. Miyuki recalls car-accident and is thrown into a panic. Kazumune comes to save Miyuki again and Miyuki finally confesses his crime. Kazumune allows Miyuki and they become a complete couple in contraindicated relationship). This book is the author's first yaoi book. I'm very glad to meet a new talent thanks to Kousai Shobou's effort. The author's sex scenes are very aggressive & radical!! (I have a good impression for her expression because she does not shy away from describing boldly the butts of seme from behind. The art of "overlapping testicles of two guys at sex" is very fresh for me, too!). The story is very sincere as well as her art (The author may always dedicate all her strength for writing manga). The characters' motives are persuasive and natural (Both Miyuki and Kazumune have feeling of guilt equally, so the readers will feel greatly relieved when they can be couple though it is immoral). And last two short manga to saving soul of "Masaki and Shigenari" are very welcome consideration (I sometimes discontent for dumped/jilted heavy parts, so I feel very happy for these compassionate stories)! BTW Reading this series, I feel some intelligence of the author. So I'd like to read the stories of adult guys who are working at big companies or adopting intelligent professions (The author's art of adult characters is so cool, gorgeous & sexy like "Naoe" of "Blaze of Mirage"! - The son of her short story resembles "the child written by Kou Fujisaki", so this author may be djska of Mirage)!! Anyway I'd appreciate the author's writing mangaka of my type!! (by Slash-kun 01/Mar/2003)
Chayamachi Suguro
"Aza vol.2" (Shoukakkan) Feb/2003 * 8.48
After the Ryouma's death, the japanese society has mercilessly changed leaving Oryou who is wandering alone. The story:(The assault at Oumi-ya occurs. Nakaoka dies under the benevolent watch of his close friends. But dead body of Ryouma can not be found. Oryou is walking around the town and looking high and low for Ryouma. The recollection of assault. Ryouma cannot draw a sword. Ryouma and Nakaoka collapse. The assassin guy rushes in but is cut by Tosa fellows. A mistress of Tosa's lord, Kayo picks up the assassin who is lying with Ryouma's dead body. 4 fellows of Tosa who assaulted Ryouma are killed and the Tosa lord issues an official notice that the killer of Ryouma is just a masterless samurai who is a traitor against Tosa domain, the assassin guy. Kayo gives shelter to the assassin but is nearly raped by the fellow of Tosa, then Kayo kills him. Oryou meets the assassin. He shows the dead body of Ryouma to her and tells a lie that he killed Ryouma. Oryou never believe the death of Ryouma and the assassin's action. The Tosa lord puts off the official notice plate and makes a hero of Ryouma or other's revolutionist who dropped out Tosa domain. Kayo is attacked by wild dogs. Tosa fellows shoot the dog but throw away Kayo into the river. Oryou is also nearly shot but the assassin guy kills the fellows. He also kills Kayo who loves him. The recollection of the assassin. He kills the people because he was really starved. Oryou keeps wandering...). The author expresses the pathos of the assassin who has lived killing the dogs, the unhappiness of the woman who keeps waiting and the misery of the fellows who have to cling to old society, organization with impressive art. Beautiful like art book. OTOH there are many suggestive expression that leave it to reader's interpretation as possible and it is very difficult to read & understand. The revolutionist for a woman who does not understand th e politics and history. The stupidity & unreason of the men who die for ideology, old society or organization. They stands out at the turning point like end of Edo Period. I think the author may symbolize it with dog. This story may be a little difficult for the readers who don't know the japanese history but may be rather easier to understand the stupidity of such religionists. The art is very wonderful, so it is very worthy of reading this. (by Slash-kun 07/Jun/2003)
"Aza vol.1" (Shoukakkan) Jan/2002 * 8.45
The artistic experimental work that describes the love and death of a real person in history, Ryouma Sakamoto, a supporter of a noble cause (revolutionist) at the end of Edo Period who died at 32 years of age. Ambitious challenging trial to carve out only private personal imagined scenery during his stormy two years from "just before the assault at Terada-ya" until "shortly after his death at Oumi-ya" except political & historical phases. The story:(Oryou, a geisha girl, a common-law wife of Ryouma has a cold. To nourish her Ryouma goes to buy a gamecock. Oryou goes out to find Ryouma and picks up the young man who seems to be Ryouma's guest. But he turns out to be an an assassin of Ryouma. Ryouma is enough lucky to avoid his crisis. "The assault at Terada-ya" occurs. Ryouma and Oryou escape and Oryou is saved by Ryouma's assassin. The assassin tries to kill Shintarou Nakaoka and Nakaoka persuades him but he leaves. The recollection of background of the assassin. Poor childhood. He has survived by killing dogs. Ryouma and Oryou go on a honeymoon to Kyuushuu. Ryouma leaves behind Oryou at Nagasaki. Tokugawa Shogunate collapses. At Kyoto, Ryouma and Nakaoka are attacked by Tosa domain fellows). The author has written a lot of yaoi manga but basically its sexual degree is not so hard/intense. She made a lot of illustration work for yaoi novels, so I thought she was in the same position as Keiko Nishi. But recently she has done a great illustration work for very popular & controversial yaoi novel series, "Uozumi-kun series", challenged artistic work beyond ordinary yaoi mangaka. This trial may be one of her challenges, too. This series has been serialized on the unisex magazine, "IKKI" (Big Comic Special Issue) from Shougakukan and it is not yaoi. Therefore the author adopts famous japanese historical hero as popular subject for male readers. The author's art of old japanese costume (Kimono) is splendid! The art with sharp contrast of black and white, light and shade like Cutting art, shadowgraph is very impressive and effective to interpret this overused & trite historical fact as unique story. Very silent world with few words. Elaborate picture composition is overwhelming. The author limits the characters to only 4 (Ryouma, Oryou, Nakaoka, Assassin) because the author aims at very personal viewpoint from Oryou who dedicates her life to only one guy, her lover. Some female readers may be able to sympathize with Oryou who is powerless, can not live together with Ryouma like Nakaoka, only envies Nakaoka, lives for only her love when feudal system begins to weaken. The author is yaoi mangaka, so she can make female readers have such feeling. Therefore the weird expression of samurai who target Ryouma and believe old structure is really clear and sharp (to the point). (by Slash-kun 07/Jun/2003)
CHI-RAN
"Tennen Tenshi" (Houbunsha) Jul/2003 *** 8.4
The sequel of the very popular & slapstick comedy series about the talent agency, "Bunnies". Some talents appear (The sequel of "Kakeru & Ren series" - Ren is angry at Kakeru who is adoring Sakae, then Ren teaches Kakeru "how to sex". But when Kakeru actually makes love with Sakae, he is scared of Sakae and realizes he loves Ren / "Taiki and new talent, Nanaka" - Bitch new talent, Nanaka gives many senior talents the come-on. He seduces Taiki of CARAT, his favourite but Taiki punishes Nanaka and makes Nanaka cry for forgiveness / "Shizuru and the king of alternative world" - fantasy. During making the video clip at the island, Shizuru trips into world apart and meets mysterious & gorgeous king. The king says Shizuru is an apostle of God / The king comes to find Shizuru but Shizuru can not keep his mind on his work. Shizuru makes the king return...). Silly but stylish/sophisticated short stories by adult yaoi mangaka who goes in for hobbies without hesitation. So this book brims with the passion of the author who loves "young idol stars"! The 1st story of two young idols is very funny because Kakeru is very childish & innocent and impudent Ren is in trouble! It's so delightful that clever Nanaka is revenged. Taiki(unexpectedly lewd & dirty guy!) is very nice! Time trip fantasy of Shizuru is very eccentric and unique. The single-minded king is very impressive. In this series there are a lot of dreams & adoration for the brilliant world of the popular idol stars. The readers can enjoy the illusion to be a member of this dreamy team!! (by Slash-kun 12/Jul/2003)
"LOVE>RUSH" (Magazine Magazine) Apr/2003 *** 8.4
Various short stories including the sequels of "Sei-ai no Susume" & "Sensei no Ayamachi" series (Hero is approached by both his lover and his ex-lover at same time / Hero is played by two idols / PWP of a master of sexual massage. Two sequel of "Sei-ai no Susume" / The twin brother of colleague teacher / Hero meets again with his childhood friend as his home tutor after long interval / Hero meets again with his rival after 10 years interval. The rival breaks hero's everyday life). CHI-RAN's 20th book! What many books she issued! Very great. All stories are very interesting. Erotic, funny and gorgeous (especially in case of showbiz world). Her sex scenes are very hot but never dirty (never repulsive). If I'm allowed to wish so much, I'd like to read the sequel with only same series (Though the sequel is very attractive for fans). Last two angst are very good for me because they are very dark, passionate and nihilistic (And they are not shota. Heroes are same generation). CHI-RAN like to use cute and small hero but I want her to write the stories of adult and equal couple once in a while. (by Slash-kun 17/Jan/2004)
"Kimi ga Boku wo Hoshigaru Wake." (Houbunsha) Jan/2003 *** 8.4
The short stories of cute bunny which is well worth bullying, enjoying, teasing (New cute member joins idol group, CARAT. But he is very "out of place", so old members bully him. He shows his strong cute attraction like bunny and makes them accept him / The CEO of the talent agency of charismatic idol, Rei is very young & second-generation of the tycoon. The young CEO scouts Rei at the risk of his life, so Rei bullies CEO by all conceivable erotic means because Rei loves CEO! / Next the hero is impudent like a hare! Kakeru is called from Kansai branch of talent agency to form a new unit with genius young talent, Ren of Kantou branch. The manager orders them to study by CARAT. They are cat-and-dog but can debut by the instrumentation of Sakae of CARAT. But young talents who can not debut envy Kakeru and makes Kakeru go to a bad producer. Sakae saves Kakeru. But Ren suddenly says he resigns the unit. Kakeru gets angry and makes quarrel with Ren. Ren takes Kakeru to CARAT and declares that Kakeru is his lover). The author's intention is very simple, "He is very cute, so he should be bullied". The simplicity, pursuit of her interest with all her heart is rather manly. She defiantly declares that she loves it!. It's very stylish that set-up of all stories is same agency, Bunnys (Of course Bunnys comes from "Berneys " and "Jannys" which are real japanese talent agencies. The author adopts well actual scandal that CEO of the agency has sexual relationship with the young talents and it makes fans fun. In this book there are full of the author's love & admiration for young talents! (by Slash-kun 17/Mar/2003)
"Himitsuna BODY 21 vol.2" (Sanwa Shuppan) Nov/2002 *** 8.43
The sequel and final volume. Ayu and Konoe finally become a couple through a lot of hardship (confinement and sexual training) including threesome sex with Konoe's friend. The story:(Ayu is nearly left alone in the lecture room with shameful posture. Konoe promises he will forgive Ayu if Ayu obey Konoe completely. Konoe satisfies his dark & one-sided sexual desires with Ayu. Ayu loses himself with tremendous sexual pleasure. On the day after, Konoe invites Ayu to their new room. Konoe confines Ayu there by his fanatic monopolistic desire. Konoe tortures Ayu sexually and Ayu asks why Konoe does such awful action. Konoe wants Ayu to understand he has dark sexual desire to Ayu. Then Konoe's good old friend, Masaki suddenly appears. This very frank guy teases Ayu and keeps Ayu hanging by not releasing Ayu's sexual desire until Ayu really wants Konoe. Ayu suffers from threesome sex with Masaki but gets a greater shock by seeing Konoe's kiss with Masaki. During Konoe leaves for university, Masaki explains how long and how strong Konoe loves Ayu. Ayu fells sorry that he totally forgot the memory when he met Konoe when they were children. After eating Konoe's delicious cordial meal, Ayu finally confesses his love to Konoe...). "The psychotoxic & savage sex by Konoe who tries to destroy Ayu's pride" is very powerful & dramatic and have a tremendous impact. But the readers will sympathize with Konoe who finally cries by Ayu's declaration of love and love Konoe very much. Konoe is so *cute* seme!! Konoe's friend, Masaki is very nice guy, so I'd like to read his episode with Konoe earlier. The author has written many books and all the quality is not same but this long series is very orthodox (shows her true worth well) among her stories (hard-core but dramatic) and has romantic impression with "sensitive & serious anguished seme and cheerful foolish uke". (by Slash-kun 18/Jan/2003)
Chitose Piyoko
"S** Friend" (Biblos) Apr/2003 *** 8.44
One long short story about young efficient CEO but impotent and boy working at host club and other three short stories (The coach of football club put handcuffs on two member of the club who has kept fighting like cat and dog since their childhood for punishment / The hero can not commute to school by train because he has strong trauma by rapist at his childhood. But he recovers his guts by his british cousin's encouragement / Two doctors, good friends since they were students reach their turning point and finally become a couple). The story of the long short story:(Very genius of management & young CEO, Kurou Inamori has suffered from impotence since he went abroad to study and heard his girlfriend said he was very poor at sex. Inamori's only oasis of soul is Nana who is working at host club. Inamori makes Nana drink sustaining medicine by mistake. He stabs a bottle into Nana who is very aching - sexually exciting and escapes. Hearing Nana will resign the host club, Inamori is shocked. But Nana comes Inamori's house as a housekeeper. Inamori manages to deepen their relationship but Inamori holds the suspicion that Nana may be an industrial spy...). Every sex scene is very hot, explicit and exciting. The bodies of seme & uke are both solidly built, so their sex seems to be powerful. The sex scene of long short story through underwear before a backdrop of nightscape is wonderful, the sex with chains of 1st short story is also impressive and masturbation each other in the train is very daring. But the long short story lacks of reality as a corporate drama though this is challenging trial for the author. It lacks of surreality (like her debut book). The idea of impotence is funny. And the surname of CEO is same as japanese big company (Kyoucera)'s CEO! Short stories are very natural and interesting. Especially I like 1st one because angst hard sex of cat-and-dog football club members is so exciting & effective!! (by Slash-kun 14/Jun/2003)
CJ Michalski
"Usotsuki" (Take shobou) Jul/2003 *** 8.68
6 hard-core short stories for yaoi freaks（Hero has been inseparably bound up with his selfish friend from his child. He is called and comforts his friend whenever his friend parts from his lover. His friend confesses his love to hero only after they fall over the cliff and is going to die / An urban delinquent student should transfer to local school by his parents' order. There he is stalked by a rude but pure local student / A supervisor and his subordinate love each other. Returning from business tour of 3 months, the beautiful subordinate has become fat / A new recruit keeps working overtime with his wish to be admitted by his supervisor. But his colleague puts the blame on him and the supervisor gets him mixed up with an industrial spy. The supervisor tortures him / Many people have tried to persuade a surgeon of genius to reactivate in vain. The surgeon keeps living in seclusion because he failed the operation of his lover's brain cancer and has a lapse of confidence. One boy starts working as his live-in housekeeper but the boy is his ex-patient of the surgeon and doesn't have much time../ A boy loves his pet, an android. But the android returns sweet nothings to the boy because the android has no feeling. A fire occurs. The android takes his life upon saving the boy. Decrypting the microchip of the android in the cold ashes, plenty words of love are displayed on the full screen). The author has established a great new genre of yaoi, modern PWP, very illusion-promoting (It's very hilarious that too passionate or insane hero scares the people) but pure romance which attracts the readers very much with Kai Nanase. This book has a variety, contains challenging works as well as ones of typical PWP of her forte, old standby. The 2nd story of country student is so hilarious! A rude & antediluvian character, Kurogane is so nice and unique. He is rugged but so innocent. The author uses many nostalgic & funny things or dead languages (Nameneko - funny photograph of kitty with delinquent fashion, leaf in the corner of the mouth instead of cigarette & breaking brim of a hat - typical old fashion of old students, Avec - old word of "lovers/couple"!) very effectively. It makes me so glad (I wonder why so many yaoi mangaka including Nasa Yamato recently have adopted nostalgic gag lines. Because mangaka and their readers get old?). I felt a little embarrassment by reading the ending of "Maria" by Kazuo Kamimura (too old type guy, a fisherman) but the comical case of old guy like Kurogane, a student of old-education-system high school is totally welcome. Hero (whom Kurogane loves) is also nice because he is not a small/weak uke. Very wild and stylish urban student. If uke is not vulnerable, I think the readers are more moved because the taboo/resistance of homosexual increases. The last two stories of surgeon and android are very serious and heartrending! The author is so excellent & professional that she can write such stories intentionally & surely, too! I feel the editor's enthusiasm of challenging from the placement/arrangement, putting Sci-fi story at the end and using a name piece. Very nice ending by knowing the nuts and bolts of many android stories. Reading her post script, I wonder the author worried about her editor who dared adopt her Sci-fi story as a name piece though the author could write so excellent Sci-fi story. I suppose there has been a so strongly-rooted taboo of writing Sci-fi stories in yaoi (especially commercial yaoi) world. I feel sorry for yaoi mangaka who love Sci-fi. The business story of this book is very interesting, too. The story of the office love affair is really geeky (hard-core) because the author pursues the concept, "Debu-sen" (Unique preference of loving fat people). The author has in common with Nasa Yamato and they often adopt unfeminine & hard-core gag lines (obscene jokes for middle-aged guys). It's so hilarious! The story of "industrial spy is so hilarious because the misunderstanding of the supervisor goes out of control. The readers will know the rich talent of this author by this book. Very satisfying & artistic book!(by Slash-kun 27/Sep/2003)
"Suki ni Naccha Ikenai Hito" (Biblos) Dec/2002 *** 8.4
Very illusion-promoting short 4 PWPs (Hero is very surprised to see his sister's fiance, a young CEO of her company. Because the fiance is his one-night stand lover when he dropped the money for "house rent". Hero really loves the CEO but also wishes his sister's happiness because she has brought up him instead their parent who died by accident. Hero asks CEO to hide their relationship but CEO offers very unacceptable condition to the hero.../ Hero, an employee of the big construction company, goes to the mountain to persuade a mountain's owner who refuses eviction. Hero tumbles from a cliff and is saved by a strange hillbilly and falls in love. Owing to the hillbilly, hero realizes the importance of the nature.../ Elite but tired trading company employee is cast away on the small uncivilized island. He get married with a boy there and finds his human & natural life.../ Sequel. The mass media plays up employee's news as a miracle, so he should return once to Japan. He takes his lover, islander boy together but the boy gets ill by japanese environment with pollution...). All the stories are very hilarious and end happy!! The set-ups are very strange and nonsense, but the author's tactful plots never make the readers feel suspicious. She suggests a lot of sarcasm for "japanese society made up of company slaves/soldiers" but most readers are not aware of it obviously but just laugh (unconsciously). Perhaps it is because the author is really intelligent (At her postscript essay about shota, she refers to her experience of working as a lecturer at prep school). I think she is a good professional story teller and has a great talent of construct good emotional stories. Therefore she can describe very geeky stories & adopt unique set-ups! Of course her characters are very attractive, too. Especially the young CEO of the 1st story is soooooo cool!! The author is really good at drawing japanese def executive/office-worker with "business suit"!! And you should not miss reading her short essay gem about "Pith of the shota-pleasure", too. The author is enough brave to reveal her great passion for shota and sneer at herself!! I break up her comments, "How charming the british decent students of private prestige school are!" & "The great difference of body frame between adult and child will accelerate shota's pleasure"!! I'd like to read her witty essay more!! (by Slash-kun 25/Jan/2003)
Dr. Ten
"Aijin Ichiman-en" (Kousai Shobou) Mar/2003 *** 8.49
Desperate hero who was a professional sprinter but now retired because of his fatal injury and eats by prostitution, is picked up by novelist and is loved like a pet and finally regain the will to live. The story:(Hero was working at the company as a professional athlete, but was fired by his leg's injury. He joins the ranks of the homeless and manages to get by as a male prostitute. At one night, a mysterious guy appears and says he wants to "kau (buy)" the hero. But he means he wants to "kau (keep a pet)". Being washed at bath, hero fears and wonders whether this guy will train me sexually? or he is a very dangerous psycho guy? But the mysterious guy has a cold by washing hero and is confined to his bed with declaring that he will keep the hero forever / The mysterious guy does not recently make a sexual advance to hero. Hero wonders the guy is already tired with him and becomes nervous. The mysterious guy suddenly says he will sell the hero. Hero gives up his destiny but after hard S&M playing, the guy starts to devote himself to writing pornographic novel. Hero knows the guy is a novelist and he had been suffering from long slump! / The brother of novelist visits writer's room. He nearly rapes the hero if writer would not hold it. The brother is very surprised to know the writer's pet is one that writer cherishes so much that he wants to keep in confinement forever though the writer had been strong apanthropia. The brother declares he will live together / Hero feels sexual frustration again but the writer has a cold again. Then brother tries to tempt the hero. But the writer holds his brother and says he has managed to refrain from making love during writing the novel but now he can't. The writer and his brother enjoy threesome sex with the hero. Then all of them are down with the cold / On the rainy day, hero feels feverish during sex. Hero says it comes from old sores of his leg. The writer is greatly shocked to hear the hero's word, "But to entertain my master sexually is my job" and the writer rapes hero so cruelly beside himself. The hero confesses he does not mind because he despairs of his life. Then the brother declare "If you do, I will own your body and soul" / Hero enjoy the sex with novelist without hesitation then the writer gets a scent of hero's determination - hero will leave. The writer scolds hero very much and asks hero with tears not to do though hero does not love him. The writer says he will keep picking up hero if he leaves. Hero changed his mind). I enjoy this story because this is not typical fantasy but modern confinement story the author meets seriously head-on with. I expect many reader can read this very smoothly because the story is very natural and persuasive. Though it is hard core pornographic story (including threesome sex) but very quiet, heart-to-heart, sincere story. The process that hero with hurt feeling hurt & human distrust is comforted by the reticent novelist and his delinquent brother who is good underneath, is very skillfully depicted. The author also expresses well hero's agony. There are enough climax scenes in each chapter and they form natural whole story together. She becomes very good at making the story. The emotional scenes are very dramatic! She is burgeoning and now looks like more than just pornographic writer. Her art of naked body like japanese classic art also attain to perfection. Sweet but hurt sex scenes are overwhelming. Of course, her characters are attractive. Hero who is a kill-joy but wants to behave like a spoilt child and fears premonition of unhappiness is very cute (He stimulus his owner's gut). The brother of the writer is also very nice guy! (i.e. like Dr. McCoy of TOS). The author is keeping a cat and she uses her life with the cat very tactfully. The author deals with human drama with only expression of human emotions bravely and does not use fantastic or fictional setting up. I realize the author is unexpectedly diligent. I think she will keep being a good writer. (by Slash-kun 26/Apr/2003)
"Geboku Shounenbushi vol.2" (Kousai Shobou) Dec/2002 *** 8.4
The long occult action drama series of "mysterious noble family with magical power". The sidestory of "Tokyo Yaban no Chizu series". The story:(Mamoru Mitsugi tries to make Tomoe Kuchiba, his following, decide whether Tomoe betrays Mamoru and keeps finding a child of Sana who escaped from "Mitsugi family" or keeps being faithful following by sexual torture. Tomoe can't refuse Mamoru's temptation. Tomoe is called to take back his comrade, Hotaru by Kagehisa, a son of Kaoruko who is a wife of the eldest brother of Mamoru. Hotaru is falling down in a faint by severe torture. Kagehisa uses his following "Shadow" - tentacular specter - to Tomoe and tacks Tomoe sexually. But Takashi Shinohara suddenly appears to save Tomoe. He is raped by Kagehisa but absorbs energy of Kagehisa and controls Shadow. Kaoruko is greatly surprised to see Shinohara because Shinohara resembles Sana. Mamoru asks Tomoe who ordered Tomoe to find a child of Sana by hard sex....). The battle scenes are very vigorous and strong and sex scenes are very erotic (The author's face of uke with tears is really cute and sexy) as usual. The story is very exciting! The author's art is very vivid and boyish like "Saiyuuki" by Kazuya Minekura (contemporary popular animation for both male & female audience), so I think this author should be major and her challenge of long series will be a great success (This volume is not final one, so this series becomes her longest series for now). (by Slash-kun 01/Mar/2003)
DUO BRAND.
"White Guardian" (Kousai Shobou) Aug/2003 *** 8.75
Romantic fantasy of a prince and a director-general of the Guards in medieval kingdom. The story:(On the ship of Landa, a kingdom of the Middle Ages. Attacked by the enemy, but a debauched General, Sei orders a retreat in the early part of the battle. A young soldier saved by Sei gets laid by Sei in return. But the soldier turns out to be Prince Lins and he has adored Sei since childhood. Lins orders Sei to be a director of his Guards in expiation / Sei left the Court once because he hated its dirty power game. So his ex-lover, a local lord, Toory is cross at Sei's comeback. Toory rapes Prince Lins from spite but Lins appoints Toory as a prime minister / When Lins goes incognito to downtown for pleasure, he finds suspicious-looking man. He pursues. At enemy's hiding-place, Lins finds a court of Landa's Secretary of Treasury is intriguing with the enemy. Lins is caught by the enemy and forced to drink truth & aphrodisiac drug. Sei comes to save Lins but he kills all important witness). Written by duo mangaka of "Haruka Akatsuki" and "Nobuyoshi Watanabe". They have long career as djska, so they have great ability but I never imagined this series were so hard-core & professional work! So great! The art is very skillful like topflight art of heroic fantasy (The author is very good at drawing of military uniform, the medieval costumes like the prince's costumery, sword,,etc. She draws djs of "Hagane no Renkinjutsushi", so her drawing of the military is so excellent!). The art of characters is very cool like "Takashi Kanzaki", "Sakufu Ajimine" or "Kazusa Takashima (of "Wild Rock"). I'm surprised that Kousai Shobou issues such medieval historical fantasy. The plot & setups are very well polished/elaborated. Especially characterization is so interesting! Sei, a knight who should guard a prince is an errant & dirty middle-aged guy (But he was an national hero, a great general once). His heavy beard is so atmospheric. Lins, a pretty prince but is very spirited, a person of character. He is so noble and has so strong sense of justice that Sei often loses what to do. But Lins is also very cunning. It's thrilling a dirty guy gets laid with a prince (Well, Lins entices Sei? with conspiracy? - Leading Uke). And Sei's ex-lover, Toory is also very cool and beautiful (Perhaps he is most handsome guy in this story), so Sei is involved in love triangle with Lins and Toory (Sei is uke for Toory). And Toory rapes Lins for spite and keeps going after Sei ever since. And he is also cunning maneuverer. Threesome stories are not so unique now but this series is very exciting and well-balanced. A sort of "fantasy for adult readers". I'm so eager to read the sequel! (This book does not complete. The sequel will be issued). (by Slash-kun 24/Jan/2004)
Ebihara Yuri
"Uchi ni Oideyo." (Biblos) Feb/2003 *** 8.4
Short stories (The ordinary student of the establish school for rich students is encouraged by the unique blue collar worker / The unknown new actor who act as an android of the fantasy drama of the TV falls in love with the geeky owner of the android / The senior system engineer somehow feels jealous of the person in charge of client whom his puisne engineer loves. The senior hates his puisne one because puisne is always loved by other people without any effort...) including one series of the fashion model and his scout & manager. The series story:(Takao, the scout of model agency finds a very talented student, Natori on the street. But Natori wants Takao's body in return for his being a model / Takao and Natori become a good couple but they often feel jealous at their working time. Natori misunderstands Takao's awkward action in fear of their scandal). Very unique art because uke's faces at comedy scenes are very funny (resembles Toribito's rough art) but serious or best faces of seme are so sexy! (especially her lips are very erotic). All the stories are interesting (The geeky set-up of the 3rd story reminds me of "Nase Yamato" and too smooth office worker of 4th story is very well described! I also wonder which guy is bottom? ) and the characters are attractive! (The manager of the 1st series story is unsophisticated & wet foot then he looks so pretty! The rich guy of the 2nd story has very unique hair style - Afro - and his naked body at public bathhouse is so gorgeous!). One thing I regret a little is that there is little "hard-core explicit sex scenes" in this book. Why? Though the art is so gorgeous and there are a lot of erotic suggestion of sex!! I want the author to try to write for the books of "Magazine Magazine" next time...(by Slash-kun 08/Mar/2003)
Eiki Eiki
"Yuigon" (Shinshokan) Jan/2003 *** 8.42
The dramatic serious prequel and comical sequel attack comedy of "Shinseiki Prime Minister" (Ryouichi Makita, the security police of Kanata Kamijyou, a prime minister is shot by the gun to guard the Kanata. Ryouichi can not die without confession of his love to Kanata. He remembers his and Kanata's delight school days at the boy's dormitory and their sad memory of separation because of "their rape trauma syndrome" / Aya Kamijyou Faulkner lives in the room of Akane Matsumoto, a beat reporter of the newspaper for Kanata, together and wastes his brilliant career. Akane hesitates to accept Aya's too straight love and can not stop Aya to go to USA. Aya runs away and is working at gay bar...). The readers can enjoy this if they have not read "Shinseiki..."! I like a little tragic former story like "Complex" by Ringo Manda but to tell the truth I wanted them to be a happy couple (Makita and Kanata keep their platonic love...)! After serious first story, I am a little bewildered by reading 2nd funny story, but for the fans, the variety of this book may be rather service-minded...(by Slash-kun 08/Feb/2003)
Emikoyama
"Pearl White vol.3" (Shinshokan) Jul/2003 *** 8.69
The pulse-pounding final volume of the long series about the romance between a junior student and a senior & beautiful student with broken mind and one short story(Boys' high school. Delinquent students make a bet on the ticket and hero starts fake & romantic relation with his senior student. Hero feels difficulty and rapes the senior but they know they have adored each other for long time...). he story of name piece series:(Takara guards Shirogane from Kitano's knife and is transferred to hospital. Shirogane runs away because of his guilty feeling. Takara escapes death but his brother never tells Shirogane's disappearance. Takara desperately recovers and tries to find Shirogane. A strange old woman buys sandals for Shirogane who is wandering with bare feet around town. Knowing people's kindness, Shirogane goes to the jail to meet & apologize Kitano and leaves for the sea alone. Takara finally finds Shirogane but Shirogane pretends he hates Takara...). This story is unusual for Emikoyama whose works are usually very tender and mild/calm. Due to Shirogane, Takara sustains serious injuries, so I thought Shirogane would despair more but Shirogane is actually & surprisingly serene because he is completely broken. It makes the readers horrendous all the more (The author says her aim was "light/cheerful hardships/pain"). Even so Shirogane gradually changes (He appreciates a strange woman who gives sandals, knows there are kind people even if they are not family and anyone can survive, understands Kitano's angry, apologizes Kitano and tells a lie to Takara). Shirogane's upgrowth makes me cry. And Takara's single-track love without the hope of getting something in return is so touching! His brother finally gives in and Takara and Shirogane can be happy in the end. I feel great satisfaction! Supporting characters are very nice, too. Tachikawa - a female friend of Takara comments on a sudden shower during the date like "We are lucky because it cools down". Katsura, a boy friend of Tachikawa flatters himself that he has good taste to choose a girl friend. Katsura who sees through a lie and challenges Takara's brother makes Tachikawa say "I have an eye for choose a nice boy friend". It's the essence of "loving someone". The author's observation is very sharp! A short story is tender Angst, her forte, and good happy-ending story! Seme who is not honest and whose malevolence is no more than a pose is very cute and uke who accepts everything like Maria is awe-inspiring. Highly recommended series! (by Slash-kun 10/Jan/2004)
"Gokufutsuu no Koi vol.2" (Shinshokan) Dec/2002 *** 8.9
Very impressive but sweet romance of longstanding & humble couple with precious wisdom though there is no explicit hard sex scenes. The story:(Makoto Kashima, a high school-educated, poor and lowly employee and Eiji Mizuki, a tiny subcontractor of dressmaking have been couple for 10 years and lived together for 9 years since they were students of same high school. Mizuki has loved Kashima very deeply but has been too shy to express his love honestly and often punches or goes getting hot at Kashima since their first & worst encounter. At long distance phone call from Kashima's business trip, Mizuki can not speak to Kashima in a tender manner though he is always thinking about Kashima. Kashima always has a hunger for Mizuki's love and feels delight whatever Mizuki does for him. So he is not willing to sleep apart even when Mizuki has a heavy cold - they have never slept apart for 8 years! What is a Mizuki's annual birthday gift to Kashima? It's "Mizuki's being tender, not getting angry for Kashima during only Kashima's birthday"! But it is also the excuse for Mizuki to be tender completely for Kashima without hesitation. They are very poor but conscientiously save money for their old age. So they stake their life on reusing expired food in refrigerator but they are enough lucky to keep surviving. One day Kashima wins a prize in the public lottery but he gives it to his supervisor whose daughter needs to have an overseas surgical operation because Kashima does not want to lose his current small luck. When they should give a gratuity for his friend's marriage, to Kashima's delight, they save money by sleeping in same futon without space heating. They make much of seasonal events like Bean-Throwing Festival though they seldom throw the beans out of doors. When Kashima is very busy and misses the chance of cherry-blossom viewing party, they go to the part in early morning with lunch box and rice dumpling of convenience store. They keep even the empty paper cups of "fast food shop" for their playing of "movie theater" at their relaxation as couch potato. In summer, Kashima is too young to take a long vacation, but his best amusement is "just midday nap by Mizuki" after working hard with sweat! In autumn they go to the park for viewing autumnal leaves with canteen of red wine. On Christmas, they go to the bathhouse and enjoy the humble dinner at open-air stall with carry-on wine. Kashima wants Mizuki to cut even his hair for thrift. But their all saving action come from their deep "affection"...). I'm very moved by reading this! I have loved this author's works but I think this volume is very special one, achieves a certain breakthrough as compared to her other tender & soft stories where I feel relieved & relaxed by enjoying to see the sweet & happy couples maintaining their good relationship by various events. Reading this book, I have felt very strong message/appeal - "The thing we can not buy by the money is really precious". Through their saving life, Kashima and Mizuki try to keep cherishing their feeling of being gratified any kinds of trivial/small/little things or make effort to find something small but cordial in their daily life to please each other. Then they refuse to be too greedy and even refuse too much luck like "win of the lottery". I'm really overwhelmed by the author's silent but strong philosophy, "we can be happy even if (or because) we are lacking material affluence or wealth". It reminds me of a young poor but happy couple's short story of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Of course author's other delicate (fully prepared) techniques (using soft but wild Kansai-accent - the dialect of western area, the repetition of sweet & agonizing recollection of their young & awkward passion during their school days and making happy atmosphere with various delicious food/dishes like Fumi Yoshinaga - but more thrifty recipe!). I'd like to recommend this for the present-day young girls who believe easily only the money will/can make them happy or for the couples who want their married life better!! (by Slash-kun 08/Feb/2003)
"Pearl White vol.2" (Shinshokan) Aug/2002 *** 8.6
Tragic but sweet romance series of the young student who loves his senior, beautiful but unsound student with all his heart and soul. Shirogane & Takara's happy period passes and "the phantoms of the past" will creep up on. The story:(Takara Sanada invites Mamoru Shirogane to his house and introduce to his brother, Chikara. Chikara is very surprised to see Shirogane because Chikara saw Shirogane once. Behind Takara's back, Chikara warns Shirogane that Shirogane will hurt his brother and to remember where and when they met. Takara offers homely hospitality to Shirogane very cordially and they spend very pleasant time superficially. But Chikara visited Shirogane's room soon and says he knows Shirogane did not refuse gang-bang sex there. Chikara realizes Shirogane doesn't intends to deceive Takara but he really wants Shirogane to part with his brother because Shirogane is never attached with anybody and Shirogane now just only accepts Takara as well as ex-lover, Kitano. Takara invites Shirogane into Double-date with Takara's friend's couple. Shirogane enjoys his first experience at amusement park very much thanks to quick-thinking of a very kind girl friend of Takara's friend. Chikara begins to collect the information about Kitano. Kitano should be serving time because he was indicted of injury to guys who raped his bitch lover. Now Chikara wonders Kitano's lover, Shirogane is really bitch. After double-date, Takara takes Shirogane to Shirogane's room but there Kitano is waiting with knife...). This volume is extremely dramatic! New character, the elder brother of Takara, Chikara comes on. He is very nice (loose/wanton/dark/evil but affectionate to his brother). He knows the dirty past of Shirogane and demands Shirogane to separate with his brother because Shirogane definitely makes Takara unhappy. "The way/degree of destruction of Shirogane who has been brought up on without the enough love by his parents" is so awful. The author expresses it very well with a lot of neat & horrendous episodes (Shirogane marvels at the salute before eating with family, "Chow down" like "school trip", he has no albums of his childhood, he doesn't know the way of enjoying at amusement part and he keeps his countenance though he is covered with blood of the guys who rapes him). The author's art is very simple, tender and not too graphical/realistic but so "necessary and sufficient" that we, readers can enjoy the lingering emotion and imagination very much. The facial expression of dazed-looking Shirogane who is condemned by Chikara with the word, "You never understand my brother's feeling because you don't refuse anyone's love!" is soooo impressive. And I can not read without tears this story that Takara will meets with a misfortune though he devotes heart and soul to Shirogane. And second fiddles are also very nice. Kitano, though he is an enemy of Takara, touches a pitiful chord in readers. And female character, Tachikawa, a lover of Takara's friend also very nice and she really has a pleasant disposition as well as the author. Then in author's works, there is no utter bad characters. The ending is very cliff-hanging. I hardly wait to read the next volume! (by Slash-kun 19/Apr/2003)
Endo Risao
"Romantic Risk" (Tiyou Tosho) Feb/2003 *** 8.9
Short stories (Very tantalizing romance between unique two guys. A cool but shy boy falls in love with the guy like hermit! But they can't believe easily that they love each other / The sequel of 1st story. The boy feels sad by comparing him with a homeless cay of the guy like a self-less monk. He can not still be content to their just friendship / Insane & immoral but happy-ending unique story. The nihilistic but fantasist adult guy who often loses his passion soon, now dumps his wife and child and has a crush on a beautiful but unhappy boy with a sickly mother. He rapes the boy and the boy stabs him. But they run away together.../ Very surrealistic unique story of two adult guys whose married life break down and who love watching sophisticated movies at theatre. They often make love in the darkness in the hotels but realize their love does not disappear like movie. Beautiful metaphor! / The strange dependency relation between a crazy kidnapper guy and his poor victim boy who lost his memory.../ The excellent & must-read perfect short story included into "Hageshikute Hen vol.2", the experimental anthology from Kousai Shobou / The boy whose parent died by accident is taken in by his kind uncle. He loves his uncle but the uncle never responds. Then he decides to live on his own by his classmate's comfort / Small psychodrama of two guys who are listening the street poet - not unique plot but unique mood! / Again not unique set-up but unique mood story. The very popular but selfish vocalist of rock group meets with a genius photographer of skinhead and finds his new talent... ) after long interval. All the stories are very unique, suggestive and meaningful (with deep theme or impressive atmosphere that make the readers enjoy the aftertaste). The author's contemporary, silent, dry but stylish art (the lines are thin and strengthless) without sweetness is very characteristic! The art of bleak winter park is so impressive, her clunky cat seems to be sage like Master Yoda and the art of cold & beautiful human bodies with elaborate screen-tone work like photograph is so cool! The inorganic & empty gaze reminds me of the art of "Tamaki Yura". Some artistic set-ups remind me of BELNE who often write manga about charismatic rock stars. The vacant space with monologue reminds me of the sluggish atmosphere of "Yumi Tada". These old & artistic yaoi writers often write the deceit & fraud of hetero-sexual people (They often lose their own personality by being good couple) and are very honest and don't adulate the readers too much (are not too feminine and don't escape into easy happy ending or facile comedy or excessive entertainment)! I love this author with precious taste and wish her to keep her own way!! If you are boring with recent all-too-common/clonish yaoi stuffs, please try to read this book!! Highly recommended! (by Slash-kun 15/Feb/2003)
Enjin Yamimaru
"Voice or Noise vol.1" (Tokuma Shoten) Aug/2003 * 8.68
Animal fantasy of "more than friendship under love" between a professor who can understand animal's language and the boy who has same ability. The story:(A boy, Shinichirou Fukuouji visits an adjunct professor of physical sciences, Naruaki Narusawa. Shinichirou asks Narusawa to read the mind of his dog which barks too much. Shinichirou has gotten the information of Narusawa from his personal animal doctor, Ikegami. Narusawa shows Shinichirou the door but Shinichirou is guided to Narusawa's house by his dog. Shinichirou hears Narusawa's cat, Aft is speaking like human. Owing to Narusawa, Shinichirou's dog becomes calm and it makes Shinichirou decide to become Narusawa's pupil / Shinichirou calls on Narusawa everyday but Narusawa refuses to deal with him. Narusawa examines a sick bird of Shinichirou's friend but he warns Shinichirou not to pry into the affairs of others. Shinichirou feels animals are observing him and starts to get scared, then he stops to visit Narusawa. Narusawa becomes irritated. Knowing the fact, Shinichirou get a shock. Aft is involved in a traffic accident and can not speak human language in front of Shinichirou and Narusawa...). Long-awaited first book of Enjin! She has been already famous for illustration of yaoi novels or djs, so many readers have been waiting so long. I thought this is typical story of a special doctor of animal (like Dr. Dolittle stories) because heroes can speak with animals (Enjin herself also thought so at first). But it is shota (sorry/vulnerable adult seme). Very surprising! Most babyish character is Narusawa, and it is the best shota style for me! How nice the characters' balance is! Enjin's skill of art is perfect 10. Especially her way of making space or the contrast of light and dark are so excellent! And in this book, her animals are very humorous. They are not cute literally (because they are crows or black cat), but such black animals are so lovely for me! They act on even ground with human. Rather sarcastically. It resembles Ichiko Ima. Enjin's words are also very witty & intelligent like Ima. It provides enough reality to Narusawa who is a professor of college. Therefore the loneliness and sadness of Narusawa, person of intelligent class (This book's theme. Isolation from others - normal humans) is very persuasive. And the sexual expressions are tame as well as Ima. But therefore the delicate relation with nervousness between Shinichirou and Narusawa is very thrilling and interesting! (The process that pig-headed Narusawa has been gradually moved by Shinichirou is so dramatic). I'm very looking forward to next volume! (by Slash-kun 10/Jan/2004)
Enomoto Nariko
"Enomoto Nariko + Nobi Nobita vol.3" (Futabasha) Jun/2002 *** 8.45
The last book of the author's reissue series from Futabasha. Most are "original june works - not parody stories of yaoi" (The guy happens to meet again with an old friend who was always bullied by other children, weeping and saved by him. The friend is very glad but the guy feels shame because the guy is now a mean & miserable prostitute.../ The calculating guy catches pickpocket boy. The boy begs for forgiveness and sells his body in return. After sex, the guy realizes his life of "marriage de convenance" also seems prostitution. He finds the boy lying on the street with the disease and starts living together and loving the boy. The boy is gone because he also loves the guy and guy continues to find him.../ Hero always acts as a pierrot in his class but has a crush on a very beautiful transfer student who lives alone in the very big mansion like "a lonely queen".../ Very small boy enters the junior high school and has a friend who is smaller but very active and brave. They enter the football club together. Hero wants to be grown up and can not refuse the sexual demand by the senior ace member.../ Very elite student who has very lewd desire for little girls tries to tempt his private student girl. But she asked stand-in to her twin brother.../ Hetero-remake of "SM-28" of 2nd reissue book. Very unimpassioned biologist meets a "Zashiki warashi" girl - fairy who lives in the house. He loves her but she always has lost his lovers because she lives forever. He goes to america to make android to live with her for long time.../ Reissue of "Dakishimete Kurerunara" from Biblos). At her postscript, the author writes about her puzzlement of writing original yaoi stories because she started to write manga by parody djs. I suppose many other yaoi djska/mangaka will feel same. So the some stories of this book are a little inferior for me than ones in second book (Yuyu Hakusho djs series). But I think this author has the great talent as a good story teller and makes the stories very skillfully like "Yumiko Ooshima". Many heroes of the stories of this book are very miserable boys who are not basking in love, spend unhappy childhood. The author says she could not find the reality for her in writing yaoi stories and she hated writing such unrealistic stories. But I think the readers really hate too realistic severe stories with heroines but they also want the severe experience for getting catharsis. So they want to read the unhappy stories of the miserable boys. So The author should choose "miserable heroes" subconsciously. The author says she feels shame at using "existing typical yaoi story style" here but I'm definitely moving by reading some stories of this book. Now the author is dedicating herself to writing hetero-sexual stories for male readers and her works have achieve great popularity but it is also the fact that certain female readers complain for them (difficulty in reading them). It's pity that this author hates writing yaoi though she has a real talent of making good yaoi stories but never recognize it...(by Slash-kun 01/Feb/2003)
Enomoto Tsubaki
"Heart no Kankei" (Taitosha) Aug/2003 *** 8.4
Reissue of the commercial short stories with same title the author issued in her teens (The office worker picks up the drunk student on the street and offers a night's lodging. But the student says the worker once saved him from sexual molestation. The worker has a crush on him twice and breaks off with his fiancee / Hero suffers from his best & childhood friend's sexual harassment. Hero's brother advises him and hero brings his friend to the wood of "being spirited off". But hero suddenly regrets.../ The idol of the school suddenly makes his proposal to hero. Hero refuses it but begins to love the idol by knowing the idol rejected the scout to the professional team for hero) and recent short sketch (The one-night-stand love of the guy who lives only for the pleasure of the moment). I could unexpectedly enjoy fully though this is old works. Enomoto now writes skillful & stylish-easy romance but she was naive at one time. Her pure, sincere and straight-forward stories are nice, too.The plots have been well-made and there are many ideas (The insertion's way of recollection is tactful and the usage of mark in "name-piece" is stylish. Female characters of the last, cool vamp-ish are funny). I re-realize Enomoto has had a talent to be a popular mangaka since her debut. About last story, recent one, her art has made much progress and the story becomes very adult & ennui/decadent. This story suggests the sequel, so we can expect it. (by Slash-kun 08/Nov/2003)
"Main Dish vol.3" (MOVIC) May/2003 *** 8.42
The third volume of very popular series of an easy college students couple (A s senior member and junior one of tennis club of same college, Souji Tokiwa and Munehisa Hamada are couple. But Munehisa suddenly gives Souji the go-by because Munehisa has a pain in the chest at making love. Their awkwardness worries Munehisa's junior member, Setsu Miura. Munehisa works hard to buy a sweater for Souji's birthday present but is scooped by Setsu. But Souji says Munehisa himself is the best gift for him, so Munehisa decides to live together. Souji restrains himself patiently. Munehisa realizes sexless life is more severe and gives up his abstinence / They go to tennis camp. Setsu cuts the whipcord of racket and another junior member, very sexy guy, Tetsuya Saijyou tries to seduce Munehisa but Souji and Munehisa overcome various obstacles with love). The author describes well the peaceful & irresponsible atmosphere of the tennis circle/club which is inevitable accompaniment to japanese university! She expresses vividly today's couples through easy & blatant/straightforward students (who demand his partner a lot at making love). This series is long, so it shows the goodness of long couple which is very ennui (peaceful, easy and comfortable). No strange unique event occurs in this drama but very casual drama expressing well day-to-dayness which many female readers can accept. And author's free conversation (postscript between stories) is very interesting to show her daily life (Her parents badgers her to have marriage meeting / Couple warns her when she enjoys driving alone at midnight / She is absorbed in "Tennis no Ouji sama" now - she seems to read regularly Weekly Shounen JUMP - so Munehisa and Souji go to tennis training camp / She is angry at sudden suspension of the serialization of manga - maybe "Hikaru no GO" and wrote a questionnaire letter for the first time for protest). She has a talent to find and express something from everyday life and this book makes the best use of it. (by Slash-kun 25/Oct/2003)
"Dai 1 kyuu Jun-ai zai" (Biblos) Apr/2003 *** 8.49
Very high-level various long short 3 stories (Hero, a salesmen of "the materials for beauty parlor" is very glad to hear the gossip that his rival salesman has very poor, small penis. The female colleague spreads it because rival dumped her. Hero sympathizes a little and treats his rival friendly, then the rival shows a great pleasure and they start to work outside together. Hero finds the sincerity of his rival which he never has and begins to love the rival. Knowing his rival is cherry, hero also begins to part with his sexual companions / The new employee is assigned to the secretary's office of underclothes company though he graduated from art school. Very strict manager bullies the hero but manager confesses his love to hero. But hearing the rumor that manager will get married with female secretary and hates incompetent hero, hero is shocked.../ A working student of transport company rapes the boy when he delivers the baggage to the mansion. Afterwards he knows the boy was a sneak thief and thief did not steal anything for hero. Hero thinks the boy should be a Man of Destiny and decides to find). About 1st story: Hero is very familiar for me because he is stingy, exoteric and bitchy. Therefore I can really understand why hero has a crush on his straight, pure rival. Everyone loves someone who has good points he never has. The author researches well very special business like company for beauty salon's supplies material and uses the difference of hero's family and rival's one very effectively. Very tactful setups to detail and it's no wonder that this story continues now. About 2nd story: The couple of able supervisor and new employee (pure, awkward but has great guts) is not unique but it's very interesting that supervisor hurts unexpectedly severely by the attack of new employee. The cunning sexual tactics of supervisor is also very funny. The usage of female employee with a lot of debt is nice, too. About 3rd story: Very unique mystery for the author. The ending is very stylish and adult. (by Slash-kun 31/May/2003)
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Fuji Tamaki
"Kakumo Nagaki Fuzai" (djs) Dec/2003 *** 8.5
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHEAP HIPS", "Original", Tei x Chiri - Hero and his relative> The number of pages is 44. The first story:(Chiri was an android or robot made by Tei but Tei goes to far place to get the battery for Chiri. When Chiri wakes up, he finds himself lying on the bed of the hospital with a doctor and loses his memory. Chiri gradually remembers he refuses the doctor's help and keeps waiting for Tei...). Second story: (Hero remembers his old days of childhood that he always enjoyed his summer vacation at his rural house with his relative from urban town). First story is a little difficult to understand but suggestive and impressive. Second story is very nostalgic and cheerful (It reminds the readers of their old memory of childhood). Both are tender and not so erotic. (by Slash-kun 17/Jan/2004)
"Private Gymnastic vol.3 - complete" (Shinshokan) Sep/2003 *** 10
The final volume of moving long series of romance and growing of the boys who put their heart into skating. Kanna who can not allow himself who keeps denying a sexual relationship with Sera in public finally decides to part with Sera.... The story:(Sera is injured in his exercise and enters hospital. His coach, Andy finds condom in Sera's room and corners Sera about his sexual relationship with Sera. But Kanna keeps evading Andy's questions and gets onto worst terms with Andy. Sera and Andy go to Canada and stay in Louis's B&B for rehabilitation exercise, so Sera become unable to see Sera again. Kanna also goes to Canada with his coach, Tachiki and his partner skater, Wako for short overseas training but he also misses Sera there. Louis talks about his past to Kanna. Towards that end of overseas training, Kanna is injured. He tangles with Andy in Andy's car and feels crushed severely. But he happens to meet Sera and is comforted by Sera. At the funeral ceremony of Kanna's grandmother, Kanna feels guilty about his relation with Sera for his mother. He tries to forget it by the sex with Sera. Sera is hurt by only physical relation with Kanna. Sera shows Kanna the motion picture of Kanna's father from life but it makes Kanna feel guilty and cry. It also depresses Sera. Tachiki decides to go to Canada for his professional training for coach. But Kanna is reluctant to accompany. Tachiki happens to see Kanna's kiss with Sera, but Kanna tells a lie and says good-bye to Sera. Sera accepts it because he does not want to Kanna to cry. Sera is in top form and sends his prize medal to Kanna. Kanna enjoys his college life as such though he indulges in drinking. After 2 years, when Kanna has been accustomed to coaching children on the side, he hears a rumor that Sera is in a slump and can not keep up with any girl friends. Andy comes to ask Kanna to talk Sera out of giving up his skating. Then Kanna goes to Canada where Sera buys his own house. But Kanna receives a cold welcome by Sera. Kanna tries to go back but he is caught in a heavy snowstorm. Kanna heads back and falls down on at the front door of Sera's house. Sera finds him by the skin of his teeth. They drink too much and realize they keep loving each other yet. Kanna declares his determination to Tachiki. Kanna challenges to get in the tournament of singles again...). The volume of 3rd is about twice thicker than 2nd as we have been waiting more than one year. And it is very moving! I can cry without reservation. And I can cry no matter how many times I read. Sera who accepts his separation with Kanna who is rapidly breaking down is so pitiful! And Kanna who falls down at the entrance of Sera's house in heavy snowfall is also pitiful & painful. But differently from "Horizon", this story is great because it ends happily. Louis, June, their friends and acquaintances are very warm and kind, too. The art is wonderful as usual. Fragility/evanescence and harshness/severity of snow which falling in northland, at the night drawn by Fuji symbolizes weak status of fragile boys who can not see their future (It likely melts into northland's landscape) and it is very impressive! Even a car, through Fuji's expression, it likely melt into the scenery. Fuji's silent, holly, blank, white, vacant drawing of the space, scenery, cityscape and feeling of Kanna and Sera is so excellent & super. And her plot and expression of the feelings from cover to cover is very skillful and overwhelming. At first, Andy finds their sexual relationship and the term between Kanna and Andy rapidly becomes stormy. Both Kanna and readers are also rapidly & psychologically pushed. Their uncertainty increases by Sera's been to Canada and their lack of contact except cell phone stirs up their anxiety all the more. Kanna's problem of pairing occurs, too. So the warmth of June is borne in on Kanna and puts readers' mind at ease. Louis who often acts the knave is also nice character. Fuji's technique, Louis's talking about prehistory of Andy, Tachiki, June and Sera is so artistic! The agony of Kanna in last half story is so severe, heavy, deep and painful! Every word of Kanna's monologue is very keen, grave and crucial. The process that glassy Kanna is torn between the sex with Sera like sweet poison and deference/appearance for surrounding people is so pitiful. And genius & pure Sera is also rapidly hurt. They are so sad. Even so Sera desperately tries to keep their relation. So the scene of their separation is so heartrending. I will cry however often I may read this scene. How miserable Kanna is. Two years after their separation is very sad and the scene of soulless Kanna receives a medal from Sera makes me weep copiously. After it, Sera is collapsing in turn. Sera, a boy in Kanna's dream is also very poor. I'm really relieved when Sera is saved by Kanna who comes to see him alone though Andy asked it. It doesn't come to a tragic end like "Horizon" (Hero decides but comes to grief)! This story may be revenge of it. The scene of their encounter, their memory overflows from their touching fingers, is so overwhelming! The confession of Kanna who makes up his mind to Tachiki is very mild and serene like calm. It symbolizes that bloom of youth like storm ends and Kanna grows up into a man. The peaceful and soft ending like this author is really good. Must-read yaoi great masterpiece. (by Slash-kun 07/Feb/2004)
"Geshi" (djs) Aug/2002 *** 8.6
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHEAP HIPS", "Original", Torahan x Naseru> The number of pages is 44. The story:(Asian resort. 4 rich & childhood friends of Orientals. Too pure Naseru feels embarrassment because his friendship for Torahan begins to change into love. He goes to Europe to study for short period, knows he is too inexperienced about sex and tries desperately not to lose Torahan's love by sexual technique...). Fuji describes well the unique atmosphere of asian resort as well as glare of summer sunshine and uncertainty of sex for boys. The scene Torahan fumes at Naseru for his learning various sexual knowledge at Europe makes me smile. Of course Fuji's expression of Naseru's nervous feeling is very excellent. The sex scene is hot, too. Very satisfactory story and worth reading. I suppose many publishers/editors have offered Fuji to reissue her original djs as commercial book. But owing to her postscript of djs, she continues reprinting her djs for many times, so there may be no possibility that her djs out of print will be issued as commercial book. And she does not sell her djs at her site or djs stores (like KAC, Tora no Ana,,etc) because she has no clerical accuracy to sell it well. So her fan should get her djs at only Events like Comiket. For overseas fans, it may be difficult to get them. I hope Fuji to start selling them through consignment distributors at the very least....(by Slash-kun 10/Jan/2004)
"LAYERED" (djs) Dec/2001 *** 8.55
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHEAP HIPS", "Original", Kyouji x Shiho> The number of pages is 52. The story:(A scholar of linguistics, Kyouji is living with Shiho who is poor and unmeritorious. Shiho finds new twiner and is devoted to grow it. Kyouji dislikes Shiho's giving his mind to plant because Shiho can not stand being alone and always wants Kyouji. Kyouji gets angry and orders Shiho to dump the plant). Fuji describes well fantastic uniqueness of the plant which can read human's emotion and the young people's strong desire or their cruelness of love (They can not control monopolistic desires and hurts their lovers). The scene that Shiho who has nothing finally decide to dump plant not to lose his only property, Kyouji is so heartrending!! Jealous guy, Kyouji is also so lovely. This short story expresses very well Fuji's forte, "Desperation of lowest young boy (makes gifted guy give in)". Very good story though the sex scene is a little tame.(by Slash-kun 10/Jan/2004)
"Foot Loose" (djs) Aug/2000 *** 8.5
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHEAP HIPS", "Original", Lucia x Linn> The number of pages is 40. The story:(Linn was picked up & confined by Lucia, but now he has grown up, knows the work and has good neighborly companionship. Neighborhood people recommend Linn to become independent from Lucia but Linn keeps concerning Lucia, looser with sex and wine. But Linn's meddling makes Lucia feel gloomy, then Linn decides to separate from Lucia once...). This is a sequel of "Ginrin" and "Abnormal" (old djs). Shota, Fuji's forte (soapy guy is saved by innocent boy). In this djs, a boy has grown up and makes new relationship with guy which enables equal and free love affair through painful & tough separation. Linn who tries to keep supporting indolent Lucia despite of bad reputation of Lucia is so moving. Stupid activity of Lucia is also lovely. And I'm very moved by the last scene. I must try to read the prequel, too. (by Slash-kun 17/Jan/2004)
"Kokoni Izumi ari" (djs) Aug/1999 *** 8.6
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHEAP HIPS", "Original", Peal x Tess> The number of pages is 34. The story:(A lonely boy, Tess remembers his home by the light of a pearl in the show window, then he decides to become a apprentice of a pig-headed pearl farmer, Peyre. By and by Tess begins to love Peyre, cheats Peyre into teaching making love, is addicted to sex, forgets to take care of pearl and is excommunicated by Peyre. At town, hearing rumor that Peyre is living lonely, Tess comes back to Peyre...). The episode of making pearl is so elaborate, delicate and fantastic! Like alchemy. And the ending that compares making love with pearl farming is very excellent! The sex scenes are hot, too. Fuji adopts two essential factors of her forte, "corruption and tears" into this story, though it is very short. This djs is an ideal short example to see Fuji's virtue/value! (by Slash-kun 10/Jan/2004)
Fujii Mitori
"Original Love" (Ohkura Shuppan) Sep/2003 *** 8.59
The shota sci-fi series about a man who takes in a clone boy who resembles man's defunct lover and a short story written in 1999(A guy does good to a younger guy who is dumped by his lover, then the younger guards the guy from stalker...). The story of shota sci-fi series:(Yuuki has kept his live no better than dead-man since his lover, Takaaki died. But he recovers his wish to live from the day he takes in Kou, a clone of Takaaki. Kou's clone friend asks Kou why Kou won't go to junior high school. Kou answers that it is his own intention and because Kou will feel lonely / Yuuki recommends Kou to go to school. But Kou's friend suspects it and comes to Yuuki's house to see what they are going on. Then he sees they are making love. He informs to a counselor. But Kou desperately asks the counselor, then the counselor overlooks it / Yuuki mistakes Kou for Takaaki, doughy with sleep. Kou gets sulky and says he won't make love until Yuuki explains about Takaaki. Then Yuuki shows his old album to Kou / Yuuki feels jealous of Kou's friend of the school / Kou gets nervous because Yuuki is very popular at school interview with teacher / After all these years, Kou's mother who dumped Kou comes to meet Kou but Kou refuses her. Yuuki is afraid he will die earlier but Kou tells him their life span is same). I'm surprised to know the author writes sci-fi story! The idea the man keeps and dotes on the clone who resembles his defunct lover is very interesting! The clone feels jealous of the original, but the original was really very nasty guy... Nice idea. The author has researched Sci-fi very much (She knows telomere). The quiet atmosphere is very good. The combination that Yuuki who is older seme but helpless and Kou who is younger uke but manly, strong-minded, get-tough and broad-minded is very good, too (Kou is very tough though he is a child. He looks like parent of Yuuki! Yuuki often weeps. But Yuuki is very nice because he sometimes becomes very evil). So the readers enjoy their hot sex play without guilty feeling. Sci-fi drama with the theme of "human's desire and android" like "Kaguya series" by Mina Nomori is interesting as was expected! I wish the author to challenge Sci-fi again. A short story is good and erotic, too. As compared with an old short story, Fujii's art has made progress very much. (by Slash-kun 14/Feb/2003)
"Shitsuren Mania" (Kaiousha) Jul/2003 *** 8.48
Old ex-lover suddenly appears and leaves his young lover with hero and hero wreaks his anger to a customer. The stylish sketch of 4 guys' romance including a boy. The story:(A corporate racketeer, Nagura suddenly appears in front of hero, Atsuya, a young owner of the bar. Nagura, an ex-lover of Atsuya is involved into very dangerous problem, so he wants Atsuya to give shelter to a boy, Satoshi. Nagura was so cold and twisted that he could not believe love with Atsuya. Nagura bullied Atsuya and often made Atsuya cry. He could confirm their love by only Atsuya's tears. Atsuya was so tired that he ran away from Nagura and stole Nagura's money as consolation money. So Atsuya can not refuse Nagura's request. Satoshi looks very miserable and resembles old Atsuya. Satoshi does not take a liking for Atsuya but Atsuya can not leave Satoshi alone. A regular customer of the bar, Yamazaki comforts Atsuya. Satoshi has heard nothing from Nagura since, then Satoshi tries to visit Nagura but is kidnapped. Satoshi escapes for dear life and calls Atsuya for help. Atsuya refuses to hand over Satoshi to Nagura, but Nagura says it depends on Satoshi. Satoshi has gone with Nagura. Atsuya is disappointed and comforted by Yamazaki who is very tender and enough adult. But Yamazaki does not make love with Atsuya. Atsuya feels abandoned and pays footsie with many women but Yamazaki does not mind. Yamazaki finally asks Atsuya for a date but Atsuya is afraid that he is too serious and he runs away from Yamazaki. Atsuya tries to escape to woman but she cuts off him. Atsuya returns to Yamazaki). Hero keeps a spite against his unhappiness of his past but he finds it's his fault. Then hero finds the real happiness at his elbow. Casual story but I gradually realize the deep theme by reading over and over. The art is simple but story is philosophical! Unimpassioned go-getter, the corporate racketeer, Nagura who can not believe love. Lonely and blunt boy, Satoshi who keep believing Nagura. Affable guy, Atsuya who is too frazzled by believing love. Seemingly obliging & tender adult, Yamazaki. Very unique 4 guys are intricately-intertwined each other. The agony & hesitation of Atsuya is well written in first half. Nagura is not bad buy in grain, so the story becomes more interesting. The latter half that Atsuya yields to Yamazaki is very stylish and atmospheric like love lesson of urban. At first Atsuya resembles Satoshi who is hungry for love but I think Atsuya resembles more Nagura who can not believe love. Yamazaki who changes into nasty & clever adult guy is very cool! The usage of cell phone at last scene is very stylish, too. If the art is more baroque (rough/avant-garde), this story will be more unique and attractive. (by Slash-kun 06/Sep/2003)
Fujii Sakuya
"Yogoto Nayamashii Niwa de" (Biblos) May/2003 *** 8.35
Two long-short stories (Mysterious PWP that a gardener & phantom thief steals lonely and rich boy's heart / a little dark story about a host and a beautiful male prostitute). 1st story is the author's specialty, mysterious funny & rooting-tooting comical romance like manga of magazine, "Ribon" with gorgeous characters (Her guys really remind me of ones of "Mirage of Blaze" as usual!) and setups. I think many shoujo manga fans will enjoy this story but ending is a little too easy or expression of feelings is a little too tame for adult yaoi fans. I wish the author to challenge collaboration with yaoi novelists. 2nd story is dark, erotic and unique for the author and it shows her another talent. But her art is a little too clear-cut for the stories of strong desire, so I wish her to grope more running/rough style. Fujii is very good at art, so she should proceed to the second stage now. (by Slash-kun 01/Nov/2003)
Fujimaki Hisarofu
"Lover SOUL" (Taiyou Tosho) Jul/2003 *** 8.48
The long & fantastic series of complex rectangular relationship of two senior students who keep loving a dead student and a younger one who resembles the dead one. The story:(A delinquent & puta student, Matsumoto recently takes a fancy to a younger student, Makoto Higashio who is very blunt, solemn & square. Higashio neglects Matsumoto's temptations. But by accident, Matsumoto makes love to Higashio by force. Higashio is hostile but begins to love Matsumoto. OTOH Matsumoto's friend, Hakamada, a cruel, satanic and bad student eyeballs and rapes Higashio . Matsumoto thinks it is Higashio's sexual delinquency, so he becomes mean to Higashio. One day three students bump heads together. Hakamada says that Higashio resembles Matsumoto's ex-lover, Miya who died. Matsumoto panics. Higashio becomes upset. Matsumoto withdraws into his shell and Higashio gets sullen. Matsumoto rapes Higashio again to forget Higashio. Hakamada can't forget Miya and suffers from the memory. Higashio decides to meet Matsumoto. They reach a settlement and become a couple. Hakamada who is still alone is wandering the town and meets a boy who lashes out to Hakamada. The boy stalks Hakamada and does not stop it though Hakamada gives him the cold shoulder. Later on Hakamada starts his next love...). The author's first book. The setup that hero resembles the dead student who was loved by two senior students makes mysterious atmosphere. The contrastive black&white art is very unique and impressive. Taiyou Tosho sometimes discovers very unique talent and this mangaka also seems to be hopeful. The art is very impressive, so when I read the first chapter, I thought this manga is a sort of avant-garde artistic sketch, but from halfway the story becomes more and more interesting and I can enjoy the complex & mysterious human relationship among 3 or 5 students' love and hate. If the author's art of student is more distinguishable, she will be more popular mangaka! Very precious talent of writing fresh vernal feeling! Very promising mangaka. (by Slash-kun 16/Aug/2003)
Fujimoto Mitsurou
"Ore sama to Ouji" (Sanwa Shuppan) Feb/2003 *** 8.4
Very unique short PWPs with new art technique using PC technique like Night Yamada (Two members of astronomical club of the high school fight each other for the love from their SM prince! like the fish of Pisces drinking the water from the bottle of Ganymede / A old mad scientist tries to create beautiful android clone of his first lover girl but it turns out to be a male android and takes the scientist / The sequel of 2nd story. The scientist tries again but first android interferes it by jealousy / Unfaithful student who is dumped by a girl receives an ardent love letter from male student. He is hetero sexual but get aroused by physical stimulation / Very square chairman student knows himself by the sex with the delinquent student / The students who are bored to death go to SM club. The hero knows his true desire by his SM play on the stage / The student saves his friend, a member of judo - Japanese art of self-defense - club from his senior member and enters hospital with bone fracture but he feels tempted to take his friend, too / The new delivery man should go to mysterious house that all his colleagues refuse. The mad artist captures him...). I don't imagine this author can write such a splatter & fashionable comedy like Modoru Motoni! Simple but hilarious comical art of the faces of characters reminds me of the contemporary style art of "Okome chan" by "Takagi Ryou" but aesthetic & antic atmosphere like "mad scientist's human experiment" reminds me of the art of "Not Osada". Of course the sex scenes are very erotic with BDSM taste as usual! I'm very glad to find her new talent. (by Slash-kun 08/Feb/2003)
Fujisaki Kou
"Itoshi no Sweet Voice" (Biblos) Oct/2003 *** 8.65
2 chef doeuvre of PWP long-short stories (Two guys who love opponent's voice each other hang up between love and accomplishment/Younger seme romance written 3 years ago. Selfish son of the rich family wins the affection of his strict private teacher). The story:(Hero, Taku feels inferior for his childish, too cute voice. He loves Satoshi Kurata, student of actor who is working at greengrocery because of Satoshi's too sexy low voice at first hearing. Taku decides to work together with Satoshi. Satoshi also loves Taku and his cute voice, then they become a couple. But too much sex disturbs Satoshi's acting. So Taku decides to part with Satoshi.../ A college student of the rich family, Taketo Takahara has been to the house of Satori Hayami as Satori's housekeeper for 3 years. Satori is 5 years older and was ex-private teacher of Taketo. Taketo has loved Satori so much because Satori was a first guy who dealt strictly Taketo who was very selfish and arrogant. But Satori is very cold. Taking the opportunity that Satori should stay away from home for a while, Satori orders Taketo to go away. When Satori is working at hotel, Taketo's father comes and says Taketo runs away from home...). The first long-short story does not have so unique plot (Love interferes achievement,,etc) but Fujisaki's art with a lot of impact compellingly involves me in the story! Seme who gestures flamboyantly is so wonderful, gorgeous and sexy (Especially he is acting on the stage). The idea of seme & uke are enthused over their voice is good, too! This becomes series because of the reader's popularity with good reason. The setup is interesting, characters are attractive and sex scenes are very erotic and hot (Their so many times sex under a spell of their sexy voice is very persuasive and realistic!). Fujisaki is fond of theatergoing and listening to the radio. Maybe it may make for creating this story. About 2nd long-short story of taller & younger seme, the setup/situation that rich son goes to his ex-teacher's house uninvited as a housekeeper is so interesting and the ending is unexpected & the plot is well-made & elaborate. Ex-teacher who is overcome by deep emotion to see grown-up his ex-student (wild animal tamer, cool uke) is very lovely. The reader can compare Fujisaki's latest work and work of 3 years ago. I realize Fujisaki has mastered the punch and persuasiveness to make the readers involved if the story is not so unique. The art has become much more sexy in these 3 years!! (by Slash-kun 20/Dec/2003)
Fujiwara Takumi
"Binetsu Onsen" (Jitsugyuononihonsha) Jun/2003 *** 8.45
Funny romance series of two part-time workers of lunch shop who are both seme and create a love commotion at hot springs or resort. The story:(Kouichirou Fuji, a part time worker of lunch shop is so surprised to hear his colleague, Takashi Narumi's experience of sexual molestation. Then Kouichirou feels too nervous for Takashi. All staffs are going to a hot spring as company outing but shop owner suddenly disappears with his lover leaving Kouichirou and Takashi alone. But Takashi turns out to be seme as Kouichirou / Takashi's senior student, Miura works at travel agency and give tickets of "hot spring tour" to Takashi and Kouichirou. But Miura stays same hotel as his work and interferes the date of Takashi and Kouichirou / Kouichirou and Takashi go to Atami. They are obsessed with the ghosts of tragic couple of literature, Kan-ichi and Omiya at "Omiya no Matsu" and quarrel about trifles / Kouichirou asks Takashi to live together but Takashi does not accept it. Then a new and cute part-time joins. He presses himself against Takashi because he should resign the work and part with Kouichirou. Takashi happens to see it / They go to Nikkou. There are theme parks of Ninja and Western. Kouichirou shows his good performance on the horse in front of TV crews. They are scouted for travel video. But Takashi nearly becomes the model of Adult pornographic video.../ They stay the cottage but quarrel about shopping. Under a stadium of stars, they are naturally reconciled). There are many funny episodes about hot springs or resorts, so the readers can enjoy the feeling of sightseeing. Kouichirou and Takashi are both seme and colleagues with same generation, so they can't help quarreling about various things and it is very funny. Takashi looks feminine and beautiful but has a lot of experience of homosexual sex. Kouichirou is a very open, cheerful, simple forthright and simple-hearted guy. But their mental sex/masculinity is opposite and it is very unique. Comedy but a lot of moving scenes and exciting. The sex scenes are very hot though the author's art is very sincere and neat (Takashi's nude is very erotic). The author is married, so there are some expressions of "man of the world" and it provides unique mood to this series! (by Slash-kun 24/May/2003)
Fujiyama Hyouta
"Spell" (MOVIC) Jul/2003 *** 8.45
Natural romance of homosexual college students. A heterosexual student who enters the university at Tokyo from the country picks acquaintance with homosexual student and begins to love him knowing that he already has his steady. The story:(Takamasa Natori, a student from country has been accustomed to urban college life and tired of their mixer, too. But he participates by his friend's request. Natori finds a similar student, Junpei Kisugi along for the ride and establishes quite a rapport with Kisugi. Knowing Kisugi is gay, Natori don't mind because he gets along with Kisugi very well. But Natori realizes his love for Kisugi by his jealousy of Kisugi's lover, Tooru. Natori finally confesses his mind and makes love with Kisugi. But he can not be Kisugi's steady because he knows Kisugi already has it. Yasuha, childhood friend from same town, sees their kiss, then Natori makes confession to Yasuha about his relationship with Kisugi. Yasuha bargains direct with Kisugi not to hurt Natori. Kisugi says he parts with Tooru and he asks Natori to become his steady). Fujiyama is one of yaoi mangaka who have established recent expanding "students' yaoi romance with natural style" like "Parsley" by Minagi Asaoka. In this book, she describes the life of students of today naturally and realistically with nice expression (Country student has soon tired of urban students' boring mixer, delicate relationship & estrangement with his old friend from same town, Heavy usage of cell phone by students of today,,etc). Fujiyama's comical deformation of faces is so pretty! And Koma (frame) of only words is very effective. Her usage of silence, space is so skillful that it creates very unique atmosphere. But I can sympathize with Natori's agony but can not understand Kisugi's mind because he did not show his sincerity early and his dilemma between Tooru and Natori without reading the author's additional story of the end. I think the author had better wrote episodes of additional story earlier. But I love her modern mood and great talent to describe young people of today well, so I'm looking forward to her next challenge. (by Slash-kun 11/Oct/2003)
"Warito Yokuaru Danshikouteki Ren-ai Jijyou vol.2" (Movic) Jan/2003 *** 8.5
The sequel (romance between Heiji & Nanase) of long series of name piece of boys' high school, the short side-story of another couple (the romance between very immoral school male nurse and the popular and saucy student who fears making love yet), a novel sci-fi short story (A single man who can not get married easily because of his too wise home-care android consult with the agent of android company at renewal of a contract. The agent envies such happy relationship between the single man and his android）and additional story of same boys' high school comedy (Furuya now begins to love Aikawa who is taller than him. But the private student of Aikawa tries to interfere with Furuya). The story of the title series:(Tsuguharu Taira - Heiji - and Kouichi Nanase have pretended the homosexual couple at their private boys' high school where 90% students are homosexual but recently Nanase begins to allow accepting Heiji's love. Then they try making love though they can't do it easily. But when they are trying, they are found by Nanase's brother who graduated from same school. Heiji tries to keep his equanimity and make Nanase's brother admit their relationship. But brother gets angry to hear the voice of their sex and the reason they become a couple. Heiji plays up to Nanase's brother to admit their relationship. But Nanase misunderstands his brother will admit Heiji if Nanase acts as seme. Heiji persuades Nanase that both of them can try to be seme and the result will be fixed unconsciously though he knows he can be seme by a lot of experience). This volume is better than the first one because characters are more differentiable. Natural atmosphere of the lives of ordinary nowadays students are well-described as usual. Nanase's brother is very interesting because he can't hold his own in front of very composed and clever Heiji though Heiji is younger (And the scene that Heiji implores brother on his knees is very impressive! What a sophisticated student Heiji is!). A typical present-day student (impudent and ingenuous like Hikaru of "Hikaru no Go"), Nanase is well-described, too! Her usage of sound effect is very contemporary and nice! The tempo & timing of gags (or being obstinate each other) is also very good (like "Saiyuuki" by Kazuya Minekura). Casual talks among boys are very wild, boyish and funny like Shounen manga. Heiji is very cool and stylish character who knows everything. I realize nowadays readers love (or want to be) cool heroes like "Kakashi" of "NARUTO". The teacher of 2nd story is also very imprudent & bold, too. Uke student is very saucy and high-spirited but really shy and pretty. But the most surprising work is the 3rd story, sci-fi one! The viewpoint of third party is very unique and the story is very poetic & natural! I did not expect this author could write SF like this. I hope this author keeps challenging new kind of story. The additional story is of course hilarious with nice tempo. Fujiyama has really various talents! (by Slash-kun 29/Mar/2003)
Fukai Youki
"Kimi ga Ita Basho" (Takeshobou) Feb/2003 *** 8.75
One long short story as name piece (A guy is lying by starvation in front of the greengrocer's shop which a widowed man manages with his son. The widowed man finds the guy was his old friend who suddenly transferred far school without telling him a word. The guy finally lives on as a member of the widowed man's family) and three short stories (Librarian and teacher couple of illicit relationship but happy-ending + tragic prequel / Very excellent tragedy of two detectives. An elite detective meets again the guy who was his junior colleague but suddenly resigned without telling the detective a word. The guy is on suspicion of his wife's murder. The guy disappears again but the detective finds him at a room of the old apartment where they were putting a stakeout three years ago and they made love for the first time.../ Hero who loved his sister's husband for long time is suffering from the guilty feeling for her death by illness). All are the romance with the guy whose wife was dead or divorced. I think the first long-short is a just comedy of child-raising story by homosexual couple, but it's human drama with a lot of pathos and hero has suffered from long-standing one-sided love for his classmate. The son of the classmate is very lovely. Many of Fukai's uke suffers from difficult love and uke of first short story (a librarian who has no hope for his illicit relationship because he does not want to part with the teacher) also moves me very much (Prequel is more heartrending and the process the teacher falls in love with the librarian is well-described. The sloppy & contemptible teacher is very attractive for me). The detective story is sooooo dramatic!! Tremendous tragedy (uke is a criminal and seme is an elite detective) but moves me very much. The atmosphere is really dark and realistic (The seedy appearance of uke is pitiful, dark & geeky and is quite a contrast to previous one that he was working as a young & faithful detective for his senior detective). At postscript Fukai writes about her humble life in poor apartment in tough neighborhood and it might be beneficial for her work's reality. Senior detective is dirty middle-aged guy but very cool & a little childish! Too late & unfruitful reunion, the unhappy-ending will satisfy the adult readers because there is nothing squiffy doo like easy happy-ending. I realize the author had better write tragic stories of old-type men than happy stories or comedy. The detectives' tragedy of this volume is highly recommended!! (by Slash-kun 22/Mar/2003)
Fukiyama Rico
"Kokoro ni Devil" (Shinshokan) Apr/2003 *** 8.4
Unique & challenging love romance long series. A young man who loves his lover too much meets similar young man at the fortuneteller's house and they become addicted each other in abandon. The story:(A college student, Kouma Matsuho is dumped by his girl friend at the cafe. He has an unique predisposition - loving his lover too much. As soon as he finds his lover, he will be always totally absorbed in love, loses the world, binds his lover and becomes her stalker. Kouma consults with Sougo Shiduki, a fortuneteller & shop clerk of "magical goods shop" who happens to visit the cafe for promotion by his fortunetelling show. Sougo encourages Kouma, gives pin-badge and assures that Kouma will meet the lover of destiny. But the badge is "a devil stamp", a sort of "marking tool" and it makes them meet again at college as if by prior consent. Sougo kidnaps Kouma. Sougo can not keep his love life for long time by same predisposition as Kouma. But now they can devote themselves in their love without hesitation! But Sougo becomes too reserved because he wants to make much of Kouma. It makes Kouma uneasy and he is afraid that Kouma will dump him in some day. Then Sougo orders Kouma to brand him). It's very unique! Very experimental and adult story. How sweat the lovers can be? How far can lovers love? The question seems like "Zen riddle". In this story, there is no obstacle which is inevitable accompaniment to yaoi stories, so the readers will feel nervous somehow. The ending that the lover swears his eternal love with "branding iron" is very cruel but I can read this very smoothly because of the author's tender art. This story is very stylish like french romantic movies. Taking hollywood movie as an example, "Nine Half"! Very sweet but a little bitter and adult. The author adopts well trendy things, tastes, the dreams of young girls of today (goods for charm,,etc) like trendy fashionable magazines (Like "weekly anan"). Avant-garde manga but with familiar and practical trend. Very interesting for me! (by Slash-kun 23/Aug/2003)
Fukuyama Shouko
"Propose Kinshi" (Biblos) Jun/2003 *** 8.45
The 4th book of "Office Love" series, very popular series of "white collars". The story: (Tsukasa Amano is suddenly aware of the marriage after knowing the news of his old colleagues' marriage. Amano arrives the party earlier than Kouji Senoo and is greatly shocked to know the comment from the woman who made love with Senoo. Amano's mother will come to Amano for arranged marriage. Amano begins to tidy Senoo's load and Senoo feels suspicious about Amano's behavior. Senoo encounters Amano's mother on the way to Amano's room and knows all things. Senoo suddenly says he is too busy to return to Amano's room. When Amano goes to the construction site to check Senoo, he finds Senoo who is talking with a woman very cheerfully..). The plot, hardly telling "homosexuality" to parents and they rush arranged marriage, is quite common. But this story is very moving and heartrending though this is basically comedy. The author's long career makes this common plot into good human drama! Amano is so miserable when he becomes disenchanted with Senoo. And seeing it, Senoo can not help forgiving Amano!! The sex scenes are hard/hot as usual. That's like a multiparous woman! Her postscript's comment about PTA meeting is very hilarious (I think so too!!). The around, cantabile story is very easy to read. Good work as an entertainment. Amano is very timid and Senoo has a lot of scandals from the past. They are full of flaws, selfish (But soon reflect on) and down-and-dirty, so the stories are very casual, familiar and human. The author describes the setup at the company well, too. I wish the author to keep writing as veteran (mother) yaoi mangaka forever. (by Slash-kun 02/Aug/2003)
Fuwa Kiriko
"Itoshii Hito" (Ohkura Shuppan) Aug/2003 *** 8.5
A long-short story of brothers-in-law (Two sons of remarried couple. Hero is very glad to have a new pretty younger brother but new father should move to america on business with the younger brother. After an absence of 10 years, the hero gets a shock to see his younger brother who returns to Japan & becomes much taller than the hero. But yet the younger brother is very lovely for hero...) and 3 short stories (A clerk of rental video shop resembles hero's favorite actor. The clerk has been strangely kind for hero but it is because he wants to make love with hero / Two guys were good friends at their high school, university. But now they are going to go separate ways, hero will find employment in a firm and his friend drops out the univ and becomes a part-time worker. Seeing his friend's meeting with a girl, hero can't understand what his friend thinks and feels uneasy... / A rich transfer student comes from city. Hero, a member of newspaper club doubts the transfer student's sickness and suspects he may come for resort development. Hero becomes his friend to root out the truth but he misunderstands hero's favor). About name piece long short story, a younger brother is so wild and sexy guy like Rogan of "Dark Angel"!. His chin whiskers or hair style is very modern and cool. Fuwa's taste is very good. The setup (Younger brother becomes taller after an interval) is so tactful. Two brothers' separating for long time (without watching their photographs) is impossible in real world, but I don't mind because this story is so interesting!! About 2nd PWP of rental video shop, I'm fond of a blunt clerk though he is just a supporting fiddle. Of course nervous & timid office worker is also funny. The 3rd story is real & natural story with equal partners. I also like sincere story like this that heroes enjoy small happiness. The setup of last story is so exciting! (A transfer student who pretends bad one is so lovely!) But I only regret that it is a little too short. I love Angst PWP, so I want to read longer stories. Anyway I enjoy all these youth/juvenile stories because the plots are interesting and characters are attractive (If I'm allowed to wish so much, I want something more evil). The additional story newly written of name piece is interesting, too. This younger brother is really a mighty character! I wish to read longer story next time.(by Slash-kun 11/Oct/2003)
Fuwa Shinri
"Hageshii Ame" (Biblos) Jan/2003 *** 8.45
Dramatic romance series of reunion. The couple who parted in their student days meet again as teachers. And one short story (senior+office worker+uke story. Hero, a student finds his one-night-stand lover is his elder brother's colleague. Hero pushes and pushes with his young enthusiasm). The story of long series:(Takaaki Baba is a junior of university and Ryuuji Aoyama is a freshman get to know at mixer of Karaoke. Takaaki takes interest in Ryuuji and wants to dirty his purity. Takaaki knocks Ryuuji for a loop and takes Ryuuji. In the morning Ryuuji gets greatly shocked and pushes Takaaki away and rushes out from Takaaki's room. But by aggressive proposal by Takaaki and Takaaki's heavy flu, they become couple. But Takaaki's womanizing never changes and they separate easily. But during 5 years Takaaki keeps regretting it. One day Takaaki meets a new substitute teacher of maternity leave comes. He is Ryuuji. Takaaki starts again his aggressive approach to Ryuuji. But seeing Takaaki with female teacher pleasantly, Ryuuji throws away his old key of Takaaki's room. Takaaki finds it and asks Ryuuji to talk with him alone at his room. But Ryuuji gets shocked again to see the female teacher in Takaaki's room. Running in the rain, Ryuuji has a cold. Takaaki looks after Ryuuji. With Taakaki's sincere apology and his own fever, Ryuuji finally forgives Takaaki). Standard yaoi story that the senior guy acts as seme. The plot is common but the author's expression of the emotion is so elaborate (Everyone has the failure of youth when he is very selfish and now wants to try again. And people often do not find it is important until they would lose it. The author uses such common feeling very well) that readers will sympathize with this story. The author's way of story telling is very tactful (the timing of the interruption to their love is very nice!) , so it makes us read this so easily. The contrast of the characters is vivid. Takaaki's nastiness is well described. But the readers can not hate Takaaki because he suffers from his self-hatred (Takaaki is so pitiful because Ryuuji does not believe Takaaki easily). So I can understand well Ryuuji also feel pity for Takaaki. The author uses a cat very tactfully, too. The short story is dramatic, too! The interesting setting-up (Bold opening scene and they lie about their age) and younger-seme (my type). Very exciting comparison between upstanding student with hot passion vs twisted office worker. The author is really good at expression of the characters with great difference! (by Slash-kun 03/May/2003)
Gion Ayumi
"Otoko wa Sore wo Gamandekinai" (Shoubunkan) Aug/2003 *** 8.6
The long-short story written in 2001 (A japanese young guy earns the money to go home by dropping sticks because he was stolen in foreign country, too. He tries to pull a fast a young japanese tourist but is attracted...) and reissue of short stories written before 1998 (Love rectangle of DJ / Fantastic long-short story of two orphans. Two lovers who have too good chemistry visit old church as a clue of the memory of "the Big Dipper". The church turns out to be an ex-asylum and they are triplets / Immoral short story. The owner of the school and his son share a beautiful teacher / Two lovers who are too harmonious like just best friends try to separate. But they realize their eternal & strong love). The new long-short story disappoints me. Very fashionable & trendy words like "Ouroboros", "Ooparts" are used but the art changes so much. The current art loses sensuality & volupte and pop culture taste. The faces round and it deprives miasma (taken aback). The pen stroke was very thin and monotonous and it was very cool. But now it is very ordinary. The story is not pushy, too. Too ordinary. As opposed to new one, the old reissue ones are great master piece but trifling stories that describes sharply young of today with up-front culture (Eames chair, North Korea's topics,,etc). I'm very sorry the recent manga is not better than older one (quite a contrast to Ichiko Ima). The comment for old stories:(2nd long-short story is fantastic and poetic. I thought the author would write fantastic stories like this... 3rd story is dark and too many similar manga have been written by other yaoi mangaka now. 1st and last short stories are very typical manga of author's style. She was very good at describing young of today (without political ideology, opinion and enjoying peaceful & lovely life). A lot of hard sex scenes and accurate art of men's naked bodies - not so lewd but very cool. I loved her art! It's really too bad). If you have never read manga of Gion, this book will be very precious opportunity and you can enjoy this very much.(by Slash-kun 13/Sep/2003)
Gyunyu Linda
"Ohanashi no Heya" (Shoubunkan) Jun/2003 *** 8.48
Various shota 6 short stories including fantasy, adopting nursery tales (In front of juvenile boss, a very brave transfer student appears. The student neglects the boss though the boss has a crush on the student. The boss's tears finally wins the student and they become a couple / Hero can not help sexually caressing his neighborhood child. The child gets angry and gets out. Hero's senior student puts a myna bird in hero's charge for a while. Hero regrets his bad action and apologizes to a bird. The child returns and knows hero's mind through a bird / The trainee phantom thief and his rival, detective. The detective pretends clueless and rapes thief off guard / A class officer is very strict for only hero. He confiscates manga of hero, so hero drops in at bookstore to read manga and gets magical book with which everyone can re-write the reality. Using it, hero knows his hidden mind / Hero becomes nervous because his lover, uke becomes too tall. But when his lover suddenly becomes small, he realizes he loves his lover regardless height / Hero tries to play using a school girl who practice the cooking at school though the senior student never shows the interest. But when hero is nearly raped by a school doctor, the senior student stops it). The author's boys are very cute and endearing (Especially tearful faces). Resembles Mako Takahashi. Children seem to be very pure, puerile and innocent but have something cruel as well as nursery tales. The author is very good at joining danger of bilateral character and eroticism. The ideas (The usage of curtain and a myna bird, the idea of "too tall uke's becoming small") are nice, too! I like the a little dark, cruel and pained short stories which heroes bully or is bullied (PWP 4 Koma interrupt the serious stories are a little too blunt & simple for me). The sex scenes are very erotic and satisfactory. (by Slash-kun 28/Jun/2003)
Hanada Yumi
"Sayonara wa Ichido Dake" (Gentousha) May/2003 *** 8.7
Very delicate 5 short stories (By the news, hero knows his roommate was a prince of the foreign country. Hero suffered from one-sided love to the prince when he studied abroad. Hero kidnaps the prince and enjoys the date in order to get "a parting kiss". Hero asks the prince why the prince did not disclose his identity. The prince answers that hero never loves him if hero knows his identity and gives the second kiss / Hero keeps the one-sided love of long-term to his junior friend who is very kind but indecisive. Hero uses junior's kindness and the junior friend comforts hero who just has a broken heart. But hero feels guilty and tells a lie that he finds new lover and he just has a lend of the junior friend / The employees who joined the company in the same year comes back to hero's office after an interval of 3 years. Hero has loved the employee and is so glad to know the employee loves loneliness and traveling alone though he is very popular among female employees. Hero feels satisfaction with only being asked out to the trip by the employee / A new editor of the ex-popular writer who got divorced with fashion model resembles writer's first crush at high school. Calling each other with the names of high school, the writer recovers himself / Hero succeeds the roommate because his senior friend will move by his marriage. But another roommate turns out to be very difficult. Hero hates him but can not leave him after knowing he has suffered from one-sided love to senior friend). Every short story is so moving! The author has a talent of making good drama (heartrending or subtle or human stories,,etc). The stories are stylish but not too fashionable. Every story is silent, reflective and comfortable. The stories are simple but very impressive. Delicate expression of the feeling is very sharp & elaborate. The author uses a lot of monologue for uke who has too much pride (& a little evil) & suffers from on-sided love to express the agony with composed, cruel and tender view point. Her seme & uke are very distinctive (One is very serious, single-minded and simple. Other is stubborn and twisted). Then their conflict is very exciting! And the author can express a lot of nuance, suggestion or hidden meaning very well with very small picture. So she is very good at making subtle/vague drama. Like the model of "good short drama"! She may be a sort of the post Yugi Yamada. Her sex scenes are not so hard but the atmosphere is so tender and delicate and comfortable that the readers want to keep reading it for long time. About hero of 3rd story, I'm moved by his small & humble desire (Travel together as friend is his only hope). He does not want too much, so he may be able to be happy. The author may emphasizes such way of life is richer. Author's humble taste is extreme opposite to prismatic life like Youka Nitta (But the costume of seme, a hotelkeeper of 2nd story is so sexy!). It may come from her long career of shoujo manga. It perhaps accounted for the fact that Hanada's female character is very nice (Hero's sister of 2nd story is a nice realist like middle aged man). Highly recommended.(by Slash-kun 16/Aug/2003)
Hanafubuki Sakurako
"Crazy Star - Shounen Shoufu series" (Houbunsha) Feb/2003 ** 8.45
The latest & dramatic volume of "Shounen Shoufu" series. Ayu who lost his memory meets again with Kouji and regains his memory and Kouji knows Ayu has loved him so deeply that Ayu lost his memory. The story:(Kyou Ayukawa - Ayu who ran away from Kouji lost his memory and participates in the rock band, X-CROSS by the invitation of the son of the hospital where Ayu enters. The band becomes popular but they do not go on TV because the porno video that Ayu was raped by many foreigner has outflowed. Somehow Ayu wants to meet Kouji Mizuhara but Mizuhara suddenly appears in front of Ayu. Ayu gradually recovers his memory and decides to watch his video but it is not same video that Ayu watched at last before he lost his memory. Ayu remembers he watched different video where Kouji was raped like Ayu and regretted he left Mizuhara before the car-accident). I enjoyed this much more at my second time reading than my first time. Because I know the unexpected ending that there were two video tapes and understand why Ayu keeps loving Kouji well. The author might had better suggest it more obviously to readers by "words or art,,etc" earlier...But single-minded Ayu is so lovely and Kouji who keeps finding Ayu so desperately is really lovely, too. Reading this series, I'm moved by the passion of the author who really loves the world of young idol stars like Jannies. She may wish to be a habitant of the world where there is no evil men and everybody comfort each other or the member of idols who never knows unhappy. It's just a puerile dream but it moves the readers definitely. So this series will continue more and more...(by Slash-kun 22/Mar/2003)
Hashiri Mashita
"Doujin Sakka Collection vol.18" (Fusion Product) May/2002 ** 8.35
The reissue of innocent parody djs of NARUTO (Mainly)(Kakashi x Sasuke,,etc), One-Piece, Cyborg009, Gensou Suikoden, Final Fantasy VIII, Guilty Gear. There is no explicit m/m sex scenes, so even schoolchildren can read this. The art is very skillful (Especially comical art is so funny & pretty). Main stories are comedy and all the characters are basically tender and sincere (Not ANGST & Not so serious, cruel and bad). Some are parody of nursery tales and some are typical seasonal topics like "New Year holiday". i.e. Representative djs written by young girls who love the original stories (manga, animation or game). If you like Tousuisha stories, you will like this author! (by Slash-kun 06/Sep/2003)
Hasukawa Ai
"Anata no Kiss mo Kokoro mo Zenbu" (Biblos) Jun/2003 *** 8.5
One long-short story（The office worker cuts his finger with paper and goes to the hospital. There he encounters old his classmate whom he could not confess his love when they were junior high school students...) and 3 short stories（A trading company employee is dumped by his girl friend because he gives preference to stray cats over their date. He becomes friendly with strange student and can not help leaving the gnomish student who resembles the stray cat / A practical-minded student couple. They think they won't get involved with their love each other but one of the couple get shocked to hear the complain from the older woman that his love was too urgent / The solemn office worker is asked to throw away garbage by a sloppy young guy who lives in same apartment and is working at variety shop. Their characters are quite different but begin to reach out each other).All are moving. The art is so trendy that I thought this was frivolous stories but I was surprised. They were unexpectedly sincere. And I could identify easily with her adult characters, a doctor or office workers. The name piece, a long-short story is very romantic! It's very wonderful that hero can encounter his first crush and realizes they have loved each other and can finally become the couple!! They are both sincere, handsome, sexy (a little lascivious/lewd) who embody the dream of young girls of today in Japan. This is a typical popular yaoi manga today. If you can not understand the true value of this book, I think you can not enjoy & understand most of current commercial japanese yaoi manga. The first short story is now very stylish! The author's idea is very unique. She compares the student who is impatient with an undecided trading company employee with a cat and compares the employee with a student's tame father whose wife was seeking another guy. The readers can have interest in them though they are strange couple. The 2nd short story of the equal partners of life-sized students is casual like popular TV drama for young audience. The author adopts understandable episodes like the experience of part-time worker or love with older women and they are very realistic for readers. She succeeds in making the world of young women of today dream without artificiality. It was possible because her characters are very sincere. The likely setup of last short story, romance between an office worker and a part-time worker of same apartment is very natural. All situation of this mangaka have no awkwardness that the readers have doubts about the propriety of it. She adopts well fancy goods which are very popular among young girls for the story (Being couple with the worker of general store, junk goods increase in the room). There are a lot of persuasive episodes. The characters are attractive and contrasting. The last additional story is the sequel of name piece. They enjoy their old memory with looking old their school album. This is corny & inevitable event for many couples! The author is very sedulous, sincere (without exaggeration), so she can describe surely such familiar customs. Keeping her effort to making good stories like this, she will become great yaoi mangaka in future!! Very promising mangaka. (by Slash-kun 20/Sep/2003)
Hayase Misaki
"Konekochan Jiten" (MOVIC) Mar/98 *** 8.5
Shota 4 koma manga (pupils in 5th grade and pervy/pedophile teacher and his pupils), idol group 4 Koma manga and one short story of senior and junior idol of same agency. They were mainly serialized on the magazines from Issuisha (Junichi!) and Eikousha. All manga is so hilarious and interesting! Written in 1998 but I don't feel it is old. Especially idol group manga is very excellent and it reminds me of the author's latest book, "Ai Sae Areba!". The author describes many couples at once but all have unique individuality like "C!!" by Kotarou Sorishimazu. I think this author is really good at giving each character full play. As compared with Sorishimazu, the deformation of this author's art is less, so the large portrait of characters is more powerful, there are more serious scenes and many people can empathise easily. The author had better write serious story manga more like Puniko ("Tokyo Love Attack") or Matsuyama Hanako ("Chiisaku Yowai Hitotachihe"). Shota manga is interesting but she exercises her talent most at "idol stars/entertainers" story because the readers can know how she loves it. At her postscript, she respects mangaka of 4 Koma manga, Rie Arai, Sensha Yoshida and Isami Nakagawa very much and moans about the low position of yaoi 4 koma mangaka. To write 4 koma comedy manga is very difficult and tough, so I wish her know how many fans are waiting for her next work and keep writing in spite of the public esteem.(by Slash-kun 10/May/2003)
Higashino Yuu
"Kogareru Yubisaki" (Biblos) Feb/2003 *** 8.43
The second volume of the author's doctor series and one side, spin-out story of Wakamiya. The main story:(The uncle of Tsuda suddenly visits Shiraishi and consults about Tsuda's marriage. Tsuda is the only one heir of big conglomerate. Shiraishi wonders he can make Tsuda happy and begins to think Tsuda had better get married with woman and has a happy family. Tsuda gets angry and goes to meet with Wakamiya but Wakamiya warns Tsuda not to repeat his father's tragedy - Tsuda's father was too tender to kill himself for too egoistic wife. Wakamiya says Tsuda resembles his mother and Tsuda will damage Shiraishi. Tsuda keeps a distance from Shiraishi and it makes Shiraishi too uneasy. Shiraishi finally accepts Wakamiya's temptation...). The delicate expression of Shiraishi who is gnawed by anxiety is very well (This reminds me of the most popular yaoi novel, "EGOIST" series by Yumiko Kawai). The Tsuda's uncle, Wakamiya is very wild and it's exciting plot that two cool guys, Tsuda and Wakamiya are competing for Shiraishi. In this volume, Shiraishi who was always timid shows his guts, so the story becomes more interesting. Author's art using a lot of "screen tone" is very sexy like Youka Nitta and her seme is really attractive (dangerous and cool)! But a little lack of uniqueness though the sex scenes are really exciting and plot is enough dramatic and emotional. So I'd like to read more unique plot next time. (by Slash-kun 15/Mar/2003)
Higashizato Kirico
"Tokyo Tenshi" (Sanwa Shuppan) Oct/2003 *** 8.6
Detective long series. A very unique bitch detective, Ren Houzui who sells his body to anyone in order to capture the criminal and a good-natured partner detective, Kyou Kuzuryuu who fears seeing the blood try to challenge bizarre crimes in Tokyo. I'm very glad because Higashizato keeps going great guns commencing with "INVOKE". I wonder something made her to forget burdensome daily affairs (Living together with her mother?). The setup that a very invigorating character which reminds the readers a hero of "Odoru Daisousasen" (Detective Aoshima), Ren is really a broken guy (He always lay for information with anybody. Even with child and even with the chief of Identification Unit or a policeman....) is so unique, interesting and erotic!! Ren seems very dissolute and evil but is basically stoic and always thinks about resolving the crime and decides not to love seriously anyone again (suggests dark past). He often gets desperate and nearly develops a personality disorder. Very nice guy. I love such a psycho hero! At final phase, the story becomes much more interesting. The story seemed just only PWP with strange character, Ren but at the end Ren's partner, Kyou (He turns out to be a career-track bureaucrat!) suggests his identity crisis. This story seems to have deeper theme or deeper situation,,etc but this volume does not unclose it. I want to read next volume soon! Higashizato describes well Tokyo, a devilish, picaresque, picaresque big city having deep darkness. The terms of detective is very professional (The author has researched well). So the fans of detective drama will be fond of this! I suppose Sanwa Shuppan lets mangaka have their own way and its policy is good for Higashizato. We can not miss her work from now on. (by Slash-kun 21/Feb/2003)
"Raspberry Crisis" (Movic) Mar/2003 *** 8.5
Two long short stories（PWP of love triangle between student, teacher and rock singer. Very beautiful student, Ibuki Nomiya has inferior complex against his too feminine pretty face. He adores TOWA, a rock singer who worked at neighborhood convenience store and receives a cell phone as a gift from TOWA. But Ibuki's idol teacher, Ichinose finds his cell phone and kisses him from jealousy. Knowing it, TOWA forces Ibuki to make love in the car. One day Ibuki is suddenly chosen as a rock singer at school festival by classmates / The revenge tragedy of the boy whose parents were killed by his best friend's parents. Shunsuke Shinonome loses his parents by fire. The parents of his friend, Chihiro Houjyou sympathize with his situation and take in him. Shunsuke has kept working hard for years or being a sex slave for Chihiro's mother though Chihiro often says it is unnecessary. One day in front of the house, Shunsuke encounters a racketeer and knows conspiracy of Chihiro's parents. Shunsuke resolves on vengeance. Chihiro happens to look the sex of Shunsuke with his mother. They argues violently, then Shunsuke nearly rapes Chihiro. Shunsuke leaves Houjou's house and live in the house of his father's old friend. Chihiro also knows the fact through the argument of his parents. Chihiro and Shunsuke ask for the forgiveness each other and decide fresh start. Both stories have shota preference and are interesting! The teacher of the 1st story ia unexpectedly bold and libidinous (The scene of his penetration of Ibuki is very shocking). Ibuki's fashion is very pretty (I understand his mother or his classmate girls want costume play with him). As the result of love triangle, Ibuki chooses his teacher at the end, but I think he should not fish or cut bait. In complete contrast, 2nd story is very serious. The story is very dark and thrilling. I'm moved by the strong patience and will of the hero. I like the dark hero like this. Chihiro, very pure and pitiful character is very effective for revenge tragedy. I feel relieved to read happy ending. The author recently has kept writing entertainment-oriented stories too much, so I'm very glad to read this serious & dark story! (by Slash-kun 10/May/2003)
"Ousama no Kaikata" (Sanwa Shuppan) Jan/2003 *** 8.35
Challenging new series with dark atmosphere about mysterious king of nighttown who wanders yearning for true love. The story:(There is a mysterious guy who is dubbed as "king" or "Hijiri (saint)" in Roppongi - lively downtown in Tokyo. He picks up a very attractive boy at bar and enjoys one night stand love by savage way like rape. The boy criticizes king for his faithful attitude - king only enjoy love-game with a guy who is not obedient to king. King often becomes disgusted when his lovers show too much positive attitude. One lover shouts "I'm not your slave! You are a just selfish king!". King walks in the rain and is comforted by his friend, show-biz moguls. King gets acquainted with a funny guy and enjoys conversation with him. When one ex-lover tries to stab a dagger into king, a funny guy covers king by his body. King gives a lot of money to him as consolation money but they meet at USA again and a funny guy turns out to be an economic journalist and king turns out to be a son of big conglomerate...). Sex scenes are very powerful and erotic as usual. But the author hides the secret of the hero (his past severe experience,,,etc) in this volume, so I could not find the author's intention and the reason of hero's action very well. The editor should check it at the stage of making plot. I'd like to recommend the readers to read this volume with next volume together if the author will write the sequel (But if she won't, the whole story will come to nothing!). (by Slash-kun 4/Jan/2003)
Hiiro Reiichi
"Colorful Flower - Passion Fruits no Kaori Tsuki vol.2" (MOVIC) Jul/2003 *** 8.5
The sequel of "Passion Fruits no Kaoritsuki". PWP of community life of hosts of "Host club", childminders and their sons. The story:(6 people, Akichika & Kaoru Tachikawa, Kaoru Mizuki & Subaru, Miyuki Wakana & Shougo start to live together at one big house with their sons and enjoy peaceful days. But Akichika who gets down the childminder's job should go through hard mornings, because his partner, a sexy host, Kaoru always wants him before sleep. Kaoru wonders he should resign host club but people encourage him to keep it. A host who is working at another host club, Kaname Kurosawa drops off his daughter, Eve on his way to nursery. Kaoru and children find Eve at the park. Eve confuses Kaoru with her mother. Eve is really a boy and Kaname falls in love with a childminder, Tachibana who opens up Eve...). Rooting-tooting human comedy that two couple (of two most popular jobs, a host and a childminder) and two sons meet another a father and a daughter. Good theme that shows the goodness of the author and unexpectedly interesting. Hiiro describes nursery very well. She recently often draws children and her viewpoint of each child is very warm. And she expresses well the pleasure of big family. The situation is very gorgeous like Youka Nitta and Jun Kajimoto (using host club,,etc), so we are apt to forget this is human drama but I think Hiiro is really a human writer. The episode of Eve, a child of transvestite is moving very much! Too many guys are a little confused and it's a only fly in the ointment but human, heart-warming story largely surpasses! Now the bond between child and parents becomes weak, so a big family like this is very valuable though it is unique. So readers want to experience through manga. (by Slash-kun 1/Nov/2003)
Himawari Souya
"Koufuku no Susume" (Houbunsha) Apr/2003 ** 8.4
The long story about the love of family (Hero starts living with his poor family for the first time after the death hero's grandfather) and a short story of young twisted guy (A writer is dumped by his girl friend who chooses another guy of great promise. But hero gets injured by rival lovers and rival begins to love hero when he is taking dictation the hero's pornographic novel). The story of long series:(The grandfather of Yukiharu Hiraga dies, but Yukiharu is so surprised to know his family is still living. Yukiharu was separated from his family when he was a baby. His parents are leaving his 6 brothers! and poor brothers are surviving by helping each other. Brothers don't accept Yukiharu pleasantly but neighbor, Makoto who lives next door is attached to Yukiharu very eagerly. Yukiharu does his best to be a good member of his family and helps his brother's crisis, then he is finally admitted as a real family). As the author mentions at postscript, there are definitely some faults which her editor pointed out. The sex scenes are few and weak because this is family story. And the author uses too many brothers for these pages (The readers can not distinguish who). Seme character, Makoto is very attractive (Blank & childish but cool & intelligent) but he has twin brother (has same appearance. So attraction will cut by half). But I wonder she can keep her current goodness (innocence and sharp sensibilities) if the author will make her story with minute artifices or thorough planning & calculation? I think the author's talent is "making attractive characters", so defaults of this book may not reduce the moving of the readers. The process that conscientious & innocent hero is down to the poor family, knows the fact and will become unhappy, and the process that he laughs his difficulty and do his best to be accepted by his family are very well written and very sincere & dramatic! The short story is a little dark and thrilling. I think this author had better challenge more adult stories in future. I'm very interested in this author's growth/change. (by Slash-kun 19/Apr/2003)
Hinata Seika
"Katei Saien" (Kousai Shobou) Sep/2003 *** 8.4
The series of two couples around the casual restaurant of a father, his two sons and a daughter and other short stories (Hero helps his classmate who hates vegetable to eat it with fresh vegetable his father grows / A senior student loves hero. He goes to see hero's father to get authorization of their intercourse. But he gets frightened to see a boy friend of hero's sister is knocked by the father / Hero's boy friend is very poor at cleaning up the room. He tidies up the room but soon becomes in a mess / The senior member always wants the words of love. He never returns from road trip because of accident. Hero regrets never saying it as much as he wanted / The mouth of hero's lover is very dangerous at blow job. But his anal is dangerous, too at making love / Fantasy. A boy becomes a member of the valiant knights / Additional comical manga of father and his sons' couples). Seika's voluptuous, direct and extreme sex scenes are exciting as usual. This book shows well (balmily) how pleasantly she enjoys drawing it. She writes the genital organs very realistic, so her art is welcome for the people who like it. The book includes her old work (fantastic one) and it shows how much she has improved her art ability. Her color art using PC is very excellent, so I'm very sorry that some of them are printed as B&W pages. Most of this book are shota PWP but I'm so impressed by very quiet, poetic 4th story (After rain, hero remembers his senior student who died without sweet nothings) with a lot of atmosphere. The powerful sex scene looks much better for such dramatic story. I wish the author to write many stories like this. She is a very promising mangaka! (by Slash-kun 18/Oct/2003)
Honami Yukine & Kannagi Satoru
"Rin!" (Tokuma Shoten) Feb/2003 ** 8.55
The delicate and refreshing romance between a very clutchy student due to the trauma at his childhood and his senior of "Japanese art of archery club" who always encourages hero. The story:(To ease the tension, Katsura Kobayakawa always needs "hug" by Sou Shibata who is the best friend of Katsura's brother, Yamato Kobayakawa. Katsura can not stop it though he worries that Sou can not have steady girl friend due to the rumor of "their homosexual relation". By Sou's hug, Katsura passes promotion test of "Japanese art of archery" and he invites Sou to his family party. Yamato feels jealous and makes fun of Sou's hug. Sou can't help but saying his hugs is a sort of "charity work - not willing action" in front of Katsura. Katsura is greatly shocked and has a nightmare of the accident of at his childhood. Katsura's father was hit by a car in order to save Katsura who stole a ride of his brother's bicycle. At hospital during he was waiting for the operation of his father, Katsura had been held by Sou. Kouichi Sakurazawa, the classmate of Katsura offers to be a substitute of Sou and suddenly kisses Katsura. Seeing it, Sou feels a great jealousy and again he can't help but saying he never hug Katsura in public. Both of Katsura and Sou are so upset at their club. Sou can not neglect Katsura's discouragement but his hug makes only Katsura more flurried. Yamato comforts Katsura and tells him that their father is now very happy to be a house husband by the accident. Katsura goes to Sou's house to discuss honestly. Sou tries to hug Katsura again. But Katsura gets only confused more. Then Yamato makes a suggestion of excursion. Katsura, Sou, Yamato and Kouichi go to the seaside. Sou confesses his love to Katsura and his hug was a sort of intimidation in order to put Katsura under restraint. Katsura confesses all to Yamato and decides to stand on his own feet. He wins the race without hug and finally confesses his love to Sou as a real partner). The author is very good at expression of various delicate & sensitive feelings (transition of feelings, heated confrontation and tranquil & happy reconciliation,,,etc) with her delicate and smart art (Various font types are well used in different ways depending on the situations!!). Especially her feminine & tender "art effect of mental expression" is so marvellous!! And each character (4 ones) is attractive with a great deal of personality (Katsura is so cute! The large difference of height between Katsura and Sou makes their hug/embracement so fascinating & sweet! Sou is so cool & sexy that he sometimes looks rather dangerous!!). She and Etsumi Ninomiya are the best two (the two master) mangaka of "well-interpretation of popular yaoi novels and making them better" in magazine, "Chara" now. The plot is very interesting (but there is no explicit hard-core sex scene) and skillful! (There are a lot of effective usages of recollection. Katsura's father is a house husband & his mother is a career woman - this set-up has been in heavy usage at current yaoi stories - For example, "Kimi ga Sukinanosa", one of the most popular yaoi novel series by Izumi Tanizaki. I think japanese young female readers may sometimes want such tender men who manage about household chores together or instead of readers - even in only virtual & imaginary world). I think Honami has made great progress of her expression by partnership with great yaoi novelists and such opportunity was so lucky for her career! BTW This story gains so popularity among readers that the sequel has been written now. (by Slash-kun 08/Mar/2003)
Honami Yukine & Takaguchi Satosumi
"Kimi niwa Katenai! vol.1" (Houbunsha) May/2003 *** 8.7
The comedy at the boy's dormitory. The junior high school student, a landowner is involved in the disturbance by the relocation of the urban prestige high school to the country. The story:(Yuuhi Torishima is a junior high school student of the rural district, Hokkaidou. He loves playing football but had not participated the match because his school is very small and has few students. So he has an ambition to have his own soccer stadium using his own mountain. But his father asks him to sell his mountain for the school of Tokyo where his brother is working as a teacher. Three students of the school council, Kanya Miki, Hayate Houjyou and Sango Tsutsui comes Hokkaidou to persuade Yuuhi not to sell the mountain to the school. But Kanya and Hayate do sexual harassment to Yuuhi as they like. Yuuhi gets angry and decides he will lease his mountain to the school. Yuuhi goes to Tokyo to review the school. The school owner, Esaki appreciates Yuuhi as a honorable student of the school. When Yuuhi is reviewing dormitory, Hayate is summoned by the members of "The 2nd student council", three sons of the school owner, Riku, Umi and Sora. Hayate is forced to do sexual service for them because of the failure to persuade Yuuhi. Kanya takes Yuuhi to the room of 2nd council. Seeing the scene, Yuuhi amazes, makes a huge fuss and is forced into silence with the kiss by Sango. Then the school transfers to Hokkaidou. Mounting the debts by replacement, the owner can not pay to Yuuhi for a while and assigns Yuuhi as a housemaster of dormitory for the apology. Yuuhi decides to prohibit the homosexual activity at dormitory. Umi blows a fuse and takes Hayate hostages, then he finally rapes Hayate. And Yuuhi is forced to drink sleeping drug, put the female clothes for the harassing photo. But Yuuhi is so sexy that everybody go down for the count. Harassment escalates and Yuuhi is nearly raped by Umi. Yuuhi wants the help of Sango and they become good friends. But by the legend of the housemaster, Yuuhi is aimed by many students including Esaki's brothers...The last additional short episode is the secret love between the school owner and Yuuhi's brother). This story is very funny, immoral and adult PWP. That's takaguchi's story all over. If not the ending breaks down (Takaguchi's long stories sometimes did), this series should have a success. The students of prestige school are very evil but Honami's arrange is so refreshing, idyllic, simple and rural that whole atmosphere becomes very unique(not becoming too exaggerated/hopped-up), quite understandable and easy to read! This collaborative work by Honami & Takaguchi comes out well. Therefore this story can not become too serious/dark though this contains complex romantic relationships or bullying problems. Funny school soap drama just like "A Midsummer Night's Dream/As You Like It" by William Shakespeare. There are many attractive guys but they are all unique and sharply distinguished. The contrast between rustic, pure, unwilled whiz-pop hero and urban, evil, elite-track students is very vivid. Among characters, I love the middle-aged couple (The brother of Yuuhi and the school owner) best. I'm very looking forward to the next volume! (by Slash-kun 31/May/2003)
Honda Takuto
"Himitsu no Hanazono" (Magazine Magazine) Apr/2003 *** 8.69
The outstanding short stories including new challenging ones. The long short series of mysterious & established boys' student (Hero is assigned as a candidate of next president by student council and should undergo the sexual training in order to be the lover of the school's owner by the member of the council. But hero falls in love with the member...) and 6 short stories (The CEO suddenly dies. His son falls into crisis of takeover by the lover of CEO. Then loyal but evil corporate lawyer saves the son in return of son's love / The love triangle among school doctor, the teacher of athletic sports club and the ace student of the club. Evil ace tries to deprive the doctor from the teacher / The hero's best friend of opposite type has taught the hero various wild things including sex. But hero introduces his sister to his friend and it breaks his friendship / The young guy who lives in Tokyo alone can not find job because of recession. He finds the plum job as a maid and gets it with disguising his sex. But the job turns out to be the service with sex for the son who is living alone / Hero decides to revenge his mother who dumped him and his father but knows she already died. Then he changes to revenge her another son. But his brother accepts hero's intention). All the stories are very maniacal and bold with aesthetic & fantastic art (elegant lines and a lot of persisting expression of moisture, sweat, tears and seme) with strong passion & guts (it may come from her divorce). Some stories have hard-core sex scenes (radical, bold and sweet with violence or S&M taste. Uke shows his sexual desire honestly) and some heroes with sensitive heart will be comforted as usual. But the author challenges the comedy aggressively in this book (suggestive gags, cynicism and innocent gump/veg)! I think they are successful. At her postscript the author talks about her love for idol stars and her divorce and it makes me realize the good mangaka has a lot of life experience and strong passion. Very satisfied book! (by Slash-kun 03/May/2003)
Honma Akira
"Sabakareshi Mono" (Shinkousha) Nov/2003 *** 8.85
Mannish yaoi drama of social affairs with dark & bitter taste like seinen manga. The long series of young politician & attorney including the spin-off of a politician's conspiratorial secretary and a middle-aged attorney and a long-short story of a beautiful doctor with dark circumstance and a wild hunky doctor (A beautiful & genius surgeon, Haruka Suzaki is suddenly assigned as a supervisor of Matsuda who is a playboy. Haruka is very stoic and it irritates Matsuda very much. But seeing Haruka is forced to have sexual relation with Prof. Koumoto, Matsuda also tries to make love with Haruka and is slapped by Haruka. Haruka refuses the treatment of his father who dumped his family and tries to commit suicide. Matsuda comforts Haruka and they become a couple. But Haruka suddenly disappears. After years, Haruka comes back to Matsuda who has started local clinic / They are working together. Haruka is loved by children). The story of long series:(At Public Prosecutor's Office, a fax which leaks politician's corruption has come. An attorney, Kyou Sugiura goes to listen to the explanation by a young politician, Tatsuki Toudou who succeeded his father's supporters. But Tatsuki is an adopted child and is really Kyou's old companion at orphanage. Kyou's mother suddenly came to pick up Kyou and makes only him happy and Tatsuki has blamed for long time. Tatsuki approaches Kyou's sister. His secretary, Kasuga kidnaps her. Katsuki tries to make love with Kyou but is stabbed by Kasuga who gets jealous. A senior attorney, Shinoda hears from Kasuga / Two years later. Kyou's sister gets married. Kyou encounters Tatsuki who attends politician's party there. Tatsuki takes away Kyou and escape. They wander into their orphanage which will be demolished and indulge in reminiscences. Shinoda and Kasuga meet Kyou's sister. She knows the fact of 2 years ago. The day of her wedding, Kyou confesses his love for Tatsuki to his sister / A attorney at general interferes Shinoda's investigation in order to cover up Kasuga's leak. But Shinoda keeps interview with Kasuga in jail. Kasuga remembers the days as a mistress of Tatsuki's adopted father. Tatsuki saved him but dumped in the end. But someone releases Kasuga. Kasuga is nearly killed but Shinoda is shot to save him. Shinoda takes charge of Kasuga and Kasuga also becomes an attorney). All stories are very cool, adult & mannish! Bitter taste without jokes is so nice and stylish. The art is also cool & dark like Youki Fukai. The sorrow of guys are well described! It's my type. But this is Honma's first book! Incredible! The long series of name-piece: The setup of companions at orphanage by itself is so dramatic. Add to this, heroes are divided into friend and enemy, an attorney of special investigation department and corrupt politician! Very attractive setup. And the art is so cool. The picture with a lot of shade with rough touching like pencil dessin is very artistic. Erotic like Ryouichi Ikegami's art (The contrast of black & white is so exquisite! Dark art makes good atmosphere for the story like seinen manga). Honma is good at drawing of clothes, suit, too! A picaresque character, Tatsuki is really attractive. But he also so naive that he imitates hero of american old movie,"The Graduate(1967)". His strong obsession is also lovely. And the image of Kyou using "Themis" is very unique, beautiful and dignified with serene silence. The spin-off story: I'm very glad that Kasuga becomes happy. Shinoda is so cool & adult. The using of doll is so heartrending. The cherry-blossom at last scene is so beautiful! The short story: Matsuda is very wild and so sexy! Uke, Haruka is dignified like Ryou and his manly attitude that he bears his cross is so impressive. Last short story (sequel) is very funny! I'd like to appreciate the editor of Shinkousha who discovers new & great talent! Highly recommended. (by Slash-kun 17/Jan/2004)
Hori Erio
"Waruiko no Susume" (Magazine Magazine) Jun/2003 *** 8.5
7 short stories with shota taste (The student who likes mayonnaise so much so that he uses it for sex with his lover. Then his lover restricts mayonnaise. But the younger cousin begins to crash in their room and he backs up the student's preference of mayonnaise. It irritates the lover / A elite student who gave up being the pianist because of finger's problem falls in love with a student of music academy. But music student does not think their love affair is serious, and its behavior hurts the elite student.../ At Hawaii, hero assists the photo session of a very popular young model. Hero is also young, so they enjoy leisure time together. But the model gets into a slump and the hero comforts him by making love. Hero is shocked to know he is a sort of human sacrifice for the model.../ Hero, a student of 17 yr old keeps one-sided love for ex-classmate of his brother, 26 yr old. He finally confesses his love and are united but ex-classmate does not allow the making love easily. Hero asks staying together all night on his birthday / At the orientation of a crammer of his brother-in-law, a hero sees a beautiful tutor is raped by a headmaster at the toilet. The tutor passes the memo of telephone number to the hero. Hero feels danger and tries to save the tutor.../ A son of a landlord loves a student, a lodger. But the student should return his hometown to succeed his family business. The son wants to confess his love to the student and the computer virus happens to help it / Hero's parents should go abroad for 10 days on business. Hero decides to be a delinquent student. But he finds a dead-drunk office worker and looks after him. They become a couple. Then hero finds a lot of pornographic video tapes and a mysterious guy tries to shoot a video of hero). The author's attraction is contradictious amusements, "pretty art" and "hard sex description (Especially body posture is very bold)". About this book, she seems to challenge to write various love stories of "young of today" who are selfish and capricious. The idea of 6th story, PC virus is very unique! The office worker of 7th story is my type (lonely looser)! But I regret personally that the author's new trial may be vague (not impressive) because her art is pretty but not so fashionable and I prefer her long, dark and insane/cruel stories. Hori is able/powerful mangaka, so I may be demanding so much....(by Slash-kun 09/Aug/2003)
"Itoshikute Ranbouna" (Houbunsha) Apr/2003 *** 8.5
Short stories (The unique comedy of a writer of the "mystery novel at hot springs" and his fan. The novelist happens to make friends with a brokenhearted student at hot spring. But the student is his great fan and a bitch in contrast to his appearance / Violent lover's story. Hero's lover is very violent and often hits the hero but soon apologizes with a cake. He suspects that hero is carrying an affair with his colleague and beats hero. After staying at his colleague's room for two days, hero finds a lot of cake at trash box / Geeky love comedy like Nase Yamato. The lover who is 10 years older than hero turns out to be OTAKU. Hero condemns it and the lover throw out all his geeky goods. Seeing it, hero regrets and wears an apron on his naked skin / The son wants to help his father who nearly lose his job because of restructuring. But he is cheated by a prodigal son of the CEO of his father's company / The selfish prince always put his servant to annoyance. But prince feels lonely when his servant visits his parent. Then the prince accepts his servant's dark desire / The son of ecclesiastic is nearly raped by a guy who often comes to pray just before closing the church.../ The sequel of 1st story. novelist is busy with writing at hot spring trip and his lover is not quite satisfied). All the story are interesting but especially 2nd short story, name piece about violent guy is really excellent! Such violent guy is very nasty but many women do not try to separate. Because such guys are enough honest to apologize soon and never hesitate to become tender. I'm really moved by reading this! Very short story but has a great truth of life. Great masterpiece. I think the author really knows what the desire is. All humans have desire if they are living (So her seme often weeps because he is embarrassed with his excessive strong desire). Then the author's characters are sometimes middle aged guys and have long experience of life and the stories are geeky and have deep themes and strong emotional expression. But the art is very plain, natural, simple (accurate & excellent drawing is very easy to read) and pretty (I love her tender art of the hair of the characters. It's very feminine!). The unbalance between them (or the mixture of insanity and comedy) is the author's unique attraction. For example, the guy, a son of CEO may be a just lewd & dirty guy if his appearance (art) is not attractive. The name piece is must-read masterwork. Don't miss it. (by Slash-kun 12/Apr/2003)
Horii Jingorou
"Ai no Uta" (djs) Aug/2002 *** 8.7
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHOJABARU SOUSAKUKAN", "Real person in history at end of Edo Period",Toshimichi Okubo/his fellow, Yoda> Sudden burst djs of unique couple of "Toshimichi Okubo and his sevak, Yoda". The story:(Okubo's servant, Yoda is waiting for Okubo at next room and is hearing the voice of Okubo who is penetrated by Tomomi Iwakura. As soon as they return their hotel, Okubo bestrides Yoda and enjoys the sex of astride position as a queen. Yoda knows it is the only position that Yoda can experience - Okubo never climbs on top of his lover, Shimadu and Saigou who are greater than Okubo - it moves Yoda very much!). The sex scenes are so powerful and exciting!! And the queen Okubo is somehow very endearing and touching. The author starts commercial activity (issues "Koi mo 2 dome daze" from Kousai Shobou) and the art has become very skillful. This djs is most erotic for me and I really enjoy because entire story is serious. The guest is Kanata Tounoharu. Now the author is nuts about TOS(!) and plans to issue TOS djs. I'm very looking forward!! (by Slash-kun 06/Sep/2003)
"Reijin Koutan" (djs) Aug/2000 *** 8.55
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHOJABARU SOUSAKUKAN", "Real person in history at end of Edo Period",Toshimichi Okubo/other guys, Takamori Saigou, Hisamitsu Shimadu> 170th Birthday (September 26th of 1830) anniversary djs of "Toshimichi Okubo". The hilarious parody of "Snow White". The story:(The feudal lord of Satsuma, Shimadu asks the mirror:"Who is the most beautiful guy?". The mirror answers:"It's Okubo". Shimadu orders his servant to kill Okubo at the border of the domain but the servant leaves Okubo in the wood. Okubo finds a small house of Seichuugumi, 7 dwarfs and eats their meals. 7 dwarfs return and rape Okubo together but are knocked down because Okubo is matchless bitch(nymphomania). Okubo is killed by poisoned Japanese radish of Sakurajima given from Shimadu's men. But he is raped by a necromania, Saigou who walks by. It saves Okubo, then they get married!). The description of Okubo who acts as a vamp is so overwhelming & awesome!! Okubo's posture of the sex with Saigou is powerful & wonderful, too! The yaoi mangaka of Kyuushuu are generally good at drawing macho bodies and I wonder they have such innate talent. The guests are Eriko Satou, Suguru Shinobu, M Masuda, Rinka Haduki, Juurouta Kirino, Kanata Tounoharu. (by Slash-kun 06/Sep/2003)
"Tennen Saishou" (djs) Jan/2000 *** 8.55
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"CHOJABARU SOUSAKUKAN", "Real person in history at end of Edo Period",Toshimichi Okubo/other guys, Takamori Saigou, Hisamitsu Shimadu> First djs of "Toshimichi Okubo" series. The story:(A domain head of Satsuma, Hisamitsu Shimadu, aka Saburou becomes opinionated by comparing with his brother-in-law and drives Saigou into exile though he is a guy of eminent respectability from his fellows. Okubo had been envious of Saigou's ability but realizes he is no match for Saigou now and has established a rapport in his own way. Then Okubo feels sympathy for Shimadu and yields himself to Shimadu.../ Saigou returns from banishment. He meets again Okubo. They make love beyond the sexual relation with Shimadu during Saigou's absence). Yeah....the historical story is very awesome! Dialect is cool, too. The author is inspired by the TV drama of NHK, "Tobu ga Gotoku" (written by Ryoutarou Shiba. Takeshi Kaga acts as Ookubo and Toshiyuki Nishida acts as Saigou. I regret that I stopped watching it because the dialect was so severe for me). And the author is folks from Kyuushuu (Fukuoka Prefecture. So she knows well that Kagoshima is very famous as a mecca of Shuudou, homosexuality). So she can write double geeky djs (historical + dialectal). Toshimichi Okubo (1830-1878) is a historical great man. He is an officer of Satsuma in the end of Edo Period. He contributed to overthrow of the Tokugawa Shogunat and Imperial restoration and established the basis of modern Japan as a cabinet minister of Meiji government. He is scheming politician and well acquainted with western knowledge and culture. So the author describes him as uke. Very handsome with his mustache and weak stomach. He is so beautiful and slender (among the author's characters) that author's friends are surprised to see her Okubo. The sex scenes are very powerful and exciting! It's very cool that Okubo is loved by two guys but he never loses his composure. Short manga is very interesting, too! and educational for me. It teaches me that Toshinaga Kawaji established our police-ridden country and put the police force under the control of Interior Ministry not of Justice Department. This djs has been reprinted for three times in short period but it is no wonder. The guests are Suguru Shinobu, Kanata Tounoharu, Juurouta Kirino, Rinka Haduki. The dialogue with guest is very funny. Guests and author knows about Okubo well because they were born in Kyuushuu. Very enviable!! (by Slash-kun 06/Sep/2003)
Hoshiai Hilo
"Hoshi no Furu Oto" (Shoubunkan) Apr/2003 *** 8.6
Various 8 short shota stories including pretty, immoral or lyrical ones (Hero loves the voice of a boy who is singing alone at music room after school. He pays frequent visits to the boy and they lessen their pain each other / Hero can not forget the kiss to his best friend at childhood and he can not help teaching his friend masturbation when he is asked about his girl friend / The private tutor of the boy in a failed family can not hide his sexual desire to the saucy boy who shows unexpected his childishness / Two boys competes their masturbation alone / Hero is disguised as his twin sister and works at family restaurant because she has a heavy cold. The bad colleagues get him drunk and rape. But he is absorbed in it / Hero has been raped by his cousin of city whenever the cousin comes back to his country. But hero happens to know his cousin had been raped by his dead father, too / Hero is always raped by his lover, very jealous of student council president. Hero consults with his friend. Friend advises that hero's lover does not enough confidence. Hero's lover is jealous of hero and his friend again and asks hero not to dump with cry. Hero realized to be loved very much / The regular ferry comes to the island of orphans to pick up adopted child. Hero is inferior to other orphans, but finally chosen for the candidate. But he knows his best friend gave the right to the hero...). I thought all the stories were tender because the art is very pretty like Mako Takahashi. But I'm surprised to know all the sex scenes are hard (but very delicate) and some are rather dark & evil (The story of working at family restaurant or one of violent lover,,etc). All stories are dramatic and lyrical, so even PWP or stories with hard sex scenes are interesting (The story of two boys' masturbation is very short and simple but has unique atmosphere). Her dark story has somehow happy mood and is not decadent story for adult readers. Her stories are so unique that there are both evil and innocence! Therefore many readers can not help enjoying the author's stories. It's like a magic! The last lyrical & impressive short story makes me cry for many times. The author has a talent of making skillful touching stories! If you want to read heartrending stories of little boys, please try reading this last one. (by Slash-kun 28/Jun/2003)
Hoshino Lily
"Toritsu Mahou Gakuen" (Kaiousha) Aug/2003 ** 8.7
First long serialization of Hishino. Comical romance between a student of magic school (like "Harry Potter") and his familiar spirit. The story:(Today the students of "Tokyo metropolitan government-run magic school" will be assigned their partner, familiar spirits. In front of a student, Kouji Yuno who uses black magic, humanlike, an incubus, Harlem appears. Harlem is very cute but helpless. Yuno is not happy but he get it by Harlem's powerful caressive endearment with tear. They spend their lovely days with Yuno's good-natured classmate girls, Fuyuno with a snake and Midori with a cat / A lesson of changing familiar spirit into human. It reveals that Harlem is already 17 years old / Yuno's another classmate, Tsukasa Takagi who has been in a hospital is released. Takagi's familiar spirit is similar incubus, Meramie. She is excellent and has it in for Harlem. Meramie makes a pass at Yuno, then it comes about that Harlem will have a showdown with Meramie over Yuno. It seems losing game but Yuno hits on a secret good plan.../ A regular-examination season comes. Yuno is poor at Math, so he should buckle down to study with Midori alone. He treats Harlem as a nuisance...). Owing to the boom of "Harry Potter", similar manga has increased rapidly in Japan. But this series becomes special, popular one beyond just a parody because hero's partner, Harlem is tremendously cute. This series has various good points but Harlem's cuteness is magnum-force. He is very obedient and pure. His facial expression with misting up round big eyes is so lovely and his downward ears is mignon. Slender body is nice, too. Herlem's design is really perfect, high-quality finished. I keenly feel admiration that Hoshino has created, worked out Harlem! However Harlem is powerless or Yuno is twisted and blunt, Yuno (The funny setup that Yuno was a delinquent youngster at one time & he's so shy & cool are so nice!) can not help going down for the count by Harlem's charming tearful face. I'm also overcome with by Hoshino's whole outstanding design/idea of art which is very elaborate, wonderful and perfect (becoming more and more skillful and attractive). Girls are pop/stylish/fashionable and their lips, hair style, costumes are all charming (They back up Harlem very warm, kind like their female friends and they are never sarcastic). Hoshino comical art is also very excellent designed. Cute and funny. I think she is now one of the best mangaka of "fashionable & comical" art. This volume has no serial number but this serialization still continues. I'm very looking forward to next volume! (by Slash-kun 08/Nov/2003)
Ichinomiya Shihan
"Jun-ai to Fujun-ai no Catharsis" (Biblos) Dec/2002 *** 8.5
Very interesting & touching short stories (Old classmate suddenly turns up to the room of hero, a teacher unexpectedly. Classmate earns money by jactitation of marriage and escapes from his victim. Classmate teaches sex to hero as his gratitude of living together.../ A school doctor of the high school loves "a student wit pure tears" as first sight at the track and field meet. The student enters same high school but he turns out to be very "skirt chaser"... / A pure writer of shoujo novel and very unfaithful writer of porno novel argue which is more important, "soul (feeling)" or "body (physical pleasure)" for love. They make love to prove their own justice / Hero can not find his dog which he has kept for 10 years. Then stranger whose name is same as dog appears and tries to find together. Hero wonders the stranger may be his dog.../ A owner of host-club saves a biff-guy who is nearly killed by Japanese Mafia. A buy becomes an ace host but owner keeps distant from him...). Very professional & excellent plot. This author's book never fall short of reader's expectations! The author is very good at making heartrending & dramatic scenes in stories. Her seme is very wild and dangerous/unfaithful and often makes uke weep, but seme will more suffer from uke's grief. So many readers will be moved. She recently has been very famous as djska of "Tennis no Ouji sama" (But her art resembles "Sanji" of "One piece" for me. The taste/speed/tempo of her comedy, too. Very active, vigorous and wild, as very vivid contrast to her sensitive & serious scenes), but I hope her to write original stories, too! (by Slash-kun 18/Jan/2003)
"Doujin Sakka Collection vol.17" (Fusion Product) May/2002 *** 8.42
The re-issue of the author's djs. 12 stories of "One-piece"(Zoro x Sanji), 3 one of "Cyber" and 3 ones of "KOF". The last KOF story is very impressive though it is AU and set-up is the licensed quarters. The author is now very popular & representative one-piece djska and her arrange of "one-piece" art is so excellent! Very stylish! She makes good use of the original art, something like pop-art style. And she is also good at expression of the emotional feeling of the characters. Gags are very nice. Some stories are very erotic and other are very funny. All stories are enough interesting though they are short. But I think she is a "long story writer" and at her postscript she said she already had thrown out so much original manuscript (10000 sheets! What a waste!). She keeps writing one-piece djs now, so her magnum opus of one-piece is not fixed, so I'd like to read "Kimi to Kaze wo Matsudake" (Cyber djs) and "Danzai"(KOF), magnum opus of two genre very much! (by Slash-kun 05/Apr/2003)
Ima Ichiko
"B Kyuu Gourmet Club" (MOVIC) Jul/2003 *** 8.8
First long-short story is new and other two stories are reissue from djs ("SODA",,etc)(An ex-secretary of the politician meets again with a devilish son of politician who passed through various vicissitudes of fortune. They spend a night together beyond old days with a reduced pampered rich guy / The long series of poor & funny students with fantastic taste. Heterosexual & homosexual college students belong to same hiking club. They enjoy their funny young days at poor dormitory for male students near the college). The story of long-short story:(Eisuke Yoshino is a new recruit of systems development corporation. During over time, senior employees make yoshino go to the convenience store to buy sweet buns. Yoshino finds an unexpected temporary employee among the people who scramble for the buns. He is Kouzou Oniduka, a senior student of badminton club when they were high school students. Yoshino carelessly came out to the members of the club and was scolded by Oniduka whom he had adored. Oniduka looked after him very much but Yoshino pushed down Oniduka from the stairs by accident and transferred the school without apology. Yoshino realizes he still keeps loving Oniduka. In the office room, they are left alone. Oniduka confesses his mind to Yoshino, "I was dumped by you then but if you have no lover, would you walk with me?" They become a couple just before the expire of Oniduka's temporary hiring. But asking about the future plan by Oniduka, Yoshino misunderstands that Oniduka wants practical-type relationship and they are not getting along. Oniduka and Yoshino meet up face to face with a guy who was a friend of Yoshino at college and was an ex-lover of Oniduka who hurt Oniduka seriously. The term of Yoshino and Oniduka becomes more darkle. Oniduka goes to the other company but Yoshino ventures into the company not to lose Oniduka...). The long-short story is really interesting!! The author describes well the pleasure of working at japanese family-oriented office (They spend long time together. It's not so hard because they help each other and often eat same supper at family restaurant or bread & box lunch of convenience store. A new employees work as slaves of senior ones,,,Ima's express is very detailed and realistic!). The author is very good at writing drama of the people/group and this story is very characteristic of her! Theme is "revenge" that hero could not confess at his student days and it resembles "TEENAGE LUST" by Shun Tsuduki (twisted hero) but this story is written from uke point of view and hero and hero's lover are both homosexual. I love revenge story! Everyone wishes to do it if possible. Temporary worker, Oniduka (His nickname, "The prince of Curry" is very nice!) is so fascinating! Twisted, haggard, foul-mouthed and evil-minded. He is a temporary worker, so he has a flattering tongue and is very good at making an evasive answer to get out of a difficulty (That's right!). Yoshino is nice character, too. He often worries himself too much. Very pitiful. Oniduka's family at last scene is very funny & touching, too (Ima always describes the big family very well!!). The ending is happy, impressive and satisfactory because Oniduka and Yoshino know they are very pure. Ima's fetish for small ordinary things/situation is very excellent as usual. The strong favoritism for curry bread or cream bread, funny phrase like "Don't assault Landing Ship Division(=Yoshino)", The nickname of Oniduka, witty comparing the rumination with "File loading", desperate shout, "Don't go home, everybody!" after sudden spec change from client, nice usage of paper cup,,etc. All are realistic, trivial but witty like TV sitcom, "Seinfeld"! The conversation is also very sophisticated. The first short story of reissue is not so old (written in 1998) and easy to read but looks old though it is just 4 years older. There are more hand-writing shadow (less usage of screen tone) and pen stroke changes a lot. Bitter, sarcastic and adult story and darker than her current stories. Now Ima's pen stroke & stories lighten. Why? The 2nd story of reissue (written from 1992 to 1997) has quite different pen stroke. The readers may feel embarrassed by reading this if they are accustomed to current art. But picture composition is unique and excellent! I can understand the feelings of the characters after reading twice but Ima took too much pages to make the readers move. Now her technique to chip off redundant part has made progress! The sex scenes of old stories are also too tame. She might be very shy. Yeah. Now current sex scenes are more sexy and bolder and I prefer it! In this old series, hamster is well used. Ima had already a talent to use animal very effectively! And she describes students' life very realistic and vivid. Poor and unpopular students, the club room are very nostalgic. The additional narrative (her actual experience - uterine myomectomy) in the hospital is also very sharp! People are divested of their humanity and are treated as a just patient in the hospital. It's true! There are many people in Japan encouraged by hospital diary of manga now. I think this genre will be big/promising as well as pet manga. Publisher had better issue anthology by disease soon. (by Slash-kun 13/Sep/2003)
"Hyakki Yakoushou vol.10" (Asahi Sonorama) Dec/2002 8.5
Very popular long fantastic serialization by which the author leaps to fame. There is a new member, Ritsu's long-lost uncle who lost his memory for 26 years! I think the amusement of this author's comedy resembles one of the american TV sitcom, "Seinfeld" because there are no intrusive lessons/moral in both. Both jokes are very minute/trifle (Ritsu's funny family, especially I love his edacious father, Aoarashi, to be precise, a monster which obsesses his father! and a clever dissembler, Ritsu's mother who may realize her husband is not really human. And two priggish fairy birds, Ojiro & Oguro are always funny!) and the mood is very dry. The dramas based on "apologue" is very easy to create, so many american sitcom series always include instructive/moralistic episodes. But to tell the truth, many adult people like me (even children, I think) are really bored with such preachy stories! For writers, mangaka, producers, it is very difficult to maintain the standard of dry comedy like Seinfeld, but Ichiko Ima has achieved very prolonged excellent performance in this series (Every japanese critic praises her talent of making so many good episodes)!! At the postscript of this volume, the author confesses her difficulty to maintain balance between her creative life and human decent life, but I wish her to keep this series long! (by Slash-kun 08/Feb/2003)
Ishida Ikue
"Shumi no Mondai" (Gentousha) Nov/2003 *** 8.68
The spiritual exchange between two guys who are working at a special company of finding "bugging device". The story:(Hideaki Kokufu, 34 yrs old who works at a small company of debug picks up a quiet & big useless fellow, Nobuhiro Shidou, 26 yrs old and bosses about him as an unpaid part-timer. Shidou gets a shock to know Kokufu got married because their boss, Riichi, ex-colleague of Kokufu hands Kokufu the investigative report of the tiding of Kokufu's divorced wife. Kokufu tells about his past to Shidou. Kokufu was an elite trading company employee. He suffered a big loss from playing mah-jong for money during his wife's play mah-jong for money, was fired by company and dumped by his wife. But Kokufu seems to have regrets about his daughter. Shidou doses Kokufu sleeping pill, brings Kokufu in his room and rapes Kokufu by force. Shidou guards Kokufu who is involved into the client's dirty divorce and nearly punched. But Kokufu throws water over Shidou's head instead of expressing his thanks. Again Shidou saves Kokufu who is involved into the quarrel over succession. Kokufu hears from Riichi about Shidou's severe past experience. OTOH Kokufu knows the sudden death of his daughter. Shidou consoles depressed Kokufu in his sorrow, then they make love. Kokufu submits his resignation to Riichi but Riichi says he fired Shidou. Being shocked, Kokufu visits Shidou. Shidou suggests to Kokufu that they comfort their loneliness together and Kokufu finally accepts Shidou's proposal). Both Kokufu and Shidou suffer from their severe past. So the readers can enjoy figuring out their past, too. Shidou who is not good at speaking by being dissipated from old memory (I'm very surprised to know Shidou went to the boxing gym and is really brutal & vicious and a cool guy! The gap between old Shidou and now one is very interesting. I wanted to read about Shidou'd old days more) and awkward Kokufu (In this story, elder guy is uke. He is an ex-elite, a dropout and very lovely) are very nice. Shidou is so pretty that he keeps following Kokufu single-mindedly like an obedient dog for all Kokufu's cold attitude (Kokufu is very stubborn, so I gets into a fuss about him). Kokufu who gets a shock to know Shidou was fired is very lovely. But Ishida's previous book, "Deodorant" is more universal because lawyer is more popular business, so this story may be a little disadvantageous (The readers can't help but compare two). And a boss, Riichi is same position as a prosecutor, Chuujyou of "Deodorant" but Riichi is not so handsome. So Riichi's love for Kokufu does not make the drama thrilling so much. Well, too many handsome guys also make drama unrealistic, so Ishida's choice is understandable... (by Slash-kun 21/Feb/2004)
Ishida Ikue
"Deodorant" (Futami Shobou) Nov/2003 *** 8.8
The long series of office romance among 2 counselors and a prosecutor for adult readers and a short story (Hero carries a torch for his popular cousin, roommate) and the reissue of djs of "Blue,Deep Deep Blue" series (The early reunion episode of Maeda, a salesman of manufacturing company and Sasaki, a scholar of univ). The story of name-piece series :(To a law firm of a public relations elite attorney, Hitoshi Kanbara, a legal apprenticeship, Nobuo Yorichika is assigned for a short-term training. To Nobuo who shows displeasure at the smell of a female client, Hitoshi suddenly puts a riddle and says "Guess my fragrance" and makes a pass at Nobuo with a word, "Don't you want to try making love with a guy?". After having sex, Hitoshi says "I have no steady but wants to keep a love affair with you" and wants only sexual relations with Nobuo. Nobuo is hurt like a little girl but keeps waiting with a trap for 2 years. One day, Nobuo visits Hitoshi's room and meets Hitoshi's old friend, a prosecutor, Chuujyou. Chuujyou is a rubbernecker and calls away Nobuo and puts his nose into the relationship between Nobuo and Hitoshi. Nobuo wants Chuujyou to be a stalking horse / Hitoshi feels uneasy for Nobuo who recently becomes very sexy. Hitoshi does not hand the duplicate key of his room to Hitoshi and never allows Hitoshi to stay overnight after having sex but gradually feels guilty / Hitoshi decides to accept the offer of marriage. Chuujyou worries about poor Nobuo and feels pity for silly Hitoshi. Bumping into Hitoshi's fiancee, Nobuo loses his cool). Ishida at her best stride comes back! I'm so glad. Romance of adult (evil) guys. I love it. Ishida seems to take a devious route for me by writing tender guy or fantasy,,etc but I realize her forte is "adult guys' romance". I have my fill of Nobuo (uke)'s bilateral character, tenacity of purpose and timidity (Clever maneuverer but weak & polite. Altruistic and deep thinker. Efficient lawyer but naive & serious. So I empathize with him very much). Hitoshi (seme) is also attractive but nasty. A guy with an air of sophistication, a cold fish and confident man. And their friend, a prosecutor, Chuujyou is very nice. Very good sympathizer of Hitoshi and Nobuo. In the end, Nobuo confronts Hitoshi with his emotions of an elemental nature for the first time and it makes me cry. No one can not escape from such serious appeal like this (Even if Hitoshi is a very bad guy)! Ishida has researched the legal world very much. I wonder she is affected by an adult yaoi novelists like Jinko Fuyuno (Ishida drew illustration of very popular masterpiece, "Engage series" of Fuyuno),,etc and at the postscript I finds the episode that Ishida actually asked about it to Fuyuno. That's to be expected. Good yaoi mangakas often grow up with good yaoi novelists through their collaborative work of novel. I suppose they are a good loop. Next short story: The idea that charade of cousin's failure of the entrance exam becomes "declaration of love" is very interesting. It's a dream of readers! Long-short series of djs-reissue: The line of old works was plain, so now Ishida has made progress in drawing now. But the story was perfect even at her early works and the hardship of uke who endures pain and the heart which is nearly breaking by too much love. So art may be a little factor for the moving manga. I really love nasty seme and love this mangaka! Highly recommended. (by Slash-kun 21/Feb/2003)
Ishihara Satoru
"Kimi Shiruya" (Shinshokan) Apr/2003 ** 8.6
The refreshing romance between students who are outdoing each other through Kendou, Japanese art of fencing. The story:(Katsuomi Hanamori is a public high school student of 2nd grade. He is very good at Kendou and takes first place at the tournament. His younger brother, Masaomi loses the game with Saya Yaegashi. Saya's elder brother, Tsurugi stares hard Katsuomi when they are brushing against each other. The family business of the Hanamori's is "fish store". Katsuomi is ordered by his father to carry "the assorted sashimi in boat form dish" for house-warming party to customer. It's order of the Yaegashi's. Tsurugi says if they become familiar, they will lose their fighting morale. Then Yaegashi brothers decide to go different ashrams each other. Saya goes to an ashram of Katsuomi and Tsurugi goes to one of Masaomi. Tsurugi had been often bullied by his friends but Katsuomi let Masaomi look after Saya. Saya appreciates Katsuomi's consideration. Masaomi adores the very beautiful technique of Tsurugi. One day Saya and Masaomi are attacked by their enemy students. Their brothers are afraid and are looking for them. Katsuomi finds them and feels relieved, then can not help kissing Tsurugi / The Kendou tournament at Iwate Prefecture. Katsuomi encounters Tsurugi in the train. Tsurugi invites Katsuomi to the friendly match with his school. Tsurugi is very pleased to see the strength of Katsuomi in front of his mates. Tsurugi cannot enter the finals and is very chagrined. At the night of summer festival, Katsuomi kisses Tsurugi but Tsurugi refuses it because Tsurugi nearly lose everything as well as Kendou tournament. Katsuomi provokes Tsurugi to challenge him / Saya and Masaomi are watching their brothers' kissing...Tsurugi passes the exam of Medical university. Because of the illness of the coach, the members of ashram of Katsuomi should practice with the members of Tsurugi. Katsuomi gets injured by the desperate attack of Tsurugi at match. Saya has a small argument with Masaomi. Katsuomi calls out Tsurugi in wood and shows real japanese sword to Tsurugi and says not to escape from him / Tsurugi decides to retire from the Kendou life at ashram. At final combined training camp, Katsuomi and Tsurugi kiss under a stadium of stars / On the mountain, Katsuomi confesses his agony of love to Tsurugi. Katsuomi asks Saya to become the chief but Saya refuses it. Saya also condemns his brother for escaping from Katsuomi. Then Katsuomi and Tsurugi come to an end to the full extent of their power. Seeing it, Saya gets past for Katsuomi. Tsurugi starts living in a boarding-house and Katsuomi comes to ask Tsurugi's feeling. Tsurugi finally gives up). The tankoubon finally issued after long period (4-5years)! In this book, there are something refreshing like japanese classic shounen manga of Kendou. The upstanding character of Katsuomi is very rare among nowadays heroes of manga. I think Ishihara should love such classic virtue of old japanese guys. Perhaps she prefers shounen manga and is fond of the equal relationship of rivals because it is very difficult to realize among girls. Ishihara uses a lot of technical jargon of Kendou and it provides the mannish mood in this story (Of course the scene of Kendou battle is so powerful!). The art is also very great (The scene of firework is very powerful. The japanese summer kimono with barefoot is very sexy. The sky of milky way with the quotation of "Ginga Tetsudou no Yoru" by Miyazawa Kenji is very romantic). There is not so much sexual scenes (Especially at last half, yaoi taste will be thinner - maybe Ishihara's fans or editors do not demand "yaoi taste" to Ishihara, master mangaka so much) but I think it may be not so bad when I read this twice. Her courtly/subtle expression of sex is good for a change. And in this book there is great thrilling tension that a guy gets his rival under by force. It's Ishihara's ultimate attraction. BTW Tsurugi is a very cool & beautiful uke and he reminds me of "T'Pol" of "Enterprise"! (by Slash-kun 12/Apr/2003)
Ishimaru Hiroko
"Koi no Myouyaku" (Core Magazine) Jun/2003 *** 8.39
The sequel of "Gouin na Koibito" (A ceramic artist, Okami and a lecturer of flower arrangement school, Kagetsu are enjoying their lovely life. But Okami should retreat to the mountain for over one month once a year for his creation. During it, Kagetsu is persistently seduced by Yuuki, an editor of the magazine. Kagetsu becomes very nervous and goes to the mountain to meet Okami / Okami and Kagetsu go to the white-tie party. Kagetsu is fascinated with Okami's gorgeous tuxedo but feels uneasy to know it's worn at Okami's ex-marriage. But Okami proposes to Kagetsu) and the side story of name piece and short fantastic story (Yuuki with broken heart encounters a young guy at opera concert. The guy is also dumped by his lover. They enjoy one-night-stand love together by force of circumstances. But they meet again at photo session of the magazine. The guy turns out to be a famous fashion model / A faker, seller of rabbit takes in an injured rabbit and takes care of it. The rabbit changes into a human, a boy and tries to repay the faker for his favor but...). The author adopts a lot of trendy setups like ceramic art, flower arrangement and opera,,etc (At white-tie party, Okami wears his old tuxedo of his ex-marriage and does a wedding with Kagetsu alone. Very romantic! Nice idea short sketch) and make the stories suit young female readers' taste. At side story & short one, the author shows her challenge & her unique talent, too. It's very dark (Yuuki is very interesting because he is an ironist, a very nasty & stubborn guy) or the story of animal (The author keeps rabbit and I can feel how deeply she loves it). The last additional manga is so lovely. It's nice that the couple of rabbit wins. The fact that her self-parody is interesting proves her characters are very attractive. If she makes better plot, I think she will be a more excellent mangaka. (by Slash-kun 04/Oct/2003)
Itsuki Kaname
"Tsuki Yadoru" (Sanwa Shuppan) Oct/2003 *** 8.55
The angst race for successor drama between a legitimate son and his brother-in-law, a sidewind who is suddenly adopted (An only son of distinguished family of martial art, Keiji Mogami swallows insults. A sidewind, Naoya Amamiya is adopted as his brother and his ability of fencing is much superior to him. So Keiji can not accept Naoya's favor gratefully. Keiji who is tired from hard training gives in Naoya's sexual harassment. Naoya orders Keiji to be enough stronger to beat him. The pressure from his mother at hospital and abuse from his senior students who envy Mogami family also torment Keiji. But his body can not refuse Naoya...). The setup is all-too-common (The simple structure, angst between two brother who born of a different mother) but author's passion makes me read seriously and involves me into the story surprisingly deeply. I want to empathize with both hero and his brother. It's very pitiful but lovely that hero is taunted by and suffers from his superior brother (Hero is so proud and bears anything, so the readers will want to help him). The brother who feels agony to see hero's agony (strong, nasty but really tender for hero and twisted but had miserable childhood) is also very sweet and loverly. Nice combination of race for successor and fighting of Japanese art of fencing makes this drama very thrilling and exciting! Their conflict and misunderstanding are very heartrending, so all the more happy ending is very satisfactory. Very good drama. I can't believe this is author's first commercial manga with sex scenes. I'm very looking forward to her next work! (by Slash-kun 25/Oct/2003)
Jyuujyou Kazumi
"Flower Jail" (Frontier Works) Sep/2003 *** 8.5
Dramatic long series of the office romance with full of difficulties between two office workers (A beautiful supervisor with a problem and a wild subordinate). The story:(A salesman, Kyousuke Kai happens to walk by a cherry tree where a beautiful guy, Akira Sena is sleeping. Kai saves Sena. Soon after at office, Kai is surprised to know that Sena is his supervisor who is selected by an executive director, Miyashita as a senior staff of planning department. Kai praises Sena's beauty to the skies but it is unwelcome for Sena. When Sena works late at night, he is nearly raped by the employees who envy Sena's promotion. Kai saves Sena and confesses his love to Sena but Sena goes home with Miyashita...). I'm a little puzzled by Jyuujyou's art which is different from her old art but soon involved into her angst & thrilling story as usual. Very interesting typical & golden angst (Cold uke is hated/disgusted by seme => Uke gets depressed => Seme reflects on his cold conduct and comes back to uke by himself). Sena is very loverly! (Though he is an elite and older but is nervous with secret trauma and feels inferior to his impure living). Kai is also nice (Very open, simple and pure seme. easy to get the sulks by Sena's vague attitude or gets angry at the slightest provocation. poor at compromising and repeats doing something stupid). Jyuujyou's attractive characters makes the story interesting & vivid. I'm fond of Kai because he has very short temper (becomes so cruel when he goes mad) but also easily recovers himself. He is a very nice guy though this story comes from the editor's offer. If I'm allowed to wish so much, I would like to read more detailed story about Miyashita, an executive director. Anyway this is very recommendable for the readers who loves office workers' stories! (by Slash-kun 27/Dec/2003)
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K-O:
Kagurazaka Hanko
"Sonna Baai janai Darou!" (Taiyou Tosho) Aug/2003 *** 8.8
The witty adult romance series of the secretary who suffers from his one-sided love for Dietman and a pampered second-generation Dietman and a short story of a medical student(A mysterious beautiful guy with a knife in his back seeks shelter at the classroom of medical school. He says he is an old lover of the hero's friend. Though hero is warned not to getting involved, he is absorbed in the mysterious guy..). The story of long series:(A secretary, Rei Kamoi is drinking at a bar alone with his long one-way love for a Dietman, Odajima. Then a mysterious handsome guy approaches Kamoi. In his desperation, Kamoi goes to the hotel with the guy. On the next morning, Kamoi escapes in fevered haste but encounters with the guy at the dining room for Diet members. The guy turns out to be a pampered second-generation Dietman, Morie Takagi. But Kamoi can not refuse Takagi's 2nd advance because he sees how deeply Odajima cares his wife in hospital. Takagi sleeps during deliberations in the Diet and is reported on TV. Takagi's wife by political marriage is very selfish. As compared with great Odajima by Kamoi, Takagi gets jealous and rapes Kamoi. But somehow Kamoi can not hate Takagi. By a scandal, prime minister, Hashizawa resigns. His executive head, Odajima also retires to concentrate on watching at his wife bedside. Odajima apologizes Kamoi who keeps serving for years. OTOH a veteran secretary of Takagi who has kept served since his father's day stands in an election by himself. Takagi's wife dumps Takagi, too, then Takagi loses his seat. Kamoi has a good cry in Takagi's chest. Kamoi and Takagi who lose everything decide to come back, run for an election independent of any party. A journalist, Shiba smells around them but Takagi sea-changes and wins an election with overwhelming margin. For fear of the homosexual scandal, Kamoi disappears. He nearly has an affair with Shiba but checks himself. Takagi finally finds Kamoi and declares that he will resign from the Diet if Kamoi never come back to him...). Oh. It's so interesting!! Beyond compare with her previous, debut book. She is enough intelligent to write critical essay and has a good reputation among yaoi fans, but I could not know as much about it. But by her 2nd book, she shows her great talent and I really realize her greatness very much. The political world is well & surely described and I love Kagurazaka's adult taste like a lot of sly old fox. Her sidelong viewpoint (She says being single is only credit of Koizumi, a japanese prime minister) is just my type. There are a lot of intelligent expression as well as frivolous & irresponsible one (like getting off the fast track). I'm fond of her obstinate uke (very cool beautiful guy with spectacles), Kamoi but he has a weakness for his sexual desire! Her happy-go-lucky seme is also nice character. Takagi is well-brought-up, has a good mind (a little childish) though he seemingly looks evil. Kamoi thinks too much, so they are good couple. OTOH a Dietman, Odajima is sooooo cool. I can understand well Kamoi's unrequited love for Odajima and his agony. So I can not help wishing Kamoi's happiness with Takagi all the more. It's so good plot! The gap between heartrending scenes and comical & hilarious ones is very delightful (In 2nd story, Takagi rapes Kamoi but Kamoi says he feels best climax then - I love Kamoi's deep desire! And I feel relieved Takagi who complains like a child about Kamoi coldly needles Takagi who reflects so much). Kagurazaka makes fantastic Marchen (fairy tale) for adult readers by writing adult and realistic adult relationship. The latter half plot that Kamoi and Takagi who hit the lowest point get their own back is so exciting! So this story is not different from just misanthropic bitter & short sketch. The art is low-fi. It's not only beautiful and cool art, so my type. Since the appearance of Higashi Nishida, bitter (not beautiful) yaoi stories (like "Sabakareshimono" by Takashi Honma or "Deodorant" by Ikue Ishida,,etc) is now a trend. This is a sort of it. Her characters of course including Takagi (Rising late, funny face with grapefruit in his mouth like kappa - japanese water spirit), even Kamoi, a beautiful uke with spectacles often show very unique weird looks. It's so hilarious that Kamoi's blank spectacles show various things (Takagi draws doodles, "Kamo" on tarnished glass, Kamoi burns foulmouthed twins at the gay bar with spectacles beam). Kamoi's unpleasant look to his eyes for Takagi who slept in Diet on TV is funny, too. Such Kamoi's cool features express well his cold & vague mind which suppresses his love. Kagurazaka's rough small art (rural children are really nice!) is also attractive. Using realistic description (like making hotpot) with the sense of folksy life, she deletes sweetness like girlish manga and gives off the pathos of adult guys. She uses well witty words, characters (like journalist) and her people-watching is very sharp. Her expression of old guys is also nice, and the relationship with Kamoi and his father, Takagi and his servant, Muranishi are really interesting! This story comes from the editor's suggestion but it's very good work. Thanks for editor! Short story (PWP - satirizing classic aesthetic yaoi) of a mysterious guy is very hilarious, too. Compared to short story, the series is easier to read and has deeper theme. The author may make progress. For adult readers, this is very recommendable! (by Slash-kun 13/Dec/2003)
Kaguyama Kazuho
"Yo ga Aketara" (Biblos) Jun/2003 *** 8.48
One long-short name piece and other 4 short stories (Unique vignette of a comatose patient who can show his emotion with only 3 color signals. His lover laments that patient always shows green light and another couple is observing it with some feeling / A boy dumped by his lover with a wife and children asks a middle aged trouble shooter deserted by his wife because of his habit of picking-up stray cats to "rape". Trouble shooter begins to love the miserable boy like cats / Ex-professional boxer confined in the prison keeps hatred for a leader who makes him become the sex slave / A little dark PWP. Hero steals into a bedroom of a younger member of the athlete club at night to make love. But he does not know younger one is a twin. And twins will share hero). The story of the long-short one:(Hero's father dies. Hero finds his father kept eavesdropping on a guy who is a customer of the convenience store where hero is working. Hero succeeds the eavesdropping and begins to love the guy. But hero finds soon that the guy loves an another guy, then hero rapes the guy with blindfold by rage. But hero realizes his father knew the guy had suffers from illicit affair with a lover with a wife and children and just protects the guy from killing the lover. Her also protects the guy at the risk of his life). Most stories are serious and dark. The name piece of the eavesdropping is tour de force! Not Biblos-ish. Mysterious and fantastic. Very silent atmosphere. It has unique mood with the dark song, "Yo ga Aketara" by Maki Asakawa, a japanese famous blues female singer. The unexpected plot with the factor of charade is very interesting. In addition to it, this story is very philosophical and has an insanity. The ending is very shocking. I have various emotion after reading it. If I read only this story, I will give the rating of 8.7. The 1st short story is also unique and philosophical but a little too short. The author does not make the best use of this great setup & idea. About the 2nd story, the metaphor of the stray cat and the boy dumped by his lover is stylish. Middle aged trouble shooter who can not separate his love and compassionate feeling is very lovely. The 3rd story about a boxer at the prison is too short. This is also very good setups but comes to nothing. The last, PWP of threesome sex with twins is a little foolish and makes me feel relieved though it is dark. This book includes various challenging stories beneath Biblos and lacks unity but I feel something new possibility. The author has enough ability to make such motifs into great long stories. Nice try. If she can try it on the commercial magazine, I wish her to do on her djs. I have great expectation for her next work! (by Slash-kun 05/Jul/2003)
Kaiya Tatsumi
"BABY MAYBE" (Shoubunkan) Jan/2003 *** 8.6
Very interesting & long students drama series and one short dramatic story about romance between a son & his father's lover (Hero goes the funeral of his father who divorced hero's mother a long time ago. There hero meets the lover of his father. A lover is weeping so much but suddenly shows brilliant face by seeing hero who resembles his father. Then Hero falls in love at first sight...). The long series story :(A student, Shiba gets dumped by Nedu just after their first sex. Nedu was just interested in "homosexual sex". Then Shiba becomes very timid for new love. Shiba's friend, Senju invites Shiba to "mixer - party with girls". Shiba finds a very cool student, Yushima but has no enough guts to get along with. Shiba drinks too much and becomes unconscious. In the next morning, Shiba is very surprised to find himself naked in bed with naked Yushima! He escapes from Yushima's room in a big hurry. Senju let Shiba know "mixer" was just a cloak and Yushima has loved Shiba for long time.../ Yushima teaches Shiba because they want to be same class. They sometimes become to feel like making love but Shiba is too cowardly to try it. Senju saves their standoff / At Yushima's room, Shiba finds many mysterious airmails to Yushima. He is kidnapped by the mysterious sender.../ Senju's love story. Senju is very calm guy and can not serious for anyone. But he encounters Kaoru Meguro who has very bad rumor of "prostitution" and clings to Kaoru.../ Shiba & Yushima should prepare for the entrance examination but they do not discuss their future enough. Shiba loves Yushima too much and weeps because of his inferiority. Then Senju scolds Yushima and Kaoru encourages Shiba...). The author's simple, boyish & natural art (resembles "Masumi Moriwaki", "Kano Miyamoto") is really suited to describe "the daily life of ordinary students"!! "Natural story" and "silent/composed/intellectual atmosphere with a lot of delicate monologue" remind me of the style of "Tomo Ootake, Kei Azumaya, Keiko Konno, Minagi Asaoka,,etc). Handwritten words are very witty as well as "Tag line" of each story (The author should be very intellectual! The last conversation about "Gundam" between Shiba and Yushima is very funny! The author should like the animation & manga for boys!!). The way of using dialogue balloon with names or faces of the characters is very interesting, too! The characters are very unique and attractive (Shiba is a "creature of moods" and often changes between "being very proud" and "feeling blue". Yushima is intelligent but blunt. Senju is enough nice to act officious supporting role to fix hero up with hero's lover like McCoy of TOS for "Kirk & Spock", Tsubaki of "Kamen Rider Kuuga" for "Kodai & Ichijyou". BTW all characters' name of the series are location names of downtown in Tokyo). This author has really improved her ability (or shown/proved her real ability) by this book!! She is now my fave mangaka!! (by Slash-kun 01/Feb/2003)
Kajimoto Jun
"CALL ME - Koe wo Kikasete" (Magazine Magazine) Jul/2003 *** 8.55
One long-short story, name piece (An office worker falls in love with a beautiful blind florist. The worker knows florist's miserable situation which has continued since the florist was a child and has a showdown with the florist's younger brother who loves & hates the florist) and three short stories (A homosexual employee finally confesses his love to his heterosexual colleague. But the colleague is stuck for an answer and finally collapses by stomach ulcer / Three men, an office worker, his ex-classmate painter and their ex-senior student - now an owner of gallery live together. The office worker sees the scene that the painter and the owner are kissing and misunderstands they are lovers / Prequel. The owner was the teacher 12 years ago. He is invited to graduates' meeting of his student. But it is fake & trap of a student who tries to rope him in...). Her first long serialization (The serialization is very rare case for "Magazine Magazine" of today). So it is a work after her heart. It makes me re-realize her great value. At first, I thought this story was sordid SM drama but it was very lyrical, a sort of marchen, fairy tale for adult readers (But very erotic and sex scenes are very hard). Sincere, pure, pretty (though characters are adult) and romantic love romance. This story may reveal the author's taste/preference. I think Kajimoto is actually a mangaka of human drama. Her uke, vulnerable, sensitive and tender but *tall* is now Kajimoto's typical character! 1st and 2nd short stories are her conventional/established early style that equal partner, one is homosexual but other is heterosexual at first. The couple of twisted uke and solemn seme is very interesting. The idea that homosexual guy confesses his love to hetero one in order to take a load off his mind and hetero one cultivates ulcers after it - is also interesting! The love triangle of 2nd story is unique, too. It's very heartrending that homosexual guy laughs weakly to kid himself. 3rd, last short story is very thrilling because the senior guy of 2nd story becomes a hero and both or uke and seme pretend delinquent guys who don't feel prick of conscience. (by Slash-kun 20/Sep/2003)
"Hoshi no Oka Paradise" (Kaiousha) Apr/2003 ** 8.55
The hero has supported his best friend who has a dream of reconstructing the nursery of his grandmother, but their friendship falls into crisis when hero realizes his dark sexual desire for his friend. The story:(Masamichi Asano and Kanade Mitsuki are ex-classmates. Masamichi has sympathizes with Kanade who has an ambition to reconstruct the nursery of Kanade's grandmother, then they have kept cooperating. They don't have enough money, so they should mend old nursery by themselves.It's very hard but they enjoy it with two little "explorers" and ex-teacher of elementary school, Chidori Sawamura, a sissy who graduated from the nursery. But Masamichi suddenly begins to avoid Kanade because he realizes his dark sexual desire to Kanade by Chidori's pointing out of Masamichi's unconscious affection. Knowing the huge debt of Kanade because of reconstruction, Masamichi restarts the temporary work at host club but Kanade misunderstands that Masamichi loses his passion of reconstruction. Masamichi breaks down from overwork and Kanade knows all the circumstances. Kanade confesses the secret of his birth and reconstruction of nursery is also his excuse that he wants to be stuck with Masamichi. They finally become the couple). Kajimoto is known as a yaoi mangaka who has written explicit (hardcore) short stories and many readers may think this first serialization of human drama is her challenging work. But at her djs, she has often written that she loves human drama like "RENT", the very popular musical of Broadway and already tried, so she is really very human writer. In this series there are two guys who are too pure to suffer from the dilemma between their friendship and their sexual desire. Their severe conflict scene makes the readers cry. The author's plot is very steady, persuasive, sincere and attentive though there is no sex scenes. I expect this series will be good long series in the future (This volume is not final one). "Without easy sexual expression" is tough but I hope the author to try it. (by Slash-kun 31/May/2003)
Kamimura Kazuo
"Maria vol.2" (Wise Shuppan) Jun/2003 8.7
The complete volume (chapter 11 - 20) including chapter 14 - 20 which was not issued in any book/mook yet. The author describes Maria who is pregnant by Kirihito survives with fighting with old concept for japanese women and finally gets married with a fisherman who lives free from similar old male-dominated society of groupism. The story: (Maria is asked to be a live-in babysitter by the mother in the train. The mother works as a geisha at spa village. A boy, Kin-bou has held the fort of geisha's house, a son of "Onbou" - a cremator and grave keeper. Maria saves Kin-bou who is bullied by other children of the village and they become good friends. Geisha falls down from the step as a result of drink, then Maria begins to work as a house-parlormaid of banquet instead of geisha mother. A dominant figure of the village, Mr. Yamanaka loves Maria and asks her to work as a carer of his wife who has lain on her bed of sickness for long time. Yamanaka's second son sexually harasses Maria but Maria understands that only he wants to behave like a spoilt child. One day a local authority representative asks Yamanaka to persuade Maria to become his mistress. But Maria refuses it. There is a small fray about UFO at the village. Kin-bou likes camera and he took a photo of UFO but a reporter said it was a composite picture. The second son of Yamanaka orders the retarded child to kill Kin-bou. Maria asks the reason to the son, then he says he wanted to be a great man like his father. To show the actual shape of Yamanaka to his son, Maria goes to tempt him. But a first-class student, Yamanaka's first son catches Maria and pushes down her to make love. Maria spends a last night with geisha and her family. From the train, Maria sees the second son who are chasing Maria by bicycle. The second son is bloody by killing his brother. Maria fetches up the seaside village but she is ostracized in the village as a stranger. But only one young fisherman is nice to Maria. Maria collapses from a high fever. The village people do spiteful things to the fisherman but he does not give in because he can survive by only the sea. He and Maria become a couple. On a severe stormy day his boat is nearly carried away on the wave. He confronts the sea and regains the boat but sustains serious injuries. Maria prays for the first time. He finally survives. Maria gives a birth. Maria and fisherman stand at the spring seaside with their baby). I never knew the ending of this story for the long time, so it's very intriguing for me. Maria showed very freewheel living at first volume and then visits very squaresville rural village with a overburden, her baby. Of course she encounters conflict by people. But she is loved by old-type women (the women who prostitute themselves to bring up baby or the mentally weak wives of rich & powerful men). Maria contracts a unique friendship (a sort of lesbian) with such women and keep her own lifestyle regardless of the guys in authority. She even feels pity for such guys who keep living with putting on a brave front. Maria is still brave/manly in this volume and her friendship with women is also impressive. I realize again that women should be strong and sexually tough! Women can recover themselves for many time from sexual damage. I think Maria should be very innovative heroine at that time. Kamimura, a male mangaka may write this to make Maria speaks for him the message of antithesis against japanese traditional male-dominated society. The readers are overwhelmed by the impact of the landscapes. The landscape tells even the concept (snowy country - the symbol of japanese squaresville society and sea - the symbol of returing to the strong & natural lifestyle). Only regret that Maria loses a little her abandon like 1st volume because in this volume she should fight against old taboo with her baby. When I read this for the first time, I could not understand the last half part, a down-to-earth guy with full of the energy of life (primitive Kyuushuu guy) , stands firmly on the ground appears. Only he survives and supports Maria and her baby. I cannot help but harbor such doubts of this easy ending. I wonder this book's theme is a criticism of urban life with a full of fraud & unreality? The men who met Maria, men of old regime (including the boys) all tragically die. The seaside village is more exclusive than spa village and ostracizes Maria. Then Maria finds a naturalist, i.e. hippie! (A fisherman's appearance did not make me imagine hippie at first). I think the author might want to say hippie life (living alone strongly) is the best. Then fisherman, a hippie survives at last. But I have a question yet. Maria will live only by being supported by his husband and keep bringing up her baby? Like traditional japanese mother? Umm. I'm dissatisfied with only this ending. If you said that it's limit by the gap of the age, that would be the end of it, but….(by Slash-kun 02/Aug/2003)
"Maria vol.1" (Wise Shuppan) Jun/2003 ** 9
Complete reissue of an old masterpiece which has not been issued completely for long time of genius male mangaka who died 42 years old including some chapters which was never issued as a book (tankoubon). The author described an eventful living of a high school girl who resists against old society and keeps wandering. The story:(To a private female high school, a rich but delinquent girl, Maria Sanjyou just transfers on the Rolls-Royce. She is assigned to the special class for delinquent students and is welcomed with unique ceremony but she wins the toe-to-toe battle with a school gang leader and becomes a boss of the lesbian students group. Her family is very twisted & new-rich of postwar. Her mother is cling to Maria's grandfather. Maria's father-in-law is always in the dog house and had a homosexual relationship with Maria's teacher. The lover of the gang leader, Kirihito comes to Maria in order to revenge. But seeing Maria, Kirihito leaves with a mysterious word, "You can understand the pain of a rambling thorn". Maria hears the Kirihito's rumor that Kirihito is a very mighty street fighter, so she send a professional gang - Yakuza - to Kirihito. Maria shows the scuff mark on her wrist to Kirihito who fights as if he wants to hasten to his doom. They fall in love together. Maria is well contented to accept the sanction from the school gang leader who is mad with jealousy. Kirihito and Maria go to the villa of Kirihito's family, a long-established grand master of the flower arrangement. His family always spend there for the period of mass, the memorial service of the flower. Kirihito's father has kept lying on his bed of sickness for long time. And Maria finds Kirihito and his mother who is blind have an incestuous relationship. Maria and Kirihito's mother have a bad quarrel over Kirihito. Entirely refreshed, Maria decides to leave the villa alone. Kirihito and his mother also make a fatal decision with making love. She kills his husband with poison and Kirihito cut the suspension-bridge cable. Kirihito commits suicide by motorcycle and his mother jumps to her death from the suspension-bridge. Maria's best friend of the school has a lesbian party at Maria's house to conceal Maria in her sorrow with Kirihito's death involving their classmates and teacher. Seeing it, Maria's grandfather is enraged. It enables Maria's father in law to forget all restraints, he begins to talk about the suicide of Maria's own father. Maria does not want to be a patient woman like her mother, so she decides to leave school and home. Her mother encourages Maria. Maria spends last night with her best friend of the school. At friend's house, a pub, Maria is suggested for runaway by the customer. Maria visits a grave of Kirihito and realizes she is pregnant by him. The customer is arrested at the station. Maria gets acquainted with a mother and her son in the train). This manga was serialized on "Weekly Manga Action" (Futabasha) from 1971 to 1972 and was partially (only chapter1 - 13) issued once as "Extra Number of Manga Action" (Mook version) in 1972. I read only the mook version when I was 12 years old. So many fans (including me) has waited for the complete reissue of this for so long time! This book contains chapter 1 - 10. Rereading this now, I'm very moved by the shocking story and setups (lesbian, homosexual and incestuous appears together）、never-failing, flowing art（Erotic figure painting like "Ukiyoe - popular japanese art in Edo era" and beautiful landscape art like "Nihonga - traditional japanese-style painting). I have a vivid recollection of most part because I read this for many times in my impressionable girlhood. I stare with fresh wonder because Kamimura expresses the feeling of woman so deeply and vividly though he is a male mangaka. Some contradiction or downfall are found in Maria's action now, but the impact of her action was & is so strong and I still think the author's choice has been right & enough. Anyway Maria is tough, strong, brave and manly. Her overwhelming toughness for survival makes men go down on their knees and adore her. It is the same with the female readers of 1970's.Back then, for men, A woman like Maria was enigmatic, strange, weird and shocking like "witch (wisewoman)". Maria has a great physical strength as well as men and has great guts not to fear being raped by men. For japanese female readers of 70's, Maria seemed to be a new heroine. Reading it, I also wanted to be like Maria (It brings back memories). I wanted to tough & impervious mentality by any sexual experience. Old japanese women (especially wellborn girls) is referred to as "Yamato Nadeshiko" (true/ideal Japanese woman, modesty, chaste & virtuous) and the losing their virginity before marriage or unmarried pregnancy (by rape,,etc) are thought as disastrous & fatal vice. Such sexual adulterous affairs are thought to destroy the life/creditability of young women and it makes the girls believe they are very weak, fragile and vulnerable (But I will know later the concept of "Yamato Nadeshiko" was just only created by the government of Meiji to brainwash the people for "policy of increasing a nation's wealth and military power" - all women should be chastity during their husbands are fighting at overseas' battle fields). Even so in 1970's people and women believed japanese women should keep virginity. Kamimura expresses doubts about it. I fully realize that now japanese women have become tough as compared to old ones. The impact of Maria's appearance, an heroine was so great at that time of new type, for hard-core manga fans this should be very unforgettable though so many female readers did not read because this was written on seinen magazine (for adult male readers), so I suppose Sayoko of "Kisshou Tennyo" by Akimi Yoshida was greatly affected by Maria (Her family environment, face, the way of appearance - transfer student who is strong-minded and mysterious - quite resemble). As compared with Maria's robust & audacity, the male characters seem to be very vulnerable. "Hokuto no Ken" (serialized during 1983 - 1988) was not written yet, so male mangaka including Kamimura did not try to exaggerate needlessly at that time (But most of the japanese men were actually poor & feeble). But I think Kamimura wanted to deny the traditional concept of "masculine". The art of Kamimura reminds me of the influence of Sentarou Iwata (very famous japanese painter who is good at drawing beautiful pinup) which many women love as a symbol of counter culture by post-war generation against militarism. And the readers also see the microcosm of japanese typical incestuous relationship between mother and son at Kirihito's family. Kamimura describes sharply the tragedy that Kirihito (japanese men) can not find the true maternity into mother and can not help finding the maternity into Maria (their lovers). Kamimura worked as a designer at ad agency (with Yuu Aku, a most famous songwriter!), so I suppose he should rebel against the conventional living as japanese men and have a great talent of poetic expression or know well literary culture like women. So Kamimura tried to want the higher expression over the ordinary seinen manga and realized it. For all feeble body, I love Kamimura's hero very much! They are very sexy and stoic like Shiba-inu, the japanese traditional dog. Kirihito is so cool! Fascinating! It's very natural two women, his mother and Maria war over him. Kamimura's homosexual expression is very sexy and the episode of Maria's own father and her father-in-law is very impressive (They were best friends and participated in same team of "Yokaren", a young students at the preliminary course of navy air force - many japanese people feel sexuality with the only sound of "Yokaren" because they are always staking their life)!! I believe Maria's father-in-law should love Maria's own father. Talking of Kazuo Kamimura, his longest serialization, "Dousei Jidai" is the most famous and was made into the movie and TV drama. The lifestyle of unmarried couple, especially unmarried woman was very unique at that time (The tragic scene that Kyouko went mad reminds me of "Chiekoshou" written by Chieko Takamura, a wife of Koutarou Takamura, a japanese famous & great artist). Everyone can read "Dousei Jidai" easily by bunko version at any time but "Maria" (very important & scholarly publication in order to know the japanese women's consciousness of 70's and the forefront of the gekiga - japanese graphic novel of 70's) has not been reissued for about 30 years!! So I'm so glad of this reissue!! Highly recommended! (by Slash-kun 02/Aug/2003)
Kamo Nabako
"Naisho de hallelujah" (Tokuma Shoten) Jun/2003 *** 8.65
The long series of pseudo family that mysterious young guy bills himself as a cat and has been living at motherless family and a short story at office（Hero adored his senior student and enters same company but senior one changes completely. Knowing fact, hero punches the employee who made a toy of senior one). The story of long series:(A popular composer, Shuu Ooga feels happy to finds attractive young guy for a good one-night-stand lover and enjoys wonderful making love. But he gets angry to know the guy already knows the name and profession of Shuu. He thinks the guy will put the black on him. Shuu's wife died and he keeps motherless family with his son of 5 years old, Botan, a kindergartener. Botan wants to keep a cat as a pet but Shuu never permits it. But on the next day, Botan insists on keeping a cat. But a cat for Botan turns out to be a guy - one-night-stand lover! He calls him Umekichi. Umekichi's warm physical contact comforts lonely Botan very much. Shuu is also absorbed in sex with Umekichi and begins to think Umekichi as his bedmate. But when Shuu sees the scene Umekichi is talking with an another guy, he goes wild and gives Umekichi a blow to Umekichi. Umekichi weeps and apologizes Shuu because he remembers the memory of childhood that Umekichi made Shuu injured seriously by falling lumbers. Shuu finally realizes Umekichi is his childhood friend, Shizuka / Shizuka is offended with Shuu's scandal with woman. Shuu makes excuses that his outlet is only work. Then Shizuka says he will starts his work, too. Shizuka is a designer and goes out for meeting. Shuu and Botan are struck dumb with amazement. Shuu asks Shizuka to work at home when Shizuka returns home. But Shuu interferes Shizuka's colleague by jealousy. Shizuka thinks out a plan with Botan and pretends to leave home. Shuu falls down by strain of grief.../ Shizuka agrees to live together but Shuu keeps to wonder whether Shizuka really loves him. Botan hates tomato juice and tries to dump it but tumbles and is covered with it. Seeing Botan looking like bloody, Shizuka remembers the accident of Shuu, gets panicky and darts out of house. Shizuka never forgets the trauma. Botan chases and nearly drops from pedestrian bridge. Shuu receives Botan with Shizuka who tries to save Botan. Shuu encourages Shizuka because he has grown up now and can save his family). Very dramatic human family story! I imagined this was an easy office PWP like "After 5 series", so I'm very surprised. This book is well worth reading! Botan is very cute and touching (Side view of the face is very lovely). The child of Nase Yamato is cute because he is too sophisticated but Kamo's child is very pure like angel. The emotional expression is so straight that he cries and apologizes soon. Such acceptingness comforts stubborn adult guys. Botan is really their good link. Differently from ordinary child raising stories, in this story the child is essential & invaluable existence for the gay couple. Another good idea is the adoption the reversion of frame/physical appearance between Shuu and Shizuka. It makes this story different from ordinary trauma stories. At last Shuu, a victim who has grown up saves Shizuka, assailant by large body and sweeps away Shizuka's trauma. It's very satisficing ending! The author's ability of making story is very skillful (I wonder she has suddenly improved her skill or the editor of Chara is efficient?). The episode that Shizuka calls himself a cat is very excellent. It's very funny very proficient composer, Shuu tosses about by Shizuka and Botan. I think the author had better write human story with puzzled seme than write PWP with arrogant seme. Last additional comical manga is very funny, too. About short story, I think the explanation is lacking a little though younger seme is very manly and the setup is very unique. I did not understand why senior student changed very much well. I regret that pages were too short. (by Slash-kun 21/Jun/2003)
"After 5 wa Kiss no Ame vol.4" (Biblos) May/2003 *** 8.55
The latest sequel of the very popular series about a "sexual harassment supervisor" at the office and one long-short incestuous story about the brother who loves his elder brother, a violinist in the making. Latter story is longer than series. The story of the series:(Tsuda Manager returns to Head Quarters. His subordinate, Enomoto helps his moving house. But Enomoto finds Tsuda's treasured sexual video of Enomoto for improvement of sex technique. Then showing the video to Enomoto, Tsuda unpacks Enomoto / The season of year-end party. Tsuda and Enomoto enjoy dating at hotel. Tsuda suggests Enomoto for going to New Year's visit to a shrine. Enomoto's mother gives Kimono of her husband to Enomoto. But Tsuda strips it soon / On the day of Valentine. Enomoto can not buy the chocolate because of a lot of crowd, so he brings strawberry to Tsuda instead. Tsuda is in the act of melting chocolate, so he eats Enomoto with chocolate coating. Enomoto wonders what Tsuda is going to give him in return on White day...). The story of the incestuous brothers:(Very cool high school student, Kouki is always blamed by his girl friends because Kouki does not love them seriously. When he was a child, on the stage of piano performance, his brother, Ichie advised him to think other people's faces as "pumpkins". Since then everyone except Ichie has seemed as pumpkins for Kouki. Ichie returns home with joy to practice the violin. He will be able to go to the Italy for studying. Kouki gets so shocked that he confines Ichie in the warehouse with sleeping drug and rapes Ichie. Kouki is jealous of violin, too. Ichie confesses he loves Kouki, too then he has been absorbed in the practice of violin. Ichie consigns it to the ground but Kouki can not feel satisfaction yet. Watching Ichie's playing on the big screen on the street, Kouki drops tears, digs out violin and orders Ichie to go to Italy. Ichie panics and asks Kouki whether Kouki decides to dump him. Kouki talks about the meaning of violin for them and declares he will meet Ichie when he will be grown up. After years, Kouki becomes a international professional photographer and listens to the playing of his brother at the concert). It's impossible to imagine the hardship of keeping to think up the ideas for 4th sequel but the author uses the seasonal topics very well. Very hard-core/professional & interesting. A little vulgar but rather manly to show the strong guts as a professional mangaka (All the people who masters something seems to be great!). And last long-short story of the brothers is very serious, a complete contrast to the former series. Their resolution is not easy, so I can feel their sincerity very much. The power/status of two brother are equal (in balance), so it provides good feeling of tension to the story. The scene of the panic of the elder brother who is declared by hero who decides to graduate from childish monopolistic desire is overwhelming. There are a lot of tears of both brothers through the story. It's very touching. I admires the author's effort to keep the popular series but I really want her to write serious & sincere one like this long-short one! (by Slash-kun 28/Jun/2003)
"Love Cafe?" (Biblos) Nov/2002 *** 8.45
Short stories including very challenging & unique ones (The boy from country finds a job at very stylish cafe in the city. He adores a able & cool garcon but is involved into the trouble by his colleagues who envy the garcon.../ Another young garcon's story at same cafe. He has a crush on a very beautiful steady customer with a dog. One day the dog calls the garcon to his master's house. The garcon finds the customer who suffers from flu alone in the empty room.../ The sequel of 1st and 2nd story. Two young garcons feel jealous of their partners of each other / The student becomes a window washer as his part-time job during his summer vacation for his hobby, overseas travels. He catches the eyes of one young CEO through the window, then he is suddenly fired and assigned to another post, a sexual secretary of the CEO / The unique & fantastic romance between a dog and stuffed rabbit! - I nearly cry the word of the dog, "I will live long until his tail will be torn" / CEO assigns very able elite guy as a secretary of his selfish son. The son and his secretary are cast away to the desert island and are forced to survive there. The secretary deprives all pride from the son.../ The sequel. The son studies hard the president work by his secretary's education with rigid discipline & love). I'm greatly impressed by her 4th, 5th and 6th short sincere stories which are sometimes very savage or immoral or fantastic! The author issues many books which always reach a certain level but recently I feel they are not enough of a challenge. But she shows her unexpected new talent in this book. Her seme is very savage/brutal but sensitive/vulnerable and her uke is tough and brave. The art of "brilliant of uke hero like sunlight" in 4th story is very impressive and the art of "a stuffed rabbit and dog" in 5th story is very lovely!! I totally change the evaluation for this author!! (by Slash-kun 25/Jan/2003)
Kanazawa Ariko
"Kami no Ko - Sevens - vol.1" (Kaiousha) Apr/2003 *** 8.45
Challenging fantastic long series with grand scale! The story:(Kiyomi Sasaki, a successor of Hiruko Shrine, has a strange sexual dream. In the dream, bad onis (shaitana) are aiming at Kiyomi. And Kiyomi is actually attacked by bad onis though Kiyomi's friend, Ryuuki Yakumo keeps guarding Kiyomi. A mysterious guy, Kamiya suddenly saves Kiyomi and he warns Kiyomi not to approach Ryuuki. OTOH three guys appear and they say they will guard Kiyomi. They come from Heaven and announce themselves as members of "Seven Deities of Good Fortune", Hotei, Fukurokuju and Kotobukiroujin. And they call Kiyomi "Hiruko Shin" or "Ebisu Shin", too. Ryuuki battles with Kamiya. Kamiya calls Ryuuki "Bishamonten" and Ryuuki calls Kamiya "Daikokuten", too. Ebisu and Daikoku form a pair in the heaven but they separated after a certain incident. A idol star on the ground, Benten finds Ryuuki and tries to court. Kiyomi is confused. Ryuuki makes Kiyomi dream of old memory that Daikoku monopolized Ebisu. Ryuuki exchanges only the face of Daikoku with his face. A lecturer of Kiyomi's school warns Ryuuki. Kiyomi is attacked by bad onis in the school and is saved by Kamiya. Kamiya and Ryuuki battle together again. Kiyomi remembers his old memory that he suffered from too strong monopolistic desires of Daikoku. The lecture appears again and announces himself as "Taishakuten who is a comrade of Bishamonten...). Ebisu escapes from too strong monopolistic love of Daikokuten and forgets his memory and starts living in the human world. Ebisu has been guarded by Bishamonten who keeps carrying a torch for Ebisu but Daikokuten comes to regain Ebisu! Very large-scale drama the author seldom wrote. It's very interesting to use "7 fukujin - Seven Deities of Good Fortune"! The set-up seems to be very unique & challenging but the author's regular party trick (her forte) does not change (Ultra Angst past, dark seme character,,,etc)! I'm very looking forward to the sequel! But there are so many characters and readers (except hard-core fans) will feel difficulty to separate/identify them. The readers need some knowledge of japanese ancient myth and the story is a sort of charade (The secrets are gradually disclosed, so the readers can not maintain the interest at first). I'm afraid western yaoi fans can not enjoy this story easily. But author's indecent comical art & jokes are very funny as usual (Especially Kiyomi's father is so hilarious!). I want to read volume 2 soon! (by Slash-kun 12/Jul/2003)
Kano Shiuko
"P.B.B." (Biblos) Aug/2003 *** 8.69
The sequel long series of a short story included in a book, "GATEN na Aitsu" and the short sequel story of "GATEN na Aitsu" name-piece series (The summer vacation. A son and heir of a civil engineering company, Yuusaku Matsumoto is ordered by his father to go the construction site of Osaka as training instead of going to resort. But his lover, Taizou can not stop it because he is a subordinate of Yuusaku's father. But a strict senior worker, Gorou treats Yuusaku kindly somehow...). The story of long series:(Previous top host, now a navvy, Shinobu Hishiya gets home with the milk because he carried an affair with a architect, Tani. His live-in lover, POSSLQ, Junsuke Aki, current top host in angry but he also has a rumor that female rich customer may assign Junsuke as a manager of an aesthetic salon.../Shinobu comes back to host club for just a day. Seeing burgeoning Junsuke's acting cozy with customers, a beautiful delo diam, Shinobu gets irritated. Junsuke who is going to make love with that woman confronts Shinobu about their relationship. Shinobu says goodbye to Junsuke who stays with the woman... / Junsuke encounters his old friend, Yuuichi Sano who participated in a same baseball club of the college and now professional baseball player. Sano takes the piss of Shunsuke because he is working as a host. Shinobu nearly punches Sano but Junsuke stops it). Very interesting! Typical host club story but Kano has a nice talent to draw the art which seems elegant even if she tries to draw lewd & dirty expression. So a proud posture of the heroes is soooo ravishing (Both of seme & uke are cool! Junsuke with black hair with neat suit is sexy and Shinobu with golden hair, bronzed skin wearing low taste black or animal pattern shirt with bare breasts & golden chain is sexy, too!). The attractive character of Junsuke and Shinobu makes this story so thrilling and dramatic. It's very natural that this story becomes series by the request from readers. The couple of too serious Junsuke and too easy-going Shinobu (Like sun and moon) resemble the couple of Youka Nitta, Iwaki and Katou. I can understand well they love their partners because they have different advantage (They are so desperate that the readers can enjoy it very much). Unlike Nitta, Junsuke is really cruel and sneaky though he looks a person of integrity and Shinobu is foolish and wild but meanwhile has had a life rich in experiences and ripe flexibility (He enjoys everything and does not cling anything). So Shinobu is uke. But I think the readers will empathize with Junsuke (seme) as well as Iwaki (uke). And I think Kano's serious & monastic character like Junsuke is always more erotic than funny & happy-go-lucky character like Shinobu who is incontinent of spilling his pheromone. Perhaps Junsuke is more pitiful because he is gloomy, indecisive and worries too much. But he will be out of control when he goes mad or loses some of the intellectual power. Because of his strong love & desire! Very lovely. Junsuke's passionate (a little sadistic) words like "*I* taught Shinobu serious sex" or "I always make love as copulation" are so fascinating! Shunsuke in this book is very good because he is enough adult & cunning as well as he is pure. Of course, Shinobu's professional host technique (making the customers order very expensive liquor, Don Perinion or Luis 13rd,,etc) is so hilarious. BTW I wonder why Shinobu should work as navvy thought Shinobu's costume as a host is so sexy and fashionable. Anyway, I want to this series to last for long time like "Haru wo Daiteita" series by Nitta because the characters are much more powerful than the author thinks. About Kakioroshi (story newly written for this book), I enjoy it reasonably (I don't like cute hero so much...).(by Slash-kun 27/Dec/2003)
"Konna Otoko ni Dare ga Shita" (Take Shobou) Apr/2003 *** 8.65
4 long short stories including human-interest story and challenging one (When a young dashing teacher visits his pupil's home, he encounters his old classmate who works now as a debt collector. The friend has looked after the pupil whose mother ran away though he also suffered from the heavy debt of his parents at his childhood. The teacher returns to their former love-relation with his friend.../ Very nice salesman of medicine visits the room of a doctor who catches a flu. The doctor buys a medicine in return for salesman's sexual service. But the salesman turns out to be an old acquaintance whom the doctor had the sexual relationship when they were children and tries to interfere the doctor's engagement with a daughter of the hospital director / The office worker who is gotten downsized is picked up by scallawag clever student and changes into a very sexy guy and pulls a badger game. He tries to revenge his old colleague who stole his lover but the colleague was a ex-lover of the student.../ The lonely student who has something demonic desire is confined in a room by a very sound and popular teacher who decides to commit suicide. With so strong obsession by the teacher, the student forgets his hatred for the society...). Various stories with a lot of worth of reading! All are very interesting, exciting and erotic. I like the author's comedy but I prefer her serious or dark stories because her desperate characters are very moving. The 1st story is very good human story with nice combination of her usual & folksy setups (consumer credit company, yakuza and sex-related worker) and earnest good teacher. The sex scene is overwhelming (The timing of the teacher returns to old relationship in a second is really excellent)! The author is good at writing intelligent guys like 2nd story. In this story she never forget to write her forte, ex-battered-child（bottom of the barrel). The scene of suppository is a piece de resistance. The readers should sympathize the seme (salesman) who keep a spite for the doctor whose parents separated them as well as the doctor who worries about breaking down of his engagement. The transfiguration of the hero of 3rd story is very surprising! About expression of a fishy guy working at host club or very serious but tactless office worker, no one can outperform this author! The 4th story is very dark challenging work describing human's insanity. The author's art book is recently published at last! though her adult characters have been very sexy and many fans have been waiting for her art book! BTW the title of this book comes from the old japanese popular song, "Hoshi no Nagare ni" of 1947 soon after the end of the World War II when many women became the whores by poverty. They compares their flail destiny with the falling stars and ask who made them dirty women like whores ("Konna Onna ni Dare ga shita") - War always distresses weak people, children and women. (by Slash-kun 05/Apr/2003)
Kanzaki Takashi
"Otoko ni Naru Toki" (Magazine Magazine) Oct/2003 *** 8.49
Short stories of students (A son with great Electra complex for his father whose profession is secret service. By his father's request, he goes to work to an another selfish son. But the son feels jealous of their fathers who are really a couple / A battle of wills between two seme students / The sequel. Hero is moved to hear his lover's happy big talk of sexual experience with lover / A womanizing man is written out of a room of his girl friend because of his sexual dalliance. A homosexual guy of next door saves him. The guy seems vulnerable but suddenly changes after sex / A beautiful elder cousin of mangaka starts living together with hero's family. But hero and his cousin can not stand their sexual desire.../ Sugar tit classmates. Hero is asked to confess their homosexual relationship to his classmate's parents because of the succession problem). Kanzaki's first book from "Magazine Magazine". The art is fine, the sex scenes are very fulfilling and ideas are very tactful and interesting (3rd story: Hero's lover shows off for his classmates but he unconsciously shows his appreciation for hero's dedication. It's good story. Flippant situation but pregnant story with meaning. 4th story:Timid seme is very unique. The scene of bath room is rich in originality. 5th story: The confession by pornographic manga is very funny. Osoi uke - attacking uke is also unexpected and unique!). But I think they are not enough of a challenge for works from Magazine Magazine. It may be because the characters are too young or they are not so sincere or are too sophisticated by Kanzaki's long career. And I always demand her geeky, hard-core factors (like "Meisai Tengoku") too much. The great previous masterpiece is sometimes very disadvantageous. I'd like to read very hard-core story next time. (by Slash-kun 03/Jan/2004)
"Oresamateki." (Ohkula Shuppan) Jul/2003 *** 8.49
2 long-short stories. The family & dormitory drama which business is talent agency and the rivals at the school. The stories:(A student, Rei is working at the dormitory of the young idol talents who belong to the talent agency of Rei's father. Rei has the super brother-complex feeling for his brother,a top star, Tomohiko. So Rei irritated with Kazuto Aihara who is enough arrogant to call himself a genius and looks on Tomohito as an enemy. But Rei begins to love Kazuto though he is hostile to Kazuto / Masaki Kisaragi is very glad because he comes first at examination. Masaki has a best friend, an one-sided lover. Masaki is very disappointed to know his best friend will make love with his girl friend for the first time. Then Hiromi Tohdoh who kept the best grades of the school comforts Masaki by being Masaki's slave. Hiromi suggests the practice of making love to Masaki as competition with Masaki's best friend). The author challenges the major genres (Gorgeous talent agency like CHI-RAN / High school students' story) though she is well known as a mangaka who is good at minor genre like military stories. Both seme of two stories are so easy to give in uke (seme loves uke too much though he is genius) that I can really enjoy this book! I think Kanzaki improves her ability of making the stories, so her stories are enough interesting though the genre is ordinary. But her art is basically gorgeous and sexy, so her manga may be too ordinary if she adopts major setup and if not she writes obtrusive, extreme and hard erotic stories like Asami Tohjoh or Kaoru Uchida. Now Kanzaki is very popular and big yaoi mangaka but I really prefer her stories of the minor setup like Self-Defense Forces which exploits her talent to the fullest. (by Slash-kun 19/Jul/2003)
"Morning Kiss" (Biblos) Mar/2003 *** 8.52
The author's comparatively early-period works. The long series romance of three couples who are family members working at newspaper delivery center, hilarious & immoral shota short series with factor of "inferiors overthrowing their superiors" (Hero, elementary school's pupil adores his uncle who often comes to help hero's father instead of hero's mother who is too busy for her work. At one night hero sees the sex between his father and his uncle and wants to play wrestling with his uncle, too! / Hero becomes couple with his uncle and has grown up as a high school student. He is annoyed with his father who keeps seducing his uncle. Then hero decides to be seme for his uncle who may be unsatisfied with uke hero...）and short story of the students (Hero and his intelligent classmate are good rival. Intelligent one keeps teaching hero privately because he loves hero but hero suddenly refuses it. Intelligent student plans a desperate violence...）。The story:(The brothers, "Yasutaka", "Yukihiro", "Kei" and "Wataru" manage "newspaper delivery center" instead of their father who often leave his sons. The high school student, Kei engages in good competition with the deliveryman of rival newspaper every morning. But Kei has a shock to know the deliveryman is really elite journalist and his training period will end soon. Kei is kissed by the rival deliveryman in "the night test of their courage" at the grave.../ Shinobu Katsuragi, a beautiful & rich student is saved by Yasutaka from a stalker. Shinobu makes an offer to support Yasutaka's family crisis, the father's running away / Yukihiro accepts the offer, being a model for a lecturer of art school in return for the charge-free of his attendance. Yukihiro really loves his brothers but often complains about their homosexuality and hurts lecturer at once because lecturer is also homosexual..). I think "Newspaper delivery" is very unique or geeky set-up but the author really did newspaper delivery work(She came to Tokyo to be a professional mangaka and worked as delivery staff)! She is one of the most aggressive yaoi mangaka and keeps being hungry but I may be able to understand the reason now. Her art is very erotic as usual but in this book there is not so much of hot sex scenes. As the author said at her postscript, in this book, uke is very orthodox - very feminine & weak (Of course I prefer her aggressive & arrogant uke) and the plot & set-ups are also a little orthodox (I think the author can better work if she adopts geeky or violent set-up like Japan Self-Defense Forces of "Meisai Tengoku"). Only last story of this book has geeky factor (Seme uses handcuffs). But at her debut, the editor should guide the author to adopt popular set-ups. This book has her old work of 1998 and I'm so surprised to know her art skill has made great progress! She must make great effort. If you are Kanzaki's fan, don't miss this book! (by Slash-kun 29/Mar/2003)
Karikawa Seyu
"Laplace no Tenshi vol.5" (Tokuma Shoten) Mar/2003 *** 8.45
The final volume of the long & intelligent series that the lover is genius mathematician. Seeing Kai who loses to the world when he devotes himself to mathematics, Takayuki loses self-confidence. The story:(Takayuki Imaizumi and Alec visit Japan for a while and meet Takayuki's old school friends including Seishirou. Alec declares he loves and keeps guarding Takayuki. They go to the house of Kai but Kai has been lost in mathematics, paying no notice to them. Seeing Takayuki who feels emptiness, Alec can not help kissing Takayuki and confesses his love. Takayuki is too regretful to refuse Alec's proposal. Takayuki finds out Takayuki's oddity and declares a fight against Alec. Takayuki meets Taku Matsuura, a genius physicist and Kristofer Krafam, a reporter of the science magazine and knows Kai now enters crucial stage as a mathematician and wants to support Kai very much / On the christmas day, Takayuki squabbles with Kai about a trifle. But Kai keeps donating his time for mathematics, so Takayuki is fed up and goes to the restaurant with Krafam. There they run into Alec with Taku. Alec waltzs Takayuki to the VIP room of the castle hotel by the lake and tries to cross the Rubicon. Kai realizes Takayuki is leaving. By the information from Matsuura and Krafam, Kai goes to the castle hotel and offers profuse apologies over his unfaithful action to Takayuki. Takayuki forgives Kai. Afterwards Alec becomes a driver of Formula One and Takayuki goes to England to study). High-minded Takayuki is very pitiful that he keeps standing Kai who is genius but insensitive and arrogant. In this volume I'm very glad to get a glimpse of the humane phase/aspect of Takayuki (he gets depressed, becomes unfaithful to Kai or abandons himself up to despair,,etc). Kai is also struggling with his crisis though he is genius. I feels pitiful for Alec who is very tender and sincere for Takayuki, so I wish the author to make him happy at spin-off story! This series is absolute innocent fantasy but the author's expression is plane, subtle, delicate, intelligent, witty, comfortable and high-quality. She is so fresh & romantic that I can not think the author is a mother in her real life! She should be noble-minded as well as Takayuki. This series seems full of respect for old european culture, grace, history,,etc and it makes me feel nostalgic (like old shoujo manga written by 24 nen gumi, mangaka debuted around 1979). Such elegant atmosphere can not be seen in recent yaoi manga, so this series has been very impressive for me. I can not think this series completely ends (feel it still continues) but the author says this volume is final one. (by Slash-kun 17/Mar/2003)
Kari Sumako
"Nohara no Harano" (Taiyou Tosho) Oct/2003 *** 8.75
The natural romance between a senior student who gave up playing baseball by fatal injury and a junior & ordinary student who fall in love with the senior at first sight. The story:(In the morning a freshman of the high school, Nishitozaki is waiting a bus on his way to the school but the number of bus is very few, so he nearly falls by sunstroke. But another student of 2nd grade, Itojima, a member of baseball club saves Nishitozaki by the parasol. Then Nishitozaki has a crush on Itojima. When Nishitozaki comes to the baseball club's room to return the parasol, Itojima sheds tears in the chest of another member. Itojima should terminate his baseball activity by the injury of his back. Nishitozaki realizes his stronger love for Itojima, so he participates in cheering team for "summer game" with Itojima. They become very good friends. Itojima knows nothing interesting except baseball, so he is saved by Nishitozaki who single-mindedly yearns for him and enjoys ordinary high school student's life together. Nishitozaki can not help confessing his love to Itojima and regrets it very much. But Itojima accepts Nishitozaki's feeling...). The author is not an ordinary yaoi mangaka! This book is filled with outcome of her great talent which is very good at the romantic expression of matter-of-fact. She describes wonderful youth days in ordinary lives of ordinary students (but very dramatic!). Kari uses very well the old, common & stereotypic image of "baseball player boy" in very new exciting yaoi drama. The main characters (uke and seme) are ordinary students, therefore I'm moved that they find small happiness and try to overcome their bad luck. Silent & impatient romantic relationship (wandering between love and friendship) is described by tender and finely rough art and it makes readers very comfortable. The atmosphere and timing of the comical gimmick are also so nice. So very impressive. There are so many & nice small expression (Especially hand-writing words) and readers can enjoy this for many times. The secondary roles, funny Yoshii and cool Kurano are very nice & fundamental, too (If the author is ordinary yaoi mangaka, she will make Kurano to be hero). The mothers of Itojima and Nishitozaki are also well-written. Chika Umino who is familiar with Kari makes statement of recommendation to this book. I'm a little sorry that Umino seldom writes yaoi manga, so I wish Kari to keep writing yaoi manga forever! (by Slash-kun 15/Nov/2003)
Kasuga Naoka
"Chotto Tobashisugi" (Biblos) Sep/2003 *** 8.78
PWP long series of vicious teacher and his student who live in same apartment house and long-short story about violent housekeeper(A lonely boy's father who is very busy with his work provides him for 10th housekeeper. But housekeeper is very violent. Boy is often scolded but he becomes to glad of it..). The story of PWP long series: (Tokuyama, a sluttish high school teacher of sexual harassment often pats backside of his student, Masaki who lives next door. When Masaki delivers the dinner to Tokuyama's room to share by the his mother's order, Tokuyama is sleeping. Approach Tokuyama, Masaki finds Tokuyama is unexpectedly handsome. Since then Masaki become too conscious of Tokuyama...). The looseness of Tokuyama is overwhelming (The story of the rice cooker in 3rd episode is so hilarious! like seinen manga, "Otoko Oidon" by Reiji Matsumoto. The typical word of middle-aged guy, "Motsu ga Deru (My guts will lunge out)" at 4th one is also nice. A cockroach is very effective, too. The way of use pari-muteul ticket, typical middle-aged guy's item is nice, too)! Tokuyama is very manly because he keeps defiant attitude and never tries to cover up his faults. And I like Masaki because he is not all-too-common cute & weak student. He has long-face and is not uke-ish. And Kasuga's very hot sex scenes are worthy of special mention! Especially 2nd episode (name-piece) is very strong, passionate and wonderful! It's reissue of djs. No wonder! The usage of scissors (and underwear) is so tactful! Kasuga's art of genitals is very skillful and realistic. I like the gimmick using choice-test. It expresses well cunning and cruelty of typical middle-aged guy. Very exciting! The long-short story is very unique because a housekeeper is tall and wild guy. A delinquent student is also tall (And even a girl student is somehow tall...). The idea that violent housekeeper trains bad son is very hilarious. And Kasuga does good work of genitals at this story again. I love this author because every her character is big and story is very funny with a lot of violence. And ugly (not pretty) uke's weeping reminds me of SM play and seems rather cute & sexy for me. If you are tired with pretty & beautiful yaoi stories, please try this. Of course, I'm very fond of this!! (by Slash-kun 20/Dec/2003)
Kawai Toko
"CUT" (Biblos) May/2003 *** 8.8
Very moving long series describes two students who have suffered from severe family problems will encourage each other and recuperate the strength to survive. The story:(Chiaki Sakaguchi, a high school student who has lost his zest for life is summoned by his teacher about the meeting among parent, teacher and student. Eiji Yukimura, student of same grade is also summoned. Many students envy Chiaki because his father-in-law comes to get Chiaki by car but Chiaki endures the hard days of persisting & ithyphallic sex from his sadistic father at home. Eiji has been working earnestly at Chinese restaurant but he does not go right home and is wandering about the park. Chiaki and his father come along there and begin lovers' quarrel with sexual play. Chiaki catches Eiji's eye. Next day, Chiaki and Eiji bump into each other at school meeting. Chiaki desperately tries to stop Eiji's mouth. They struggle and Chiaki sees the serious scar on Eiji's arm. On the roof of the school, Eiji is skipping the PE lesson. He finds Chiaki paying footsie with a girl. Eiji and Chiaki announce themselves and wag off together. Silence somehow relaxes them. Chiaki meets again with Eiji at the park on the way home from hard sex playing with his father. Chiaki talks to Eiji about the accident of his real father. Chiaki says his father's death was his fault and he wants pain to forget its agony. Chiaki wants to make love with Eiji but Eiji refuses it because Eiji has serious urge for violence. But Chiaki says he doesn't mind, then they go to Chiaki's room. But Eiji turns out to be virgin, so they sleep apart. Chiaki awakes at midnight alone and cut his wrist. He is saved by Eiji's word and they sleep in an embrace. On the roof, Chiaki feels free to try caressing Eiji but Eiji's urge of violence suddenly attacks Chiaki. Eiji runs away and Chiaki picks up the Eiji's cap and old postcard from Eiji's mother. To hand them to Eiji, Chiaki visits Eiji's home and Chinese restaurant but can not find Eiji. Chiaki finally finds Eiji in the clay pipe at the park. Eiji cries and apologizes Chiaki. In the Chiaki's room, Eiji begins to talk about his mother. She was dumped by her boy-friend after pregnancy and started child abuse. Eiji was nearly killed by his mother and now has been taken in by his mother's brother and his wife. They make love and are absorbed in sex. Chiaki's father comes in a rage. They turns him back but he comes again and results in bloodshed and police matter. Eiji quits the school and begins to work on a ranch. Chiaki's parents divorce. After graduation, Chiaki goes to meet Eiji and begins to live together and study at preparatory school to be a kindergarten teacher in future). The problems of two heroes are very serious, heavy and dark. I'm very surprised that Biblos adopts such serious story that tackles head on adolescent problem (I hope Biblos always deal with serious ones). They suffer from the problems with no way out, becomes completely pig-headed, abandon their life and hurt severely themselves each other. It makes me heartrending, agony and moving. Therefore the process they help each other bit by bit and become enough tough to confront their own problem is really impressive. The author is really good at making the plot, expressing the emotion of the characters and usage of silence and its great talent is now close to one of Fumi Yoshinaga. The art is simple, so the readers need not look away from Chiaki's tragedy but Chiaki's life is so awful. If one's life is too awful, he sometimes looks gentle/peaceful. The author's expression is very sharp and terrible. Author's expression is also very elaborate. The scene Eiji talks about his mother is especially great. Using shadowgraph like nursery tale, she emphasizes paradoxically Eiji's miserable childhood by beautiful & fantastic picture. And her usage of delicate words is so wonderful. The words of Chiaki when he is on the cliff with Eiji and when he cuts his wrist, the poetry & Chiaki's monologue at the scene of the clay pipe are so impressive. I think this story expresses representative & typical theme that current young readers want for yaoi. It's the adolescent angst, the pain of youth. Young people are helpless and vulnerable. Under their utter parents' dominance, they can do/decide nothing freely and should keep enduring. They have no choice but to lament. Then they encourage themselves by the desperate agony of the yaoi heroes. Kawai is so great that she can realize the story with great same theme as "Zankoku na Kami ga Shihaisuru" by Moto Hagio but with only one volume! What a great ability to compose! And this story is more real because the situation is a common, nowadays, ordinary japanese high school. The ending is also very witty (not too wet/tearful/gloomy) and full of hope. You can enjoy very satisfactory feeling after reading. Highly recommended.(by Slash-kun 07/Jun/2003)
Kihara Toshie
"Tsue to Tsubasa vol.3" (Shougakukan) Feb/2003 * 8.48
Saint Just can not refuse to hire self-invited Adel who play an active role in his secretary but he will be an enemy of Ryuu. The story:(Adel becomes the third secretary of Saint Just but he asks too much of her. But Adel overcomes it with the support of Barentin and her guts. Bibi, who is very poor orphan and steals bread, falls into the Seine. Ryuu and Saint Just happen to help her together and Saint Just finds Ryuu is his childhood friend by Ryuu's scar at his belly. But Ryuu somehow loses his memory of childhood. Adel goes on a message to Saint Just at National Convention. She raises a stink there with councillor of gossip news paper. Saint Just is afraid that people would know Adel is a noblewoman, so he imposes on Adel more difficult task: To find hidden fortunes of Louie the 16th which is written on the newspaper of Ryuu and Fabre. Adel goes to Rambouillet with Ryuu and Fabre. They find it - merino from Spain - in spite of the nuisance by the fellow travelers of the King. Saint Just bothers with the serious problem, the escape of persons of rank and suspects Ryuu helps their runaway). The author shows her great talent of "making dramatic & interesting long story" in this volume as usual. The characters have relations well each other. Especially Ryuu's past is exposed (He might kill the family of Fabre. He gets desperate and loses some memory though he was a childhood friend of Saint Just) and it makes him very attractive! He has very contrasting character with Saint Just and their love-triangle with Adel is very funny! Female readers should enjoy the exhilarating & thrilling part that Adel does her best as a secretary unlike a woman. It reminds me of success story of historical great men like Hideyoshi Toyotomi. I'm really moved with the great work as veteran of shoujo manga (She consults a lot of books for historical fact to show Adel's intelligence like the origin of metric system of measurement or The mobilization orders of 300000 people). The author uses new and unique characters (Poor orphan Bibi, Ebel of gossip news paper, the daughter of Count Dereac,,etc) very effectively. I'm anxious about the unpeaceable human-relationship around Ryuu and looking forward to next volume very much! (by Slash-kun 26/Apr/2003)
"Tsue to Tsubasa vol.2" (Shougakukan) Jul/2002 * 8.48
The historical romance of brave heroine's adventure. The story:(The conflict between Gironde and Jacoban gets more serious and Gironde indicts Marat and Danton on charges of treason but the people support Jacoban and civil force beats Prussian force. Gironde people escapes to rural area and Charlotte has an inspiration by meeting with them. She goes to Paris alone and kills Marat. Adel and Barentin pursue Charlotte but can not protect Charlotte from being guillotined. Barentin goes to his relative's mansion because he can claim property from his father. But a legitimate heir gives nothing to Barentin who is a sidewind. Saint Just and his comrade happen to be present and explains new law - even sidewind can claim equal right - after revolution and condemns the legitimate heir. Adel and Rew meet Saint Just but Saint Just pretends he does not know Adel. Adel gets greatly shocked and goes to Saint Just's house to meet again but she knows Saint Just has already his fiancee...). I'm very surprised at two episodes of this volume, the murder of Marat by Charlotte who hires Adel and the encounter of Adel and Saint Just. The author is really good at making interesting plot!! In this volume, Adel begins to show her peculiar talent(psi power) which was not obvious in the first volume. It's very skillful direction. Of course she expresses well & vividly the characters of historical great men like Danton, Robespierre,,etc as well as her other fictional characters. I think how happy japanese readers are because they can enjoy historical stories very much by great interesting manga like this!(by Slash-kun 01/Mar/2003)
"Tsue to Tsubasa vol.1" (Shougakukan) Jul/2001 * 8.48
The historical grand romance after "French Revolution" from the view point of a liberal aristocratic girl who loves "Saint Just". The story:(Young Saint Just, Leon is very genius but arrogant boy. He tries to commit suicide because the life is too boring & easy for him. He is forced to spend his vacation in the country and meets very unique a mother and a daughter, Adel of "blue blood". They get angry at unjust society where peasants are severely exploited by noble people. Leon begins to change by seeing very miserable peasants' life and mother & daughter's provocative words - he think he should *act* against this unreasonable social system not by just writing *books*. Adel should go to Germany with her mother who will marry again with rich german noble man though Adel does not want. Leon comforts her, gives a engagement ring and promises to get married with her if she can not find good partner. Along the way to home, Leon sees very arrogant court noble people's diabolical attitude and he gets "divine afflatus". He studies hard and earns money for his ambition. At the university, Leon encounters Robespierre who is making a speech on the street. Leon volunteers to be his patron. Adel tries to return to France because her mother dies and her father tries to make her get married with her fiance. She wants to meet Leon again. She cheats her fiance and escapes from their trip of england. She crosses over Straits of Dove and infiltrates into "France under the revolution". She is saved by two professional traders who helps french noble people to escape into other european countries. They explain briefly the revolution and speak of the rumor of Saint Just but she can not believe it. Bureaucrats try to arrest the guys and Adel tries to go to Paris alone but she mistakes the carriage. She is picked up by a very unique daughter of local noble family and begins to work as a housemaid to earn money...). The story/plot may be a little classic for young readers of today (The fantastic adventure of a very brave & intelligent girl) but this period around french revolution is most exciting and we can imagine how severely old women kept enduring "era of feudalism" when women should not be interested in "politics" or not read the books of philosophy of enlightenment written by Rousseau. Kihara describes Robespierre as a plump person of great rectitude, an idealist (like a very lively puppy, Kihara's typical hero boy) , not as a very cold/unimpassioned aggressive politician. It's very unique arrangement/rendition. She also changes her art for this story into "European style". I feel great admiration for her flexibility to do it though she is very veteran. I'm dying to read next volumes! (by Slash-kun 25/Jan/2003)
Kirishima Tamaki
"Waka!! vol.3" (Core Magazine) Aug/2003 *** 8.6
Splatter comedy between Takara, a school doctor who is a son of Yakuza family but hates the blood and Saeki, Takara's body guard who works as a school counselor. The story:(Shinnosuke Saeki makes no bones about making love with Takara Hinoyama because now it is just a trial period and Takara need not conclude. But Takara announces his interim results that Saeki is a guy like *air* for him. It makes Saeki feel enervated. Ryuuichi Muraoka, a son and heir of the Muraokas comes to the school as a new english teacher. Saeki feels nervous because Ryuuichi tries to tempt Takara. Takara does not show any interest and it lets Ryuuichi down. But Keita who is working at the school as a security guard encourages Ryuuichi.Tasuku, a younger brother of Ryuuichi suggests Ryuuichi to use a chocolate with love drug. Ryuuichi apologizes about his ever harassment to Takara with the chocolate and asks to be his friend. Takara says Ryuuichi should apologize Saeki first. Takara and Ryuuichi enjoy eating chocolate together. Keita brings back Ryuuichi and Saeki does Takara.../ A marriage of Yayoi, a younger sister of Takara and Tanigaki, a member of Hinoyama-gumi has been arranged. Then there is no burden for Takara to succeed Hinoyama-gumi. Takara decides to go away from home. Christmas is coming. Ryuuichi gets tired of waiting for Keita who is very busy guarding but they are finally joined together. Saeki knows Takara's plan and confesses that he will be at Takara's side forever even if he can not be Takara's steward. They finally start to live together). Very popular series because there are a lot of gorgeous macho guys and this 3rd volume is more interesting than 2nd one for me. It is because Takara and Saeki's relationship becomes more sexual (Takara looks pressed so much by Saeki's strong temptation and it's so funny!) and combination with comedy and human drama is good (The author does not use too much Takara's blood morbid fear. Takara's recollection that Saeki sustained serious injuries at Takara's kidnapping is very touching. It's so hilarious that Takara's over-pheromone knocks people around him. It makes Saeki get angry so much!). The usual funny gimmick for fans (Becoming like stone, Soul vaporizing,,etc) is very nice, natural and effective in this volume. Another couple, Ryuuichi and Keita is very funny, too (Ryuuichi shows very sexual & wild uke!) . They supplements well main couple's irritating & stalemated relationship. The couple of Takara's sister works nice, too. The happy ending that Takara and Saeki go to the next stage is very satisfactory! This series has become Kirishima's representative title. (by Slash-kun 15/Nov/2003)
"Waka!! vol.2" (Core Magazine) Nov/2002 *** 8.4
The sequel comedy of "Waka!!" where Takara and Saeki made love for the first time. But Takara can not admit his love for Saeki honestly and makes Saeki suffer with new rivals... The story:(Saeki can not take Takara again because Takara does not admit his love for Saeki. Takada tries to interfere them. One day Hinoyama-gumi - Takara's mafia group - will go to the hotel as "company outing". Takara enjoys being back with Keita, a son of the hotel owner, who is Takara's ex-classmate. Saeki and Takara take a bath together but Takara refuses Saeki's lovemaking, again. Saeki asks Takara, "How long should I wait?" and spends night at lobby. On the following day, looking Saeki is talking with maids pleasantly, Takara is very hurt. Takada presumes on Takara's despair and somehow they tumble from a cliff! Takara shouts to Saeki, "Spend the rest of your life remaining single" / Keita joins to Hinoyama-gumi and interferes Saeki & Takara. But Takara never doubts Keita's excessive friendship and scolds Saeki's strict attitude for Keita. But Takara gets disturbed because he listens in the marriage meeting of Saeki and Suzune. Takara hopes Saeki's happiness as his master, but he really can not be glad honestly...). As compared to the prequel, this sequel lacks thrill of "violence as gang, yakuza drama" a little but there are more entertainment/pleasure of "happy comedy romance drama for fans" vice versa. Many readers will be irritated about Takara's hesitation and will sympathize with poor Saeki who is often kept waiting (They can make love only once in this volume, too)! (by Slash-kun 25/Jan/2003)
Kitasato Ami
"Tonari no Chikan Densha" (Ohkula Shuppan) Jun/2003 *** 8.43
The sequel of very popular series of the delinquent student who likes sexual harassment to his lover, his teacher and other three short stories (The couple of uncle and his young nephew. Younger seme. Uncle tries to confine his nephew who will go to mixer of students. But adversely he is confined by his nephew / Insignificant & joyless two single men play "good husband and wife". Unexpectedly they are absorbed in it / The delinquent young son of the nightclub worker has a crush on her mate, very naive green guy). The story of the series:(The teacher, Yuuya Ogawa and his student & lover, Tsukasa Shiina are asked to participate in manga club and become an adviser by Iyoshi. Iyoshi offers good condition, "camp" to Shiina, to Shiina accepts it. But the student council president, Mochiduki refuses Manga club's registration. Mochiduki can not bullying Iyoshi because he loves Iyoshi very much. Shiina knows Mochiduki's mind and tries to do a favor for Mochiduki / Iyoshi blows down the budget of club for camp but Takizawa, a teacher who loves Yuuya suggests the good idea. Takizawa's home manages temple, so he offers it for Zen meditation camp.../ Shiina suddenly gives up sexual harassment. Yuuya thinks Shiina gets bored with him though Shiina happens to have tenosynovitis). I prefer this volume because the characters are more attractive. Mochiduki, a student council president is very nice! He feels sad for himself who can not help doing nasty things to Iyoshi whom he loves. The character who is pity but funny is really interesting for readers. The agony of Yuuya who loves his student, Shiina is also well described. Shiina who try to master "sexual harassment" is rather manly. He loves bullying his lover! The characters of Iyoshi and Mochiduki are both nasty. But it's very interesting such bad guys love each other. Perhaps it is because the weak points of bad guys are interesting for readers. I like 2nd short story (Very miserable, pitiful but pleasant! Great) and last short one (Mother's mate is too pure. Her son is too twisty. The contrast is very funny), too. The author's art seems to be simple but her theme is very adult. Her taste is sarcastic, immoral, evil like Satosumi Takaguchi. Hero is always in torment and it makes readers glad and laugh. Like Takeshi Beat. There is a sense of Black humor. (by Slash-kun 14/Jun/2003)
Kitasato Senju
"Aijin Senka" (Jitsugyou no Nihonsha) May/2003 *** 8.65
The long series of the romance between a lodger boy who can not pay the rent because of his mother's hospitalization and a landlord and one long-short story of a student with severe trauma. The story of long story & long-short story (Uduki Moriya is a junior high school student of 3rd grade and of fatherless family. He falls into difficulties because his mother has been hospitalized for long period and he can not pay the rent. But a landlord, Hajime Esaki presents his deposit book to Uduki and says "Please spend it". Uduki refuses it because Hajime is not his family. Then Hajime proposes to Uduki that they will be a *family* and make love to Uduki. But Uduki loves Hajime and begins to feel the contract as a Hajime's mistress is painful. Uduki suddenly declares he will not go on to the high school / Uduki is shocked to know the rumor that Hajime tried the suicide because of an illicit love affair. But ex-lover of Hajime happens to come to find a new apartment. He separated with his wife....) & (A student, Tomoaki Tsuda suffers from severe antholomophobia due to trauma, being raped by sexual pervert when he was a child. Tomoaki's friend from childhood, Takumi Sakura has encouraged Tomoaki by giving the flower to Tomoaki everyday and kept guarding Tomoaki like a knight. Takumi comes near to to kill their senior student who tries to rape Tomoaki by rage but Tomoaki stops it / Tomoaki is worried because he can not make love with Takumi. But a girl student who loves Takumi appears and Tomoaki decides to back out of Takumi). Both long series and long-short story are very dark, dramatic, serious and adult. About long series, the hardship of living as fatherless family is well-written. And the episode of landlord's suicide is painful. The long-short story about boy's trauma is painful, too. The author uses the flower very well and the question of Tomoaki to his friend, "When will my cells are changed completely?" is so heartrending! Takumi has radial passion in his mind (He kicks the impudent car to guard Tomoaki). Such expression with hard impacts with author's simple & cute art will produce unique atmosphere & emotion and exaggerate the impression. It's author's taste & goodness. The readers can not help being involved in the story and will have strong impression after reading by sincere theme. I can realize the author's work is always infallible. (by Slash-kun 26/Jul/2003)
"Ryu no Yuigon vol.4" (Jitsugyounonihonsha) Feb/2003 ** 8.52
The sequel of long unique fantasy series of the king and his knight, dragon who are loving each other. They go on a honeymoon but a gooseberry follows them...The story:(Tenran, the king of East is quite upset because Asagi, his lover dragon can not refuse determinedly the temptation by Marcia, the female dragon of the king of South. Disgusted Tenran goes to the castle of his childhood friend without telling Asagi. Asagi gets a capture by dwarfs of wood and is asked to help the their mysterious protector who was sealed by the key of the castle. But the protector is really awful monster.../ Marcia cooks dishes for Asagi but he becomes a child by a magical mushroom. Without a magical lily of witch, Asagi will die soon. Then Tenran goes to the island of witch to get the lily but all lilies run dry by saving Marcia's life.../ Asagi is captured by the king of West whose mother is just a human. The king wants to give eternal life to his mother by dragon's live heart...). Very interesting plot as usual (Child Asagi is so cute!!). The author's characters are very funny & attractive (Tenran is very selfish & childish but very mighty and has an air of dignity at battle scenes. Asagi is very gentle & modest guy but very loyal, patient and loves Tenran best of all. Marcia is very nasty and hoity-toity) and fantastic set-up (animals and dwarfs,,etc) is very pretty! As compared with fantasy of "Hakusensha, Akita shoten and Shinshoka", the author's fantasy is very easy to read. I think it is because of her heartwarming comedy sense and her restrained art. So her fantasy can attract many general readers who is not familiar to fantasy stories. I'm afraid that the publisher suspends "My boy" magazine and this serialization may be suspended, too but I'm so relieved to know Jitsugyounonihonsha continues this on the magazine, "Koi wa Omakase Special" (The plot is very cliff-hanging! Mysterious guy appears and Asagi seems to have occult power...) I'm very glad to know the precious talent like her has been thought much of by publisher. (by Slash-kun 22/Mar/2003)
Kodaka Kazuma
"Ihoujin - L'Etranger" (Biblos) Jul/2003 *** 8.55
Seemingly fantasy of incubus vampire but in fact family & human story, a forte of Kodaka. The story:(In Taishou era of Japan. A fledgling playwright, Tatsumi falls in love with a mysterious & beautiful guy, Tsukiya who lives in the haunted mansion. But Tsukiya is a ever-living monster and Tatsumi becomes weak by sucking his energy by Tsukiya. A fledgling actress, Shinobu who loves Tatsumi sets fire to the mansion out of jealousy. Tatsumi takes a leap into the burning mansion to save Tsukiya and dies. Tsukiya suffers sadness and refuses the eating. Then Tsukiya's old lover & monster, Gento comes to provide the nutrition to Tsukiya. Tsukiya can not accept Gento who has many wives and children as his duty of the leaders of his tribe. A boy appears in front of Tsukiya who enjoys playing gateball with old people at the park of today. The boy is a descendant of Tatsumi and shows Tatsumi's playing of Yashahime, whose model is Tsukiya / A son of Gento, Aya visits Tsukiya. Gento also asks Tsukiya to look after another son, Louis whose mother died because Louis is a sort of fallen angel as well as Tsukiya. Tsukiya goes into a rage. A motorcycle cop, Gou gets Aya mixed up with a boy prostitute and they fall in love. But Aya nearly kills Gou and disappears from shock). Very interesting. The plot is well written & tactful. The range of the period is very wide (from Warring States Period to today) and readers can enjoy reading without puzzlement. The story of monster, incubus vampire, so there is tragic mood but the author's characteristic comical taste lightens it. And as usual, the characters of this series are very vivid and attractive! A kid character (Louis) is so cute. An adult character, Gento is erotic & funny, too. Owing to flippant Aya, the reader can understand the sadness of monster well. The supporting characters are attractive, too. The wet hair of Tatsumi under water, the costume of motorcycle cop,,etc are extraordinary sexy. Therefore the pleasure of Kodaka's manga is not exclusive to only comedy but also to sexual entertainment peculiar to yaoi. If one is allowed to wish so much, I wanted to read more about the adult couple, Tsukiya and Gento and why they busted up. Anyway the author's talent well deserves praise. (by Slash-kun 27/Sep/2003)
"KIZUNA vol.9" (Magazine Magazine) Feb/2003 *** 8.45
The latest sequel of the popular comedy title series of Masa and Kai, Yakuza (japanese Mafia) and another sequel of professional sniper, JB and his partner, Loy. The story of the title series & sniper series:(Kai Sagano, a son of Yakuza group, encounters Itsuki Tachibana at a mixer of college. Kai and Itsuki are homosexual, so they hurry away. After knowing their family business are same, they hit it off together at the bar. But Itsuki hates yakuza. OTOH Masa and his fellows comes to Tokyo. Masa is suggested for the marriage meeting with a daughter of his rival yakuza group's boss. Masa, the daughter and Kai, Itsuki happen to be present at the lounge of the hotel together. Itsuki and Kai get angry. Especially Itsuki hates the daughter because she is his sister and she is going to get married with a guy her father chooses though she already has a lover. For Kai who worry about Itsuki, Masa does a favor. He makes her get marries with her true lover and removes Itsuki's misunderstanding / JB plans to kill the big trading merchant who deals very dangerous love drug behind the business. Loy disguises himself as a very handsome jewelry designer and approach the merchant. Loy is very jealous of a beautiful son of JB's benefactor, a chinese mafia and female FBI agent who was a lover of JB...). Both stories are very hard-core action ones and fans of middle aged guys should love them very much! Therefor I regret I can find some Kodaka's geometrical distortion of drawing (or purposeful disorder of drawing) of shape/figure. They remind me of the art of Dookuman Pro, a comedy male mangaka of "Hana no Ouendan". I wish Kodaka to maintain cool style for her so gorgeous guys. But she often write comical scenes for reader's entertainment. I'm glad to read it, too but it also makes Kodaka's work just "manga for amusement" (not masterpiece). OTOH the art of climax/decisive scenes is really great appropriate to veteran mangaka. Masa with white shirt & suit is super sexy! Kodaka expresses the coolness/austerity of the mature guy! And Masa's action as "a dirty/lewd old man" is really nice!! I love an adult guy!! Masa's sexual technique is so voluptuous that Kai becomes soon & totally helpless with only Masa's kiss. How nasty Masa is! But Masa loves Kai so much that he is also helpless in front of Kai. Masa is very lovely, too. JB resembles "Jean Reno" and it raises my laugh a little but his antithetical personality (nihilistic but jealous) is very interesting. Loy is also very mannish & muscular, so their sex scenes are very strong and exciting!! The sex by the guys whose power are equal is very thrilling!! And this couple has an age gap and it fascinates me all the more! "The loyalty of Loy who puts his heart and soul into being just a tool for JB's business" and "Loy's absolute confidence for JB that JB never shoots the bullet to Loy" will always keep off any rival lovers! In spit of "being at such a situation", JB is often jealous of Loy and many readers enjoy and love stupid JB! I can see well how much the author loves the solid bond of guys. Kodaka is very good at hard-boiled stores but "using adult guys" makes her advantage more powerful! The author mentioned this book was too hard-core but I think it may be going to bring her a new possibility. (by Slash-kun 05/Jul/2003)
Koide Mieko & Sunohara Izumi
"Binetsu no Karute vol.2" (Tokuma Shoten) Mar/2003 *** 8.47
The sequel(& final volume) of the doctors series. The story:(Natsumi Nishijou, is gradually attracted to Masataka Motomiya, up-and-coming genius surgeon who is very aggressive and cheerful like sun. But he is hurt the word of a patient with a terminal cancer and is recommended to come back to his family - The Kaidou konzern by Takabe, a son of the family doctor of the Kaidou. But Natsumi decides not to escape from his profession by the comfort & encouragement from Matomiya. Takabe begins to feel uneasy & lonely for Natsumi who regains self-confidence and confesses his long-standing secret love but Natsumi refuses because Takabe is a sort of family of Natsumi. Takabe becomes a Kaidou's family doctor instead of his father and Natsumi wins probation from his father - keeps being doctor and begins to stand on his feet as equal partner of Motomiya). I'm very surprised because this book describes "medical things" very serious & realistic! It's very fresh for me (Many yaoi stories did not describe "medical issues" themselves substantially). The writer of original plot, Sunohara is working at hospital, so she can describe ordinary doctors (not too elite) and their practical hardship well. I can really enjoy reading this because I'm tired of "elite doctor's easy stories". The profession of the hero is "anaesthetist", very unspectacular one but it provides me the favorable impression and persuasiveness/reality! Sunohara's plot is very skillful. Especially the episodes like "The fancy restaurant but which is regular for Natsumi" or "patient with a terminal illness (Sunohara insists the civility is a talent of good doctor)" or "student between the horns of a dilemma, basket ball (expectation of friend and teachers) or studying (expectation of mother)" are really excellent! She describes Natsumi's struggle of his job (though many failures) very well. But Koide sometimes escapes expressing them seriously (makes a too neat job as veteran professional mangaka). For many readers, Koide's light & soft arrange may be very kind and the whole story may become easier to read. But I still think Koide should challenge more realistic art for this naive & serious/sincere plot. This book is controversial, so I'd like to ask many yaoi fans of overseas...(by Slash-kun 22/Mar/2003)
Koide Mieko
"Ai ga Areba Toshi no Sa nante" (Biblos) Jan/2002 *** 8.38
Various short stories including very challenging new unique series of "Stray cat guy" and a little dark & mysterious stories (Hero tries to save his young and poor cousin who has been sexually harassed by his friend because the cousin killed his friend's brother by the accident. Hero kills the friend but knows his cousin and the friend loved each other in their distorted relationship / Hero goes to the seaside town to forget his girl friend who dumped him. Hero is gotten mixed up by an attractive boy who is working at seaside clubhouse with a ghost of the boy's lover) and early romantic story (The student suffers from his unfaithful & cold lover, his teacher. At the school excursion, the student keeps cold attitude for his teacher but tumbles over a cliff. He is saved by the teacher and then they know they really love each other contrary to their attitude...). The story of the series:(The son of the convenience store picks up the hungry & mysterious masher guy who lies before the store like a stray cat. The guy is working at host club and lives in a big room of his patron. The guy tries to tempt the son but the son escapes. The son looks the stricken look of the guy and proposes the guy to start from a just friend. The guy enjoys the simple date with the son as friends but gradually begins to depend the son and tries to monopolize the son. But the son can not abandon the guy.../ The reason the patron - the owner of the host club - gives the room for the guy. He happens to walk by the park and listens the beautiful song of the guy who is lying there. He wants to listen it again, so he decides to keep the guy in captivity at his room...). I think the author should issue this book with the first challenging series only. Because with only three episode, I can not understand the author's intention so completely. For two unique short stories, I think the author's sincere art is a little too bright/healthy for dark stories though the plots are interesting. For last, the author's early short story, I can really enjoy reading it because it is very emotional and simple but dramatic love story (author's typical style - attractive characters with strong emotion). It's very unlucky situation for the author's new challenge. The mangaka's challenge is always welcomed for me but if she does it at all, she should issue a book with "challenging stories only" to make readers to evaluate the challenge completely. (by Slash-kun 01/Feb/2003)
Konno Keiko
"Kawaii Hito vol.2" (Biblos) Aug/2003 *** 8.49
The sequel of very popular series of the students couple (younger seme) of same club. Heartwarming & natural days of young couple (making & getting over a quarrel). The story:(Shinoda and Ikeuchi, a senior member of basket club and junior one, have become a happy couple. They go to a summer camp as training. They can not make love though they spend together, then in the midnight Shinoda is half asleep and tries to rape his friend, Shin who is sleeping beside him. On the next day, Shinoda who collapses during training tells the reason to Ikeuchi and they finally make love / Midterm exam. Shinoda is so poor at math, then Ikeuchi teaches him privately. But they want to making love soon and can never study / Shinoda is very anxious about Ikeuchi who is so much loved by girls. They get in an argument about a trifle, then they decide to part. Seeing the blubbered face of Shinoda who kept crying all night, Ikeuchi makes terms with Shinoda by making love on the easy-payment system. Shinoda misunderstands Ikeuchi loves only his physical pleasure, so Shinoda goes to Shinjuku 2 choume to train his sex skill.../ Shinoda wants to make love at classroom. But seeing Shinoda who receives chocolate from a girl, Ikeuchi feels jealous. But Shinoda thinks he should wise up and apologize Ikeuchi / A boy friend of Shin, Haruhiko wants antique electric fan. Shin gives another cheap fan to Haruhiko but Haruhiko rags about it / Haruhiko is wrapped in cooking in order to provide for gluttonous Shinoda. But his dishes are so adventurous that Shin get angry). Typical happy story of peaceful japanese school. If they can do it together, even exam is very funny. It's no wonder this series is much-loved among young women. Konno adopts well many youthful language like "Bucchake (frankly speaking)", "Buchi (leaving completely behind)",,etc and her art of "scenery of school" like school building, desk,,etc is unselfconsciously very skillful! Of course her art of "eyes and lips" is so excellent as usual and her rough art is very exquisite (Haruhiko's proud gesture in front of his cooking is so nice!). Konno also describes well desperate struggle and anxious feeling of senior student, Shinoda who loves Ikeuchi more and wants to keep their relation by wising up (The weeping face of Shinoda after their argument escalated into a big fight is so heartrending!). But younger student, Ikeuchi seems selfish for that and may play the martyr though he is so sexy. The last short story of Shin & Haruhiko is a little painful and funny. Worrisome Shin (holding the baby about Shinoda & Ikeuchi) is very funny and the cat is very cute. Konno 's recent works become a little commercial (old works were sensitive like Tomo Ootake) but accomplishes the masterpiece of typical BL for the youth of today instead. (by Slash-kun 06/Dec/2003)
Kotobuki Tarako
"DOGLA+MAGLA" (Biblos) Aug/2003 *** 8.9
One long sci-fi series by Kotobuki who has established the new genre, "sci-fi yaoi" for female readers (Striking a balance between intelligence and sex) and one short angst story of brothers-in-law(A hero has been tired of the days that his brother-in-law, a lover of his defunct sister has substituted hero instead of her. But hero gets a shock by being told that brother-in-law would stop substitutional act). The story of long series:(Chris was kidnapped by "Methoricant order" of which the members brought Christ back into life by cloning technology. Then Chris has been brought up as a body parts as their Chirist. But during his surgical operation, he escapes to Japan with his body guard & lover, Abel. They live with his childhood friend, Takeru. Chris tried to escape 5 years ago, but he was forced to return to the order in exchange for saving Abel who was shot. A chaser, Adam who resembles Abel kills this Abel who is really Cain. Chris is conducted away to "Temple order & chevaliers" and the members worship Chris as a fair successor of saint blood and try to collapse mad Methoricant order. Chris is very shocked to know Adam is really Abel by Adam's ways of speaking which resembles Chris's. Adam shakes off Chris, then Chris tries to commit suicide. Being sharply reproved by Adam, Chris works out a secret plan. Chris gets back Takeru to Japan, disguises murderous scheme of Adam and returns to Methoricant to prolong Adam's life. But Christ asks Chris to kill him...). Oh. It's great, awesome! Recent Kotobuki's works are wonderful! I think she is one of the most spotlighted yaoi mangakas in this year - 2003. The name piece, Sci-fi series is filled with a lot of intelligent images (Good adaptation of cloning technology and myth). Kotobuki's art is so excellent that she can express & realize her image fully and vividly. Her art is not drawn by rational nature like Akimi Yoshida or is not intellectual (knowledge-leading) like Shio Satou. Kotobuki's Sci-fi stories prioritize sense or instinct and therefore her sci-fi is very innovative. So it is new and not abstract/ideological. Anyway her art is so awesome. Of course, her male characters are cool (Very sexy parts of face & limb, fluent (business) suit & coat), but symbolic art is well designed and intellectual & sharp cyber description like male mangaka of "Magazine Afternoon", mechanical art are also very skillful. And clipping of scenes (Koma wari) is sharp and picture composition is very dynamic, too! Taking a glance at this art, who would think this is yaoi manga? I want very much male readers to try this, too! (Though there is m/m factor and some people have objection against Christ who is described as white guy - now we know Christ was actually an Aramean). And the idea is very genius and intellectual! Kotobuki combines allegory of Christ, religion, cloning problem and Russian with fantastic & beautiful art well and it is not corny/commonplace. She is not addicted to intelligence and does not show off it, too. The story is hard and serious but often funny (black humor). Chris's childhood friend, Takeru is very nice guy and he makes me relieved (Like Toichi for Sei Arisaka of "YASHA" by Akimi Yoshida. But Takeru is more funny guy). Among Kotobuki's works, this story has less sex scenes but secret love is described very strongly. The story with full of mystery is a little difficult but the readers will enjoy all the more with anxious atmosphere. A monumental sci-fi for female readers of today! I'd like to appreciate Biblos which allowed Kotobuki to write this! Like the publisher of masterpiece Sci-fi manga,"Choujin Rock". I feel the pride of the publisher. The short story is also very good. Very small and private story in complete contrast. Very tear-jerker of brothers-in-low who suffer from their dyspathy. The plot is not so unique but the art with high-key tone like avant-garde cinema makes the atmosphere so unique. The feeling of tension like seeing silent drama is overwhelming. Kotobuki is really good at express the cruelty of the mind. This short story was drawn 2 years ago and it shows Kotobuki has improved art skill for 2 years very much. Especially her uke character has become more adult, mannish and sexy (Her uke was a little feminine and it was her fly in the ointment for me). Now she is remarkably growing & up-and-coming, so I expect she will apply herself, researches various things, absorbs a lot of knowledge and makes full use of them. Highly recommended! (by Slash-kun 29/Nov/2003)
"Tonari no Shibafu" (Biblos) Dec/2002 *** 8.65
Very interesting various short stories (Hero shoots the bishop & realizes the love for his best friend since their childhood. He suffers from his friend who is slow on the uptake / The elementary school teacher teaches privately his pupil who is poor at exercise of vaulting box after school hour. But the pupil takes aphrodisiac because the teacher tries to confiscate it.../ A cockhound & bestial wrestler contributes the Police Department for his image improvement by being photogenic subject of the poster with a twin child idol. A child idol wears a double face and overreacts against wrestler's sexual harassment. The lighting stand falls down and the wrestler sustains serious injuries to protect the child.../ Very hilarious fantasy: In "Japan Air Self-Defense Force", there is really a christmas executive branch.../ The immoral couple between a student and a teacher is annoyed by another couple of teachers at love crisis.../ Very dark story. The twin brothers whose parents died were taken in separately by relatives. But one cleverer brother pretends another one and real another brother comes to revenge after his step mother died.../ Hero has been annoyed by his burdensome friend from their childhood. Hero gets angry to find the baby of his friend, the result of the failure of anticonception.../ The senior student goes to the university of Tokyo to escape from his junior student who made love for pleasure when they were students of same school. But they meets again as a private tutor and his student...) including a little old works. The art of the author's latest works (First and last stories in this book) is really erotic!! Her old art used "screen tone" for shadow of the body but her current art does not use it but expresses a lot of wrinkle of the clothes on the slim bodies. It's so sexy! Her uke's body bends backward well. The figure is so fascinating! And uke's long, slim and curved digiti pedis is soooooo cool!! The close-cropped head of seme is also so sexy. Because of the author's very erotic & unique art of the characters who are "agonizing, feeling restless, suffering from too strong desire", now the author has become so popular mangaka among yaoi veteran fans. Of course the author has a talent of making various stories (Brutal but funny shota, Artistic PWP, Splatter fantasy, Dark & insane & immoral story,,etc). Her shota is very unique (stuffs for buff) because the difference of "the body-build & the age" between uke and seme is so huge (Especially the couple of "a wrestler and a child idol" is so criminal but exciting!). This is a book with a full of chic and flexibility for adult readers!! (by Slash-kun 22/Feb/2003)
Kotoeli Kulo
"CAMPARI CIDER" (Kaiousha) Apr/2003 *** 8.49
PWP romance of boy's high school. An idol of the school suddenly pays his court to the hero, a timid, ordinary freshman. The story:(Takashi Tsuyuhara enters the private boy's high school from other junior high school. He is suddenly asked to be a boy friend by Makoto Miyanae, a very beautiful biennial. Hearing the explanation of a class officer that Makoto is a member of No.9 building, very dangerous and womanizing guy, Tsuyuhara goes to refuse Makoto's proposal. But Makoto says he has always dumped because his too beautiful face. Tsuyuhara feels sorry and accepts Makoto's love / But Makoto's fan club protests against Tsuyuhara, especially a leader, Mitsuru Sakurano bullies Tsuyuhara very much. The members of No.9 building are really very popular students../ Sakurano is fastidious about cleanliness of food but Tsuyuhara licks ice cream of Tsuyuhara. It makes Sakurano love Tsuyuhara somehow and Sakurano kisses Tsuyuhara.../ Makoto feels uneasy because of the jinx of 3rd month. But Tsuyuhara saves him by unique confession / A student council president, Kondou is always sullen. Hearing the announcement of Tsuyuhara, a member of broadcast club, Kondou kidnaps Tsuyuhara. Kondou asks Tsuyuhara to read book at the bedside. Kondou is extreme insomnia. He asks Makoto to give Tsuyuhara). Very comfortable, tender and heart-warming story as usual though there are few erotic scenes. I think it's good that Tsuyuhara and Makoto love other than their apparent goodness each other. The funny human relationships around hero, blunder hero(Tsuyuhara who is wedged by soundproof door), radical characters (the leader of fan club, Sakurano & the president, Kondou) are very nice. This story is not so unique but has subtle humour & jokes with good tempo (not exaggerated emotions). The author's specialty, typical tender story with soft and flowing art. (by Slash-kun 31/May/2003)
Koujima Naduki
"Shiawase no LEVEL" (Core Magazine) May/2003 *** 8.43
One romantic series between young pet's hospital director who is fond of the cute things & his jealous assistant and one short fantasy (In order to please his fellow android, the prince runs a risk to get the red jewel at the chokepoint on the cliff as a birthday present). The story of the series:(Two boys of good friends come to pet's hospital for their dog's vaccination. Director, Nagisa, 34 years old seems to be very glad because he is fond of cute things like boys or pets. Then his assistant, Kaoru, 25 years old who loves Nagi very much can not be himself because of too much jealousy. The dog finds a poor outcast which is nearly dropping into the river. Nagi saves the boy who dropped but Nagi picks up the cat, too / Nagi is too good-natured to look after the cat by himself and it gives Kaoru a lot of stress. One of Nagi's client, a middle aged matchmaker pushes a photo to Kaoru to hand it to Nagi. Nagi refuses it because he already has a steady but Kaoru does not realize who it is and feels the blues. Emergency case reminds Nagi of little Kaoru and Nagi confesses his steady has been Kaoru / Ex-classmate of Kaoru, a rock singer comes to leave his Doberman to the hospital. Nagi feels a little jealous by knowing Kaoru was the first lover of the singer. But a boy, a true keeper of the dog comes with rage. Nagi decides to keep both the dog and the boy / Seeing strained relations of Nagi and Kaoru, the boy decides to return home with his dog without telling. But he instigates his dog to paparazzi photographer hovering around the house. Kaoru rushes in and Nagi gets injured to protect Kaoru from the exciting dog..). The author expresses well the discontent, unease and irritation of younger lover, Kaoru for his elder lover, always tolerant and philanthropic director, Nagi. And Nagi's sex seems very erotic because he is tender and adult but a little lustful & cruel beast. The author's art of children and comical art are cute as usual but especially the art of dogs and cats is so pretty in this volume (The author describes unique points like eyebrows of dog or mustache dots of cat well. Their talkings like human are also funny). The author has researched very much about pets and their hospital! (by Slash-kun 31/May/2003)
"Kunshusama no Koi no Oaite" (Biblos) Mar/2003 *** 8.5
The sequel of the super rich school series by very popular yaoi mangaka. Fujio can not easily accept his feeling for Kuroha but finally can be a couple by Kuroha's single-minded love for Fujio. The story (The president of the student council and a freshman of high school, Orito Kuroha assigned Ryuuya Fujio, a biennial as a vice president. Fujio accepts it from his own will. But the manager of gas station where Fujio once worked as a part-timer asks Fujio to work as a urgent substitute for a staff in the hospital. Fujio also accepts it though the school prohibits the working for money. Fujio is nearly hit by car because of excessive hard work. Kuroha who asks the manager to stop Fujio, saves Fujio from the car but gets injured instead. Fujio has a cold and Kyougo looks after him. Seeing them, Kuroha says Fujio can resign the vice president if Fujio wants / The school festival season comes. There is a popular belief that the student can be a couple with his favorite if the favorite would give the gift. The council decides to play the english drama, "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare. Kuroha acts as Romeo and Fujio acts as Tipolt. Fujio often makes mistakes by the jealousy for Oumain, a clerk of the council, who acts as Juliet. The Oumain shams leg injury and Fujio substitutes for her and Kyougo acts as Tipolt. Kyougo and Kuroha fight seriously over Fujio's partner on the stage. Fujio really kisses Kuroha leaving a buzz among audience. Kuroha finally confesses his old action with returning the amulet to Fujio. Fujio also confesses he now loves Kuroha, too. The popular belief comes true). Koujima is a first class yaoi mangaka who can describe annoying couple very well and in this volume she expresses the emotion of such annoying couple with nice recollection of old memory,,etc. The first half episode of "dilemma between part-time job and vice president" is very thrilling and last half is also very dramatic! At first I thought "the play within the play" might be factitive but after reading thoroughly, I'm moved by the author's excellent plot with a lot of heartrending scenes. The emotions of Kuroha and Fujio often pass paralleled without agreement because of their high pride and strong fear and it's very impressive. Especially their faces are very eloquent. She uses Shakespeare's famous drama and school festival well to make the story dramatic. Supporting characters are also very attractive and as postscript, many female fans like Oumain who acts piquantly as Cupid for heroes. As the author regrets the treatment for Kyougo, I also wish his happiness at next volume! (by Slash-kun 03/May/2003)
Kousaka Tohru & Hitoyo Shinozaki
"Okane ga Nai! vol.2" (Gentousha) Feb/2003 *** 8.48
The mangalization of very popular & long yaoi novel series of "paying back the debt" written by Hitoyo Shinozaki. The story:(A student, Yukiya Ayase is now suffering from his misery fate that he should pay back his debt by one-night sex of 500000yen with Kanou. One day he is frightened with Kanou's word on the phone with his fellow, "Let the female guarantor for loans go to sex trade shop. Even if she resists at first, she will be accustomed to doing sex with customers and feels no hesitation". Ayase is afraid he will change in the days of sex with Kanou. Ayase says Kanou that he will do anything but sex, then Kanou introduces Cameraman, Gion to Ayase at the lobby of the hotel. In order to make a pornographic video. Ayase is greatly shocked. Then Yoshiizumi, a bodgy appears. He demands Kanou to return master pornographic video tape stolen from his office and brought to Kanou's office for repaying. Kanou turns Yoshiizumi back. In the room of the hotel, Ayase implores Kanou and says that he will do anything if he can avoid appearing on the video. By Ayase's flirtatious & ignominiou attitude, Kanou allows Ayase. But Kanou somehow looks a little painful. Ayase wants to sponge on Kanou's favor but can not say a word, then Kanou returns home leaving Ayase alone at the hotel room. But Yoshiizumi's fellows come in the room soon after it and kidnap Ayase. At Yoshiizumi's safe house, Gion has been confined, too. Kudou, a representative and a patron of Yoshiizumi, orders Yoshiizumi to make pornography with Ayase and Gion to threaten Kanou. Ayase protests but is hit and infused with aphrodisiac by Kudou. Then Kanou comes to negotiate with a large suitcase. Kudou satirizes Kanou and Kudou has same dirty desire to Ayase. But Ayase counters against Kudou because Kanou is kind for Ayase not like Kudou. Kanou is moved to hear it and opens the suitcase which contains Kudou's trussed-up daughter. By trade-off between them, Ayase is saved. Ayase who suffers from aphrodisiac is comforted by Kanou and declared he wants to love Kanou even if he would lose himself. Seeing lovely couple, Gion proposes the funny plans of pornography to them. They are sorts of "Alternate universe" stuffs and Kanou nearly goes mad). The original yaoi novel is the typical & representative work of "paying back the debt", so people often think this manga is a common type, too. But the express of the details (the vivid contrast between fear and comedy,,etc) is unique and excellent all the more this series is very popular long one. The art resembles yakuza manga by Asahi Shima but the violent scenes of this story are more fearful because original story comes from novel (In general, yaoi novels are more radical or have deeper theme than manga). I think Kousaka's art is not so skillful but she is good at expression of "fear", "unease" or "emotional looks", so she can realize the fear more powerful and real than the original novel by "large eyes" of Ayase who is caught by cruel money monger as well as "empty and silent scenes" when Ayase is so shocked in the darkness of his mind. The process Ayase's personality would be destroyed is overwhelmingly well written! So the sweet angst ending scene is very outstanding! The last funny episode of Gion and the sequencing of additional 4 Koma manga at end are also very hilarious and are quite a contrast to fearful scene of violence. It offers the great "feeling of release" to the readers!! (by Slash-kun 26/Apr/2003)
Kujyo AOI
"Love Share" (Ohkula Shuppan) Jun/2003 *** 8.65
Various moving romantic episodes of the equal & long-term couple who can not be honest easily. The story:(On the way home, an office worker, Kazushi Matsuyama encounters his longtime friend, a playboy, Izumi Ogiwara who is involved in lovers' quarrel with a guy at the night park. Izumi spends almost all his time in Kazushi's room and they begin to quarrel over their unendurable romantic overture. Kazushi's lover suddenly appears and throws water over Izumi. Kazushi and Izumi think they can love seriously if their lover is the favorite. Then they become a romantic couple / Kazushi sees the scenes that Izumi's subordinate tempts Izumi at design office. Kazushi scolds Izumi not to have an affair but it pleases Izumi / Izumi is disgusted with the reception of the authorities. He bumps into Kazushi and it makes Izumi be in a good temper soon. Izumi realizes his love for Kazushi / They have kept off for a while because of their quarrel. Kazushi feels anxious about silent call and visits Izumi's room. Kazushi finds Izumi on a binge. After argument, they make love. After the next morning of the stormy night, they see the cherry trees in full blossom out of the window. Kazushi confirms the repeat dialing number of Izumi / Kazushi has a cold and can not speak. Izumi looks after him. Kazushi feels happy with gratitude for Izumi who has been so busy that Izumi's subordinate brings the work to Izumi all the way / They quarrel again. Kazushi is afraid that he may get deeply involved in their love. Izumi gets out. When Izumi finally returns, he is mourning black. Izumi's injury makes Kazushi surprised. Izumi gets out again. Kazushi watches the TV news that a genius artist dies too young. His model was Izumi! Kazushi attends the funeral and finds Izumi. He swears that he will hold on to Izumi forever / Izumi is so busy. He suddenly wants to eat chocolate and orders his subordinate to get it. But the subordinate fails to get Izumi's favorite. Then Kazushi happens to come to encourage Izumi with his favorite chocolate.../ Izumi and Kazushi who were junior high school students. An honor-roll student Kazushi encounters a delinquent student, Izumi and get good vibes each other. They cut their school / When Izumi gets up, he finds Kazushi has a pleasant chat with Izumi's subordinate. Izumi comes out naked from shower room for harassment but he is taken by Kazushi who is left alone). The author's sense is really fresh! Stylish like french movies. There are many moving scenes in this story. All the stories are very good, delicate and mellow and have deep themes though some stories are so short. A lot of atmosphere like Fumi Yoshinaga, Emiko-yama or Yugi Yamada. It's been a while since I reevaluate the author. The longtime couple always never spend good time. It's important for them to maintain, to keep developing and to recover their love. The author expresses repeatedly & earnestly the process that Kazushi and Izumi have realized they are very precious each other and they can not find any good partners but them. I'm moved by the author's sincerity. The stories are adult-oriented and very satisfactory for me. Both character of Kazushi and Izumi is really attractive (Izumi's subordinate is also nice!). Their natural "reversible" relationship is unique. Izumi is very sensitive though he pretends to be a bad guy and Kazushi is single-minded but too pure. Kazushi is mentally very strong though he seems to be weak. It's very impressive! They often quarrel with making no disguise of their feelings and hurt each other but soon make them comfort each other. It provides the readers a lot of moving and warm feeling. The author can keep writing this series because she had written this as "original yaoi djs". So this work is well worth readings because the readers can feel the author's deep affection for her characters. Ohkula often issues "the reissue of djs" (easily) but it's sometimes good because the mangaka can challenge new themes and write freely what they want. It avoids mangaka's mannerism. Highly recommended! (by Slash-kun 19/Jul/2003)
Kusama Sakae
"Saiyaku no Tebiki" (Shoubunkan) Apr/2003 *** 8.8
Very unique romance series between a student who is gotten mixed up with a pyromaniac and middle-aged novelist and three short stories (The third-generation of old barbershop. He hates his family job -hair cutting- but somehow can not refuse the a customer, a middle-aged office worker who comes to the barber for a change. He takes advantage of the worker is completely sleeping to manipulate the worker sexually. The worker gets angry but does not refuse it / Hero watches his brother is making love with brother's friend of same club. Hero knows the friend says he loves hero but really loves his brother / There are two couples in the office and both of them don't go well. During holiday working, men of each couple comfort each other sexually & unexpectedly). The story of long series:(The middle-aged novelist sees the sights of fire and finds the boy who is feverishly staring the fire at the forefront of spectators. The boy tries to escape but is caught by the writer and brought in the room of the writer. The writer invites the boy to bonfire at the garden and finds erection of boy's penis. After enjoying masturbation each other, writer says boy that you had better satisfy your sexual desire with me not by arson. The boy wonders but is surprised to watch TV news and know a real pyromaniac is arrested. He knows the mean of the writer's word / Writer wonders why the boy has not come to his room since their first meeting. The boy finally comes again but complains "I failed the school of my preference (because of you)". Then the writer also complains he is very anxious for you and wonders why you won't come". The ex-wife of the writer suddenly comes and says she will be married again with other guy. Hearing it, the boy asks the writer to go about with him / The boy is so cute that the writer can not refuse the boy's playing with his penis. The detectives come the writer's house to make an inquiry about another arson. The writer shoots from the hip and tells false alibi of boy. Seeing detectives, the boy scrambles away / The boy is angry at writer's lie. The detectives go to the boy's house. The elder brother of the boy exercises tact and helps the writer and the boy. The boy is discontented because he owes his brother one but feels relieved and feels happy with the writer). How unique new writer! First of all the art is so unique. The art like Suguro Chayamachi, Keiko Nishi or Riko Nekoda has unique way of handling the pen. Like xylography or paper cutting art. Especially the art of old houses is very excellent. The atmosphere of old Gothic novel. Her art of penis is very realistic and erotic though she hides it with tessellation. The way of color paint is also splendid. All art is well-designed, so I think the author is working as a professional designer. Shoubunkan is very good publisher as well as Koudansha whose Magazine, "Afternoon" has chosen very unique mangaka! It may be because CEO was a professional mangaka. Many readers will doubt the boy's innocent as well as the writer. Very thrilling story like fine mystery story. The story is also unique. Each of them has intelligence and is meaningful. Especially author is so good at describing middle-aged men! If you like Oyaji stuff, don't miss this author! Her tired, shabby-looking guys are so nice. But they are good at the impudent sexual technique to bring into making love! They are very unscrupulous and sexy but at same time they are so cute that they don't know what to do in front of very young lover or can not refuse the request of the lover. Nasty characters like the boy's brother or the hairdresser are also very nice. The author says at her postscript, she has plans of sequel for the series and the first and third short stories. I can not wait reading it! Anyway she is very powerful new writer! Highly recommended! (by Slash-kun 26/Apr/2003)
Kyouyama Atsuki
"Kamen Teacher" (Tokuma Shoten) Jul/2003 *** 8.8
The author changed her name from Atsuki Ouge. Very hilarious comedy series of a perverted teacher who loves elementary school boys very much. The story;(Single primary school teacher, Morooka loves little boys. So his workplace is paradise for him. Now he is very fond of a pupil, Saiya Inoue. Morooka is always careful not to bestow favors on only Saiya. But he rushes in the school nurse's office without inhibition when Saiya is hit by a ball and falls down. Morooka is very happy because he can lies alongside Saiya. Morooka don't want to return to his classroom, so he hits his head on the wall as hard as he can and lie on the next bed. From happy dream, Morooka awakes to find himself in hospital room. Morooka's injury is unexpectedly serious. Morooka is very glad to see Saiya who visits hospital but despairs to hear Saiya's dysphonia puberum. Morooka decides that he will never loves little boy but soon becomes happy to see very cute child autism / Morooka mistakes a new teacher, Hiura for a pupil and has a crush on Hiura because Hiura has a very pretty baby-face. But Morooka is so happy to know Hiura is a teacher. Morooka will never be a criminal if he makes love with Hiura! But Morooka does not know how to approach an adult man. He suggests going for a hike to Hiura but pupils have followed them. Morooka takes a lot of photograph of Hiura at a hike. But he inadvertently hands his developed film to Hiura and Hiura knows Morooka's mind. Hiura confesses he is really bisexual. Morooka tries to make love with him, but fails by seeing a Hiura's great penis as a normal adult guy / The term of Hiura at this school will end a month after. Morooka tries again to make love with Hiura on the last day. He asks Hiura to put on the white socks and succeeds sex on the momentum of the wild fancies. But for Hiura, the sex turns out to be a just adventure only during his term.../ Morooka recently loves a pupil, Hideki Tooyama. But his colleague, female teacher, Mihoko begins to approach Morooka after he saves her from falling down the stairs and his ribs crack. Tooyama suddenly becomes cold for Morooka when word is out that Morooka will get married with Mihoko. Tooyama has a crush on her. Morooka says Mihoko that he can not love her and word is out again that Morooka is dumped by Mihoko. Morooka tries to comfort Tooyama to wait until he grows up. But Morooka gets shocked to hear Tooyama says that Mihoko will be too old when he grows up / Annual presentation of the result of learning by pupils. They act a play. Morooka is very happy to see children's costume play because he can watch it with holding his head high. But Morooka's present favorite pupil, Kousuke hates childish drama and appeals to Morooka to ask the support of his uncle, the owner of theatrical company. Morooka can not refuse it and meets Kousuke's uncle who is Morooka's childhood friend, Yousuke Hatomura. Morooka had adored Hatomura very much but Hatomura now becomes completely arrogant tycoon of theatrical world. Hatomura's apprentice, Henri Yamaoka actually coaches the pupils and his devotion & respect for Hatomura seems very pathetic for Morooka. Henri asks Morooka to talk about Hatomura's childhood and it overlaps Kousuke and makes Morooka to fancy erotic dream. Morooka decides to contaminate Hatomura's memory and sets up pornographic video for Hatomura. But Hatomura does not get caught in a trap and bullies Morooka. Seeing it, Henri is jealous of them. Morooka encourages Henri to rape Hatomura but Hatomura scolds Morooka and Henri. Morooka sees the brilliant memory at Hatomura's back and realizes good old memory never fades / Morooka's pornographic video comes back passing through many people's hands. Hatomura, Morooka and Henri watch it together at Henri's room. When Henri is sleeping, Hatomura and Morooka are talking about their childhood. Hatomura often showed his penis to Morooka. He tries again it but Henri goes wild by seeing it. Morooka encourages Henri to rape Hatomura again). So hilarious!! Chef doeuvre for me after a long interval. Every episode is so interesting. Hero is uncool shota pedophile teacher (a sort of criminal preference), so in ordinary cases most readers will hate him. But in this book, the readers can not help loving Morooka! He seems austere, wistful and pensive. Morooka is very honest for his feeling, the love for boys and has ebullient love for them (He is often intoxicated with his erotic day dreaming. Such narcissistic personality is so funny!). So Morooka can not forget his mission as a good teacher for boys and he can not do any actions which are really harmful for boys (Morooka's absolute ascetic attitude is very unique!). He keeps to battle with his desire alone though it is very severe. It's very pity and funny that Morooka alternates between joy and grief by boys who are pure but cruel. The sensitivity of Morooka like poet is also very interesting. The author describes well the hardship of Morooka who loves boys too much. The author's art is unique, too. The rough & simple drawing lines like "dashing off" are very profound. Like Kotobuki Shiriagari who is very popular japanese comical mangaka. Her simple art matches well the story with a lot of pathos. And her simple art expresses well right characteristic & aspects of things or characters. Especially her children are very lively. I'd like to call her Chihiro Iwasaki of yaoi manga. The art of the pupils who cling to their teacher & perform dance is very sharp! I think it is because the author has a wonderful memory for her elementary school. For the author, the elementary school is the place where the pupils and teacher are always playing together. Her teachers spent their time on playing with pupils. I think old japanese education system was really good. Teachers had more free time and often played with children. They were not made to do stupid task like "Kids ISO (International Standards task for children - Children should think how to keep the environment good. For example cutting back on electricity consumption at home. But I think it is just a issue of government or international political matter)". Now teachers don't have enough time to share for the playing with children. Children are so pity now. This work makes me think seriously about education (Recently a boy of 12 years old killed a naked boy of 5 years old by dodging and forcing down from parking building. It's really sad for children that adult people do not fully teach how to play or the pleasure of playing). My last compliment is the way to use "Hatomura", adult character. It's very stylish and witty. I think the author can continue this teacher series with other various adult guys! I want to read this sequel very much!! (by Slash-kun 21/Jun/2003)
Magazine
Magazine "Yuri Shimai vol.1" (Magazine Magazine) Aug/2003 *** 8.5
The first volume of the new magazine for yuri fans from Magazine Magazine which issued the first yaoi magazine, too. The mangaka/writers are Kahori Onozuka, Taishi Zaou, Milk Morinaga, Kita Konno, Shiduru Hayashiya, Mako Takahashi, Nawoko / Akimoto Ikenari, Miyu Satsuki, Keika Saiki. There are some interesting, detailed and precious columns about the history of japanese yuri works (novel, manga, animation,,etc), the report of japanese girl's school and yuri game reviews,,etc. All manga describe the adolescent pure & delicate girls' life, so it is not so erotic but very sensitive. This new trial (delicate lesbian manga for young girl readers) seems very epoch-making! It somehow resembles Tousuisha stuff. All manga is very interesting and unique but especially Onozuka's impressive, dangerous and serious story (girls' suicides), Zaou's PWP story (The lewd day dreaming of contrastive two girls), Morinaga's delicate story (Two girls who enter into different high schools) and Takahashi's painful story (Two girls who yearn for the others' characters each other). About girls' suicide, I recall the fact suicide wanna-bes are very ordinary girls who are cherished by their *rich* parents. They are enough happy to forget the meaning of life and they can not find a good & brilliant model of their future. So dona (delinquent girls or bitches who are brave and have the great vitality to survive) never commit suicide! The column mentions about the sorority of japanese girls' school and I did not know about it well though I'm a japanese because I only graduated from mixed school! I don't know this trial will be strong as well as current popular trend, Boy's love but I want to watch it with a lot of expectation! (by Slash-kun 05/Jul/2003)
"Pierce Apr/2003" (Magazine Magazine) Apr/2003 *** 8.5
Various short stories with a lot of hard sex 'only' for adult female readers (Somehow recently there is no denotation of "adult magazine" which people under 20 years old can not buy). The writers are: Kanzaki Takashi (A epicurean & immoral teacher who enjoy making love with his students freely is unexpectedly seduced relentlessly by a very wild temporary teacher adopted as a substitute for the teacher on maternity leave. But the temporary teacher turns out to be a very pure and honor student on whom immoral teacher had hit once...), Fuwa Kiriko (A delinquent student is often excited by seeing the blood. He disfavor his old best friend, honor student who has tried plead for him, so he can't help but provoke his friend but in fact his friend has always intended it), Nakamura Rumi (Very sweet but erotic romance between an selfish young owner of the restaurant who seldom finishes off his dishes and a young dashing patissier who is angry with his owner. The patissier goes to the owner's mansion to appeal but somehow makes love with owner and becomes captivated by the loneliness of the owner...), Kajimoto Jun (The employees go to the hot spring as a company trip. Hero should share the room with his colleague who cured his ED - erectile dysfunction...), Jino Akemi (The decadent & downfall couple who can not confirm their love by anything but jealousy involves an another couple of office workers who live next door into their lover's quarrel. They finally reaffirm their abiding love), Iwashimizu Ukiya (Very unique school drama. A heinous punk student tries to seduce the coolest student of their school. Because punk student is neglected, he tries to imprison cool student in the school infirmary and rape, but fails. The cool student shows his sex with his friend in front of the punk student!), Takao Fuyuki (serial story. The first part. Hero was a poor translator of juvenile literature but now he has been forced to write pornographic report by his ex-lover, an editor who was relegated to gossip magazine department from literature department. The editor presses to come back to him but hero's nephew whom hero taught masturbation happens to stay at hero's room for entrance examination. There is uneasy atmosphere among three men...), Inugami Moko (Modern Marchen shota story with unique art between teacher and his student. Very cute honor student and his teacher who is very loose are really couple. Student is always self-possessed but unexpectedly gets unsettled by knowing the marriage meeting of his teacher. The teacher comforts his lover by proposal of marriage), Sadahiro Mika (Very creative, challenging and unique romance between urban student and a farmer! They are long-distance lover who got to know each other at Shinjuku 2 choume. They always date at Tokyo but this time the student goes to farmer's house to make peace with. He enjoys unfamiliar agricultural work very much but their sex at night is found by farmer's father. Farmer and student run away from home by the car and reconfirm their love in the car. But the hard rain ruins the farm and they flight back home to help the father. Father admits his son's lover with a bad grace...). This issue is very interesting for me as usual! Especially the teacher's story of Kanzaki is very hilarious that wily & teacher pays the sweet fiddler, the sex scenes of Nakamura's story is very strong and sweet, The splatter comedy by Iwashimizu is very unique and thrilling (The cool student is nearly going to accept the punk student! I want to read this sequel very much!!), I just can't wait the sequel of Takao (The nephew looks very fearful!) and the free atmosphere of Inugami is very attractive for me. BTW I thought "Magazine Pierce" was very erotic but never tried avant-garde stuffs like Kousai Shobou. But last short story by Sadahiro, agriculture yaoi is very challenging and wonderful! The gap of Sora who comes to Tokyo with suit and Sora who is working as a farmer is very sharp. The Sora's dialect is very effective. She may adopts this idea from "Kita no Kuni kara" which is very famous japanese TV drama series of "Hokkaidou" (North rural area in Japan) written by "Sou Kuramoto". She loves this drama very much! The gag, joke are very tactful (depopulation issue and frog are well used). Very nice supporting characters like a queer barkeeper make this drama more human. The stubborn father is also well described and the quarrel scenes between him and Sora is very powerful. Sora who is making complaints in the car reminds me of the first short story of "Rainbow Life vol.2" written by Man Satomi. But Sora's agony is more serious and I think yaoi readers will enjoy such dramatic dilemma. The ending is also very tactful. The rare genre like "agriculture" is very persuasive & realistic because most yaoi readers do not know about it and have an inclination to believe everything is true. Yaoi is completely fiction because female writers write it, so the reality of setups/environment is essential! I hope this magazine keeps new & unique challenges as a pioneer of yaoi manga. (by Slash-kun 29/Mar/2003)
Mamahara Ellie
"Gokuraku Cafe vol.2" (Tokuma Shoten) Jun/2003 ** 8.39
Family drama with human touch. The:story(Yuuto starts taking on part-time at the office at the University. A researcher, Yazawa is totally absorbed in Yuuto and suspects Yuuto & his manager without reason. It results in bloodshed. Yuuto falls into the basement and finds his master is the director of "Jackie", Mr. Swallow. Yuuto decides to be his apprentice. A son of Swallow who keeps breaking off relations with Swallow, Jackson Hawk, a director of special effect comes to Japan. Yuuto attends the party of Jackson and tries to act as peacemaker but Jackson mistakes Yuuto for prostitute boy. Knowing the fact, Jackson gets angry and tells Yuuto that Swallow is a cold-blooded beast and don't get involved. The relation with Swallow and Yuuto also go bad. Moriharu Esaka, the professional baseball player returns to his homeland, Japan. Yuuto consults with Esaka and has a date with Esaka. Jackson suddenly appears and Yuuto also has a date as sightseeing of Tokyo with Jackson. Esaka makes a plan and holds a party for Jackson and Swallow but it fails. Yuuto finds an old script of "Jackie" and makes a hastily formed puppet animation and sends video tape to Jackson and Swallow...). The story of puppet animation is very good and Harry, a character of hedgehog is very cute (The design is so nice!). So the impression after reading is very satisfactory. This is a drama of feud & reconcilement between father and son but I could be moved more if I knew it when I read 1st volume. The character who is outstanding at 1st volume, Esaka is not involved into 2nd story so much, then the story of this volume seems to be a different story for me. The yaoi taste is very slight/dim. Yuuto is popular among gay men but he has no sexual relation with anybody. It's a pity to waste her talent of writing very handsome guys...(by Slash-kun 04/Oct/2003)
Manda Ringo
"Kuruimosezu" (Take Shobou) Aug/2003 *** 8.7
The short stories for geeky, hard core & hip readers (A husband and a brother who are loving through a dead woman / The crazy love between a sprinter student who starts painting by his injury and a art teacher who was always looking at the student / A heroic student and a bullied gay student encounter when they become workers. Heroic student becomes an uncool salesman but homosexual one is a scion of key account, big company / A student can not forget the pleasure the suppository when he ran a fever at his childhood. Then he makes love with his gay classmate though he is not homosexual. The classmate tries to cut off a vain sexual relationship with hero but hero can not / An office worker wants to be sexually molested. A stranger advises hero to have an umbrella / A Marchen PWP for adult readers. A middle-aged fat guy fails his business, then he tries brodie. But he is bought out by a mysterious guy, a sadistic master and becomes a masochistic beautiful slave and recovers his vitality to survive). I think some people loves this book and other do not. Of course I love because I like insane stories. I enjoy these dark, adult and humorous (black humor) stories fully. Every story reminds me of Takashi Ishii and is controversial story which expresses sharply the human desire and modern society. But I think latter stories are much more interesting than first two stories. So arrangement of stories may be a little disadvantageous. 3rd story is nihilistic but empathetic because many people experience social position of childhood often turns the tables. Homosexual guy's revenge is always delightful. 4th story is also nice. Immoral and decadent like a movie, "Last Tango in Paris". Manda describes well the sensation that people can not kick the addictive bad habit like drug or adultery. Manda's art of naked body is fatty and very erotic. The comical face of the students is very pretty. It's very unique that heterosexual character is absorbed in homosexual sex and gay one is more reluctant. The idea of 5th story (How should the people do if they want to be sexually molested) is unique, too. The last story is so hilarious. The hero misunderstands the letters of SM term like typical joke of middle-aged guys. I'd like to appreciate an editor who makes Manda write this. He is very brave (Manda says the editor is a guy. That figures. He is fortunately a literary youth. Aside the commercial success, I love new challenging male editor like this. Please challenge a lot! (by Slash-kun 13/Dec/2003)
"Free Arbeiter Ken & Joe" (Houbunsha) Feb/2003 *** 8.4
Hilarious short stories (Title story of two part-timers / Comedy with a lot of pathos. The employee of convenience store who hides his SM taste finally reveals it in order to punish his loose roommate who stole the girlfriend of the hero / The erotic comedy of homosexual couple who can not sleep together on the new large bed / Very strange & unique comedy of three guys on Mt. Tsukuba which is famous for sellers of toad's grease) including one serious & delicate story (Very quiet and impressive story. A student on the verge of failing should attend a lecture by marv student. But Marv moves to the far place shortly before their graduation. Hero realizes marv's love too late and decides to pursue marv). The story of title slapstick series :(Shigeru Yabuki, called "Joe" & Ken Mogami are poor part-time jobbers. Ken has a lot of debt but is very lazy and fired soon. But a debt collector of consumer credit company says it's Joe who is in debt to him - unbeknown to have underwritten his father's debt - demands Joe's body for payment / Joe becomes a secretary of young CEO of venture company who is homosexual. Ken tries to buy up the stocks of the company to save Joe but the company becomes bankrupt/ CEO starts new business, talent agency with Ken & Joe, a debt collector and Ken's partner of investment. Ken & Joe soon become very popular singers Duo but Ken should entertain big-name TV producers sexually...). All the stories are very interesting. Comedy is very speedy (has a good tempo) with boyish and very nice & neat art. But I prefer the author's serious or sensational(immoral) stories with soft comical taste like 2nd and 3rd stories like her chef d'oeuvre, "Complex series". At the postscript, the author says she is pregnant again now, so I hope she will challenge again serious & dramatic long stories after her maternity leave!! (by Slash-kun 08/Mar/2003)
Matsumoto Kazura
"Camera, Camera, Camera vol.2" (Shinshokan) Mar/2003 *** 8.38
The last volume of the series. Hero who suffers from one-sided love for his brother opens his mind to the photographer who forces his attentions on hero. The story:(Akira feels relieved to know his brother is find when he rushes in the hospital by the report of his brother's accident. Akira's brother loves another woman and confesses his love but is dumped. He has also known Akira's feeling for him. Akira decides to give up his brother and confesses his love to Kaoru. He becomes a rival to Daisuke who has been an apprentice of Kaoru for five years. One day a mysterious telephone call suddenly makes Kaoru disgusting and destroy the phone. Akira who wants to work by Kaoru finds a photograph of the woman at Kaoru's room when he is cleaning. It displeases Kaoru again. Akira runs into the woman and she turns out to be a photographer, Mariko Natsume and is going to retire soon. Kaoru confesses to Akira that he had adulterous affairs with her. He only uses Akira to ease his guilty feeling. He asks Akira to part with and turns a cold shoulder to Akira but Akira keeps laughing and asks Kaoru to be his lover with dogged persistence and Kaoru accepts it. But Kaoru suddenly leaves to Europe after making love with Akira. After years, Akira also joins on Kaoru...). I'm very exciting partway because the fighting between Akira and Daisuke is funny, Akira's persistent guts in spite of Kaoru's past unnatural love is so impressive and Kaoru is an unexpectedly nasty guy,,etc. But I can not understand the ending (Why Akira does not pursue Kaoru soon?) well. So I feel a little frustrated after reading. On the other hand, author's tender & peaceful atmosphere, unique art (black vacant eyes without sparkle,,etc), funny gags and complicated and enormous suggestion amuse the readers as usual. Perhaps I think in this volume there is less erotic homosexual sex scenes which overcomes heterosexual love affair and it makes me a little unsatisfied. And the author may be too shy to write unashamed happy ending. I wish the author to write more homosexual and more fantastic story! (by Slash-kun 17/Mar/2003)
Matuzaki Tsukasa
"Bespoke" (Kousai Shobou) May/2003 *** 8.73
The long-awaited book (after an absence of 4 years!) of the author who is now a regular & strong serialist of the new, epoch-making anthology, "Kinniku Otoko" featuring only macho guys! There are 4 stories (The budding but top-echelon yakuza who has a secret of his birth is ordered by his boss to go to the bespoke tailor to make himself look more important. But he is aroused by a young hardheaded tailor's too erotic measurement.../The tailor takes his yakuza to tattoo shop. Yakuza is tattooed on his penis. A suspended public detective is looking it with arousal. The detective is bedmate of tattoo artist and is satisfied with his debauched life, full of fag and sex but when his supervisor comes and asks him to come back, he is puzzled / A hotelkeeper renders his personal service to mysterious VIP to get a regular good client though he knows his subordinate loves him. He gambles with VIP that he can guess the profession of VIP. When he knows VIP is very dangerous guy, he can not help loving and escaping / The baby farmer hires the very silent guy as a temporary worker. But the farmer feels uneasy because the guy loves farmer so much. Then farmer knows the guy had been a autistic child in his nursery when he was working as a young and temporary worker there). Before reading this, I expected the author would write very hard-core homosexual manga because the author was really *guy* but the result is splendid & overwhelming beyond my expectation!!. Very powerful and sensual. Bravo! Even female readers don't feel disgusting because faces of the characters are enough handsome and I may be recently accustomed to "macho stuffs". All stories are touching and have a full of pathos of the adult guys. It's very impressive that big guy don't know what to do and looks puzzled (Especially the case of uke). The second story is particularly excellent. The word of the detective, "I want to do something (socially relevant/meaningful)" is very impressive! I realize that "the profession" is more important than love for guys, it is a sort of their identity (Though the detective was saved by his lover and was satisfied his jobless life with love for a while). Such male's nature is very lovely and pitiful for me. The author expresses the truth of the life well like "good literature"! His dramatics is also very good (After very shocking introduction - tattoo on the penis - very serious and deep theme lies in ambush!). A subordinate hotelkeeper of 3rd story is also very impressive. I can not help but sympathize with the guy who knows his love is hopeless. About 4th story, I thought it was common types of childminder's story. But it is very unique. The story of imprinting about autistic child written by male writer is different from ones written by female writers. The hero is not just vulnerable! He is very single-minded and has a strong will. The author also expresses the embarrassment of the baby farmer. Whole atmosphere is very natural. Perhaps male writers are basically good at delving into the essence of men's emotion, "longing for other men". The author shows his preference at every turn(At the end of the stories, he invents another coupling. It's very funny!) but I prefer the serious stories (except 1st story) who guys are desperately living, to stylish ones. Perhaps such serious stories express the real feeling/thought of the author well. I wish he keeps writing serious ones like this. Highly recommended. I'd like to appreciate Kousai Shobou which issues a great anthology and Inaki Matsumoto who invites this author to the anthology very much!! (by Slash-kun 10/May/2003)
Maya Kaoruko
"Virtual Lovers" (Shoubunkan) May/2003 *** 8.63
The adult short stories with a lot of hard sex scenes (After graduation, two sexual companions whose lifestyles are different reconfirm their love each other and decide to establish a new company together / Quiet unique story. Hero who has a problem with his lover knows the goodness of sex by his senior student / Hero confesses his agony to his sexual companion but the sexual companion says he also loves hero with sweat punishment / Two poor sexual companions. They enjoy "short staying at love hotel" with what little money they have and get into a flurry when pressed for time limit / Hero is taught by a nearby elder friend as a private tutor. Taking advantage of the tutor's broken heart, hero makes a reckless promise of future for the tutor / Hero has yearned for his friend's brother who is heterosexual. He becomes a sexual companion of the twin brother who is gay and spends bitter days with a lot of sex / Hero, who is an office worker now, encounters his senior member of athlete club when they were high school students. Disguised in drink, they spend a night together. At the running of next morning, hero pretends to forget their making love but the senior member suddenly scolds hero / Hero is glad to be loved a boy who is serotine with little awareness of love). Maya's stories have deep theme and many jokes & pathos for adult and in contrast to the simpleness of the stories! (Of course the sex scenes are unexceptionally hard and earn full marks). Maya's stories tell that the life is not so easy like happy-ending story for children but also tell that the life is not altogether worthless! All the stories are interesting but a little sad romances like the 5th (the story of unhappy private tutor) and the 6th (love with twin brothers) are especially so impressive because they convey the author's strong message（Everybody want to be happy even if they compromise - it is not the best goal）to readers. I know the author is veteran and has a long career but she has recently & remarkably improved her skill of making stories. I wonder why she becomes drastically a good mangaka (Perhaps if her art is more skillful - aesthetic or pretty, she would get much more fans earlier. But I think her simple, brusque and unfancy art with plumpy & fleshy bodies matches well for her non-aesthetic, non-luxuriant, comical, hard (to live in) and totally meat-and-potatoes stories!!). I think she should be appreciated & evaluated more highly! (by Slash-kun 18/Oct/2003)
Meiji Kanako
"Real 1/2" (Kousai Shobou) Jan/2003 *** 8.5
Very mysterious unique long series of the incestuous brothers whose mother is very strict and morbid love of cleanliness and a short story about a boy with guilt feeling (Hero's mother finds hero and neighbor are making love with SM taste. Mother notifies the police and neighbor run away. Hero asks his friend of school to take him in the grass). The story of long series :(Riku asks his elder brother to defile him by sex when Riku sleeps at night and becomes a noctambulist. Riku particular about cleanliness because of his too strict mother. Ushio commiserates Riku and wants to go away from home with Riku but at once he feels frustrated because Riku never remembers when Riku awakes. Ushio promises Riku to live together and encourages Riku to study hard to enter the school of far town. One day Riku awakes too early. Ushio suffers from frustration and goes to the room of his senior student, Taniguchi, his sexual companion. Riku smells Ushio who gets tired from hard sex with Taniguchi and complains about it. But Riku comes to Ushio at night. Ushio turns nasty and bullies Riku by vibrator. Ushio fears himself because weeping Riku is so cute and Ushio nearly absorbed in Riku totally. Ushio gives too much punishment to Riku and becomes obsessed with self-hatred. Ushio gets on the phone to Taniguchi but Taniguchi is not at home. The next morning Riku cries because he thinks he gets cancer of the rectum by finding the breeding from his anus. Ushio comforts Riku and promises to take Riku to restaurant together. But Taniguchi who checked the message of the answer phone visits Ushio. Riku goes to bed in a huff but comes in noctambulism and Taniguchi makes love to Riku in front of Ushio. Ushio gets angry and says he hates Riku of loose morals though Ushio often says Riku should smear more. Their argument becomes lovers' quarrel. Eating at restaurant, Ushio bullies Riku again and he says he can't live with Riku and he has made love with Taniguchi. Riku weeps copiously but tries to accept the relationship Ushio & Taniguchi...Ushio hates himself and asks Taniguchi to give the punishment...continues to next volume). The author is always very good at expression of family problems (dysfunctional family, familial pathology, Withdrawal of puberty,,,etc)! In this book, she expresses "the cooped-up feeling at home" confined by authoritarian mother well! Weeping Riku is so cute & helpless that I really understand the feeling of Ushio who often wants to make Riku cry!! The art of this series is very impressive, illusory & surrealistic!! The color art reminds me of the picture of "Gustave Moreau". It emphasizes the uneasy feeling of Ushio & Riku very well. I'm very looking forward to next volume! (by Slash-kun 15/Feb/2003)
Minami Megumu
"Usotsuki na Koibito" (Houbunsha) Aug/2003 *** 8.78
PWP series of unique & decadent friendship between genius detective and noble, rich & spoony son and a short story of master&sevak (Parents go on a long & distant journey and leave their selfish son unattended. They also leave a very obedient private teacher like robot for their son. The son is moved by the obedience but wonders why the teacher acts so. He knows the teacher is a criminal and they are separated...). The story of long series:(Easy-going son of extreme rich noble family, Gilbert Craven spends all his time at an office of his friend, a french, mysterious and genius detective, Leonor Duvier. A female client comes. She asks Leonor to deliver her jewel to american retailer for sale. But on a ship, they get stung by a duo of a man and a woman / Leonor, Gilbert and his girl friend go to Egypt and participate in "an auction on the ship" of local hidden treasure. While local robber band is aiming at the treasure, a mysterious rival approaches Leonor...). A sort of parody of "mysterious & enchanting guy". Serious but funny. Friendship story but decadent. Very intelligent but not pedantic. Such antinomy is very unique and erotic (may be best work of hers for me)! She wrote this story quite a bit by her taste and only Sanwa Shuppan may allow it. It's very lucky that chemistry between mangaka and her editor is good. And in this book, Minami could make so nice characters! Leonor is very lovely (cunning bitch who shows no mercy except his dearest lover. But he really wishes Gilbert's happiness)! I'm often near to tears by his hidden feeling. Gilbert is silly but cute, open-heartedly, has grown up quickly and healthily and does not know how to doubt anyone. Minami describes well typical guy who is silly but lovely! She uses the style of "Detective Holmes" tactfully and describes the difference of the characters of Gilbert and Leonor vividly through various incidents. At the end of every episode, Gilbert always becomes cruel and billies Leonor by his jealousy. It is very thrilling! Of course Gilbert never fails to regret later. Very tactful plot. At the end Leonor proves his dedicated love to Gilbert. The readers should be moved so much. Really stylish and adult good story. Female character, Elaine is also nice. In short story of robot, the fascinating aspect of Gilbert and Leonor is concentrated. Very lively and childish french student like sun vs his beautiful private teacher with unhappy background. The private teacher wins the hearts and minds of the student by self-less & complete service though he is blunt. The student gets the comfort by being loved unconditionally. The readers also want it. Postscripts, the intellectual research of slashy literature of all ages and cultures is so interesting! I feel like reading Saiyuuki by Atsushi Nakajima (Sagojyou envies the relation between Gokuu and Sanzou-houshi)!! (by Slash-kun 27/Dec/2003)
Misato Miyuki
"Hanji Dono no Ren-ai Jijyou" (Ohkura Shuppan) Jul/2003 *** 8.55
The courtroom romance between a proficient judge with complex circumstances and a son of Judge's father in law. The story:(A judge, Souichirou Takeo is stalked by journalist, Takamatsu because Takamatsu suspects Souichirou delivered too heavy sentence on a woman who abused her child. Takamatsu exposes Souichirou's past - abused child - and Souichirou feels a panic, but Souichirou is comforted on the bed by Ichiro Ayanokouji, a fledgling assistant judge who has been brought up with much love from his parents / The first love between Souichirou and Ichiro. Ichiro asks Souichirou for a date but Souichirou suggests making love because he hates complicated procedures. But Souichirou is moved by Ichiro's sincere words of love / Ichiro opens himself in front of Souichirou who hides his past / Souichirou still loves Ichiro's father, Kouhei Ayanokouji who saved Souichirou. Ichiro makes love to Souichirou as substitute using his appearance and voice which resemble Kouhei / Ichiro gets stage fright at his first trial and sponges on Souichirou but is parried easily / The people in the court are knocked down by sexy voice of Souichirou who reads statements of detailed raping incident / Souichirou is reputed as a foxy man but Ichiro respects him single-mindedly. They can not help rolling into the rest room / Souichirou catches a cold. Ichiro looks after him too sweetly / The episode before Souichirou becomes a judge. He was caught by the love cage of Kujyou who is a professor of law school. But he swore he did not give his mind to anybody....). The author is also a yaoi writer, so her manga has strong attraction though her art had been not so skillful. Recently her art has made great progress and the art of this book has become very fine. Yaoi mangaka who write novel, too (Yuu Asagiri, Shimone Yotsuya, Emikoyama) are all excel at making good drama using full-fledged setup, deep emotional expression and excellent conversation, so this author's work becomes so great if the art would make any progress. This work is more interesting as I read more times. The expression of court is very realistic because Misato issued 5 books of courtroom novels (Hanamaru Bunko) from Hakusuisha. It makes the atmosphere very impressive. Besides her characters are very powerful (Souichirou is very cool, beautiful, twisted, nihilistic, arrogant, satirist uke who has serious past of his childhood. Ichiro is very cheerful like sun, passionate & unexpectedly broad-minded younger seme who has open mind and has been grown up by a lot of love). Same characters like "Kamen rider Kuga" or "Odoru Dai sousa sen". Souichirou is elite but people want to guard him - want him to be happy. The adult relationship between Ichiro's father, Kouhei and Souichirou (Souichirou loves Kouhei and Ichiro knows it) is very mannish. Such bitter relationship (not sweet) keeps readers' interest. The whole decadent atmosphere is nice, too. Conversation of climax scenes is perfect, too! I feel like reading author's past manga works. (by Slash-kun 15/Nov/2003)
Miyake Ranjyou
"Bussen vol.1" (Koudansha) Feb/2000 * 8.5
Very hilarious long series of "the academy of temple to be a Buddhist monk". The author's first book. The story:(On the Koudan Mountain, there are two temples, Kinkinpukuji and Butsubutsusenji. Kinkinpukuji is very rich and wants to monopolize the Koudan Mountain. But another poor temple recently starts new business, an academy of Buddhism, "Bussen - Bukkyou Senmon Gakkou" for young people. Kinkinpukuji send a young monk, Shousuke as a spy to Bussen. But Bussen is just a "pious deception" to earn money to maintain the poor temple and two priests, teachers of Bussen, Unshin & Gankei has prepared nothing about the school. Then young enrollees should endure the poor life in temple...). This manga had been serialized on seinen (male adult readers) magazine, "Comic Morning" but the author is a female mangaka! But most expression are not so feminine (She graduates famous art school and has a great talent of art. She is a genius like "Cisco Kataru" or "Reiko Okano"! The author may be affected by Okano's "Fancy Dance", the story about a young Buddhist monk) though some veteran readers may find out there are some explicit expressions of impudent women that ordinary male mangaka never write (ex. a daughter of Kinkinpukuji crosses her legs around a young monk to control him). All episodes are hilarious (the author's gag is very intelligent and full of Buddhism terms & knowledge) and all individual characters are very attractive (Especially intellectual high priest, Unshin & silly but innocent monk, Shousuke is so unique! Somehow Shousuke resembles Kenny in american prison drama "OZ"!). (by Slash-kun 08/Feb/2003)
Miyakoshi Wasoh
"Souken no Kage" (Outou Shobou) Nov/2002 *** 8.45
Refreshing romance of the students in Kendou (Japanese art of fencing) club. The story:(A son of Kendou's ashra, Shougo Katsuragi happens to find a mysterious beautiful boy, Harima Aotsuka lying in the garden of the temple. He is very surprised because the boy suddenly kisses him. Next day, Katsuragi is ordered by the captain of Kendou club to find new member of their club. Without new member, their team can not participate in the public match. Katsuragi finds Harima is a student of same school and invites Harima to his club in blank surprise. Harima turns out to be very veteran swordsman and apprentice of very famous sword master, Tatsuo Mimatsu who died recently. But Harima refuses to enter the club though Katsuragi keeps persuade Harima. Harima confesses he had forbidden sexual relationship with Mimatsu and lost his passion of Kendou after Mimatsu's death. Katsuragi asks Harima whether he can substitute for Mimatsu. Then Katsuragi decides to restart his Kendou for "Katsuragi"...). Settling on the subject matter of "Kendou" is very unique for yaoi stories! The author researches about Kendou very well and uses various special terms in this story!! The impact of "the fencing match scenes" is really great, too. And "the art of the eyes" is really beautiful and powerful!! Though there is dark scene/setup in this story but whole impression is very refreshing because Katsuragi is very straight/scrupulous/sincere/uncouth swordsman and there is good balance of comedy scenes and serious ones. This book is also be well worth reading as juvenile, adolescence story that has deep theme: There are two kinds in "Kendou"; Kendou for myself and Kendou for lover. They are equally important. This story is serialized on GUST magazine and GUST (now it is suspended) has kept creating good refreshing juveniles for young readers. I wish good publisher will succeed GUST's achievement soon!! (by Slash-kun 18/Jan/2003)
Miyamoto Kano
"NOT/LOVE" (Ohkura Shuppan) Oct/2003 *** 8.8
The sequel(different version) of "Are You Enemy?" issued from Shinshokan. The reissue of djs of "Walkers series". Encounter, separation and reunion of a detective of inquiry agency and a student prostitute. The story:(Daisuke Togawa, a private detective, ex-police detective visits a night club to find a runaway high school student. He catches a college student & prostitute with same family name, Fumihito Takahashi in mistake for a missing student. Fumihito, aka Bun lands on Daisuke's house and pays his charges for accommodation by sexual service. Then they become on good terms. Bun can not but love Daisuke, then he tries to escape. Daisuke goes to the club and brings back Bun who is nearly bought by yakuza there.Bun gets a quarrel with Daisuke and criticizes Daisuke for his past compensated dating Bun happened to know. Daisuke knocks out Bun but Bun keeps sitting at the door. Daisuke finally gives in and begins to talk his past of police to Bun. Daisuke was loved by a delinquent girl, was prosecuted by her parents, was fired and was dumped by his wife and kid. The missing student is found. Daisuke goes to the club to catch him. He is attacked by yakuza but escapes the death. After leaving the hospital, Daisuke proposes Bun to live together / 7 years later. Bun manages a jack-of-all-trades with his assistants, his cousin, Nagiko and his friend, Hato. Bun finds a letter from Daisuke at a post and is lost in thought. Daisuke married again and has a child now. Recollection - after their two years cohabitation, they received a visit from a girl of the case. Bun backed out of them. 5 years passed - At Nagiko's discretion, Bun is called out by Daisuke. Bun confesses that he can not forget Daisuke and they renew their love. They receive a commission to throw off the dead body and is involved into a problem...). 2003 is a year of "Kano Miyamoto". I have been rapidly fascinated with her simple and realistic and comfortable art very much. Her rough, handwriting pen stroke is really nice! Not too commercial and not pompous. Very cool but not artificial. Very fashionable but not smug. Very casual and poorish style is very nice, too. Her art resembles my favorite mangaka (with the point of their art) , Ichiko Ima, Ayumi Gion and Masumi Moriwaki, so I can not but love her! Her mannish, simple and natural art matches well with her natural story. All the same time her sexual expression is so good (The first sex scene of Bun is soooo erotic! Miyamoto's art of nude body is so excellent & beautiful. The bare foot is so alluring & thrilling). Altruistic Bun is so pitiful and lovely. Though Daisuke shouts curses at Bun, he also can not being passive for Bun who is hunger for love. Their difficult relationship is very moving (The conflict of them who are lonely and injured is very heartrending - They are often jacking their wig). So the scene that they part though they are loving each other is really sad & tear-jerker (Daisuke is like a guy who is loved by pet. Bun parts with his precious happiness by himself). How ironic their fate is! So I have mixed feelings about Daisuke who are enough immoral to press to come back to Bun in latter half of the story. But I also feel it's lucky because Bun can be reconciled with Daisuke and becomes happy. The adult & ironic exchange/conversation of them who meet again is also witty and funny. Miyamoto's small expressions are also very excellent. Her art of golden fish is very realistic and nice. Supporting characters, Hato and Nagiko are good, too. And Miyamoto's latest color work is really skillful. Especially her cover pic and frontispiece drawing. The way of "white" is really wonderful. I did not realize her talent in case of "Are You Enemy?". I regret and want to read it again! (by Slash-kun 31/Jan/2004)
"RULES vol.1" (Shoubunkan) Mar/2003 *** 8.9
The first long series book by the author who is now very popular among the yaoi freaks though she just issued her first commercial book in last year. The story:(A honor student but reserved, Yukio Konoe lost his virginity yesterday. A very cool classmate, Atori Suzuki finds that Konoe has written the novel, then Konoe becomes one of Atori's friends because Atori wants to be a scriptwriter, too. Reading their stuffs each other, Konoe has a crush on Atori and suffers from it. Konoe finally goes to 2 choume of Shinjuku. He is picked up by a cool student, Hikaru Taira and goes through his first sexual experience. But Konoe leaves his precious floppy disk at Hikaru's room. Hikaru is very kind to come to Konoe's high school to hand it. To Atori's curious friends, Konoe somehow comes out and tells a lie that Kikaru is his lover. Konoe wags his school and withdraws into Hikaru's room. Seeing Konoe's old wrist-cutting, Hikaru knows Konoe's suffering from homosexuality. To Hikaru, Konoe confesses his one-sided love for Atori. Konoe returns the school and is welcome by Atori who doesn't mind Konoe's preference. Konoe can not help confessing his mind to Atori and wags the school again. Atori comes to see Konoe at Hikaru's room. Hikaru suggests Konoe to talk well with Atori alone). The prequel of "Lover Souls". Hikaru is common character. According to the postscript, the sequel of this series is very long and main character will change. Her editor is very afraid this series can be completed but I hope the editor to leave the author free. Miyamoto's stories are not too commercial. This is a secret of her popularity. Very interesting without reservation! Very natural. The readers will identify themselves with a hero. The suffering of youth iis so severe because young people are helpless. Adult people want to save them (If I were Hikaru, I can not leave Konoe alone and can not help doing what I wanted to be done in the past). And recalling young days, I wish I had good adult friend who understand well and comforts me (It's lucky for Konoe, a very vulnerable and sensitive boy to be comforted by an experienced elder guys like Hikaru). So the readers can enjoy being Hikaru and being Konoe. Atori is a very nice guy, too (He may love Konoe)! "The first sexual experience with elder guy" are often written by Shun Tsuzuki. I think Miyamoto resembles Tsuzuki and Masumi Moriwaki. They may have a sort of adoration for "men's loyalty for hierarchical society" or "men's rite of passage". Or they may hate the insensitiveness of women who easily compromise and give in their lovers and rivals. But men manage to overcome their complex feeling. Miyamoto's rough pen stroke is very natural (She writes all picture by herself!) and modern but very comfortable like sophisticated literature. The faces are cool and boyish. Like intermediate sex, beat generation taste. Very stylish and fashionable! I want this series to continue forever! (by Slash-kun 06/Sep/2003)
Mizuhara Chihiro
"Coffee Break" (Shoubunkan) Jul/2003 *** 8.65
6 rewarding/readable short stories focused on adult guys (A successful sales rep buys a bouquet to make his proposal of marriage to his girl friend. She refuses it, then a flower shop manager comforts him. But sales rep makes excuses that he accepted manager's love because he mistook the manager for woman. The manager gets a shock, sots and closes the shop.../ A senior worker has a great complex about a new worker who is very able but has no desire to succeed. The senior one tries to sets the rookey by a visiting male prostitute by sleeping pill but he is also poisoned with a love potion / A young sales rep is ordered to trace a secret of an ace sales one by his senior sales one. The young one finds the unexpected truth.../ A bedmate cum secretary of a very cruel young CEO is so depressed because CEO orders him to entertain a VIP client sexually. A son of the CEO asks him to part with CEO and becomes a lover of the son / Very selfish but popular writer who really wants to write Sci-fi spends his meaningless days by bullying his hanger-on editors. The editors call a visiting male prostitute to him but the prostitute turns out to be a president of internet publisher / A Hero comforts a young guy who was dumped by a woman and spends one night together. Since then, the hero has been loved by the young guy with all his heart and soul but the hero can not get serious with the guy because the hero is so afraid of getting hurt. And ex-lover also presses to come back to the hero...). The stories filled with the distorted pathos & passion special to adult white collars are very impressive and unique! All stories have the sociality (social factors) and it makes the stories worthy of admiration of adult readers (The theme of 3rd story is very deep like seinen manga! The atmosphere is dark and silent. The set-up of 5th story - internet business and publisher - is very unique! The tongue/jargon of publisher/editor like "Otoko Geisha - very obedient man like yes-man" or "Umebunkan - It reminds me of "Umeshobou" used in "Moeyo Pen" by Kazuhiko Shimamoto issued from Takeshobou - the parody of Shoubunkan" is very funny & Otaku-ish! The wealth of knowledge about internet business speaks for the intelligence of the author). There are similar talent of making stories like Yugi Yamada's tax office story. The word at sex of CEO in 4th story is very rich in nuance, too. The author's stories are characterized by both of uke & seme being tall & emotional (Even female character is very tall! The author might never be affected by shoujo manga! I'm really moved by the abnormal complex of the senior worker of 2nd story! And in 6th story, the timid uke's strong need/desperation to be exclusively loved who has been hurt by love in past times is very impressive and understandable. OTOH CEO of 4th story, typical tyrannical & childish oyaji character like Nobunaga who likes to bully his lover is also very nice! Add to these, the author's baroque art is tremendous and dynamic and intensifies the impact of the stories and characters. The hard sex scenes of tall guys (Her uke and seme are both tall) is overwhelming. Unique and highly recommended. I'd like to read this author's stories more & more! (by Slash-kun 12/Jul/2003)
Mizukami Shin
"Tsumibito no Kiss" (Houbunsha) Mar/2003 *** 8.53
Various short stories (The boy goes to his grandmother's house in the country to stay during summer vacation, on the day of "bon" when the ghosts of ancestors return. The ghost of his grandfather possesses the boy and meets with the ghost of grandfather's friend who was a cadet and died in the war. The boy accomplishes his grandfather's wish which was not done on the day of friend's departure to take the field / The son of the noble family of ancient China loves his wild but countrylike private teacher of sword play. But the teacher is punished on the charge of his taking out the son by the horse out of the compound. The son chases the teacher who is going to return his home, the seaside village / Very unique PWP, rare for the author, the immoral & hilarious threesome sex story. The hero's mother suddenly died. Then hero is taken in by his father who divorced with hero's mother. But hero's father and hero's brother who has been living with father are homosexual and take a fancy for the hero.../ The fantastic shota PWP like Video game. The puerile price goes to fight off the dragon with his bodyservant, a very honorable brave. But the brave can not hide his dirty desire for the prince / The american prison story like "OZ". A pure new boy is raped by the king of prisoners but the king loves him at the end). Every story is very interesting and unique! The author has a great talent to adopt exotic set-ups like "World War II & old japanese rural village", "ancient China", "Fantasy of dragon and knight" and "american prison". She arranges such unique set-up well with tactful artifice and excellent expression of atmosphere (The ghost guy of the military uniform of 1st story is very cool. The author well-describes the rural country of Japan. The usage of the song at the 2nd story is very nice! The hardiness and beauty of the body who has grown up at seaside village is also well-expressed,,etc). I'm really impressed with her flexibility and greediness to adopt anything! The sex scenes and her uke are very sexy as usual. Especially her challenge of "threesome sex PWP" is worth reading (as modern stylish comedy) ! (by Slash-kun 05/Apr/2003)
"Sen-nen ni Hitotsu no Koi" (Biblos) Dec/2002 *** 8.45
The various romantic & fantastic stories of old chinese period (A beautiful warrior goes to fight off a maneating tiger who keeps living more than a thousand years. But tiger is on heat and finding his mating partner.../ The sequel. Warrior returns to his house with tiger.../ A bad dealer of human traffic kidnaps very beautiful hostage boy in order to earn money for getting straight from his dirty business. But he falls in love with pure hostage / The assistant boy of the village doctor should look after "injured drop-out warrior" by doctor's order. But the boy is not glad because his parents were killed by similar warrior / The boy falls in love the strange guy who saved the boy from heatstroke by "providing water from mouth to mouth". Boy can meet him again and knows he is an artist. But th e artist is a misanthrope.../ Very rattler master of swordplay lay a bet with his friend whether master can seduce his apprentice. But master falls in love with his innocent apprentice...) like her first debut book. All the stories are very interesting and impressive like "Good Old Folk tales" with the author's exuberant imagination for alternative world & hyacinthine & simple romantic love story. Every story has unique ideas, so they are worth reading. Very precious talent! (by Slash-kun 4/Jan/2003)
Mizuno Tohko
"Minami no Kuni no Oujisama" (Biblos) Oct/2003 *** 8.63
The long short story that a prince of southland adopts a lonely boy who was bereaved of his grandfather and another long-short story of cute school doctor and delinquent student (A school doctor, Ibuki Yamaguchi is always bugged and bullied by a bad student, Kazumi Kiryuu. But he gradually loves Ibuki...) and a short story of vampire (A high school student picks up a guy of vampire at a garbage dump in the rain). The story of name-piece:(A college student, Yuzuha receives a will from his grandfather, only one relative who lives abroad. The grandfather promised to put Yuzuha under the charge of Jean as security for a loan. Jean is a prince of southland and orders Yuzuha to pay with his body...). All the stories are interesting. Seme is evil, ill-natured and lewd. And Uke who can not hate such a seme and loves seme is so lovely (Especially the face with tears). And each story is weariless. I think Mizuno has a great & precious talent. About 1st story, a name-piece is fantastic fairy tale for adult readers. People has had dreams of loving at the palace of southland since the time of "Arabian Nights". Lonely & helpless Yuzuha and a little evil-minded Prince Jean are very good couple. I feel satisfaction with only it. About 2nd story, very rare character as this author, a delinquent student appears. A teacher is very small and pretty instead of it. When the teacher becomes serious, he looks so cute!! The last short story is also unusual, horror fantasy. Very challenging. But sex scenes are very hot as usual! Very worthful book for Mizuno fans! (by Slash-kun 21/Feb/2003)
"Ichigo Mashumaro" (Shoubunkan) May/2003 *** 8.65
The second volume of the very popular animal fantastic shota series of Ere & Takara. The story of the series:(A fox, Red visits Takara's house on business. Red tries to tempt Ere by love portion. Takara goes mad with jealousy. But Ere forgives Red and Takara loves Ere all the more. Red becomes a lodger / Takara and Ere go to glass store to mend the window. Ere sees a mirror for the first time and takes a fancy for it. Takara buys and uses it for their sex play.../ The first encounter of Takara and Ere. Ere is alone bereaved by his grandfather. Ere does not grow tall though he reaches manhood and is bullied by his comrades. One day Ere drops into the river. Takara saves Ere and provides the dinner. Takara is a pessimist but Ere comforts him very much. Ere tries to hunt Takara as a quarry but it makes Takara misunderstand. Takara hates Ere so much that Ere suffers from a sense of dejection. Takara thinks about himself and goes to invite Ere / Shima, a wildcat reaches manhood and becomes a lodger of Takara's house, too. He also tries to tempt Ere. Takara warns against it). The author combines two popular factors of yaoi, "Shota story" and "Animal story", so it promotes the author's unique attraction, contradictory pleasures, "pretty art" and "hard sex scenes (lewd expression)" very much. So it is very natural that this series is now her most popular one. So the publisher has a rush of request and the author can write the encounter story of Ere and Takara at commercial magazine, though she thought she had to write it as only djs. The encounter story is very heartrending though there is not so much explicit sex scenes. Everyone will be knocked down by pretty & pitiful Ere! Ere is so poor like the hero of typical old japanese animation for children!! It's very important thing for good shota stories. I can understand well why Takara is willing to become Ere's quarry. Ere's grandfather helps Ere's attraction. His word, "There are various strength" which he said to encourage Ere when Ere was bullied by his comrades is very symbolic! I think the author wants to say that Ere's persistent manliness, enthusiasm & straightness are really his strong point/power. In the end, Takara gives up and is saved by Ere's strength and purity which Ere never loses if he is bullied or blanked and by Ere's strong passion to keeps to love Takara. I marvel at Mangaka's great talent to write the natural purity like Ere by calculation (careful & well-thought-out technique and plan)! The author's popularity seems to be unwavering. This series will be a masterpiece of animal yaoi (anthropomorphism with animal for yaoi) ! (by Slash-kun 09/Aug/2003)
Momo Hachigou
"Hero datte Kanawanai" (Shinkousha) Jul/2003 *** 8.4
The short stories including the long-short story of "Special Effect drama's Hero" (Hero is an actor. His role is the hero of special effect drama for the children and he becomes familiar with a senior actor who acts as a villain. Two mysterious guys interfere their term, but two guys turn out to be the brothers of senior one who is freak of special effect drama's hero.../ The sequel. Their program ends and hero and senior actor become busy. Hero is afraid that senior actor may love the hero of next program.../ A office worker who easily get drunk vomits over a guy. The guy looks after the worker at hotel but there they make love. But the guy turns out to be very younger student than worker. He is a nihilistic & rich boulevardier / The friend suddenly decides to run away from home. Hero joins on it. The friend is desperate because he should transfer the school according to his parents' convenience. Hero listens to the confession of his friend at hotel / Hero saves a guy who is in trouble with his broken motorcycle. Hero loves motorcycle so much that he becomes a mechanic. The guy is going to give up his career as a professional racer to avoid strained relations with his brother but the mechanic encourages a racer / A student of volleyball club enters a hospital by the auto accident. He loses his position and becomes desperate. He decides to resign the club but his friend stops it. He nearly rapes his friend. Hearing the rumor his friend resigns the club, he gets panicky / A nasty class officer of elementary school says disagreeable things to his classmate who works as a TV celebrity. The classmate is nearly raped by TV director but is saved by the very popular kid actor. The actor turns out to be the class officer). The author's stories have variety and setups are interesting genre/category for readers. The ideas are interesting, too and the plots are well-written. The art is skillful. Art and story are well-balanced. Sex scenes are enough exciting. Very capable mangaka. The gap between the role of villain and his cry when he turns out to be a freak of hero is so funny. The author seems to love "special effect drama's hero" and "show biz" and her passion that she will (wants to) write what she loves is so agreeable. She is good at the expression of delicate feeling, too so he may be able to write long human drama. I want to read next! (by Slash-kun 13/Sep/2003)
Momoki Sae
"MOMO CAN" (Core Magazine) Nov/2001 *** 8.49
The first (commercial) book of the author who is very popular as a djska and an illustrator who has fanatical fans. Main characters are cheerful student who resemble the cool and cheerful characters of Naduki Koujima who is very popular among young yaoi fans. The sex scenes are enough sexy. About first two stories, the art is so attractive. The art of the pretty & bright student with energy. Seme is a little nasty (evil) and active uke with tears in his eyes. It appeals young readers! Next story is a little old fantasy. Author is a fan of "Final Fantasy 7". Current art has been better as compared to this. Line becomes free and easy. This book contains novel written by Ken Nanbara and it is very erotic! Momoki's art is cute though the story is very hot, so their collaboration results very interesting. The 2 page essay is also interesting! It's author's actual experience, as other many yaoi mangaka, just an imagination she had when she saw two students in a train. But the costume of students is very cute and sexy! Momoki's students' art is very attractive. Next one is wild fancy about a elder guy who lives next door. The student is cute, too and Momoki's comical art is nice. And next one is comical romance at school. The heartwarming story about examination. The last is fantasy, a parody of "Naita Akaoni" (famous japanese old tale). Great masterwork is used for parody for many times. Every story is very good but I prefer students' story than fantasy. Students' story is modern/contemporary and the characters look animated. This book is very nice to enjoy this author fully and bookbinding is very gorgeous and the size is big, but the price is a little expensive. (by Slash-kun 14/Feb/2003)
Momoki Sae & Nanbara Ken
"Junjyou Heart Kaihouku" (Core Magazine) Sep/2003 *** 8.49
The school romance which original story comes from yaoi novel (Ovis novel and Rapis bunko). So, there is a little difficult to understand. In this manga most relations of 2 couples in this story is well-explained, so I think the readers have no problem to read this, but if I'm allowed to wish so much, more detailed explain may make this story easier. 2 couples are students couple and teacher-student one (Very lively idol of the school, Ritsu can not refuse the punishment from a cruel president of student government, Ei somehow.../ Ei's dearest younger brother, Jun is debauched by evil & lewd teacher, Ryuuichirou...). Momoki's art is so pretty that she has so many fans. At first, I thought this was silly school manga, but it is unexpectedly exciting, thrilling and dramatic! The couple's characters are well-described and it makes me involved in the story. The good contrast of "Self-willed uke vs Nasty & evil seme" & "Outrageous teacher vs Innocent student" moves the story interestingly. This success may be made by yaoi novelist, Ken Nanbara. The recollection scene of Ritsu's childhood is very heartrending and wins the hearts and minds of the readers (This makes the reader understand well why Ritsu obeys Ei blindly). The sex scenes are very hot though the art is so pretty (Especially Ryuuichirou, a teacher is so horny and hilarious!). And this story is continued not complete (cliff-hanger ending!). Oh! I'm in limbo. This book issued after 2 years serialization, so I wonder when 2 volume will be issued...I can't wait! (by Slash-kun 20/Dec/2003)
Mube Ryouko
"Ima Sugu Dakishimete" (Outou Shobou) May/2003 *** 8.55
One very dramatic romance series of the delinquent student who should live together with the sidewind between his father and his mistress and one short romance of long-distance love (The high school student falls in love with the college student at his entrance preparation and comes to Tokyo to enter it but college student graduates and gets a job and should go to Osaka for training. They talk through cell phones but one-way complaint of working at company makes the lover tired.... The story of the series (A rich student, Keigo Minakami, 21 years old visits his own new condominium which his father buys for him because his step mother starts to live separately and father wants living alone with his bedmate. He expects to live alone, too but his father's secretary & bedmate, Tomohiko Sakakida introduces his room mate, Midori Nishio, 16 years old who is a sidewind of Keigo's father and his mistress who suddenly disappeared. Midori should be dependent on Minakami family because his mother died. Through miserable life, Midori holds killing grudge for Keigo's father, so there is no choice but living with Keigo. Keigo can not allow the relationship between Tomohiko and his father, so he accepts seduction of Midori. Tomohiko finds their sex and scolds Keigo so much but Midori protests because Keigo already knows Tomohiko's relationship with Keigo's father. Tomohiko is very surprised but Keigo accepts it because of Midori. One day Midori is attacked by a burglary and gets injured. Keigo's stepmother appears and she tells about Midori is not a real son of Keigo's father. Midori has been threaten by his real father who is a violent drinker. Keigo is very surprised but forgives all about Midori. Keigo's father adopts Midori as his son / First encounter between Tomohiko and Keigo's father. Very human drama. Tomohiko's parents died when he was 12 years old but his relatives thought him as a nuisance. Keigo's father was a just friend of Tomohiko's father but got angry and took in him. But Tomohiko refused to be an adopted child. 16 years pass and Tomohiko tells the reason he refused it for the first time to Keigo's father). The author's art is very beautiful but the story is unexpectedly very humane and well worth reading. It's very interesting that sloppy & cold hero gradually changes and has grown up by the life with his stepbrother who has experienced severe childhood. All the characters are very sincere though they think themselves unfaithful. I can understand the hero who has the sulks because his father deprives Tomohiko who is liked like his brother, how gravely Tomohiko (very nice character!) gets shocked to know Keigo knows Tomohiko's relationship with Keigo's father and apprehension of Midori who starts living with Keigo after his mother's death, so I want to empathize with all of them. The author's emotional expression is very elaborate. There are some cruel scenes but feels relieved at the end because the author's viewpoint is very tender. During serialization, the author got so many fan's sincere letters and it makes sense. The short story is also very dramatic! The gap between student and worker (wage slave) is well described using long-distance love. It's very short story but expresses the truth of life. The author makes great progress in making good drama! BTW I thought GUST magazines had been suspended and Outou Shobou also stopped to issue GUST Comics but this book was issued as "GUST Comics" of Outou Shobou. Now the readers should buy the book of "GUST magazines" from Outou Shobou and Kaiousha (GUSH Comics)....Gentousha's novels and Kaiousha (GUSH comics). It's a little confused.(by Slash-kun 10/May/2003)
Murata Yusuke + Inagaki Riichiro
"Eyeshield 21 vol.1" (Shuueisha) Dec/2002 * 9.5
Now the most popular new shounen manga series serialized on Weekly Shounen JUMP. The school comedy of "American football club". The story:(Sena Kobayakawa passes the entrance examination of "Demon high school" by his old & older friend, Marimo's support. But his personal information is stolen by subtle means of Youichi Hiruma who is a member of american football club. Many direct mails (fliers) of invitation to "american football club" come to Sena's house. Marimo suggests Sena's participating to any club because Sena had no friends and often became an errand runner for bully. But Sena immediately draws the attention of bullies and runs an errand for them to buy the lunch at the shop. But the lunch is unluckily sold out though Sena shows his overwhelming fleet of foot. Sena is going to be tortured at the room of certain club. But it's a room of american football club and a very fat member, Ryoukan Kurita saves Sena. Sena knows now american football club has only two members including Kurita. Kurita invites Sena to be a competent staff who manages the club by intelligence. Sena is a very weak guy but he accepts it because any power is not necessary for a competent staff. But bullies want to revenge Kurita and try to ask Sena the information of Kurita. Sena escapes at a great bat and Hiruma happens to see Sena. The next day Hiruma orders Sena to become a member of the club and gives Sena a helmet with smoky class and the code name, "Eye Shield 21" because Hiruma wants to secrete Sena's super running ability from other clubs. The important tournament will be held tomorrow, so they should gather together the 10 persons for participation of the game in just one day. Hiruma succeeds it by dirty ways. Hiruma wants to secrete Sena in this game because two members of very mighty team comes to spy and Sena himself wants to work as just a competent staff. But their team gets itself into fix, so Sena finally decides to fight as a player...). Sigh. What a nice plot... I heard the rumor that now many djska of NARUTO are going over to this manga, so I try reading this. But this manga is really & unexpectedly so interesting!! The idea that an errand runner, slave boy of bully learns great ability of running by bullies' orders of everyday is so nice. Fat boy, Kurita is very tender & dependable nice guy for Sena, a typical bullied child. Especially Hiruma is unbelievable unique & eccentric hero! In usual shounen manga, there is no guy like Hiruma who is very evil, clever and calculating. Hiruma makes full use of state-of-the-art electronic equipments, cellphones, personal computers,,,etc. American football is not so popular among japanese and people think it is a sport for only a few elite universities but it is very intelligent sport which needs very complex strategy. So it should be suitable for Otaku readers who are comparatively intelligent and love difficult video games. JUMP is very excellent magazine and creates very interesting new series for us again! (But I can not find who is the most suitable character for yaoi djs yet because Sena, Kurita and Hiruma are never handsome, not but that djska will adopt these three guys without modification or neglect very handsome rival/enemy characters....) (by Slash-kun 29/Mar/2003)
Nakamura Asumiko
"Copernicus no Kokyuu vol.2" (Oota Shuppan) May/2003 *** 8.8
The hero comes back to the circus through hardship. The story:(Leo gives the ticket of his circus but Oonagi interferes with Takeo's going. Takeo finally throws off Oonagi's jealousy and rushes in but Leo gets seriously injured by failure of performance. Takeo is tortured sexually by Oonagi but never give up and asks Oonagi to let him go to Leo. Oonagi confesses he happened to see the accident of Takeo's brother and the secret of his marriage with Koko who is a victim of rape just before her marriage. Oonagi's marriage has been fake. Being surprised to see his own violence, Oonagi releases Takeo. Takeo degrades himself to be a temporary worker of chinese restaurant. But his brother's ghost comes back. Koko's brother, Michel becomes an honor student of Sciences-Po. Takeo and Michel encounter at Cafe. Takeo feels nervous to accept the flyer of circus from the strange customer of the restaurant. Michel scolds Takeo's drug addiction and promises he will live together to protect Takeo. They spend happy days. But Takeo can not forget lingering affection for circus. The phone call telling the suicide of Koko. Michel rushes into the hospital. Takeo catches Michel off guard and goes to the circus. Michel encounters Oonagi at hospital. Oonagi says that Koko loves only Michel and both of Oonagi and Michel share Koko and love Takeo. Michel stabs Oonagi in a frenzy. Takeo finds the grand master, Auguste who becomes a husband of a very beautiful female performer, Rene. The master has reestablished his circus company with a strong purpose though he should be condemned to a wheelchair now. After making love with Rene, Takeo returns home and finds bloody Michel. Takeo runs away and is put spurs to get reincarnated by the master. Takeo's brother goes to the heaven by the honest confession of Takeo with a lot of love. Takeo confesses to Michel that his real name is "Michel". Koko's brother, Michel is voluntarily surrendered. After a year, Michel is released from prison and finds the name of Michel on the flyer of circus. Michel and Rene perform bravely for farewell to the master who just died. Michel and Oonagi are gazing up Michel together from the seats). Cycle of accidents which evoke trauma of hero, the accident of his brother. A lot of blood and nightmares. The art of blood and scream is very exciting. But "Show must go on". In this book there are overflowing with the love of the people who are obsessed by circus. The grand master is a tear-jerker. He really loves circus more than anyone does. I feel great agony and obsession pf Takeo who wants to return to circus. The whisper of Takeo's brother which keeps blaming Takeo seems to be a sort of cursing and very impressive. The ending that Takeo's brother accepts the Takeo's confession, forgives Takeo and Takeo comes back to the circus is very hopeful and satisficing. I'm very moved the author's passion to culminate this story up to the grand finale. This work is not only aesthetic and decadent but also appeals the love for circus, the uplifting feeling of the art using the human bodies and the pleasure of the people who sacrifice their lives to art. I think the author produces the great work. There are manliness & purity that the author declares being obsessed by the art is never tragedy but happiness. Highly recommended. (by Slash-kun 07/Jun/2003)
"Copernicus no Kokyuu vol.1" (Oota Shuppan) Mar/2002 *** 9
The young pierrot who is obsessed by dead brother is bought by the patron and resigns the circus for a while. The story:(A circus company which a grand master of circus, Auguste Kirillova who has grown up at circus heads up. Unique & fantastic community where many children with problems & talent are living together. Contradictory world which is misery but glittering...Torinosu, a pierrot who has suffers from his dead brother's ghost is encouraged by a juggler, Leo. "Clowns always innovate circus". But Torinosu feels sorry because he has no qualification to be praised and has a secret from Leo. A beautiful new prima, Mina feels sympathy for Torinosu. But Torinosu is called by a japanese diplomat, Makoto Oonagi for entertainment after show. The grand master bullies Torinosu cruelly & sexually by jealousy though he sent Torinosu to Oonagi. Torinosu feels guilty for Leo about Oonagi's luxury entertainment. Torinosu confesses to Oonagi that he was a trapeze artist and his brother fell off and died due to his fault. Mina is severely insulted by her patron, then suggests runaway to Torinosu. But Torinosu refuses it and Mina falls off a trapeze. Torinosu gets shocked and accepts Oonagi's sex, quits his circus and becomes Oonagi's bedmate. Oonagi gives a name, Takeo to Torinosu and makes his wife, Koko teach Takeo as a decent son. Koko has a brother, Michel - same name as Torinosu's brother - who always protects Koko. Takeo suffers from the day between the jealous tortures from Koko and debauched sex with Oonagi. Torinosu is anguished because the ghost of his brother disappears and gets away from circus out of shape. One day he meets Leo juggling at the park and gets shocked so greatly that he can not but masturbate alone at home. Leo says their circus company went bankrupt and their colleagues are performing separately. Koko advances on Takeo to make love but her brother, Michel stops it. Michel reminds Takeo of his brother, Michel. Takeo confesses he killed his brother by jealousy. Michel comforts Takeo because he loves Takeo and he never die). This story has been serialized on the unisex & erotic magazine, "Manga Erotics F" from Oota Shuppan. Author has a good reputation as a big new mangaka with great talent. It's hard to imagine that this is the author's first book and her first serialization. But I did not jump at this because I thought her manga is just cult & aesthetic-stylish manga. But it's wrong. I regret I had read this even earlier. This work is very exciting, revolutionary, passionate and interesting! Before all her art is extremely unique. Erotic art like Aubrey V. BEARDSLEY has overwhelmingly impact! Aesthetic, surrealistic and baroque but sometimes earthy. Her complex and gorgeous art resembles french-european avant-garde art like Cocteau or Ikuko Hatoyama or psychedelic art like Keizou Miyanishi (the author of "Pu Pu") or fantastic, gothic art like Nooto Osada (affected by mystery writers of Meiji Taishou era, Kyuusaku Yumeno, Ranpo Edogawa,,etc) or modern art like Kyouko Okazaki, Yasei Kemonogi（The author of PALM series, aka. Tamaki Shin) and Yumi Tada. I wonder her naked thin & erotic bodies may be affected by Setsu Nagasawa, a principal of Setsu Mode Seminar. Is she a graduate from it? But her work is definitely original. Especially her eyes are very sick/morbid and impressive!! For us, the circus is the symbol of "unreality". It's very fearful but yearning world for the readers of ordinary life. We know we can not return to our normal life if once we are obsessed by the the charm. The adoration for the bohemian that described in the movie, "Moulin Rouge" by Baz Luhrmann will be stimulated. Especially the art using human bodies is very strong like drug. The author shows its attraction with overwhelming unique art. The adoration for circus does not change in all ages. In the mysterious space of circus where tragic freaks are living, the author expresses the beautiful tapestry of brother's twisted love and hate. The last scene where the hero unlinks hands, stares each other and agonizes by the guilty feeling for his beautiful & innocent brother who entirely yearns after hero loves is is really magnificent. Passionate art is unearthly. I think it's really great talent! (by Slash-kun 07/Jun/2003)
Nakamura Rumi
"Kinbaku no Ori vol.3" (Kousai Shobou) Sep/2002 *** 8.45
Very long series of two young guys who are victims of black business. This book also includes a short story. The story of long series and a short story:(Ryouji Kitazawa saves Naoki Kokubu rom Kyougoku and Ryuuichirou Kitazawa who is Ryouji's uncle. The doctor, Honjyou recommends Naoki to take care of his health at Ryouji's house. Naoki thinks how lonely Ryouji had been at the wide and empty house, realizes how much he loves Ryouji and decides not to escape from Ryouji again. But Naoki has been afraid of Kyougoku's revenge. Ryouji is summon to Kyougoku by his real father, Shoutarou Kitazawa. Naoki insists on going together but Ryouji uses sleeping pill and confines Naoki in the storehouse tied up with vibrator. Honjyou and Shoutarou rescue Naoki and they join the meeting with Kyougoku. Then Shoutarou begs for forgiveness to Kyougoku by Ryouji's resignation and false confession that Naoki is a son of Shoutarou. Kyougoku gives up Naoki and Ryouji loses the reason to cling up to Naoki. Shoutarou wants Naoki to be his lover as well as Honjyou and makes Honjyou hits Ryouji by the car. During Ryouji is in hospital, Shoutarou rapes Naoki. Naoki does not take care of it but is very afraid that how Ryouji would feel after Ryouji knows it.../ Delivery boy adores his customer, a tender and nice designer at design office. The designer suddenly invites the hero to his office when hero gets drunk after work. Next day the designer show the hero a very shameful & blackmail video of hero himself. Hero is raped and admits his sinful desire in insane sex but the designer also admits his dirty monopolistic desire for the hero...). Next volume is the final volume. So Naoki & Ryouji can not get their perfect happiness yet. But stouthearted Naoki who tries to fight with his cruel destiny is very impressive and I really sympathize with poor Ryouji who really loves Naoki but can not show it honestly. Her hard-core sex scenes have great impact as usual (Perhaps it is most powerful among current japanese yaoi manga) and her art of eyes has overwhelmingly strong power! Last short dark story is also very interesting. There I can find the antetype of her long series, "The truth among insanity". (by Slash-kun 25/Jan/2003)
Nakamura Shungiku
"Junjyou Romantica" (Kadokawa Shoten) Jun/2003 *** 8.58
2 long-short stories of two students of Tokyo univ who become happy by throwing off their longtime one-sided love and finding new lover. The story:(A high school student of 3rd grade, Misaki Takahashi is startled at his worst result of trial exam. Misaki's brother who has brought up him instead of their dead parents asks his ex-classmate, a genius novelist, a student of Tokyo univ, Akihiko Usami to be a private tutor of Misaki. The pampered upbringing Akihiko is a very disgusting guy but he suffers from unanswered love for Masaki's brother. So Masaki accepts Akihiko's training. Misaki raise his grades and begins to love Akihiko. Seeing Misaki's brother introduces his fiancee to Akihiko, Misaki weeps copiously / Almost as soon as Misaki passes the entrance examination of university, Misaki's brother should transfer by the company's order. Then Misaki begins to live with Akihiko but begins to wonder Akihiko may love him as substitute of his brother. Akihiko is also mad with jealousy of Misaki's friend of univ / Hiroki Kamijyou, a student who suffers from one-side love for Usami picks up a young guy who is down on the ground at the park. Hiroki is asked to be his private tutor for verification test of univ / Hiroki can not be honest to show his love to the young guy. Then Hiroki begins to stalk the guy up to the workplace... / Usami looks after Misaki who is down with the flu. Usami suggests their living together). The author's first trial of "modern/present-day yaoi drama". I thought the author wasted her talent of making good samurai dramas by writing ordinary Boy's love stories but her unique comical sense (The unique gap between serious, violent & radical scenes and low-fi/rough comical art) stands out and realize that she is also good at contemporary yaoi comedy! I could find new talent. Her emotional scenes are really moving! Nakamura's plot is so good (The students of Tokyo university are always proud regardless of uke/seme! She uses their characters so well. The process that they lose their pride is so interesting). The first story reminds me of "Gravitation" by Maki Murakami. Usami is very wild & blunt like the characters by Kazuya Minekura and Misaki is very pure, earnest despite Usami's harassment. The seme of 2nd story is also very cool though he is younger! Nakamura's seme are always very cool because single-minded uke with cute blushing face adds spice to seme. The author's tempo is very speedy and sex scenes are very passionate and hard! The historical intelligent gag like "a general's double after his death" or "Caspian Sea" is witty, too! The arrange of the yaoi novel (written by real-professional yaoi writer) is hilarious, too. The reputation among yaoi fans is good, too. I'd like to recommend you to many people Nakamura's present-day yaoi manga, too! (by Slash-kun 19/Jul/2003)
Nanase Kai
"Rakuen Gentei Ren-ai Jijyou" (Take Shobou) Aug/2003 *** 8.48
The nonsensical short PWPs as usual (Hero goes on honeymoon trip alone because his lover backs out at the last minute of wedding. But he is stalked by his lover's brother.../ For money a poor actor acts a fiance of a woman who is quarreling over succession of property with her rival. But her rival is "a man of purple rose - quotation from "Glass no Kamen" / A new writer who keeps lying low is bullied by a up-and-coming writer. He gets a ticket of swimming center and is saved from drowning by the up-and-coming writer. But he does not notice without putting on glasses.../ Vacation report of Pulau Bintan) and a little dart long-short story (A teacher gets married with hero's sister. He goes mad because of her death by accident and substitutes hero for her but he was a psychopath who raped hero at hero's childhood...). I prefer the long-short story because the ending is adult-oriented adult. The story is insane but an abnormal guy does not die or hated by hero but he keeps living by hero's love and it provides unique impression to this story! It shows the author's warm feeling for even sexual pervert because such a guy is human, too. I wonder why the editor did not adopt this as a name-piece. About short stories, I think 2nd & 3rd story (seme is very pushy) is more interesting than 1st which hero and his lover are too tender and the story is a little too easy for hero of 1st one. Nanase's art is so pretty that the readers may be unable to accept illusion-promoting story if seme is not too sexy and high-handed. The report of resort is very interesting! It makes me want to go to the hotel, Panyan Tree Bintan very much! Great persuasiveness. (by Slash-kun 1/Nov/2003)
"Ima wa Tooi Natsu" (Houbunsha) Jun/2003 *** 8.38
Serious & gorgeous love-hate drama of the important family. The story:(A high school student, Natsu Takaya should shut himself up in the villa & study for exams with his private tutor during his summer vacation. There, Natsu encounters his childhood friend, Ryou Arisaka but Ryou pretends to be unaware of Natsu. In the night, Ryou sneaks into Natsu's room and makes love to Natsu. Natsu is seriously puzzled/confused. He is additionally shocked at the birthday party of his father, a representative, Akihito Takaya. Akihito suddenly announces that he adopted Ryou as his son. Ryou confesses to Natsu about their abduction case of 5 years ago. Ryou was kidnapped instead of Natsu. Natsu has forgotten it by hypnosis. OTOH Natsu's private tutor tries to levy blackmail on Akihito but escapes from the Akihito's villa because he fears to see Akihito's raping Ryou without embarrassment. Natsu decides to find the truth alone. He finds a lot of video tape of his father's sex scenes with Ryou. Ryou confesses he did in order to protect Natsu. Then Natsu and Ryou are in conspiracy to kill Akihito. They are sorry about Akihito who is not loved by his wife, Natsu's mother. They become representatives to to follow in Akihito's footstep). Nanase's art is very fine but the story is a little prosaic (not delicate). The author challenged this drama because she enjoyed watching japanese gorgeous & emotional family soap opera ("Dallas" or "Dynasty" of US TV drama), but as compared to "CUT" by Toko Kawai, this story does not seem to seems to win readers' heart. Perhaps to write serious family love-hate drama, author needs strong mettle that she should be obsessed by the character. But Nanase seems to shy (the art is too cute) and lack the strong emotional involvement. There are few monologue or poetic expressions. It's unreasonable to control such drama by only the plot. I'm very sorry because characters are attractive (Especially the last scene of Natsu and Ryou who becomes representatives is so cool!). I wish deep theme like "Family Game". But the wistful scene of Natsu's father who is dying is very good. (by Slash-kun 12/Jul/2003)
"Family Game vol.2" (Futabasha) Apr/2003 *** 8.53
The completion volume of the series about pseudo-family human fantasy which had not been issued as a book since long interval of 5 years after the serialization without ending. And additional short story (PWP, threesome sex story). The story of the series:(Kashima can enter the university without trouble and he and Mizuki keeps good marital life together though their son, Tatsumi sometimes interferes their sex. But Keita feels something ominous. Kashima consults with Masaki, who is a senior student and is very familiar with law, about family register for his son. But Masaki is obsessed by a snake and visits Kashima's house. Mizuki is nearly raped by Masaki but Tatsumi and Keita save Mizuki by magical power / Kashima's colleague gives Kashima a tickets of hot spring trip. Then Kashima and his family go on a short trip. They pick up a mysterious hitch hiker, Midori. Midori loves Kashima and tries to tempt him. But Kashima neglects it, then Midori plays a nasty trick on Kashima's family. Midori hides the car key and Mizuki goes to "the lake with high water" to find it. All the family put their heart into helping Mizuki. Midori confesses he is really a brother of Tatsumi and envies Tatsumi with lovely parents / Mizuki leaves home because he suspects Kashima had an affair with other woman. Mizuki is enticed by a middle-aged gentleman and is nearly raped. But saved by Masaki. Kashima is also enticed by cat monster and Keita& Mizuki save him / TV news says hot spring is found at Mizuki's home town. Kashima decides to go there with his family. Midori's mother is enjoying the hot spring. She is always complaining about his lost son, Tatsumi. Tatsumi's egg disappeared when his parents were quarreling. Midori hates her mother and leaves his home and steals Tatsumi. Midori envies again Tatsumi's happy life, but Tatsumi says the good family should be created by the member, themselves and Midori should make effort to create his good family. Mizuki, Kashima and Keita come to get Tatsumi and asks Tatsumi to live together as their family for a while). In second volume, the words of family & home where the people feel ease, the dwelling & relax place of souls, the only place the hero can return are mentioned for many times. Mizuki and his family try to keep their precious family together through various obstacles (very interesting fantastic settings) and many readers will be moved by their desperate effort though they have no blood relationship but *love*. I think many japanese female readers envy them who have stronger relationship than ordinary family. In Japan, husbands or children do not try to keep good family by intentional efforts. They think mother should love her children and she love her husband. But I also think "good family should be made by the effort of members" as well as the author appeals. Perhaps many readers will think so. The last scene of breaking the happy family photos is so impressive! I'm really glad that this story ends happy! BTW at her postscript, the author says she feels sorry 2nd volume are more sexy in vain. But I never think this volume is too erotic (Current radical stuffs are much more...). The comedy scenes are hilarious as well as 1st volume. The episode of Mangaka's assistant is very funny. I'm a little bewildered by the last immoral threesome story because its theme is quite different from this dramatic long series of family. The editor should ask the author to add the additional story of this series instead...(by Slash-kun 12/Apr/2003)
Nangoku Banana
"Mossore" (Shinshokan) Feb/2003 ** 8.4
The comedy of three high school students with unique faults. The story:(Very pretty student, Chitose often hears wrong and makes hot-tempered Haneda angry. Haneda wants to be a chef in future and has practiced cooking after school but Haneda sears their friend, Yakushima by his wrong hearing during Haneda's cooking. But Yakushima does not get angry at Chitose because Yakushima loves Chitose in secret. Chitose regrets and tries to learn lipreading but studies mindreading and kisses Yakushima.../ Haneda gets angry because Yakushima always allows Chitose, so he spoils Chitose to make Yakushima feel jealous. But taking it too far, Haneda cultivates ulcers and enters the hospital / Haneda falls into crisis of retardation. Sharp fellow, Chitose suggests his teaching Haneda at home. Yakushima accompanies them. They take a bath together. Yakushima finds the old photo of Haneda who was very cute boy. Yakushima who has shota taste really regrets current Haneda who completely changed / People think Haneda is homosexual because he keeps company with Chitose & Yakushima. Haneda is annoyed with it. But Haneda is very glad because a student girl asks Haneda to teach her the cooking. She wants to be a girl friend of Chitose in order to bully him. Haneda loves sadistic queen type, so wants to keep her to himself and tells a lie that he and Chitose are homosexual couple.../ Haneda, Chitose and Yakushima finds a student who is committing on the roof. But hearing the silly conversation among them, the student does not feel like doing it. Haneda suddenly challenges bungy jump with tying up of honeycomb and rushes in the window. He enters the hospital again / In the hospital, Haneda is surrounded by old men and he thinks they are ghost / Haneda's company is invited to a mixer at Karaoke box. But a aged woman is stuck on Haneda and he changes her with Yakushima's girl, a very strong-minded type. But she is really a boy who has made love with over 100 guys.../ The childhood of Haneda. He was already bullied by Chitose...). The author's first book. The conversation among three students is so funny. Chitose resembles the hero, Kouki of "Aisae Areba!" by Misaki Hayase who is innocent but mighty. Chitose's wrong hearing is really hilarious. The gap between "Haneda who is now short-tempered like middle-aged guy and little Haneda who was very naive" is also hilarious. I prefer Haneda (to Chitose) because I believe the good hero is always struggling with his destiny! The art is very pretty and contemporary, resembles the art of "Mikiyo Tsuda". Best & large picture of the character is very cool! Only regret that the sex scene is not explicit. (by Slash-kun 03/May/2003)
Nankin Gureko & Gotoh Shinobu
"Gurechawanaidene" (Kadokawa Shoten) Dec/2002 ** 8.49
Splatter & romantic school comedy of 4 students (two brothers). The story:(A new student is finding his brother. Every student thinks he should be a brother of Ryousuke Kagami, very handsome sportsman but he turns out to be one of Yoshihito Tsukishita, very beautiful & cool mysterious student. Seeing Ken-ichi Tsukishita, Kagami knows the meaning of Yoshihito's word when he finally ventured his love to Yoshihito on the day of Valentain. Yoshihito said his brother was most important for him. Kagami thinks he was jilted by Yoshihito but Yoshihito did not intend to do it. Kagami's attitude suddenly becomes distant and it makes Yoshihito very lonely. One day Kagami's friend of Judo club asks Yoshihito to encourage Kagami to come back to his club. Kagami resigned Judo club without telling the reason. The friend and Yoshihito start looking into the reason and find Kagami goes to the hospital to see a very pretty girl. Yoshihito thinks she should be a new girl friend of Kagami but she is really a brother of Kagami and Kagami feels guilty because his brother was injured at playing Judo with Kagami...). I'm very surprised to read this book which is hard to imagine that the original plot was written by Shinobu Gotoh who is famous for very romantic "Takumi-kun" series! Nankin arranges Gotoh's plot boldly (The editor got angry by Nankin's postscript...Nankin uses funny & famous middle aged character, "Touch Ojisan" which is used at TV spots of "Fujitsu"), but I think Nankin's trial has achieved a high measure of success! Especially Yoshihito is very hilarious character!! (He has a flower of "Gekka Bijin - Queen of the Night" on his head. It reminds me of the movie, "The shop of horrors") - The collaboration works by mangaka and novelist like this sometimes bring unexpected fun to the readers. In this book, the commonly used set-up, "double brothers" becomes very unique & effective one. If one is allowed to wish so much, I'd like to see more sex scenes of Yoshihito! (by Slash-kun 22/Mar/2003)
Naono Bora
"Three Wolves Mountain" (Biblos) Aug/2003 *** 8.69
Fantastic romance of lonely grave keeper who picks up werwolf brothers. The story:(A grave keeper, Kaya Suzuki catches brothers, Jirou Tsukihara and Tarou Tsukihara who are violating a grave. They are werwolves. They get kicked out of their home because of independence and are very hungry. Suzuki orders them to work for the meal. They start working at Suzuki's Cafe. Jirou becomes in estrus and suffers from desire for Suzuki. Jirou saves Suzuki from grave robbers and feels sexually roused by licking Suzuki for curing. Suzuki takes Jirou.../ Suzuki's defunct brother, Kai appears and feels jealous of Jirou. Suzuki brothers lost their parents and were taken in by their relations but Kai was sexually abused. Kai cried out for help to Kaya but was refused. Then Kai committed suicide. Kaya has suffered from it for long time. Kai tries to kill Jirou / A father of werwolf brothers comes to get brothers because their mother broke down. But she is just pregnant. But now their father orders his sons to succeed the family. They make a loud quarrel with their father. Suzuki calls for the brothers / Aki, Tarou's fianc'ee is falling down. Suzuki saves her and Aki also starts working at Cafe. Jirou gets jealous and becomes nervous. A ghost of woman's grudge obsesses Aki at the grave and Aki attacks Suzuki. Jirou covers Suzuki with his own body and Tarou ousts a ghost from Aki. Jirou experiences seme to Suzuki for the first time and Tarou and Aki become a couple). The setup (adopting werwolf and grave keeper cafe owner) is very hard-core (special for geeky fans)! I'm not so good at fantasy but this story is a sort of animal story, so I can enjoy its uniqueness! A lonely grave keeper with a sad & dark past (with his brother) is saved by the encounter with two stray werwolf brothers (But their spirit of cooperation is strong! <= It's very cute). The process that Suzuki who is twisted, almost half-dead, without desire and stubborn is loved, comforted by Jirou like dog and gradually begins to open his mind to Jirou is so moving! The climax scene that Suzuki calls for werwolf brothers by himself is very impressive. Jirou, younger brother is very cute. Suzuki's sex scene with Jirou is so unique and nice (The setup Jirou cures injury by licking is very tactful). The last episode, reversible problem - Jirou wants to be seme is very thrilling and keeps readers in suspense. Shy (foolish) younger seme is very good (like the movie of Steinbeck, "Of Mice And Men"(1992)). Naono's description of wolf (Tarou who is proximate to wolf) is sooooo skillful! She describes very well a characteristic of wolf!! Tarou's grooming is so nice. And Naono's expression of "specter", "evil presence" & "bloodshed scenes" are very skillful as usual. This story is yaoi, so Suzuki is very stylish and his cafe and costume are so cool (Especially his black apron like french garcon). The ending of last story, the setup that Aki, a lover of Tarou looks very big & macho guy though she is really woman is very geeky (like "Umako" of "PAPUWA kun"). (by Slash-kun 17/Jan/2004)
"Hoshigari na Kimi to Futsutsuka na Boku" (Take Shobou) Jul/2003 *** 8.8
3 long-short tasteful stories of middle-aged pathetic or shabby guys (A refreshment caterer, a lonely widower who has let all his brothers and sisters be married is very lonely. But a very beautiful high school student of mixed race loves him at first sight / Samurai drama. Ex-officer, now a teacher of private school for children goes to work as a bodyguard, then he encounters his old subordinate, secret agent / A middle-aged guy and a runaway boy of navvy. They disguise themselves and keep sugar daddy relationship.../ The prequel of 2nd story. An officer picks up a criminal and hires him as a secret agent. The agent has been very faithful like a dog. But he can not endure his jealousy for officer's fiancee and expresses his resignation to the officer.../ The sequel of 4th, 3rd and 1st story. All of them are lovebirds). Every story is so interesting! Very heartwarming, witty and pathetic & touching! Middle-aged guys are overwhelmingly lovely!! A cafe owner is shy and cute, An ex-officer and his secret agent of unsavory ties at samurai-drama series are nice couple (The setup is so finicky and precious. Delightful entertainment-oriented samurai-drama! Naono seems to be an otaku of samurai-drama. Tattoo of Kagura, a secret agent is so cool!!) and a guy of "sugar daddy" is also shy and cute. Yeah. Naono's middle-aged guys are all cute. But all of them have official phase as efficient business men. The gap may make them more attractive. And setups are very geeky/hard-core. About 1st story, the setup resembles "Sanma no Aji", an old japanese cinema by Yasujirou Ono. Very geeky. A shabby and miserable middle-aged hero reminds me of hero by Narise Konohara, a greatest yaoi novelist. About 2nd story, the officer and his secret agent are both adult. There are many savage, violent and bloody scenes like cutting an arm. It's so unique for female mangaka. Naono's hand writing letters, comical scenes are very hilarious, too. The gap of comical and serious scenes is very exciting! 3rd story is a sort of marchen, a fairy tale like "Flower and middle-aged guy". The guy is very elderly and atmospheric. The setup is very hard-core but the story is very quiet and delicate. Very good drama! 4th story is masterpiece! Much more serious than 2nd. The scenes two guys misunderstand each other and come the acid is so heartrending! But ending is so happy. Violent scenes are very powerful. The offcut of arm is so impressive. This art becomes more authentic (old Gekiga-seinen manga taste)! About 5th, old guys who are out of gas are so hilarious and lovely. First guy is so nice that he chooses his lover over his brothers! This book is so monumental one that Naono has established her new talent/frontier , comedy of middle-aged guy with a lot of pathos which is a match for her fantastic stories. (by Slash-kun 03/Jan/2004)
Naruto Maki
"Shinjuku Romance vol.2" (MOVIC) Mar/2003 ** 8.4
The second volume of the illusion for real two office workers whom the author has a glance at on the street. New recruits, Marui and Takashima begin to take interest in each other. The story:(Kentarou Marui can not be independent on Hidetoshi Takashima for long time. Nishitake, a senior worker of Takashima, who like able junior one, forms a conspiracy to destroy the relationship between Takashima & Marui because Marui is not suitable as Takashima's partner / Marui is very glad to be praised by Akio Matsusaka. Seeing it, Takashima somehow is offended. Takashima consults with Shuuhei Mitsukoshi and begins to know it is jealousy. He gets a telephone call from Marui but Marui is also offended by the voice of Mitsukoshi. Marui invites Takashima to his house but Takashima is pissed off because Marui also invites Matsusaka and they are on good terms like brothers. Marui and Takashima discuss at their dormitory and they know they felt jealous. They kiss and get back together / On the Christmas day. Parco submits a proposal of the party together. Marui gets angry because Takashima does not refuse it. Marui accepts his senior's overtime work instead but Takashima also support him together. After working, they go out into the town for dinner. They get drunk and get tag on the street where the author and Ringo Manda are walking on their way home from Biblos Party). Two heterosexual guys who don't care about their jealousy or monopolistic desire irritate the readers and makes them laugh. The author describes well the ease, comfort or harmonious relations like good family of japanese white-collars. I envy a little it like old Tohou's comedy movie about japanese company at high-growth period. The author might write this with same concept of such movies. But I think "the readers of depression" may want more real description of office work though she describes more real than volume 1. On the other hand, many reader can enjoy this situation comedy at ease because author starts this series by her illusion and vigour of jokes. (by Slash-kun 17/Mar/2003)
Nekoda Yonezou
"Tsuyogari" (Biblos) May/2003 *** 8.6
The moving PWP of 3 couples who have relation each other (2 high school students who have homosexual lovers (A teacher and classmate) and another couple of the younger brother of one) and one short story (2 high school students of 3rd grade. One will enter the univ and another will get the job. Then they become estranged and make a quarrel). The story of PWP:(A teacher who is a lover of the student, Shiba gets depressed to know Shiba loves women with enormous breasts. Shiba loves cute tearful face of the teacher and often bully the teacher too much / A playboy student, Inuo gets up in the morning and is greatly surprised to find a male student, Natsuda sleeping aside of him. Inuo is not gay but can not help pleasing Natsuda because he wants to see Natsuda's cute smile. But Inuo refuses second sex and it hurts Natsuda so much. Inuo can not help crying because Natsuda neglects him / The teacher suspects Shiba and Inuo may be a couple / Natsuda lets Inuo go to the students' party. But Natsuda feels uneasy / The episode of the Shiba's younger brother. He fears the relationship with his friend goes beyond the kiss. Then they quarrel). This book is her first original yaoi book! but her art is overwhelmingly skillful and cute!! It resembles Lily Hoshino. The author's scenes of blushing face and tears are so moving (Emotional expression is very excellent)!! (Her tone work is very elaborate & delicate, so its feel of a material is so fine). I'd like to bestow the title of Master of tears on her. OTOH her seme are very cool though they are young students! Her plot and gag sense (The teacher is enough hilarious to think his lover is more adequate for his classmate. The reader may think so, too!! Additional 4 Koma manga are interesting, too) are very excellent, too. I think the author has long career as non-yaoi mangaka (like shoujo manga or parody djska,,etc). This mangaka is one of the most notable mangaka in this year. (by Slash-kun 19/Jul/2003)
Nekota Riko
"The Seishun" (Take Shobou) Jul/2003 *** 8.7
Short stories of various tastes (A sexual companion girl of an idle student worker of the bookstore suddenly declares she will walk out with an uncool owner of the bookstore. Unpleasant worker sexually harasses the owner.../ The brother and sister of swindler cheat a foolish but rich son of good nature. But the son had hired a private detective and takes out his anger on and rapes the brother / A ancient warrior suddenly appears in front of a delinquent student because of "time trip". He says the student is a reincarnation of his master. The warrior is irritated by the student's sluttish life. But a monster comes at them and the student displays his greatest force / A man is threatened by a gang to join hands with him. But they have been already tied by a red thread each other / A lonely guy is asked by a son whose mother suffers from dementia to pretend to be his dead father. She had hated her son because he is gay but due to dementia they enjoy happy life together during brief period / A teacher is going to enjoy jerking off but an earnest student interferes and has sex with the teacher / The passion of the poor literator who is bewitched by his old friend, a rich detective / A hero loves his sister's husband. He visits her grave with her husband together at night and enjoys the modest happiness / Funny report of the author's hemorrhoid excision). All the stories are extraordinarily wonderful! I realize the author's great talent. Wow. There are deep theme, so the more the readers read, the more they will find the interest. It's really fascinating & thrilling that the two who were seemingly on bad terms or had no romantic relationship, are suddenly interested in and loves each other. Nekoda's flowing art is awesome as usual. About 1st story, her forte, bullying & teasing contrary to his love - very ambiguous courtship pleases her fans so much! Nekoda's uncool middle-aged guy uke is so lovely! The 2nd story is very short but has so nice plot. Good professional work!! The fashion of a sister and the tempo - fast-moving story - are very effective. Like broadway musical. The characters seem to dance in the story! Like opera. The 3rd story is splatter fantastic comedy but happy one though it should be sad revenge story of past existence. The nekoda's talent of story-telling is so great. The 4th story is surrealistic and a little difficult to understand but very fantastic using great image of red. About 5the story, I take off my hat to Nekoda's talent. Like a model story with *three subjects* - dementia, homosexual and family. The author's view point is really tender. The 6th story is so hilarious because a reincarnated student is so evil! The speedy story is really cool. The 7 the story is also very funny like musical comedy. The art is very sophisticated like "post modern" of Meiji or Taisho era. The 8th one is very short poetic & heartrending sketch. The last report about herself, her operative treatment report of hemorrhoid is very interesting. Ichiko Ima also wrote her operation report but Nekoda's report suppresses her shyness (more straightforward manner) and splatter. It's so great she describes her family's coldness without hesitation or exaggeration. I'd like to praise her because she has grown up strong for all her family's unconcern! She is a so great professional mangaka that she writes about even her family. The old jokes (Maeda's cracker - old japanese snacks or "Mune ni Tsuketeru Mark wa ..." - a lyric of japanese old TV hero drama for children, "Ultraman") are also very nice! (by Slash-kun 11/Oct/2003)
Nihonkai no Aranami
"Convini he Ikou! vol.7" (Kousai Shobou) Dec/2002 *** 8.45
Very popular & long PWP series of the employees working at convenience store and one short story (temporary worker of the library has a crush on the tradesman who regularly comes there. Worker consults with his homosexual colleague). The story:(Hasebe visits Minami's family home. Seeing too harmonious Minami brothers. Hasebe feels jealous very much. Then Minami intentionally tries to fan the flame of Hasebe by kissing with younger brother, Shuusei.../ Izumi confidentially works hard to buy the ticket of K-1 for Kouhei. But Kouhei misunderstands Izumi's faithfulness / Tomonori Nishiyama, Minami's senior student who unilaterally loves Minami stalks Minami and can not help eavesdropping the gasping and panting desperately of Minami who is penetrated by Hasebe at the lewd house / Yuuji, Minami's elder brother comes to the convenience store to complain the bad manner of Hasebe at his visit of Minami's house. But as soon as Yuuji looks very cute boy, Masahi Ono, he falls in love with the boy / AU story of Hasebe and Minami. They go to Nakano Sakaue to expel the "macho homosexual virus"). The funny & erotic love lives of plural couples are well-described in this volume as usual. The author is very good at lively expression of free/irresponsible but tender/nice "young people today". She always keeps original intention (early passion)! In this volume there are a lot of hot sex scenes and emotional & dramatic scenes which make the readers have a lump in one's throat. Yuuji, the eldest & stern brother of Minami is so funny. I'd like to read his story more next time!! (by Slash-kun 08/Mar/2003)
Ninomiya Etsumi & Sugano Akira
"Children Time" (Tokuma Shoten) Aug/2003 ** 8.55
The quarrel and peacemaking of Mayumi and Yuuta who becomes a couple. The story:(Mayumi and Yuuta become 2nd grade of the high school. They belong different classes and Mayumi feels uneasy. Yuuta's word that he never enters college makes them turn into an argument. Mayumi says he will get married with *woman* and Yuuta says he will part with Mayumi if Mayumi does it. Even family meeting can not make their peace. Yuuta can not find the reason and visits Uotatsu to ask about Mayumi. Yuuta goes to meet the ex-lover of Mayumi, Miyuki. When Miyuki found Mayumi was a boy, Miyuki dumped Mayumi and it was trauma of Mayumi. But Miyuki is a girl and lesbian though she is very big & tough and resembles Yuuta. Miyuki says to Yuuta, "Now I'm a lover of the past. If you are on bad terms with Mayumi, it is your fault". In the temple grounds Yuuta and Mayumi encounter. Mayumi talks straight about his anxiety. All the people who are favorite for Mayumi have disappeared. So Mayumi thought Yuuta would go the same way. They forgive each other / Yuuta is working at midnight in secret. Mayumi goes to see it. what Yuuta works. Yuuta works as a barker of cabaret. Taiga stops Yuuta and pitches Yuuta into the flower shop of Ryuu). Mayumi becomes anxious by very small trigger and can not believe the eternal love. His least word makes Yuuta misunderstand and their argument escalates into a big fight...This tempo/process is very excellent! There is not so many sex scenes as usual but the mixture of comedy and pathos is very exquisite. Very good human drama has been made by a stroke of genius. Speedy comedy scenes are very nice. The climax scene that Mayumi explains why he said he wanted to get married with woman is so moved. The readers can understand Mayumi's action as well as Yuuta. And the readers also think it is very natural that Yuuta wants forgive Mayumi and wants to change himself for Mayumi. The author's persuasiveness is so splendid. I'm confronted by the overwhelming power of writer, Sugano. There are less delicate expression of mental feeling than usual volume because this book deals the quarrel, but panicky Yuuta is very charming and the small expressions of daily life (choice of toothbrush, slump of writing novel,,etc) are so sharp. I can really enjoy this volume again! (by Slash-kun 16/Aug/2003)
"Kodomo wa Tomaranai vol.2" (Tokuma Shoten) Dec/2002 ** 8.95
The sequel of same title manga. The spin-off series from "Mainichi Seiten" series. Yuuta (an adopted child of Shuu) and Mayumi (a youngest brother of the Obinatas) become intimate through severe memory between Mayumi and Taiga Obinata, a eldest brother. The story:(Yuuta throws away very precious Mayumi's teddy bear, the gift from Taiga and hits the fan. Kamio, a classmate of Mayumi demands to know why Mayumi refuses the swimming class and rips off Mayumi's clothes. Seeing so pitiful scar - by knife- on Mayumi's back, all students are struck dumb with amazement. Yuuta chases Mayumi who run away and listens to the Mayumi's secret. Mayumi was cut by a psychopath though Mayumi smelled the rat but he wanted to make Taiga regret and monopolize the Taiga's love. Mayumi thinks it's about time that he should become independent from Taiga but by the appearance of Shuu, Mayumi returns to old spoiled child. Mayumi is saved by the proposal of Yuuta, but next Taiga does not allow their romantic overture and Taiga often interferes with the young couple. But they hold the case of senior couple, Taiga and Shuu as countercheck, then Taiga can not counter and can not help thinking about themselves, the sex problem between Taiga and Shuu...). Sugano is one of the most excellent yaoi novelists nowadays and Ninomiya is also the most superior mangaka who can take advantage of original novel, so everyone will expect this series should be masterpieces (But this is a sort of side story, so some people who read first two volume of this series, "Mainichi Seiten vol.1&2" may be a little reluctant to read this series...). But the execution of this volume is so splendid beyond my expectation!! The words, punch lines, each and every is so highest level. As if the work written by a scriptwriter-master. The tempo/timing and the metaphor are so exquisite (The usage of "Inga Ouhou" - "What goes around comes around" or the effective BG art of "Akinobu's blizzard or the flower shop Kimura's dragon" are so nice)! Ninomiya is so good at explain the scene or emotion by "skillful art" and "opportune action". Especially at argument/quarrel, her comedy sense by nice "attack & reconciliation" is overwhelming!! In this volume she shows off the superexcellent expression of "folksy shopping street of downtown in Japan". There are a lot of officious aged people which reminds me of "Ichiko Ima". The story has something dark (though the art seems very pretty and peaceful) and gives readers deep and complex impression! Of course all characters (the Obinatas and the Shuus) have a very distinctive personality. The sex (love) scenes are not hard-core, but very erotic by thrilling & delicate expression. This series is highly recommended because I want many people to read this wonderful volume! (by Slash-kun 29/Mar/2003)
Nishimura Syuko
"Ren-ai no Skill" (Core Magazine) Mar/2003 *** 8.5
The long series of the office workers and a short story of the students of quiz club (Two junior high school students encounter at final quiz game. Cute one loses and weeps copiously. Both of them enter the same high school and participate in quiz club. The winner student takes care of loser too much but avoids being his foe). The story of the long series (For Fujimiya who is a very competent guy at the company, Yuuki, a grandson of the Chairman of the Board has been his longtime rival. Yuuki bears away all girls around Fujimiya, so Fujimiya has been "unskilled at love" yet. Yuuki asks Fujimiya to take care of his "pride and joy", Shuuta Takahashi during Yuuki's overseas business trip of half-year. Shuuta was a playmate of Yuuki and has no experience of working at office but is very eager to become an accomplished office worker to help Yuuki. Fujimiya is moved with Shuuta's enthusiasm and teaches Shuuta personal computer after his working. Fujimiya can not help loving Shuuta when he drinks too much at the party and is looked after tenderly by Shuuta. Yuuki flights back with jealousy and shows intentionally the sex with Shuuta at the office in front of Fujimiya! Fujimiya avoids Shuuta and escapes into over-working and misses the conspiracy of bad employees who try to use Shuuta to threaten Yuuki. Fujimiya finds Shuuta is going to be raped by them and saves him. But Shuuta asks Fujimiya to keep silence about it. Seeing argument of Fujimiya and Shuuta, Yuuki withdraws into his shell like child. Shuuta declares his steadfast love for Yuuki and to be his good protector. Fujimiya give a blow to bad employees and resigns the company to fight fairly with Yuuki. Yoshida, Fijimiya's subordinate also resigns and follows Fujimiya.../ Fujimiya starts new company and Yoshida devotes himself to support Fujimiya as a salesman. But Yoshida is a successor of big japanese restaurant and his parents presses him to return to his family business very much. Fujimiya thinks too much and often fails. But Yoshida swears to keep loving Fujimiya and makes love to Fujimiya at last). In the long series, there are 5! office workers and all of them are very sexy!! But they are involved in the eternal triangle and it made me a little puzzled. Especially the feeling of Fujimiya was not easy to understand. Perhaps because Yoshida does not appear early in the first half story. I could not help falling into a delusion of love between Fujimiya and Shuuta or Fujimiya and Yuuki. But the second time I read this, I can finally understand Shuuta just only adores Fujimiya as his eidolon to protect his lover and Fujimiya just has been snooling Yuuki, so Fujimiya never becomes couple with Shuuta nor Yuuki. I think the author should modify a little before publishing book. Anyway I'm satisfied with very attractive & adult characters working at office. Especially Yuuki is very cool and has bilateral character (brutal, selfish but seems gentleman)! The author also describes the atmosphere of the office of japanese company very well! And the sex scenes of Yuuki and Shuuta is very powerful and sex scene between Fujimiya and Yoshida is very thrilling (the competition of seme-part), too! Yoshida is unexpectedly lustful! So I wish the author used more pages for Yoshida. Last short story is very interesting and has geeky interest like Nase Yamato!! Winner student who wants to be very lustful sevak is really nice. (by Slash-kun 19/Apr/2003)
"Densetsu no Katei Kyoushi" (Shinkousha) Jan/2003 *** 8.43
Very interesting and dramatic series about the romance between the "gung ho" private teacher and his stupid student who are struggling under the entrance examination war and one other short story (Very popular & young talent falls in love with an overly honest prop man. He lies and asks the prop man to be his lover). The story of the series:(Naoya Koga should lives alone because his parents transfers by the order of father's company before entrance examination. He already give up his pass directly on graduation but his parents hire very excellent & pass directly on graduation private teacher, Haruki Machida for their son. Haruki assures Naoya's direct pass of S univ because he has succeeded for 9 previous students and Naoya is the last one for his prize. They work hard but are flung down a challenge by Haruki's rival teacher who will make his student enter W univ. If Naoya fails to enter W univ, the rival can take Haruki! Naoya despairs but soon recovers because Haruki promises something if Naoya can pass W univ. Naoya studies hard but suffers from too strong sexual desire for Haruki. Then another rival appears. He was an ex-student of Haruki and says Naoya is too fool for Haruki. Naoya tries to fire Haruki but can not give up Haruki. Naoya asks Haruki to come back again. Naoya wonders "What is Haruki's *something?" and he can confirm it is "making love with Haruki". Naoya nearly rapes Haruki but can control his urge desperately. After passing W univ, Naoya knows Haruki can go to america by his prize. Naoya wonders he lets Haruki go to abroad or not...). The tempo is very good and art is also active/lively/cheerful like "shounen manga of sports". And the characters are very attractive. The teacher is very fervent like "traditional old japanese young teachers" who sacrifice everything for their students and forgive the students for many times like Christ. The author uses cheery tree to express such teachers and it's so impressive!! The author makes the teacher elder but smaller (towel tied around his head is so cute) than his student who is naive/simple but sometimes suffers from his bestial desire and is often dejected by his failure like a puppy. It's trial is really great!! The author is really good at drawing and her comical art is so skillful (It matches with her sincere and funny story very much)!! (by Slash-kun 01/Feb/2003)
Nitta Youka
"Haru wo Daiteita vol.8" (Biblos) Sep/2003 *** 8.85
At very tough time when Katou and Iwaki are busy participate in very topical movie, Katou's past immoral behavior comes to light and they plunge into turmoil. The story:（Impending filming a movie of Meiji Restoration, "Fuyu no Semi", Youji Katou who goes to the training of horse riding from his family home gets nervous. Kyousuke Iwaki encourages Katou not to have the problem alone. But Katou's annoyance comes from his sexual impotence from pressure / Katou enjoys drinking with his bad company, who made their debut at same time, Yuu Onozuka and Keigo Miyasaka at a bar and is asked to call Iwaki by them. But Katou does not want to show sexy Iwaki to them, so he says "We are disappearing" so soon. / Iwaki appears in a TV drama of Onozuka & Miyasaka to return their friendship. But Iwaki is shocked to know that they have been acquainted with Katou at promiscuous party / Iwaki gets angry and orders Katou stop making love for a while because Katou showed their making love to Onozuka & Miyasaka. But Katou looks all right at filming. OTOH Iwaki gets nervous and nearly falls from a studio set and hurts Katou / Miyasaka can never forget Iwaki who was making love with Katou. He competes for Iwaki's kiss with Katou at TV sports program, "Kinniku Banduke". / After taking a bath, Katou is enough fooling to debate very much whether to put Iwaki pants on or not for making love / Katou and Iwaki go skiing. Katou has a cold and runs a fever but their lodge's power supply is suddenly cut off. Iwaki warms Katou with his naked body). The latest volume of the most popular yaoi manga long series in the world by the most popular mangaka in the world. Nitta is very good at making the funny discord/trouble at long-term couple as usual. At every difficulty, they overcome in union. Its catharsis is always nice (Female readers also wish their real lives go well but that's not how it works. Because men are no good at speaking and women are not so courage & reliable). The secret of Nitta's popularity is "being very easy to understand" and "being very positive". Iwaki and Katou are both actors, rivals, so they are equal and always better themselves each other. It's very fair and noble. But Nitta never forgets "camp" and realizes women's dream. Her characters are very sexy but always positive about their lives, not nihilistic and do not get sulky. Her stories have something in common with Hollywood big hit movies. So I thought at first this series just described the gorgeous world of popular business and was interesting for entertainment but did not have so deep theme. But reading further volumes, I gradually understand Iwaki and Katou have made an extra effort for their happiness (Negative character, Iwaki and positive character, Katou compensate well each other. Iwaki is very square, moderate and shy. Katou is very foolish, straight, childish and reckless. They are very nice contrary pair) and I'm greatly surprised to know this drama becomes more and more human and moving. This series is not entertaining but also has a certain strong message to readers (Though all are ordinary episode of daily life). So this makes a clear distinction from other popular manga. About this volume, Nitta's strong art (of Background or way of separation of flame like male - seinen manga) stands out very much. She is very great to make advances in her art & technique (The scenery of photographic studio is very hard-core). She also gives good service to make Iwaki and Katou go skiing! and the way to use cell-phone is very nice, too. I feel very good to see the veteran is doing her best. I wish her to keep wonderful & uncompromising work which always overwhelms the readers.(by Slash-kun 14/Feb/2004)
"Irokoi vol.2" (Houbunsha) Dec/2002 ** 8.55
The latest volume of the long series of "gorgeous hosts working at host club". The story:(Ryou Takaaki escapes from Kabukichou & Shinkawa who shows his strong passion and takes to his mother's club in Kanazawa. Takaaki's mother conceals her disease, terminal cancer from Takaaki and scolds him who can not forget Kabukichou and his love for Iwaki. Then Takaaki comes back to Iwaki's room with final preparedness...). Nitta is very professional commercial yaoi mangaka who always takes a backseat to the reader's entertainment. The mangaka or writers usually excuse a lot but they should keep making the readers satisfied if they are professional at all. So I feel that Takaaki's very handsome mother who scolds Takaaki may embody/represent Nitta, herself. There are always strong appeal in Nitta's works and in this book the readers will find her message, "not to escape from your challenge". So many readers like her stories. Nitta's garish art (glasses, interior) matches for fake business like night club!! In this volume there is no explicit hard sex scenes as usual (but the readers can understand Iwaki's nice personality and his deep love for Takaaki), so I expect them at next volume!! (by Slash-kun 15/Mar/2003)
Nomori Mina
"Kogoeru Kimi wo Atatameru" (Biblos) Apr/2003 *** 8.9
Impressive short story between obliging homosexual student and wounded office worker(A student picks up a guy at gay club but the guy turns out to be office worker and older than him. The office worker hates to be looked after. Seeing the office worker is tangling with ex-lover on the street, the student gets shocked. The guy parted from ex-lover because the lover loved him only in order to satisfy the feeling of superiority. The office worker tries to part with the student but student holds on and says he prefers looking the smile of his lover to tears) and the long sequel of very popular series, "Yoru wa Adokenaku" and another tender & funny short story about tutors of preparatory school (Openhearted tutor makes advances to difficult colleague but colleague does not allow anything but kiss. Their relationship becomes worse by popularity vote of tutors by students...). The story of long sequel:(The recollection when Takaaki and Haruka encountered. Takaaki was forced to make love with by his mother. His surrounding world is vague because of his escapism. When Takaaki was angry to see a dead kitty deserted by a parent cat, Haruka, his home tutor called Takaaki, "Let's bury it in the ground" and Takaaki could recognize someone's face for the first time like a chick fresh out of the shell / Watching the TV news that a son beat his violent father to death by metal baseball bat, Takaaki realizes his current happiness by comparing criminals with himself. Haruka is invited by very high-handed senior student, Sakisaka to join the popular seminar. But Sakisaka reminds Haruka of his authoritarian father and Haruka asks waiting his answer. Takaaki discusses the future with his friends of dormitory and realizes again the happiness that he can choose freely his future now. Haruka invites Takaaki to the college campus festival but Haruka is very busy and Takaaki feels jealous to see Haruka's current students or Sakisaka who talks about Haruka's father to warn against Takaaki. Takaaki goes mad and asks Haruka why Haruka has not told his private to Takaaki. Haruka is raped by Sakisaka who knows Haruka's sexual preference by Haruka's ex-lover. Haruka can not see Takaaki because of too much self-hatred. Takaaki calls Haruka on the phone for many time to apologize his going too far but can never talk with Haruka. Takaaki escapes from the dormitory and comes to see Haruka. Haruka decides to confess his severe experience with Sakisaka to Takaaki. Takaaki asks Haruka to depend on him more after listening it. Haruka decides to choose the seminar in spite of Sakisaka and Takaaki talks about his future and the significance of their sex with Haruka and they swear they will never part). The degree of the author's recent progress is very significant! Her way of describing the mental phases/parts is very deep & sharp. So the impression after reading is very strong and grave. She is very good at observing the human and points sharp truth at the readers. Magnificent mangaka! At the first short story, she a question to the readers, what is the difference between "superior feeling and love". There is no flashy setups but her description of "the truth of the life" stands out all the more. "I wonder my partner loves me because he wants to satisfy his superior feeling" - The author cuts the same question that many heterosexual couples have doubt once and thrusts it at the readers. Very penetrating. At the long sequel, the author expresses Takaaki's growth that he becomes a high school student of dormitory apart from his mother and has grown up enough to guard Haruka as an equal partner. The first scene of Takaaki's recollection is very impressive and effective! The art describes well Takaaki's empty mind. The usage of TV new is also very nice. The climax scene that Haruka confesses honestly to Takaaki and Takaaki is enough reliable to accept it and comfort Haruka. There are full of moving conversation/words at these climax scenes!! It's unique that the author explains logically the significance of the homosexual sex. The author is rather very logical type of writer! So she has written Sci-fi stories. Her art is standard and a little classic but very simple and not-excessive and easy to read. The result of the calculated picture composition and abbreviation. This long story is very masterpiece with previous volume! I think Biblos has brought up very splendid writer! Highly recommended. (by Slash-kun 24/May/2003)
Ochi Chifumi
"Breath" (Kaiousha) Apr/2003 *** 8.55
Dark story series of square twin brother who is bullied into being a slave by the friend of his brother. Unfinished. The story:(Koushi Yanagi is a gay student. He finds very sexy office worker at gay club. The office worker gets drunk and accepts the proposition by Koushi. Then they go to the hotel and enjoy hot sex. But when the office worker suddenly becomes sober, he loses his nerve, starts acting violently, blames homosexual action and runs away. Koushi has been so disgusted, then he decides to date with his sexual companion, Takashi Kirishima, aka Ten. At Ten's house, Koushi meets the office worker again. He is Ten's twin brother, Arata Kirishima, very square researcher of laboratory. Koushi visits Arata's room when Arata is alone. Arata tries to hand the money to Koushi but Koushi goes wild and rapes Arata. Koushi thinks Arata considered him as a racketeer. Arata remembers their first day. Arata drank too much because he compared himself with cheerful Ten by his colleague's gossip. Arata asks Koushi to keep silence from Ten but it makes Koushi angry all the more. Koushi declares to make Arata become his slave and often pages Arata and satisfy his sexual desire. But Koushi is gradually attracted by sincerity of Arata and Arata also begins to love unexpectedly tender Koushi who prepares food for Arata who often forget to eat because of hard works....). I enjoy very much the serious & dark angst story with evil character after a long interval. I think this author is really good at angst story and writing evil character. The plot is very dramatic! Koushi is very pitiful because he should pretend a bad guy after too unlucky encounter with Arata. Though he is very good guy! It's very moving that Arata gradually realizes Koushi's tenderness. I hope they will be happy soon. But I'm afraid that Ten will go wild when he knows Koushi and Arata have been made love. I think Arata is fiendish bitch because he is loved by two guys, Koushi and Ten though Arata thinks himself uncool. Oh, I can't wait the sequel!! (by Slash-kun 21/Jun/2003)
"Ouchi ni Kaerou" (Tokuma Shoten) May/2003 ** 8.5
Family & romantic comedy drama series of three adoptive brothers. The story:(The youngest brother, Mikoto Hiiragi, 15 years old gets shocked to know that he is adopted child through the copy of family register. He realizes the reason his two superior two brothers the eldest brother, Yamato, 19 years old is very intelligent and second eldest brother, Takeru, 17 years old is very tall and excels in many sports and leaves home. Takeru finds Mikoto at night park with homeless people. Mikoto asks Takeru why Takeru had been distant toward Mikoto. Takeru confesses he has suffered from love for Mikoto. Mikoto's parents explains that all brothers are adopted children and it put Mikoto at rest / After confession, Takeru often tries to kiss Mikoto if he has a chance. But Mikoto sees the S&M homosexual magazine at school, then he becomes to fear & avoid Takeru. Takeru is so irritated that he tries to rape Mikoto and makes Mikoto cry. Mikoto says he will stay at his friend home for a while. Yamato thinks out a plan and advises Takeru to keep off Mikoto and warns Mikoto that Yamato will become a lover of Takeru if Mikoto keep hating Takeru. Seeing Takeru is talking with other guy, Mikoto cries out and confesses his love for Takeru. But nasty Yamato makes Takeru keep waiting making love! using the eldest brother's privilege). There is less sex scenes but "Mikoto and Takeru on tenterhooks" is very dramatic and thrilling. The idea of adopted child is often seen in yaoi manga, but "all brothers are adopted children" is unique setup. It's natural hero is quite different form other brothers. Brothers are very characteristic (Mikoto is a natural worrier, Takeru is a rusher and Yamato is cool, intelligent and evil-minded (The author's pet subject. Too wasteful because Yamato acts as just Cupid) . And the author is very good at making very moving climax scenes. It's very funny that Mikoto fears homosexual sex by SM magazine and it's heartrending that Mikoto avoids Takeru who does not know the reason. This story is very dramatic and I can enjoy very much. (by Slash-kun 21/Jun/2003)
Ougi Yuzuha
"Arashigaoka" (Kaiousha) Jun/2003 *** 8.7
The first commercial book of the charismatic SD djska (her circle name is "Magazine house", "Kedamono no Arashi",,etc). The eventful days of desire of college student hired as a temporary horseman by super rich man and two long-short stories (PWP. Very handsome and popular dentist goes out on a date at the cafe with his fiancee. But he has a crush on the brilliant smile of popular garcon and begins to stalk the garcon. But he insistently appeals he is not homosexual but interested in the garcon's teeth. The garcon has a broken heart because his one-sided lover, The staff of noodle shop with beard like bear disappears with owner's wife. The dentist breaks off his engagement / Angst picaresque romance! The body guard saves the life of a genius grandson of vicious politician three times. But he kidnaps, confines and rapes the grandson bound hand and foot with blindfold. He revenges the grandson instead of the dead brother of the grandson who raped and killed his dead sister. But the grandson says he had realized it and fell in love every time the bodyguard saved him. And now he falls in 4th love...). The story of the series(Leona Shima covers his friend of Karate club at the college and becomes a temporary housekeeper of very rich guy only for a month, during his summer vacation. The rich guy's huge mansion like a castle somehow stands in the wide food in Tokyo. A young lord of the Kais falls in love with Leona who is bathing the pond. With the excuse that Leona happens to break the expensive vase, Kai punishes Leona by a whipping to the buttocks. Kai is absorbed in the sexual punishment to Leona and makes Leona break the expensive fine art continuously. Kai's punishment escalates but innocent Leona does not realize Kai's intention and appreciates his generous lord who does not demand compensation. But Leona feels so much guilty and he escapes from the mansion. Kai desperately tries to find Leona who is lost and lying in too wide wood / Leona becomes a bedmate of Kai. But Kai is so busy that he return home only once a month. Leona feels too tired and asks Kai's steward to allow Leona to go to his college when Kai is away from home. But Kai makes Leona break the expensive antiques again and orders Leona to clean all toilets and he builds five mansions to restrain Leona. After all Kai returns home but he explains Leona that "outside of mansion" is so dangerous because of Kai's marriage problem and makes love with Leona for three days and makes Leona break Moai statue for the punishment of cleaning toilet / Leona's friend comes to the mansion to find Leona. Hearing Leona's story, he says Leona that Leona has been cheated by Kai. He encounters Kai, then Kai makes Leona free. Kai gets depressed but Leona comes back and declares he will be together forever). Ougi's manga is blunt, not serious, radical, wild, punk, violent, a lot of hard sex, rude, outrageous but fashionable & cool. Such aspects resemble Cisco Kataru. Their manga are representative of today's young people's feeling. The mentality that she can write both stupid PWP and tear-jerker also resembles Kataru. Splatter and unexpected aspect resembles Tarako Kotobuki. Three mangaka have in common with "excessive eroticism". It's natural these three mangaka are highly valued among dedicated djs fans (sometimes issue djs by themselves). Ougi's uke is most masculine with obvious abdominal muscles though the faces are feminine. The author confesses she takes great pains to differentiate commercial manga from djs (Very interesting comment! But I don't think long experience as djska hurts commercial activity now) and she has been affected shounen manga of JUMP (Especially Slum Dank. She is a representative SD djska, Ru x Hana). The author's kiss scene is very erotic and the art of her lips and nose with "screen tone" is very sexy! And uke's smile is so brilliant. Round buttocks and scrotum are also very unique & sexy. The fingers' movement is erotic, too. The first series is very hilarious. Large-scaled, stupid and wasteful with a lot of deep knowledge of antique art. Hero's friend is very fashionable. 1st short story is also interesting and happy-go-lucky uke is very attractive. Not vulnerable and invigorating. Last short story is very heartrending!! The author's seme always silent, dark, blunt and inveterate like Rukawa of SD. In contrast to seme, her uke is very bright as the sun like Hanamichi of SD. Therefore they love each other. If you are a SD fan, please try reading this! (by Slash-kun 28/Jun/2003)
Oumi Shinano
"4 Jyouhan Sweet Home" (Biblos) Mar/2003 *** 8.4
The long PWP series of young part-timer of muscular labor and middle-aged barbate president who loves muscleman and one short story of viking (The beautiful young princeps of viking finds a young skipjack in captives and makes the skipjack his subordinate. They, who have karma each other reveals the conspiracy of the princeps' uncle who kills princeps' father by poison). The story of long series:( （A part-time navvy, Mizuho Okita breaks down from hunger and overwork. His senior colleague, macho middle-aged guy, Yae-san looks after him. But Yae-san is very fond of muscleman and is homosexual. Yae-san pushes down Mizuho and begins to live at Mizuho's room by force. Mizuho should work hard because he needs money to save his mother's gallery from land sharks. One day yakuza marches into the gallery but they suddenly changes their attitude by seeing Yae. Yae turns out to be their boss, a CEO of "Yaegashi Kensetsu", a big construction company!). The author's sex scenes are always very powerful (Guys are not thin and "stern-approach" are used a lot). But in this story, the setup (unique seme, a middle-aged barbate guy who is a "muscle freak" or powerful SM queen with leather harness) is very hard-core! A short story of viking is very geeky and nice. The author's art is so vivid, reader-friendly (plain) and a little sultry that it is well suited to the special setup (fantasy, period drama or foreign stories). I think the author may be better suited for complex AU stories. The long series of name piece is simple comedy and the story & psychological characterization is a little conventional. As compared to geeky setup, they lack of quirky sense. At her postscripts, the editor of Biblos kept rejecting Oumi's minor ideas and the editor finally gives approval with condition that Yae will change into elite CEO with gorgeous suit. That is why this series becomes result of the compromise. I'm afraid too excessive/unnecessary leading by editor may destroy the mangaka's talent. There are many cases that mangaka has lost her passion when she decides to write the challenging or controversial stories. If this book features mainly viking story, my rating will be much higher. The young princeps is so sexy uke! (though he is so brave and strong warrior). BTW the author says she was inspired by old TV animation, "Chiisana Viking Bikke" as well as Eiichirou Oda, the author of "One piece". I realize that the animation has been so great! Oumi is very good mangaka who can express very erotic sex scenes, so I believe she will be greater if she puts her mind to period/fantastic drama or serious & dark stories. I want her to change her serialization to other publisher's magazines! ("Dear+", "Nemuki",,,etc). (by Slash-kun 30/Aug/2003)
Ozaki Minami
"BRONZE - ZETSUAI since 1989 vol.13 - complete" (Shuueisha) Sep/2003 *** 9
Moving final volume of long series of 14 years since "Zetsu-ai since1989". The story:(Kouji Nanjyou who devastates Takuto Izumi physically and mentally and disappear encounters Doctor Hina when he is scrimmaging in a bar. Hina tells Kouji about Izumi's suicide and it shocks Kouji so much. Kouji can not believe Izumi's death, so he desperately makes a lot of phone calls. But Katsumi Shibuya gets off the line with parting shot, "I don't want to talk with you". Kouji returns to Japan in disguise and meets Shibuya at cemetery. Shibuya tells Kouji Izumi's word, "Kouji is not wrong". Soon after they part, Shibuya is kidnapped by Akihito Nanjyou. Kouji goes to Nanjyou's house with Japanese sword and puts pressure on Hirose Nanjyou to kill Kouji himself. But Akihito points the sword toward himself and commits suicide. Kouji is stabbed by a bodyguard of Hirose and is placed on the wanted list by Hirose. When Kouji is escaping by a car of Hina's friend, he hears a news that Izumi recovers and comes back to Japan soon. In front of Izumi who is sitting on a wheelchair and is surrounded by press, Kouji appears. Izumi extends his hand to Kouji and says "We still have a lot of things in the future"). The fierce drama finally completed. With great emotion & impression. It's so great that Ozaki completed writing up so long story. I'm worried that toward the end she often gets ill and her serialization is suspended. But all's well that ends well. I marvel at this ending which Ozaki tries her physical limits and finishes writing. This story keeps high tension and has been very intense but she can make very strong ending appropriate to the story. So I feel keen satisfaction. This volume is really heartrending. I cries so much. Kouiji's desperation and madness when he knows Izumi commits suicide by the result he could not allow himself who hurts Izumi and forced Izumi to hate Kouji. It's so fierce. And the last word that Izumi tells to Kouji is so wonderful. Very strong, bright and full of hope for the future. Izumi and Kouji are hurt by their disastrous fate but I suppose by this Izumi's word, Kouji and all of fans are relieved. Their circumstance is not easy but I believe they are all right. As is always the case, but especially this overwhelms me by a flood of "letters" and "pictures". Discussing about skills of this author's art is stupid. Her art transcends such low level issue. It's like the world of Kabuki or Gothic roman (a certain symbolic style has various meaning for her longstanding fans). I feel well the spirit of Ozaki who keeps writing as hard as her physical strength lasts. I'd like to praise her for her establishing monumental achievement in not only japanese girlish/yaoi manga but also manga of world. This series is world-class great yaoi masterpiece! (by Slash-kun 07/Feb/2004)
"BRONZE - ZETSUAI since 1989 vol.12" (Shuueisha) Mar/2003 *** 8.7
Kouji makes a fatal decision due to guilty conscience he ruined Izumi's destiny. The story:(Izumi and Kouji go to the rehabilitation hospital in America. The doctor's diagnosis that Izumi can not come back as a professional football player if he recovers gives them a great shock. The days with agony, they worry about each other, gradually drags Kouji into madness. Shibuya lives with them, but in vain. Kouji hurts Izumi deadly and runs away with a declaration of separation...). This 12th volume has been issued after 3 years interval! How severe and cruel story it is! Why does Kouji run away? Even if his brother made Kouji to be paraplegic, Kouji's lost will hurt Izumi most. And the worse part is that Kouji intentionally hurts Izumi to get past for their love with *violence*!! This volume is really full of blood and violence. Ozaki's art becomes more & more baroque (complex and symbolic) and a little difficult to read but a lot of pain never take readers' eyes off. The fact that Ozaki has been often out of health and her serialization often does not appear makes sense. If she does not go into this series heart and soul, this series will not be so passionate and the readers will not be moved so much. I esteem the author highly because she keeps writing this painstakingly with her spirit, as if she shortens her life. Ozaki is now veteran mangaka but she never cuts corners. The intensity of her monologue, the poetry is very powerful as usual. The word of "Kanji" closes in the readers. Her drama reminds me of Latin TV drama (very passionate) or stage play of Greek tragedy or Japanese lyrical Noh drama or Kabuki. But puerile comical scenes foisted sometimes put readers at ease and makes them remember this series is "girlish manga". The scene that Kouji tries to pretend a villain is really overwhelming and makes me cry. The mighty magnetic power of the drop scene has been undiminished. I can hardly wait next volume though this volume is long-awaited! (by Slash-kun 18/Oct/2003)
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Sadahiro Mika
"Tight Rope - Tankoubon Mi-shuurokubun" (djs) Dec/2003 ** 8.5
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"Affluenza", "Tight Rope", Ichinose Takashi, Moriya Kazuyasu> , Reissue of two old short stories not included in Shoujo manga books of music band, "Tight Rope vol.1-2" from Studioship which had been serialized in from 1990 to 1994 because serialized magazine was suspended. The story:(Ichinose becomes a solo singer but can not forget the day of his band. He dissipates melancholy with Moriya at night club. Knowing his mother is involved in a traffic accident, Ichinose wants to see her soon but his NY concert is close at hand. Ichinose realizes of hardheartedness of professional entertainers / Ichinose of 12 years old. His parents decide their divorce and ask Ichinose to choose either. Ichinose can not choose easily and watches his father's stage. He says good-by to his father and is comforted by a suicide who jumped in front of a train). The agony of musician and love & hate between a boy of adolescence and his father who is a professional musician. Sadahiro describes well them with pure, young, sensitive and impressive expression which is not different from current her taste. But to my regret, this is shoujo manga, so Sadahiro's expression is not so strong as now. Anyway the frustration by this suspension made great masterpiece long series, "Hai to Diamond", so it is good in the event. I'm very glad to see Ichinose's kiss with Moriya at first story and a boy Moriya as a ticket scalper at second story. I'd like to read their m/m story, too! (by Slash-kun 06/Dec/2003)
"Dobusarai" (djs) Aug/2003 *** 8.5
(circle name, genre, couple)=<"Affluenza", "Hai to Diamond", Joe/Otoji> Reissue of "Dobusarai" issued on 29/Dec/98 and "Joe to Otoji no Aru Hibi" issued on 13/Aug/2000. The story:(One night stand of Otoji's brother, Seiichi Kirishima and Joe Aizome. Seiichi calls the name of Otoji at climax. Seiichi's recollection of old days - Otoji starts to live with Seiichi, a private de