Author
"Title" (Publisher) Date of issue rating m/m
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A-E:
Abe Akane
"Me kara Uroko" (Biblos) Sep/2005 *** 8.5
The latest trend of yaoi, "Group Drama" at high school football club. Abe's first book. Hero changes by each episode. I think this book is favorite for fans of "Tennis no Ouji sama" who like the atmosphere where people get down and no one stand out. And I also think readers these days like such group drama. Abe's art is not so skillful for book from Biblos (I had a stereotypical image that Biblos's mangaka is not so unique but is good at drawing like Shougakukan). Abe, as her editor often caution about her indistinguishable characters, can not draw the characters apart yet. But as compared to her first stuff written in 2004, her latest stuff written in 2005 is more modern, pop and contemporary, so I expect her more progress! She has good sense/taste to describe young people these days lively and flavor of handwriting letters is so cool, I think she will be a great mangaka depending on her progress of art. Very promising mangaka! (by Slash-kun 16/Oct/2005)
Abekawa Kineko
"Rakkyou no Kawa vol.3" (Wani Books) Apr/2004 * 8.8
About volume 3, there are two different versions! A limited version with drama CD and a ordinary version without. I bought latter at a bookstore (Hourindou "Comic Plaza") at Ikebukuro due to ignorant staff. Then next day, I should buy again at another bookstore (Shosen Bookmart) at Jinbouchou!! We always have a lot of hardship to get limited version (g)...(Limited version often appreciates later. "Hagane no Renkinjutsushi vol.6" limited version with a small book of "Honoo no Renkinjutsushi" is now over 5000yen at Mandarake!! So it's naturally many people want to buy limited version but the staffs are often ignorant of it so much). About CD, the execution is so-so (Unfortunately, Magazine, "Comic GanGan" with special CD of "Hagane no Renkinjyutsushi" were sold at same time and its quality was so splendid! Because the copies of its press are overwhelmingly a lot). But the seiyuu, a voice actor, Kenyuu Horiuchi who acts as Izumi is must-listen. He is so cool! (Horiuchi acts as "Angel", a hero of american TV drama of vampire). This volume is very interesting as usual. Especially the episodes of nostalgic old animation and old great female mangaka, Tsuyako are so excellent! And her bullying of her brother, Kouji Shintera is quite delightful, too. A new character is a natural predator of Shintera, a leader girl of sci-fi club, "Boku-Onna" (who is boyish and calls herself "Boku" like a boy - resembles "T'Pol" in "Enterprise", a newest "Startrek series"). She is funny and she often shows the difference between sci-fi fans and Otaku (or yaoi fans). Other small episodes (School festival, school excursion, cherry blossom viewing, summer comiket and new popular TV series, "New Kamen Rider series" and "GUNDAM SEED" which are hated by old Otaku because these two series lick the boots of female audience too much!!) are also funny. Additionally in this volume, a transfer student from america appears. She is a great animation fan and buys the things a lot at animation stores like "animate". And the report of "Anime EXPO" at L.A. by the author also shows the interest or current status of american fans of japanese animation or yaoi manga or american slash fans, too. Only spot in the sun, the author was not guest. At next time, the organizer of EXPO should call Abekawa a guest, an authority of Otaku critics or a mangaka of "Self-mocking Otaku manga" ("Bakunou Otaku Sensei" by Yasuyuki Tokumitsu from Koudansha, "Pai" by Usamaru Furuya from Shougakukan,,,etc) next time! (by Slash-kun 10/Apr/2004)
Agawa Kouko
"Trouble Maker vol.3" (Core Magazine) Apr/2005 *** 8.55
3rd volume of very popular series of workplace romance of plural couples. The story:(Shinjyou declares hostilities against Hide Sasaki. He hauls Shinji Sakaki, his CEO in the hotel using Sasaki as an excuse / Akira Matsuzaki, an assistant of professional photographer, Ishii dwells on his one-sided love for Ishii and consults his brother, Hiro Matsuzaki / How Hide and Shinji became a couple / Ishii gets jealous of Akira who became popular by standing in for fashion model. But Akira's mother knows their relationship, then Ishii fires Akira / The sequel of the story in "Love you Only" / The sequel of "Koi no Yokan" / The story of Kenichi who is the elder brother of Shinji and a lover of Hiro Matsuzaki). Agawa's stories at workplace never fall short of my expectations and this book is interesting, too. The scene that Ishii fired Akira is so heartrending. Hiro plays outstandingly and reconcile them well. I love a brother who has strong attachment for his brother! There are many cool brothers, so if you like brothers' story, please don't miss this! (by Slash-kun 26/Jun/2005)
"Oresamana Koibito" (Biblos) Jan/2005 *** 8.59
4 short stories of office workers. All titles have same word, "Oresama" but only 2nd and 3rd stories are same series. This book is Agawa's first volume from "Biblos. I'm a little surprised because she has long career now (issued 9 volumes from non-Biblos). Agawa is a very professional mangaka and her work at Biblos is moreover professional, skillful and easy to read. Her mannish & aggressive seme is really nice! She has written so well the trouble/struggle of very sexy & adult workers at the mercy of love! 4 koma short comical manga at last is very funny, too! (by Slash-kun 27/Feb/2005)
Akai Toreno
"Bokura wa Ai wo Hajimetabakari" (Biblos) Oct/2003 *** 8.68
Short stories with a lot of idea & emotion for adult readers (A fireman spends one night with a boy but the boy was helped by the fireman when the boy was a child / A mother of a young CEO is cheated by a raider but the raider falls in love with the CEO... / A fallen elite escapes to the etranger, an island in the south. He dreams a fantasy with a native boy / The side story of "Kimi wa Boku ni Ai wo Tsukisasu - Shin shou". The days at prison of Robert Morgan, an owner of night club / Sequels of each story). Akai is indispensable great yaoi mangaka who can write loveliness & weakness of macho guys with exoticism for adult readers along with Tamaki Yura and Karan Dan. This book is her first short stories but every story is very interesting. All stories have unique situation & atmosphere and deep theme for substantial reading. Especially 2nd and 4th stories are adult ones, so they are my type. 4th story was issued as djs and the story at american prison, so very powerful and fans of "Kimi wa Boku ni..." series must read! Also recommended for OZ fans. I wish Akai to keep issuing the books of her short stories.Comment for each story: (1st: The costume of american fireman is very attractive. So well written. Very sexy and fascinating / 2nd one: I love this story. feelingless raider loves a foolish but pure son. Both of them are foolish and lovely! / 3rd one: Very atmospheric fable / 4th one: So great masterpiece! Very heartrending! Reading this, the readers will know why Robert pretends that Justinine is a brother of John though Robert knows the brother was already dead. Robert tries to return a favor which he owed John at prison. Very good story. And you will know well why John guarded his cellmate, Robert, too. Akai makes very good plot!! (by Slash-kun 02/May/2004)
Akama Hisaki
"Feather Complex vol.1" (kaiousha) Aug/2003 *** 8.5
The long series about hapless destiny of 5 people (3 boys feed to a youth prison on desert island, a new prison officer and a prison warden). "Akama Hisaki" is an alias of "Higa Sakia". The atmosphere with blood, violence and aestheticism is very unique. The tempo of the story is also unique, so it was a little difficult to know whether this story is PWP or serious&aesthetic story. But after I realize this is "a typical story of desert island with dangerous and sexy boys", this story becomes interesting as new couple is created. 3 couples: A timid officer (Juukurou Omi) & a psycho headman of prisoners (Madoka Kadoma. Most mysterious guy. I'm eager to know his future), and a warden of Feather Complex (Cool and decadent adult guy) & a nihilist prisoner who is unconcerned with real world (Banri Sera), and a pure prisoner who is blood-sucking sick (Shun Akahi) & a wild prisoner (Kou Trai). All characters are very cool, gorgeous and erotic like CHI-RAN's show business stories. All of them have problem and they are very attractive. I'm looking forward to next volume. (by Slash-kun 28/Feb/2004)
Amagi Reno
"Seishun Danshi Shugei Club" (Kaiousha) Jul/2005 *** 8.6
Long comedy series of students of handcraft club at high school. The story:(Matsuda, a transfer student who got injured and resigned the school provided athletic scholarship falls in love with a beautiful but hardhearted chief of handcraft club, Kuroe when he first sees. Through tough screening & training he can join the club and finally conquers the chief!). Amagi's art is tremendously skillful and sense of humor is outclassing. Her handwriting is so small but so hilarious. It is worth reading even if you should use magnifying glass. Kuroe's queen character and Matsuda's slave or footman character (But Matsuda is great. Especially he becomes bold at sex and takes on a new personality) is really funny! And each character of members in handcraft club is also funny. At the last, the scene that Kuroe suffers from Matsuda's big dick is so hilarious. Sexual jokes (like Matsuda's insert size is only 2 centimeters) as blue as middle aged people loves and unthinkable from pretty art is awesome. The side story of Aoi Ryu (a son of Yakuza family) is also interesting and the episode newly written of "heaps of food on naked body" is hard-core and awesome, too. Shirogane (Aoi's valet and ex-patisserie) is so cool! I'd like to try reading the stories of adult next time! (by Slash-kun 19/Sep/2005)
Araya Miki
"Kyuukandesu!" (Kaiousha) Mar/2005 *** 8.45
Comedy of a handsome doctor of university hospital and a student of the univ who are apt to invite injury. The story:(A very beautiful student, Natsuki who has been often injured falls in love with a doctor, Sakaki working at his university hospital at first sight. Natsuki feels sad because his injury gets over and tries cut himself intentionally to meet Sakaki. But Sakaki figures out Natsuki's excuse, then Sakaki resigns outpatient treatment. Being shocked, Natsuki becomes blank and is hit by a car...). Natsuki is very hilarious because he invites accidents one after another. In this story, supporting actor, Dr. Shibata is queer. I can't help feeling sympathy & yelling for Shibata more than Sakaki who is hero & ordinary handsome (But has beard) because Araya usually describes perverted hero with warm sight/view. This point may be spot in the sun. I really realize Araya's hero should be a pervert! (by Slash-kun 24/Apr/2005)
Asaoka Minagi
"Parsley vol.2" (Shinshokan) Nov/2003 *** 8.68
The sequel of very popular & masterpiece of natural & casual students couple. Enokawa and Mitazono see stormy job-hunting season under the recession. The story:(Enokawa suffers from a pollen allergy and can not make love. But Mitazono puts off their trip with composure and works hard his part-time job. Enokawa envies other couples.../ Mitazono's family circumstances. His nasty sister-in-law comes. She plays a nasty trick on Enokawa.../ Enokawa and Mitazono see the job-hunting season. Enokawa loses and loses his employment exams and undergoes severe practice teaching at his old school in his home town. Mitazono also becomes depressed by experience of "member of society" through business promotion with his seniors). Asaoka is very good at writing very subtle but natural and tasteful stories. She wrote very ordinary students in natural way again in this volume. At her postscript, she wrote she aimed at "manga without flower dancing". I appreciate her spirit! I'm very glad that non-aesthetic yaoi manga recently increases and they are sincere tour de force which offer the readers pure emotion though art or characters are not so beautiful/handsome or fantastic. About this volume, especially I'm moved by Enokawa's hard experience of teaching practice. Asaoka has no experience but her description is so excellent & realistic! The ending that Enokawa and Mitazono understand and share their hardship is also very impressive! I suppose young people of today also want to become a couple who encourage each other and don't want to have elite steady. So many readers support this. Today's young people are not altogether worthless! This series completed but I place high hopes in Asaoka's next work. The comment of each story: (1st: Asaoka is so good at gather natural and familiar episodes. People tend to be hard with familiar people when they are in hot water and at same time become unusually sensitive to the coldness or kindness of his partner/boy friend becomes. Asaoka describes it really well / 2nd: Through Mitazono's sister's view, Mitazono has become very human (or foolish) by Enokawa. It means Enokawa is a vital partner for Mitazono. Very heartwarming story / 3rd: Mitazono who is always very handsome and unafraid experiences being depressed for the first time at starting his adult life. Enokawa feels the joy by seeing it (He reconfirms his significance of existence for the first time, too) and I really understand his feeling, too!! The attraction of the characters really exists in their "weakness". The theme of this epi, "people can feel joy through hardship" is wonderful). (by Slash-kun 23/May/2004)
Asou Kai & Sugano Akira
"Makeinu no Nandemoya" (Kadokawa Shoten) Apr/2005 * 8.45
3 guys who are working at unique company where employees accept any requests from customers undertake strange work... The story (To the handy company where 3 guys who have experienced setback in their past are working, a first ex-wife of an owner, Nakagawa comes and asks him to make a music for her *wife* who is 2nd ex-wife of Nakagawa. But Nakagawa refuses to make music by himself because he does not have talent and visits a handsome guy, Takahashi whose music made Nakagawa give up the music instead. But Takahashi confesses he loves and keeps waiting for Nakagawa....). Asou's first book. But her drawing is so skillful (The contrast between serious art and comical one is so excellent). The story was written by Akira Sugano, a very famous yaoi novelist who has written "Mainichi Seiten series" for radio drama at first. It became drama CD and now becomes manga. Asou drew illustration of drama CD jacket and has drawn illustration of so many & famous yaoi novels like Kaname Kifu, so it is very natural her art is skillful. Voice actors of Drama CD are very gorgeous (Toshihiko Seki as Mikihiko Nakagawa & Shuuichi Ikeda as Ryouichi Takahashi)! I'm very glad to know the miracle couple of Gundam Seed Destiny, a chairman, Durandal and Ray Burrell may come from this! Sugano's stories are always great and this has very unique setting and deep theme (how the people lives if they gave up their ambition in early life), too! But there is no explicit sex scenes, so this is not so satisfactory for yaoi readers (But Sugano could not help it because original drama is radio one and famous voice actors appeared). Listeners of CD drama can enjoy very much because they can read this manga by their voice!! If you are a listener, please try this! (by Slash-kun 24/Apr/2005)
Atene
"Hatsukoi Shounen" (Houbunsha) Jun/2005 *** 8.5
Short lyrical but erotic stories of cute uke and blunt seme (Hero goes into the country by his parents' divorce. His teacher who is a local resident and has returned as a student teacher from urban college encourages hero. They fall in love.../ By the order of bully, hero is forced to molest an ace of school. But the ace saves hero.../ PWP of home tutor and his student. Students collects "action figures" but teachers does secretly vibrators / Hero, a student is loved by both a coach and a chief of his club / Very good story! Hero receives a burn by pot noodle and goes to hospital. A doctor on duty loves hero and helps hero's masturbation / An intelligent student has hired a lot of his home tutors. But he loves hero and seduces sexually / Dark story. Hero worries about his classmate who is sexually abused by his elder sister's husband. But the classmate chooses.../ Hero's subordinate is very able and lovely but recently looks tired in the morning. Hero knows the subordinate sells his body because of his parent's debt / PWP of hot spring trip of "radio control club". Hero tries to get his lovely lover drunk but he is a heavy drinker like a sieve / Sequel. Only hero gets falling-down drunk leaving his lover and hero's rival alone...). About a first story, Atene describes well the unsettling atmosphere of country and uneasy feeling of hero who comes back to Tokyo. Atene is always good at expressing insecure feeling of characters. Other some stories have a little too easy happy-ending or are a little surreal by non-serious thought. I like Atene's simple art with pathos very much, but therefore I think her stories should be complex or sophisticated. But in this book, there is Atene's forte, a dark but happy-ending story like 8th, too. I love 5th story of lewd doctor because story line and delusion's expansion are swonderful and sex scenes are very aggressive! (by Slash-kun 2/Oct/2005)
Bikke
"Shinkuu Yuusetsu" (Biblos) Mar/2005 ** 8.5
The author's first commercial book. Brisk fantasy at a fictional country where people has very unique constitution. The story:(Two students, Rael and Alexy are a supplier and a resupplier who will die if they don't give and take "their something like energy". For transfer student from abroad, the way of transferring energy from mouth to mouth is very exotic and provocative. Then he can't help making a pass at Rael and it makes Alexy get jealous...). For a wonder, this series is very lyrical and pretty fantasy for Biblos. The setup is very unique but I could accept without much resistance because the art of boys is very natural (No useless exaggerated expression or ostentatious decoration) and skillful (simplified art is very well and medieval atmosphere of school is well described). The author does not seem to a new mangaka/rookie because she is already a sort of charisma at djs market. But I think for her like Umino Chika who is already popular and charismatic at djs world, other commercial publishers than Biblos extends her talent...I'd like to note her future activity. (by Slash-kun 02/Apr/2005)
CHI-RAN
"Rare Love" (Ohkura Shuppan) Sep/2003 *** 8.55
Fantastic PWP series about a stray boy of Werewolfs and two idols of the school (Nanato Shirogane, a stray boy of Werewolfs, "Garouzoku" hides his identity and goes to high school. En Isaki and Mikado Isaki, twin sons of owner of the school & idols of the school suddenly confess their love to Nanato because they love Nanato's real face under his eye glasses. But the full moon makes Nanato transform into a wolf and Isakis know Nanato's secret. Nanato is nearly killed by Kuro, an outmost black boy of Foxes, an inveterate enemy of Werewolfs, "Youkozoku" but En saves Kuro who is bullied by white foxes and Kuro is welcomed by Isakis and Nanato, then Kuro forgives Nanato. But Kuro knows En has loved Nanato and is raped by Kuryuu Eri, a student council president who is really white fox. Kuro despairs so much) and one short story at school (Idol star boy meets again his old elder friend of same orphans' home. But his friend pretends not to know the boy...). The series of name-piece is interesting groundbreaking fantasy. So we can enjoy the story more than the sex scenes about this story. There are two couples, Nanato & Mikado, Kuro & En (Mikado and En are twins) but I think the readers will feel empathy for pitiful Kuro more (Because Nanato is loved by twins). Kuro feels so happy when he finds his own seat at table, going to school,,etc and he are welcomed as members by Nanato & twins. It's so moving because Kuro had been so lonely and miserable. But but...this story does not end in this volume!! So cliffhanger. Kuro is hurt so much at ending, so I'm worried about Kuro's future so much. I wish he will happy with En soon!! A short story is one about the romance with idol as usual but idol is very cute and small in this story. Very funny comedy. Having many boy friend at once is a sort of dream for many girls...(by Slash-kun 10/Apr/2004)
Chitose Piyoko
"Saikyou no Love Magic" (Biblos) Aug/2005 *** 8.6
Long short series of 2 students who have been good friends for long time but one forcibly rapes another in drink (Takamichi secretly loves his best friend, Tokiharu who is an excellent student. They have a drinking party during their parents' absence. Takamichi gets drunk and rapes Tokiharu in his dream. But it is not dream! / A pervert biology teacher sees their sexual intercourse at school. He threatens Tokiharu and tries to rape.../ Tokiharu becomes a home tutor of Takamichi who should take a makeup exam. Tokiharu teaches with an apron on naked body with sex and its result is...) and 2 short stories (Fantasy. Hero is a dull bullied student. He saves a boy from a traffic accident. He realizes his wish before his death / Dark short story of abnormal love. Hero tells his feeling to his classmate at graduation day but is refused. But he knows the classmate is confined by his uncle. His uncle suggests hero to help the confinement). Stories are Chitose's forte, romance with a lot of hot sex by couple with even age, height and physical size. Especially first story is very shocking because opening scene is "hard sex playing". Tension is very high from the very beginning. Chitose's sex scenes are very radical & bold but it is brisk & acceptable because lovers are very sincere and equivalent. About long short series, Tokiharu, uke is serene, intelligent and tender, so nobody hates him and feels him disagreeable. Passionate love of young people is very cheerful and heartwarming. Short fantastic story has some difficult points to understand in the plot but it's no problem because Chitose story has a reservoir of strength and energy. She brings readers into submission by force! Characters' feeling is positive and straightforward and it makes readers feel alive. So we will allow Chitose's strong-arm story. Last short story is very good, too. Dark but happy. Insane but everyone finds his happiness. Even classmate's uncle becomes happy in his way! Fine book Chitose displays her ability to the full. (by Slash-kun 2/Oct/2005)
"Shiawase Cook" (Kaiousha) Sep/2003 *** 8.5
Short stories with happy-ending including early works at commercial debut or unusual dark taste (Name-piece. A rich boy is saved by a cook. He approaches the cook under the plea of being his apprentice / A lonely son of the executive president of the student intervenes in the quarrel of a wild transfer student. The transfer student wants to challenge the son / A guy often picks up a stray dog. When he goes to the school as a teacher for the first time, he picks up a school phobic student and confines the student in his room. But the student is saved from loneliness / Hero is a gloomy otaku & collector of vibrator. His old & cheerful friend from childhood who lives next door and goes to different school now visits hero and asks to teach personal computer. He finds vibrators and suggests their trying them / A new student is marked by an excellent senior student of school committee for discipline. He is raped by the senior one but nobody believe it. He can not escape from the senior one.../ The sequel of name-piece. Hero and his lover, a cook are very busy and have no time for dating. The cook makes a lunch for hero at the restaurant when it is closed in apology. Hero returns a favor by his body as dessert). Chitose's works are usually PWP or happy comedy but this book has a little dark stories and they are unexpectedly nice for me. Every story is happy one that hero suffers from the one-sided love but finally knows it has been reciprocated and becomes happy through hot sex. So the readers will be happy, too after reading. Chitose's popularity is attributable to making the readers happy. The sex scenes are all satisfactory. Chitose expresses the sexual organs or the scene of their connection very obviously/explicitly. I like her manliness very much! And Chitose's uke is very tall as well as seme (but not too adult - young, wild and cool). The early work at her debut is by no means inferior to her latest works. I suppose she was very skillful from the start. I love 3rd story the best. Immoral but heartwarming! Good story. I love 4th (It's very happy story, the realization of hero's. Gloomy otaku is seme. It's unexpected but balanced. Fine story) and 5st (Dark, so my type. It's so nice that the chairman student is cruel but really tender) stories, too. About name-piece, the playing with white gown is very funny. I'm sure anyone can enjoy this book bar none! (by Slash-kun 27/Mar/2004)
Doppel Gangers
"Finger Stinger" (Oakla Shuppan) Feb/2005 *** 8.6
Short stories（A name piece. Comical romance between a manly but pretty bone-cracker and a brute sportsman / A middle-aged gay guy who had kept looking for his partner and his young lover / Sequel. The guy realizes reversible sex / A middle-aged guy who are tired from his work joins the journey with a truck driver / Very popular owner of the cafe died. The employee tries to make an owner's lazy son work.../ A dangerous bomber meets a blind guy but they met before. The blind guy brings bomber in to surrender and keeps waiting for his release from jail / Sequel of name piece). The first book of the authors, a very famous djska duo (Kinokawa Mutsumi & Nene), so this is *their* first *commercial* book. As they call themselves "old people", their style is very unique and many their heroes are pretty old, aged guys who are tired from their practical life with physical sex but without mental pure love. Their art is mannish and funny affected by "One-piece", famous manga written by Oda Eiichirou serialized on "Weekly Shounen JUMP". Good at drawing of tall, big-boned and muscular physical body. Long-short story about bomber is very moving! Serious & silent scenes among a lot of gag lines look very sharp and impressive! Very promising & prospective mangaka! (by Slash-kun 13/Mar/2005)
Dr. Ten
"Geboku Shounenbushi vol.4" (Kousai Shobou) Nov/2004 *** 8.5
The 4th volume of occult action fantastic long series of blood relationship angst. The story:(Shinohara is abducted by Yorihito Kuga. Kuga inspires Sana's soul to Shinohara. Maid is carrying Sana's dead body but Sana sucks maid's spirit...). In addition to a lot of hot sex scenes as usual powerful action scenes like exchange of souls between Sana and Shinohara have a tremendous impact! Fear of Sana which makes people quake with fear is very funny. This turbulent & amazing volume is characteristic of "Occult Fantasy"! (by Slash-kun 19/Sep/2005)
"Geboku Shounenbushi vol.3" (Kousai Shobou) Nov/2003 *** 8.5
The 3rd volume of occult action fantastic long series of blood relationship angst. The story:（Takashi Shinohara, an illegitimate child of the king of the Kuchibas, Sana is abducted by Yorihito Kuga, a cousin of Mamoru & a following of Tadaaki Satomi who is a fiance of Sana...). The main story is very serious but side stories are comedies, so many readers can enjoy at ease. Especially episode of Mamoru, Shinohara, Tomoe and Muma (maybe an incubus) inspired by Dr. Ten's pet, cat is so hilarious! This volume has episodes of Mamoru's childhood and Shinohara's brothers. It's very interesting for fans! Of course the sex scenes of this volume are very hot as usual. (by Slash-kun 19/Sep/2005)
Emiko Yama
"Dai 7 Tengoku vol.3" (Emikoyama) Dec/2003 ** 8.6
Sweet & delightful days of various couples in residential boys high school on the mountain which is so happy, peaceful and romantic like heaven (A beautiful student in library, Kawai and a sportsman, Souda / A cheerful lower-grade boy, Nanae Makimura who adores Kawai and 4 handsome hanger-ons, Ikeyama, Sakai, Yamashita and Kamoi who are watching Makimura thrilled / Memory of the days when Makimura entered the school. He was very beautiful but twisted. But he could blend in classmates by Makimura's intercession / Otobe can not catch up the height of Mitsugishi for long time though he always keeps making advances to Mitsugishi with dogged persistence / The romance between a newly-enrolled student, Aribe who is chosen for the role of prince and a beautiful student of needlecraft club, Kataoka / The romance between an ex-student council president, Hasegawa and an in-service student council president, Katou). Anyone can become so happy after reading. The boys school with nice boys, dreamers and elegant gentle boys. Like missionary school of old days. Nostalgic and courtly. I suppose I will get turned off and say "How stupid" if Emiko would write this as girls' school. But I can enjoy the dream because this is the story of yaoi, i.e. fantasy. I wish I were a member of the school! They are very proud of being a member of it. How enviable. All stories are very interesting but I love the impressive story of needlecraft club best! Kataoka had felt inferior because he loves needlecraft though he is male. But now he is very happy because he entered the school and can dedicates himself in needlecraft! It's very nice that everyone can dedicate himself in what he likes. It's really heaven - I think it's Emiko's strong message for people. I wish this series continues forever. (by Slash-kun 09/May/2004)
Endou Risao
"Tadoritsuitara Itsumo Aozora" (Houbunsha) Aug/2005 *** 9.8
The greatest short stories like treasure (Name-piece. A child left behind by his parent in the rainy day. A single rock musician, living next door of same apartment takes in him and they start living together. The child has grown up and the musician advises him to go independent for the happiness of each other.../ Right before the graduation of high school, a hero knocked his classmate & best friend unconscious, raped him blindfolded and escaped to the city. He lives alone at the apartment but has the same problem there.../ A wild transfer student has a crush on a beautiful class president. He forces class president to be his lover without saying the reason. They talk their dream of traveling from place to place as apiarists. But since they came to Tokyo, they have gotten overwhelmed with their busy days - ex-class president at univ and a wild student at dressmaking school. Then ex-class president suddenly disappears. The wild student finds ex class president came out and was cut off by his parent / A student dubbed as "The prince of star (The Little Prince)" of the art college. The prince has an obsessive passion for cleanliness because of his mentally troubled mother. But a genius of "faculty of sculpture" boldly asks the prince to be his model.../ A son of sushi shop often visits his uncle who is a barkeeper of gay bar at Shinjuku 2 choume. His family renounced his uncle because he came out. One day sleep-fogged uncle gets laid with him in mistake for the bed buddy / A stunned-looking student on the bridge. He was deceived by his roommate and lost his shirts. A custodian of old apartment picks up him as his assistant & housekeeper / Additional stories of art student and name-piece). All are same stories that a very miserable hero has carried a torch for a guy but actually the guy also loves him but they are very moving!! Endo takes up well the loneliness, bitterness and pain everyone has. Her metaphor using classic like "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery or using familiar things like "cake" are very artful. She is very good at increasing the mood of the story using well japanese humane things like "sushi shop business" or "old apartment". The art of characters like drawing is very attractive (uke is beautiful and seme is cool) and the freehand art of scenery (without using ruler) looks like ink painting and makes the impressive atmosphere. Her jokes are very sophisticated (Nude sculpture of art college story or curious boarders in the old apartment are very hilarious!). Endo has brilliant talents! I guarantee every story makes the reader happy! Highly recommended. BTW the title of name-piece came from an old famous song of rock group, "Mops", "Tadoritsuitara Itsumo Amefuri" made by "Yoshida Takurou" in 1972. Comments for each story (1: Endo who made such a good story should be a genius! The descriptions of the sky & recollection are absolutely beautiful. Hero's foster father who is a sloppy musician but has a heart is very good character! / 2: Opening that hero knocks the classmate cold - Osoi Uke - is very shocking! But hero is too timid & shy to tell the classmate his feelings... I do not think that there is another mangaka that can write such miserable hero like Endo (except Tada Yumi). The tit-for-tat of classmate at the end is very nice!! / 3: Endo uses apiarists very well in the story. She is very great because she often adopts such rare & unique topics which many female or yaoi mangaka do not use. And she has also researched about dressmaking school and garment industry. I wonder she had the experience of them. At first I thought Endo was a mangaka of "sense" but now she is one of "effort" / 4: How wonderfully Endo quotes "The Little Prince" loved by many japanese very much! Using illustrations from this famous book bring out the mood of this story. This story is the greatest masterpiece, too! / 5: The playing of "writing letters" is very funny and sophisticated! The members of family of sushi shop are all unique and remind me of Ima Ichiko's group drama. The design of the japanese cup, "yunomi" is so wonderful! I want to buy if it is sold. Talk about the witticism of "Ludwig Mies van der Rohe", "God is in the details"! / 6: Happy romantic story like "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"! The life loved by lodger students like idol comforts hero and readers. The uncouth character of a super is also nice. Heartwarming good group drama!) (by Slash-kun 16/Apr/2006)
"Tojita Mado wo Kare ga Aketa" (Magazine Magazine) Nov/2003 *** 8.75
Short stories including BDSM taste and describing various lonely modern people (A guy has been reclusive since he was dumped by his wife. His aged housemaid dies, then her grandson suddenly becomes a self-invited maid / An ordinary wage slave guy whose only redeeming point is "diligence" encounters a dangerous guy of the night like lizard at coffee shop in the morning and is bewitched by the lizard guy somehow / Sex slave boy but sexually cold is forced to go piercing shop and has a crush on piercer. It's his first love.../ Hero's roommate since they were students suddenly starts woman's disguise / A confidence man takes in a boy who is left by his mother at deserted hotel / A hero's mother dies. He is taken in by his father who got divorced but his father spends queer life with a boy because of loneliness / The sequel of the first story, name piece. The guy visits the house of his maid boy and fits well in with maid's family). Endou's stories are always very unique and interesting and stories of this book are very happy ones like "Dream coming true" or "A fairy tale for adult readers". "Even lonely & miserable boys or queer guys can finally become happy with their lovers" is now Endou's forte, pet subject - a story of a forsaken boy and a crook or one of a maid boy and a privatistic guy,,etc. Endou's tender view point which allows loosers to live comforts readers. Reading this book, I felt heartwarming feeling. I think Endou's plot making skill also made progress and it awakens reader's human emotions. Sex scenes are really very joyful and comfortable, too. Small and gags lie everywhere. Endou's art is ennui and attractive with "habitus scrofulosus" expression as usual but in this book I found another attraction, not only "insane/mad" but also positive forward-looking one. So this is highly recommended for many readers. Especially I love 6th story at hotel (So touching! This is fairy tale for adult readers. The art that a swindler was also a deserted child as well as a boy and their images overlap each other is so impressive. The usage of fake gems is very effective and the atmosphere of deserted hotel is nice, too. After reading, I felt happy a lot! And the last newly written sequel of 1st episode is also so excellent & funny like group drama of Ichiko Ima. (by Slash-kun 30/May/2004)
Enjin Yamimaru
"Ouji no Hakobune" (Biblos) Oct/2003 ** 8.6
A long-short unique series of a prince and his attendant with sci-fi taste (A youngest son of a mail delivery family, Philip comforts Prince Louis who lives in seclusion and gets angry because he gets no reply from his lover. Prince's attendant, Arman visits to ask Louis to return because the day of prince's wedding is upcoming) and a long-short story of a brother who confines a lover of his sister, very nasty playboy for revenge and 2 short stories (2 brothers of legendary cowboy / Unique intercourse between a wannabe novelist without his right hand and a boy who is close to the end of life). All stories are unique with rich ideas, good atmosphere and excellent art though they are not so erotic. Resembles Satoru Ishihara (Wouldn't it be nice if she writes more sexy ones...). Every story has a possibility of long story, so I wanted to read more - may be not entirely satisfactory (Looks so delicious but not fully fed). Enjin is now very popular and so busy to write long stories but I prefer to read her long stories...Comment for each story: (Name piece series: I thought this story was mediaeval costume play of betrayal - inferiors overthrowing their superiors like "Kuroi Kishi" by Kai Tsurugi or "White Guardian" by DUO BRAND but is sci-fi story! Ummm. I wonder it is really necessary for Enjin to make this story as sci-fi. And ending is brusque. Very difficult intention... / a long-short story of confinement: insane & interesting story! A brother who loves his sister is very funny and lovely. Resembles Naoe of "Mirage of blaze" a little. Enjin's comedy taste is very nice / 1st short story of cowboy: The duel between half brothers! Very geeky situation. Very erotic without sex scenes. Characters and the situation are very atmospheric. I want to read sequel and wants Enjin to write this as long series / 2nd short one: A little philosophical. Resembles Satoru Ishihara. Settings - Arm is made from wood, body is covered with cuts and bruise by accident - are very atmospheric. Characters are very attractive. This story is valuable for long series!). (by Slash-kun 24/Apr/2004)
Enomoto Tsubaki
"5ji kara Asa made" (Houbunsha) Oct/2003 *** 8.48
First books from Houbunsha. Including old works. Long series of a hairdresser and an idol model (A budding hairdresser - thought of as the stage immediately prior to charismatic hairdresser, Isa Kouno wins confidence of a selfish new beautiful model, Risawo Mogi. Isa encourages Risawo and Risawo also wants to respond to Isa's love. But Risawo is very slow to mature. Isa says he will wait patiently for Risawo...) and 2 short stories (Issued in 1996. Fantasy of office workers. Younger employee confesses his love to his senior employee and fails. But the senior comes to younger for nursing colds.../ Unique shota story written in 2003). Enomoto's fan must enjoy this book which has unique stories. About long series of name piece: Enomoto's family business is beauty parlor! So her stories of beauty parlor have been very persuasive. This story is also very interesting. But there is no sex scene because Isa is enough adult to keep cool & wait for Risao's spiritual preparednes. It's a spot in the sun. About 1st short story: Settings of marriage business was very novel/unique then. Fantastic factor seems unnecessary form me. I think real & social setting is more suitable for Enomoto (Her sweet taste is peppered). About 2nd short one: Younger seme (But both are boys). Enomoto herself says younger seme is very rare for her but it is very unique, groundbreaking and interesting! The process to making love is very tactful and natural. Enomoto thinks up a nice episode for boys (striping prepuce of penis)! Her sex scene is very hot, thrilling and exciting with a lot of feeling of tension. Very excellent because this was newly written (2003). Enomoto's best work is her latest one! (by Slash-kun 24/Apr/2004)
Esuto Emu
"Show ga Hanetara Aimashou" (Tokyo Mangasha) Sep/2006 *** 8.78
A strong debut book, name piece short series of a dancer and an actor and 4 short stories with artistic soul! The story of name piece short series:(A son between a Russian prima donna of ballet and a Spanish choreographer, Theo Gallardo becomes a youngest premier danseur (principal) of Bolshoi Theater Ballet for his mother but leaves it later. He starts his own company in Spain. To watch it, his mother goes to Spain by airplane but is killed in a plane crash. Theo can't dance by shock and turns a Hollywood movie actor. He kisses Darren Fergus, a playboy actor playing together in a car for fun / A paparazzi photo of their kiss becomes a scandal. Darren gets serious with Theo. Theo comes back to the stage and Darren returns to be a playboy but they become real partners) + 4 short stories:(A young man who can't draw pictures and works a cafe staff member for a living happens to meet with a young owner of art gallery at a bookstore. He decides to start drawing again / A guitarist's bandmate steals proceeds from sale of advance tickets. And he is hit with a double-whammy by the news that his hero, a vocalist of legendary rock band died he drinks with a vengeance at a bar. An old man next to him at next sheet cares for him. But the old guy is a guitarist of the legendary band! A young guitarist asks the old one to perform on the stage instead of his bandmates / Young twin brothers living with an old man at a cottage. The old man dies, the peaceful days are over and twins go separate ways. They desperately try to find each other. New dwellers come and find two black cats crouch owing the floor. The sequel story. In a rainy day, twins pick up a boy. They remember the warm day when they were born.../ Gion Festival in Kyoto. An old man visits there to see his old best friend who played the japanese flute at festival together when they were young. A lifelike grandson tells him the death of his best friend last year). All newly written except one (issued as anthology). Very luxury book! Very amazing unique despite this is the author's first book!! The art is really chic. The silent atmosphere resembles Yumi Tada but Esuto Emu is more artistic because of her choice of subjects. And Esuto Emu is also good at old japanese style like a last story. Recently owing to the anthology from Tokyo Mangasha (OPERA, MARBLE COMICS,,etc), many new unique & artistic yaoi mangaka like "basso" appear one after another but Esuto Emu stands out from the rest in that cool figure painting. I love her characters very much!! Really beautiful. Even old guys! I haven't read an artistic manga like this for long time. Esuto Emu's adult characters are very realistic and beautiful. Not only the art, but her stories & themes are also realistic and persuasive! Very sophisticated mangaka. Amazing talent! Highly recommended! Comments for each stories:(short series: What beautiful images fill! Silent scenes and chic atmosphere. Text is filled with profound implication. The costume of Theo to perform a double role, Jose & Carmen is really gorgeous! The sex scenes are not explicit but erotic. Both Theo and Darren are very hawt guys / 1st short story: Good story. The author describes well the atmosphere of foreign bookstore. She also uses etymology of Latin or the knowledge of oil painting tactfully, too in the story. It's very intellectually interesting! The usage of fragrance material like oil of turpentine, coffee or cigarette is excellent / 2nd: Very moved. Touching story. A young guy and old one unite into one by a guitar. Human soul of the author makes us cry. The author's advantage is not only the art. That's the great point of this mangaka / 3rd: Poetic. stylish and fantastic sketch which tenderness is contagious to readers / 4th: The author expresses well the atmosphere of summer festival of Japan. Especially the scene of recollection is very beautiful and wistful. Esuto Emu's japanese kimono of men wearing casually is so skillful!! though she is good at drawing western costume like suit or garcon apron, too!). (by Slash-kun 27/Jan/2007)
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Fuji Tamaki
"Natsu no Nagori no Bara" (Tokuma Shoten) Apr/2004 * 8.8
Long moving series of a lonely boy with complex secret of his birth who met a violinmaker about his age and becomes a great violinist as his brother. The story:(Dater, a young apprentice violinmaker is exciting about putting his violin to the contest. Going to a lumbermill to get in the material for violin, Dater sees Ruth, a boy, playing the violin and is impressed by the sound. Ruth has just come to this village with Usher, a misanthropic guy. Ruth lost his last family, brother Maris in his childhood and Maris's old friend, Usher has fostered Ruth drifting from one place to another. Ruth's violin is an old rare great violin, "Guarneri" which Maris gave Usher. Dater and Ruth become good friends. Dater finds his own objective to make a violin and Ruth enters same art & industrial school. At the school Ruth finds favor in eyes of Byars, a genius producer and wishes to make a career as a professional violinist and repay Usher's favor. But Usher does not agree with Ruth's playing the violin. A young popular music critic, Augier also takes a kindly interest in Ruth and they get familiar. Augier confesses Ruth the Maris's tragedy. Ruth finds out that Maris was a genius violinist and Usher was also a famous one, Ashari Gedar Byars had trained. Ruth is sensationally reported on musical magazines and generates much attention but cracks under the strain by CD of Maris's highly-skilled performance, busts up with Usher and loses track of himself. But by encouragement of Dater, love from old music tape of Maris's performance like tender lullaby, Ruth gets over). There is no sex scenes but it is very touching story! It makes me cry (The scene of old music tape is so great! Maris's feeling - telling his love to Ruth by *music* moves my heart. So brother-minded!). Fuji's works are all good and especially long stories like this are always good. Pitiful stories of early adolescence are my favorite but her artists' stories (like "Private Gymnastic" - stater's story) are also awesome and in this story Fuji has come up with the wonderful & unique situation, friendship between a performer and craftsman of the instrument! Her deep knowledge of classic music and instrument are interesting and its real information adds spice to the story collaboratively with the dreaming & unrealistic art of Fuji. Characters are all attractive and well-designed. Fuji's excellent expression makes readers fell as if they really hear tender music from tape. My compliments! Such elaborate & sincere work makes my heart clean! It's not fair that the price of most new manga books are equal (g). Highly recommended for Fuji's fan and people who never read Fuji's work yet!! (by Slash-kun 10/Dec/2005)
Fujii Mitori
"Ouji sama wo Tsukamaero!" (Ohkura Shuppan) Nov/2003 *** 8.5
The long romantic series of high school junior and senior students（Iku, a student on 2nd grade of the high school is glad to know Koga who is one year younger than Iku joins same school. Koga has loved Iku like a big dog and declared he would enter same school as Iku when they were junior high school students. Iku always longs for the bright old days at junior high school and wishes to reproduce it but Koga wants to develop their relationship more...) and a short side-story (Kuroki, a classmate of Iku, who is a honor-roll student but always sits on the sidelines, changes by a very pure student teacher, Daiki Asai) and the sequel of two couples and one shota short story (A hero always quarrels with a customer who comes to meet his sister. But his sister says she will get married with another guy. Hero think she did not choose the customer because of hero and so regrets). With very simple and nice art and delightful students' atmosphere, I could read this very smoothly. A younger seme, Koga is so nice guy. Wild, cool, happy-go-lucky and endearing. I could understand why Iku loves Koga and I support Koga very much. Koga and Iku live in dormitory and Koga finds porno magazine given by senior student in Iku's room. It reminds Koga of sex and makes him nervous. But Iku fears his memory at junior high school and can not go ahead...I can understand it well. Iku's junior high school costume is so dashing & cute (Tan-ran=Short black jacket with stand collar)! About side story: Kuroki is also queer & younger uke but he is more nihilistic and lonely. A trainee teacher, Asai is very bright and he puts me at ease. About shota story: Very hot and erotic. A customer is evil and bad guy (His sexual technique is so cunning) but I love such immoral shota. The story matches with Fujii's simple art very much. I enjoyed Fujii's steady power and ability. (by Slash-kun 30/May/2004)
Fujii Sakuya
"Koibito wo Kaimashou" (Kadokawa Shoten) Apr/2005 *** 8.48
2 long-short stories, a thrilling romance between a delinquent handsome boy and a young CEO who encounter at TV program of "investment to business venture" and a romance of Prince Edward, an elder brother of hero in Fujii's previous book, "Ore-sama to Ouji-sama" (Chikara Hidaka appears in the TV show and solicits for capital investors to reestablish Chinese noodle shop of his unlucky father. Tomokazu, Kunimi, a CEO of talent agency gives him 5 million yen. But Chikara does not have such a plan and he really wants to save a sister of his bad company. Chikara tries to escape but Tomokazu takes Chikara into custody. Tomokazu trains Chikara sexually to be his pet.../ A student, Hayato Yanagi goes to Narita Airport to host a foreign student. But Hayato makes mistake and picks up Prince Edward of Kingdom, Cieria in disguise. Edward falls in love with Hayato when he first sees and enjoys the life as a student at japanese school. Edward has kept finding his marriage partner, so he asks Hayato to marry him and brings Hayato to Cieria for training for married life...). The 1st story is very exciting because Chikara who dramatically changes his hair color is so cool and his upbeat personality often has a conflict with Kunimi. A little too easy and happy ending like traditional girls manga is the author's usual habit and we have no choice...The 2nd story has a deep & elaborate expression, double meaning, Hayato loses his way in the wood and his mind also loses his way (whether he should part with Edward or not) by being bullied by Edward's fellows. Both stories are very sweet. If Fujii made more hard-core sex scenes, I could enjoy this without reservation as an adult woman...(by Slash-kun 14/May/2005)
Fujikawa Touko
"Shokugyou Tenshi" (Biblos) Oct/2003 * 8.7
Moving and fantastic 4 long-short stories issues as "Zero comics" (Liddell, a young guy is a sort of rare species who can saves living matters by expending one's life and leaves seed in the end. His parents were killed and Liddell becomes very nihilistic. But he is sheltered & protected by a strange mother and her daughter and becomes their family. One day he falls in a hole with the daughter and he determines his mind... / A hero who is a student of magic school hates the study. When he chooses his lifelong friend, he wishes a diligent one who helps hero's study. Hero's wish is answered and very strict fairy, Jess comes to Hero. But Jess will disappear when hero masters the magic.../ A boy who could not save a stray cat with illness because of his moving house returns his home after 8 years' separation. Then he wanders off into the world of ghost cats / A young guy who is nicked for speeding becomes a guinea pig of new medicine instead of paying a fine. He has wings of angle on his back and is laughed by people. But he saves a girl who rushes out into the driveway). This is the author's first book. Unbelievable! Very excellent stories though they are not so sexy/slashy (2nd and 3rd stories are a little slashy). She is very good at making nice plots. Very dramatic though it is very short. I wonder Fujikawa has long career as djska. The self-sacrifice of animals, magic creatures, plants,,etc which have a grudge against human and turn their back on the world will bravely do their best for human in the end makes me cry and feel sorry a service as advertising pitch of this book! Fujikawa's art is also excellent. Very delicate & modern art is suitable for tender stories. If she writes m/m stories, I think she will be very popular like Tamaki Fuji. But her m/f stories are enough interesting and excellent and I think she can be very major if she keeps writing m/f stories. Anyway she is a great rookie of considerable promise. Highly recommended. Comment for each story: (1st story: Liddell's determination of risking life and limb to protect his new family is very moving! The monologues at intervals are very beautiful and pregnant with meaning / 2nd one: Jess is so lovely! He is rigid and cold with eyeglasses but is indescribably cute when he gets depressed. Jess's feathers and legs are very lovely, too. Monologue is very effective again. A roost of Jess is very artistic. Fujikawa has very nice taste / 3rd one: A waiting cat and a boy with regret. This situation resembles "Suzu no Ne ga Kikoeru" by Kumiko Sasaki but this story is more natural and persuasive because hero should leave by his family reason - moving house. So Fujikawa's stories are well-designed. She uses "mystery of names" well in the story. The image of sea is very beautiful and little cats are very innocent and lovely / 4th one: The name piece. Heartwarming fable but the story of angles are a little trite in female manga / Newly written short story: Very short but very lovely and interesting!). (by Slash-kun 24/Apr/2004)
Fujinari Yuuki
"Boku to Sensei to Megane" (Magazine Magazine) Jul/2005 *** 8.48
8 short stories (Hero is an intemperate single teacher. A school doctor worries about hero's health and then he visits hero to prepare a supper, stays overnight, goes to bed together and caresses hero / Hero's roommate is an enthusiast of mail-order and the room is filled up with mail-order goods. But one day hero goes mad by seeing a ton of vibrators by mail-order / Calling out for a pizza, a pizza delivery boy is a hero's classmate. Since then, hero tries to order various things to his classmate but the classmate always accepts. Getting carried away, a friend of the classmate give a warning to hero and it makes hero angry / A lover of elder brother of motherless family whose father is transferred alone to another part of the country worries about the rebellious phase of younger brother. Younger brother tries to make a pass at hero, then elder one shows their sex playing in order to tame younger one / Hero is a student of art college. When he was a high-school graduate who had failed to enter a college and was waiting for another chance was taught by an artist who lives next door at same apartment house. Hero wants to return the favor and carries a torch for the artist, so he does his best to find a missing bird of artist / Hero, a student is deeply loved by an ace of volley ball club so much. Since they were assigned into different classes, ace's sex playing becomes persistent & hard and it annoys hero. Hero thinks out a plan with his classmate.../ Hero finds previous visitor at best seat for afternoon nap, the backyard of the school. The visitor is a honor student who is very popular among girl students. Since then they get friendly and hero is kissed by the honor student during nap / A teacher who loves & collects eye glasses and his lover, a class rep with eye glasses. When the class rep tries to use contact lenses, the teacher can not recognize him... / Sequel. The teacher finds a use of his eye glasses collection). Each story is enough interesting but some early stories may be not polished enough. Maybe too short. I'm fascinated by threesome story (motherless brothers) very much! So erotic. Later student stories are atmospherical because expression of feelings is elaborate. If editor collects only stories of students, I think it may be more acceptable of young readers who loves student BL stories. (by Slash-kun 19/Sep/2005)
"Boku no Osananajimi" (Biblos) Mar/2005 *** 8.4
Short stories (A boy from the city who goes down into the country every summer and his good country friend. The friend feels jealous of classmates in the city and falls out with the boy / a pornographic novelist and a part-time editor. The novelist asks the editor to be his model in trade for his manuscript / A younger brother who likes housekeeping. He falls in love with his brother's classmate who visits his home / Fantasy. A boy is changed into a plushie of rabbit by a witch who gathers beautiful boys. The boy finds a pharmaceuticalist who can reverse him. The boy can revert for a moment and should give his sexual service to the pharmaceuticalist / A student of student council who adores a student body president like a dog. The president really wants the student to love him but the student is too faithful to his duty...). I love a 1st story and a last one about students most because missing each other of students' feeling and its reconciliation are peaceful and heartwarming. Fujinari's couples without age gap are more natural. But couple of her fantastic story has age-gap but they are very cool (Reading this book, I'm very surprised to know she could write fantasy, too!). Very unique (fantastic) world makes the couple with age-gap more acceptable. (by Slash-kun 14/May/2005)
Fujisaki Kou
"Virgin Love." (Houbunsha) Nov/2003 *** 8.68
The spin-off story of "Utsukushiki Kemonotachi". Kaoru, a secretary of Chiharu, who is always very cool is addicted to forbidden love. The story:(Kaoru Kirishima, a very beautiful & proficient secretary of a successful CEO, Chiharu is picked up by a wild & sexy guy at a night club. Chiharu escapes from the guy because their sex was too powerful but he finds the guy is Mikihisa Daigou, a young CEO of Chiharu's client company. Mikihisa also can not Kaoru and they keep their sexual & physical relationship. Kaoru indulge himself in their making love like drug, it becomes an obstacle for Kaoru's work. He feels jealous of women around Daigou and it reminds him of his mother who died by crazy jealousy. Kaoru finally decides to part with Daigou...). Again, Fujisaki's seme, Daigou is sooooo extremely ultra sexy! (super-physical hero). He is wild, big dark like western macho guy (like Tarzan or hero of Harlequin novel series). I don't like such macho guy very much but Daigou's excessive sexiness is rather manly/sportsmanlike. The story is a little too opportunism but Kaoru who is competent & sexy but lonely, cold and has unhappy background is too miserable, so Daigou's courtship is very nice for me! The word that Daigou said, "Kaoru's jealousy is very beautiful" is really moving. Their relationship may be a sort of "fantasy" or "dream" for many couples. The sex scenes are very hot (perhaps up by 200%) and big treat. Heavy usage of posterior position (emphasizing testicle) at making love is so hot & erotic! I suppose Fujisaki is now hooked on this region and position. At end, there is a sequel short story of Chiharu and Kazuki and Kazuki's natural whiz-pop is so funny. It's also funny Daigou is an only serious guy in the characters of this series! (by Slash-kun 05/Jun/2004)
Fujiyama Hyouta
"Dear Green" (Gentousha) Dec/2003 *** 8.6
Natural romance series of adult couple, a designer and a cafe's owner who have a common girl friend and start living together and 2 short stories (A hothouse high school student attaches himself to his senior co-worker of part-time job and plans his first staying out overnight in winter vacation / Hero's best friend confesses that he is homosexual. Hero tries to take an usual attitude but...). The works of this book was serialized a few years ago, so sexual expression are a little tame. Fujiyama doesn't write the imprudent, temporary and unnecessarily exciting/sexual couple, but writes one like longstanding & natural well-matched mates (e.g. sharing the housework friendly). I think Fujiyama shows here her ideal of "being couple". Usual life of Otoumi, who is not good at speaking and has an artist's temperament (poor at daily life) and Midori who is good-natured is very comfortable even if they sometime make a quarrel. I wonder ordinary hetero sexual couple try to cherish the luck, "being able to cohabit" like this? The couple in this manga express their appreciation for the luck they could meet though they feel uneasy about bias around them. Such humble feelings (Heroes sneer at themselves like "Every Jack has his Jill") is enviable for readers. About short stories (Very small event - staying out overnight but Fujiyama describes well the joy of overcome something and attraction of "being adult" / I feel sorry for a gay student but hetero student's sincere character & happy ending makes me relieved). (by Slash-kun 10/Dec/2005)
"Honki ja nee kara" (Kadokawa Shoten) Oct/2003 *** 8.7
Natural and heartwarming romance between an ordinary heterosexual photographer assistant and a homosexual student who both fall out of love. The story:(An assistant of photographer, Eiji Kurashima feels ill-will for his girlfriend because she dumped him by just a phone call and returned duplicate key to him by mail. He goes for a drive at night and finds a homosexual student, Hiroto Suginoi, standing at the parking area alone. Kurashima finds himself putting Hiroto up in his room. Hiroto was stunned there to know his classmate he loved got a girlfriend. Kurashima says he does not love a young girl and a guy but but shows Hiroto many kindnesses and hands a duplicate key to Hiroto. Then Hiroto begins to visit Kurashima's room and to attach himself to Kurashima. Hiroto feels the slightest flicker of affection toward Hiroto and tries to tempt Kurashima for a joke. But Kurashima gets his own back and it scares Hiroto into crying. Hiroto won't come to Kurashima's room. Kurashima decides to see Hiroto at his school for himself. Kurashima is enough carney to direct Hiroto to give in. When Kurashima brings Hiroto along as his assistant, they encounter ex-lover of Kurashima and it makes their mood bad. Hiroto becomes distant in his manner toward Kurashima, then Kurashima tries to seduce Hiroto in turn. Hiroto becomes close-minded and returns the duplicate key. Kurashima makes up his mind, waits for Hiroto at the station and catches him...). This series is very popular among young readers. Ordinary, natural and average characters with no outstanding advantages (The job is not unique and living standard is middling) are very likable. In this story, about sex scene, Fujiyama has done enough good work. The plot is also very tactful and I was wrapped up reading this until the end. The guys who are disappointed in love happen to meet. It's natural they become attached. Very nice introductory part. But one guy is heterosexual. In ordinary circumstances they can't be a couple. But Kurashima gradually can not refuse poor Hiroto who is apt to take a pessimistic view of anything because of his broken heart. Fujiyama describes the change of Kurashima's mind very well. The contrast between a naive, timid, good-natured, miserable and honest student who suppresses his desire and an experienced and cunning adult is very outstanding. The shoe is on the other foot halfway - Hiroto gives up everything and it irritates Kurashima, then it's very nice that Kurashima becomes poor, uncool and funny. I'm very glad that they can be a couple at last! Kakioroshi (the part newly written for this book) is also very nice. Kurashima is very naive! For me the sex scene is not entirely satisfactory but Fujiyama's natural expression far outweighs!! (by Slash-kun 06/Mar/2004)
Fukai Youki
"Suna no Shita no Suimyaku" (Take Shobou) Mar/2005 *** 8.8
Very individual short stories as usual (Hero, a student turns back his hair color because of his job hunting and is gotten mixed up with someone whose voice resembles hero by his friend. Then hero finds his friend is homosexual and they insult each other. After years they meet and are finally reconciled.../ Hero, a student becomes a home tutor of a helpless underachiever. But more he has come to love his student, stupider the student is.../ A very square teacher and a mysterious guy. The guy has his twin incestuous brother and he will enjoy threesome sex.../ A poor senior student. He should part with hero because his father in the country collapses.../ A hero who has only memory of his pupil suddenly awakes to find himself a student now with his servant who was a high school student. Hero loses the intervening memory and the servant who is now an adult, a matured guy says they have been lovers...). Monologues with implied meanings are so great (A farewell word of hero who wishes his friend's happiness of 1st story is so impressive and a tremulous hand of student of 2nd story when his tutor has a bad word to say about homosexuality is very impressive) as usual. Especially the last long-short story, name-piece is so wonderful(The scene a son of rich family gets a shock to know his servant left him is so pitiful!) Hero goes backward to infant because he wanted to forget hateful family relationship of noble race but he recovers his memory and he is joined together with his love-hate servant through many obstacle. It's really a tour de force. Very few yaoi mangaka can write an extraordinary great story like this. Yes, of course, entertainment-oriented boys love stories are very interesting and they make our life happy and pleasant but if there is no tear-jerker or serious story which make readers figure out their life, I think whole world will be vain. I hope Fukai to leave controversial stories on the world. (by Slash-kun 24/Apr/2005)
Fusa Juji
"Machibito wa Tooku ni Arite" (Taiyou Tosho) Mar/2005 *** 8.45
Heartwarming & unique long series, a lonely writer who had run away from his strict old-established families gets to know a rural yakuza guy by exchanging letters, falls in love each other and finally decides to choose country life together. A yakuza guy, Sagawa who is unknowingly controlled by a too pure and shy writer, Tooru is very cute. Sagawa's followerships who are devoted to Sagawa and Sagawa's father who shows partiality to Tooru are also very nice. Fusa draws well atmosphere of snowy country. This series is very peaceful with a lot of humor but one word, Tooru does reviewing about Sagawa's tenderness as "It sometimes looks like heinous because it may aim to bring me to the edge of pleasure" was so thrilling. I think Fusa has such a talent (to use sharp words), so I wish she will use her talent more. (by Slash-kun 13/Mar/2005)
Fuwa Shinri
"Bokura wo Shihaisuru Kotoba" (Tokuma Shoten) Nov/2003 *** 8.55
The romance of half brothers. The story:(Half brothers whose parent got married for the second time. The parents died by accident. Since then the elder brother, Sora Mukaihara has brought up younger one, Tatsuki Mukaihara for life. Now Sora becomes a very popular mystery writer. But he can't stand being alone and spends all his time at a room of Tatsuki who is now an editor of female magazine and starts living solo. Tatsuki feels pressed because he can stop himself who loves Sora and decides solitary life. But Sora assigns his editor as Tatsuki when he is asked for interview of the magazine). I enjoyed this story very much. Agonizing romance between Tatsuki who suffers from double taboo and Sora who is coward & frustrating is very dramatic. Fuwa's art is simple and solid and her plot is not is safe, so very dangerous relationship is suitable. The play within a play written by Sora using himself as a model is tear-jerker and very effective! The scene that Sora is sinking in the bath tub is so shocking for Tatsuki and readers. Fuwa describes strongly and straight-forwardly the buildup/climax of feeling and it draws readers into the story. (by Slash-kun 24/Apr/2004)
"Ohana to Chocolate" (Biblos) Sep/2003 *** 8.4
Romantic long series of Taishou era that a scion of rich family picks up an orphan boy and fosters the boy into a princekin and takes the boy over to abroad to find the boy's english father who abandoned the boy and one modern short story (Hero consults with a mysterious girl by cellphone about his one-sided love. But the girl turns out to be his one-sided lover...). The setup of the long series, name-piece is very satisfactory - Nostalgic romance of Meiji/Taishou Era, the couple with status distinctions and shota taste. Fuwa succeeds in making romantic atmosphere. At last half, there are many gorgeous adult character and Fuwa writes that many fans wanted to read about them at her postscript. That makes sense. I also love adult characters! So It's a little disappointment that I could not find nouveaute in hero, soppy & younger uke. This story is very Biblos-ish for better or for worse. About short story: It's modern story of classmates in complete contrast with name-piece. It's very interesting idea that a male classmates passes himself off as a girl by cellphone e-mail. Fuwa's usage of cellphone is very tactful and stylish! The situation that the couple who are not well-off are consulting on cellphone is really interesting. But I can't understand well why seme loves hero. Fuwa is very good at art and her stories are easy to understand, so I'd like more read her deeper story or more realistic one with more complex characters next time. (by Slash-kun 20/Mar/2004)
Gyunyu Linda
"Erotic Marchen - Kitsune to Mahoutsukai Kanzenban" (Shoubunkan) Dec/2003 *** 8.6
The reissue of "Kitsune to Mahoutsukai" which was the first serialization of Gyunyu who is now very popular mangaka among manga maniacs. Complete edition including 3 stories not-issued yet and additional new story. PWP fantasy series of animal and wizard (Surume, a pedophiliac perverted wizard is crazy about a very cute & natural child wolf, Linlin. His wise brother, Sashimi always treats Surume like a fool but Surume never gives up hitting on Linlin. But Linlin's brother, Ranran always interrupts it. Whereas Sashimi falls in love with Ranran at first sight. The love of 2 couples have always full of troubles). Costume playing with cat ears is very pretty! I feel admiration for Gyunyu's various ideas which are within the bounds of cut and dried stories like "Tom & Jerry". She may be very intelligent. All are puerile PWP but I'm very surprised by flowing drawing, witty parody of famous old nursery tales, endless comical ideas. Many fans felt her talent at her debut. 4 characters are all interesting, cute, lewd and foolish. Every story is intelligent and excellent. If you are Gyunyu fan, don't miss this book. (by Slash-kun 10/Jul/2004)
Hamada Shouko
"Maou no Keifu" (Biblos) Nov/2003 *** 8.6
Fantasy issued as "Zero Comics". Checkered destiny of a boy who is "Prince of Darkness" and his servant guy. The story:(Touya is spending his peaceful days though he was abducted & raped at his childhood and has been sexually comforted by his father who is feared as "a devil of business". Touya's father realizes his physical decline, so he hires a bodyguard, Kazuomi Kuroha for Touya and declares his retirement. The father is making a contract with the devil and tries to commandeer Touya's body. But Kuroha confesses that Touya is really "Prince of Darkness" and asks Touya to order Kuroha to obey. Touya kills his father and successes father's business. Executives who want to smack down Touya and evil spirits & incubus who want to eat Touya are targeting Touya...). This is first long series after Hamada's long child-care leave but is really going smoothly! Powerful & erotic dark fantasy. At first there was a short sex scene with father because first episode was serialized on yaoi magazine, "BE-BOY" but we could not expect it because succeeding episodes were serialized on "Zero", a fantasy magazine. But Touya and Kuroha resemble Takaya and Naoe of "Mirage of blaze", so this story is very fascinating for Mirage fans! Akatsuki (Vivle) also resembles Ayako Kadowaki and Shuuhei Chiaki (Nagahide Yasuda), too. Fans can't help feeling happy and smiling! Touya seems a little vulnerable but when he changes into Prince of Darkness, his coldness is so groovy! Touya is very attractive because he has weak point that he sometimes becomes very nymphomaniac. Kuroha refused making love with Touya and Touya seems a little pitiful. I'm eager to know why Kuroha refused it. Hamada plans to issue 2nd volume, so I'm very looking forward and want to read sequel soon. (by Slash-kun 19/Jun/2004)
Hanamura Yuu
"Trouble Star" (Frontier Works) Oct/2005 *** 8.5
2 long-short stories of students with fantastic taste (Hero is a student living with his brother alone. A price from the space suddenly comes to hero and says he is engaged to hero. Hero remembers his old memory that his mother died and he wished to go to the star in his childhood.... / Hero is loved by a ghost. The ghost shoves hero to the car, then hero suddenly becomes ghost, too. Hero's roommate can the ghost somehow and he guards hero) and 1 short story of neighborhood students with one age gap (Hero teaches his neighborhood student of one year behind him who want to enter same high school. Hero asks the younger student a kiss in return). Hanamura's first book (including debut work). Art is skillful and story is also very good with a lot of ideas, humour. Hanamura has so high potential that I can't believe this is the first book. But Hanamura's work may be too well organized (lack of breakup) though she is a rookie and I feel that something is missing because she does not devote much space to express subtleties of emotion though showy idea of sci-fi catches readers' eye. I'd like to read ordinary long romance of students next time! (by Slash-kun 10/Dec/2005)
Hashiba Rin
"TROUBLE SHOOTERS" (HILAND) Nov/2003 *** 8.58
Long criminal series of a young CEO of detective office and a beautiful & efficient employee and short story of architect & efficient planner. The story of long series:(Makoto Takayanagi successes detective office by his defunct father's will. But the office has a big debt. So Makoto starts handy man business at same time. He asks Yuuki Watase who is beautiful detective and is mainly working as a bit on the side to work as a conversation partner of old women and it makes Yuuki hate Makoto very much. Yuuki makes a grandstand and gets into hot water, but Mako saves him and ravishes his kiss). Excellent drama (or manga/animation) sometimes teach djska and Hashiba also may have come under good influence because she has written djs of "Odoru Daisousasen" for long time. Hashiba has written many djs with a good human, so she can write good original stories, too. Her description of working place of *men* is precise and detailed, so her drama is well worth reading and makes her human drama much better. I wish her to keep writing both djs and original stories. About long series: Seme (Young CEO, Makoto Takayanagi) is a man of a type rarely to be met with nowadays. Too smart, too strong, too clever. Like hero of "Abunai Deka (japanese detective TV drama with two popular stars)". Female worker is also too excellent. So this story differs from ordinary yaoi, but resembles popular detective TV drama. The feeling of Yuuki who is gradually attracted to Makoto (his ability or job performance) is understandable. Hashiba's usage of Makoto's ex-partner, Kyouichi Sugano was very nice. The scene is very impressive that Makoto is faced with the choice of Yuuki or ordinary guy and is forced into a corner, but he believes his partner can come through and gives preference to ordinary one. When versatile Makoto is is forced into a corner, he looks so sexy! Last ending manga which combines crime and romance well is so nice. About a short story with architect: I'm fond of the story of business people. Just like a female worker of the series, a gay guy in this story is a little too brave. But he is more acceptable for me because he is gay...(by Slash-kun 26/Jun/2004)
Higa Susumu
"Kajimunugatai" (Koudansha) Jul/2003 9.5
The disastrous experience of the people at the war of Okinawa just before the end of WWII. This manga was serialized on the magazine, "Morning" which sometimes adopts utter/absolute new mangaka who does not have any career as a professional like Yuuji Aoki of "Naniwa Kinyuudou". Higa is not so young and his art is simple/naive as well as Aoki but the power/impact of his works is very strong, too. Because he was born at Okinawa and has gathered a lot of historical fact there and describes them matter-of-factly, without one-sided interpretation (So his manga is not too bitter because people are tough and brave persons who can offer hopes to people will appear even under the war). In his manga, both of a japanese soldier and american one can become an enemy of the people. Higa tries to insist that the war can make easily an ordinary guy into a devil who can mercilessly kill a child or woman (and lynchs good soldiers). For helpless people of Okinawa, japanese army often became an enemy (Soldier deprived the people of their civilian shelter, food,,etc) because they were used as a shield for the people of mainland of Japan. Even after the war, they were often raped by US soldiers (and even japanese officers stood by the US army). At any war, weak people (children, women and old people) always become victim. We should read this and appeal the senselessness of all wars now or never when Iraqi war is going to turn into a morass. (by Slash-kun 28/Feb/2004)
Higashizato Kirico
"INVOKE" (Shinkousha) Sep/2003 *** 8.75
Erotic adventure sci-fi series of a hero who wins a prize of futuristic game machine and whose body and soul is stolen by a mysterious guy at game world. The story:(An ordinary guy, a service engineer, Kai.A.Cruz wins an extravagant virtual game machine in a lottery. The machine is very safe because the deadly damage will be automatically stopped by safety lock, so Kai does not read the manual well and dives into virtual world and gets into a mess. At a high school, Kai is raped by a psycho teacher in front of the students. At a medieval masquerade & promiscuous party, Kai is caught by church members and is put on the Inquisition and sexually tortured by an archbishop, a same guy as the teacher. Kai tries to ask the guy's name but virus invasion causes the system down and Kai can't. In the urban situation, Kai participates in the game of criminal investigation. He runs a savage criminal, a president of the game, the usual mysterious guy to ground and finally gets the name, Rion. S. Griffon. Then Kai becomes a mercenary to fight with elf with intent to rescue a hostage, a princess. But he is caught by the enemy, a cruel general, Rion...). Very exciting and interesting!! No matter how many times I read, I don't feel tired. It's Higashizato's very satisfactory work! Great! Excellent! This story is cyber sci-fi but easy-to-read and very erotic. The readers can enjoy various virtual worlds (Hero can experience whatever costume plays). Additionally mysterious factors do not make the readers tired. People may think the story of virtual, game world is apt to be too easy (anything goes) and not interesting, but it's wrong. This story is very exciting. Higashizato's excellent art skill is part of the reason but the real reason is that Kai suffers from love with the cruel & mysterious guy, Rion and it is never easy as real world. Rion is very sexy and attractive (Evil, cruel and mysterious but a little jealous and humane)!! So Kai has been attracted more and more. I'm also very curious about Rion! And Kai has his own justice and tries to support it. So this story does not become an easy story with no set rules or limits. In the game world, the only difference is "radical & powerful making love". So this manga cannot be boring! The sex scenes of this story are so aggressive and strong. I'm so satisfied with it. The situations of school, the Inquisition of medieval times and urban game are very enjoyable but the last one, medieval military story, a sort of parody of "Berserk" is very interesting! I wish Higashizato keeps to try various historical & sexual situation of many different period & countries! Higashizato is very good at drawing difficult & mannish scenes, explosion, battle,,etc. Like Akimi Yoshida. This story is a best subject for mannish & adult female mangaka like Higashizato! Highly recommended. The writing of sequel also holds promise very much! (by Slash-kun 27/Mar/2004)
Hiiro Reiichi
"Me wo Tojiteoideyo" (Frontier Works) Mar/2005 *** 8.68
Adventure love romance between a young boy and his adult lover who wants to educate boy and suggests him make love with other guys. The story:(A keeper of accessory company, Yuuma Sakaki, ex-lover of Bakuto Kaiya who is an international professional photographer is now a lover of Bakuto's son, Mito Kaiya. Mito gets angry because Yuuma is so busy and Mito declares he will have an affair with other guys. But Yuuma doesn't stop Mito and encourages Mito...). It's very exciting & thrilling and I can enjoy many gorgeous guys very naturally because there is necessary & enough reason for their appearance. The contrast between complex personality of adult guys around Mito and simple & pure personality of Mito is very vivid and interesting. And there are many hot sex scenes! Bakuto, a father of Mito is very cool and other guys are gorgeous, too!! (If instructors of scuba diving or ski are so gorgeous, it would be so great! It realizes the dreams of women). Superfine entertaining yaoi story for adult! (by Slash-kun 18/Jul/2005)
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Himawari Souya
"Aruku Omoi" (Houbunsha) Apr/2005 *** 8.59
Haru and Mako finally make love! I could not discriminate twins (Makoto and Minori) and Haru and Mizumo when I read 1st volume, so I could not enjoy very much. But I could do this volume! Makoto is very earnest and I could sympathize with Haru who accepts making love with Makoto. I can not like Haru who often feels embarrassment by interference of veteran couple, Mizumo and Minori but the story suddenly becomes interesting after an appearance of Haru's ex-girl-friend. The wham-bam process to first time is so hilarious! Himawari does not plan to write the sequel of this series but I regret it a little because I'm accustomed to twins...(by Slash-kun 26/Jun/2005)
"Kimi no Ondo" (Houbunsha) Sep/2003 *** 8.5
The spin-off of "Koufuku no Susume". The romance between Mizumo and Minori. Pure & angst romance. The story:(Mizumo Hiraga is providing sex for money to bring up his brothers. Otunari family have been very tender for Hiragas like parents. A younger brother of Hiraga twins finds Mizumo's dirty business and offers his payment for Mizumo's sex. Their distorted physical relationship starts in this way but they begin to love each other seriously...). For the author, both heroes are comparatively adult (high school students). And she made an effort to write at least one sex scene at one episode, so this story has become authentic yaoi story and satisfactory for me. Himawari's art of young hero's clothing, jersey knit loungewear or big T-shirt is so well written & cool (I love the pattern of Minori's T-shirt. It's so interesting! I will buy it if it really exists). If I am allowed to wish so much, setting of twin is a little confusing. I can not differentiate Minori from Makoto. I knew it already at previous volume, "Kimi no Ondo", so it was not so big problem to read this but Mizumo also resembles Haru! Save and except it, this story is very interesting because this is angst, the scene that Minori parted with Mizumo once was so sad and I could enjoy this very much! Mizumo's environment is so unhappy and comical scenes are so hilarious (Mizumo is so penny-pinching! I hope Himawari to continue challenging a little adult story like high school students. At next time, the story of non-twins or brothers who don't resemble each other, please. (by Slash-kun 05/Jun/2004)
Hirohashi Masami
"Yume miru Muses" (Tokuma Shoten) Dec/2003 ** 8.58
Three good long-short stories (Students of art class. A student of comprehensive class meets a genius, a student of art class who has loved sculpture which resembles hero / Fantasy of amnesia. A mysterious pharmacist gives hero 4 capsules which recalls memory but hero can't remember his last lover / The sequel / A student who abandoned playing the violin decides to play again by posthumous work of his master / The sequel). The settings (Artist boy realizes love for real person, The relation gradually changes as he recovers his memory, Retired violinist boy gets his master's posthumous work,,etc) are very unique. With unique setting and mood (philosophical), Hirohashi's works involve readers in her world though her art is simple. Hirohashi's postscript is also very intelligent. There is no hot sex scenes but is deep theme and atmosphere. She is powerful and good mangaka! The comment for each story:(1st: Good story of youth. Using art, the author writes about life philosophy / 2nd: Unique situation. Theme is very minimal, "Love for classmate". The gap is very nice. Good story worth reading / 3rd: I love this story very much! Theme is surprisingly deep. By loving someone hero can get consideration for other person and it makes his lover pay attention to hero. It's so great ending! Using sci-fi setting, the author writes universal truth, love in youth and growth. So wonderful / 4th: This is also wonderful. Using posthumous work of violin and humble love, the author writes universal feeling - Man will realizes his love when he feels discontented as his lover has secret though his lover loves him so much or He reflects that he did not give advice to his lover,,etc - in a strange twist. Interesting plot and good lesson. Hirohashi is a very good storyteller. I think better of her than I did before / Sequel of 1st story. Very stylish and intelligent using star). (by Slash-kun 03/Jul/2004)
Honami Yukine & Takaguchi Satosumi
"Kimi niwa Katenai! vol.3" (Houbunsha) May/2004 *** 8.65
The final volume of "boys branch school in the countryside" series. Very interesting & carefree and easy to read again! This series is very great because the story from Takaguchi's immoral and decadent ethics fits well the earnest art by Honami and they generates bigger result like "1+1=3". Miraculous combination ownz! I hadn't understood Yuuhi's attraction well but in this volume I begin to understand it! It's an amazing gap between "usual Yuuhi" and "his being in skirts"(Yuuhi with dress is so cute and its cuteness resembles "NARUTO"! When NARUTO changes into a girl, it's very hilarious and very cute somehow. Perhaps because there is some unpredictable quality when lively character changes into sexy & bewitching characters. And in this volume the relation between Yuuhi and Sango Tsutsui makes progress very much. Yuuhi becomes hoarse by sex with Sango and it's so hilarious! In this volume, Takaguchi's roughhousing as shameless middle aged woman is quite well (Tori feels threesome sex with ghost / The lecture for young wives / Apron on naked body / Costume playing with animal tail and ear or "Day of Bed jacket" or "Day of summer kimono" / Potted plays of "Alice In Wonderland" / Hayate and Kanya mess around for each event and it is so funny / Sango is unexpectedly lecherous) and I, same middle aged woman feel like I'm in paradise! But Takaguchi said this was a final volume! Oh. Too sad. Why?? I think Takaguchi does not reveal how Teacher Tori and a school president have become a couple. True, this whole series' style looks like "newly written side stories" or "djs", so Takaguchi can stop this series at any time but I have never imagined this series suddenly ends! I expected same style as "Haru wo Daiteita" by Youka Nitta, each episode is written for anthology with one subject but has consistent story as a whole. Why doesn't Takaguchi continue after she created many attractive characters! How pitiful they are! I know she and Honami are very busy and have many works to do but I wish them to write this series for ever.(by Slash-kun 9/Oct/2005)
"Kimi niwa Katenai! vol.2" (Houbunsha) Dec/2003 *** 8.59
The second volume school PWP series. The story:(During the executive members of student council have been to of the head school of Tokyo, Yuuhi, a boarding master is take away by 3 bad brothers, Riku, Umi, Sora and is nearly sexually harassed at bath room / Hayate and Kanya have a lover's spat. Umi's harassment is a factor. Yuuhi is angry and locks Hayate & Kanya up in the reflecting room / Sango suffers from Yuuhi's dream and it puts him in a flutter. Yuuhi feels the blues because Sango never kisses him. Then Hayate and Kanya plan "Blackout at meeting operation". It generates many couples / Nekota tries a research of "fetishism of Eye glasses" with Yuuhi who did not make love with Sango yet. It hurts Yuuhi and Sango comforts and they can experience a first time / Kanya becomes a monitor of "japanese style room" and it makes Hayate mad / Summer vacation episode). This is the story of students but Takaguchi makes it, so it is not only "cute & romantic". Full of devilish amusement, wit, conspiracy or playful, wicked mind (but basically carefree & stupid). I'm very surprised to know Yuuhi makes love with Sango Tsutsui lo and behold (Very bold). But it is much better than "too slow process". How much spirit of service Takaguchi, a middle aged female mangaka has (A teacher, Tori who is an elder brother of Yuuhi and may be a lover of the nasty school president has sexual bruise on his wrists and it surprises the students / Nekota is faux-naif but very curious like ear-hustler woman of british TV drama / Yuuhi treats his senior, Kanya bluntly and shoves him away - other students are surprised at Yuuhi's great insensitiveness / Hayate and Kanya are so intimate that they often canoodle in public / Sango's word, "I'm jealous because you can *play*" is so hilarious because he is a honor-roll student / Yuuhi worries that Sango does not kiss him / Blackout accidentally makes many couples / Geeky discussion of Eye glasses / Sexual *Playing* on Tatami)! At boys high school, she gets everything her own way! I love Emikoyama's boys school like utopia but Takaguchi's boys school is filled with service mind-set for female readers, opportunism and nonsense. But I don't think Takaguchi's easy entertaining school story is inferior. I'm struck with admiration by her professional spirit and good work. What many & funny episodes she thinks up like this! And the gap between Takaguchi's immoral expression and Honami's naive art makes unique & interesting atmosphere! So I can really enjoy this book with funny and erotic sex scenes by Hayate and Kanya though the plot is not so excellent. (by Slash-kun 9/Oct/2005)
Honjyou Rie
"Kagakushitsu he Douzo" (Biblos) Nov/2003 *** 8.68
First yaoi book by Honjyou. Long-short comedy series of 2 couples, an advisory teacher of chemical club at high school & his student and student's brother & student's classmate with higher brain memory deficit and 3 short stories (A student of photograph school and his model / Revenge drama to a lover of hero's father / A lonely otaku boy with eyeglasses is loved by a very cute classmate. The eyeglasses break and he looks very handsome but...). The story of name-piece:（Only 1 student, Kousuke Handa comes to a chemical club because club's advisory teacher is Shibaura who is immoral & dangerous. A best classmate of Kousuke, Kobayashi criticizes Shibaura as a cold guy but Kousuke never minds. Kousuke's brother, a member of football club, Shuri Handa is not himself and often interferes the activity of Kousuke & Shibaura. Shibaura and Kousuke are going on a date to exhibition at museum. But Kousuke knows his club will be closed though he realizes his love to Shibaura. Kousuke goes to Shibaura to appeal and Shibaura can not control himself....). All stories are very light, brisk and interesting. The art & story are very skillful like Sakuya Fujii or Yuu Takahashi. Art is refreshing & pretty like Tousuisha works, so it is natural that the author is now popular among many young fans. Seme characters are a little evil/lewd, so more I read this, more interest I find. This is her first yaoi work but I think her career of heterosexual works is very long. The comment of each story: (1st:natural younger brother and evil chemical teacher. Setting is not so unique but this couple is so interesting! Because there are 2 reasons. First - Their making love is so hot, hard and cruel though art is very lyrical. The gap is so erotic. Second - Very firm knowledge of chemistry. It helps realistic atmosphere / 2nd: same series and romance between hero's brother and hero's classmate. Classmate, Kobayashi has so serious illness. Sudden seriousness wins readers' interest. The gap between serious scene and comical one is also very exciting! / 3rd: Author makes good story elaborately using "photograph" and it makes a favorable impression on readers. The nude photograph at last scene is so impressive / 4th: I love this, too. At first I could not understand the human relations but after finding hero is a son of the father and uncle is a brother of the father's wife, I'm so moved. This story is ANGST and the energy of "hate" is so furious / 5th: This is also good & interesting. The feeling of characters is so well-expressed. And the life style of nerd/otaku is so hilarious! Very impressive PWP! Additional manga are hilarious, too. Honjyou is very good at making readers imagine). Honjyou may be a big mangaka beyond expectation. (by Slash-kun 12/Jun/2004)
Hoshino Lily
"Hanamukosan" (Houbunsha) Aug/2005 *** 8.6
The sequel of Hoshino's successful title, "Hanayomekun" (Next morning Kouichirou told his feeling to Ritsu. Ritsu is very scared of Kouichirou but Kouichirou asks Ritsu to stay with a Fusuma between them / Kouichirou's classmate girl comes to their house for a work of student committee. Seeing the laugh of Kouichirou with girl, Ritsu.../ Kiyoko, a wife of Setsu, an elder brother of Ritsu had sit their grandmother's bed at hospital but comes back. Kouichirou is shocked to know Ritsu loves Kiyoko. Ritsu apologizes for hiding it but Kouichirou declares he terminates to love Ritsu / Ritsu is shocked, too by seeing Kouichirou who is talking closely with the classmate girl. Ritsu is in another world though he is talking with Kiyoko / Ritsu realizes he loved Kiyoko but does not now. He asks Kouichirou to love him again) and 2 short stories (A womanizing student goes by his classmate's lovers' spat. He breaks contact lens of the classmate. But the classmate drops a suggestion to pay by body / The special family guarding sake brewery family. Not to fall in love, a male guard is chosen for a young successor, but). Hoshino's previous book, "Hanayomekun" (By Hoshino's cute art, heroes who are bearing off look too lovely!) was so interesting that I might expect too much. ). And this book does not contain only Hanayome series, so I might feel short on fun. Only fifth episode has sex scene and it is also a little frustrating (But some fans may say its restrained expression is more impressive!). Events between Kouichirou and Ritsu is too peaceful/quiet, too. Ritsu is too naive and arrogant. The sex scene of 5th episode is very nice because Kouichirou is very nasty like middle aged guy! If Kouichirou had been nasty (or not restrain his sexual desire), this book will be my type more. 1st short story is also very nice with Hoshino's typical uke & seme (Uke pretends to be tough but really timid and seme is nasty and lewd) and bold sex scenes (Hero scolds the womanizing student not to ejaculate inside, so his semen mists over hero's eyeglasses). 2nd short story is lovely fairy tale. Especially pattern of Kimono is so cute. The hairstyle like "students in Taisho Era" of Masaki, a young successor and his round eyeglasses are stoic and very sexy! (by Slash-kun 2/Oct/2005)
Ichiju Yuko
"Chonkin Garden" (Oakla Shuppan) Aug/2005 *** 8.5
One long-short series of crime story in Hong Kong like "Udo Shinohara" (Hero's brother is a detective. The brother should go to Hong Kong for international joint investigation. He sneaks into the mysterious organization of young people as a undercover but goes missing. Hero visits a local detective who worked with his brother. Hero resembles the ex-lover of the detective, so they fall in love. Knowing ex-lover was killed because of being undercover like his brother....) and 3 short stories (Comedy of brothers-in-law like "Brothers" by Kotetsuko Yamamoto. Hero suddenly has a half-Japanese half-Italian brother because of his parent's remarriage. But as compared to the photo, he is very tall in person / Sequel. Hero's teacher becomes rival for the brother/The romance between a pet shop staff and the customer who bought a new pet, as a replacement of his dead pet / Romance between a weak son of an owner of the school and a school doctor). The series of Hong Kong is reissue from djs. So it is very aspiring, ambitious and challenging. Usage of Cantonese makes realistic atmosphere. According to her postscript, Ichiju is a repeat traveler of Hong Kong (Twice a year!), so this reality makes sense. She originally made plot for shoujo manga but I think her decision to change it for yaoi story was really good. Short stories are modern BL ones. So they are very funny and enjoyable. But I prefer the challenging one like Hong Kong series. I wish Ichiju to try to write unique & aggressive work more and more. (by Slash-kun 10/Sep/2005)
Ike Reibun
"Koiyami Archive" (Biblos) May/2005 *** 8.59
Short stories (A cool college student whose personality is so bad loves a high-achieving student looking like nerd. The cool one is kind to the nerd one but he turns so cold as soon as the nerd confesses his love to him.../ A best friend of hero suddenly confesses his family will move. The friend recently kissed hero and waits for hero's answer. Hero intends to refuse but his friend keeps away from him / Twin brothers. Elder one had guarded hero in their childhood. So younger one becomes strong, a top cat to guard elder one now but elder one fears him. Hero is jealous of elder's friend and plays a nasty trick on the friend but the friend is homosexual and doesn't fear hero / The sequel. The elder one comes to fondle hero. But the friend aims at hero and hero is nearly raped by love drug. The elder bro saves hero and they make love... / A journalist interviews a young CEO of high-tech company. Before interview, he entertained antipathy toward the CEO but after meeting actually, the CEO is unexpectedly a nice guy.../ Childhood friend, a son of dentist says he loves hero but hero suspects the friend loves only well-arranged teeth of hero.../ Hero's friend who is an idol and has worked as an actor from childhood is very selfish and always annoys hero. The classmate girl deals hero very kindly and it puts the friend in a bad humor). Ike's first book. She can write various characters like working people or students. Art is very skillful. 1st story is about very fashionable college students. The Gothic & aesthetic atmosphere resembles Ayumi Gion and my type. With a lot of Angst factors ANGST, it moves me very much. Ike's stories of high school students are a little too young for me but the series of twins is very interesting, especially last-half story is so erotic and thrilling!! I'd like to appreciate Biblos to select this story from her djs so much!! The art of a journalist & high-tech company CEO is also very aesthetic, adult and my type. Most sex scenes are very hot and have a tremendous impact. Geeky factors prevent all stories from being predictable stories. If Ike combines fashionable & adult art and hot sex scenes, her works will be magnum. Very promising mangaka. (by Slash-kun 29/May/2005)
Ima Ichiko
"Rakuen made Ato Mou Chotto vol.2" (Houbunsha) Dec/2003 ** 8.9
The long-awaited second volume of latest yaoi long series of mangaka who would be a best painter and best story maker of genius among japanese yaoi mangaka now (very busy & popular, so she can not write much at a clip). The story:(Tsutomu Kawae has borne a load of debt of his ex-wife - Sayuri's father who managed travel agency. He invented the mountain climbing tour and it becomes very popular among yakuza. For the moment, Kawae's agency has a lot of customers and Kawae can safely refund a this month's debt to Asada of "Loans Kikuchi", a loan shark. But a big fighting suddenly occurs among yakuza and most their bookings are canceled. Kawae in a maze visits Asada who lives next door and sees Asada is proposing divorce to his boss, Kikuchi. Kawae suspects Asada is aiming for a mountain of Kawae's father, then Asada lends a stall which owner fled by night to Kawae free of charge for 4 days. Using it, Kawae starts unauthorized pub, but it also does a land-office business by Kawae's talent. Kikuchi's wife loves Asada and she proposes divorce to Kikuchi. It makes Asada decide to part with Kikuchi and resign the company. Kawae and Sayuri break down from overwork. An old friend of Kawae, an owner of a mountain lodge, Sannami visits Kawae's agency. Kawae is very handy and self-composed Kawae's ex-lover, so Asada feels pressed. Kikuchi's wife knows Kikuchi's affair with Asada and demands compensation. Knowing Asada's resignation, Kawae and Sayuri start intense recruiting to Asada. Asada's mother who married again visits Asada and bothers Asada with complaint that Asada has alienated his family. Terasawa, a yakuza asks Asada to watch a wife of gang boss and they nestle themselves in a bed naked. Seeing it, Kawae misunderstands and gets jealous. Asada can not stand Kawae's agency which gets stringent as telephone is suspended, then he decides to look after the agency for a while. A telephone calls from Sannami makes Kawae cheerful but makes Asada go out by jealousy. Kawae chases Asada by Sayuri's advice. Asada's sister runs away from home to Asada. Kawae mistakes her for Asada's girl friend. Disgruntled Kawae go our for a drink leaving his purse at agency. Asada finds his photo in Kawae's purse, remembers Sannami's word and runs after Kawae). Ima's comedy with a lot of pathos as usual calls forth admiration. And in this volume, there are a lot of excellent and delicate gag and ideas. Yuriko's mother who is brought up protected from the world and envies yakuza's villa (i.e. jail), cat and dog, Kikuchi and Kawae argue in a car and their homosexual foul talk makes a yakuza's son learn obscene words, but yakuza's father praises Kawae and Kikuchi because he is a speed freak, Yakuza loves climbing mountain, the menus of a pub at stall are very unique which many people make freely (recipe changes every time), Kikuchi's wife has a crush on Asada and knowing her husband's love affair makes her savor of the pan and she lets her mother look after her husband, Asada and Sannami feel their same preference in a blink of an eye,,,etc. So many funny episodes! How deep and sharp Ima's observation and how rich her life experience is! At this point, Ima and Chika Umino are the best two. In this volume, there are various unique supporting characters like funny yakuza, Asada's mother (unmarried mother and femme fatale). Especially an unique hillbilly, Sannami, a mighty rival of Asada (Blank, nothing that could be clearly defined, experienced and a person of integrity, but a pedophilia!) gets Asada into a fuss. Asada becomes stubborn at divorce discussion with Kikuchi, then he can not make love with Kawae easily. It complicates matters further and it makes annoying couple much more annoying! Ima's design of characters, making story are prodigious! After it, Asada is involved into a disturbance with Yakuza and boss's wife and Asada's nude makes Kawae upset and the stalemated relationship between Kawae and Asada suddenly becomes close at once. This evolution is very artful. But they did not make love in the result. They are so miserable but funny! Ima also may feel sorry, so she writes her funny narrative about climbing mountain with her father at postscript and makes Kawae cry by reading further story. She says this story will continue for a time, so I wish Kawae and Asada will develop a deep relationship at next volume! (by Slash-kun 28/Feb/2004)
Inomoto Rikako
"Body Talk" (Shoubunkan) May/2004 *** 8.73
First yaoi short stories by female talented pornographic mangaka for adult guys (Surreal scientific short sketch. Hero protected a boy of amnesia. But in fact he stole an examinee of artificial life experiment and lives together... / Brothers skip out on a restaurant bill. Angry clerk rapes elder & beautiful brother. Younger one helps clerk somehow. After they were gone, real money was left on the table... / A student asked his teacher to make love with as a memory of his graduation. After a year, they happen to meet again and go to the hotel... / Hero's lover takes care of hero of having cold. The lover tries to spoon-feed a canned peach to hero. The lover's dedicated love makes hero pleasant though hero is always very blunt / 2 students who are like oil and water are living together. One student makes love with another who pretends to sleep. Another one is too late to wake / Sketch of date in summer. A student misses the bus on the way to school. He has a dip by mineral water from a vending machine / A group of students rapes their teacher in the train. But they are ordered to do it by the teacher!). Oh. Again. A mangaka of my type appears! Inomoto's sex scenes are very hot. She draws genitals explicitly without hesitation, so I was surprised a little at first but it's very impressive because Inomoto's art is very simple (much omission may seems rather blunt), silent, surreal. And she prefers to choose the challenging situations with very brutal/immoral, scatological or S&M taste and it expresses modern, nihilistic atmosphere and feeling of emptiness well. Hard, wild, cruel and disastrous. So I think all people don't like her (But me, slash-kun loves it!) . Rough art with delicate line resembles Kahori Onozuka of "NICO SAYS". Uke character is adult and blunt, resembles the characters of Kazuya Minekura. So I love this author (Especially I love teachers!!). Very talented mangaka. Highly recommended. I hope she will keeps her activity as "yaoi frontier". Comments for each story:(1st one: Usage of artificial golden fish is very impressive. And allegory of cormorant fishing is very nice, too. The sex scene is very extreme. A lot of onomatopoeia. Lines are rough but realistic. So it makes Inomoto's art very erotic / 2nd: Very surreal / 3rd: I'm a little happy to know they really love each other. Happiness in bitter taste story is very precious! / 4th: Impressive sketch / 5th: Very poetic! like modern art. Very erotic and nice / Nice story like young people of nowadays / Unexpected ending. Scatologic story but it's no problem because hero wants it!). (by Slash-kun 9/Oct/2006)
Inumaru
"Himitsu no Koibitotachi" (Shoubunkan) Nov/2003 *** 8.6
Short stories (Nokia, a research doctor picks up a cat at death's door by hit-and-run and resuscitates it using parts for human. The cat-guy, Mao tries to prepare a meal for Nokia, workaholic but fails and keeps Nokia long. He tries to get out by Nokia's thoughtless words.../ Sequel. Mao is chummy with a cat of the neighborhood. For Mao who is often scolded, Nokia prepares operation to revert back to the cat / Sketch with hero's classmate of art school who becomes blind by mental disease / A boy who joins the circus company / A transfer student who never open his mouth sprouts horns / Two girl students of school for witches / Boys playing the secret game at abandoned building / Boys enjoy their date at distant town with female dress / Hero's friend has a tail of a dinosaur / Hero's own funeral. His classmate doesn't appear, so hero goes to meet him / Hero's lover is very tender. But ex-lover calls out hero / Sequel of first story. Nokia and Mao decide not to make love while at work. But seeing sleeping face of Mao, Nokia can't help). This is a first book. I did not read as soon as it was published because this is shota short stories. But her second book, "Shounen no Nioi ga Shiteiru" I happened to read was very interesting, so I scrambled to read this! I regret that I didn't read soon. Inumaru's avant-garde art that makes lyrical atmosphere with thin & faded lines is very impressive. She does not use screen tone, so her picture has strong contrast of white and black and it makes silent atmosphere. So the sex scenes are so hard-core but readers don't feel any guilty or sense of shame. Face with vacant eyes is so attractive and has a power to appeal. Especially the first mini series of cat-guy, "Franken" is so good! No matter how many times I read, I will cry. Chirography of letter left behind is so impressive and monologue of Nokia who is left alone is heartrending! I originally animal stories but this is really good. (by Slash-kun 11/Sep/2005)
Ishimaru Hiroko
"Ren-ai Fubunritsu" (Kousai Shobou) Feb/2005 *** 8.45
Long series at a basketball club of high school (Romance between a delinquent ace and a dietician including two other couples) and a short story (A guy who tired from urban life is saved by a boy of pasture in the country...). The dietician , a shy guy with eye glasses is very small & cute though he is elder. His lover, the younger ace is an ideal character as a younger lover, very selfish and hot-headed but very single-minded and lovely. Ishimaru comments on her couples as "foolish couple" but most readers feel happy by seeing them (after reading her stories including this book). (by Slash-kun 13/Mar/2005)
"Hush!" (Biblos) Sep/2004 ** 8.43
Happy Cinderella story of orphan boy, Natsuki Tokisato who was taken in by his relatives but had a problem and left home is adopted as a housekeeper at a high salary and wins the heart of an employer, an unique whiz kid, Katsuhiro Jyoutaki. Natsuki is very good-natured, innocent and carefree like an angel (his comical art playing with dog is so cute!). So I can understand well why Katsuhiro who is a little dark, ill-natured and evil loves him. I can't believe same author described both of Uke and seme because they are very contrastive! Now there's a real pro for her. How dare she expresses both so individually! Ishimaru wrote about the love of Katsuhiro's secretary, Akira (This is happy ending, too!) in the end. This is a nice example which proves very well Ishimaru's heartwarming attraction, making readers very happy after reading! (by Slash-kun 16/Apr/2005)
"Heart Itomemasu!" (Kousai Shobou) Sep/2003 *** 8.49
Short stories of 2 student couple of twins and a short story of a teacher and his student. Ishimaru's stories are always ingenuous, dedicated and pleasant, so they impress me favorably and make me feel myself compelled to read (Like Arico Kanazawa, my favorite mangaka). I suppose Ishimaru is good at expression of uke(hero)'s agony/unhappiness. Realistic and persuasive. This book is very happy and joyful again. It's hard to imagine that this book is issued from Kousai Shobou because it is very lyrical. It's tender & happy romance which makes readers relaxed. Uke is strong-minded and has a strong inferiority complex. Seme is no on the long side of the market but is very cool. So I read this book very easily and delightfully (Hero is loved by the guy of his dreams through twists and turns and can be a couple luckily but soon the guy turns out to be very loose, then hero gets hurt but makes peace - The scene that hero tries to get out is very heartrending. Or hero can not hate his evil-minded lover and is obsessed with self-hatred - I understand its feeling well!. Or one of the couple is twin or brother! Stupid like Manga. But really funny). A short story of teacher & student is also funny with similar taste. (by Slash-kun 20/Mar/2004)
Itsuki Kaname
"Wagamama dakedo Itoshikute" (Kadokawa Shoten) Dec/2003 *** 8.6
Excellent short stories. Every story is very interesting and lovely! Seme is self-willed and a little nasty. He bullies very nice uke and will regret later and it pleases readers. Especially 4th story about bully is so lovely! His brother acts very nice role! Tame/irritating seme of name-piece is nice, too Itsuki calls such seme "Otome seme" and her editor laments that Itsuki's taste is so minor but I think her seme is very interesting and love him very much! Comments to each story:(1st&2nd: Long-short series. Neighbor's friend from childhood, Natsu is a very honor student but has been a weak and troublesome seme. Hero, Shuuji, very lively uke and Natsu will enter different high schools, so.....Tame seme & active uke, very minor couple but Itsuki's art is very major taste, so there is very good balance. Comical art is also very cute - description of cute hair is excellent and tempo is so good. Art using PC is also very effective / 3rd: Very proud singer appoints a young video artist for his video clip....Unique & a little minor profession but by major art, whole atmosphere becomes very contemporary Boys Love manga. Nice combination. Not boring. Very interesting. Not so complex. Kadokawa's BL manga walks the high road now/ 4th: Hero has kept bullied his friend since he was moved by tears of his friend who got beaten by hero at athletic festival. Hero finally absolutely bullies (rapes) his friend and regrets so much!...I cried. The tear of his friend is very lovely and face of bully seme who regrets is also very cute!! This story is just my type!! / 5th: A genius, sprinter student, an old boy comes to his athlete club of high school for training. Brothers who adores him are very excited. He orders an elder brother to be his bed buddy instead of his beautiful younger brother...Elder brother who can not express his love like younger one is very pitiful! Itsuki's uke is really manly and active / 6th additional newly written story of name piece). (by Slash-kun 16/Apr/2005)
Iwaaki Hitoshi
"Historie vol.2" (Koudansha) Oct/2004 9.0
1st and 2nd volumes were released together. In this volume, Eumenes wonders why his mother shows partiality to his inferior brother and knows the secret of his birth by in the wake of his father's murder by escaped Scythian slave. The story develops rapidly. Eumenes who seemed to be a just clever boy of the family of noble race really has serious background, comes down to be a slave after his stepfather died and experiences hardship. But Eumenes never gives up and confronts his fate and it impresses the readers very much. Iwaaki is really genius story teller! His art is not so skillful but I fully realize that interest of manga does not depend on "skillfulness of art" (but on "story"). This series is serialized on "Monthly Afternoon", so next volume will not released soon. I can hardly wait! (by Slash-kun 21/Mar/2005)
Iwaaki Hitoshi
"Historie vol.1" (Koudansha) Oct/2004 8.9
Latest long series of historical real person by mangaka who wrote very popular SCI-FI series, "Kiseijyuu". Lifetime of Eumenes, a scholar, a close adviser of Alexander. This, first volume depicts young Eumenes helps a party of Aristotle, a person wanted by the law escapes to escape from Assos of Persia to Kardia, the colonial city of Athens, Eumenes' home, manages to slip in Kardia which tightly locks the castle gate under pressure of the Macedonian army and remembers his childhood in front of his home. Iwaaki is very good at using a lot of savage/cruel scenes and humorous ones as usual and his unique primitive & funny art is very meaningful and unwearying. There are so many intellectual and historical episodes and Iwaaki has chosen very good subject to take advantage of his intelligence. Intellectual hero is very likable! This series is very exciting seinen manga for me for the first time in many years and I feel in my bones that it becomes so great masterpiece! (by Slash-kun 21/Mar/2005)
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K-O:
KAEN
"Pink Butterfly" (Magazine Magazine) Feb/2005 *** 8.43
6 short stories (A body painter meets up again with his old childhood friend and paints to patch romantic wound../ Hero answers an advertisement of part-time worker at seaside clubhouse and is ordered to gather the stuff of snowcone.../ twin brothers. A younger bro decides to study abroad leaving serious elder brother who succeeds their family / Romance between a physical-education teacher and mathematics teacher / Couple of con men. They try to expel evil spirits and make love with customers but they simply enjoy sex.../ Hero who suffers from old ancestral rule decides to escape with his waiting man / An office worker picks up a boy like a stray dog. But the boy is a son of CEO and gets laid off). KAEN excites readers as usual with a lot of explicit & radical sex scenes with a little SM taste and gorgeous, beautiful and tall characters. Subjects are various. In this volume, there are more brighter, more comical, happier stories than usual. So more entertaining. But details are hard-core/geeky (Mathematics teacher makes dildo with his mathematical knowledge, White sneak joins the activity of expelling evil spirit,,etc) as usual and pleases her fans very much! (by Slash-kun 02/Apr/2005)
Kajimoto Jun
"Kimi to Dinner" (Magazine Magazine) Dec/2003 *** 8.53
Comedy series of food company workers' romance and 3 short stories (A little dark serious short story. Hero tries to make love in fun with a guy who suffers from one-sided love for his good friend who is going to get married soon. But hero begins to love the guy seriously.../ Good story of youth. Undercover novelist who has pretended a girl and an illustrator meet for the first time. But they have been deeply related since they were student / Very short nonsense PWP. 2 office workers who have been good friends for 3 years. But one finally cross the Rubicon...). The name piece series is interesting though it is PWP because it's a story of a company. The idea that hero, Wakamiya has ED (erectile dysfunction) problem and his puisne employee gives his service of remedy to hero is very nice. Puisne employee is too able & reliable, so I can not empathize with him so much but his character that usually shows proper respect for Wakamiya and adores like a dog but sometimes becomes nasty makes Wakamiya cry (Especially at making love, he becomes sadistic in complete contrast. Very erotic) is very interesting. The contrast of serious face at work and erotic one at sex is also very sexy! The punch line of "slow food" of the end is very hilarious! The comment for each short story:(Sketch of two guys who have relations for money alone but tries to get what they can't. Quiet taste! Nice adult story. Kajimoto said modestly at her postscript that this story was halfway and she didn't finish writing but I like suggestive story like this / The story of reunion. Hero happens to meet on business with his puisne student to whom he made sexual approaches by force. He is revenged. Angst with BDSM taste, so it's my type! Kajimoto's tender human drama is nice but I love short, impressive & strong stories, too / Interesting but I prefer 4 koma comedy manga about Kajimoto's husband. Perhaps Kajimoto's excellent art is too wasteful for short nonsense comedy...). (by Slash-kun 10/Jul/2004)
"HAPPY RING" (Kousai Shobou) Sep/2003 *** 8.6
6 short stories written about 2 years ago (The love beyond taboo of a couple with age gap which is likened to flower blooming out of season and unhatched egg / A cake eater escapes into next door, a room of a high school student preparing for an exam. He tries to teach "joy of life" to the student but is taught vice versa / Two contemporary office workers. They were friendly when they entered company but now their rank is established and they are on cat-and-dog terms. Hero feels sick from drinking while entertaining customers.../ Hero who lives with his sister should live with his old friend instead because she will get married. There is a sour past between hero and his friend but his friend is willing to avoid hero somehow.../ The name piece. Hero tries to revenge his senior lover who is good at sex but no good at speaking at his birthday / A young guy who is tired from urban life is loved by a deaf-and-dumb & rural boy and recovers his healthy mind). Every story is interesting, has deep theme or strong message, is very human and is well worth reading though it is very erotic. Especially 3rd story of office workers is really interesting for me. I love rival stuffs! I can understand uke who is moved by seeing disgraceful figure of superior guy. In this story, Kajimoto really draws well the quality of real & vivid penis. And in 2nd story, a droopy penis of a high school student is so well drawn, too. Very realistic and detailed. That's like married woman! So excellent. This student is very bold and cool though he is younger than hero. His school uniform is so sexy! 2nd and 3rd stories were written in 2001 and Kajimoto's sex scenes of this period was very aggressive and hot. Her uke was not so tender and the power balance between seme and uke is nearly equal, so I can enjoy their romance without disquietingly mixed emotions. Now Kajimoto's work may aim at human line/style and it is not entirely satisfactory for me. I could enjoy her old work (lack of literariness) without any need for convincing. Sorry for my greed. Well I'd like Kajimoto to develop both taste for her fan because both have respective goodness. Last of all, about 5th story, name-piece. I can understand well why this story is name-piece. It's a small discontent and settlement in daily life. Even heterosexual ordinary couples have similar experience. For people, a small happiness is really valuable. Seme who regrets what he has done is so lovely! (by Slash-kun 13/Mar/2004)
Kamei Yogorouta
"Kitsune no Tamayobai" (Shoubunkan) Feb/2004 *** 8.78
Shota fantasy of fox's marriage like japanese old folklore. The story:(This is the year a lord of foxes will marry. The village people hide their daughters. Yuyu, a misfit boy poorly treated at home is nominated for a victim. A staff fox of the lord, Shuro persuades Yuyu to be a bride, then Yuyu opens his heart. But knowing Shuro is not bridegroom but just a staff, Yuyu was so shocked / Shuro has been married with Yuyu, so Shirotae, a soppy half brother of Shuro become lonelier. Kuroha, a crow actually loves Shirotae but can't help teasing Shirotae. A next lord of foxes, Tsugomori comes to punish Shuro and tries to kidnap Shirotae instead. Kuroha tries to save but is nearly killed by the followings of Tsugomori...). Kamei's first commercial book. Reissue of her djs. The art resembles Kumiko Sasaki and very skillful. Characters are very cute and old japanese country scenery, small animals and Kimono (japanese old clothes) are fantastic and beautiful. Shirotae of last half story is really lovely (Especially his ears!). Shota is basically cute and pitiful and much more animals' story. Kamei's story telling is so skillful because she keeps fundamentals of folklore (containing unhappy, cruel and mysterious factors and ending is happy). Her characters are also very attractive (Nasty Kuroha is very lovely. The scene that he nearly dies and Shirotae cries is so heartrending!). A lot of heart ache and loveliness. And sex scene of shota taste is steadily hot. I'm so glad to read such a great work through at one go by commercial reissue of her long djs series. I'd like to praise Kamei's effort to keep so long djs series and appreciate Shoubunkan to discover a new great mangaka of fantastic animal shota story!!(by Slash-kun 22/May/2005)
Kamuro Akira & Takao Hiroi
"Himitsu no Kuchiduke" (Magazine Magazine) Nov/2004 *** 8.85
Hard-core short stories for adult readers so like Magazine Magazine (Romance between a professor and a sales rep of office automation equipment. They become finally lovers but the professor seems to hide something.../ Romance between teachers. One teacher calls delivery service of prostitute but he is his colleague! They love each other but he can't stand because his colleague keeps thinking of his whoredom as part of his job / A new cabin attendant of sleeping Express car and his supervisor who aims at him. On the day of his first boarding, the supervisor thinks out a plan and asks his senior associate to pretend to be a selfish customer. They will enjoy threesome sex / Young couple of just a year since they met. They visit a hot-spring resort to celebrate their anniversary but quarrel over least favorite food. Another couple of meddle aged guests who get tired of their sex life tries to step in as a mediator. They enjoy foursome sex! / A guy who never goes ahead happens to know his supervisor who often takes down him is really a sex pervert. He makes the supervisor his sexual slave. Another young colleague wonders their abnormal relation and tries to find the reason. He is involved in their insane threesome sex.../ An ex-genius singer who lost both of his career and his parents by the murder. Now he is working as a pianist at bar and also as a prostitute and keeps murders for revenge. A detective who has kept pursuing this case finally hunts down a criminal). This is a first book of the authors!! How amazing! The stories are authentic and art is so excellent! (Very beautiful naked bodies or faces with sexual and