Hi, there! Hope your Saturday ended š Following my goal of one manga review per day until I catch up with myself, today I present you a review for a title with a peculiar background with me: Calling, from Miu Otsuki. Yes, we are back to yaoi mangas.
Before introducing you formally to this title, Iād like to share our story. Last week, I was at a street bookshop and saw this title. I hated the art on the spot, itās not my style at all. I didnāt want to buy it, but there are only three manga publishers on Brazil. Two very large and a medium one; the last was responsible for The Calling publishing and the other two publishers pretend that gay, pornographic and horror titles donāt exist. So, when I saw the smaller publisher bringing to us a gay title, I knew I had to get it to support them and show them that people would buy different titles, despite all the prejudice that they suffer on my country.
So, with a heavy heart, I went home and decided that, as I had already purchased the volume, it wouldnāt hurt to read it. Boy, Iām so glad I did. You shall find out why on the following lines of the review, but I really felt rewarded for helping out this particular publisher, haha!
The Story
Kazuaki is a regular salary man without a drop of excitement on his existence. That is, until one day when he literally stumbles on a porn recording session in the park that he always passed on his way home from work.
Kira is a porn star and leads a very carefree life. That is, until Kazuaki literally stumbles on him and his co-worker after a shooting at a park. On that moment, something shifted inside Kira; he had fallen for the clumsy and scared boy of the park and would do everything to see him again.
At first, Kazuaki is very eerie of Kira, as Kira was pushy and obviously too skilled, if you get my drift, but as they see each other and spend time together, Kazuaki starts to believe that maybe this is what he has been missing on his life: true love.
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader š
As I said, I had a lovely surprise with this title. Despite the ugly art, the story blew my mind! It was so different and original! Not even the insta-love on Kiraās part bothered me. It was all too natural, too cute and, behold, innocent. Yes, there are some mature scenes, but without any hint of vulgarity to them ā¤ I wish the art wasnāt so bothersome, as it made the title lose two stars š¦
Anyway, the narrative pace is steady and we follow the story mostly from Kazuakiās point of view. There are some pieces from Kira in the end, but not knowing what he is really thinking is part of the fun on The Calling, haha!
The plot is pretty simple, full filed with human complexes. Kazuaki is an insecure guy, socially awkward, never knows what to do or to say around people. He doesnāt care about his job and highly admires that Kira is so in love with his profession. You saw what I did, didnāt you?
All the while, Kira intends to conquer Kazuakiās heart, but Kazuaki himself understands that he needs to trust Kira in order to be his true friend, never mind the amorous relationship that comes tagging along. Serious, it is beautiful.
The characters were a blast in personality and I laughed a lot with Kira. He is that goofy type of male, but without being clumsy. That was Kazuaki, haha! They really matched as a couple and I caught myself awing for them more than I should, oops!
As it is typical of yaoi titles, we arenāt introduced to many other characters in the story and, as always, Iām fine with that. Kiraās work colleague, this very beautiful girl whose name I canāt remember to save my life, was the perfect side kick for their situation: light and funny, spilling a secret or two about Kira to Kazuaki ā¤ Kazuakiās work colleagues also were cool.
Now, the art. Omg, the art. Iāve read several reviews highlighting the beauty of Otsuki-senseiās work, but I canāt bring myself to agree. It was totally not my type, sorry.
Just no. I simply canāt bring myself to like this*.
Overall, I still think that it was a worth buy and a pleasant surprise. Otsuki-sensei knows her way very well in plot and character construction š If you like daily life stories, a touch of drama, romance and laughs, this title may be what youāre looking for!
Thank you for reading! Sorry for the lateness of this review, I had a full day packing up for my trip tomorrow morning, haha!
The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange 