Sleeping Moon, from Kano Miyamoto

Hello, there! Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday and Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers around the internet ❤

I’m back with a manga review – just for you guys to have a notion of how late I am with my manga reviews, there are 10 pendent reviews after I finish writing this one. Ugh, I simply can’t keep up with myself, haha! Regarding today’s title, it’s another yaoi (gay) manga and it has been recommended to me by a Goodreads’ friend, Samantha. Thank you, dear! I really enjoyed this one 🙂 I’m talking about Sleeping Moon, from Kano Miyamoto-sensei!

from my Instagram 🙂

Akihiko has a slightly peculiar family problem: all the male descendants of Odagawa family end up dead awfully early in life. Being a 27 year old, Akihiko knows he will be next unless he can break the said curse that already lasts centuries.

As he goes back to his family state on the countryside, things gets weird. His family seems to hold way more secrets than a regular one and those are far more deadly. Along with his cousin, Akihiko is hell bent in understanding why does his family members always turn up dead so early.

Things turn downward crazy when a lapse of time allows Akihiko to go back a hundred years, to the Meiji Era. There, he meets Eitaro, a young man that is also trying to understand the curse and break it.

Will the forces of past and present be able to change the Odagawas’ future?

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

This title was very different from the yaoi titles that I usually read and I loved the change of scenario. Being a mystery / time travelling /paranormal series, Sleeping Moon had a heavy art style and an eerie feeling about it all the time. It was like you needed to look over your shoulder as you read it, haha! As much as I found it all interesting, I didn’t like the loose ends on the series finale or the shallow way that the characters’ relationships were built. For those small things, I declare Sleeping Moon a proud 4 stars title 🙂

The narrative follows Akihiko mainly, but we also see the story from Eitaro and Ren’s points of view. The pace is fast and, sometimes, a bit confusing, as the characters mention several people and stories from the past that neither Akihiko, Eitaro or Ren care to explain to the reader. I think Miyamoto-sensei wanted to increase the mystery aura of the story, but it didn’t really work for me, haha!

The plot is complex and well executed. The mystery and paranormal elements are awesome and there are several funny moments to break the intensity of the story and its drama. The only reservation I’ve got is how Miyamoto-sensei build the amorous relationships on this title. As much as Akihiko says how deep his feelings for Eitaro are or how much he enjoys Ren’s advances, I didn’t feel it. It was like she just threw an amorous triangle there to have one and totally forgot to invest on this during the plot. There are a few sensual scenes (nothing very explicit) and that’s all. You don’t feel the love 😦

The characters were very well constructed and intriguing. I really liked Akihiko as a main character, as he was humble despite his accomplishments. He also wasn’t perfectly beautiful, just handsome in a regular kind of way what and I could feel that his life was real. All character’s emotions that weren’t love were pretty real, haha!

The art was cool and gorgeous, a different type from the ones that I usually swoon for. Take a look*:

from left to right: Ren and Akihiko

and again, in black and white 🙂

and here we have Eitaro and Ren 🙂

Isn’t this art beautiful? ❤

Overall, Sleeping Moon it’s an interesting and seat grabbing title, ideal for people that don’t really care about romance, haha!

Thanks for reading my review! Now there is only 10 more to go, haha! Oh, and thanks again to Samantha for the lovely recommendation ❤

ps:I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Kano Miyamoto sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only

Seito Kaichou Ni Chuukoku, from Monchi Kaori

Hi, there! I know, it’s been FOREVER since my last manga review! I really need to manage my time better, haha! I promise I’ll catch up with myself soon 🙂 But mean while, let’s have fun talking about a very funny, cute and surprising manga series: Seito Kaichou Ni Chuukoku, from Monchu Kaori sensei!! 😀 (yes, it is a yaoi series… Again.) My review contemplates the series until volume 6 😉

Chiga, vice-president of his class, is obsessed with his president, Kokusai. The other guy is a magnet to pervs and weird people, so Chiga feels like is his duty to bodyguard for Kokusai.

What started as only a safety arrangement very soon grows into friendship with the undeniable pull of desire and passion behind it.

Can Chiga confess his true feelings for Kokusai? Will Kokusai accept something more?

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

First things first: HACHIYUMI, WE HAVE TO STOP STARTING UNFINISHED SERIES!! LOL This one I’m not really sure if Hachiyumi recommended to me or if I found it myself and filled her whatsapp with crazy fangirlings while reading and bossing her around for her to read it too, haha! Both scenarios are equally like to happen and I apologize for my eccentricities to all my offline and online turned offline friends, as I have no control whatsoever when I’m obsessed with something, haha!

Now, to the manga: it had me since page one. The art is so delicate and yet the males remain so manly, haha! I loved everything about this series! Oh, well, I don’t really loved that it takes so long for its chapters to be out and about, but one can’t have everything, right? Haha! The title starts light and funny and gets darker with each volume until you are grabbing your seat and eating your nails without being able to breath. For sure, a 5 stars series!

The narrative is manly from Chiga’s point of view, but we get to switch characters more as the series go by. I liked the main couple and Chiga is one of my favorite manga guys! Also, the relationships on this series are so real, with the difficulties, the love, the camaraderie and all… It begins with a very fast pace and it slows down as the story gets more complex.

Which brings us to the plot. It starts simple and revolving around Chiga and Kokusai, as they need to work out their differences and feelings to be together. As things go by, new characters are introduced and Chiga and Kokusai start to share their spotlight with other gay couples. This is highly common for long yaoi series and now I’m going to tell the big secret behind this.

The truth is… that the authors rarely know how many volumes their stories will have. The manga publishers are merciless and demand a good start for the series. If you make trough that and the public loves it, only God knows when they will allow the author to finish their stories. Don’t believe me and need examples? Okay.

NARUTO. The author had the whole story prepared, but when it was coming to the end, the publishers begged him to keep going as Naruto is a world-wide gold mine. Results? The story got boring, confusing and repetitive.

Back to Seito Kaichou Ni Chuukoku: it is still being published and I think that’s awesome, but once the main problem gets solved and Chiga and Kokusai start to go out, there is only a handful of things that one can do to keep the story going without falling for Naruto’s destiny and that’s why other couples take over. Either the story that Kaori-sensei had in mind came to an end and she is stretching it or she never had a plan for a long-term publication and is going with the flow.

If you ask me, the second case also happens with Sekaiichi Hatsukoi.

Anyway, the characters and the art are the best assets of this series. The characters are so real, intense and funny! They always have some snarky remark to make and Chiga is incredible. Kokusai is more naïve, so Chiga is the skeptical with streets’ smart. I laughed aloud many times while reading Seito Kaichou Ni Chuukoku ❤

And there is the art, that is breathtaking and only keeps getting better, as Miss Xtina would say.

Don’t need to believe me, look*:

from left to right: Kokusai, the bottom, and Chiga, the top ❤

and it is still beautiful in black and white ❤ I took the liberty of erasing the line in the square due to spoilers 🙂

Really, I love this delicate and beautiful art style that still manages to portray guys as guys lol

Overall, if you like yaoi, daily life titles, wonderful art and awesome characters, you have to add Seito Kaichou ni Chuukoku to your TBR pile!

Thanks so much for reading my review!! ❤ What’s your favorite on-going manga series?

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Monchu Kaori sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only

A Foreign Love Affair, from Ayano Yamane

Good night, again! Can you tell that I’m full of energy on this Spring break? Haha!

Also, I’d like to start this review apologizing myself. I was trying to be a restrained reader (a.k.a. finishes a book, review, start the other). Trying being the imperative word. I went crazy over these few last days and read three manga titles and three books. Yup. I own you six reviews and I’m not counting the one that I’m trying to beginning to write. Hopefully I’ll get them all done until the end of the Easter holiday, haha!

Now, let’s quit the chat and go to real business: A Foreign Love Affair, from Ayano Yamane!

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

What would you do if you found the love of your life…

… In your first night as a married man to someone else?

That’s Japanese mob clan heir Ranmaru’s dilemma. To satisfy his father’s political wishes, he agreed to marry a girl from another clan, to forge an alliance. The problem is that they barely can stand each other and start to fight as soon as they board their honeymoon cruise to Italy.

And, on the very same night, Ranmaru leaves his spouse to literally fall in the arms of the man that would steal his heart: Italian captain Al Valentino, the embodiment of fun and sex.

An unlikely romance blossoms between them and even destiny seems to be working 24/7 to make sure that Ranmaru and All will remain together.

The big question is: will reality bless this love as well?

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

If you have been here for a while, you are very sure of three things: a) I love Ava March; b) I love gay romance; c) I love manga. You may also know that I’m a giveaway rat, but never mind that. After reading Finder, also from Yamane-sensei, I knew I’d love anything that she publishes, so I started looking for more titles. A Foreign Love Affair left me besotted and wanting more, as it had the perfect bit of everything: romance, drama, comedy, hot scenes, hot males, unpredictable plot and flawless art. It would be an offense to Yamane-sensei to give this title anything less than five stars and a free-hug coupon. I also love coupons.

The narrative had a steady pace and lots of action scenes, both sheet and real action ones, haha! We follow the story mainly from Ranmaru’s point of view, but there are also glimpses on Al’s part and other minor characters, giving the reader full control of everything that was happening on the story. As a good control freak, I was very pleased with this, haha!

As mentioned, the plot was completely unpredictable. I never knew what was coming next and I was biting my nails non-stop until the end, as Yamane-sensei usually has a strong drama side on her stories. I won’t say a thing more, but be prepared for a surprise. Not good, nor bad. Just a big surprise, haha!

The characters, along the art, are the best part in this title. Ranmaru was such an stereotype of the yakuza [a.k.a. mob] in Japan that I’d always laugh with him. He had that cluelessness and cuteness about him, I don’t know… All I know is that I can totally understand why Al was so interested in him, haha!

Oh, yes. Al…

Al Valentino in all his glory*

I love Italian boys. Miss Fergie says they do it better and I guess she’s right, haha! Just look at this man. I fell so hard for him that it was hard to share him with Ranmaru. Oh well. Lucky him that I can share ;D Al was the typical perfect Italian prince: rich, handsome, funny, caring and just a hint of stalker. He takes the “so beautiful it hurts” deal to a whole new level, if you catch my drift lol

And then there is the art of Yamane-sensei.

from left to right: Ranmaru and Al*

Seriously, I stare at the pictures on her works.

Overall, if you like hot and involving romances, hot males, perfect art and quick reads, you have to add A Foreign Love Affair to your TBR!

That’s it, thank you for reading another fangirling review 😀

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Ayano Yamane-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, from Shungiku Nakamura

Hello, there! I know, it’s late, but I bring to you something that hasn’t visit the blog for quite a while: a manga review! And, of course, it’s a yaoi [a.k.a. gay] title, so sit back and relax: Annelise is back to her good shape, haha!

Today’s series is none other than Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, from Shungiku Nakamura-sensei! This review contemplates the series until volume 9, as it’s still being published on Japan.

from my Instagram

The Story

Ritsu Onodera is the heir to one of the biggest publishing companies in Japan. He loves his job as a book editor more than anything in the world and has been living the dream since he left college and started working.

Perfect? Perfect.

But there is one thing that really bothers Ritsu: everybody assumes he’s got his job and is good at it because he is taking advantage of his dad’s position as the president and owner of the company. And, as it isn’t true, Ritsu is determinate to prove that he can be the best book editor in the world anywhere without his dad’s help.

So he quits and leaves behind his perfect life to end up on the shoujo [romance] manga division of Marukawa Shoten publishing company.

And directly into the hands on the most tyrannical manga editor of all times: Masamune Takano.

As if things couldn’t get worse, Ritsu starts to feel that he knows Takano from somewhere and the feeling seems to be reciprocal…

The Analysis

Just remembering that those are my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

This title was another tip from dear Hachiyumi, responsible for the entry of some of the best manga titles ever in my life, like The Tyrant Falls in Love, Ten Count and Super Lovers. I already knew that I would love it, as she knows my tastes almost better than myself, but wow. THIS SERIES IS SOOOO COOL! It explains in detail how a Manga Publisher works and shows their very difficult routine. As a journalist and a manga lover, I was swept away for all the knowledge that came with my delicious gay romance. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi started as a 4 stars series for me because of the art, that was a little weird, but now evolved into a full 5 stars series!

The narrative follows Ritsu’s point of view almost most of the time, especially on the beginning, but as the story goes by and the other guys in the publishing company gain relevance and their own parallel stories, we start to see the story from almost everyone’s point of view. AND I LOVE IT.

The plot is simple, but has a lot of room for anything to happen, as it is the kind of manga that follows the character’s everyday life. Of course, the story has a point: Ritsu needs to fall in love again with Takano, his high school boyfriend that broke his heart (and had his own heart broken by Ritsu). But until then – and even after, if you ask me, there’s so many nice things that can happen! And things get really tangled when the secondary characters become main characters on their own stories. They also have their problems to solve and stay with their respective lovers, so it is all too exciting!

I wanted to take my time reading this series, as a new chapter is out only every four months at time (just like Super Lovers, may I add…). Seriously, this kills me, but moving on. I couldn’t stop reading! I read volume one and held myself, but as I read the next one, I was doomed. I almost cried when I reached the last available chapter, as only God knows when the next one will reach English readers now.

The characters are the best part of this title. I wouldn’t classify them as the strongest point, as we’ll get there, but definitely they are what would appeal the most to any other person in the world besides myself and Hachi, haha! Ritsu is a good protagonist, not overly dense or cocky, but not helpless and pathetic either. Takano is a dominant and stubborn boss that will do anything to get his mangas published right and in time and to get into Ritsu’s pants. [spoiler alert: Takano always gets what he wants, so he got into Ritsu’s pants several times.]

that would be Takano lol

I find highly amusing Ritsu’s perpetual denial of any good feelings that grow inside himself for Takano during the story and that’s new for me. I usually have no patience with indecisive characters, but there was just something about Ritsu that made me love him. To be honest, I love all the characters in this series, haha!

However, I must insist that the strongest point ever in this series is the backstage of the manga publishing companies in Japan. This is the kind of knowledge that you usually only have if you work in the area or is very close to someone who does it. Seriously, it was priceless for me to see how my lovely babies are born and now I want to thank all the editors that brought me the manga titles present on my collection!! ❤ THANK YOU, GUYS!

Now, let’s talk about Nakamura-sensei’s art. It definitely evolves during the series and gets so much better… Here’s a comparison between an image on the beginning of the series and one more ahead:

from letf to right: Takano and Ritsu <3*

and again, some volumes later!*

Amazing, right?? Nakamura-sensei isn’t fooling around by any means, haha!

Overall, if you like gay titles, are deeply interested on how this crazy manga publishing world works and love real and alive characters, just stop whatever you’re doing and go read Sekaiichi Hatsukoi!!

That’s it, thank you for reading! Have you missed my manga reviews? Haha!

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Shungiku Nakamura-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂

 

Manga author: Kaori Yuki

Hi, there! Welcome to March’s first edition of Authors of my Heart ❤

Today is manga author day, so next Friday we will see a book author 🙂

Today’s mangaka is a very special one, as she is responsible for truly defining the kind of art that I prefer on my manga titles. You’d think it was Matsuri Hino, but no lol

It was Kaori Yuki-sensei!

As you may have already read in this post, we’ve met in 2005, as soon as Panini Comics released Angel Sanctuary here in Brazil and I was hooked since page one. On the first time that I’ve read this series, what kept me loving this series was Yuki-sensei’s art, as I didn’t understand most of what was happening (and with reason; I was 10 and the title is rated 16+ lol). I only really understood this series on its core when I re-read it, five years later.

Kaori Yuki has several series and oneshots under her name and I’m ashamed to say that I found this out writing this post. I only knew the titles that I had read and two tbr series from her. I’m a lousy excuse for a fan, I know The awesome part is that I have several titles to read from her now ❤

Anyway, let’s talk about what I have read:

• Angel Sanctuary

Goodreads’ blurb:

The angel Alexiel loved God, but she rebelled against Heaven when she saw how disgracefully the other angels were behaving. She was finally captured, and as punishment sent to Earth to live an endless series of tragic lives. She now inhabits the body of Setsuna Mudo, a troubled teen in love with his sister Sara. Setsuna’s misery mirrors the chaos among the angels, and their combined passions threaten to destroy both Heaven and Earth.

Why is Setsuna so mixed up? Despite his attempts to be noble, he’ll fight anyone anytime; he ignores all authority; and he harbors feelings for his sister that can only be described as “incestuous.” Why is he such a mess? The reason may be found with two demons from the underworld and their enemy, an insane angel who is distributing an insidious computer game called Angel Santuary.

The first one we never forget, right? One of my favorite things about this title is the characters dynamics. They are so real and their relationships (not only amorous ones) are always so fogged, so… Grey. Seriously, just read this, haha!

• The Cain Saga

Goodreads’ blurb:

Born under an evil moon harboring dark secrets, Earl Cain C. Hargreves, the youthful heir of the aristocratic Hargreves family, is a man on a quest to find the truth about his family’s past. Written in dark, harrowing episodes, The CAIN Saga chronicles how Cain solves the strange crimes that seem to plague his cursed existence, yet somehow bring him closer to deciphering the puzzling circumstances surrounding his father’s tragic death.

I spoke of this one very recently, so I’ll just add that I love the mysteries that Cain has on his hands during this series!

• Boy’s Next Door

Goodreads’ blurb:

Lawrence is a young male prostitute whose actual aim was to look for his brother. Unknowingly, he did find his brother – the owner of the young boys prostitute club. However, his life was about to change when he witnessed the killing of one of the biggest serial killers – Dr. Wolfgang Adrain Cray. Instead of running away, he searches for the murderer and falls in love with him. Adrian, who is basically a nice person (he is a school teacher) takes in Lawrence and reciprocates Lawrence s love. but Lawrence s brother was not too happy about losing a possible money tree and sends out his gang in search of Lawrence.

You may have noticed that Kaori Yuki’s stories tend to not win the happy manga of the year prize, right? Oh well, on Boy’s Next Door, she outdoes herself. I’m not usually one to cry while reading manga, but I did here. I felt the pain, the agony, the crushed love. I really would love to re-read this title and review it, but I don’t know if I am strong enough. What awaits me is too real…

That’s it about Yuki-sensei ❤ I also innovated this time and prepared a list with my TBR list of her titles:

• Perfume Master
• Grand Guignol Orchestra series
• Fairy Cube series
• Demon from Afar series

Thank you for reading 😀 If any of my TBR titles of this post caught your eye and you want a review for it, just say so in the comments that I’ll work faster towards the chosen title 😀

Miwaku Shikake – Amai Wana, from Yonezou Nekota

Hello, good night! After what it seems like forever but indeed were only two weeks, I decided to write another yaoi manga review! 😀 Who’s excited?! Yes, you! Not really, but bear with me.

I’m closer than ever of my goal of reviewing all my recent reads and I’m really excited about this! But going back to today’s target: Miwaki Shikake – Amai Wana, from Yonezou Nekota-sensei! (This title struck me as particularly odd as there is a trace connecting its parts, so I translated it on Google and the title happens to be awesome: Captivating Fascination – Sweet Trap.)

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Amami and Hachidori are your regular workers on a high-tech firm. Hachidori is the perfect image of the hard-working and demanding sexy boss and Amani is the perfect image of the hateful employee that wants to get back at his boss for being a tyrant.

Only that they aren’t.

Amami and Hachidori have history together, a very annoying past on Amami’s point of view.

And their history is about to get deeper and even more personal when Hachidori saves Amami of being molested by another man in the middle of the street. Will Amami be able to be grateful to a man he can barely respect?

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

I really enjoyed this title. It was short and funny, with the right amount of sexiness to it and a good dose of surprise in the plot. It could have been bigger, even for a short story and I really wanted to have seen Hachidori being a queen, but oh well. It was amusing anyway! Four stars 😀

The narrative pace was fast and mainly from Amami’s point of view. Hachidori has his moments as well, more to the end, as a way of wrapping all the events of the title. It worked for me, but the plot left room for so much more, ugh!

Yes, the plot. It was surprisingly complicated for such a short story! I can’t complain much, Nekota-sensei did a good executing job and wrapped things up, but I wanted more. #spoiled

I seriously loved the characters on this manga. Amami was so clueless that it was funny. Usually, I tend to find this type of character rather bothersome, but not this time. Also, there is an interesting fact here: Amami leads the reader to understand that he used to be molested by older boys as a kid. As a result, he is extremely homophobic. I guess I can’t really blame him, but the way Nekota-sensei cures him is the best 😉

Hachidori also were a very different type of dominant protagonist. He’s obviously a top in bed matters, but still dresses up as a woman at a gay club. It’s a shame that Nekota-sensei didn’t draw him like that, because I can’t imagine this scene to save my life, haha!

Anyway, there is a huge bonus on this title: the art*!

from left to right: Hachidori and Amami ❤

Hachidori being a diva ❤

and how they work together lol – I removed the dialogues to avoid spoilers 🙂

If you look for a quick and pleasant yaoi read, this title is totally for you!

Thanks so much for reading! ❤

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Yonezou Nekota-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂

Manga of the Week: Sekai-ichu Hatsukoi, from Shungiku Nakamura

Good morning, happy Wednesday for you and welcome to a very busy posting day! We have several news in the oven, so stay tuned 😀 For now, let’s begin our Wednesday with our Manga of the Week: Sekai-ichu Hatsukoi, from Shungiku Nakamura-sensei!

Goodreads’ blurb:

Onodera Ritsu quits his job and transfers to the publishing company Marukawa Shoten. Sadly, he gets assigned to the editing department that handles shoujo manga; and Ritsu, who vowed to never fall in love again, working on love stories is impossible. Panic ensues when he realizes that the arrogant and tyrannical head editor turns out to be his former first love!

Why I think it’s a worth-reading manga: BECAUSE I NEED MORE PEOPLE READING THIS MANGA! I finished the last available volume some moments before the start of this post and more people need to know this title so it can get translated faster!! Yes, I’m that selfish, haha! As always, this title was suggested to me by the amazing Hachiyumi and I loved it. The review is coming sometime this week or the next – it really is going to depend on my blog tour schedules, haha! Anyway, now to the rational reasons. This is not an ordinary yaoi manga. The reader has the chance to know how the process of manga publishing in Japan works and it is awesome!! I wish I could be a manga editor, haha! So, if you’re interested on several gay romances happening all at once and learning more about Japan’s publishing world… READ THIS. PLEASE. I BEG YOU. Thanks.

And thanks for reading, haha!

Calling, from Miu Otsuki

Hi, there! Hope your Saturday ended 🙂 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.

from my Instagram 😀

Before introducing you formally to this title, I’d like to share our story. Last week, I was at a street bookshop and saw this title. I hated the art on the spot, it’s not my style at all. I didn’t 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 don’t 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 wouldn’t hurt to read it. Boy, I’m 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 🙂

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 Kira’s 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 ❤ I wish the art wasn’t so bothersome, as it made the title lose two stars 😦

Anyway, the narrative pace is steady and we follow the story mostly from Kazuaki’s 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 doesn’t care about his job and highly admires that Kira is so in love with his profession. You saw what I did, didn’t you?

All the while, Kira intends to conquer Kazuaki’s 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 aren’t introduced to many other characters in the story and, as always, I’m fine with that. Kira’s work colleague, this very beautiful girl whose name I can’t 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 ❤ Kazuaki’s work colleagues also were cool.

Now, the art. Omg, the art. I’ve read several reviews highlighting the beauty of Otsuki-sensei’s work, but I can’t bring myself to agree. It was totally not my type, sorry.

from left to right: Kira and Kazuaki 🙂

Just no. I simply can’t 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 🙂 If you like daily life stories, a touch of drama, romance and laughs, this title may be what you’re 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!

Only Serious About You, from Kai Asou

Hi, there! As I said yesterday, on the next week or so, I shall bring you a manga review per day, so I can catch up with myself 😀

Today’s series is Only Serious About You, from Kai Asou-sensei ❤

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Nao is a divorced father that works on a nice and friendly restaurant. He’s friends with all the team and loves what he does. Unless he is obliged to serve this weird client named Yoshi.

Yoshi is a salaryman that goes to Nao’s restaurant practically every day, as he lives nearby. He makes no secret of his attraction towards Nao, even knowing that Nao is heterosexual. On every visit, Yoshi does his best to be noticed by Nao as more than a regular costumer.

All was well until Nao’s daughter, Chizu, falls sick and Nao’s only chance at healing his daughter properly is to accept Yoshi’s offer and stay at his place for some days. Nao doesn’t want to be a burden, but his daughter’s well-being comes in first place, making him move in with Yoshi.

And this was just the opportunity that Yoshi needed to seduce Nao.

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

This series was a rollercoaster. In a good way, but I was always left a mess, haha! I loved Nao since page one and I wanted him happy. As for Yoshi, the guy is perfect even on his flaws. He captured my heart and never faltered on his resolutions to conquer Nao’s affections, but never in a forceful way. Honestly, this series was so real and boys next door that I wanted to hug my e-reader ❤ It has only two volumes and it is a proud five stars one 😀

The narrative pace was steady, as we witness Nao and Chizu’s daily routine until she falls sick. Yoshi was always there, telling all about his life to Nao – you know, amorous style – and trying to pick him up, but on a fun and cool way. The perspective is mainly from Nao’s point of view, but we have some Chizu, Yoshi and Nao’s boss povs too.

The plot was simply, but very complex on the human level. I mean, Nao’s life is very difficult and he barely has the money to spare. He and Chizu are happy, but Nao wanted to spend more time with his daughter, just like Chizu would love to play more with her papa. Nao has a glimpse of he could have when he is forced to move in with Yoshi and this leaves him confused: Yoshi lives in the front of the restaurant and only a few blocks away from Chizu’s daycare. And, as a salaryman, he leaves work in time to get Chizu on daycare and stay home with her, eliminating the nighttime daycare that Nao also had to afford. He finally has the time for his daughter, but also has to defend himself against Yoshi’s disturbing perfection, as he still is a man and Nao is still heterosexual. So simple and so complex.

The characters definitely were the strongest point on this title, along with the art. Nao and Yoshi were so well developed that I fell in love with both of them, haha! (I usually pick a favorite male on my gay couples.) There was no insta-love, not even on Yoshi’s part, as he first was attracted to Nao and came to love him from their daily acquaintanceship. Nao was the typical hardworking guy, too focused on his career and family and bills to think about love. Yoshi also was a hardworking guy, but way far from typical, with an unique past and way of handling his feelings. Chizu was the most adorable child in the world and that makes me think that the insta-love on this series is on her part with Yoshi. From day one, Chizu and Yoshi fall in love with each other and become daughter and stepfather. The only one that didn’t see it coming was Nao, haha!

A good point on this series is that, despite the dramatic main theme, both Nao and Yoshi are super funny. They pick on each other all the time and make the reader laugh out loud well, at least this particular reader. This is a small sneak peak of how they handle each other:

SERIOUSLY, I CRACK EVERY TIME I READ THIS LOL

And, as we are on this subject, we totally have to talk about this manga’s art work. Asou-sensei has one of the most beautiful traces that I ever seen, without being too perfect bordering pain and without being common either. I need some posters of this series on my bedroom now:

from left to right: Nao, Chizu and Yoshi ❤

Yoshi and Nao ❤

Yoshi and Nao again ❤

and again!!

Yes, lots and lots of pictures* ❤ Because they are that good together! /o/

Okay, I’m controlled. I think.

Overall, if you love daily life mangas, drama, funny and beautiful males trying to have a family together and perfect art, just read Only Serious About You ❤

That’s it, thank you for reading! This week, we will have a manga review per day until I catch up with myself, so please bear with me. You know, if WordPress doesn’t mess my scheduling agenda once again.

 

 

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Kai Asou-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂

Baked Sweet Glasses, from Ayano Yamane

Hello, again! Brace yourself for one more manga review! 😀

I set a goal for myself: no more manga reading until all my reviews are up to date, so you’ll understand me when I say that every day of the next week shall have a manga review, right? 🙂 I can’t live without reading manga, haha!

But let’s go to the star of the day: Baked Sweet Glasses, from Ayano Yamane!

Just for fun, guess which the genre of this title is: ( ) shoujo ( ) adventure ( ) yaoi ( ) other

The correct answer is on the end of the post, haha!

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Mikami is a top class busy businessman, with a tight schedule and little time to trivial things of life – much less to spend with insistent and annoying salesman Fujiya, who insists on trying to sell his companies products to Mikami’s on the worst places ever.

Fujiya knows Mikami’s reputation, but he has a secret reason to insist so hard with the businessman. They have already met a long time ago under very different circumstances…

As Fujiya fights to get both Mikami’s respect and attention, Mikami realizes how little he has been really living – starting by his gastronomic indulgences. Despite having a real sweet tooth, Mikami simple has not the time to go to his favorite bakery on a weekly basis and grab the perfect desert only served there.

Maybe the way to his heart is simpler and sweeter than Fujiya expects.

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

If you are around the blog for a while, you may already know how I love Yamane-sensei’s works. I’ve read my fair share of them, but not even close to enough. She simple doesn’t know how to make a poor job: the plot is always well executed, the art is exquisite and the characters, more than human. Truly people next door. Baked Sweet Glasses is a really short story (unfortunately), but slays every element needed in a good manga. Five stars without any doubt 🙂

The narrative follows mostly Mikami’s point of view, but we have small glimpses of Fujiya’s as well. The story pace is fast, as it is a short story, but not rushed. Yamane-sensei just don’t get to deep in descriptions or reflections herself, leaving this role to her reader. Honestly, I loved it. After reading Baked Sweet Glasses, I started to think about all the small things that we won’t do every day because we take them for granted. Like playing with our pets, eating good food or simply taking a walk on a cool place. It took me something like ten minutes to read this, but I stood staring my bedroom’s wall for almost an hour, lost in thoughts and reflections.

Anyway, sorry for going with the wind here, haha! The plot was simple, but full of twists. As it is so real, we don’t know how the story is going to end. Will Mikami and Fujiya get together? Will Mikami change his ways? Will Fujiya focus and grow up? It’s a big mystery until the last pages, haha! It worked very well for me. As long as the plot is well executed, the length of the title matters not. And if you didn’t take the hint, Yamane-sensei did a hell of a job here, haha!

As in almost all manga titles of this genre (gotcha ya, I bet you thought I was going to spill the beans!), the couple are the main characters and we barely know anyone else in the plot. Funny thing is that deeply bothers me in books and makes me give a shit on mangas. I’m weird, haha! Mikami was the typical strong and decided top, all dominance and impatience and beauty. I really connected to him because he was so well succeeded and yet too lonely. He had everything… yet he didn’t. Although deep serious guys don’t suit me in any way, I love appreciating them from afar, haha!

Fujiya could be classified as Mikami’s opposite, but they have things in common. Just like Mikami, Fujiya works hard to get what he wants and stands for what he thinks it is the right thing to do, no matter the consequences. Both also love good book, specially sweets. And that’s it, haha! End of similarities. Fujiya is the typical common bottom that catches the eye of his top by chance, always smiling, being positive and gentle no matter what. I like the balance between their looks as well: as Mikami is insanely beautiful, Fujiya’s regular beauty balances the reader’s eyes. I have serious concentrating problems when both parties on the relationship are divinely beautiful, oops!

But my babbling is worthless without some illustrative images*:

from left to right: Mikami and Fujiya ❤

look how well they look together ❤ I took the liberty of erasing the text due to spoilers 🙂

honestly, this man.

Now you see what I mean? Yamane-sensei simply doesn’t miss a single item on the list of “what to do to release a five stars manga title”. Her draws are delicate, firm and male, even when she does soft bottoms. I like the cleanness and maleness of it all. Darn, I think I’m drooling.

Ahem.

Bonus point: the sex scenes. Yes, there are sex scenes among all this cuteness and Yamano-sensei kicks ass on them! They are usually filled with fantasies, but the desire of the couple is so real and palpable that the reader doesn’t get bothered. The best delivered fan service in the field, I assure you as I have quite some experience with this genre.

Overall, I think this is a good option if you want a quick, fun and cute read with some steamy hot scenes 🙂

That’s it, thanks for reading! On the next week, the blog shall have one manga review per day, so I can put myself on the tracks. Please, bear with me, haha!

Oh, and the correct answer was… Yes, that’s right, yaoi! A.K.A. gay mangas and all 🙂

 

 

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Ayano Yamane-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂