Plot: 8.5
Characters: 9
Sex: 9
Shitsuren Mania (Unrequited-Love Mania) centers on Atsuya, our 'uke' who manages a bar (for once, not a gay bar) and has difficulty falling in love with people who have the ability to love him back. Because of this, he's oblivious to the man who has been by his side for a long time, always waiting for him to realize his feelings. This guy, Yamazaki, is our seme. Eventually, Yamazaki makes it very clear that he wants to date Atsuya, and the two become lovers and face all the usual problems, and some unusual ones.
The plot is great. The pacing of the story is enjoyable, and the relationship progression is also satisfying. The dramatic elements of the story really make sense, unlike in other stories where they seem to have been randomly thrown in there like extra soy sauce. Some of the scenes are, in fact, very heartfelt and quite touching.
The characters are brilliantly deep here, which is a huge plus. Atsuya's issues with love, Satoshi (wow, a real side character for once!) and his whole-hearted devotion to Nagura (another side character and Atsuya's ex), and even Yamazaki's multi-faceted personality make for a great reading. When even the side characters have personalities that go beyond surface appearance, you know you've found a good yaoi.
The sex is quite good, to keep up with the other categories. I almost gave it a 9.5 because it's just so much more REAL than in other yaoi. Atsuya is extremely hesitant to get into a deep relationship at first, and accordingly the first time he and Yamazaki have sex it isn't your usual feverish-lovemaking. Instead, the two make progress throughout the manga until Atsuya is emotionally capable of the more wild sex scenes. Here is definitely a yaoi where realistic reactions plays an essential part.
Overall, a 26.5/30. Very good! Obviously, this is one of my favorites. I'll also add that I adore the art in this one. It isn't that the style is more imaginative in any way from other yaoi, but the look of the characters, specifically Atsuya, is really stunning at times, especially in the emotional scenes.
Recommendation: Pretty much anyone would enjoy this one with enough patience. Of course, if you're just in the mood for mindless sex, you can always go for something else. Maybe Junk!Boys.
1/29/10
Review 7: Darling
Plot: 8
Characters: 8
Sex: 8.5
(I won't be using the Art category for now, for reasons explained in the previous review.)
'Darling' focuses on a quiet, glasses-wearing uke named Rio, who apparently hasn't figured out he's gay even though he worships one of his male teachers and carries around his picture in his planner. Enter Tomo, the studmuffin transfer student, and everything changes. Tomo dates all the pretty girls, but one day he runs up to Rio and tells him he dropped a planner. When Tomo discovers the picture of the coach, he suddenly gets 'angry' and claims that he will 'cure' Rio of his gayness. Right.
Needless to say, Tomo's actual motive is just to have opportunities to sex up Rio. Eventually, however, they figure out that they're in love (like usual).
I've always had a love/hate thing with this one. When I first read it, I thought the idea of Tomo 'curing' Rio was outrageous, not really because it reeks of homophobia (it does), but actually because Tomo isn't even being truthful about it. It's like saying, "How dare you eat leeks! Leeks are the root of all evil in this world! ... Here, let's eat leeks together to make sure you never even think of eating them again." Wait, what? Exactly.
The plot gets a solid 8 only because of the humor thrown in, which is surprisingly worthwhile. (Any yaoi that has the line, "And then, he unexpectedly f***ed me." is bold with its humor.)
The characters I don't really care for at all. I would have given it a 7 except for Tomo's deviation from normal seme-behavior in the scenes (frequently) where he loses his composure and gets flustered, something that you don't often see with other semes. Rio, on the other hand, wins no awards for originality. Though he's likable enough, he fits very neatly into the sparkly, tearful uke who thinks things like, "W-why do I feel so... warm?" Indeed.
The sex is predictable but quite acceptable due to the pleasing appearances of both Rio and Tomo, and the way the art makes certain body parts oddly beautiful ("Is it a fruit, or a penis!?" ~Tomo). It may be nothing new, but at least it is done artfully and is relatively tasteful.
Overall, a 24.5/30. Pretty decent, which is a bit of a shock. I guess I really do have different opinions of it at different times, though.
Recommendation: If you enjoy a humorous (almost to the point of eye-rolling ridiculousness) yaoi with plenty of 'action', this is a good one. If you just can't stand stereotypical ukes, go someplace else.
Characters: 8
Sex: 8.5
(I won't be using the Art category for now, for reasons explained in the previous review.)
'Darling' focuses on a quiet, glasses-wearing uke named Rio, who apparently hasn't figured out he's gay even though he worships one of his male teachers and carries around his picture in his planner. Enter Tomo, the studmuffin transfer student, and everything changes. Tomo dates all the pretty girls, but one day he runs up to Rio and tells him he dropped a planner. When Tomo discovers the picture of the coach, he suddenly gets 'angry' and claims that he will 'cure' Rio of his gayness. Right.
Needless to say, Tomo's actual motive is just to have opportunities to sex up Rio. Eventually, however, they figure out that they're in love (like usual).
I've always had a love/hate thing with this one. When I first read it, I thought the idea of Tomo 'curing' Rio was outrageous, not really because it reeks of homophobia (it does), but actually because Tomo isn't even being truthful about it. It's like saying, "How dare you eat leeks! Leeks are the root of all evil in this world! ... Here, let's eat leeks together to make sure you never even think of eating them again." Wait, what? Exactly.
The plot gets a solid 8 only because of the humor thrown in, which is surprisingly worthwhile. (Any yaoi that has the line, "And then, he unexpectedly f***ed me." is bold with its humor.)
The characters I don't really care for at all. I would have given it a 7 except for Tomo's deviation from normal seme-behavior in the scenes (frequently) where he loses his composure and gets flustered, something that you don't often see with other semes. Rio, on the other hand, wins no awards for originality. Though he's likable enough, he fits very neatly into the sparkly, tearful uke who thinks things like, "W-why do I feel so... warm?" Indeed.
The sex is predictable but quite acceptable due to the pleasing appearances of both Rio and Tomo, and the way the art makes certain body parts oddly beautiful ("Is it a fruit, or a penis!?" ~Tomo). It may be nothing new, but at least it is done artfully and is relatively tasteful.
Overall, a 24.5/30. Pretty decent, which is a bit of a shock. I guess I really do have different opinions of it at different times, though.
Recommendation: If you enjoy a humorous (almost to the point of eye-rolling ridiculousness) yaoi with plenty of 'action', this is a good one. If you just can't stand stereotypical ukes, go someplace else.
Review 6: Momoiro Junjou Danshi
Art: 7.5
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Sex: 8.5
From now on, I'll start off with a short recap of the manga. In Momoiro Junjou Danshi (Peach-colored Pure-hearted Boys), best friends Takagari and Yamaguchi are always playfully kissing in front of their high-school class to get amusing reactions out of the others. One day, however, they end up kissing when they're alone. It doesn't take long for things to get out of hand... WAY out of hand. After they sleep together, the two have to struggle with their feelings and figure out if they actually 'love' each other.
The art is decent, but not quite the style I like best. (I'm actually thinking of eliminating this section entirely, as I'm so picky about the art styles I like...)
The plot is honestly nothing surprising, just the classic 'friends becoming something more' idea that has been recycled many a time.
The characters boost up the manga quite a bit in my eyes. Both guys seem more realistic than your typical seme and uke, partially because they act and speak in a way that you'd expect of two best friends. Yamaguchi (uke) isn't overly shy or feminine, and Takagari, while masculine, seems much calmer than the token seme. Both take on their own personalities, and end up showing the reader a greater depth of character throughout the manga.
The sex - and extensive kissing - in this manga is really what makes it enjoyable. The casual, almost habitual way the two kiss in the beginning is as amusing to readers as it is to the other classmates in the manga, but soon enough it becomes more than that. The moment when the kissing begins to mean something is a really significant point with a fascinating mood. And, of course, the actual sex is pretty steamy, with the added bonus of actually paying attention to the personalities of the two involved.
All in all, this gets a 31/40. If the plot wasn't quite so flat it might have done a lot better, but I'm not really complaining. After all, you can't expect every yaoi to even have a definable plot, can you?
Recommendation: If you have hidden feelings for your best friend (awkward much?), or if you just enjoy sexual tension between two faux-straight guys, this is it. If you're looking for something more serious, or with a plot you can doggedly follow, you might have to move on.
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Sex: 8.5
From now on, I'll start off with a short recap of the manga. In Momoiro Junjou Danshi (Peach-colored Pure-hearted Boys), best friends Takagari and Yamaguchi are always playfully kissing in front of their high-school class to get amusing reactions out of the others. One day, however, they end up kissing when they're alone. It doesn't take long for things to get out of hand... WAY out of hand. After they sleep together, the two have to struggle with their feelings and figure out if they actually 'love' each other.
The art is decent, but not quite the style I like best. (I'm actually thinking of eliminating this section entirely, as I'm so picky about the art styles I like...)
The plot is honestly nothing surprising, just the classic 'friends becoming something more' idea that has been recycled many a time.
The characters boost up the manga quite a bit in my eyes. Both guys seem more realistic than your typical seme and uke, partially because they act and speak in a way that you'd expect of two best friends. Yamaguchi (uke) isn't overly shy or feminine, and Takagari, while masculine, seems much calmer than the token seme. Both take on their own personalities, and end up showing the reader a greater depth of character throughout the manga.
The sex - and extensive kissing - in this manga is really what makes it enjoyable. The casual, almost habitual way the two kiss in the beginning is as amusing to readers as it is to the other classmates in the manga, but soon enough it becomes more than that. The moment when the kissing begins to mean something is a really significant point with a fascinating mood. And, of course, the actual sex is pretty steamy, with the added bonus of actually paying attention to the personalities of the two involved.
All in all, this gets a 31/40. If the plot wasn't quite so flat it might have done a lot better, but I'm not really complaining. After all, you can't expect every yaoi to even have a definable plot, can you?
Recommendation: If you have hidden feelings for your best friend (awkward much?), or if you just enjoy sexual tension between two faux-straight guys, this is it. If you're looking for something more serious, or with a plot you can doggedly follow, you might have to move on.
Review 5: Dog Style
Art: 6
Plot: 8
Characters: 8
Sex: 9
All right, so this was a really difficult one to judge. It's not to my taste, but I have to admit that the gritty realism is an interesting change. Motoni Modoru is known for more serious and often twisted manga, and even in this one - something of a comedy - there's still a palpable seriousness that comes through the pages.
In terms of Art, I honestly don't like this artist's style very much. Of course, considering my taste, you can go ahead and dismiss this section unless you happen to prefer the same artists as I do.
The plot isn't terribly interesting, but it does break away from the over-used Private School Where the Sexiest Guy Immediately Wants the Main Character Despite His Low Status and Complete Obliviousness. With Motoni Modoru, we get a strong sense of what it's like to be one of the bad boys, involved with all sorts of creeps and gang members. This portrayal thankfully gives the rather predictable plot more meaning.
The characters have personalities here, which is refreshing. In fact, the depth of character is remarkable in this manga, as opposed to the typical yaoi. Neither Miki nor Teru can be defined as solely a 'uke' in this one, because regardless of who's on top, the power-play in this relationship is realistically complex, which says good things about characterization.
The sex is not what I'd call 'steamy', but it makes up for that with its rare display of reality. Neither Miki nor Teru take it without hesitation, like the typical ukes who somehow experience ultimate pleasure from a first time that probably would leave them unable to move, never mind walk. It's very real with these two, and though it's clear that they aren't in Fluffy Sparkly Sappy Love, we get instead a much more convincing and gradual connection developing between them.
Overall, this gets a 31/40. This score is greatly skewed by my personal dislike of more realistic art styles, so you can take it however you'd like.
Recommendation: If you're into realism, go for it! If you like reading about the lives of high-school rebels, go ahead. But if you're just looking for a fluff-filled romance to cheer you up, this isn't for you.
Plot: 8
Characters: 8
Sex: 9
All right, so this was a really difficult one to judge. It's not to my taste, but I have to admit that the gritty realism is an interesting change. Motoni Modoru is known for more serious and often twisted manga, and even in this one - something of a comedy - there's still a palpable seriousness that comes through the pages.
In terms of Art, I honestly don't like this artist's style very much. Of course, considering my taste, you can go ahead and dismiss this section unless you happen to prefer the same artists as I do.
The plot isn't terribly interesting, but it does break away from the over-used Private School Where the Sexiest Guy Immediately Wants the Main Character Despite His Low Status and Complete Obliviousness. With Motoni Modoru, we get a strong sense of what it's like to be one of the bad boys, involved with all sorts of creeps and gang members. This portrayal thankfully gives the rather predictable plot more meaning.
The characters have personalities here, which is refreshing. In fact, the depth of character is remarkable in this manga, as opposed to the typical yaoi. Neither Miki nor Teru can be defined as solely a 'uke' in this one, because regardless of who's on top, the power-play in this relationship is realistically complex, which says good things about characterization.
The sex is not what I'd call 'steamy', but it makes up for that with its rare display of reality. Neither Miki nor Teru take it without hesitation, like the typical ukes who somehow experience ultimate pleasure from a first time that probably would leave them unable to move, never mind walk. It's very real with these two, and though it's clear that they aren't in Fluffy Sparkly Sappy Love, we get instead a much more convincing and gradual connection developing between them.
Overall, this gets a 31/40. This score is greatly skewed by my personal dislike of more realistic art styles, so you can take it however you'd like.
Recommendation: If you're into realism, go for it! If you like reading about the lives of high-school rebels, go ahead. But if you're just looking for a fluff-filled romance to cheer you up, this isn't for you.
Review 4: Junk!Boys
Art: 9
Plot: 6
Characters: 6
Sex: 8
Junk!Boys is fun to read in the same way you might watch a really bad movie: with plenty of snacks and either a mild depression or a sugar-high. I've had it bookmarked forever, but it's really more of a shameful indulgence than anything.
Its saving point is definitely in the Art category. Minami Haruka can make almost anything look good. Nice, clean lines and the quality you come to expect from artists who churn out yaoi after yaoi. It isn't perfect in a lot of places, but for the most part it's pleasant.
There is very little plot, and what little of it there IS has to go a long, long way. If I were to describe the overall story in a sentence, it would be, "An innocent uke ends up in a threesome with two boring semes." Sure, there's the whole presumed situation regarding the three acting as the group Junk!Boys, an amateur love-mystery Detective Agency of sorts. But the subplots centered on the mysteries are pretty lame, and often to the point of ridiculousness.
The characters are, well, archetypes. Our uke is Tomoya, the Maiden, whose exaggerated innocence is present even after being molested - oh, was that consentual? My bad - by the two semes. What's really sad is that I can't honestly remember which name went with which seme; they were more-or-less the same person. Anything they said was either serious business or a sudden change to an oddly formal flirtation (usually while taking off Tomoya's pants). They just don't have a definable personality at all, like cardboard.
I shouldn't have to say that the 'side characters' weren't much to look at, either.
I'm divided on how to judge the sex. On one hand, the fact that it's a threesome gives it points in originality. Of course, the fact that all the sex is only faux-consentual is kind of annoying. It's the sort of fake protest that I imagine is present in a good deal of porn, and it isn't realistic at all. The actual sex in question is without context due to the lack of characterization, so you might as well be reading about three random characters going at it.
Still, if you're into threesomes, it might be tolerable.
All in all, it gets a 29/40. Not great, but not absolutely horrible. I couldn't give it more than that with a good conscience, because it honestly isn't that interesting. The fact that is introduces a threesome is the only carrying factor, and even that is done in the least imaginative way possible. Sadly, this isn't one of Minami Haruka's best works.
Recommendation: Good for a rainy day, or a late night when you have nothing to do. Might be especially entertaining to read with a friend of similar tastes, if you feel like pointing and laughing.
Plot: 6
Characters: 6
Sex: 8
Junk!Boys is fun to read in the same way you might watch a really bad movie: with plenty of snacks and either a mild depression or a sugar-high. I've had it bookmarked forever, but it's really more of a shameful indulgence than anything.
Its saving point is definitely in the Art category. Minami Haruka can make almost anything look good. Nice, clean lines and the quality you come to expect from artists who churn out yaoi after yaoi. It isn't perfect in a lot of places, but for the most part it's pleasant.
There is very little plot, and what little of it there IS has to go a long, long way. If I were to describe the overall story in a sentence, it would be, "An innocent uke ends up in a threesome with two boring semes." Sure, there's the whole presumed situation regarding the three acting as the group Junk!Boys, an amateur love-mystery Detective Agency of sorts. But the subplots centered on the mysteries are pretty lame, and often to the point of ridiculousness.
The characters are, well, archetypes. Our uke is Tomoya, the Maiden, whose exaggerated innocence is present even after being molested - oh, was that consentual? My bad - by the two semes. What's really sad is that I can't honestly remember which name went with which seme; they were more-or-less the same person. Anything they said was either serious business or a sudden change to an oddly formal flirtation (usually while taking off Tomoya's pants). They just don't have a definable personality at all, like cardboard.
I shouldn't have to say that the 'side characters' weren't much to look at, either.
I'm divided on how to judge the sex. On one hand, the fact that it's a threesome gives it points in originality. Of course, the fact that all the sex is only faux-consentual is kind of annoying. It's the sort of fake protest that I imagine is present in a good deal of porn, and it isn't realistic at all. The actual sex in question is without context due to the lack of characterization, so you might as well be reading about three random characters going at it.
Still, if you're into threesomes, it might be tolerable.
All in all, it gets a 29/40. Not great, but not absolutely horrible. I couldn't give it more than that with a good conscience, because it honestly isn't that interesting. The fact that is introduces a threesome is the only carrying factor, and even that is done in the least imaginative way possible. Sadly, this isn't one of Minami Haruka's best works.
Recommendation: Good for a rainy day, or a late night when you have nothing to do. Might be especially entertaining to read with a friend of similar tastes, if you feel like pointing and laughing.
Review 3: I Don't Dislike You
Art: 9
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Sex: 10
First of all, I might be a tad biased on this one, as this is my #1 favorite Sakuraga Mei yaoi (and the sequel to 'I Want to Be Naughty!'). We already know how much I appreciate the art style, so let's move on directly to the plot.
Basically, with a plot like this, it's extremely fortunate that the art and sexual tension is so good. Otherwise, it wouldn't leave much of a story. The plot (there's a plot?) is based heavily on the tense interactions between our uke, Yukimura - vice president of the Student Council - and our seme, Shinonome, who is a laid-back but mischievous guy who grew up with Yukimura back when they were both badass. Basically, the entire story is centered on how Yukimura will do anything - yes, you know what I mean - to stop Shinonome from showing the Student Council pictures of a young, rebellious Yukimura engaging in violent activities.
Sweetly put, I'm very glad Sakuraga Mei was able to rescue this one.
Now, despite the lack of a deep plot, the characters are actually very likeable. Yukimura's uptight attitude and underlying fear of losing control of himself is actually pretty realistic, and something many readers can relate to. Shinonome, on the other hand, is a rascally guy for putting Yukimura in his blackmail-deal, but at the same time it's always clear that he doesn't mean any serious harm. A sheep in wolf's clothing, shall we say? In any case, this wouldn't be one of my favorites without the meaningful personalities present here.
All right, so you still might be wondering just how this got on my favorites list, what with the horrendous shallowness of the plot. Well, basically, it's the sexual tension. Steamy, swoon-inducing, and lots of it. Yukimura's nervous but full-of-denial reactions paired with Shinonome's obviously skillful seduction is beautiful to see.
In conclusion, this one gets a solid 34/40, exactly the same score as its predecessor, except for the fact that I personally prefer this one - the sequel - to the original.
Recommendation: If you're into lots of denial (sometimes we call it sexual tension) and some nice eye-candy, go for it! If you're looking for something lengthier, with a plot you can sink your teeth into, you're better off going elsewhere.
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Sex: 10
First of all, I might be a tad biased on this one, as this is my #1 favorite Sakuraga Mei yaoi (and the sequel to 'I Want to Be Naughty!'). We already know how much I appreciate the art style, so let's move on directly to the plot.
Basically, with a plot like this, it's extremely fortunate that the art and sexual tension is so good. Otherwise, it wouldn't leave much of a story. The plot (there's a plot?) is based heavily on the tense interactions between our uke, Yukimura - vice president of the Student Council - and our seme, Shinonome, who is a laid-back but mischievous guy who grew up with Yukimura back when they were both badass. Basically, the entire story is centered on how Yukimura will do anything - yes, you know what I mean - to stop Shinonome from showing the Student Council pictures of a young, rebellious Yukimura engaging in violent activities.
Sweetly put, I'm very glad Sakuraga Mei was able to rescue this one.
Now, despite the lack of a deep plot, the characters are actually very likeable. Yukimura's uptight attitude and underlying fear of losing control of himself is actually pretty realistic, and something many readers can relate to. Shinonome, on the other hand, is a rascally guy for putting Yukimura in his blackmail-deal, but at the same time it's always clear that he doesn't mean any serious harm. A sheep in wolf's clothing, shall we say? In any case, this wouldn't be one of my favorites without the meaningful personalities present here.
All right, so you still might be wondering just how this got on my favorites list, what with the horrendous shallowness of the plot. Well, basically, it's the sexual tension. Steamy, swoon-inducing, and lots of it. Yukimura's nervous but full-of-denial reactions paired with Shinonome's obviously skillful seduction is beautiful to see.
In conclusion, this one gets a solid 34/40, exactly the same score as its predecessor, except for the fact that I personally prefer this one - the sequel - to the original.
Recommendation: If you're into lots of denial (sometimes we call it sexual tension) and some nice eye-candy, go for it! If you're looking for something lengthier, with a plot you can sink your teeth into, you're better off going elsewhere.
Review 2: I Want to Be Naughty!
Art: 9
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Sex: 10
Let me start off with Art by saying that I ADORE anything by Sakuraga Mei. It's not too clean-cut a style, and yet I've come to love it. The expressions are really nicely done in some parts, and the way the 'action' is drawn is quite sexy. The characters are
easily distinguishable and really attractive.
Okay, so if it didn't have such nice art (and sex, but we're getting to that), this would not be nearly as interesting a manga. The plot is pretty cookie-cutter; there's nothing terribly fascinating or shocking about it. Outcast guy with a heart of gold becomes friends with the president of the Student Council without knowing his true identity, and he later has to deal with their differences in social status upon the discovery. Big deal, right? The art, however, manages to make it a lot more intriguing than such a plot deserves. The sincere emotion of the characters transforms the plot into a more real story than it would have been otherwise.
The characters seem for a while like they might have actual personalities, so I gave it credit for trying. And they are genuinely likeable, too. Somehow, though, in the end they become mere stereotypes, so I found myself unable to give them more than a solid 8. Towa, the bad-boy-turned-timid-uke, and Mikado, the refined-student-council-president-turned-gruff-seme, would have been much more convincing if they had stuck to their personalities a little more, particularly during the sex scene.
The sex scene which, as you've noticed, I gave a 10. Well, that's not just for the one, but for all the scenes in which sexual tension plays a large role. Sakuraga Mei just draws the heated interactions so well that they steam up the computer screen, and this makes the sex, however typical, a rare treat.
This brings us to the final score of 34/40. Very nice, indeed! This is, admittedly, one of my favorites (ironically, not my #1 favorite from this artist, but that's for another time), so that's to be expected. While the story could have been better, the other components work well enough to carry it through to a high rating.
Recommendation: If you like school-themed yaoi, read it. If you like sexual tension, read it. If you like pretty boys, read it. It's pretty much an all around good yaoi.
Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Sex: 10
Let me start off with Art by saying that I ADORE anything by Sakuraga Mei. It's not too clean-cut a style, and yet I've come to love it. The expressions are really nicely done in some parts, and the way the 'action' is drawn is quite sexy. The characters are
easily distinguishable and really attractive.
Okay, so if it didn't have such nice art (and sex, but we're getting to that), this would not be nearly as interesting a manga. The plot is pretty cookie-cutter; there's nothing terribly fascinating or shocking about it. Outcast guy with a heart of gold becomes friends with the president of the Student Council without knowing his true identity, and he later has to deal with their differences in social status upon the discovery. Big deal, right? The art, however, manages to make it a lot more intriguing than such a plot deserves. The sincere emotion of the characters transforms the plot into a more real story than it would have been otherwise.
The characters seem for a while like they might have actual personalities, so I gave it credit for trying. And they are genuinely likeable, too. Somehow, though, in the end they become mere stereotypes, so I found myself unable to give them more than a solid 8. Towa, the bad-boy-turned-timid-uke, and Mikado, the refined-student-council-president-turned-gruff-seme, would have been much more convincing if they had stuck to their personalities a little more, particularly during the sex scene.
The sex scene which, as you've noticed, I gave a 10. Well, that's not just for the one, but for all the scenes in which sexual tension plays a large role. Sakuraga Mei just draws the heated interactions so well that they steam up the computer screen, and this makes the sex, however typical, a rare treat.
This brings us to the final score of 34/40. Very nice, indeed! This is, admittedly, one of my favorites (ironically, not my #1 favorite from this artist, but that's for another time), so that's to be expected. While the story could have been better, the other components work well enough to carry it through to a high rating.
Recommendation: If you like school-themed yaoi, read it. If you like sexual tension, read it. If you like pretty boys, read it. It's pretty much an all around good yaoi.
Review 1: Junjou Romantica
Art: 6
Plot: 8.5
Characters: 9
Sex: 9
All right, so taking on a big hit like Junjou Romantica for my first review might seem pretty ballsy, but everyone's gotta start somewhere. I've just finished reading up to Chapter 21, so I've got a definite sample to work with, too. (Please note that this is only for Junjou Romantica, and does not include Junjou Egoist or other sections.)
Now, I know I might get some heat for giving this only a 6 in art, but this part is definitely solely based on opinion. I happen to go for the smoother-lined, more typically beautiful artists, such as Asato Eiri and Honami Yukine, or even towards Tateno Makoto. Junjou Romantica's art just doesn't do it for me, so to speak.
Thankfully, the plot makes up for what I call the 'slight shortcoming' in the Art category. While at first it seems relatively sex-driven (who am I kidding, it's yaoi!), the story takes an interesting turn after the first few sexual encounters. We are shown both the difficulties and simple pleasures of a deep relationship, not only the sexual sphere. More than that, we get to see how a man and his lover deal with a mostly-estranged family, which is oddly satisfying the way it's pulled off here. Pair that with some honestly funny moments and a few heart-meltingly bittersweet scenes, and you have the recipe for a plot bordering on a 9.
The plot, of course, would not have been half as great without such deep characters, whose emotions and motives not only make sense but provoke sympathy and curiosity in the reader, something that, quite honestly, rarely happens when reading most yaoi. Our uke, Misaki, is much more than the token dominance-fearing, fluffy bunny uke readers come to expect. Appropriately, his seme, Usagi, has features that extend beyond a gruff, emotionless outlook and a sudden urge to take somebody up the ass (granted, he does seem to have those urges an awful lot). These two have real personalities that affect their actions in every case, and at many points it is very easy to relate to them.
Even the supporting characters have more depth than most main characters in an average yaoi. Haruhiko, Usagi's half-brother, has an odd personality that barely begins to make sense, but I reckon you could psycho-analyze him for an hour or two. Usagi's father is actually one of my favorite characters, because his dialogue is so realistic and can go from creepy-over-protective-warning to charming-fatherly-banter in a minute, showing just how much control he has over the emotions he shows the world.
All right, so I gave the sex a 9. Why? Well, it works out well due to the depth of character in both the seme and uke, which makes the sex specifically tailored to their unique combination of personalities. Extra points for steaminess, of course. Sure, there are some times where you have to think, "Seriously? Again?" but you will keep going back for more. No 10 here due to my slight dislike for the art style, but a 9 is certainly commendable.
Overall, 32.5/40. Not too bad! I'd imagine that people who aren't quite as picky about the art would give this a much higher score, and I can certainly see how this title has skyrocketed in popularity. It has all the best ingredients, and gets pretty close to being a truly amazing read.
Recommendation: Try it! If you're into the sex, you'll like it, and if you're not, you'll probably like the characters and storyline enough to follow it anyway.
Plot: 8.5
Characters: 9
Sex: 9
All right, so taking on a big hit like Junjou Romantica for my first review might seem pretty ballsy, but everyone's gotta start somewhere. I've just finished reading up to Chapter 21, so I've got a definite sample to work with, too. (Please note that this is only for Junjou Romantica, and does not include Junjou Egoist or other sections.)
Now, I know I might get some heat for giving this only a 6 in art, but this part is definitely solely based on opinion. I happen to go for the smoother-lined, more typically beautiful artists, such as Asato Eiri and Honami Yukine, or even towards Tateno Makoto. Junjou Romantica's art just doesn't do it for me, so to speak.
Thankfully, the plot makes up for what I call the 'slight shortcoming' in the Art category. While at first it seems relatively sex-driven (who am I kidding, it's yaoi!), the story takes an interesting turn after the first few sexual encounters. We are shown both the difficulties and simple pleasures of a deep relationship, not only the sexual sphere. More than that, we get to see how a man and his lover deal with a mostly-estranged family, which is oddly satisfying the way it's pulled off here. Pair that with some honestly funny moments and a few heart-meltingly bittersweet scenes, and you have the recipe for a plot bordering on a 9.
The plot, of course, would not have been half as great without such deep characters, whose emotions and motives not only make sense but provoke sympathy and curiosity in the reader, something that, quite honestly, rarely happens when reading most yaoi. Our uke, Misaki, is much more than the token dominance-fearing, fluffy bunny uke readers come to expect. Appropriately, his seme, Usagi, has features that extend beyond a gruff, emotionless outlook and a sudden urge to take somebody up the ass (granted, he does seem to have those urges an awful lot). These two have real personalities that affect their actions in every case, and at many points it is very easy to relate to them.
Even the supporting characters have more depth than most main characters in an average yaoi. Haruhiko, Usagi's half-brother, has an odd personality that barely begins to make sense, but I reckon you could psycho-analyze him for an hour or two. Usagi's father is actually one of my favorite characters, because his dialogue is so realistic and can go from creepy-over-protective-warning to charming-fatherly-banter in a minute, showing just how much control he has over the emotions he shows the world.
All right, so I gave the sex a 9. Why? Well, it works out well due to the depth of character in both the seme and uke, which makes the sex specifically tailored to their unique combination of personalities. Extra points for steaminess, of course. Sure, there are some times where you have to think, "Seriously? Again?" but you will keep going back for more. No 10 here due to my slight dislike for the art style, but a 9 is certainly commendable.
Overall, 32.5/40. Not too bad! I'd imagine that people who aren't quite as picky about the art would give this a much higher score, and I can certainly see how this title has skyrocketed in popularity. It has all the best ingredients, and gets pretty close to being a truly amazing read.
Recommendation: Try it! If you're into the sex, you'll like it, and if you're not, you'll probably like the characters and storyline enough to follow it anyway.
Introduction: What I Do & How I Do It
Hello, all! I'm Sekana Katayama, and I'm here to review yaoi manga. Now, I know I have absolutely no qualifications to back up my opinions - with the possible exception of just how much yaoi I've read in my lifetime - but I'm going to give it my best shot. Reading yaoi is something that has been a hobby of mine for some time, so I can say with confidence that I'm pretty familiar with the genre. Just for the record, the yaoi I am referring to is NOT shounen-ai (a tamer 'boys love' version), but full-on male/male explicit romance.
As to how I'm going to do this, it's pretty simple. Every day (Who am I kidding? Well, I'll try.) I will write at least one review for a given yaoi manga. The lucky winner will be judged on four categories: art, plot, characters, and sex. This IS yaoi, after all. Every review will start with the numbers for each category and then move into a more detailed report. Therefore, if you're in a hurry, or just not interested in details, you can scan the numbers to see if it's worth reading. Or, hopefully, you'll read the review in its entirety and get an idea of whether or not it's your cup of tea.
With all that said, it's time to start reviewing! Wish me luck.
- Sekana
As to how I'm going to do this, it's pretty simple. Every day (Who am I kidding? Well, I'll try.) I will write at least one review for a given yaoi manga. The lucky winner will be judged on four categories: art, plot, characters, and sex. This IS yaoi, after all. Every review will start with the numbers for each category and then move into a more detailed report. Therefore, if you're in a hurry, or just not interested in details, you can scan the numbers to see if it's worth reading. Or, hopefully, you'll read the review in its entirety and get an idea of whether or not it's your cup of tea.
With all that said, it's time to start reviewing! Wish me luck.
- Sekana
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