Review 20: Mede Shireru Yoru no Junjou

Art: 9
Plot: 8.5
Characters: 8
Sex: 9

In Mede Shireru Yoru no Junjou (something like 'Pure Love Evening') Kichou and Kagerou are male geishas - considered crossdressing, I suppose - in Neo-Japan, where prostitution has been made legal. They argue and have their little cat fights to feel like there's something interesting in their lives of sex-for-money. But one day, Kagerou trips and his earring leaves a cut on Kichou's face, which is a terrible thing for a geisha. To 'pay' for it, Kichou visits Kagerou that night, and a forbidden romance between crossdressing male geishas commences.
... Yeah, even I can't really take this seriously. It's not actually comedy, really.

The art is quite beautiful. With all of the flowing kimonos and the graceful visages of the male geishas, it's very easy on the eyes. Not to mention that Kishou manages to be gorgeous as a female and a male, which is difficult to think about at some points.

The plot is fascinating. Their relationship appears, on the surface, to be yuri due to their crossdressing, but underneath it all they're still both men. This gives the yaoi a whole new world to express itself in, and is extra fun if you like reading both yuri and yaoi. Bonus points?

The characters are pretty flat, but at least they have backgrounds (somewhat) in the form of flashbacks. And they're very nice looking. That always helps!

The sex is partially amusing, partially steamy. It's an odd combination that somehow works in this particular yaoi. It appears more seductive than comical, luckily, and even becomes rather giggle-inducing at times.

All in all, 34.5/40. Well done!

Recommendation: If you like gender-benders and fun lesbian overtones to your yaoi, give this a try! And if you like seeing beautiful men in women's kimonos, all the better.