Art: 8Plot: 9
Characters: 8.5
Sex: 8.5
Starting this manga, I admit I wasn't particularly hooked. But it turned out much better than I expected! There's plenty of humor, some of it even lol-worthy, and the art style is pretty. There isn't much of a plot, but the comedic elements make up for it, and the characters are likable enough to buoy it up towards greatness.
The manga revolves around Shino, the thin and feminine uke who appears to be... straight...? He has been friends with Mamoru (ironically, 'to protect' in Japanese) since elementary school, and the two have always been close. When they enter an all-boys high-school together, Mamoru beats off the perverts with a stick - sometimes literally - while Shino obliviously mourns the girl that turned him down in middle-school and worries about mundane things like schoolwork. The comedy really kicks in when one of their dormmates explains that the school is a haven of homos, including a lot of pervert-types, and that the only surefire way to avoid getting 'gang-raped' is to get a boyfriend. Thus, Mamoru pretends to be Shino's boyfriend in order to protect him... or is that really the reason?
The manga revolves around Shino, the thin and feminine uke who appears to be... straight...? He has been friends with Mamoru (ironically, 'to protect' in Japanese) since elementary school, and the two have always been close. When they enter an all-boys high-school together, Mamoru beats off the perverts with a stick - sometimes literally - while Shino obliviously mourns the girl that turned him down in middle-school and worries about mundane things like schoolwork. The comedy really kicks in when one of their dormmates explains that the school is a haven of homos, including a lot of pervert-types, and that the only surefire way to avoid getting 'gang-raped' is to get a boyfriend. Thus, Mamoru pretends to be Shino's boyfriend in order to protect him... or is that really the reason?
The art is decent. The bodies are drawn quite nicely, although Shino looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple weeks. The expressions are particularly humorous, notably Mamoru's when he beats up potential perverts.
The plot is pretty typical but with added interest due to Shino's supposed heterosexuality (did I just use that word on a yaoi blog? What!?)...
The characters, as mentioned above, exceeded my expectations. Mamoru displays the expected 'rawr-I-eat-your-face-off-if-you-even-think-about-talking-to-him' overprotective streak, but his character goes further and even contemplates himself as the enemy. With a depth of character that's unusual for this genre, he struggles with his feelings and gains a guilt associated with becoming exactly what he's trying protect Shino from seeing. Shino isn't nearly as developed - in more ways than one, har har - but he is unique in that he is the Oblivious Uke but at the same time isn't fluffy and sparkly like most of his kind.
The sex is eventual but worth the wait. Standard points given!
All in all, 34/40. Niiice!
Recommendation: If you need a laugh, check this one out. Also good for connoisseurs of the schoolboy romance and the 'childhood friends' romance.
And here's a hilarious excerpt to convince you just how funny this one is. (Shino, btw)
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