Chocolate Surprise
Story and Art: Lily Hoshino
Published by the Deux Press Imprint of Aurora Publishing, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1934496642
ISBN-13: 978-1934496640

Review by Kris

Kakiuchi is the hottest guy in class and has devised a game where there is a bag of chocolates (some spiked with an aphrodisiac), a group of girls, and the possibility of sleeping with Kakiuchi. The rules are whichever girl picks the spiked chocolate gets to sleep with Kakiuchi. One day Ogasawara, a guy, is invited to join in on the fun but they amend the rule that if Ogasawara chooses the spiked chocolate he can choose whichever girl he wants to (at least that’s playing the Mix Chocolate game.) When it turns out that Ogasawara picks the chocolate, he allows Kakiuchi to help him out. Is this the beginning of love?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Chocolate Suprise”

The Manzai Comics
Story by Atsuko Asana
Art by Hizuru Imai
Published by Aurora Press
Copy supplied by publisher
ISBN-13: 9781934496503

Review by Linda Yau

Ayumu Seta is a new student at a Japanese middle school; he prides himself on being a normal person, but what happens when his classmate, Takashi Akimoto who is a guy no less, asks you to go out with him? And if this going out is more different than what you expect. Then what? This is what Ayumu experiences, as he is unexpectedly thrown in the world of Manzai comedy. » Continue reading “Manga Review: The Manzai Comics vol 1″

Future Lovers vol. 2
Story and Art: Saika Kunieda
Published by the Deux Press Imprint of Aurora Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1934496626
ISBN-13: 978-1934496626

Review by Kris

Since we last left Kento Kumagaya and Akira Kazuki the two had been dating for almost a year. In this volume the two continue their relationship but instead of the emphasis being on the joy of falling in love it focuses on their continuing relationship and the struggles they face. We have the opportunity to meet Akira’s mom and the man who inspired Akira to become an art teacher, Kento’s more serious side shows up in a few stories, and there are a couple more light-hearted stories that tackle some serious issues.

Akira’s mom doesn’t know he’s gay (or so we assume) so when the two are introduced Akira introduces them as colleagues. Kento is none too pleased to find out that Akira hasn’t shared this info with him. Akira knows all kinds of things about Kento but Kento knows so little about Akira. Can Kento catch a glimpse of the real Akira behind the mask?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Future Lovers vol. 2″

Naughty But Nice
Story and Art: Naduki Koujima
Published by the Deux Press Imprint of Aurora Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1934496588
ISBN-13: 978-1934496589

Review by Kris

Mr. Wakasa is Kakeru Kiba’s homeroom teacher. Everyone loves Mr. Wakasa, he’s handsome and kind. But Kakeru is a bit of a klutz. Because of this weakness of his he learns that Wakasa is not the kind teacher he sees at school but is actually a bit of a jerk. What happened was Kakeru was out running errands for his mom when he saw someone that looked like his teacher being threatened by thugs. But this man was drunk and rather rude, so how could it be Wakasa? Just as the thugs go to punch out Wakasa Kakeru ends up distracting everyone, slips on a can, and pushes Wakasa into a river. Oops!
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Naughty but Nice”

Hitohira vol. 3
Story and Art: Idumi Kirihara
Published by Aurora Publishing
ISBN-10: 1934496537
ISBN-13: 978-1934496534

Review by Kris

The time has arrived! It’s the day of the school festival and by the end we’ll find out which club gets to stay and which club must close its doors forever. The Theatre Research Group has worked very hard and will do their best in performing the play. Of course Mugi is so nervous she continually passes out. But there is one problem that might be bigger than Mugi freezing on the spot. That problem is Nono’s voice. Nono has a vocal condition that causes her to lose her voice. Nono knows that this may be a problem but insists that the show must go on. The crew decides that if Nono’s voice is going to disappear she’ll give a sign and they’ll improvise their performance.
» Continue reading “Manga Review: Hitohira vol. 3″

Love Round!!
Story and Art: Hinako Takanaga
Published by the Deux Press Imprint of Aurora Publishing, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1934496553
ISBN-13: 978-1934496558

Review by Kris

Kaoru Komatsuna is very sensitive. He has a feminine name and has soft feminine features. Everyone knows that this is a hot button issue with him and not to approach it. Well, all but one person. Junya Kubo happened to pick up Komatsuna’s student notebook and made the mistake of commenting on his name. Next thing Kubo knows is that some adorable shrimp knocked him out, which is a shocking thing in and of itself. Why, you ask? Well Kubo is a boxer who is in training to become a pro.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Love Round!!”

The Manzai Comics vol.1
Story by: Atsuko Asano
Art by: Hizuru Imai
Published by Aurora Publishing
ISBN-10: 1934496502
ISBN-13: 978-1934496503

Review by Kris

Manzai: Japanese stand-up comedy style. It is usually performed as a duo with one straight man and one funnyman (basically Japanese Abbott and Costello type routines).

Takashi Akimoto wants to make it as a manzai performer but he can’t seem to find the right partner. That’s the case until new student Ayumu Seta transfers to his school. Ayumu has had a rather traumatic past and wants to put that all behind him and be a normal middle school student. He hopes that will be the case until Takashi approaches him and asks, “Please go out with me.” Being a bit weirded out Seta thinks that Takashi is gay, but Takashi only wants Ayumu to perform manzai. Ayumu eventually agrees, reluctantly. What Ayumu can’t figure out is why Takashi insists that he is the one to perform. Takashi wants to convince Ayumu that being normal is overrated and that Ayumu is special. When the school festival approaches Takashi and Ayumu have the opportunity to perform. Will it work out?
» Continue reading “Manga Review: The Manzai Comics vol. 1″