Suggestive Eyes
Story and Art: Momoko Tenzen
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-045-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-045-7

Review by Kris

We all know that breakups are hard. Megumu Okazaki is a popular grad student who is trying to put his life back together after a heart-wrenching breakup. Hisashi Kina is a handsome 3rd year college student who seems to have fallen for Megumu. The two end up in bed together after Megumu runs into his ex. The problems arise when both Kina and Megumu have no idea what direction their relationship is headed. Do they love each other or is Megumu only using Kina as a rebound fling to heal his broken heart?

Another couple, professors at Megumu and Kina’s university, also makes an appearance in their own story. Kikugawa and Shibata attended the same college and now teach at said college together. Kikugawa is quiet and comes across as somewhat aloof. Shibata, on the other hand, is social, personable, and gets along with everyone. This is truly a sweet romance where opposites attract and that if you are truly compatible you can have long, fulfilling relationship.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Suggestive Eyes”

Hey, Sensei?
Story and Art: Yaya Sakuragi
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-047-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-047-1

Review by Kris

Written in the corner of a test Tomohiko Isa catches the note “I love you, Sensei” from one of his students. Isa is a stoic high school math teacher. The surprise comes from who left the note, male student Takashi Homura. Homura happens to be the younger brother of his college girlfriend. It was in this relationship that Isa discovered that he was gay and he figured that Homura was using this as a way to get back at him. Bombarded by Homura’s constant sexual attacks he discovers that Homura’s love confession was in fact real and had no idea that Isa was gay.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Hey, Sensei?”

Princess Princess Plus
Story and Art: Mikiyo Tsuda
Published by the DokiDoki Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-090-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-090-7

Review by Kris

There is a somewhat strange tradition at the all-boys Fujimori Academy. Instead of having a more traditional style of mascot (you know something along the lines of Jaguars, Cougars, Spartans, Bees, etc.) they have the Princesses. A few of the prettiest boys are chosen to dress in drag and cheer on the various clubs on campus. Mikiyo Tsuda introduced us to the Princesses in her series Princess Princess and continues the concept in Princess Princess Plus.
» Continue reading “Manga review: Princess Princess Plus”

Clan of the Nakagamis – The Devil Cometh (vol. 2)
Story and Art: Homerun Ken
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-033-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-033-4

Review by Kris

Everyone says that their family is crazy (believe me I’ve used that excuse a time or two) but in the case of the Nakagamis, they are truly crazy. You have a family obsessed with the middle son Tokio, an older son who is a cross-dressing shojo artist, and a younger brother who is somewhat gullible when it comes to his older brother. But the siblings are just the tip of the iceberg. The mom and dad are eternally youthful and look much younger than their children and the grandfather is the youngest looking one out of the bunch, if you didn’t know any better you’d think he was around the age of ten or so. If you’re interested in checking out reviews for the first volume you can read mine or a great male perspective by Tom Good.

Things seem to going OK with Haruka Iijima and Tokio Nakagami but they aren’t moving fast enough for Iijima thanks to the butting in of the rest of the Nakagami clan. But an ominous wind blows in the son of the head of the family and president of the Nakagami Group, Hibari Nakagami. It seems weird to the rest of the family that Hibari just shows up out of the blue to collect Grandfather Mitsuru (the ten-year-old looking grandpa). But instead of leaving with Grandfather he seems to have taken Tokio’s heart with him leaving Iijima, and the rest of the family worried. Only they’re worried about different things, Iijima feels that Hibari is taking his beloved sensei away from him, and the Nakagami clan figure that Hibari is using the fact that Tokio once had a thing for him to take advantage of him and his youthful appearance. Will Iijima and the rest of the Nakagamis be able to rescue Tokio before anything horrible will happen to him?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Clan of the Nakagamis – The Devil Cometh (vol. 2)”

Hey, Class President! vol. 1
Story and Art: Kaori Monchi
Published by the 801 Media, Inc. Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-934129-30-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-934129-30-2

Review by Kris

For any yaoi reader you know that when you have an all-boys school there is going to be hooking up. In Kaori Monchi-sensei’s Hey, Class President! there is plenty of sex to go around.

Kokusai and Chiga have been in the Judo club together but recently Kokusai has been elected as class president. It seems that the school’s tradition in to elect the most wanted guy. And that guy is Kokusai. Kokusai gets to select his vice president and that lucky soul is Chiga. Chiga doesn’t understand why on earth anyone would want to elect Kokusai as the class president. He’s slow and clueless to things that are going on around him. He’s a stalker and pervert magnet and he’s always being groped by strangers on the train. Now that Chiga is in the picture he keeps creeps at bay. Chiga is a known womanizer and never has a shortage of girlfriends but since he can’t seem leave Kokusai alone he finds himself attracted to Kokusai as well. What will happen to these two?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Hey Class President! vol. 1″

Love/Knot
Story and Art: Hiroko Ishimaru
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-029-x
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-029-7

Review by Kris

By day Keigo Someha works as a somewhat unsuccessful private investigator. But for his evening job, an assassin for hire, he’s much more successful. On his way back from his evening job he finds a young man who’d collapsed in front of his house. This young man has a unique look and piques Keigo’s interest. When the young man awakens in a strange environment, he freaks out. Keigo, like a good host should, introduces himself and learns the young man’s name, Emiya Nozaki. Emiya is very wary but poses an interesting proposition. Since Keigo is not the best detective, Emiya gives him some information about a person he is currently looking for. If the info is correct Keigo has to let Emiya stay with him. Of course Emiya’s information is spot on so Keigo allows him to stay. But while on another job he that a top secret government experiment escaped and that he may be getting a call. It turns out that Emiya is the government experiment. He possesses a high intellect and seems to have ESP abilities. Now that Keigo has accepted Emiya into his life will he be able to hand him over to the government, or will he protect him from having to go back to the place he tried so hard to get away from?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Love/Knot”

Awaken Forest
Story and Art: Yuna Aoi
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-058-3
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-058-7

Review by Kris

Yoshimori is a newcomer to the editorial department but for some strange reason he’s been tasked to retrieve the manuscript of the well-known and very talented author, Orito Suga. He had the opportunity to meet Suga-sensei and his brother at a work function. These two brothers are beyond handsome and Yoshimori is looking forward to spending a little time with these two handsome men. But behind these two gorgeous yet mysterious brothers lies a secret that can be the end of these two, and with Yoshimori not only living with the Suga brothers but also feeling an attraction to Masato something dangerous seems to be lurking.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Awaken Forest”

Utahime – The Songstress
Story and Art: Aki
Published by Digital Manga Publishing
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-044-3
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-044-0

Review by Kris

There is an uncertain future for a far off land. You see for centuries the land has been protected by the nightly singing of the songstresses. The songstress sings a song of protection toward the capital where the ruler resides. The ruler has always been male while songstresses are always born female. But there is a wind of change. In one of the villages that sprung up around the songstress’ tower the unthinkable has happened. A male songstress has been born. Not only that but when the ruler of the land’s wife gives birth to a daughter, are they doomed?
» Continue reading “Manga Review: Utahime – The Songstress”

And now some very graphic words from our friends at Digital Manga.
» Continue reading “Industry news: New from DMP”

CUT
Story and Art: Toko Kawai
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-043-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-043-3

Review by Kris

Life is tough. If there is anyone out there that says any differently they are lying through their teeth. CUT by Toko Kawai shines a light on some serious but real problems that face not only teenagers but adults as well in today’s world. I am going to inform you now that CUT deals with some very intense and heavy subject matter and it is a manga not for the faint hearted. Because of that if the synopsis seems a bit spoilery it’s actually like that so you are aware of how deep this story really is.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Cut”

Desire – Dangerous Feelings
Story by: Maki Kazumi
Illustrated by: Yukine Honami
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-573-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-573-5

Review by Kris

It seems that many of the yaoi novels that are published are ones that are based on popular yaoi manga. You have Passion: Forbidden Lovers, Only the Ring Finger Knows, and now Desire – Dangerous Feelings. Desire is a yaoi manga written by Maki Kazumi and illustrated by Yukine Honami. If you are interested in reviews for the manga you can check out my review or Ginger Mayerson’s fantastic review of this manga.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Novel Review: Desire – Dangerous Feelings”

Secret Moon
Story by: Siira Gou
Illustrated by: Satou Tomoe
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-616-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-616-9

Review by Kris

I didn’t know that there were werewolves in Japan but thanks to Secret Moon I have been illuminated on that fact. In Secret Moon we meet Akihiro Tomoe a mysterious gentleman who has just moved from England. There seems to be something strange about Akihiro. He hardly ever leaves his house and if he does leave it’s always later on in the evening or at night. Akihiro lived in Japan many years ago then moved to England. He’s back in Japan and enjoying all of the changes he’s seeing in the country. There is definitely something different about him. Not only is he an absolutely stunning specimen of man, but he seems to give off vampire vibes. But Akihiro isn’t a typical vampire. He has to drink blood like a vampire but he doesn’t have the fangs to draw blood. Since he’s a man he can only partake of female blood. Akihiro doesn’t really like to be around women because of the desire to drink their blood but he’s not attracted at all to women. Yes, Akihiro is gay.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Novel Review: Secret Moon”

Love Code
Story and Art: Sakurako Hanafubuki
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-598-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-598-8

Review by Kris

Koji Mizuhara, the hottest thing in Japan right now, and Kyo Ayukawa, a rising star, have been dating for a while now. The two are hot and heavy but most still don’t know about their relationship. Mizuhara seems to have a dark past that not many know about and one of Ayukawa’s co-workers seems to know more than most. But this co-worker has a chip on his shoulder and seems to be harboring some jealousy toward Mizuhara. Plus there is a history with Saiki (the co-worker) and Mizuhara.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Love Code”

Double Trouble
Story and Art: Takashi Kanzaki
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-585-2
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-585-8

Review by Kris

Kou Sawara has a massive crush on his new stepbrother. He’d never had a mother’s attention and Naruki Sawara is quite domesticated. Luckily he is able to escape to his dorm at school. But he’s in for a surprise; Naruki has followed him to school! Naruki is only a year older than Kou and he adores his new brother. Of course Kou struggles with his own urges to jump Naruki but he takes it upon himself to protect his brother from other perverts at Seiran (their high school). Kou’s roommate, Yoshino, offers up his hypnotism abilities to make it so Naruki can protect himself. But Yoshino has an ulterior motive. He’s in love with Kou and wants to help him realize that Kou is really the uke instead of the seme that he thinks he is. Once the hypnotism is complete the if the sweet Naruki gets turned on he turns into super aggressive ’seme-Naruki’. It seems that Naruki is also attracted to Kou but is only able to do anything about it while he’s in seme-Naruki mode. With Kou now being in the uke position Yoshino is determined to win over Kou.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Double Trouble”

Where Has Love Gone?
Story and Art: Ryoku Tsunoda
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-021-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-021-1

Review by Kris

Motoi Takayama is a successful salesman at a pharmaceutical company. He admires his co-worker Ryouichi Ishikawa for his perfection in all aspects. He’s talented at his job, he’s hardworking, and gorgeous. Takayama is gay and he can’t help but catch himself staring at the handsome man from time to time. No one knows Takayama is gay and he wants to keep it that way. That all changes one night when a chance encounter with none other than Ishikawa witnesses a make-out scene between Takayama and a man. Takayama is worried about the fallout of this discovery and figures he’s as good as fired. Thankfully Ishikawa feels that whatever happened outside of work should stay there unless it is going to affect your performance. As the day progresses, however, things turn all topsy-turvy. Takayama has an excellent day of sales while Ishikawa has a terrible day. He tries to blow off some steam with a lady in the office but she runs off in huff. Since Takayama is the only one left Ishikawa forces himself on Takayama. He doesn’t seem to see a problem with it because Takayama’s gay, so he likes it right?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Where Has Love Gone?”

Tricky Prince
Story and Art: Yukari Hashida
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-607-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-607-7

Review by Kris

Eugene is an impoverished student at university. Because he’s poor and only getting by because of his scholarship all he does is study. At his university there is a very high profile student there. It happens to be the prince of the country, Willis. Eugene doesn’t have time to worry and speculate what the prince is up to, unlike many of those that live in his dorm enjoy doing. When the dorm Christmas party arrives Eugene is holed up studying when his roommate and other dorm residents ambush him and dress him in drag for the party. Since Eugene is nearsighted (his fellow residents hid his glasses) he stumbles right into the Prince Willis. Since Eugene has no idea who he’s addressing, he pulls no punches in his comments. Willis thinks that Eugene is dressed this way for a gag and immediately is drawn to him. It turns out that there was a paparazzo following Willis and took a picture of these two in an embrace.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Tricky Prince”

Hero Heel vol. 3
Story and Art: Makoto Tateno
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-728-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-728-9

Review by Kris

We’ve reached the explosive final installment in the Hero Heel trilogy. I will provide links to my reviews and other J LHLS reviews for the first two volumes at the end of the post.

Trans-Dimensional Warriors Airguard is headed towards the series end. That fact is starting to sink in and everyone is working very hard to put in their best performances. The romances between Minami and Katagiri and Takagi and Sawada seem to be going on, full steam ahead. But things are just bubbling under the surface. Sawada doesn’t seem to be satisfied with sleeping with Takagi so he has a parade of partners going in and out of his apartment. Minami is confused because of Sawada’s bizarre behavior towards him. Katagiri and Takagi are caught in the middle of this stormy relationship.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Hero Heel vol. 3″

Blue Sheep Reverie vol. 1
Story and Art: Makoto Tateno
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-606-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-606-0

Review by Kris

Kai has traveled to this city with no name for one reason, to find the murderer of his lover Maria and exact revenge. Maria wore a distinct ring and when the murderer fled the scene he was wearing her ring. While watching the television he saw a man wearing Maria’s ring. That man was Lahti Bara, a one-man killing machine in the nameless town. Kai will get a job working under Lahti and take his chance at revenge. But Lahti isn’t nicknamed “Steel Lahti” for nothing. He is the public face of the gang Sarte. He is quick thinking, light on his feet, and has a knack for fighting. Kai figures that being one of his posse will be the quickest way to get his vengeance.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Blue Sheep Reverie vol. 1″