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?”

Exotic and Delicious Fate
Story and Art by Ryoku Tsunoda
Published by Juné, imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN10: 1569700745
ISBN13: 9781569700747

Review by Linda Yau

Kaoru Miyagi is a bartender who found luck when an elderly benefactor gave him a job at the branch Tachibana restaurant. Fast forward eight years later, he is the manager of the restaurant. Enters the restaurant’s newest chef, Kasuga, and he is very interested in Miyagi. Kasuga also knows of Miyagi’s past that definitely changes his world, when reality comes to light.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Exotic and Delicious Fate”

Secret Moon
Written by Siira Gou
Art by Satou Tomoe
Published by Juné, imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN10: 1569706166
ISBN13: 9781569706169

Review by Linda Yau

After years of living abroad, Viscount Akihiro Tomoe moves back to Japan where he lives with his servant, and has enough business and money so that hardly anyone questions the front that he has. He is a vampire and shares the allergies of a vampire in only be able to go out after dark, but what sets him apart from being a vampire, is the fact that he doesn’t have any fangs. He is living what he believes to be a monotone life. One night after checking one of his many businesses, he sees a fight between a young man and some street thugs. » Continue reading “Yaoi Novel Review: Secret Moon”

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)”

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”

Kissing
Story by Teiko Sasaki
Art by Shoko Takaku
Published by Juné, imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by publisher
ISBN10: 156970922x
ISBN13: 9781569709221

Review by Linda Yau

Kazushi and Haru have been childhood friends, and now they are on the brink of graduating college. What happens when Kazushi suddenly pulls Haru aside and kisses him? This sets of a catalyst for Haru, who has to think about what would their relationship is and would probably turn out if he accepts or rejects Kazushi’s obviously last ditch to reject a girl’s confession – confession to him.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Kissing”

Steal Moon vol. 2
Story and Art: Makoto Tateno
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN13: 9781569701010
ISBN10: 1569701016

Review by I-hsiu Lin

Voyeurism taken to the next level.

In the first vol. of Steal Moon, street fighter Nozomi ends up as commodity in the peeping room internet site of ‘Digital Angels’. He later discovers that it is only a cover-up to distract a computer monitoring them from the moon, ‘Isis’. Teaming up with Hermes and Coyote (who placed him in this situation in the first place,) he finds himself wrapped up more and more with the conspiracy to take down the digital surveillance. Through it all, Nozomi falls for the enigmatic Coyote who in turn confesses his feelings for him. Just a bit more, Coyote promises that they’ll be free from observing eyes. But the situation turns to shock when during their final plan to shut down the moon’s computer, they had in fact turned it on. Hermes and Coyote had a plan of their own, but what about his feelings for Nozomi? “You may not believe me but…I still love you.”
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Steal Moon vol. 2″

Hey, Sensei?
By Yaya Sakuragi
Published by Juné Manga
ISBN 13: 978-1-56970-047-1

Review by April Kimm

Yaya Sakuragi is the mangaka of “Calorie,” “Soba ni Oitene,” “Renai Kyoutei Nukegake Nashi!,” “Koi Cha no Osahou” (Tea for Two) published by Blu Manga, “Mizu no Kioku,” “Plus 20 cm no Kyori,” “Yume Musubi, Koi Musubi,” “Hotel Traffic,” and “Oujisama no Ren’ai Jijyou.” “Hey, Sensei?” is a manga with four chapters and an epilogue of the main story, an unrelated one-shot “Unbreakable Bones,” and an afterword by the author. It’s soft yaoi, and sensei doesn’t lose his virginity until the last chapter, which may be why there’s a smut scene in the one-shot.
» Continue reading “Yaoi review: Hey, Sensei?”

Only the Ring Finger Knows novel 4
Story by Satoru Kannagi
Illustrations (all four of them) by Hotaru Odargiri
Published by Juné
ISBN 13: 978-1-56970-124-9

Review by Ginger Mayerson

Well, here we are again in the midst of the Yuichi/Wataru romance and it’s still just as annoying and frustrating as ever. Wataru is still stressed out, Yuichi is still mean, and I’m still rooting for Asaka to take Wataru away from Yuichi and make the poor little guy happy. Well, I doubt that’s going to happen because Wataru is an idiot and this is one of those first love/true love 4-evah kind of stories. And, unless Kannagi-sensi surprises me very much, Wataru will be thrashing around with Yuchi in this angstfest until the end of time. Kannagi seemed rather shocked when I suggested that Wataru could have sex with Asaka at least once. She’d probably faint if I suggested Yuichi’s older brother, Shohei, should seduce Wataru. Maybe I’m just embroidering this twisty story with some twisty ideas of my own because there’s so much angst and so little action and then what action there is is somewhat frustrating. However, I love these characters, I’ve stuck with them for six years and there’s only one more volume in this series of novels. So I think I’ll stick around and see what happens.
» Continue reading “Book review: Only the Ring Finger Knows, v. 4″

The Lonely Egotist
Story by Hikaru Masaki
Published by Juné, imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN10: 1569700516
ISBN13: 9781569700518

Review by Linda Yau

Minami Kusuga is an interior designer who catches the attention of hotel owner Shinya Asakura. He was hired to help design the interior for Asakura’s next hotel. He was seduced on their first meeting, and Minami was taken on an aggressive courtship, as volatile as the hotel owner himself. » Continue reading “Yaoi Review: The Lonely Egotist”

Eat or be Eaten
Story by Jinko Fuyuno
Art by Yaminaru Enjin
Published by Juné, imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN10: 1569706174
ISBN13: 9781569706176

Review by Linda Yau

As a management consultant, Masaki Ashizawa has been sent by his job to find the perfect candidate for a new innovative French restaurant, where the owner is already a renowned chef, but wants to nurture new talent. Ashizawa finds the chosen chef in Shuichiro Tsukbaki owner of Individu, a small French restaurant. Tsubaki is a man who cooks dishes that Ashizawa grown to savor and enjoy greatly. However, when Ashizawa approaches Tsubaki with the offer, the chef refuses. Now Ashizawa is left to try and convince Tsubaki, of the potential, but what would happen if there is a hidden reason for Tsubaki’s refusal? » Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Eat or be Eaten”

Time Lag
Story: Shinobu Gothoh
Art: Hotaru Odagiri
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN13: 9781569709214
ISBN10: 1569709211

Review by I-hsiu Lin

Two confessions and two rejections…but he doesn’t want to give up.

Satoru is in love with the star athlete of the school, Shirou. For the last two years, he would confess his feelings and be rejected. Though they were childhood friends, they don’t seem to be friends any longer. Seiichi has always comforted Satoru and encourage him to move on…but he couldn’t. As a photographer and a boy in love, his eyes are only on Shirou.

Supportive, calm Seiichi is editor in chief of the school newspaper where Satoru is photographer. Who Seiichi loves is obvious to everyone, except to Satoru. There are misunderstandings that take three years to unravel…but when Shirou and Satoru finally understand the past, will it be that easy to talk to each other?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Time Lag”

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 I-hsiu Lin

A passion that blossoms from behind the set of a live action drama. It’s been some time already since Minami became the hero, Oreidos. After their one night together, Sawada has rejected any feelings towards him. Resigned, Minami promised that he will not see him beyond their roles as enemies. That resignation appropriately supplies the drive needed for their characters on screen. During the filming of the special, Minami meets and ends up working closely with Takagi, Sawada’s old partner (on and off the screen.) As Minami and another actor, Katagiri draw closer together, Sawada agreed to give Takagi a chance at love again. Two couples taking a step in their new relationships. But then Sawada suddenly kisses Minami….

And we’re only up to the second half of the shooting!
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Hero Heel vol. 3″

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”

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

Review by Ginger Mayerson

“They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
“They may not mean to, but they do.
“They fill you with the faults they had
“And add some extra, just for you.

“But they were fucked up in their turn
“By fools in old-style hats and coats,
“Who half the time were soppy-stern
“And half at one another’s throats.

“Man hands on misery to man.
“It deepens like a coastal shelf.
“Get out as early as you can,
“And don’t have any kids yourself.”

Philip Larkin – This Be The Verse

I knew Philip Larkin was a genius, but I had no idea he’d sum up “Cut” in one poem. Although the parents and step-parents in “Cut” are more villainous than those in Larkin’s poem, he still nails it with:

“Get out as early as you can,
“And don’t have any kids yourself.”

And being yaoi, you can be pretty sure the last line will be true.
» 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”