Finder vol. 1: Target in the Viewfinder
Story and Art: Ayano Yamane
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-186-7

Review by Kris

Akihito Takaba is a freelance photographer who got a hot tip and a huge scoop involving politicians and the criminal underworld but unfortunately the story was quashed. The crime boss Ryuichi Asami won’t have Takaba butting into his business so to intimidate Takaba he kidnaps and rapes him. But that won’t keep Takaba down. He’s determined to get the story one way or another. But he’ll need to watch out now that he’s entangled in Asami’s world. Not only is Asami after Takaba (he’s attracted to him) but it seems that Takaba’s caught the eye of the Chinese Mafia and their boss Fei Long. Man, poor kid! How will he handle these rough (but gorgeous) men? Also included are a few one shots: Love Lesson involves high school students, Plants in Love feature two classmates who find out their dads seem to be having an affair, and Risky Society is about a secret crime fighting group where the members have superpowers. Sorry for the poor synopsis but I really don’t want to give away the story.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Finder vol. 1: Target in the Viewfinder”

Train*Train vol. 3
Story and Art: Eiki Eiki
Published by the Doki Doki Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN13: 9781569700983
ISBN10: 1569700982
Review copy provided by the publisher

Review by I-hsiu Lin

Next stop is Minami-Kitazawa Station…please step away from the closing doors.

Fall has come to Minami-Kitazawa and Asahi Saruta has been there for some time working as a station staff along with his incredibly good looking senpais, dealing with crazy events that are all part of the schedule in that particular station (and some events that are not part of the schedule but are still crazy.) Their policy is ‘Service with a Smile’…and everything that it entails. But Asahi pops the question that might as well have echoed through everyone’s mind: “When did Minakita become the ‘Legendary Station Where Good-Looking Guys are Chose to work’…?

Actually, my question is…who are the guys on the cover?

Time for a flashback or two….
» Continue reading “Manga Review: Train*Train vol. 3″

breath vol. 5
Story and Art: Chifumi Ochi
Published by Yaoi Generation
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 0982188048
ISBN-13: 978-0982188040

Review by Kris

Review originally appeared at Manic About Manga at http://www.manicaboutmanga.com. Check it out!

It’s so hard to write a synopsis for the final book in a series. You don’t want to give anything away yet you want to be informative as well. I’ll try my best without spoiling too much.

Arata and Yanagi have finally expressed their feelings and are ready to move forward. But there is a huge obstacle in their way. That would be Ten, Arata’s younger twin. Ten will stop at nothing to keep his brother out of the clutches of anyone, not just Yanagi (read vol. 4 for more details). Now that Ten knows that Yanagi and Arata are back together he’s turned into a raving lunatic. After locking Arata in his room he’s roped Kashiwagi (more like threatened him) into his plan by taking him to Yanagi’s home. Yanagi was worried when he sent Arata home seeing how Ten would blow a gasket if he found out that they spent the night together (too late). Luckily Ten failed to confiscate Arata’s phone but when Yanagi calls to make sure everything was OK Arata was unable to warn him on what horrors await him. What will happen to our lovers and the psycho brother?
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: breath vol. 5″

Ciao Ciao Bambino
Story and Art: Momoko Tenzen
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: -156970-077-x
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-077-8

Review by Kris

On Kaname Imai’s first day at work is somewhat jazzed up when he saves young Yuuta Fujimoto from some aggressive men. Initially Kaname thinks Yuuta is an adorable young girl but Yuuta is all male. Kaname is a cram school teacher and a year after he saved Yuuta; Yuuta attends his cram school. It seems that Yuuta has developed a crush on Kaname, but there are some objects in the way. Kaname is a college student and kind of clueless and Yuuta is a middle school student and likes to look out for Kaname’s best interest. A relationship at this juncture is not in the cards but Yuuta is determined that one day he’ll seduce Kaname.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Ciao Ciao Bambino”

Unsophisticated and Rude
Story and Art: Momoko Tenzen
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-56970-060-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-060-0

Review by Kris

Momoko Tenzen-sensei seems to have a thing for schoolboys. Unsophisticated and Rude is an anthology chock full of high school and college guys.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Unsophisticated and Rude”

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”

Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture vol 1
Story and Art by Masayuki Ishikawa
Translated by Stephen Paul
Published by Del Rey , imprint of Random House, Inc.
ISBN10: 0345514726
ISBN13: 9780345514721
Review copy provided by publisher

Review by Linda Yau

Imagine always having the ability to see micro-organisms with your naked eye. What would it be like? Would you embrace this ability, shun it, or would you learn to cope with it? That is how Tadayasu Sawaki lives his life. He stopped speaking about this unique ability, but learned to cope with it. Now the story begins with him starting as a freshman at an agricultural college with his friend Kei Yuki, and this is a story of their experiences. » Continue reading “Manga Review: Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture vol 1″

Oishinbo A la Carte – Japanese Cuisine (vol. 1)
Story by: Tetsu Kariya
Art by: Akira Hanasaki
Published by the VIZ Signature Imprint of VIZ Media
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-10: 1-4215-2139-3
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-2139-8

Review by Kris

Food… its something that we all need. Not only do we need it to sustain life but it also is very important to society. We all have dishes that are essential to our culture and one mention of these meals people immediately know where that food comes from. Scotland has Haggis, Russia and borscht goes hand in hand. When you think of Italy pasta comes to mind and where would America be without its apple pie. Even though food is essential you wouldn’t imagine making an entertaining manga out of it. Well it has been done, and done very well.

Oishinbo A la Carte focuses on the Teito Times and their project called the Ultimate Menu. Shiro Yamaoka and Yuko Kurita are the two employees in charge. It turns out that Yamaoka is the son of renowned gourmet and famous artist Yuzan Kaibara. Yamaoka and Kaibara have been estranged for many years and the two don’t get along. They have very different views on how gourmet food should be approached. Yuzan feels that only those with culture and discriminating taste should be recognized as gourmets. Yamaoka feels differently. He feels that everyone should be able to enjoy good food and that gourmet meals can be found everywhere, not just in super fancy and expensive restaurants.
» Continue reading “Manga Review: Oishinbo A la Carte – Japanese Cuisine (vol. 1)”

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”

Brilliant Blue vol 2
Story and Art by Saemi Yorita
Published by Doki Doki Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN10: 1569701008
ISBN13: 9781569701003

Review by Linda Yau

Brilliant Blue is the love affair between childhood friends, Shouzo and Nanami. There is closure, and a probable sigh of relief from the mangaka for the conclusion. At the end of the manga, it was translated and reproduced as a very small box of thanks. I was actually relieved that the book ended with an epilogue, because that means that the story is over and done with. In the first volume there was promise, as I wrote in my review, but I was disappointed with the second volume, for several reason, and these are possible attractions of the book for a potential reader. » Continue reading “Yaoi Review: Brilliant Blue vol 2″

breath vol. 4
Story and Art: Chifumi Ochi
Published by Yaoi Generation
Copy supplied by Publisher
ISBN-13: 978-0-9821880-3-3

Review by Kris

Review originally appeared at Manic About Manga at http://www.manicaboutmanga.com. Check it out!

I want to first make it known that there may be spoilers in regards to previous volumes of the series, and I heartily apologize. Now that that’s out of the way lets get to the review!

Ain’t nobody happy in the fourth volume of breath. Now that Ten has successfully separated Arata and Yanagi and he’s somewhat happy that Arata is back within his grasp, or is he? Arata has always dealt with a huge inferiority complex towards Ten but because (in Arata’s mind) Yanagi chose Ten he no longer wants to spend any time with his brother. He’s so heartbroken he has no appetite and what he does eat he vomits almost immediately afterwards. Arata isn’t the only one who’s screwed up over this. Yanagi goes back to his playboy ways only more so. He’s drinking more and sleeping with just about anyone without really thinking about whom he’s sleeping with. It seems that those around him are a little concerned.
» Continue reading “Yaoi Review: breath vol. 4″

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”

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”

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”