Awaken Forest

Title: Awaken Forest

Volume: 1 of 1

Author: Yuna Aoi

Illustrator: Yuna Aoi

Type: Manga

Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing

Genres: Anthology

Age Rating: 18+ Mature

The Story

There are actually four stories - Awaken Forest, Loose Bonds, Be With Me 'Til Morning, and Be With Me 'Til Night.  I wasn't particularly impressed with any of them.  The first story involves one of my personal yaoi taboos, incest.  *shudders*  I don't care what excuse the author comes up with, I just really don't like it.  The other three stories are fairly predictable - even the supposed "twist" in Loose Bonds wasn't a surprise to me...but I've read a lot of yaoi, so maybe that's why.  The final two stories get a little bit more attention form me because they're mildly humorous...but that's about it.

The Characters

The most interesting characters by far are in the first story, Awaken Forest; I actually feel a little bit for what's happening to them and the dynamics of their relationships with each other.  That's not really the case in the other three stories; the characters just aren't really interesting enough to care about.

The Artwork

Th art is all very pretty with lithe, manly semes and dewey-eyed ukes all over the place.   Body proportions, for the most part, are very nice and fun to look at...but for some reason the artist really likes to give her guys pronounced shoulder blades.  It doesn't look bad all the time, but there were a few scenes where I briefly wondered what was sticking out of the guys'  backs before I quickly realized it was simply a bunch of over-pronounced bones.

The Sex

The sex wasn't overly graphic - mostly lots of scenes where the men are obviously unclothed and obviously enjoying themselves.  However, for those of you who, like me, are bothered by rape, consider yourself warned - there's an almost-rape scene in the first story and in the third story there's a definite rape scene (at least in  my opinion.)  I don't care if two guys are "together" in the story, if one of them says 'no' and the other one ignores him that's rape in my book - yet another one of my yaoi taboos (especially when the characters are an established couple or wind up as an established couple.)  :(  

Overall

I have to say that I probably won't be keeping this one for my personal collection.  Aside from the very pretty art, there just wasn't much to hold my interest.  Add to that the fact the this book broke not one, but two of my yaoi taboos and that's definite grounds for removal from my manga shelves.   On top of that, I've never been a huge fan of anthologies, especially yaoi ones; I like a bit more character development in my male couples than anthologies can typically offer.

You & Me, Etc.

Title: You & Me, Etc.

Volume: 1 of 1

Author: Kyugo

Illustrator: Kyugo

Type: Manga

Publisher: Blu

Genres: Short Stories, Slice of Life, Drama

Age Rating: 18+ Mature

The Story

What I Didn't Like - I'm not usually a fan of short story collections - the authors usually try to tell too much in too little space.  There's also rarely enough time for any real character or relationship development.

What I Did Like - Despite the short story format, I felt very comfortable with those offered here.  Granted, the plots aren't overly detailed, but they're still well-planned and rarely felt rushed.  I will admit that the first story didn't feel complete after reading it, but the last story complimented it nicely, so in the end I have no real complaints.

The Characters

What I Didn't Like - There wasn't much not to like.  The only true stereotype to be found was the "overbearing female editor", and to be honest, I sort of like that one.  ;)

What I Did Like - While it's difficult to develop characters within the span of a single short story, the author pulls it off remarkably well.  I was especially impressed by the characters from "A Beautiful Tomorrow", and how quickly the author was able to capture my interest with their pasts.  Out of all of them, that was the story I would most like to see turned into a full-length manga.

The Artwork

What I Didn't Like - I wasn't overly impressed with the art style, but it wasn't bad either - just average yaoi fare.

What I Did Like - The lines , proportions, facial expressions, etc,. are all good, I have no complaints.  The make-out scenes are also nicely illustrated.  However, what I really like is the artist's way of drawing humor.  Kyugo manages to fit it in at all the right moments, balancing the serious with the comedic almost perfectly.

The Sex

Ironically enough, despite the "Mature" rating of this manga - there is NO SEX; there isn't even any nudity to speak of.  The closest it gets is a suggested heterosexual blow job.  In other words, it's obvious that it's happening, but it's not hardcore in any way - in fact, a box of text fully covers the "deed" itself.  So, while there are quite a few scenes of guys making out with each other, no actual sex goes on in this book.  To be honest - if you're looking to purchase this title for your public library, I would say that (despite it's Mature rating) as long as it stays in the adult section, this would be a relatively safe yaoi purchase to make (depending on the patrons you typically serve, of course.)

Overall

This is a cute little collection of boys' love short stories that don't really fit the norm.  While there are a few stereotypes found here and there, the stories still manage to feel fresh.  I'll happily be keeping this one in my collection - if only so I can day dream about a longer version of "A Beautiful Tomorrow".

No Touching At All

Title: No Touching At All

Volume: 1 of 1

Author: Kou Yoneda

Illustrator: Kou Yoneda

Type: Manga

Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing

Genres: Drama, Slice of Life

Age Rating: 18+ Mature

The Story

What I Didn't Like - The story itself is pretty atypical - two salary men working in the same office discover they have feelings for each other, thus drama ensues.  There aren't any real surprises with the plot, it just sort of meanders through the lives of the characters.  Also, it reads a bit oddly - there were several occasions where I had to double back to try and figure out who had said what.  Once I got used to it, it was fine, but by then I was half done with the book.

What I Did Like - I like the story's pacing.  The main characters' relationship isn't something that happens immediately; the reader is introduced to them as individuals and gets to know them, just as they are getting to know each other.  Even once they're together, things aren't rushed - they just sort of go at a "real life" sort of pace.  This made me feel more involved with the story in a way that I don't think I would have have been otherwise.

The Characters

What I Didn't Like - The main couple's back stories felt...contrived.  They're supposed to be all angsty and dramatic, but I just didn't really feel anything for them as their pasts were revealed to me.  As for the rest of the characters, they pretty much stayed in the background - except, of course, for the obligatory "male friend who knows the main characters are gay and supports them."  He plays a small role and is used mostly to move the plot forward.

What I Did Like - I like the role reversals of the seme and uke.  In this story the seme doesn't fit into the typical dark and brooding stereotype that generally follows them around like the plague.  Yes, he has some darkness in his past, but overall he's a pretty happy-go-lucky guy.  Whereas it's the uke that tends to be dark and brooding and has to be pulled out of his shell by the seme.  I also like that the characters each have their own flaws - they aren't the "perfect" men that seem to invade a lot of yaoi these days.  In many ways, this made them easier for me to relate to.

The Artwork

What I Didn't Like - To be honest, there wasn't anything I disliked about the artwork.

What I Did Like - Good proportions, nice angles, solid lines - what's not to like?  The men are handsome in a playful sort of way that really appeals to me, and their facial expressions do an excellent job of conveying even subtle emotions.  I also enjoyed the artist's choices when it came to using poses to convey specific emotions; these were all wonderfully executed.  

The Sex

What I Didn't Like - For me, there wasn't anything not to like.  However, I'll use this section to describe what others might not care for, because this really is just a matte of tastes.  The sex was what I would classify as softcore - it's obvious what the two men are doing and they're obviously unclothed, but the really "naughty bits" are alway (in my opinion) tastefully hidden.  As for the amount of sex in the book there were a total of 6 scenes - more than enough for me, but others may beg to differ.   ;)

What I Did Like - I like that the seme didn't take the uke by force the first time - something that seems to be a common occurrence in yaoi stories.  I also liked the gentleness most of their sexual encounters conveyed - it's almost tentative - a feeling that works very well with who the characters are and why they've fallen into this relationship together.

Overall

For me, this book was enjoyable enough to make it a keeper.  While the story itself isn't very strong, the main characters and their budding relationship make this one worth reading again.

Test/Informational Post

I'm working on a new manga review site geared towards yaoi fans (obviously). While intended for fans on the hunt for new titles to read, it's possible this site will be useful for librarians, as well, since it seems a lot of female patrons are asking for yaoi/shonen-ai titles in the library setting.  I will also try to include here manga that have a heavy amount of subtext, but aren't necessarily (or strictly) relating to boys' love, again as an option for librarians.


Things that will be included in each review:  The Story, The Characters, The Artwork, The Sex (because let's face it, that's what most of these books are really about, right?)  I'll basically be using a "what I liked vs. what I didn't like" format for each of those sections.  I might include other sections, but I'm going to try to keep it fairly simple.


Note:  All of these books come from my personal collection, so I cannot guarantee that they are all still in print and available via U.S. retailers.