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Posts Tagged Boys’ Love/Yaoi

Review: Boys Love

By Shannon Fay on Saturday, November 28, 2009

5 Comments »

Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Kaim Tachibana
Publisher: Doki Doki
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “Magazine editor Mamiya meets popular high school model Noeru Kisaragi for a story Mamiya’s working on. When Noeru suddenly tries to go down on Mamiya and makes sexual advances at him, Mamiya turns him down flat. But Mamiya’s loneliness starts to get to him and he decides to try starting over with Noeru on equal footing. Mamiya’s sincerity causes Noeru to open his heart as well, and before long the two begin to form a deep emotional connection, but…”

One problem I have with many yaoi manga is the sense they give that if a relationship isn’t some earth-shattering love-story to end all love stories, then it’s just not worth it. Not every couple has to be soul mates destined to be together forever and ever. This may make me sound like a cynical, unromantic grouch, but some love stories could really be helped by dialling back the melodrama. Boys Love is a good example of this.

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Join Kuriousity: Currently Seeking Yaoi Light Novel Reviewer

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 27, 2009

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Here at Kuriousity we do our best to cover as many manga releases and genres as we can but it becomes more than apparent with so many great books out there to read that there’s just not enough hours in the day! So as of now we’re officially looking for a new reviewer to add to our team.

We’re currently looking for a Yaoi/Boys’Love Light Novel Reviewer. Chosen applicant(s) will not be expected to solely review light novels but that will be the focus of this position.

The role of reviewer is not paid but you will recieve copies of books to review and they’re yours to keep! All applicants must currently reside in Canada, be 18 years of age or older and of course have an interest in boys’ love, manga and writing.

Interested? Send your name, e-mail and an example review to reviews (a) kuriousity.ca

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Categories: Reviews, Site Updates
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Light Novels

Review: Color

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 27, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Eiki Eiki/Taishi Zaou
Publisher: DokiDoki
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: June 2009

Synopsis: “When art student Takashiro Tsuda chose to show his painting, Color, in a gallery exhibition, he never dreamed that an uncannily similar painting would hang next to his – with the same title, even. Works of art come from the deepest depths of an artist’s soul, so how can anyone else be expressing themselves so much like Takashiro? Filled with a yearning to find his artistic soulmate, Takashiro goes off to art school in Tokyo and meets classmate Sakae Fujiwara. Soon, Takashiro learns that this is the artist he’s been searching for – the one who created a Color so much like his own – but Sakae is a guy! Can such a profound connection between two people transcend gender and become something more?”

Takashiro is a young artist whose work has recently been displayed in an art gallery. However upon his visit he sees a very similar painting hanging next to it and immediately becomes enthralled with the idea of meeting its creator. When discovering that the painter Sakae-san is a young man, and soon a classmate at that, Takashiro’s quickly growing affections may’ve hit a speed bump but it’s only sent them flying.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Doki Doki, Manga

Review: Love Code

By Shannon Fay on Wednesday, November 18, 2009

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Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Sakurako Hanafubuki
Publisher: June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: January 2009

Synopsis: “We first met superstar actor Koji Mizuhara and rising pop idol Kyo Ayukawa in “Junior Escort,” where a passionate misunderstanding led to true love. Now, the “Sweet Slave Scandal” series continues in this second installment, “Love Code.” Despite their hectic schedules, Mizuhara and Ayukawa still manage to keep their relationship happy and lovey-dovey. The future of their careers seems bright as well. Mizuhara is about to make his Hollywood debut and Ayukawa is about to record a music CD. But Mizuhara’s dark past and some jealous people will try to break this couple apart. And, in the end, Ayukawa needs to decide which is more important—his career or Mizuhara.”

Love Code is the sequel to the yaoi manga Junior Escort and continues the story of actor Koji Mizuhara and his pop idol boyfriend Kyo Ayukawa. I wasn’t a big fan of Junior Escort. I found it dull and I wasn’t looking forward to reading the next book in the series, but I’m glad I did, as Love Code is a vast improvement. It’s still not as good as it could be, but at least now I want to keep reading the series and see what happens next.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

Review: Liberty Liberty!

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, November 15, 2009

1 Comment »

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Hinako Takanaga
Publisher: BLU
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “After fleeing Tokyo, trying to escape a personal crisis, hapless Itary winds up drunk and passed out on a neighbourhood trash heap. His misery is documented by prickly cameraman Kouki, who works for a local cable station, and soon the two end up roommates and co-workers. But with a company full of quirky characters, including a perky, winsome cross-dresser, and their own personalities to content with, will Itaru and Kouki ever truly understand one another?”

While out on assignment, Kouki stumbles across a runaway sprawled in an alleyway. A good deed not going unrewarded, he finds himself both puked on and his new camera smashed! None the less he generously takes the young man, Itaru, back to his apartment to get cleaned up – but with Itaru having no where to go and no money for payment, he soon becomes a more long-term tenant of Kouki’s home.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: BLU, Boys' Love/Yaoi, Hinako Takanaga, Manga

Review: Hey, Sensei?

By Shannon Fay on Thursday, November 12, 2009

1 Comment »

Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Yaya Sakuragi
Publisher: June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: April 2009

Synopsis: “Hey, sensei…play with me?” Straight-laced Math teacher Isa is shocked by this proposition, but quickly regains enough composure to give the student, Homura, a good whipping. Undaunted, the brazen Homura continues to shower sexual advances upon the hapless Isa every chance he gets. Sensible and rational as the discipline he teaches, Isa calmly dismisses and rebuffs the student’s passionate display. But when Isa glimpses sincerity in Homura’s eyes and realizes that his pupil’s confession of love is true, his cool demeanor begins to falter…”

Despite being based on a bit of a taboo relationship, Hey Sensei? is more sweet than scandalous. The book deserves its 18+ rating because of the love-making scenes between the characters, but the generally sweet tone of the book gives the sex scenes a gentler vibe than found in many other yaoi.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

Review: Exotic and Delicious Fate

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 6, 2009

1 Comment »

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Ryoku Tsunoda
Publisher: June
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: August 2009

Synopsis: “Eight years ago, Kaoru Miyagi was a struggling bartender with only a middle school education, until a kind benefactor took him under his wing and gave Miyagi a job at Tokyo’s classy “Tachibana” restaurant. Enter Kasuga – a new chef from a sister restaurant, who takes an immediate, enthusiastic liking to Miyagi. Why should Miyagi pay any attention at all to someone as immature as Kasuga? Unless… the impulsive chef has answers about Miyagi’s past that could point to a future beyond his wildest dreams!”

With many likeable aspects of Ryoku Tsunoda’s previously released, Where Has Love Gone?, there was plenty to look forward to in another of her one-shots. While Exotic and Delicious Fate doesn’t work as neatly as a one-shot as the previous it still proved itself a charming piece of short-term entertainment.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

Review: Ludwig II (Vol. 02)

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, November 1, 2009

1 Comment »

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: You Higuri
Publisher: June
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: September 2009

Synopsis: “The kingdom of Bavaria was absorbed into the German Empire during the latter half of the 19th century. The stunningly handsome king of Bavaria— who never married and who would have operas and plays privately staged for him—wandered between fantasy and reality, alone in his extravagant crystal palace, Neuschwanstein. “I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others,” Ludwig II once said, and now we reach the final act of his drama.”

Bringing to a close the tragic life of Ludwig II, You Higuri’s loosely-based historical take on the reign of Bavaria’s King continues to view his life from a personal perspective – following the sordid romance between Ludwig and his consort Hornrig while madness continues to nip at his majesty’s heels.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

YaoiCon 2009: Digital Manga

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, October 31, 2009

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Easily the most anticipated panel of this year’s Yaoi Con, Digital Manga brought out the big guns as promised in recent weeks to deliver to the eager audience. Deb Aoki and The Yaoi Review were both present and live-updating the panels so thanks to them both for the information.

You can read all about it under the cut –

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Conventions, DMP, Doki Doki, Hinako Takanaga, June, Makoto Tateno, Manga

Yaoi Submissions, Schedules and a Staggering Zombie

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, October 9, 2009

3 Comments »

Some boys’ love news snippets today with submission closures, convention schedules and an undead publisher still looking to make a return:

Yaoi Press has recently updated their info page to inform propestive creators that their submissions are currently closed. This is a uncommon state for Yaoi Press which has spent the majority of its time open to new stories by writers and artists. The page does however offer up an honest and open look at why their submissions are currently closed and assurance that they still have previously submitted works on file.

Word has been circulating for a while about Digital Manga’s big yaoi title announcement, promising many happy fans, and that they’ll be making said-announcement at the upcoming Yaoi Con. Today Digital Manga has posted their Yaoi Con schedule including their industry panel and signing times for special guest, Makoto Tateno (see art above).

Digital Manga has also sent out a press release about signed and framed Makoto Tateno artwork which will be available for sale both at Yaoi Con and on their online shop, Akadot.

And lastly, in an odder turn of events, DramaQueen has updated its online shop to showcase what they’re calling a “Rebirth Sale”, offering up several of their back issue books for cheaper prices along with a message that suggests they’re still working on the comeback that they’ve promised for so long. Hmm… sounds sort of familiar.

I won’t beat the proverbial horse on this one but suffice to say DramaQueen hasn’t done anything to win readers’ sympathy or support in the past two years but I suppose it’ll still be interesting to see if they ever do release another book. Still, as much as I’m all for supporting the industry, it’s my honest opinion that shoppers should stay away from ordering through DramaQueen’s online website. The risk is simply too high that prospective buyers will only join the line of people still waiting for DQ to pay their dues.

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