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

Synopsis: “Welcome to the renowned Shoei Acadamy, a school which prides itself on educating young men from respected families from kindergarten all the way through senior high school. When new teacher Reiji Kurashina transfers to the academy right in the middle of the school year, he proves to be the star all of the senior high boys have been waiting for! But who has a shot at being the special someone to this cool and beautiful teacher…?!”

One manga niche that is sorely lacking in titles is yaoi harem series. There are dozens and dozens of series that feature a guy surrounded by beautiful girls (Love Hina possibly the most famous example) or even a girl surrounded by handsome guys (Ouran Host Club) but hardly any where both the main character and his/her numerous love interests are the same gender. While there may not be a ton of titles with that premise, there is Kurashina Sensei’s Passion.

Read more…

Follow

Share on Tumblr

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.

Read more…

Follow

Share on Tumblr

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.

Read more…

Follow

Share on Tumblr

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.

Read more…

Follow

Share on Tumblr

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.

Read more…

Follow

Share on Tumblr

Manga-ka: Sakurako Hanafubuki
Publisher: June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: November 2008

Synopsis: “Ayukawa is a hot up-and-comer in the flashy world of celebrities…but he pales in comparison to the superstar Mizuhara! It’s impossible to pass a newsstand or television set without seeing Mizuhara’s perfectly chiseled features or delicious body. So, when Ayukawa agrees to a special “transaction” involving his incredible idol, he figures it’s just part of his rise to the top…but is there something (or someone) lurking behind the velvet curtain?”

Male modelling is the backdrop for the main story in this collection of boys’ love tales, but unfortunately the manga-ka doesn’t take full advantage of the story’s setting. Making your main characters models raises the bar in terms of character design: if you’re going to make them models, they better be pretty darn hot. Ayukawa and Mizuhara may be good looking, but nothing makes they extra special. There are better looking couples in the book, many of whom also have a more interesting plot line.

Read more…

Follow

Share on Tumblr

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

Synopsis: “Megumu Okazaki is a well-liked college grad student, still reeling over a recent break-up. When younger classmate, Hisashi Kina, catches Megumu on the rebound, one thing leads to another – and to bed. Now, the two of them are involved in a relationship together that’s a little less-than-defined. Megumu has no interest in continuing to sleep with someone he doesn’t love, but for Hisashi, real feelings are definitely involved. To complicate the situation, Megumu’s not sure he’s truly put his past love behind him. How can Megumu understand his own feelings for Hisashi, or even be fair to him, when his heart is being pulled in so many different directions?”

This manga takes very little time to set things up. Within a few pages you’re right in the middle of Megumu and Hisashi’s problematic (but not dysfunctional) relationship. Eventually the manga does flashback to show how these two got together, but I liked how it started with them as an established couple.

Read more…

Follow

Share on Tumblr