Manga-ka: Toko Kawai
Publisher: DMP
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: December 2008

Synopsis: “Daisuke Matsukawa and the up-and-coming young cameraman Kentaro Nishioka have developed from comrades who work well together into friends who are called lovers. But even though he’s sexy, the shy Nishioka is also obstinate and naughty. Poor Matsukawa has no idea where this love affair is headed.”

Though I’d read several of Toko Kawai’s work before, it’s never really clicked with me. Her art that always seems to have a certain retro-feel to it that I didn’t find appealing and her classically branded semes and ukes failed to offer me anything substantially unique for boys’ love. Despite my previous thoughts, I’d heard a great deal of good regarding her series Loveholic and decided to give it a go, leaping in at volume one and finding myself greeted by a pleasant surprise.

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Manga-ka: Youka Nitta
Publisher: DMP/June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: December 2008

Synopsis: “Keshiki and Izuru were best friends as little kids. But when a heartbreaking family tragedy changes Keshiki’s world forever, he pushes away all of the wonderful things that used to fill his carefree days with joy… including the confused and hurt Izuru. Many years later, the two boys find that they’re students at the same school. Has time healed Keshiki’s wounds, or does he need a helping hand to lead him out of the darkness and into the light of friendship?”

Best known for her multiple volume series, Haru wo Daiteita (and recent art scandal), Youka Nitta puts together a collection of short stories here in White Brand. Ranging from a fear of dirty things to a couple of mind readers uprooting an artistic scam, there’s plenty here for readers to sink their teeth into, both with interest and scrutiny.

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Manga-ka: Ayumi Kano
Publisher: DMP/June
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: December 2008

Synopsis: “Kei’s grandfather is a well-known architect, and the young boy cherishes every letter from his beloved relative… until the notes suddenly stop. Now, Kei must visit his grandfather’s distant island home and solve the mystery for himself! Upon arriving, he meets the shy and aloof Michuru, a serious student at the school where Kei’s grandfather once taught. Michiru may have the answers to Kei’s burning questions… but will he cooperate?”

In its title story, Sea View follows a young boy named Kei who enrols himself in a architertual school with the hopes of finding his grandfather. A man reknowned for his talent in the trade, Kei’s grandfather sent Kei building blueprints and notes for years until one day the notes stopped, leaving Kei looking for answers. When he reaches the tiny island that his grandfather called home and his school sits on, he meets a bit of an odd boy named Michuru who may hold all the answers. Following this story is a tale of a photographer who is granted access to a home that’s said to have a beautiful secret garden, one he discovers is tended to by the beautiful but alluringly delicate son of the household.

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Manga-ka: Kazuho Hirokawa
Publisher: DMP
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: November 2008

Synopsis: “When law student Masahiro Matsunaga has his eye caught by the beautiful, seductive Takane, it’s lust at first sight. No matter what, Masahiro simply must bed his gorgeous classmate, even if it amounts to a one-night fling. After discovering his goal was easier to achieve than he’d realized, Masahiro finds he’s in another dilemma – once is not enough! It becomes all Takane all the time as far as Masahiro is concerned, but the object of his obsession has no lack of other “sex friends”. For Takane, committing to one lover is a ridiculous proposition, one he’d never consider, unless Masahiro can make the case for monogamy. Is it possible for animal lust to grow into true love?”

The Dawn of Love had a few things in its favour as far as I was concerned the moment I got mid-way through chapter one. Most of all, the two leads are already gay. They’ve come out, had their share of lovers and have no regrets as to the matter, eliminationg the need for the most-often required acceptance that two boys in a yaoi will fall in love with eachother with little thought to their sexuality or consequences. Our two college students are quite comfortable being gay and a not a moment is spent questioning otherwise, leaving time for the big question that rules the majority of the book: ‘Can monogamy work between two men?’

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Manga-ka: Shinri Fuwa
Publisher: DMP
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: December 2008

Synopsis: “When Kyoya, a former employee at Homura Yasobe’s host club, stumbles upon his boss’ clandestine affair with Touji Karasuma, the leader of a rival Yakuza faction-Kyoya seizes upon the opportunity to blackmail Homura into going out with him. But will the cold and calculating Touji accept defeat and let his beloved Homura go?”

After a former employee of Homura’s host club learns about his boss’s four year affair with rival Yakuza member, Touji Karasuma, he seizes the opportunity to blackmail Homura into a date. What begins as a protection of the men’s status turns into an emotional leaning post for Homura whose thoughts just can’t be pried from Touji despite their growing absence from eachother’s lives.

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Manga-ka: Duo Brand
Publisher: DMP
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: December 2008

Synopsis: “The delicate edge of a perfect sword can slice through flesh without a sound… but only the rarest weapon houses an apparition-battling spirit, too! Two warriors – one naïve and one experience – must wield their special blades with great care in order to conquer their opponents. Elsewhere, a clumsy young scientist and a cautious priest feel the sharp pangs of desire… and an ancient-monster lashes out for the one he loves.”

I’m a huge sucker for stories involving priests and monks, and in a lot of cases, traditional Japanese clothing in general, so some of these short stories had me at the get-go. Personal interest aside, however, this collection of inter-connected stories managed to earn few brownie points for itself past that quirk.

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Manga-ka: Riyu Yamakami
Publisher: DMP/June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: October 2008

Synopsis: “Clumsy Akira is head-over-heels for his best friend, the confident and handsome Takuya. Too bad Tatsuya has a gorgeous girlfriend… and no idea that Akira watches his every move! When the strange and sarcastic Tanabe steps in to distract (and tease) his lovesick pal, Akira’s sure he’s just looking for a little excitement to pass the time. However, it becomes impossible to ignore how well Tanade seems to know his thoughts, wishes and deepest secrets…”

Sighing Kiss was a book that fell victim to first impressions with me. The fluffy though rather dull looking cover had me slipping this book to the lower section of my to-read pile, and even after unwrapping, the interior art left me just as underwhelmed. But always one to enjoy being proven wrong, Sighing Kiss ended up being much more than my initial thoughts gave it credit for and I’m all the happier for it.

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