Boys Next Door Reviews

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

I know all about the Youka Nitta scandal. I think she pulled a dumb-ass move and am glad that she’s taking a break for a while. This doesn’t mean that I hope that she’ll never work again or that I’m going to shun her work. Even though her faces look very similar, I still like the style. I like her characters and I like how she writes.

I’m going to be really cranky if she doesn’t finish Embracing Love because I want to know what happens, dammit! Let’s not get into the fact that the company that had the licence for Embracing Love managed to fuck everything up royally and that no one has stepped in to buy up the licences. No, I’m not bitter about that one; not at all.

That being said, White Brand is not one of my favorite Nitta releases. It’s good and it’s going directly to the keeper shelf, but it’s not one that I’m drooling over. It doesn’t have some of the over-emotional storytelling that I’ve come to love nor the extremely graphic sex that has become one of Nitta’s hallmarks.

No, this is a collection of shorts about characters trying to find a place where they fit in and to find love at the same time. It’s sweet. In fact, sweet may be just about the perfect word to sum up this release–it’s not usually a word I associate with Nitta.

My favorite story revolved around the American who went to Japan to learn the art of lacquering. He apprentices with a Japanese master and proceeds to work his way up through the ranks even though all of the other apprentices think that he’s never going to make it solely because he’s an American and can’t truly understand the Japanese aesthetic.

However, the master’s son appreciates his American guest and wants to see him succeed. Well, okay, he wants to do more than see him succeed–he wants to get fucked five ways to Sunday, but as this is a fairly non-graphic release, so we’re concentrating on his PG-rated wants.

Now, of course our young man gets what he wants and our American finds success. So, we have a happy ending, but there are all of these angsty little bits that make me want to care about the characters and their happiness. This is why this one is staying on my keeper shelf.

Say what you want about Nitta. I’m going to keep following her work, hoping that she’s learned her lesson and will make a return to manga soon.

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

I’m a huge fan of kyūdō or the art of Japanese archery. Ever since I read Rin, I’ve thought that it was beautiful and an interesting plot device. That, combined with Takanaga’s storytelling and art, turns what is a basic and formulatic plot into something that’s really special.

Haru is a young teacher who’s subbing at a prestigious high school. That’s all well and good, but his problems arise when he’s asked to help coach the archery team. Haru used to be an accomplished archer, but quit suddenly for no apparent reason.

The reason for his abandonment of archery was because of his unrequited love for his best friend and fellow archer, Reiichiro. Seeing Reiichiro rattled Haru out of the necessary concentration needed for his sport, so to get away from his feelings, he walked out of Reiichiro’s life and archery.

It should come as no surprise that the star archer at the new school is Reiichiro’s younger brother, Tsukasa. It should also come as no surprise that Tsukasa has the hots for Haru. See where this is going? Now, the whole student/teacher thing is getting to be a bit old, but when done well, I still enjoy it. This release is a prime example of how to do it.

There’s no big surprises here, no deep revelations or plot twists, just a nice story that holds your interest and is drawn well. And, that really makes me happy.

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

I really like Miyamoto even when she takes me places that I don’t expect or don’t really want to go. After reading all of these saccharine titles that have been coming out, it’s nice to have something that has an ending that isn’t happy ever after.

There’s Shiunomiya, who’s gorgeous, but lacking in the morals that most people have. He’s an art student in college which is where he meets student photographer, Matsuoka. After agreeing to pose nude for the photographer, Matsuoka ups the ante by asking Shiunomiya to sleep with him for some extra cash. Finding that he doesn’t hate male sex, Shiunomiya comes back for more and soon finds him prostituting himself for extra cash.

We’ve seen this before, right? Wrong. Yes, there’s sex and, yes, Matsuoka pulls Shiunomiya out, but the feelings don’t come through until it’s too late. Leaving Shiunomiya feeling for the first time with no outlet. So, with nothing to anchor him, Shiunomiya floats adrift.

It’s melancholy, beautiful and sweet–the perfect antidote to some of the crap that’s been coming out. It’s not one that I’m going to go back and read right away, it left me feeling too raw for that, but it is one that I will go back to when I’m in the mood for a good cry.

I’m really impressed by the releases that Deux is bringing over. I’ve been pretty much happy with everything that they’ve released so far. I’m not sure how long they can keep up this winning streak, but I’m going to keep following them.

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

I do love vampire stories. Vampires are erotic all on their own, so throw in some BL touches and I’m in heaven. This is such a nice change from the schoolboys and saccharine sweetness that I’m used to seeing from June. This vampire isn’t a fluffy bunny. No, he’s angsty and tortured and seems to have a rich back story that’s going to get revealed in future volumes. Our willing victim, Lou, finds himself caring for the vampire after he’s asked to paint a portrait of his true face. In Kusumoto’s mythology, vampires can not see their reflections. Vampires also seem to have the ability to transform into a winged demon when weakened or angered.

Our vampire, Sein, also has a history with a young man named Adam whose family is the keeper of some esoteric secrets. Secrets that can bind Sein or set him free. Throw in another vampire who’s got it in for Sein, has a kink for interesting torture and you’ve got something that draws you in and keeps you interested.

The relationship between Lou and Sein is complicated. I’m still not sure the depth of Sein’s feelings, though Lou has fallen under Sein’s spell. Sein was first attracted to Lou because Lou looks exactly like his grandfather, whom Sein used to spend time with.

It leaves you asking questions. Just what exactly was the relationship between Lou’s grandfather and Sein? What does Adam know that he’s not telling? What’s going to happen to our sweet, innocent Lou who is dragged into something far beyond what he was expecting when he took the vampire’s commission?

This release is extremely well drawn and sucked me in from page one. I can’t sing the praises of this one enough. It’s got everything I want in a BL release. Sadly, it’s going to be far too long before they can get the next volume to me. I want to know what’s going to happen! I haven’t been this excited about a series in a long time!

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

I did not have high expectations for this release. The story seemed a bit silly and I didn’t think that I was going to enjoy the art. Plus, I didn’t recognize the author’s name, which is pretty weird, given the fact that I really like the other release by her that Deux brought over, Say Please. So, I’m very happy that my first impression was proved wrong.

Haruya is a talented writer who is unmotivated to finish any project. He’s happy to just putter around in his small house by the sea, letting life flow around him. His peaceful life is rocked when he meets a troubled young man, Maki. Maki can’t stand to be touched and is trying to escape from an unhappy family situation. Haruya doesn’t quite know what drives him to help Maki, but he finds that Maki becomes something he doesn’t want to live without.

It’s not the easiest relationship–Maki has issues, Haruya has an ex-lover who’s jealous enough to cause some problems and let’s not even get into the age difference. Still, with all those obstacles, they end up being far better together than they are apart and this is what makes this release a fulfilling read.

Add to all of this a cat and I am in heaven. I am a cat person. I like cute drawings of cats. Just like in Love Mode, my enjoyment of the story is increased by the addition of cute cats. Maybe that’s the secret to getting me to like a release–adding a feline.

I’m really looking forward to more from this artist. One thing that I especially enjoyed was her non-stereotypical portrayal of Haruya as a gay male. It’s nice to have a departure from the typical BL rules. Haruya is comfortable with that he is gay–it’s just who he is. There’s none of the typical angsting where he’s trying to come to terms with his feelings for another male. It’s such a nice change from the early days of BL where the guys fall in love with each other despite their gender.

Do I think we will ever see a realistic portrayal of a gay male in BL manga? No. Normally, this fact doesn’t bother me. It’s not supposed to be realistic, but a character like Haruya is a refreshing change.

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

For a series that I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get into, I’m really enjoying how the various Junjo couples can make me smile. It’s insanity and sweetness all tied up with a bow made of cute. I’m still not sure how long they’re going to be able to maintain this level of goodness before it’s pushed over the edge, but I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

In the Junjo Terrorist camp, Miyagi and Shinobu are fighting. Shinobu is jealous of Miyagi’s ex-lover. Of course, the fact that the ex-lover is dead has no bearing on Shinobu’s feelings.

On the Junjo Romantica side, Misaki gets a confession from an unexpected source which causes him to show his true colors. Usami reacts with his normal lack of emotion mixed with his overblown, over-dramatic actions.

Then there’s the Junjo Egoists who turn everything into a battle of wills, even with something as simple as planning a date.

As I’ve said before, it’s hard to write a review when we’re so far into the series. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but I also don’t want to confuse the hell out of people who may just be tuning in.

It’s a fun series and a relief to read after some of the crap that’s been inflicted upon me this week. I’m so happy that BLU is going to keep releasing the series.

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this release. The first volume was so sweet and funny that I found myself completely hooked. I’m happy to say that the second volume continues with the sweetness and inspired lunacy that made the first volume such a treat.

So again, we have Ozawa, who is very earnestly giving his all to the publishing company. He’s determined to be the best editor that he can be. This is all well and good, but it doesn’t leave him much time to see his lover, Kakyoin. Now, if you remember from last time, Kakyoin is a BL artist, working under a female pseudonym. The only people that know he’s a male are Ozawa, the head of the editorial department and Kakyoin’s devoted team of Gothic Lolita assistants.

When Ozawa and Kakyoin manage to be alone with each other, it’s explosive, but it’s really hard for them to find that time. Things get even more strained when the head of the editorial department sends Ozawa on an interview to judge a new artist.

This new artist just happens to be a gay man. When the new guy shows promise, the editor-in-chief is no dummy and wants to see if she can make magic happen twice. She wants Ozawa to work with this new guy, to see if he can inspire him the way that Kakyoin does. Ozawa’s game as long as he doesn’t have to sleep with the new guy. His ass belongs to Kakyoin.

Then, the editor-in-chief gets the bright idea that Kakyoin should mentor the new guy. That would work, except for the fact that no one knows that Kakyoin is a guy! Ugh! What a mess.

It all works out in the end, but it’s quite a ride getting there. I love the humor and the tone of this series. It pokes fun at the BL industry without ever being mean-spirited. It’s just all-around cute and wonderful. The only thing that I don’t like is the length of time between releases!

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

I liked this one! I wasn’t sure if I was going to given the fact that the romance is very light, sweet and the smut is non-existent. I do like a good dollop of smut in my releases, but if the story is good enough to leave me with a feeling of happy contentment when I’m done, then I tend to not miss the smut.

Shusuke spends his days working at a liquor store. His tranquil existence is shattered when his friend from high school, Atsushi, returns home. Shusuke had a crush on Atsushi in high school and was devastated when Atsushi left without a word. Now that Atsushi’s back, those long buried feelings are coming back as well. The question is whether or not Atsushi returns those feelings.

This release is surprisingly sweet and well done. It’s also surprisingly well drawn. I wasn’t expecting something of this quality when I bought this release on a whim. It’s good enough that I’m looking at picking up other releases by Mamahara that BLU has scheduled to release. There’s a lot to be said for the power for pure storytelling and this release is crammed full of it.