English Translated

Spikey T says: As soon as I saw the above reference to Fruits Basket I was intrigued. I like humour and mystery with my yaoi, with perhaps a touch of angst to add salt to the sweetness and I was not disappointed.

Raizou is a wonderful main character, totally bewildered from the start with each of the residents offering various excuses as to why they will not eat the food he’s employed to prepare ranging from busy drinking or bored to “...Training?! Is that what he calls it?! No matter how you look at it...that’s just perverted!!...” as he himself comments. As a reader you do want to shake him at times as he is so dense, but that is part of his charm, an innocent among strangers.

As the plot unfolds the household reveals itself as even more strange and exotic than first imagined and I wanted to know a lot more about the various sub-plots and side characters. I was not disappointed and assuming this series continues in the same manner the author obviously intends to follow up various hints that have been planted throughout the story.

Yaoi and paper dolls (yes, paper dolls!) and angst and romance. Add in the mysterious and sexy Shoui Mitou, the current head of the strange family, a moody Kon, the love interest for Raizou, and you have an enchanting and riveting read.

All the characters are interesting and have as yet unrevealed histories which I anticipate will be explained in further volumes, and the drawings are the way I like them – clear and nicely detailed. I am definitely looking forward to volume 2.

Yaoi and Alcohol are a good mix, as How to Capture a Martini shows. It is a different path then the artist normally takes, starting with school romance. It goes past where a lot of these books stop, leaving those school boy days behind and adding a few more mixers.

I enjoy the art, it is on par with the rest of her works which can only be classified as top notch. So if you are fan of her style, this will be a nice view of beautiful bishonens and graphic sex to enjoy. Each character is gracefully created, and their designs are distinctive and befitting their personalities. They cover a nice array of tastes and fetishes for those after the eye candy that Makoto Tateno most definately provides.

There aren't a lot of backgrounds, but I find that most books don't focus on as much where the characters are, as much as who they are and what they are doing. She does give you a good idea of the bar and the main surroundings so you aren't lost in a sea of white panels and you always know where the action is taking place. (So to speak)

While the plot isn't a complex one, it is well written and the characters, even the side ones, are well thought out. Ms. Tateno has stepped out of the realms of crime and intrigue she has put on the hat of past lovers reuniting at happenstance meeting. Personally this story has a nice twist to it versus some of its company. I find that I am more interested in the mature lives of these two, that have had their torments, then the school age counterparts we see in a lot of Yaoi Manga. Becuase of this, I think the story, even being just a one-shot, has a nice level of depth to it that you normally don't find. I also find myself drawn to the other relationships in the book, and was glad to see that there was a small short story given to the side characters.

As a bonus they have provided a side story. This is a sweet story of school growing up and one of thier many encounters. And while, not as indepth or original. Its a nice addition to the rest of the book, almost a glipse backwards with out actually being so. Another couple but another path they might have taken.

If you like Martinis and Yaoi, this most certainly will catch your eye as she has done her research. Mixing two of her favorite things (as Ms. Tateno has a noted love of alcohol) has come up to make a great book.

For those that like playful romps through Yaoi and BL Double trouble is for you. Its full of a perverse playfulness that most of the serious volumes of the genre lack or avoid. You aren't going to be over wow'ed by the deep dark plots or drawn into these characters' souls like you would a more straight forward serious book, but like most romantic comedies, it will leave you guessing and thoroughly enjoying yourself while you read it's pages.

I don't think the synopsis really does the book justice as the story is really not just about the two of them, it has a third party and the instigator of the hypnosis found in Koh's over attentive roomate, Yoshino. Also, though as you read this book you think it will be Naruki and his suiters that get attention but all sigts quickly fall back to Koh, leaving him in a love triangle that for all intensive purposes is a square.

I thought this book was clever, even though it uses the repressed sexual tensions of step brothers, it has found a way to give it it's own spin and make it fun. The ineractons of the three characters, from the schemeing to the innocent, encompas some of the best archtypes of the genre and the witty clever banter will leave most people entertained througout. Even the cover that looks oh so innocent, upon second glance, Koh' pants are undone.

As far as sex is concerned, this book does a lot more talking then doing. And you will have long discussions about who is nailing who, and who wants to nail who then see anyone actually get that far. While there are a few sex scenes, the most detailed of them is found in the bonus story. However, there is a lot of eye candy and face shots to those that like their share of Bishonens. Bare chests, sparkling face shots, and even a few nice ass shots are there to add to your viewing pleasure.

The art is actually more detailed the most, the pages filled up with characers, emotions, chibi's and scenery. You won't find really any outlined or called-in drawings as you are looking through the pages and each character is distinctive. Even the personalites are drawn differently so you know who's who.

To put it simply, this book is pure naughty fun. You are just as likely to see the chibi expressions, sweet faces and alurring teases, as you are to see the common conversation. It is light read and an enjoyable one. For those that like romantic comedies with a touch of naughy,and a spice of competition; or even those that need a pick me up after a hard day, Double Trouble is fine read. It will keep you entertained and fill you with smiles.

To start out with, I will say that the back of the book really dosen't do the story inside justice. Not only does he take this guy home but by the middle of the book is blackmailing him to keep up his rather torid and active sex life. This book has a lot more then just one encounter in it and the story progresses well beyond what is hinted at. But that being said....

Breath itself is not for the faint of heart or the timid when it comes to sex. The sex scenes are frequent and not with out their details including (but not limited to) Rimming, teasing, cherry popping, and just plain old fashion anal. For those of you with a bit of a shy streak, this one is probably not a good reader for you.

Having said that, this book isn't lacking for plot either. I don't feel like I am in a cheap porno waiting for the plumber to "survice", or the pizza man to come and deliver. Everything in this story has reason and meeting. Wether it is flirting at a gay bar or just visiting a friend, this book manages to keep things going full circle.

Also Keep in mind this is the first of a multi volume set. A lot of the main plot has only been lightly touched upon. You can already see the bud of the starting relationship but they just haven't gotten there yet. You won't feel like you are missing something by reading these in volumes, but you definately feel that the story should continue. Normally I like to read in sets, but at the same time, Breath vol 01 makes a solid stand on its own. Having a basic arc and finishing up that story you can feel like you read a whole as well as part of a whole. You won't be left hanging, but you won't feel like that is all there is to see

The art of this book is quite nice. I haven't run into a lot of Ochi's stuff before, but it is cleaned lined, detailed expressions and a lot, A LOT of detailed sex. It keeps to basic backgrounds and miminal texts but it dosen't come of as missing something that you need. This is a story that focuses on the characters in art and story, and I believe that the style reflects that. Each of the characters comes of as his own, even with dealing with twins you are don't feel like you are dealing with a mirror, or getting confused with who's who. Every character will give you his own vibe and his own set of expressions.

I will say , that this is Yaoi Generation's first publication. So expect there to be some flaws. The only one that really stood out to me, is some of the non boxed text got lost in the hair in printing. Nothing major to the story, just some of the characters and thoughts will be lost if you are just skimming text or not looking closely. However, on the flip side, the solid binding, no printing flaws and a full color first page are a very good step toward the future of their publications. The compact size is more on the lines of Deux press and 801 then June's large size, which for some makes it an easy fit in their bookshelf.

As a total package, Breath is a impressive first showing for the new company. Its a great read and well as a vivid, sexually charged volume. For those of you that like hardcore, and serials, this one definately belongs in your "to buy" list.

For people not equated with this series, don't start here. The three volumes in this series rely on each other and the story flows from one with the other. Honestly, if you can afford it, I would try to pick up all of these books together as it helps the multiple story lines stay fresh.

This book is gritty, not everything ties up with neat pretty lines and you will find yourself drawn into the hard visuals of the world of Yakuza. Becuase of this, you are going to run into the dirty side of life. Rape, violence, guns, and cross dressers..you name it, you can probably find it in this book and this series. Don't expect any boring pages here, or lack of action in one form or another. The stories flow well and each story leads itself to the other. You aren't getting a lot of breaks in the stories, there are no pauses or places that you have to switch gears. (except the ending side stories) The author finds a nice way of intertwining everyone and their lives to create a single book out of so many people. This well choreographed story will keep you and not let you go.

Even with a large cast, every character is distinct each person has their own styles, their own tattoes and scars. Every character is well developed in its graces, mannerisms, even speech. Considering the size this cast is no small feat, and through each story and each page you will find a consistant art. Impressively most of the panels are full of characters, backgrounds and solid images and fight scenes. There is nothing that will leave you feel empty or lacking. You aren't going to see large negative space and several face shots. (Well there are a few, but not in the art department)

To lighten it up at the end of the story lines comes the side stories. These bizare little hardcore stories will leave you laughing, or just going awe and its a nice way to cut the drama and weight of what comes before. Sex runs rampant in these books, but these final pages you will find a few going all out. Make sure you keep your sense of humor but enjoy the detail. They are definately something to enjoy and with sound effects like "splat" they will leave you with a smile.

Together beautiful art, well written multiple storylines, as well as a touch of the hardcore make this a solid and stirring ending to the series. It is well worth the investment, and something that you can enjoy for every aspect. Yakuza in Love is lacking nothing, and its sure to keep your attention the entire ride.

I would have to say that this book impressed me in several ways. Kirishima has managed to combine the sweet aspects of a love story and the graphic nature of something more hard core.

The story progresses fairly quickly from the meeting to falling in love. Even so,you don't feel that it is lacking for story. Most of this book is taken from the mind of the main character, Taketora, but I feel that you get to know all three characters. Even Akatsuki's story line is weaved well into the main story so it doesn't feel like thrown in piece just to add space. Well composed, this story will draw you in, for both the "aww" factors and rich romance that unfolds.

The art in this book is a mix of the super deformed cutsey and the serious drawn styles. Its a nice mix and again,you don't feel like its there becuase the author wanted to force a lightening up of things or anything. It mixes well, and all the times that he is chibi is usually becuse the lovable Shiba is breaking something...or spilling something....or breaking and spilling something. So it just adds to the story telling and helps give you that playful feel that just makes you want to laugh. The serious side of the art are a bit messier then the styles of books like Kizuna or others that are hard-lined, however, distictive character designs, lovely expressions and well drawn bodies wll draw you into this book just as much as the story.

Sex. There is tons of sex in this book between the main two characters. Well detailed, it is probably more then some people are used to. (several insertion shots) They are expressive, enjoyable and something that doesn't seem awkward. Kirishima wasn't going for the artsy or flowery with theses scenes, they are graphic straight foreward and well put together. As long as you don't mind fuzzy ears and tail, they are a nice addition to the book overall.

Ruff Love is a joy. It is full of life, fun, a lot of kink and a good heart. A sweet story that will draw you in with a unique sense of innocence and a dirty mind all in one. If you are feeling down or you need a pick me up, or even if you just want a light read that will give you a thrill, Ruff Love is worth the money.

This book, really surprised me. Most BL manga has a formula, where its a direct romance and there isn't alot of action. Even in the hardcore stuff you will usually find a lot of monologues, inner thoughts and then getting down and dirty. But, The Crimson Spell is just refreshing to say the least.

You aren't going to find deep thoughts and great ramblings of feelings here. What you will find a lot of action, a lot of violence, and yes, A lot of sex. The story lines don't revolve around angst or self conflict, but rather the conflicts of bandits and demons and breaking spells. Even a dragon pops up. The author says herself that its hard to mix the two genres and I agree, but Ayano Yamane has found the formula to do so.

This book entertaining, but it is also captivating. It's story is well thought out and put together so you don't feel like your rushed, or your going somewhere becuase the author is forcing it. The dialogue is true to character all the way through, and even when they go to chibi its for a reason, and dosen't seem out of place in anyway. Its fun, you aren't sitting there ho humming or skipping pages to see what comes next becuase every page is full of something, wether it is a steamy love scene or an action sequence this manga will never leave you bored or wanting.

The Art is lovely. its hardlined detail and full pages keep you wrapped inside this book. There is no dead space, but even so, it doesn't feel overly busy or filler. Its just a beautiful piece of art that continues for pages. The characters never get sloppy, or cheaply drawn, and its consisitancy and backgrounds are just impressive. I can honestly say it's something of a rare find in a genre that usually has alot of white space and face shots (both kinds ^^).

Not only is the combat and detail is impressive, for hardcore fans you will get a nice treat. Even the sex in this book isn't quickly done, but rather, its in the same detail as the rest of it. Vivid images of two creatures pulled together in the heat of passion , and its not too scarce either. You will find this book is full of the two of them enjoying life and enjoying each other.

The Crimson Spell is a rare gem of action adventure, magical fantasy, hardcore sex and an all together mix of the best parts of Shonen and BL. For fans that like a little more meat to their stores as well as fine art lovers, this is a must buy.