[MANGA REVIEW] Wild Kiss by Hisaya Nakajo

Wild Kiss by Hisaya Nakajo

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Since it was short, the plots are rushed. At first I thought it was a Yaoi but it was actually a shonen-ai. Artwise, it was okay but nothing impressive.

By the way, Hisaya Nakajo is also the mangaka of Hana Kimi or Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (For You in Full Blossom) the famous shoujo manga series.

~ This full color spread artwork is pretty nice tho. This is what caught my attention and interest. I do love cute and small-size ukes.

* Reviewed on 23rd August, 2014

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[ANIME REVIEW] Kono Danshi, Ningyo Hiroimashita. (This Boy Caught a Merman)

Kono Danshi, Ningyo Hiroimashita. 

(This Boy Caught a Merman)

I've just watched this new shounen-ai anime of a lonely sad boy saved by a merman when he fell into the sea. I think it was heartfelt and really sweet. The graphic was pleasing and also artfully done. Definitely worth watching.

                  Just look at the beautiful colours:

             

              Isaki-san is just too cute. I want a merman in my living room too!

Synopsis:

They say look before you leap and make sure you can swim before you go in the deep water, but when a picture of his late grandfather falls into the ocean, Shima jumps in after it without thinking. Nearly drowning as a result, he is instead saved by a very perfect stranger... one whose strangeness extends to only being human from the waist up! For Shima, who's always felt like a fish out of water himself, it's more than just a revelation, and the young man and merman quickly begin to bond in ways neither anticipated. And yet, it's going to be far from easy sailing. After all, Shima and Isaki aren't just from opposite sides of the tracks, they're from entirely divergent species, and swimming in separate gene pools may make maintaining a long term relationship a whole different kettle of fish!   

Source: Sentai

Plot Summary:

Spoiler:

Shima has always strove to be an excellent obedient child to his parents and to others, but in the process he could never be himself. Because of this he has always felt lonely, even with all the people who say they love him. When the picture of his recently deceased grandfather falls into the ocean, Shima nearly drowns jumping in after it. He is quickly saved by a mysterious man. In a daze Shima confesses his loneliness to the stranger, who then vows to stay by Shima's side for as long as he needs him. Shima quickly finds out that this stranger is a merman. Shima takes him home, and names him Isaki. Isaki and Shima quickly become friends, but find out that their feelings for each other might go past that of friendship. - Credit: Anime News Network

[REVIEW] Haikei, Niisan-sama by Tohru Tagura

3.5 Stars for this angsty brotherly romance.

As usual, I appreciate abundance of angst in my stories and this one was at it from the start till the end.

The brotherly love between Yutaka and Minoru was really endearing. The angst are mostly the pair of brothers battling with their own more-than-brothers affection towards one another. It is an incestuous story but it does not involves..

Title of Spoiler:

...any sex. Minoru leave Yutaka's chastity intact.

So this is just shonen-ai instead of yaoi.

Since they both are suffering from deep brother complex, there are times when I would question if they truly loves each other as lovers or it was only a misinterpretation of strong siblings love? They themselves was pretty confused on this as well.

As for the artwork, it was pretty nice although some might complain Yutaka looks like a girl. He's still a teenager anyways. On the other hand Minoru does looked really young here much like a high schooler despite being a 26 years old man. Then again asian guys tends to look younger than their age and the years would only begin to show in their late 30s.

All things considered, this is a decent shonen-ai manga and was fairly engaging.

* Reviewed on May 10th, 2014

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[REVIEW] Ikumen After (Vol. 1) by Kazuma Kodaka

Ikumen After (Vol. 1) by Kazuma Kodaka
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Read from March 20 to 21, 2014

A sweet story of two dads falling in love and their struggles as single parents. They shared parenting tips and help support each other. For Izumi, it's love at first sight, he was practically drooling all over his child's pre-school friend's handsome daddy. As for Asakura, he found his feelings for Izumi deepens each day without realizing the nature of his affection towards another guy.

The story of Vol. 1 ends with a direct brazen confession that left Asakura flustered. I can't wait to follow the love story of these two single dad with their cute kids. I am pretty sure Asakura would overcome his confusion and acknowledge Izumi's love for him. Usually I don't quite like kids in my M/M or Yaoi books but the kids here are super cute. They mirror their daddies so much yet unlike their daddies, they are very honest and straightforward with their feelings. The adults has much to learn from them.

The artwork was good and the story was interesting and entertaining but I don't think this series could be compared to Kizuna - Bonds of Love Book 1, Kodaka sensei's earlier accomplished yaoi series. Kizuna was unforgettably good. So good that it is basically a must-read for all Yaoi fans.




BOOK DETAILS:

Title: Ikumen After 1.
Associated Names: イクメン☆アフター
Author: Kazuma Kodaka
Publication Date: 2010
Type: Serialized BL Manga
Genre: , Comedy, Drama, Shounen Ai, Slice of Life, Contemporary, Romance
Tags/Keywords: Gay-for-you, Childcare, Divorced Parent/s, Father-Son Relationship, LGBT Parent/s, Love at First Sight, Older Uke, Younger Seme, Salaryman, Single Father, Single Parent, Widow/Widower

Description:
This is a really cute, sweet story about two single dads Asakura and Kentarou, whose young sons happen to go to the same daycare.



* Reviewed on March 21st, 2014

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