...I had to write something for Jigoku Meguri. It's definitely got its issues, but all in all, it's a fantastic, underrated piece. I wish it had gotten an official English release, so I could own a nice hard copy, but I digress.

The art (most of the time) is beautiful. I don't understand the comments about the art not being very nice, since I find it unique and evocative, but I guess that's a matter of taste. I'm not a huge fan of the way all the ukes are drawn so...slender and short, and the semes are drawn so huge, but that's just me, and I can definitely see the appeal. There are also occasional issues with the way faces/angles are drawn (awkward and very "yaoi") but in general, this is a style of art that I really, really appreciate. Worth reading alone for the visuals, IMO, since we don't often get this style in yaoi.

Unlike all the other reviewers, the first volume was definitely my favorite. I liked the uncertainty between Enma and Takimura, and I REALLY liked their hilarious, playful banter. I enjoyed the cheerfulness of the demons and the unexpected sweetness of all the characters. I thought this was going to be a hardcore, sex driven yaoi just because it took place in Hell, but really, it's got a cast of some of the most genuinely sweet, selfless characters I've found in yaoi. I usually don't like over-sweetness (gives me a bit of secondhand embarrassment), but I changed my mind a little while reading this, haha.

I LOVED that Takimura wasn't a sniveling uke in Vol 1, but cool, collected, and totally unafraid of hell/the King of Hell. I loved that he really, truly desired Enma and that Enma would never, ever force him. The second volume **SPOILER**



Despite those complaints, the author handled the premise skillfully, and the side story about the Wisdom King and the first Enma was a nice (if slightly depressing) touch. The mangaka really built an elaborate, beautiful world and atmosphere in just 2 volumes, and while I can't say this is OBJECTIVELY the best yaoi I've ever read, it definitely has a special, unique little place in my collection. It's unlike anything else I've read, and I would recommend it to anyone who's tired of the usual rape = love scenarios.

I rarely give 8/9/10 ratings, but JM really deserved this one.

... Last updated on March 17th, 2014, 1:10pm

the idea about HELL is pretty catchy. knowing that the story has something to do with 'hell' makes me think it would be a bittersweet romance between the human and the king (living x dead? not to mention deep attraction is still vague... must wait patiently for feelings to develop); Art is good; hope it'll have a good ending. >

I think the plot had so much potential, and being 2vol I thought it would be awesome but...

Cool plot and no rape. How did the student get to Hell alive. For a dead evil guy, the devil was one hot lover and decent for once. Who would have thought Satan would be the good guy.

This is undoubtedly one of those yaoi mangas that can't be accused of unoriginality! The Hell setting is something I've never seen before in this genre and the plot is completely fresh as well. It probably could have been developed a bit better though.

The themes in the first and second volume seemed a bit separate and at first the turn of events in the second volume felt random. I reread the whole thing, however, and since stuff about Enma and Takimura's past is brought up early on (though briefly) and Kayo is even mentioned by name, I changed my mind. It was actually rather well designed, hints were dropped from the very beginning and then everything is revealed in the second volume.

Perhaps it's the whole thing with Takimura's teacher that distracts the reader from the main plot. I thought it didn't quite fit with the over all feel of the story and it just wasn't necessary to my mind. But it was a great story anyway and unpredictable in a good way. I didn't expect it to end the way it did. And I must say I adored the ending! It was happy, which I liked, but bittersweet to make it all the more emotional. But why did it have to end? The whole idea with the ending there had enough potential for another volume to explore it fully. Still, you know, if you crave for more the story must have been good. And it was!

The characters were all sympathetic and engaging as well. I loved Chizuru by the way, his looks were so beautiful! And talk about beautiful, the art! <3 So stunning and unique... The bodies were at times a bit lumpy (for lack of a better word) but the faces were really well done. Especially the eyes so I'd love to see more of that art style too. I loved it and I think it's a 10/10!

... Last updated on November 4th, 2011, 3:01am

Honestly I'd say almost one of the best I've read. I gave it a ten because it earned it. In short the length was perfect for the story, the characters appeared cliche at first and not that that's always bad but they came through and more. My favorite part though was probably the world, the realms were really worked out. In so many yaoi the world supernatural or otherwise can just turn out to be a backdrop for the romance and fall really flat, not in this one though it felt like it was story first. You felt like the world existed before the story, while not being overwhelmed with details. Just a really really good balance all in all. It's now on my very short favorites list.



... Last updated on May 13th, 2016, 3:15pm

Where do I even begin with this one? Let's see... It starts with the art. Well-made and very pretty but the characters are still manly in physiqye. But the art is just a bonus. Ideawise, good! It was a complete and utterly intriguing idea for me. The Hell in this manga is not the type of hell I've seen in the supernatural mangas I've danced with. It's a refreshing and learning experience! The characters were good! Wholesome, 'human' enough for us, and not stereotypical. ESPECIALLY TAKIMURA.

Now, the plot. The plot was good. It had a good start since it was inviting to readers; a shaky middle though because the story seemed to take new form (not just in atmosphere)- new take after the conflict between Enma and Takimura began- like it was averting my attention from something and making me look at this manga with a new type of climax - ignoring what could've been the climax to Enma and Takimura's relationship NOT Kayo and Hisa's; and a sad but satisfying end for me.

I honestly felt scammed to making this a ten though because of how the author pulled the 'feel' guns on me in the second volume with the whole plot on how they were actually fated and yet there was uncertainty of meeting again...-sobs- Add to that the sad sob story of Usu and Enma (Ran) and BAM! You get a whole system destroyed by feels.

The first volume -as narrated- made me feel like I was in the middle of the second volume of the story though. Like I was in the middle of a rising action instead of a developing beginning and conflict. But all is forgiven because you learn to anticipate just how the conflict will be resolved.

PLEASE! Stay strong when you read this manga. DON'T cry infront of your computer... you'll end up destroying it with tears. And don't holdback on the tears! You'll 'break' an artery doing so!

... Last updated on April 15th, 2014, 10:27am

It's so freaking good that I cried!! I love it!!

Storyplot is awesome, give it a 10 for all those twists and slowly creeps into the story and the bitter sweet moments of their meetings. Art is a 10 as well.

Character developments, a 10!! I slowly fall in love with the characters are I read each page about them.

For a 2 volume series, I'm falling in love with it and hopes it get licensed. SO GO READ IT!!
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Edit

After some calming down, rereading several times, and listening to the Drama CD, I felt I need to give a more proper review.

The first volume was kinda...eh...nothing exciting happens. However, the 1st volume is very important as it help builds up the character development, the foundation of our understanding of the story and info (instead of dumping everything at once), etc. Once we start to get use the characters, then the story started to head toward the exciting part: the 2nd volume.

The 2nd volume is the turning point and gave us a shocking twist. Well, not that twisting as I kinda soon caught on what was happening, but I was happy how the story twist was presented. I wasn't expecting anything like that and I got excited as half way, I was like, "Omg, you serious? Am I thinking how this is going to turn out??"

And I'm glad it turned out that way. I was crying a bit toward the end, not only because with happiness, but also because the bittersweet feelings. Although it might not appeal that much, I think it was worth sticking through the 1st volume because once the introduction is done, it was time to roll the stone.

I like the art, it really clicked well for me, so that's a 10 right there.

Overall, the storytelling was done pretty good. Some of the reviewers mentioned about the teacher and how awkwardly it was to throw that in. I don't quite agree as I felt like the teacher's existence was like a push to help with character development and help move the story forward. Maybe it could had done somewhat better, like dropping hints of the teacher's existence since the 1st chapter? It could help to slowly nudge that info in to help build up the understanding that something was coming.

If this series gets license, I'm buying it, I need a hardcopy for this!!! ^__^

... Last updated on February 10th, 2013, 9:54pm

I just want to say that I LOVE this work. The first volume was ok but it didn't really appeal to me much, but after reading the second volume everything made sense, and I realized that this is such a beautiful love story. It was so moving (in a good way) that I cried. Definitely recommended.

... Last updated on October 5th, 2011, 7:02pm

This story has an interesting setting and vibe. It starts off with a guy who works in hell and has sex with the boss. It gets interesting from then on and then when you read further in, you go like, "oh!! So that's what happened!"
Then you read more and the past is revealed and finally the climax comes in and you go like, "noo..!!" In the end, it's a tear jerking ending and you feel sated at last... It's a good story so for those who decided to drop reading this story half way, then you are so damn blind for not seeing this wonderful manga till the very end!