This is without a doubt if not The Best then one of the best yaoi, with the themes that it deals with, that I have come across. I even broke my rule of not reading a series if it's not complete; in fact I forgot to check whether this is complete or not. And now I despair because I don't see this ending, at least, before 5 more years. The absolute control that ZAKK has over the genre, as he manages to blend different ones together and switch from one to another in a heartbeat, is absolutely stunning. Truly, spectacular. and it's not just the genre. ZAKK also shows similar aptitude with the art style, narrative, and characterization as well.
I adore v. 1-3, and the art style is just amazing.
I really like v. 4 but it is such a different story that is so much darker. The focus is not on the two main leads from the first three volumes, but on the guys who basically drew one of the main leads into a life of crime. Some of the things you'll read include:
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
Selling Children/Child Slavery Rape Revenge
and since it's basically another story/spin-off you don't actually have to read it, nor should you if you'd rather not explore those darker themes.
Story was sweet & interesting......two men from two different worlds. The art though...........Is absolutely incredible. Hands down the best yaoi art I have ever seen and some of the best art quality I have seen in a manga ever. Zakk has a unique style as well and this was so refreshing to me. Story can get a little confusing? But it is still enjoyable. I haven't read The Speaker yet though. not sure if I will.
ate this story up real fast. has all the things i go for: romantic tension, gang-related backstories and skeletons in the closet, and humor. the characterization is done really nicely even though i don't know a whole lot about each character. for example, kutsuna feels very familiar even though i only know about his history with his dog, grandma, and his delinquent past. i know next to nothing about his past relationships or how he even got started with his hat-making quest (or his college years, for that matter). im looking forward to those details, if they do come, though.
I loooove them! They're just sooo perfect for each other. Although I wished they added more extra chapters before moving on to the next spin-off
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
THEY DIDN'T GO ALL WAY YET!
I don't really care about the spin-off but I'll read it anyway since there's still a chance I'll get to see Ryou and Satoru togethaaar again <3 I'M HOPING TO SEE THEM AGAIN! hsehfiowe
IT'S 2 AM AND THIS MANGA JUST KICKED MY ASS hholy shit oh my god!!! I love this manga so much. The art is STUNNING (worth reading for that alone tbh) and the story keeps up...well developed characters and a slow build to a REALLY good romance. Im just !!!! right now cuz dang this is exactly the kind of shounen ai I love to see...something that doesn't just feel good for the genre but is genuinely an excellent manga - like a really good novel featuring a gay romance rather than something you would find in the "gay romance" section of a bookstore. It's not complete either which I'm actually happy to hear because I love these characters and I want to keep seeing them! Anyway, sorry for this incomprehensible comment but I definitely recommend this!!
eventhough the art is mostly in western-style (not anime-style) but it's so great. the pace, the motion, the angle, and the panel are well-put with the plot so the emotion can be poured out. one of few shonen-ai manga which is deeper in emotion than regular yaoi manga. nevertheless, it is a real nice manga with artistic touch!
Interesting, but doesn't make a whole lot of sense at first. It takes a bit of time until the story unfolds, but even so, their circumstances seem super far fetched to me.
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
I mean, your dog dies and you decide to become a hat maker? That silly story from the beginning is the link to that, I know, but it's just... Huh? And the thing with Ryou's parents abandoning him like that? Well, I guess it's not that uncommon for parents not to give a damn. But then he goes and joins the mafia? And then he just walks out when everyone else is jailed? HUH?
Maybe I was reading it wrong. Maybe it will get resolved or forgotten. Either way, I like the relationship between the main leads and hope it goes further.
I also love the art style. It's very artsy, with thick outlines and goofy, almost 70s-ish cartoon moments mixed with some very pretty faces. ;p
Either way, it's pretty different and rather enjoyable so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more.
The atypical art—clean and expressive—drew me in. But I stayed for the plot. There's just enough mystery and subtlety that you're satisfied, but it always leaves you yearning for more.
Start with the art; stay for the plot.
Edit: I GIVE IT ANOTHER 10/10 FOR THE EXTRAS YES OH YES.
I'm crying. Even The Speaker is good. But it's much, much darker.
I unintentionally clicked on this series when I was searching for another manga. But it wasn't disappointing. Nice storyline; this story is very refreshing and different form the typical BL, good characters; Kutsuna is my favorite, not your usual manga art style but still good and also unique. I think the art has an influence of the western and a bit of eastern style.
But there is a character who looks like Levi from SnK. When I saw him, I was like "Oh my Titan! Dat Levi is very wow, much Levi, many SnK."
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