i thought i hated yaoi. (i'd just get jealous hehe~) but this was.. mind blowing.. i checked it out, because i was in the mood for something different.. it was whoa. whoawhoawhoa. in a good way!! their relationship was so different. sword was frustrating at times.. but he was cute~
the ending.. is confusing.


anyways. check it out. it was my first yaoi, and it was so worth it. not becoming a yaoi maniac though.. but.
hee. :]

... Last updated on May 6th, 2009, 7:48pm

I saw someone suggest this manga in one of the forum threads and decided to try it. I agree with the majority of the prior comments.
1. The first volume was fairly violent (more rape than love), but it does get there if you get through the first volume.
2. It's not intended to be the most realistic story you've ever read. It's a yaoi manga. It's intended to appeal to the audience at which it's aimed. If you look at it with that in mind, it does present a reasonable and semi-realistic setting in which men are thrust together (pun intended) and a reasonable story within that setting. It's intended to entertain yaoi fans in a somewhat more realistic setting than the typical school/business environment of most stories, but it is still a yaoi story at its heart.
3. If you like OZ, you'll probably like Under Grand Hotel.
4. The artwork is pretty good.
5. It's worth sticking it out until the end, and I'm glad I did.

And I've always thought that black men with blue eyes are gorgeous, so I'm sure that didn't hurt my opinion any.

... Last updated on January 7th, 2009, 10:05pm

The first volume was way too violent for me and I thought about dropping it several times. I still kept on reading though, and somehow the story kinda sucked me in. Even though the prison life isn't realistic at all, and the plot is a bit weak, I was actually moved by that hopeless love between two prisoners stuck in a harsh world. And since the art is great and I liked the ending, I'm giving it a 7.5 rating.

... Last updated on November 23rd, 2008, 4:06pm

was it realistic? in my opinion, no it wasn't. example: how two guys can have sex night and day like that? hahaha, even if guards let is pass, their bodies won't last with such a high rate of activity! but seriously, there is not much of plot in this story, prison's environment and all that drama about who has killed whom, is just an excuse for throwing two hot boy in a cage and watching them having hot sex day and night. not like I am complaining ! my point is this: don't expect any thing especial, neither deep meaning nor a developed plot from this series. just read it for fun and enjoy how much Sword can be hot in bed! yeah, I want a sword like him too!

... Last updated on November 22nd, 2008, 11:57am

mh. when I first started reading it, I thought "wow, this is so much like OZ (the tv show)" in the end of vol 1 the mangaka stated she was inspired by OZ. so, if you liked the series (like me), you'll definitely enjoy UGH. the artwork is very good (and hot!), the story leaves you wanting more.

I was very surprise at how much I like this series. I was never into realistic or violent yaoi but I can't help but be fascinated by this story. Perhaps it is due to the violent and realistic aspect of it that every loving gestures stands out so much more. I would definitely buy the complete series once it is licensed and release in the U.S (which I believe it will).

.... that this manga was shallow. It was much more gritty and realistic than most other yaoi. It wasn't "senseless sex". That kind of thing actually does go on in prisons. Personally I thought it more emotional and touching than the kind of fluff that's coming out right now.

I'm glad this is not 'your average yaoi' story (tho bondage and violent sex is actually not that uncommon in yaoi manga and I don't like any of those). If all were like this I'd quit reading. If you like violence, senseless sex just for the sake of sex in your average prison among men, then this one will enjoy you. The topic didn't entertain me at all, partly I was even disgusted (well that's normal, who'd enjoy that?). I prefer stories with more emotion and love. Still I made it through the first volume and no emotions came through the story to me. I didn't feel the struggle of the main char and sword... can't describe it... there was no development... not really an insight. Just shallow. Even the prison life wasn't transmitted, it was just a struggle from one sex to another. Maybe you must be a still hormone controlled teenager to oversee what's shown there, just to drool over the sex scenes.
3 points for half realism and above average explicit art.

@Lally
You don't need to agree or disagree with other comments, just add your own opinion.
And sure it was senseless. Senseless doesn't mean that it doesn't exist, it means it is senseless XD (as in no depth and no reason) And no what's described there is not the normal prison life as UGH isn't even a normal prison and doesn't want to be one, that's already stated in chapter 1. And if you weren't a prisoner yourself or working in that field then sorry but then you have no clue.

... Last updated on June 12th, 2008, 7:19am

I can't explain how much i love this manga, Its one of the best i've read so far. Its realistic. This manga shows you that you can find love almost anywhere. Its a great manga. I enjoyed it alot. Its a shock that it acually had a happy ending, sadahiro-sensei did a good job. I reccomend this to anyone and everyone. Fantastic.

Plus it included sexy bishies.

... Last updated on April 10th, 2008, 1:28am

I'm typically more into the fluffy BL sort of stuff, and held off on reading this because I didn't think I'd like reading about the prison scene, but this manga is so worth it. Even if this isn't usually your thing, give it a try. The art is amazing, the plot is great and their love feels real, even with (because of?) the situation they're in. Read it, read it, read it.