First got interested in this because it was featured on "Kono BL ga Yabai" at #5 on the list - and that it was above the legendary Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai (#7) and only one position below the exquisite Hana wa Saku ka (#4). Surely its position said something about its quality? My prayers were answered when I found it scanlated just three days ago. Where do we begin...
Porn is porn at the end of the day, no matter how much you fluff it up. And its goal is to please the viewer, whether stirring up voyeuristic pleasures or getting the reader to identify with the characters. With that in mind, the art is great. One of the things I liked about this manga was that everyone looked distinctive, even the side characters. Tatsuyuki has those "cat eyes" that (coincidentally) adds to his feline-like appeal. And when he dons on a suit, god bless my fujoshi life. I never want to return to my normal world of heteros. Nozomi is notable for his innocent uke appearance (also a plot device, it seems)... creating a pretty powerful effect when you juxtapose it with his manipulative edge.
There is humour. The humour is enjoyable. It feels so good to be reading a light-hearted sex comedy after tons of angst (I'm looking at you, Yuuutsu na Asa!!!) in forbidden relationships and all. The characters have unique personalities from the beginning and they complement each other fantastically. The chemistry is sizzling, as some other readers commented. MmmMMMmmmM like a hot sausage barbeque festival.
Story-wise it was rather weak - not good enough to be compared to the likes of some others on the list. With so much time devoted to smexy scenes, there's not many pages left each chapter for exposition and y'know, character development. I remember feeling quite confused because at one point I lost track of what the characters' motivations were. There is no clear resolution to the future of the protags either.... which leaves the premise unresolved. There's this mild discomfort - that "hanging" feeling that doesn't go away - after finishing Yondaime.
Like I mentioned, it is porn, after all. But it's not too bad. Nonetheless, the list was compiled based on readers' votes more than plot quality, so it might be inaccurate to review it based on the story. It does say something about the manga's popularity, though - I'll give Scarlet Beriko that.
Oh and did I mention the role reversal. Who doesn't love those. DAMN
Recommended.