Dale Lazarov is a writer, editor, and developer, who co-author with artists. This is my third purchase of Dale Lazarov’s works, and to say that I am not disappointed. Not one bit at all. I pretty much devoured the book in less than a half-hour of receiving the book from Book Depository. Similar to the other works of Dale’s, this is an adult gay porn graphic novel with no text, and the meaning of an image being a thousand words is the idea.

The book has three stories, each with a nightlife feature, where the characters meet other under circumstances that can be terms good or bad. Hard Cases, Layover, and Closing Time. It was quite hard to choose which is my favorite, since all three stories were quite delicious and hot looking. Yet, I still have to say that Closing Time was what I was thinking “awwww” over. Based on the reason that there is a clear passage of time shown of the couple. The other two stories had a different ending for the couples, one was clearly a one night stand, and the other vacation lovers.

Another aspect I noticed that is quite different from Manly or Sticky is the premises, that the men’s tongue  in some scenes were quite shiny and damp. I have never seen that before, and definitely gave a more realistic quality to this otherwise 2-d graphic comic.

With every story that Dale Lazarov writes, there is the same premises, two really hot and buff guys doing one another in ways that can be considered illegal by people who won’t support the premises, but I view it as a matter of equality. Fortunately this is my response to bara aka manly love being available in the U.S. for a female fan like me. I really look forward to more of Dale Lazarov’s book, and from this NSFW link, there is the promise of another book going to be releasing soon. ^_^

She wrote a song dedicated to Kuma-chan that is one of my top ten songs of hers.

So Hikki wrote this in San Francisco on her US tour

Gay Kuma series :)

Macho-gay Kuma, girly-gay Kuma, and drag queen Kuma!

Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever really explained it here, but Kuma really is gay (he’s a boy but likes men only, no interest in girls…) so these illustrations flowed pretty naturally.

Oh, did I just out Kuma?

That is just sooo cute… ^_^

Not everyone is a boy’s love/yaoi fan. This genre is a very specific niche in terms of manga – where there is an acceptance on homosexuality relations and love between two men. Now this list will most likely be suited for 16+ and adult readers. This list will also be of interest to already reading or beginning to read yaoi manga. So be forewarned if this is not your cuppa tea. This list of books is also chosen from an assumption that these books will definitely be your best worth for what is definitely out there in terms of relevant Yaoi manga. (P.S. Not going to go into bara, since that is a little too out of the left field.)

Many of these titles are generally not available at bookstores, so if you look over this list and find what you like, best bet would be for going to Amazon or Akadotretail (Maegane recommends this) or Borders. Now why would I say Borders over Barns & Noble? Because in my experience, they are a physical chain bookstore, that offer a much better Yaoi selection, and members rewards on a weekly event – this is even with Barns & Noble currently having the Nook. Oh also Deux is having an incredible fan sale with titles going for about $5 to $9.

Also another nugget of though before I jump into this list, would be a tweet that NY_Anime_Fest actually tweeted several months ago:

Emo is moe for girls!

Fujoshi Rumi (Media Blasters) (3 volumes+continuing) -This is not a strict bl manga, but one that surrounds the fandom of BL. Fujoshi Rumi is of a girl who loves bl, and what happens around her life. This is a good insight as to the mindset of a fujoshi, which is often generalized as a female otaku. This is a series that is rated 16+

Future Lovers (Deux) (2 volumes only)-This is is a really great character development story, that explores a possibility of what if between two very unlikely personalities. Kento wants to have a normal normal life, but instead gets involved with Akira. Explore through two volumes of their relationship ups and downs. Future Lovers will most likely make you laugh, cry and fall in love with the couple. This book series is for 18+

Living for Tomorrow (Doki Doki) (Oneshot) – Tasuku is a student with a secret, he may be an “agaman,” that is a charm for anyone they sleep with. People are chasing after him to gain his devil’s luck, but what would happen if Tasuku already has a secret crush on his fellow karate class mate Ryouta? The best thing about this book is the character interaction, but this story definitely has a strong enough plot for it to be a 16+ and leave the reader satisfied, but somehow this story is rated 18+

The Dawn of Love (June) (Oneshot) – Masahiro is definitely attracted by his classmate Takane, who he finds out would sleep with a lot of guys. In the real world you would probably be screaming STD’s, but somehow it works with these two. When I read this, I got into my head that this is about a couple in heat. Gah there is a lot of interesting (not explicit) images of sex, and lots of it. This is a very very strong 18+ book, so proceed with caution.

Junjou Romantica (Blu) (11 volumes+continuing) – A series that sparked a popular anime and product line. Junjou is filled with the story of three couples. All tied by the word Junjou – there is Romantica, Egoist, and Terrorist. Junjou is a word expressed as “Pure,” so yes. There is points of emo and comedic aspects in each story, with three very different pairings. So once again, this is a strong 18+ title.

Love Mode (Blu) (11 volumes only) – Under the classy male escort services of Blue Boy, there are lasting relationships made or broken. There are several couples that are introduced, but the main character would have to be the dangerous looking yet devilishly handsome owner of Blue Boy, Aoe Reiji. This series is once again 18+ but would be a great pick for serious readers.

Loving Gaze (June) (Oneshot) – Kazumi has a crush on Yajima, who works directly in the building next door to his own office. Now what would happen if they were to meet? Loving Gaze is a very very sweet and fluffy book, this probably won’t appeal the reader, unless they’re fans of a concept of true love and fate, this title is 18+ and there is the mention of a secondary couple, so take your pick.

Cute Beast (June) (Oneshot) – Cute Beast is actually an anthology. This is a popular format for many Japanese manga, if there are themes then there are going to be monthly magazines, where there is many short stories. My favorite would have to be the title story, but yes this is a book that is enjoyed by readers who want to read a sampling of short fluffy stories with different plot points, without getting tied into reading a long story. If the story is popular enough, then the author of the story will incorporate this story into another story. This book is rated 18+

Gentle Cage (June) (Oneshot)- This is the only yaoi novel selection I have in this list of graphic novels, but the story is definitely one that would satisfy readers. There are mixed reviews for this book, but similar to Loving Gaze, or Cute Beast, this is a subjective book that can be taken with a grain of salt from readers. Itsuki meets Tokiwa, a gifted sculptor, and a relationship begins, but what would happen if something happen to Itsuki and then eight years pass by?

The President’s Time (801) (Oneshot) – Okay just as I was wondering what other book was there I can list, I fianlly recall how I enjoyed reading The President’s Time. This is also one of those great releases that has great character development, and the premises is this. Mutsuki inherits his father’s business, but his dying wish was for Mutsuki to be an evil boss. A slight problem, Mutsuki cannot even hurt a fly if he tried, but he has been making some attempts, and one night he meets Torii, and their relationship steps from there. Similar to Future Lovers, this is a great character development book, that is filled with comedic scenes, something not to be missed. This book is also 18+

I first learned of him, from my time of reviewing Torque Press e-books. So far, I am hooked onto reading more of his stories. I really like his possessive “One True Pair” pairings, with some exceptions.

I am actually not sure if this is the characteristics of a fujoshi… I imagine it is more like enjoying to read gay smut, with a bite to it. I actually have another post, that is similar to my thoughts about this subject. As a fan though, I am consistently trying to examine what makes something tick, hence my constant questioning on what makes a fan or a fujoshi?

Sean Michael has written over 100 various e-books for Torque Press, and some to my chagrin is only available on print. One of the series I have read from him is the Velvet Glove series, which is a Science Fiction world of an exclusive BDSM club for men. Currently, there are four volumes, and multiple side stories. Stories are connective, and it depends on a fetish if you would enjoy these type of stories. But mostly on nearly every page, there is scenes of sex or smut, and lots of loving. Quite similar to watching a porn…but interesting in how the character’s interact.

In Volume Three, the top actually reminded me of Gin from Bleach. I could just shiver as he gets very sado masochistic with his bottom, who reminds me of a strong teddy bear.

I can’t say I have a favorite pairing,  but somehow it amazes me on how many fetishes there can be. One of these days, as I don’t have something better to do, might just make one of those character trees, since there are so many inter-connected recurring characters in the Velvet Glove world.

This is a series that is much more fleshed out than his other contemporary series of Hammer, which is an exclusive BDSM club, he writes about. I can only say that I am always anxiously waiting for what next story will come from this author.

Oh the reason why this is a part 1 is because of how unwilling am I to let go of this author.. and who knows if I might be inspired to write another blog entry on my love for his stories. Now if I can only find other gay erotica author of the same scope?

Okay the male leads from xxxHolic. Convention would label them rivals/best friends, but I imagine as a fujoshi – there is a deeper meaning. There is obvious fan services with this pairing, and probably CLAMP even intended it to be so. Jilly believes that is the case, since she suggested this as a couple to talk about. I think they are very cute, as Domeki does actions that make Watanuki flip all over him.

Watanuki is considered to be the male lead, assisting with Yuko. He is her manservant, cooking and cleaning; obviously the uke-material. Still he says that he has a crush on Himawari, but that is his idea of being a normal high schooler, so what would happen if he doesn’t have that normal wish – and this is very common male trait with people who attract the supernatural, and want to run away from it all. Doesn’t this remind anyone of Haruto from Hunted Junction?

Enters Domeki is his supposedly rival, but there are moments in the anime that make me think – wow these are a nice match. Such as the times when Watanuki cooks, and this is usally Domeki’s choice. I recall one time, Watanuki started to blush after Domeki commented on it… so that is pretty cute. Domeki also has patience to counter Watanuki’s panic sessions. He’s so serious and quiet, that make me think of seme material. Any other ideas to think about this couple?

I really like this release by 801 Media, they actually mentioned an small joke of Kinikuman… Still I thought it was quite sweet. The premises of this story is about Mutsuki Nagasawa and his attempt to live up to his dying father’s last wish: to be the evilest boss to walk on the planet! Unfortunately, Matsuki is everything that is not of an evil potential. He’s pretty timid and law abiding citizen. His idea of committing a crime is to jay walk, draw graffiti, or litter.

However because of his attempts to commit these petty comedic crimes, it led him to meet Makoto Torii, who in every BL-graphic novel is the match for Mutsuki. Rather, Makoto tries to lead Mutsuki away from committing these petty crimes, by being an Ally of Justice – therefore bedding Mutuski to death.

Included in this couple’s lives are Mutuski’s younger brother, Shizuka, servant Mochizuki, who are the secondary lovers, and a cast of other people, who are scared of Makoto or Mutsuki when they become enraged.

One criticism though, how the chest of the men who are drawn in this manga – looks really scary, kinda like a section out breast meat, or chest pillows… >_< Somehow I remember reading somewhere, that artists would have a difficult time drawing chests, so perhaps an example is like this.

801 is pretty nice for this release, dust jacket and a color page, so definitely get it if you haven’t yet, and you like to read bl-graphic novels.

So this is my reflection on all three mediums….

Warning as there are spoilers and some minor questioning.. so don’t read beyond this break.

Anime
Antique Bakery aired Summer 2008, with an artistic style that reminds me of My Neighbors, the Yamadas. There was enough Shonen-ai for me to say aww… and I was like – what happen to the relationship of Ono and Chikage. I so wanted them to kiss when Ono was trying to get Chikage to sleep with him. Still that relationship kinda took place in the back burner… as they focus more on Tachibana’s story and the reason why he opened up Antique in the first place as a way to lure his abductor.

Toward the ending, when he save that boy, and found out that the kidnapper wasn’t the man who abducted him, but another guy who came to the store and purchase a cake – several ideas came to my mind – One: did he kill his wife? Two: What is he going to do when he moves to Sendai? Three: How can Tachibana not know of his captor as being that man who purchased the cake from him and was walking away limping, he still has nightmares… so is this it?

Drama
This series was not memorable at all, and I felt that they focused too much on Tackey being Eiji’s character. There were elements of things being too dramatic. No shonen-ai to even mention of, and the unecessary additions of Koyuki and that guy who they were trying to help confess to the girl that he liked. Also the fact that the bakery changed to an Italian restaurant had me thinking.. huh?

Manga
Yep, no wonder there was the off spring of the Anime and the Drama.. the manga is soooo good… and there is more detail for the characters, not just the supporting characters. There were parts that made me laugh out loud. Also the pacing for time change was a lot better I believe, than the anime or the drama. But alas the ending is the same as the anime, or the anime based from the manga, so my questions are transferable… >_<()

]]> http://www.fujochic.com/2009/01/04/antique-bakery/feed/ 0 http://www.fujochic.com/2008/12/17/bdsm-darkness-or-not/ http://www.fujochic.com/2008/12/17/bdsm-darkness-or-not/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:17:17 +0000 miz http://fujochic.com/?p=285 A while ago.. last summer I read and wrote a review for an e-book, Bent by Sean Michael. This is a gay erotic novel, that was quite long. It broke down into over 1000 pages on my smart phone’s mobi-reader. I still enjoy nearly every minute of it though.

Should the concept of spanking or fetishes be a dark thing or not though? I imagine there are people out there that are consensual of these type of actions, that they can get off on it.

I wonder if Sean Michael realizes that there are reviewers of his ebook, and if he realizes that there are good and bad points of his stories? I was chuckling, when I read the other reviews. In the Archive of JLHLS, there are about seven e-books that was reviewed, and while I think many of the reviewers gave his stories a good recommendations, there are others included that slammed his books for dropping the “F” word and pretty much the whole man’s sexual organ thing…

To clarify, I wrote three of the reviews, and even I tried to be criticize. Even though I am now an avid reader of his books… >_<()

I’ll write an impression of Velvet Glove one of these days..

Oh forum of many manga, and anime… why oh why.. are you so hard to navigate sometimes?

Why does it seem like the few contributors contribute first, and that leaves others wondering how will they earn points?

Also how to know what is the hottest trend in Yaoi that is out there?

Why…. are you so hard to navigate?

Now that, to the few readers out there, is something I think about.. so just a rambling rant..