Fake, Volume 04

Fake #4

by Sanami Matoh

Ryo and Dee, two of New York City's finest, are called in to investigate the activities of some two-bit street punk. The operation goes south rather quickly when Dee is kidnapped and Ryo must put all of his skill and training to the test to get his partner back in one piece. Their partnership is on the line as electrified emotions raise feelings between the two guys that are hard to ignore.

Genres: Manga, Yaoi, Romance, LGBT, Fiction, Comics, Crime

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Japanese: 真東 砂波
Also read Sanami Matou.

Reviews

[Sammy Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

We learn a bit more about their chief in this one. A case from his past comes into the present in a bomber kind of way. I bomber is on the loose and he makes his presence known. Bombs start to go off and one destroys their police station. There are lots of close calls for our duo and they even end up having a stint has very handsome traffic cops. Bikky is getting into trouble as usual and still getting into fights with poor Dee. They are so funny together and end up in some sticky situations. Bikky just seems to be a trouble magnet! I still adore Dee and I'm rooting for him. He is just a kick-ass and will do anything to save the day. I like the cases in this series and it shows how amazing the mangaka is at not just beautiful art but imaginative and immersive stories. We also have a Bikky and Cal story too near the end of this Volume. Also, Dee and Ryo's relationship is developing nicely, it is so slow-burning but worth the wait!

[Ana Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one, thank you (en el buen sentido).
He de decir que me gustaría bastante que no se supiera quién es el malo desde el minuto cero pero bueno.

[Joanka · Rating 2 out of 5]

The repetitive pattern of the romance starts to be quite irritating. Ryo and Dee solve the case, they learn something new about each other, they become closer, they kiss, someone interrupts them. Repeat. They don't move forward here and Ryo's being clueless is slightly too much for my taste. The volume is again heavier on crime than previous ones but it's not interesting enough to make me bother. As well as older Bikky and Carol's story, I'm just not really interested in their romance, although I even like how Carol is portrayed, despite everything she has something in herself. Older Bikky on the other hand is supposed to be too cool for my taste. All in all, I haven't enjoyed this volume too much, but it had a lovely short chapter about ill Dee in the end and I'm always a sucker for such stories :)

[DeeNeez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bomber is loose in the city. And Dee is starting to loose hope that Ryo will ever return his feelings.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the volumes that are the reason I still adore this series because it really starts to show that Ryo actually does care for Dee, and that there is more to Dee than just being a predatory letch. Which is both gratifying and frustrating because it's those glimpses into Dee that prove that there was a better way of moving the relationship along than siccing Dee on Ryo whenever his guard was down. Anyway, I digress.

This volume also shows the relationship and trust between Dee and Bikky, who are constantly fighting and at odds, as something more solid and foundational than just people to snipe at each other. Plus we get some backstory on Chief Smith, and we get to see that just because the perp is caught, that doesn't mean there aren't ramifications.

[Liekos · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

Sigh. This slow burn is killing me. This was more romantic than the previous books and it showed the most restraint. While Dee desperately wants that next step with Ryo, his care and consideration of Ryo is telling.

This one dealt with a lot of deeper feelings, but no real progress was made beyond reaching an inkling of an idea about what they may really be feeling for each.

It was nice to see Carol and Bikky's story progress. Even though we see their progress happen before we see Ryo and Dee's... technically, Bikky and Carol's relationship was 7 years in the making. That being said, while Carol was 18... Bikky is still only 15. I'm not sure if the author really thought that one out.

Anyway... here's hoping for book 5.

[machinaheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick series review:
so, so good!
I had not read fake in years and oh, I am so glad I did so on a whim! the series is just so refreshingly free of many of the genre's most troubling and terrible stereotypes, it's a truly a breath of fresh air! and then there are the very lovable, well-rounded main and side characters... fake is just really, really good.
some of the smaller cases feel a bit rushed and I wish some arcs/cases had more time to them, but overall the crime story aspect of fake is solid.
content note:the manga can be quite graphic when it comes to the depictions of homicides, that's something to be aware of and maybe look into depending how sensitive you are to such things.

[Maraya21 (The Reading Dragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally came back to these mangas after a year. I’d forgotten how repetitive Ryo’s and Dee’s romance gets over the volumes, they never move forward and nothing much happens until we hit book 5 or 6 if I remember, so that was not exciting. But the case, I didn’t remember this one, psycho bomber lose on the city, man that was good. And it’s also nice to have the small snippets of Bikky and Carol at the end, I love them so much.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this manga on my to read list and I am so happy I finally have the time to read it. Dee, Ryo, Carol and Bikky are so endearing forming a cute family. I enjoy the police stories. They might be simple and straight forward but they are just pure fun. The art is great. The attention to detail is interesting. For example the shoes are often very detailed. Lots of fun to read!

[Amberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really enjoyed this book and I found this book to be funny in some parts. I'm starting to like how characters and their relationships are developing but I would have like the side characters to be flash out bit more.

Both the ending and the atmosphere was that fine also I didn't really like the cover or art style.

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is between a 3 and 4 star for me. I feel like I enjoy every other volume. This volume I think is a 4. I liked the stories better and the time jump for Bikky made him more likable. Really loved the bonus story of Dee getting sick.

[Juls. V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este debe ser uno de mis volúmenes menos favoritos pero solo por la historia del de las bombas akshsk, no me gusta mucho. PERO DESPUES AMO EL RESTO DEL VOLUMEN. Dee siendo una buena figura paterna para Bikky😍❤

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see my review in volume 1 of the series. I have deliberately not shelved this series as either 'erotic' or of 'gay interest' any more then I have 'humor' although an argument can be made for all of them I do not think it is properly true to the Manga themselves.

[Jade Dell-Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving it. I have stayed up way too late trying to finish reading this manga.

[Paloma Caballero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quitando el tema de los asesinatos y las amenazas de bomba, este tomo fue la cosa más linda. <3

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

The substitute teacher reminds me of a sub I had in high school. (minus the criminal activities...)

[Rebekah Lee (bookbabebekah) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is so good and addicting. I love how each mini story pulls me in like it’s an entire novel

[Aman˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun so cute but if i had to compare this vol with the rest id put it at last.
Not saying its bad tho 😋😋🫶🫶🫶

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

i truly do not give a damn about those kids whenever it's their page time without dee or ryo i debate quitting

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. Each entry is a fun little read and although they are out outrageously unrealistic plot-wise they always feature a sweet, sexy romance. Though Ryo and Dee's relationship is still stalled in this entry they have several "awww" moments when Dee gets injured and Ryo reacts. Carol is turning 18 and Bikky wants to get her something special but his methods leave Carol wondering if he has lost interest in her. Their relationship finally gets going in this one and it's cute stuff

My only complaint with this volume, and the few before, are that other than Ryo, Dee & Bikky most of the other male characters look so similar that I often can't tell one from the other especially Drake/JJ/Det. Rose and a few others that pop up here and there.

[Claudia Marcela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dee y Ryo tienen que encargarse de un bombardero que amenaza su precinto, y está relacionado con el pasado del jefe.
Bikky no deja de meterse en problemas por todos lados. La paciencia de Ryo es de admira en su faceta de padre adoptivo, pero igual saber impartir disciplina cuando el niño rebelde lo requiere. A veces la personalidad de Bikky puede ser fastidiosa, pero aporta mucho al recurso gracioso en sus enfrentamientos con Dee.
Tenemos historia extra sobre Carol y Bikky mayores, cuando finalmente ella cumple 18 años y pueden cumplir su antigua promesa de estar juntos.
Inicia un nuevo extra sobre la investigación de un presunto suicidio, lo que le trae recuerdos a Ryo sobre unas vacaciones con su tía.

[Leila Anani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 4 of the seven book series. The first story deals with a bomber aiming to get back at the chief of police who shot his father in the line of duty. He blows up Bikky's school and the police station. Dee gets shot in the leg and is prepared to sacrifice himself in a gripping showdown. We have another Bikky/Carol story - again jumping forward in time - Bikky works hard trying to get enough money to buy Carol a ring and then gives the money to a little boy who is robbed and all he can give Carol is a bunch of flowers. Lastly we have a tiny add on in which Dee gets flu and Ryo tends to him. Great characters, exciting stories, well worth reading.

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first story, Dee and Ryo have to catch a bomber out for revenge, for all the wrong reasons, and Ryo realises how much he cares for Dee when faced with the prospect of losing him forever.

The second story focuses on Bikky and Carol, and yet another misunderstanding regarding their relationship! It all comes good on Carol's 18th birthday, however, when the promise they made to each other in the first volume is kept.

The last story is about Dee catching a cold (I sympathise!) and he doesn't normally get sick. Ryo comes to take care of him though.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth book in the series. Another beautifully drawn story, another great plot and great characters. All of these books blend into each other nicely, you can finish one and then be desperate to pick up the next. My only complaint is that they're too short; I could read a 30 volume set of these books! If yaoi manga is something you're thinking about reading, then I think this series is a perfect starter. There's plenty of background plots and scenes, and the romance is so cute ^^

[Grace &#x1f3bb; · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually love Bikky! He is just so adorable and cute! If only there were more guys in the world like that. ones who are able to do something so kind to help others; unselfish. ugh that little story between Bikky & Carol is just too cute! I can't get enough of them!!!

[Aethena Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dee and Ryu forever...

So much peril! Ryu is starting to realize just how important Dee is to him. The Billy and Cal romance gets a bit more serious, and the back up story is about Ryu this time.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's great, too. I love the emotion in the scene where Ryo finds Dee in the school.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake Vol. 4 by Sanami Matoh (2003)

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Very good.