Dear Myself

Dear Myself #1

by Eiki Eiki

One fateful morning, Hirofumi awakens to discover he has no memory of the previous two years. All he can recall is the car accident that caused his amnesia, but he can't remember his classmates or anything he learned in school. He's shocked to discover that he's been romantically involved with the tragic and handsome Daigo and finds a letter he's written to himself to explain their relationship! Can true love triumph over the loss of memory? And will Hirofumi be able to make Daigo smile again?

Genres: Manga, Yaoi, Romance, Graphic Novels, Boys Love, LGBT, Shounen Ai

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Japanese: 影木栄貴

Her real name is Eiko Naitou.

EIKI Eiki is a friend of ZAOU Taishi (TSUDA Mikiyo). She has published several solo manga, numerous yaoi doujinshi and one collaboration manga with Taishi Zaou. Eiki Eiki and Taishi Zaou go by the circle name Kodomo Keibitai and publish alone as well as with Zaougumi under the name Kozouya.

EIKI Eiki is the older sister of DAIGO (Daigo Naitou), the vocalist of J-rock band BREAKERZ, and her grandfather was the former prime minister (Mr. Takeshita) of Japan. One of her assistants was the very talented male yaoi artist UZUKI Jun.

Reviews

[The other Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is yet another abusive relationship presented as romance. Yes, Daigo has had some terrible things happen to him, but those are reasons that he's a manipulative, emotionally abusive jerk, not a free pass for him to continue to be so. And Hirofumi pandering to Daigo's issues to his own detriment is no basis for a relationship.

Add in the constant "no homo" theme (in a yaoi manga!) and the scene where Hirofumi's family said they didn't intervene when Daigo was sexually assaulting Hirofumi practically in the next room because Hirofumi is a guy and should have been able to fight Daigo off on his own, and I would have given this book less than one star if that had been an option.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I love amnesia as a trope, I didn't like this manga as much as I thought I would. Hirofumi wakes up one morning to find he can't remember the last two years. He discovers to his shock that in these two years he met and fell in love with another boy, Daigo.

The two were a bit too codependent for my liking, and the story was very heavy on the angst and drama while some things were talked about with a matter-of-factness that I found rather shocking. This is the kind of book where I'm really grateful for Tauschticket - if I had actually paid for this, I would be a bit miffed, but this way, it's ok.

[Kynthos-the-Archer (Kyn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting premise and it's quite engaging but not enough for full 4 stars. Didn't like the artwork and I don't see myself wanting to reread it in future. So it's a 3.5 stars or less.

* 12th November 2015

[Kit Feral · Rating 2 out of 5]

um. so I know "consensual nonconsent" is often a thing in manga but it crossed a line for me here. and I could not deal with the mc crying "I can't be a homo I'm a man!" and people telling him to "take it like a man!" constantly. this was disappointing.

[Chiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this one, although there were nonconsensual scenes and some remarks that were really gross. I wish BL manga didn't rely so heavily on these kinds of tropes.

[Sarah Quilt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was AWFUL! The description sounded really interesting so the plot had promise based on the IDEA, but the execution was terrible. It was whiney the entire story and full of assault and had references to incest. I usually like boys love romance, not teenage whiner babies who molest each other. If I could go back in time I wouldn't have wasted my money on this title.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a strange book. I didn't really see Hirofumi's feelings because I couldn't get past Daigo forcing himself on Hirofumi every chance he got.

[Cory Tripp · Rating 2 out of 5]

That is seriously messed up and pathological.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof. This book was a TRIP. The relationship wasn’t great lol. This dude was basically forced to stay with this other dude so he wouldn’t kill himself… Like in both versions of his memory he didn’t really choose to be with Daigo, he was just with him so he wouldn’t kill himself, because he’s chaotic and lonely. And in the end he’s like yeah I’m forced to be with him because I hate when he’s sad and it’s like uh?? He needs a therapist and doctor who isn’t related to him. They also completely brushed off the fact that he was sleeping with his uncle, but I mean it’s old school yaoi so why not. Anyway, this was like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. I had to keep reading to the end. I think theres a sequel or spin off, so I’ll be checking that out too.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW: Sexual Assault, Homophobia, Gay slurs, Manipulation

This is the manga debut of Eiki Eiki, writer for Love Stage! I enjoyed it. This one is about a boy who loses his memories, and his boyfriend helps him remember them. Yes, an amnesia story line, which I'm not too keen on. Also, there were some things that didn't age well. I feel like you have to consider that this was written in 98'. Compared to other manga with more intense storylines, this one is pretty harmless.
I just didn't love it. The love interest was too clingy for me. It is cool seeing how Eiki Eiki started, and I'm definitely going to read more from them.

[Luru · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A little silly, with an interesting premise (one character losing their memory and then losing all that time in between when they suddenly reclaim their original memories). The tug-of-war between emotions and a weird gut feeling were a nice concept, but the characters and their interactions weren't fleshed out enough to entice me. (Everything felt quite rushed.) Lovely art, interesting concept.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely read this in middle school, for some reason remember it all these years later

[Yumiko_Youku · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible messages and toxic af.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow this one always caught me. The idea of not knowing who you are without your memories...and that you started a relationship while you had amnesia xD

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I read the series out of order. I think I like the sequel better but this one was also a good read I'm a sucker for amnesia tropes.

[Eirian · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Laugh* Reading this right now and finding it funny how the song I'm listening to right now seems to fit perfectly with this :p Shattered - Trading Yesterday ^.^ Not bad I think xD

After I read the first chapter, it's nothing too special as of yet.

4/1: I know I've read this [Most likely a year or two ago] but I don't remember anything about it... I wonder what that means... but I did rate it a 10/10 before so it's time to hunt down and re-read it.

[Tamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a graphic novel, and more yaoi manga for teens, but I thought I'd give it a try. It was okay, but was too young for me. I like some of the graphics, but was not my favorite. Dany Dany's ANIMA is my favorite. Just beautiful artwork and lovely story.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries

[Asia Ziajska · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like such a line like it's from Space - as i say - story is a little bit interesting, but just a little bit, there should be more characters, mooore action (not only between then) etc.

[Shaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh second time reading I have always loved this book!!

[Grace 🎻 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this manga at the start but towards the end I didn't like it so much.

[Val Beltra · Rating 5 out of 5]

j'ai bien aimé les dessins sont beaux, les personnages attachants