Yakuza Lover, Vol. 12

恋と弾丸 [Koi to Dangan] #12

by Nozomi Mino

When feisty college student Yuri is attacked at a party, she’s saved by Toshiomi Oya, the underboss of a yakuza syndicate. Despite her obvious attraction to him, she convinces herself that she’s not in the market for a bad boy type. But when they meet again, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him—kicking off a steamy and dangerous love affair that threatens to consume her, body and soul.

Yuri has abandoned her family and friends to be with Oya, the man she loves. But just as it seems the star-crossed pair have managed to achieve their happily ever after, Oya’s mother thwarts their plans. Deeming Yuri an unsuitable partner for a yakuza, she demands that Oya enter into an arranged marriage instead. Can Oya and Yuri overcome the objections of the Oya syndicate’s absolute authority?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Josei, Graphic Novels, Adult, Comics, Contemporary Romance

170 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2022

Reviews

[Brad Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this manga series . I will say Vol 12 was definitely rushed.

[Alicia Hern · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little disappointed in the last book why did he need to go blind? And it wasn't clear if he stayed blind. Also, the last few pages confused me. Did he die? Was that a flashback or did he never meet her it was all an imagination 🤔 so fracking confused 😕

[Kimberley doruyter · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's kinda an anti climax kind of an ending

[Charlotte R.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blindness is such a random complication, one that's anti-climactic and wholly unnecessary. Also dissatisfied that Yuri never reconnected with her family, and Oya's mother gave in too easily. If her family was actually put in danger, it would have been a more convincing reason to keep connections severed, but as it is, it looks like family connections just don't matter... not to mention that severing family ties to chase a boy/man never ends well in real life, and it's sad to even fantasize about it. I'm not sure this really counts as a happy ending.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series as a whole.

They got their happy ending, but I don't like the fact that he's blind now.

[Lexyloowoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am literally so sad that this series is over, but there’s a part of me that it’s genuinely so happy about how this story ended. I only was a full circle moment, but also I loved the main characters throughout their story. They had their ups and downs, and managed to always make it back to each other. There’s nothing more adorable than someone who would die for the other quite literally. And I am so happy to have the entire series. I cannot wait for the next series by Nozomi Mino

[Shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't super happy with how this one ended. I feel like the ending was unrealistic. There was a perfect opportunity for it to play out as it needed to, without some of the theatrics that were thrown in what feels like last minute. All in all, it was a total let down for me, and the series will be leaving my collection. Man, I'm bummed about it, because I did enjoy so much of it.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely was left wanting more from this concluding volume, but I overall had a fantastic time reading this series.

[Brandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so sad that this series is over 😭. I really loved Oya and Yuri’s story and I will probably be doing a lot of re-reading in the future.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

On one hand, I liked the ending. On the other hand, what the hell just happened??? Oya's blind now?! That came out of nowhere! And poor Yuri just never gets to see her family again?! I have so many questions! But I'm also happy, because they're happy and they're going to have a baby! I absolutely loved this series, and I'm so sad that it's over!😭

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I ended up actually really liking this series now I must make my friends read it

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked the series a lot ovverall and had a great time, but this was a bit rushed and a certain event in the end was so random??? also some threads that didn't close properly i wished we got maybe 1-2 volumes more to conclude them. overall really enjoyed though!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was SO underwhelming. The last 3 volumes lost soooo much steam :( ugh

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. Top to bottom...I can see myself reading this start to finish many times when I need something light and hopelessly romantic...something fun and spicy. I immediately fell in love with Yuri and Oya in volume one and I end the series still loving them.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s a way to pass some time

Like most romance manga this is heavy on the cheese, with a “they lived happily ever after” type ending. That said, I’ve read the whole series so it’s entertaining enough.

[Bee C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final volume! A few surprises but it leaves off pretty well. Yuri has proved over and over that she has what it takes to be with Oya and more so with this volume. Oya has lost his eyesight but she doesn’t let it get them both down. We get our conclusion and their happy ending.

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a slap dash ending.

Do we ever discover the cause of Oya's blindness? And it's implied through panels that he's getting his sight back slowly. I was just very confused with the last three or so volumes. Also, arguments for Yuri strength vs. weak: her staying by his side despite never knowing the outcome really, and acceptance of who he is shows strength to Oya. Her weakness is mostly in blank slate characterization. We don't know much about her until the family dinner "my BF's a Yakuza" info dump. I had no idea who she lived with before Oya.

I would've liked to see a less soap opera take on these two: let both of them try to fit into one another's world (Oya maybe having less exotic locale take off's for Yuri and more cozy cheap dinner dates in her apartment. And Yuri having a say in the Yakuza meetings. Women are seen as powerful, look at Mama and Oya's own mother. Could've seen Yuri rule the syndicate alongside Oya. Maybe make her a business major in college and he's intrigued with that too).

I was here for the good time.

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

It's no surprise that there is a marriage plot as well as a pregnant Yuri plot. What I am still confused by and think is absolutely stupid is the fact Oya becomes blind. Oya is watching Yuri walk down the aisle and suddenly can't see her anymore. LIKE FUCK THAT SHIT. I know the author said this was the consequences arc, but having Oya lose his sight (which I have no clue how because his injuries were not hinted at as being an issue with his eyes) was so stupid. Mino just wanted to have Oya suffer for being a yakuza and choosing this lifestyle. BOO BOO, TOMATO TOMATO.

I was just disappointed with the direction of the conclusion and it seems to be the general consensus from other readers.

[Summer Song · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of this felt kind of rushed. I don't think Oya needed to suffer and end up changed in this way. It was very sweet to see them get to be happy! Overall, I really love the way Yuri and Oya's story wrapped up but wish we'd gotten a few more pages. I've had mixed feelings about this series. At times it was cringy and awkward and I found myself skimming/skipping some things but most of the time it was sweet, fun, and a beautiful story. I love these characters! A fun series and very very bingeable.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume hit hard! I was surprised how serious the series got in later volumes and how the author went with a bittersweet ending rather than a cheesy, sexy one like the majority of the volumes were. I feel like the twist at the end was Oya's consequence, reflecting how we saw Yuri's consequence in Vol. 11. These volumes alone make it more of a cautionary tale, versus a guilty pleasure love fest. They're happy now, but at what cost!?!?!? 🥺❤️‍🔥😯

The series had it's ups and downs, fun parts and questionable ones, but overall I had an enjoyable time 🥰

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so silly me, I didn't realize that this was the final volume. As I was reading it I was like oh I didn't really expect some of these things to be happening. But about halfway through I googled and found that it was in fact the final volume and it pretty much ended where I thought it was going to. However I think some of the things could have been extended into at least one or two more volumes. Also I'm a little bit surprised that this final volume didn't end in spice considering how steamy the series started.

[Alessandra Ceravolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le copertine di tutti i volumi sono graficamente meravigliose e rivelano alcune cose su quello che ogni volume contiene. Sono rimasta esterrefatta dal fatto che sia Oya che Yuri abbiano affrontato la madre di lui pur di stare insieme, felicemente sorpresa della proposta di matrimonio di Oya che ovviamente Yuri ha accettato e colpita dalle tavole riguardanti il matrimonio per la cura dei dettagli ma sconcertata dalla perdita improvvisa della vista di Oya. Fortunatamente tutto si risolve, sono felici e una famiglia piena d’amore. Una conclusione stupefacente e appagante.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to rate this last volume a 4 because I do love the series as a whole, otherwise this is about a 3 as far as endings go.

I did like it for the most part, but the "plot twist" at the end I feel was unnecessary. Looking back I can see how it was building up to that so I won't even say that it felt rushed, but the tone of it just didn't feel like the rest of the series. I still recommend the series, but if you look at the ratings you can it drops a little at this last volume.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the strongest volume but it mostly wrapped things up in typical dramatic fashion. the whole blind thing was like....why? lol. but it was nice to see them reunite and love/support each other no matter what hardships arise.

I think the series overall was strongest in the early middle (vol 4-7). definitely a guilty pleasure!

[Yang Safia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhh I can't believe this ride is over. The ending's so rushed, I wish it was paced better. Look, if u plan on picking this series up, dont expect a plot that makes sense. Its problematic at best but its so fun. I'm glad I chose to collect the physical copies. I can see myself revisiting this every year.

[J-Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a whole, this series is super fun and entertaining….. However, this final volume is not the best and brings down the appeal for the rest of the series.

Even with that in mind, I will probably read this series again in the future because it is a super fun and intriguing series (minus the final volume).

[Crystal Loza Cobarrubias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh I LOVED IT

I’m sad it ended but I loved this series!!!! Their love story was so cute and Yuri was able to fit right in but I’m mad that her family was the way they were when they found out. Would recommend

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has got to be one of the worse manga series I've read. Not sure how I got through all the volumes, I guess I like torturing myself and at least they were less than 30 minutes reads. 0.5-1 star overall.

[Sal Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just happy though that Yuri and Oya got their happy ending and that his mother didn't try to sabotage their wedding. But OMFG!!!!! Poor Oya loosing his sight on his wedding day and not being able to see Yuri in that gorgeous dress, that hurt.

[Just_Another_Book_Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly the 12th volume just destroyed the whole goodness of the story... Why did the author have to do this?? From the pace of the story it didn't seem like a tragedy to put such an anti-climatic ending?