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抗争を避けるため、極道組長の父の命令で、No.2の息子・桐亜六実とともに隠れ家へやって来た透。時間を持て余すうちに…?

Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2011

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About the author

Youka Nitta

104 books143 followers
Youka Nitta (新田祐克 correct pronunciation: Yuuka Nitta) is a Japanese manga artist.

Her illustration debut was in 1994, in 小説Charade.
She is one of the few Boys' Love manga-ka whose works are enjoyed by both straight women (the main target audience) and gay men.
Her manga debut was Be-Boy's 1995 release of "Groupie."
Recently she temporarily quit writing manga after a scandal involving her plagiarism of many magazine photographs.
According to The Yaoi Review (2009-12-31), she is back with a continuation of an ongoing manga to be released in English in February.
Her moe point is older ukes.

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5 stars
78 (34%)
4 stars
86 (37%)
3 stars
50 (21%)
2 stars
14 (6%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Jeninne.
1,096 reviews32 followers
July 10, 2016
This is the absolute definition of hard yaoi. Pull no punches, all the tropes and cliches, utter 18+ material. That's this book.

And it's amazing for it.

I like it when yaoi books don't skirt that line. I like it when they go hard, give no fucks, and basically shove a smutty book into the hands of people and stand back with a smug look on their faces.

In terms of yaoi, this is definitely one of the best. It's cliched as hell. It has the seme/uke thing down in the most classic of ways. And it's falling into all the traps that normally would make me cringe. But under the surface there's a hint of somethig more, too, and I like it. I like the conflicted emotions in these characters. I like the really sexual nature of everything. I like the sex. God the sex is good in this book. And mostly I like the story.

I can't wait to get the next book in this series and ride it all the way down the rabbit hole. Sign me up!
Profile Image for Soobie has fog in her brain.
7,212 reviews136 followers
June 6, 2021
Perché mi impunto a leggere yaoi che ne trovo uno buono su venti?

Disegni molto dettagliati rispetto ad altri, ma la storia... Il figlio di un capo mafioso viene mandato apposta su un'isola deserta insieme al figlio del numero due. Visto che si annoiano cominciano a divertirsi tra di loro. Finché non vengono scoperti e sembra che tutti siano arrabbiati con loro.

Poi la storia si fa un po' confusa, devo essere onesta. Ci sono intrighi di palazzo e flashback. O almeno credo che sia un flashback.

La seconda stella per la storia breve alla fine, che è molto meglio della storia principale.
Profile Image for Julie Hayes.
Author 78 books102 followers
June 27, 2013
Tohru’s father, a Yakuza boss, sends him away to a family-owned island in order to keep him safe. Tohru has yet to take his place in the family business, although he’s desirous of doing so, but his slender build and pretty face hold him back, and no one takes him seriously. Shinya sends Matsumi, son of his second-in-command, Kiria, as Tohru’s bodyguard, with strict instructions not to return until someone comes for them. The only way on and off the island is the boat that only Matsumi can operate.

With no one but each other for company, the two young men ending up mutually masturbating one another. Tohru calls it boredom, but Matsumi feels that it’s more, and their relationship progresses during their enforced isolation—physically, that is. Emotionally, not so much. At least, that is what Tohru would have him believe. Matsumi has been purposely kept away from the family business, and not only has never gotten into trouble, he’s pursued an education at Tokyo University. But now he’s suddenly ready to find a place in the business, and wishes to pledge his life and service to Tohru, who has no wish to accept his fealty.

Will Tohru accept what has happened, once they leave the island, or will he continue to deny his feelings for Matsumi—and why? What will Domoto do to Matsumi when he learns that Matsumi has soiled the young master but, despite his warnings not to touch him, is still doing it? And what is the Suki family secret?

Youka Nitta is one of my favorite yaoi authors, and I was thrilled to fibnd new books by her. Starting With a Kiss is typical Youka Nitta fare—two young attractive men who are thrown together and develop feelings for one another, which one or both of them fight against. Her drawing is awesome, even if the characters from one series strongly resemble those in another. But how can you complain when they’re so pretty?

Yes, there are certain yaoi tropes present here, such as the pretty uke, very effeminate and emotional. Also the dubious consent which, if written into a m/m romance novel would be considered a close cousin to rape. But in yaoi, seasoned readers know the difference. A protective bodyguard is another familiar figure in yaois that feature yakuza, and Domoto certainly fills the bill here.

That being said, even though these are familiar storylines, it doesn’t mean that some things can’t and don’t get on my nerves, because they do. The continual protestation by Tohru that he isn’t interested, right before he gives in, and his general whininess, and his helpless damsel in distress act he pulls when having sex. Some of the graphics go over the top (and some under, but that is the fault of whoever erased all the penii. Who are they kidding? You can still see the outline). There’s an aspect of the final scene that bugs me too, but I don’t discuss it here, as it’s a spoiler. Maybe with the review of the next volume.

That being said, I did enjoy this book, especially Matsumi, the seme. His character is more likable, and more believable. I can only hope for some character growth from Tohru as the series continues.

There is a great potential for romance here. We also get some back story on their fathers, that is not only interesting but probably relates to what is going to happen at some point. There is also a bonus story, Lol Theater, about a shy young man who works for a gaming company, and can only talk about the guy he likes to an online friend.

I love Youka Nitta’s artwork, and I hope to see a lot more of her in the future, as well as a return to translating some of her older works, such as Embracing Love. If you are a fan of hers, you will enjoy Starting With A Kiss. If not, you should get to know her.

2,054 reviews21 followers
November 18, 2019
Tohru the son of a yakuza boss is sent to a deserted island with Mutsumi, bookish son of the second in command, ostensibly to keep them out of the way whilst something big goes down. In reality their fathers have sent them to bond. Mutsumi is set to leave the yakuza unless he can find a reason to stay and Torhu's dad wants him to stay. The pair instantly become lovers but when they are discovered, their parents are not quite as happy about it as you'd first expect.

So this one's quite complex in terms of motivation which is rather refreshing. It's unclear exactly who's really manipulating who. Mutsumi does genuinely seem to have feelings for Tohru but it's unclear just what Tohru himself thinks. We have added complications since the two fathers appear to have been lovers and manipulating each other as well.

Youka Nitta is one of the best in the yaoi genre and whilst I'm not as instantly smitten as I was with Embracing Love this one's got decent art, hot man loving and complex emotions and plot. Looking forward to volume 2.

There's a cute bonus story about an awkward software developer who falls for a guy he meets on an online gaming chat forum, but maybe someone closer than he thinks.
Profile Image for Veronica Pappolla.
265 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2022
Sinceramente non ho capito se mi piace o meno. A tratti penso che sia geniale, a tratti lo trovo ridicolo. Pe carità, penso che sia bello che si ami una persona a prescindere dal sesso ma trovo ridicolo in un ambiente dove di solito domina la mascolinità tossica, ci siano così tanti uomini pronti farsi qualcuno/farsi fare da qualcuno.

Paradossalmente ho preferito la storia dei genitori e la one-shot sul creatore di videogiochi xD.

Certo che il papà del protagonista aveva decisamente il suo fascino.

Non mi aspetto molto da questa serie, e dire che la mangaka sembra davvero brava.
Profile Image for Emerch.
335 reviews19 followers
March 6, 2018
After reading Embracing Love Starting with a Kiss plot seemed quite bad in comparison. The main couple lacked the romance vibe at the very beginning, but towards the end the plot actually got better. Hopefully the next book brings out more of their charachters.
Profile Image for Sara.
155 reviews30 followers
June 4, 2021
3.25

Warning: graphic sex, violence , gang activity.

This definitely did not have the best plot, although better then some erotic manga I've read. The characters were interesting. Will definitely continue with the series. This team events were definitely hot.
Profile Image for Veronica.
1,551 reviews23 followers
September 3, 2017
I know Youka Nitta is a genre classic but to be brutally frank, a lot of her stuff has not aged well.
Profile Image for Dylan.
1,033 reviews4 followers
March 17, 2020
I adore Youka Nitta. This Yakuza story is hot.
Profile Image for Ang.
1,843 reviews53 followers
April 15, 2024
Dammit how did I not realize this was out of print?
Profile Image for Blak Rayne.
Author 29 books86 followers
December 10, 2012
A few weeks ago I read, Starting With a Kiss (Kiss Ariki), story and art by Youka Nitta. Other manga by the same author that I've thoroughly enjoyed are Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love) and The Prime Minister's Secret Diplomacy. Known for her sexy, black haired characters and plots that are almost always yakuza based, I can't resist sneaking a peak at her website at least once a month to see what's new.

When a gang feud erupts, the son of a yakuza boss, Tohru, is exiled on a deserted island to keep him out of harms way. Tohru is hotheaded by nature and angry when he can't join the fight, and is forced to spend his time with Mutsumi, the son of the gang's second in command.

Mutsumi and Tohru are about as opposite in personality as anyone can be. Mutsumi is serious about college and where his life will lead. Tohru, on the other hand, comes across as a very angry and confused man. He doesn't seem the type who will eventually take over his father's position as the head of family business. But, regardless of the personality clash, the longer the men spend time together on their private island, the more it seems Mutsumi has feelings for Tohru, and he's willing to take his place in the ranks provided Tohru will become his lover and blood brother.

As with most of Ms. Nitta's manga there's a twist to Starting With a Kiss, the sex was frequent and deliciously smutty, and the art visually stunning, but, and this is a small but, I found the dialogue between characters choppy at times. This isn't to say that the whole 'lost in translation' thing posed a huge problem; though I did reread certain sections to make sure I understood the events clearly.

And, I have another confession to make. Even though Mutsumi and Tohru were beautiful characters I thought their fathers, in their youth, were sexier. I know it sounds strange, and I usually never mention the side or back-story characters, but in this case I'd love it if Ms. Nitta dedicated a manga just to them. *drools*

So, here's my rating, five flames and/or five stars. The characters were gorgeous, the sex hot, and the story interesting. I can't wait for volume two!
Profile Image for Marsha.
Author 2 books39 followers
September 5, 2014
Youka Nitta’s men don’t vary much in physical appearance from one book to another. But there are still subtle but telling differences to differentiate between the characters of one series and another.

In this novel, we are dealing with the yakuza, a group much popularized in the manga genre. However, the story starts off away from the main action, with two very different characters situated on a deserted island.

Ah, a perfect setting for romance—or at least unbridled lust. And the author doesn’t disappoint. The sexual content is shown on the very first page, leaving the reader in no doubt as to the inevitability and swiftness of the two characters’s entanglement. What does surprise are the various Machiavellian machinations, emotions and characters that are invested in what appears to be nothing more than one man’s attempts to stave off boredom.

There is a lot more at stake here than is first admitted or shown and that is what forms the meat of this first volume. Apart from the sex, what goes on outside the bedroom is even more vital than what is happening in it. The convoluted interplay of emotion and double dealing may be difficult to follow. But it’s worth the reader’s while to stick with it.

This is a fine start to a new series. I look forward to volume two.
Profile Image for Eme San.
Author 3 books24 followers
January 30, 2013
Una nueva historia de Youka Nitta ambientada en el mundo de los Yakuza o mafia japonesa.

Aquí el argumento va haciéndose más elaborado a medida que avanza la historia. El hijo del jefe de un Clan Yakuza es enviado por su padre a una isla desierta para protegerlo de una posible revuelta dentro de la organización. En vez de ir con su usual guardaespaldas debe permanecer en la isla con el hijo de la mano derecha de su padre, un joven brillante que no quiere seguir del Yakuza y que ha logrado entrar en una prestigiosa Universidad.

Profile Image for Myka.
Author 11 books63 followers
August 16, 2012
First of all I want to make it clear that I am very biased when it comes to Youka Nitta. Haru Wo Daiteita was the very first graphic yaoi manga I ever laid eyes on and I am very grateful for that :P So this is Youka Nitta with yakuza and angst, what more do I want. Thank you Sublime for licensing this! The volume also includes the short LOL Theater which was a plus.
Profile Image for April.
310 reviews5 followers
February 15, 2013
Starting with A Kiss, Volume 1
Youka Nita
Sublime
2011

Of the three manga I have read so far this winter, this one has the best writing, art, and plot. It is easy to tell the characters apart, the plot is not too unbelievable, and the sex is consensual (thank goodness).
I can actually see my self reading another volume.

3 stars.
200 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2014
Volume 1-2 on going
Good story, and as always Youka Nitta's art is fantastic. I am kind of a fan of yakuza/gang stories with the seme and uke being part of the gang or a leader of it. There was some subterfuge in the plot that was meh, but it didn't hurt the story. Tohru and Mustsumi are the main characters.

No 3rd volume yet
Profile Image for Yesenia.
7 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2012


Like most of Youka Nitta's work, I loved "Starting with a Kiss." The art like always beautiful and the story line interesting enough to keep you going. I barely got this book and I read it in one sitting and can't wait to get Volume two.
Profile Image for PurplePixie.
98 reviews
May 29, 2016
In the yaoi world you get a lot of yakuza stories but I will say I enjoyed the characters personalities here. The real reason I'm giving a 4 star though is for the short story at the end. Super cute couple and CANNOT WAIT to see how their story plays out.
Profile Image for DeeNeez.
2,014 reviews13 followers
January 30, 2024
This is Nitta Youka in her prime, her best work ever! Beautiful art down to the last details of every scene, the flow of emotions portrayed, the sexiest men ever, and a plot with lots of intrigue...yakuza style.
Profile Image for Kayla.
188 reviews
February 18, 2015
2 stars for main story and 4 stars for the short story at the end (It is worth reading).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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