Legal Drug Omnibus

合法ドラッグ [Gohou Drug] #1-3

by Clamp

Kudo Kazahaya’s name evokes the wind, which is given to warn him that one day he, too, might disappear. Once he almost thought his time had come—until he was rescued by the dark, handsome, and equally mysterious Rikuo Himura. Now they both reside at Rikuo's workplace, the Green Drugstore—a shop that dispenses not only medicine but the secret powers of both Rikuo and Kazahaya—from which the pair embark on missions into the paranormal at the bidding of its strange proprietor, Kakei.

CLAMP's Tsubaki Nekoi takes the lead in portraying the stylish boys' love of Legal Drug. This Legal Drug omnibus leads into the sequel Drug & Drop, coming soon from Dark Horse Comics!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, LGBT, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga, Urban Fantasy

544 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Ōkawa Nanase 大川七瀬
[born: 2 May 1967; Ōsaka, bloodtype: A]

Mokona Apapa もこなあぱぱ
[born: 16 Jun 1968, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]

Nekoi Mick 猫井みっく
[born: 21 Jan 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: O]

Igarashi Satsuki 五十嵐さつき
[born: 8 Feb 1969, Kyōto; bloodtype: A]


CLAMP originally began in 1989 as a twelve-member dōjinshi circle, but by 1990, the circle had diminished from twelve to seven. Of the remaining seven, Tamayo Akiyama, Sei Nanao, and Leeza Sei left the group during the production of the RG Veda manga. Other former members of CLAMP also included Soushi Hishika, O-Kyon, Kazue Nakamori, Yuzuru Inoue and Shinya Ōmi. Currently, there are four members in the group.

In 2004, CLAMP's 15th anniversary as a mangaka group, the members changed their names from Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona Apapa, Mick Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi to Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi (her name is pronounced the same, but written with different characters) respectively. The August 2004 issue of Newtype USA, a magazine specializing in events of the anime and manga subcultures, reported that the members of CLAMP simply wanted to try out new names. In a later interview with Ohkawa, it was revealed that initially Mokona wanted to drop her surname because it sounded too immature for her liking, while Nekoi disliked people commenting that her name was the same as Mick Jagger's. Ohkawa and Igarashi, wanting to go with the flow of Nekoi's and Mokona's name changes, changed their names as well.

In 2006, they made their first USA public debut at Anime Expo in Anaheim, California. They were well received at the convention, with 6,000 fans in attendance at their panel.

Reviews

[Lois Bujold · Rating 4 out of 5]

On first read, I'd maybe make the rating a bit less, but it may build. More in my slide down the slippery slope into the bizarro world of CLAMP manga. CLAMP is much addicted to recycling their tropes and characters, or assorted reincarnations of their characters, which actually works better than it should. Rather like one of those old movie studios with a lot of the same actors on permanent contracts, typecast. The cumulative effect is to turn what in other hands might be a linear narrative into an interlocking web of stories which are maddeningly elusive to comprehend till one goes and reads all those other parts. Marketing manipulation, subtle art, or sunk-cost fallacy? You decide. I'll be over here reading. Because anything is better than watching the news.

In this outing we are in a strange store which, along with its owner, is more than it seems, as its new employees and the reader gradually learn. Familiar trope from (the excellent) xxxHOLIC, to be sure. In between stocking shelves at the Green Drug Store, young live-in employees Kazahayo and Rikuo are sent out on mysterious magical missions by the suspiciously pretty blond owner Kakei. Angsty backstories ad lib. Meanwhile, wall-to-wall bishonen keep this reader amused.

I also ended up reading the two currently extant sequel volumes of Drug & Drop, but that story is incomplete till another (final?) volume comes out in English translation.

Ta, L.

[Emmett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well. WELL. This is told in episodes, none of which really give you a good feel for the characters or their backstories. The main character is extremely annoying and always yelling. The climax of the omnibus is basically that a guy ends up in a dress.

I read this because I loved Chobits by CLAMP when I read it ohh, over a decade ago. I will still pick that up again as I am curious to see if it holds up. This, though, THIS… it is poop. Poop is not for reading.

I thought about giving it 2 stars, but I don’t think my interest was captured at any point during the story and it’s not like the art was anything to savor. I described this previously as the vanilla raisin cardboard flavor of manga- that is a 1, not a 2 right?

**Also, V. Important= there is absolutely 0 marijuana in this story.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I had a rough time getting into this book.

I saw it and was intrigued by the title - "Legal Drug" and the description of the green drug store. Being as I live in Colorado, I assumed it's about the adventures of working in a pot shop.

No, no, not at all.

I never figured out the "legal drug" idea. It is about two men who run a drugstore and the two teenagers who live there and work there.

But there's really no drugstore story to speak of. All four of these men have special powers. Rikuo and Kazahaya, the teens, are always sent out to "acquire" special objects with special powers. They are good "finders".

At one point, they go undercover at a private school to steal a ring that is causing a spirit to haunt someone. They find a book that is alive and can suck you right into it. There's more adventures, I forget them at the moment.

This book could have been so much better. I had a bit of trouble following everything (that's normal for me) and the story just never grabbed me. It's mainly men in the manga so there's quite a bit of sexual innuendo there, not just between the obviously gay men but among all the men. (Yaoi - I couldn't remember the name for this. I'm new to manga so I had to read some other reviews.) That was okay, but I wouldn't have minded a female character to get in there and mix it up a bit but it wasn't that kind of a story.

I am curious about Kazahaya's mysterious past, though. Dang it. I have to read volume 2 now, just to find out what's going on. I also don't know much about the drugstore and the clients who keep wanting these objects found.

[Olga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mystery? Check. Chemistry? Check. Story? It's episodic, but check. All is great? Um, well, for me not quite. Thing is, all that is here I've seen before - strange living arrangements and kids too young for them, the kids with special powers, the "dark, mysterious past", the beautiful girl that has something to do with this dark, mysterious past, the "it has all been predetermined thing" that kinda comes up at the end, the tropes, the characters, the format, guys in pretty dresses and broken anatomy- you get the idea. Oh yeah, and also the main character comes off as unreasonable - acting with this kind of disdain towards someone who saved your life at least twice for seemingly no good reason just doesn't seem right to me. Seems kinda stupid, in fact. And I hate it when characters act stupid for no good reason. So, there's that. A positive here is the already mentioned chemistry - I found myself far more invested in the will-they-won't-they of their relationship that I would have expected.
My feelings overall are, if you're new to this whole manga business, dig right in -it's as good of a place to start as any. If not, then try it if it's your thing, but there are more challenging reads out there.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, although somewhat slow paced manga. 4/5 because of the art and the characters. I found the character of Kazahaya Kudo to be extremely relatable because of his circumstances and background. The whole concept of the drug store was really cool and I can't wait to see how the story continues in Drug & Drop.

[Maia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story focuses on two high school drop-outs, Kazahaya Kudo and Rikuo Himura, who work at Green Drug Pharmacy, a corner store which sells sundries such as chocolates and condoms. But the owners of the shop, Kakei and Saiga, run a second business as well: one that involves dreams, wishes, spirits and memories. Kazahaya is able to sense memories of anything he touches, Rikuo is able to break things telepathically and Kakei can see some aspects of the future. He also might not be human- there are many hints that he and Saiga are not what they seem, and that both the store and even the supernatural side jobs are a front- their real purpose being the protection of the boys in an environment designed to foster their relationship. I loved this series in high school. It is not particularly sophisticated or well-drawn compared to other Clamp series, but the constant homoerotic tension between both Kakei and Saiga, and between Kazahaya and Rikuo (plus sometimes between all four of them) was like a sweet syrup to my gay-ass teenage soul. Re-reading these books again as an adult, I am less impressed. The story is designed in such a way that Kazahaya is constantly fainting, or being enchanted to fall lustily into Rikuo's arms, or being forced to wear a dress despite numerous protests. I ate that shit up at 16, but reading it now I'm uncomfortable with the instances of dubious consent. The mysteries that Kazahaya and Rikuo are sent to solve feel like less well-developed versions of the mysteries Kimihiro Watanuki works on in xxxHolic. Of the three volumes collected in this omnibus, the third one is the strongest. It takes place at a private boys school where Kazahaya and Rikuo pose as students. Because the whole book is given to one mystery, it is the most complex and interesting that they face. It is also the gayest and the shippiest volume of the series, but if you've made it to book three, than that's probably what you are reading for!

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still have no idea why this is called Legal Drug or why there is a cannabis leaf on the cover. Low-key misleading, if I do say so myself.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably actually a three star if this is your first CLAMP read. Four if you like them and enjoy their styles for both art and narrative because CLAMP has this specific flavour that’s just their own and very consistent.

[Annemieke / A Dance with Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow this blog/goodreads a little longer you might have noticed that I have a small manga collection on my book shelves. When I was in high school I was a very big manga fan and read a lot of different ones. But as I grew older I didn’t quite have the time to keep up with the new releases and now books have taken over a lot of my time. Still from to time I enjoy (re)reading a manga. Especially when it is by CLAMP.

So in January of this year I felt like picking up my three volumes of Legal Drug. This series was put on hold for the longest time. A few years ago it was continued on in Drug and Drop (which has also since been put on hold). But since learning that I’ve had an itch to reread these 3 volumes I own.

Clamp always knows how to tickle my fancy and to make me ship the two main characters together. No matter how much they might argue with one another, there is always that hint of sexual tension and something else underneath. It is what I pick them up for to be honest. I love ships that take a long time to develop or where I can fill in the blanks myself. Shh, I have a dirty mind. With Legal Drug I certainly get my fill of that. Kazhaya and Rikuo are forced to work together since Rikuo found Kazhaya on the streets. Rikuo’s brash demeanor bristles Kazhaya but yet he is also drawn to the mystery of the man.

This wouldn’t be a Clamp story if it didn’t have some characters with mysterious backgrounds and suspicious ulterior motives. We have the drug store owner for instance who sends them out on extra jobs and his suggested boyfriend Saiga who never seems to take of his sun glasses.

While it is set in our world in Japan, there are also some powers going on. Kazhaya can see memories from the things or people he touches for instance. That always adds an interesting mix. The other characters also seem to have their abilities like seeing partially into the future. The jobs they are being send into often have a supernatural and mythical element to them. Something that I quit enjoy.

I am not quite as taken with these characters as I am with characters from other Clamp works. I think this has to do with that the characters are a little more evened out and there is a clear parallel in personality types with XXXHolic. I just think it is done better there. The mysterious element as well. Regardless this manga is highly enjoyable if you enjoy these elements.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published by Dark Horse as an omnibus, I think in preparation for Drug and Drop, which they're releasing next year?

Read these from the Tokyo Pop run, although that was ages ago, so I can't even remember what happened. But I seem to remember that there used to be glossy pages in front, with translucent green paper? My roommate has a copy of Vol.3 and tells me that their copy didn't have the translucent green paper, though, so maybe it's just the first two volumes?

I kinda liked that green paper, though, it looked really nice with the stark black and white illustrations. The omnibus doesn't have it either, but has all the colour-pages in glossy paper.

5 June 2021

I reread this again because I finally have volume 2 of Drug & Drop (in Japanese so we suffer, but it's just really hard to find translated manga in my country okay? And I can't justify buying the translated versions which are more expensive and pay shipping). Anyway, I read people's reviews to see what they think and a lot of them don't seem to realise a few things.

• This was originally published in 2011. And maybe that's not so long ago, but manga conventions were different then. For example, while reading this now I thought 'Well this type of episodic story with supernatural elements is really like xxxHolic, right?' But Legal Drug came before xxxHolic; in this case, the latter is something like revisiting an idea they already used but with different effects. It makes sense for Watanuki to appear in Drug & Drop, there's kind of a synergy to it.

• It really is BLぽい rather than actual BL. I think there's a lot of titles like this in the early 2000s (Loveless comes to mind), where BL hasn't actually become the BL that we know and there's still a lot of vague overlap with the shoujo genre. Well, it's CLAMP so there are certain expectations, but this is one of those 'not really one or the other' genre things.

• These stories tend to be serialised in anthologies or magazines before getting collected in tankoubon. If you think 'well that's really episodic' after reading a chapter, that might be why.

• They really put this in the back burner again lmaoo.

[Theresa Tyree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading the work of CLAMP when I was very young, and Legal Drug was one of the series I read when TokyoPop was still in business. Those of you that follow the industry know that there were only ever three books of this series (both in Japan and the United States) but no real ending to the series. Now, about 10 years after the originals came out, CLAMP is finally finishing the story of Legal Drug in the sequel series Drug & Drop.

But why pick up this new collection of the first three volumes of the story when they're just old news you might ask? Because you've never read Legal Drug like this before.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to manga, anime, and JRPG adaptation for the American audience. School A thinks they should be translated to be as true to the Japanese as possible, while school B thinks they should be adapted to the audience they are targeting. Back when Legal Drug first came out, School A was in power. Most manga translations were cut, dry, to the point, and although the stories were really interesting and the characters exotic (because the Japanese have different conventions and tropes) there wasn't a lot of voice that could be easily distinguished. Now school B is in power, and the adaptation that Carl Horn gave this story REALLY brings it to life.

It's not just about adding a few words here or there to make the language flow more like English than translated Japanese. This collection cuts out the repetitive "damns" of Kazahaya, really gives Rikuo a voice that differs from Saiga's and Kakei's, and lets the American reader really get in touch with these characters and understand them as the Japanese audience had the privilege to.

Even if you've already read Legal Drug, it's worth picking up this collection. You will not be disappointed by the care taken with the art or the dialogue, and it will be the perfect way to gear up for the sequel series Drug & Drop.

[Woowott · Rating 3 out of 5]

CLAMP, pretty boys, drama, tragedy, mystery, yaoi--what's not to love?

Well, I'm a little bit of a heretic. I'm not that into CLAMP. They're all right, don't get me wrong. But the only series I've ever bothered to go out and buy is 'Chobits.' For some reason, I just don't bond with their stuff. Not that it's bad, far from it. Just not my cup of tea. But this one should please CLAMP fans. For me, it got good with the last story arc, which had a bit more in the way of plot intricacies, even if the plot was a little silly.

[Jessica Eck · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading both volumes of “Drug and Drop” I just had to re-read “Lawful Drug” after more than ten years.

Other than in “Drug and Drop” we only get glimpses of the main story, the boys’ motivation of finding Tsukiko and Kei and their past; instead the focus is on short stories and the characters (I can’t say it often enough: I love Kakei and Saiga). The stories are emotional and the art work is beautiful, which comes as no surprise considering it’s a CLAMP series.

As I find the sequel slightly more enjoyable, I give this series 4 stars (but it’s more like 4.5).

[Elias Rosner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first foray into CLAMP's work and is certainly a good entrance. Legal drug, while not perfect or finished, is a very good story. I find myself wanting to see more of the characters but the one problem I have with this work is the lack of backgrounds. The ones that appear are sparse and a majority of the manga is made up of people standing in front of white spaces.

[Buffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be about drugs but it was actually just yaoi. Not that I mind.

[amax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art: 5* (It's CLAMP, come on)
Story: 3*
Pacing: 3*

Overall: 3 1/2*

So CLAMP wrote another shonen-ai... Somebody hold me please.

Why is this series called Legal Drug? No idea. Aside for the fact that the characters work at a pharmacy, there doesn't seem to be a specific link to drugs/medicine just from these first volumes. Knowing CLAMP, however, it'll probably be all explained in a much later volume (that doesn't exist yet because this series has been on a hiatus for way too long).


Kazahaya (right) & Rikuo (left), the main ship.

The story follows four guys who each have a special ability that normal people don't have. Kazahaya can see residual energy and memories when he touches something or someone; Rikuo can break/destroy small objects with his energy(?) and is also a bodyguard/protector for Kazahaya; Kakei has the gift of precognition and can see into the near future; and Saiga's abilities are kept in the dark, but it's said that he's an excellent investigator. Kazahaya and Rikuo both have a unclear background and are searching for "their most important person;" Kei for Kazahaya (his sister), and Tsukiko for Rikuo (we don't know their exact relationship at this point in the story).


Girlriends? Sisters? Who knows.

The boys work for Kakei at his pharmacy, but their main job is to go on various missions to find supernatural things/solve problems for mystery clients (think Yuko & Watanuki sort of dynamic).

The similarities between this story and CLAMP's other works is quite obvious. Kazahaya and Rikuo are basically foils of Watanuki and Doumeki in xxxHolic, Vol. 1, and even have some similarities with Fai and Kurogane in Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE, Vol. 1. Kakei, the mysterious pharmacy owner, is very similar to Yuko in xxxHolic. Saiga is the only one I couldn't find a definite look-alike for him, but then again Hisui and Kokuyo from Wish, Vol. 01 are pretty similar to him and Kakei... Regardless of the similarities, I think that this series is really enjoyable for CLAMP super fans.

As with any CLAMP work, the story is pretty confusing when you first start reading it (but in my opinion, this is part of CLAMP's charm). Like with xxxHolic and TRC, you get thrown into a strange world without much foregrounding. The magic of CLAMP though is the crossover between series and the interconnectedness of the plots. I think that this series could be really amazing if ever CLAMP decides to continue working on it (vol 3 of Drug & Drop, Volume 1 anyone?)


Major Yuko vibes where Kakei is concerned, but also, this scene is realy promising for the future of the series! Kakei opened his shop specifically for Kazahaya, before he even met him. I want to know what Kazahaya's true purpose is in this CLAMP universe.

Overall, it's CLAMP; what's there not to love? Sure, it's a bit confusing, but it gets better as the chapters progress. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series (whenever it gets written and published).

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The moment I saw the cover for Legal Drug, I was addicted. I'm not kidding when I say this is the best book cover I've ever seen. I can't think of much competition. The black and white allow the bold - and thematic - green to stand out, giving the book a dark and edgy tone.

Sadly, the book itself is nowhere near the standards set by the cover art. It's still decent, but it unfortunately did not live up to my high hopes.

What I noticed first was the art style. This isn't my first reading experience with the group CLAMP, so I already knew this, but... I don't like their art style. To be honest, that's just a personal thing. From an objective standpoint, it's well-drawn. It just happens that I'm into newer manga styles - with thicker lines and more cartoon-ish characters. Legal Drug's style is too realistic for my liking. I realize this is just a personal thing, so I'm not taking away any points for the art.

The next thing I noticed was the characters. Okay, I love the main protagonist, Kudo. He's got a nice personality, but also has his flaws (like an easily irritable temper). He's an all-around great character. Unfortunately, I did not like a single other character. However, throughout the story, I grew attached to most of them. Still, I'm going to remember Kudo more than anyone; the others are fine, but nothing as special as the main guy.

I respect the fact that the romance is not overkill. I was worried things would feel rushed, but for the majority of the book, relationships are quite natural between the characters. Toward the end, this isn't always the case; there are scenes in the second half that feel rather forced and cliché. Sometimes, it feels like there's romance just to have romance.

The story itself is fine, but rather plain. Thinking back, there isn't a lot that happens. Like the romance, the plot gets worse the closer to the end of the book. I was able to predict a couple of important things before they happened. Plus, some plot points don't even feel resolved by the end. This is probably due to the fact that there's a sequel series called Drug & Drop. It makes sense that the story doesn't feel finished; it isn't finished. I'll keep that sequel in mind, and I'll try to read it sometime.

Now, I would like to talk about my biggest complaint of all: the lack of drugs. I don't normally go around saying books should have more drugs in them. However, when the book involves a drug store, a weed-green cover, and a title like "Legal Drug," I'd want there to be some drugs working their way into the plot. Unfortunately, weed has almost nothing to do with the story. I was hoping for an edgy story about paranormal drugs, but instead got an edgy story about a somewhat paranormal part-timer.

Like many manga series, there are a few bonus chapters here and there. Most of these are silly little one-offs, but one of them stood out to me. It's the one right after the final chapter, and it actually redeemed the book, just a little bit. It's one of the most interesting moments in the whole story, and I'm glad Legal Drug could end on a "high" note.

I wouldn't recommend this three-volume omnibus to everyone, but if it looks interesting to you, read it. Just know it's not really about drugs.

This is one of my longest reviews. I wanted to say a lot without giving away too much. I think I was pretty careful, but let me know if you think I spoiled anything.

[Zara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legal Drug was a book that kept appearing in my Amazon recommendations, despite the fact I had no idea what it was, or what it was about. The summary of it made it seem interesting enough, though, and I have enjoyed what other CLAMP works I've read, so I felt it was a safe enough pick up.

The manga follows Kazahaya Kudo who was saved by another boy called Rikuo Himura and now they both live and work at the Green Drugstore. They don't just give out medication and other such things though, thanks to their own secrets powers they are dispatched into missions of the paranormal by the store's owner, Kakei.

Honestly? This series is a bit of a trip and I do not mean in the sense you would assume given the title, though it does feel like it could be fitting there too. The trips into the paranormal seem vague and we never really get any answers about... anything in the story. What lead Kudo to be lying out in the snow? What is Rikuo searching for this person? What exactly is Kakei up to? There's absolutely no answers and yet... it doesn't seem to matter? It feels like we're just popping in to see some moments in these people's lives, and that's fine. We don't get answers, because that's not the point yet.

I am aware the work continues in Drug and Drop, so I'm looking forward to picking that up to read.

The art is stunning though, as you would come to expect of a CLAMP work. Just very much an odd experience that really should be read to be understood and to draw your own conclusions on.

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

At long last, I've acquired [and now read] a copy of the Legal Drug omnibus! I'll be the first to admit I'm one of those "CLAMP fangirls" you've probably heard about, with the obsessive need to collect as much of their works as I possibly can, and this was one I'd only known about but never had had the opportunity to read, much less own.

I'm still on a bit of a high, so a more level-headed review will have to wait for a future re-read, but for now I have to say that I really love and appreciate this as part of CLAMP's works that focus more on a suburban/supernatural setting, and a lot of the chapters and stories in it can be very self-contained. A little disappointed that the story seems to drop off without a lot of explanation as to why in-narrative or even in side information, but I'm to understand that the original manga magazine this was being published in, in Japan, cancelled the series and it was put on hiatus, only to later be brought back under the title Drug & Drop. Which, thankfully, I received both volumes of when I purchased this omnibus, and I hope to read and review those soon as well!

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“He’s the prettiest boy I’ve ever seen!” Well...I can’t say that Kudo is the prettiest, but he definitely is cute. About one third into this book I found myself getting a little angry at the other characters who’d flirt with Kudo and I sadly came to the realization...oh my...I’m crushing so hard on a fictional character that I’m getting mad at fictional characters for flirting with my fictional crush!!!

Anyway, I really like that character all around, not just for his lovely appearance. Reading this book reminded me of watching those CW shows.

Characters
All cute, likable, and extremely shippable as they’re always flirting with each other or gazing at each other in romantic ways

Plot
Small adventures with a bigger conflict lingering in the background

Balance
This book did such a swell job balancing humor with drama. I was consistently laughing while genuinely caring for the characters during their dramatic moments/conversations.

So far this is my third entry into the world of CLAMP and I very much enjoyed this book. I plan on continuing to acquire and read their stuff!

[Sháy The Obscure Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

Okay, so I bought maybe a little over 4 years ago and I'm not going to lie, I remember at the time thinking it was going to be something completely different, obviously. One of those one-click buys without knowing anything about it.

Throughout the book, especially int he beginning,it felt like I had started reading halfway through a book or like watching a movie starting from the middle. I was very confused. I'm still slightly confused about it all. Also, what is the Legal Drug part of it though? The name, as far as I can tell, doesn't really tie into the story other than the fact that Kazahaya and Rikuo both work at the drugstore. However, I still enjoyed it.

Maybe in the future I'll read volume one and two of Drug & Drop seeing as the storyline was very unfinished... not sure yet though. I'd like to know more about the memories that appear to Kazahaya about Rikuo and someone named Tsukiko, as well as Kazahaya's sister and what happened there. Just overall would like to know more in hopes of piecing it all together.

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been reading Tsubasa Reservoir Chronical again since I didn't finish it the first time (it wasn't all out yet), so I figured I'd try to fill some of the CLAMP manga gaps in my reading repertoire and this popped up on sale.

I'm not sure who this caters too. As a middle age adult woman, I feel I read a story about a poor, probably seriously traumatized kid (though the back story isn't explained), who is so desperate for a roof over his head and a way to earn his keep that he moves in with another boy and two predatory men who flirt with him and send him on questionable missions where he's often forced to cross-dress even though he clearly expresses his disinterest in doing so.

I don't have an issue with same sex relationships or cross dressing, but I do have an issue with the coercion (and grooming?) used on the naïve main character who on multiple occasions very reluctantly agrees to cross dress in order to earn money. I think this is supposed to be funny, but it's just really heartbreaking.

Even though CLAMPs art is beautiful, I don't recommend this graphic novel. The story isn't very interesting (although I'm actually very curious about Kazehaya’s past and lack of education). Other than that bit of intriquing mystery, it doesn't have much going for it unless you're looking for lots of Yaoi art work. If that's the case, this might be your book.

I read this as part of my Year of Visual Arts initiative for 2023. I typically read CLAMP for their illustrations ... not their stories.

[Koori no hi · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who didn't know, this book is labeled BL. That obviously has the potential to turn many readers away, however; in typical CLAMP style, the story was intriguing and irritatingly vague so that even if I as the reader had not been all that interested, I would have continued reading just to find out where the plot was going.

With the second omnibus on the way, this first volume leaves much to be desired in terms of conclusions. It is very much what a CLAMP fan can expect out of one of their series, with the art we have come to know and love as well as the wandering storytelling that does not seem to be making a coherent line until pieces at the end are put into place.

[Vivian Lu · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really tough getting into the book. I dropped it and picked it back up a few times. The format is episodic and it’s hard to get a sense of the characters and purpose. I’m curious about the mysterious backstory and the chemistry between the two leads and side older pairing is decent. However, this is literally all of Clamp’s favorite troupes all in one and that can be a good thing or a bad thing depending in the reader. Personally, I didn’t feel invested in this disjointed story. It does pick up in the latter half but the beginning was so dull.

[Shannon Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

As per usual, Clamp's art style is gorgeous and very engrossing. And I love anything with even mild yaoi undertones. But seen as how this is pretty much all of legal drug, I wish it was slightly less episodic, and gave us more info on the central mystery and backstory of our boys. I'd love to know who the girls are to them and what's up with them. Here's hoping the next set in this series, Drug & Drop sorts that out.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it brings a bit of mystery to the characters that you are reading about. They have some supernatural powers that help them with missions set out by their boss. They work at a pharmacy, but their boss sends them on unique side missions. If you like mysterious paranormal with a bit of bl thrown in, I recommend this series!

[potato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragically, CLAMP got me with this one. I thought Legal Drug was really good, and reminded me of the lighter parts of Heart of Thomas (aka the very specific brand of shoujo about boys and being obnoxious in high school).

However, I started reading Drug & Drop and the moment I saw that damnable xxxHolic man I knew we weren't ever going to get anything the same ever again.

[Huu Vu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 sao.
Như kiểu phiên bản shopee của xxxHolic ấy vì các vụ linh dị trong này đều thấy kém hấp dẫn hơn.
Có mỗi bí mật và mối quan hệ của các nhân vật chính là thứ hấp dẫn nhất nhưng ai cũng biết là truyện drop drop drop nên coi như không. Vớt vát là boxset lần này của Kim làm ổn.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this story. So many mysteries and not enough answers! Love the characters and the hijinks that ensue.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing, moving book, with beautiful art. Funny, poignant, and worth getting.