Spiritual Police, Vol. 1

Spiritual Police #1

by Youka Nitta

On the recommendation of one of his senior detectives, Nagatsuma, a member of a special criminal investigative unit, starts receiving therapeutic bodywork from blind masseur Aoi, a man with both skilled hands and gorgeous looks. Nagatsuma quickly becomes addicted to the relief that Aoi brings him and begins looking forward to the time they spend together. But Aoi's got a secret he can't ever let Nagatsuma find out... A tale of passion and obsession from the creator of Embracing Love!

Genres: Manga, Yaoi, Boys Love, Romance, Crime, M M Romance, Contemporary

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2012

About the author

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.

Reviews

[MaDoReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

No puedo puntuar mucho mejor la serie, y creo que si no fuera de quién es, probablemente hubiera ido con 1 estrella

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting start to the series. Although I fear that may be all this will be. Over 1 year has passed on no official news can be found about the next volume. A lesson I have learned with manga...that often means a series has been dropped and discontinued.

However, I like to be hopeful and for the time being I give this volume 3.5 star rating. Consider it less of it is not continued.

It starts off with Officer Nagatsuma going in for a massage from a man named Aoi. Aoi serves high profile clientele but Nagatsuma's referral got him right in.

Nagatsuma is your typical, strong,logical man. Aoi reads aura's and is blind. While Nagatsuma scoffs at Aoi's ability to read him at first, circumstances have him wondering.

Both men are drawn to each other. Their different personalities are opposites so i am more drawn to them together. However both have secrets from the other. Aoi's I fear are darker or more troublesome but to know more I need the next volume!

The art is okay. Not my favorite but I have seen a lot worse. The characters are potentially interesting but also could dry up quick. It is hard to draw conclusions on this series based on it's one volume.

*A digital copy of this book was loaned to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. The art is pretty (although I have to say... her characters always kinda look the same), but the story.. the pacing was completely off (it definitely didn't feel/read like love at first sight) and overall it just didn't impress me at all. I'll probably check out vol. 2, too, though.

[Marker · Rating 4 out of 5]

El principio me estaba aburriendo montones, pero después la cosa se empezó a poner interesante y el final fue una cosa de locos.

Recién me entero que hay un tercer tomo que no está publicado así que no sabré cómo termina esta historia o si es que habrá más volúmenes.

[Patty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly my expectations were too high because I don’t know about this....

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read: Yeah, I stand by my original review. The story is simply lacking. All the ingredients are there yet the final meal is... off, somehow. Hard to put my finger on it.

Original review: I honestly don't know what to think of it. The art is amazing, like always, and the story itself is rather intriguing - intriguing enough that I bought volume 2 - but... I didn't feel the love at first sight. There was no development at all to their love story before it was so abruptly shattered. And Nagatsuma is... well, he's a wuss. He cries at the drop of a hat, he's the perpetual assault victim... I don't know.

[DeeNeez · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I always love Youka Nitta’s artwork. It hard not to fall in love with her men. Detective Nagatsuma fall in love with a psychic yet blind therapist, Aoi. But the plot becomes very complex with the different crimes being investigated. Especially when things start tying back to Aoi and possible organized crime. The subterfuge, becomes a breaking point with Nagatsuma, mentally. Thank goodness I’ve got the second book in the series already because this is a cliff hanger.

[Leila Anani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nagatsuma is a stressed out police officer who gets referred to an exclusive relaxation parlour by a colleague. He is seen to by blind masseur Aoi and feels enlivened by his session and at the same time disconcerted since Aoi is psychic which challenges his logical perception of the world. The pair become lovers but Nagatsuma breaks it off when he finds the parlour is being investigated by Oribe, another colleague for ties to the criminal underworld. Is Aoi really psychic or is he manipulating the events he goes on to predict? Was his affection genuine or is he simply playing Nagatsuma to have a cop in their pocket? Shattered he allows Oribe to rape him and things take a dark turn. Oribe vanishes, the parlour disappears and poor Aoi is caged by the family who are using his psychic gifts...

Oh my. Talk about emotional rollercoaster. Ok the Nagatsuma/Aoi romance is a trifle rushed - but that kind of works in favour of the plot, giving credence to Nagatsuma's doubts.

Can't wait to read volume 2!

[R E · Rating 3 out of 5]

​​This was interesting largely because it moves from bland art and eye-rolling tropes (yes, it's yaoi, but even so - eye-rolling) to some unexpected twists and me buying the next book. We start with one stressed-out cop, add one blind masseuse who can “see” people's auras, stir with a drop of love-at-first-sight, and spice with a criminal investigation, a dirty cop, and possible betrayal.
​​
​​The uke - played by the stressed cop - has shiny hair cribbed straight from a shiny surface in a Roy Lichtenstein print. The characters are drawn at a level of abstraction that is cartoony but with a smoothly even line that lacks personality. It's as if the font Arial Round was transformed into a manga character - big yawn all around.
​​
​​But then I started to notice the visual pacing, the careful selection of angles, zooms, and panoramas and the rhythm they add to the story. By that point, the cliche story line goes off the rails a bit and becomes much more interesting.
​​
​​A strong second volume would go a long way to turning this into a solid second tier Yaoi. Stay tuned.
​​

[Lör K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: rape scene

I don't know where to start with this yaoi. The plot line is amazing and dragged me in almost straight away. The artwork is really well done and I really enjoyed it. The only thing I have against this is that the story line moves very very quickly.

The characters felt a little bit two dimensional but from the way they've set it up, I fully believe the characters will become more three dimensional in later volumes.

It's easy to tell where the plot line is going with this one, which puts me off a little bit, but I'm still curious to see what else Spiritual Police holds. This looks like it's going to be an exciting trip.

I wouldn't really recommend this for everyone, I think you'd have to like both the crime and yaoi/erotica genres to enjoy this one, but it's still good and I recommend to those who this appeals to!

[Reuben Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was simultaneously far too much plot and no plot? I think the mangaka had just tried to cram far too much into a short volume so the pacing went out the window and she forgot to actually make it make sense to people who weren’t in her brain. Considering how quickly the couple were having sex with how little development the relationship was given it feels like it was intended to just be a smut for smuts sake, but it’s taking itself far too seriously for that so who knows what the point actually is. Not one I’ll bother continuing.

[Marianna Rainolter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Allora mi avevano detto che era brutto e infatti tra tutti i volumi della Nitta usciti in italiano è indubbiamente il meno bello... Non mi piace il rapporto tra i due protagonisti che si innamorano così, appena si vedono, scambiano due paroline e via... Anche la questione del paranormale è trattata meglio in Otodama e quindi forse è meglio che questa serie sia stata interrotta dall'autrice stessa...?

[Elaine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but slightly weird. :/

I wasn't a fan of Nagatsuma's "weakling" personality and how he was so quick to judge and give up on Aoi. Also not keen how he used sex as a punishment for himself, and a weapon against others. But, an overall good storyline with an interesting concept.

[Audiophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first half of this, where it was police work and psychic stuff - my fav combo

The second half was more on the forced drama side, but I'm still interested to see where the story goes so I'm looking forward to reading the next volume

[Blak Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 1 and 2 Reviews

Spiritual Police Volume One is a paranormal yaoi that pulled me one direction part way through and then the complete opposite by the end; story and art by Youka Nitta. Volume one introduces two strong lead characters: rookie police officer Nagatsuma of the CIU, and a partially blind psychic masseur Aoi, that can sense medical issues when he touches his patients. Nagatsuma is referred to Aoi by his senior partner. Aoi examines him and quickly assesses Nagatsuma is stressed, because he’s far too kind for the line of work he’s chosen; he over thinks and worries too much. After that initial meeting Nagatsuma’s stomach feels better and he returns to work. He sees Aoi again for another session while he’s off duty, then he receives a phone call; he’s called to work for a serious case. Aoi senses something and touches him, and that’s when he sees an omen (a bird), and warns Nagatsuma to be careful of the bird.
The plot is somewhat complex, which isn’t unusual for Youka Nitta, a mangka that seems to thrive on creating heavy drama and always with a twist. One of her longer and most popular series HWD is a prime example of her flair for the dramatic. Getting back to the plot, the first volume leaves clues, but gives no solid answers and ends with a cliffhanger. Then the second volume picks up where the first has left off. Nagatsuma, who is supposedly in love with Aoi lets several other men screw him, while he wallows in what seems to be self-pity. I’m not sure if it’s a pity party or the indiscriminate sex that will eventually advance the story, but at this point none of it makes sense, which left me, the reader, wondering what the hell will happen next. And, his actions pissed me off. It’s almost as if the author took a wrong turn down a dark alley and got lost.
And that’s why I don’t know quite what to think. Volume one was great—beautifully drawn—only the best, as you’d expect from Ms. Nitta. Even the story caught and maintained my interest, but after that…it’s anyone’s guess. I do like the characters, so I really hope in volume three there will be some believable explanation for Nagatsuma’s actions. If not, it’s just smut used as filler.
As for Aoi, he lost his entire family and from the shock went blind; his condition is psychosomatic and if he can get past that incident, he will see again.
If you use a little of your own psychic ability you'll be able to figure out where this yaoi is leading. At the end a man holds him hostage in a cage, vowing he can never get out, especially if it’s discovered he can really see and has been lying the whole time. Now I won’t say any more, because I don’t want to spoil the plot. Five stars for Spiritual Police Volume One, and Volume Two gets two stars.

Read Review: http://www.blakrayneblog.com/2015/02/...

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritual Police is a paranormal romance series by mangaka Youka Nitta, of Embracing Love (Haru O Daiteita) fame. The story follows police detective Nagatsuma, a highly stressed but sensitive young man who, upon a recommendation from a coworker, attends a therapy session by a blind masseuse named Aoi. Nagatsuma and Aoi fall for each other but Nagatsuma has doubts after he finds out Aoi has other senses that were augmented when he became blind - paranormal senses that many would like to exploit. Both Nagatsuma and Aoi will become trapped in a complex web surrounding a mysterious cult leader and his ties to both Nagasuma and Aoi.

The first volume gets right into the action, introducing the two main characters and putting them in danger. As with most of Nitta's works, the men are both macho but also full of pathos and emotion. As such, there will be a lot of drama and crying. But I never felt that distracted from the story, the point being that the main characters are both strong yet vulnerable at the same time.

Nitta's unique illustration style of very square jawed, short foreheaded, macho type of men does sometimes create dissonance with their vulnerability in a way that can feel distracting (especially at the beginning before we get to know the characters well enough to understand their emotional fragility). But there is a complex story here and a lot happening to keep interest and ensure this isn't just an excuse for a sex romp or two between men.

By the end of the first volume, there is betrayal and a very neat 'turning of the tables' as the good guys are revealed to not necessarily be the best guys. In all, I enjoyed this first volume and am looking forward to the next.

Received as an ARC from the publisher.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Work, outside social ties, confused sexuality—all play a part of this latest series about a cop and the enigmatic soothsayer who may or may not have dubious ties to organized crime.

Ms. Nitta’s men possess a certain sameness about them that can make it difficult to tell one character in a series from another. Critics will argue that her main leads in “Spiritual Police” look very much like the ones in The Prime Minister’s Secret Diplomacy, Embracing Love and Starting with a Kiss series. Fans, however, will retort that Ms. Nitta simply has a style, one uniquely her own, instantly recognizable and therefore set apart from the variety of manga with their cookie cutter looks of wide eyes, overspread mouths and weird chibis.

What also distinguishes Ms. Nitta’s work are the palpable tension set up between her characters. Ambiguity, sudden doubt and shifting moral ground edge her creations close to real life even when introducing fantastical elements, such as a blind seer’s eerily on-target predictions. More than just pretty faces or hot sex scenes (don’t worry; we have those here!), this series has subtle layers that bring the reader back again and again—or until the next installment appears.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Police work is never done, especially where Nagatsuma is concerned. He is sent to a masseuse called Aoi when he suffers the stresses and strains of being in the job. As Aoi is blind and has the power to heal, at first Nagatsuma doesn't believe his power, but when he is faced with the fact he has done him some good, he visits him again only to be given a message about another case he will be working on.

Nagatsuma and Aoi have a sexual kink that is explained in the novel, and the two soon become partners trying to investigate crimes as Aoi can sense people's auras. It is impossible not to fall for Nitta's men who are handsome as well as muscular just the way you like them, even if they do resemble her characters from other manga she has created.

VIZ Media have made a great decision of publishing her novels in English as there is definitely a call for them in the UK and US as Nitta has become more popular with her Embracing Love novel.

[Susana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Spiritual Police is a bittersweet love story between detective Nagatsuma, a young and handsome man with strong principles and a very logical mind which refuses any belief in the supernatural, and masseur Aoi, a blind man who has an ability to read the people’s auras through contact. They meet when Nagatsuma goes to Aoi’s clinic to be treated. Aoi senses the most beautiful aura in Nagatsuma, and falls in love at once. They share a night and a day of love and tenderness, but they both have secrets that will cut them apart…
The drawings are very beautiful, and the story is really nice but sad, unfinished and full of anguish and despair at the end. I am really looking forward to the second instalment, to find out if the two lovers reunite or continue suffering their separation.

[Bookwatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much drama! I read many boys love story and the amount of crying and useless drama get on my nerves. I want BOYS love story, not crying baby men
The story is good, want to keep reading but I hope the next volume will have less men crying and more plot

(read the Italian translation, the cover is gorgeous! Must admit that cover convince me to get it. Lol)

[Maverynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again we have a pretty awesome plot, marred by ViZ overused dub fonts. Really they only have like 3 they use for every manga they localize.

I'm going to see again if I can find ELSEWHERE to continue reading this as the plot has a lot of intrigue in it. It also has an esper, which is a win-win usually for me.

[Kenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

{manga/manwha 11/30}

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this on a whim, and found I quite enjoyed it. I don't know when volume 2 will be out, but I hope it's not a long wait. This is another great series by youka Nitta!

[Yi1ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one needed another chapter or two for me to feel empathy for the characters or to understand their motivations.

It has interesting potential though.

[Lb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 1
I really liked the premise of this book. The story was really well told, but i was sad as the second book is not out yet. The art is by youka nitta which is always beautiful.

[Tully Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Interesting premise and the art is good, but the translation to English not so good. Interesting that the seme was a blind spiritual doctor and the uke a sighted police officer.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much although the pace of the story was a bit choppy in places. I am looking forward to Spiritual Police vol 2, which I hope will be out in 2015.