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LOVELESS #1
Loveless, Volume 01
When 12-year-old Ritsuka discovers a posthumous message from his brother Seimei indicating he was murdered, he becomes involed ina shadowy world of spell battles and secret names. Togheter with the mysteirous Soubi, the serach to find Seimei's killer and uncover the truth begins!
But in a world where mere words have unbelievable power, how can you find true friendship and happiness when your very name is Loveless?
Older Teen - Age 16+
Fantasy/Romance
But in a world where mere words have unbelievable power, how can you find true friendship and happiness when your very name is Loveless?
Older Teen - Age 16+
Fantasy/Romance
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
January 19, 2019
Hmm.
Have read volumes 1 through 13. Still don't know what's supposed to be going on.
I would give the pretty artwork 4 stars, although the quasi-realistic style, without exaggerated caricature, makes many of the characters hard to tell apart at a glance, or even a second glance, which adds to the confusion. The cat ears as outward and visible markers of virginity, I can roll with as psychological symbolism, because what else is this medium for. The child-abuse themes, well, they were trendy back when this thing first got off the ground years ago.
It's the live-action vaguely sorcerous gaming plot that baffles me. Why are these people doing this in the first place, who is paying for it all, why are some tiny elite of people fighting pairs and most not, does anyone in the "not" category of the general public even know about it -- it does appear to be a secret activity -- why isn't it a televised professional sport, why does this even work in-world? Possibly the wrong sorts of questions to be asking of this manga, but there ya go.
Ta, L.
Have read volumes 1 through 13. Still don't know what's supposed to be going on.
I would give the pretty artwork 4 stars, although the quasi-realistic style, without exaggerated caricature, makes many of the characters hard to tell apart at a glance, or even a second glance, which adds to the confusion. The cat ears as outward and visible markers of virginity, I can roll with as psychological symbolism, because what else is this medium for. The child-abuse themes, well, they were trendy back when this thing first got off the ground years ago.
It's the live-action vaguely sorcerous gaming plot that baffles me. Why are these people doing this in the first place, who is paying for it all, why are some tiny elite of people fighting pairs and most not, does anyone in the "not" category of the general public even know about it -- it does appear to be a secret activity -- why isn't it a televised professional sport, why does this even work in-world? Possibly the wrong sorts of questions to be asking of this manga, but there ya go.
Ta, L.
January 12, 2022
Yeah, this is a no from me.
I would summarize this for you, but honestly, I don't even know what's supposed to be going on. Our main character is 12 years old, and his brother was violently murdered by someone for reasons unknown.
That's all I know.
The MC shows up at school and immediately has all of these super sexist thoughts about all the girls at his school, who, in his defense, are portrayed as completely and utterly stupid ninnies who refer to themselves in the third person. Their personality is having big boobs.
Ew.
After school, the MC meets this guy who's supposed to be in his 20s who declares his undying love for the MC and kisses him and they talk about sex, and yeah obviously this is extremely problematic.
I don't mind the occasional age gap, but a 12-year-old and 20-something year old together is gross and obviously illegal, so I'm going to have to pass on the rest of this series.
I would summarize this for you, but honestly, I don't even know what's supposed to be going on. Our main character is 12 years old, and his brother was violently murdered by someone for reasons unknown.
That's all I know.
The MC shows up at school and immediately has all of these super sexist thoughts about all the girls at his school, who, in his defense, are portrayed as completely and utterly stupid ninnies who refer to themselves in the third person. Their personality is having big boobs.
Ew.
After school, the MC meets this guy who's supposed to be in his 20s who declares his undying love for the MC and kisses him and they talk about sex, and yeah obviously this is extremely problematic.
I don't mind the occasional age gap, but a 12-year-old and 20-something year old together is gross and obviously illegal, so I'm going to have to pass on the rest of this series.
March 20, 2009
It's kind of weird to call this manga "yaoi" since there's no sex at all and the main hero is a 12-year-old boy. But it doesn't fit in the "non-yaoi" category either because of the way Soubi restores his energy - through a kiss. But Soubi is adamant that he feels no sexual desire for Ritsuka, he says that maybe one day they will have sex but not until Ritsuka grows up.
Besides that, this volume is overall rather weird - Yun Kouga tries to raise interest without revealing the plot and that leads to much confusion. But the story is interesting and since I saw the anime, I know bits and piece about what will happen next, so I know better than to give up on it.
Also, Yun Kouga is quite obsessed with games, isn't she? I mean, like Yu-Gi-Oh! games. Both Loveless and Gestalt use this theme a lot (although Gestalt less and less in later volumes). Only her Earthian manga didn't have this theme at all - and that's probably why it's my favorite work of hers (yes, I'm no fan of games).
Besides that, this volume is overall rather weird - Yun Kouga tries to raise interest without revealing the plot and that leads to much confusion. But the story is interesting and since I saw the anime, I know bits and piece about what will happen next, so I know better than to give up on it.
Also, Yun Kouga is quite obsessed with games, isn't she? I mean, like Yu-Gi-Oh! games. Both Loveless and Gestalt use this theme a lot (although Gestalt less and less in later volumes). Only her Earthian manga didn't have this theme at all - and that's probably why it's my favorite work of hers (yes, I'm no fan of games).
July 12, 2014
Loveless- great story but I'm uncomfortable with the relationship age gap. He's 11 and the other one is 20. The middle schooler is kissing him, but it not like sex, perhaps a power thing ? but the older one says things like now I'm getting hard...... I really have this cringe thing going on when I got the ages. I know it's a Manga, not real but ... well I'll move on the rest of the series before I put my judgmental Judy cap on and slam the hammer down. I've only seen glimpses and there could be a lot more to it.
The art work is wonderful, the characters interesting and the mystery engaging
The art work is wonderful, the characters interesting and the mystery engaging
June 15, 2009
I think this is the first manga volume I've ever read all the way through. It's odd. And a little queer, which I guess is good. Unfortunately, it's also a little confusing. I like the general idea, but in terms of actually getting to a story, this collection is lacking. Not sure if I want to continue reading it.
Twelve year old Ritsuka's brother has died. And the Ritsuka we get to meet only has memories from the past two years. He has forgotten the things that come before. There's a traumatic event is stopping him from remembering, but I'm not sure what it is. In the meantime, his mother is unforgiving. Constantly asking for her Ritsuka to return.
One day at his new school, a 20 year old stranger called Soubi shows up, claiming to know Ritsuka's brother, Seimei. Turns out they were a Fighter and Sacrifice unit. When Seimei died, Soubi became Ritsuka's fighter unit. (One person fights using spells, the other withstands the damage). Soubi and Ritsuka have a sort of love/hate relationship. It seems Soubi is gay, and I think he has a boyfriend, but he loves Ritsuka. Whether or not this is because he is bonded to him now as his fighter unit, I have no idea. It's odd. But they're investigating the murder of Ritsuka's brother's death now. Together. And they have to fight off a team who wants to take Ritsuka to the people who killed his brother.
Lastly, people who have not lost their virginity have the tails and ears of cats. Once those disappear, they are 'adults'. It took a while to understand that this was the case. And it was a little weird.
Who would I recommend this to? I'm not sure I know anyone who would read it. Maybe Melissa. But it's a little far out. And normally I dig far out. Still processing.
Twelve year old Ritsuka's brother has died. And the Ritsuka we get to meet only has memories from the past two years. He has forgotten the things that come before. There's a traumatic event is stopping him from remembering, but I'm not sure what it is. In the meantime, his mother is unforgiving. Constantly asking for her Ritsuka to return.
One day at his new school, a 20 year old stranger called Soubi shows up, claiming to know Ritsuka's brother, Seimei. Turns out they were a Fighter and Sacrifice unit. When Seimei died, Soubi became Ritsuka's fighter unit. (One person fights using spells, the other withstands the damage). Soubi and Ritsuka have a sort of love/hate relationship. It seems Soubi is gay, and I think he has a boyfriend, but he loves Ritsuka. Whether or not this is because he is bonded to him now as his fighter unit, I have no idea. It's odd. But they're investigating the murder of Ritsuka's brother's death now. Together. And they have to fight off a team who wants to take Ritsuka to the people who killed his brother.
Lastly, people who have not lost their virginity have the tails and ears of cats. Once those disappear, they are 'adults'. It took a while to understand that this was the case. And it was a little weird.
Who would I recommend this to? I'm not sure I know anyone who would read it. Maybe Melissa. But it's a little far out. And normally I dig far out. Still processing.
May 7, 2021
Review of volumes 1-13. I toss around the descriptor "id fic" a lot because it's a style I seek out, but almost nothing is as id as this: after his brother's mysterious violent death, a 12 year old boy with cat ears that denote his virginity-aka-youth inherits a college student who professes who love and serve him in magical battles where words become spells and injury is signified by BDSM gear. It's profoundly "problematic," in ways which aren't meant to be examined but function instead as romantic fantasy, and in (often overlapping) ways which confront subjects like child abuse, age and power differentials, "purity" and intimacy, and consent. The art is a flowing shojo style, the covers are fluffy pastel dreams, and everyone and thing is--rather, appears to be--beautiful.
It's far from flawless. The episodic structure grows repetitive and introduces a mixed bag of supporting characters; I love most of them, they enrich the worldbuilding, but it makes for a cluttered cast. I'd prefer a tighter focus ... and a plot which were actually finished by now, because I doubt this ever will be. But it works on premise alone, which is to say that it's about what it means to be (or not be) a bonded fighting pair, exchanging power, ability, and consent; plot developments make for a much richer and more complex examination, but it doesn't require resolution to be satisfying. I came to this experience expecting something tropey, fanbaity, even cringy; it is! but it does good by those elements, fully indulging them but then rendering them well-characterized, provoking, and nuanced.
It's far from flawless. The episodic structure grows repetitive and introduces a mixed bag of supporting characters; I love most of them, they enrich the worldbuilding, but it makes for a cluttered cast. I'd prefer a tighter focus ... and a plot which were actually finished by now, because I doubt this ever will be. But it works on premise alone, which is to say that it's about what it means to be (or not be) a bonded fighting pair, exchanging power, ability, and consent; plot developments make for a much richer and more complex examination, but it doesn't require resolution to be satisfying. I came to this experience expecting something tropey, fanbaity, even cringy; it is! but it does good by those elements, fully indulging them but then rendering them well-characterized, provoking, and nuanced.
October 3, 2009
i didnt really read the manga i watched the anime...and so far i didnt know what was going on...like in the middle of the anime show they had some spells and powers?, then the guy with the non-cat ears and tails fell inlove witht eh 12 year old boy...and he was in his twenties...i dont know what is going on...and out of no where soubi kissed the ritsuka...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2019
I, uh, kinda still really love this? Though its a lot darker than I remembered it....
December 11, 2021
Omg loved this anime and manga i read and watched it 10 years ago ❤❤❤🤓 and the opening song!! I would walk down the isle tooooooo.. Ritsu & Sobui.
October 2, 2020
#fallintomangalove readathon
Prompt: Read a Josei title
Prompt: Read a Josei title
March 14, 2022
…Even if there is no sex, the relationship between the 12 year old boy and the adult man intentionally gives pedo/grooming vibes. There is absolutely zero necessity for making them need to kiss to battle (or whatever), it’s just an excuse to make them kiss. I think books like this allow people to normalise/romanticise grooming type of relationships and that’s not on.
March 24, 2014
"You also never told me to not love you"
March 1, 2014
Compared to many, I'm a manga novice. I didn't grow up with Disney. Art classes were purgatory. As a writer, I tell stories with words. Telling stories with pictures never really got me. But the few mangaka I've recently been introduced to are slowly changing my mind. Yun Kouga is certainly one of them - mainly due to Loveless.
Some people find this story disturbing, given that the main characters are both male. When I see a good love story, I tend not to worry about gender. Finding love is something that's to be treasured, not thrown out because it's inconvenient or doesn't fit stereotypes. That's my take, at least - feel free to differ.
Loveless tackles a lot of thorny issues as part of its storyline. The main pair of the story are both male. One partner is an adult, the other clearly still young. Other pairings are all male or all female. Then there are issues of dominance and submission. Parental violence. Mental illness. Betrayal. General ignorance and 'looking the other way...' as displayed by Ritsuka's teachers in the face of his recurrent injuries and excuses. His friends' attempts to get him to open up...
Issues like these are difficult to address. Addressing them without preaching is even more tricky, but Loveless manages it. Everything that happens to Ritsuka and Soubi is seamlessly bound into the plot. And the fantasy elements make it a great adventure story.
Some people find this story disturbing, given that the main characters are both male. When I see a good love story, I tend not to worry about gender. Finding love is something that's to be treasured, not thrown out because it's inconvenient or doesn't fit stereotypes. That's my take, at least - feel free to differ.
Loveless tackles a lot of thorny issues as part of its storyline. The main pair of the story are both male. One partner is an adult, the other clearly still young. Other pairings are all male or all female. Then there are issues of dominance and submission. Parental violence. Mental illness. Betrayal. General ignorance and 'looking the other way...' as displayed by Ritsuka's teachers in the face of his recurrent injuries and excuses. His friends' attempts to get him to open up...
Issues like these are difficult to address. Addressing them without preaching is even more tricky, but Loveless manages it. Everything that happens to Ritsuka and Soubi is seamlessly bound into the plot. And the fantasy elements make it a great adventure story.
May 10, 2022
I read volumes 1-4 because my friend really enjoyed this series but its not good. There’s a lot happening in this with little to no explanation for any of it.
So for starters our mc’s brother just died and mc is trying to find the killer. Okay, well that’s all well and good, except his brother’s ex-boyfriend (who is in his 20s) starts showing up at mc’s school and hitting on him (our mc is like twelve). The manga really pushes their relationship as like a shoujo romance with our mc ‘falling’ for him but considering the huge age gap, the whole thing comes off as groom-y and super uncomfortable.
There’s also a weird fighting system, a mysterious conspiracy, and everyone just has cat ears and human ears(at the same time)? Apparently, in this world, when people lose their virginity they lose their cat ears. Which lets the reader know visually which characters are virgins and some of the characters wear fake cat ears to pretend they aren’t sleeping around and its a whole thing.
Overall, this story is super problematic and badly written.
Absolutely do not recommend, there are so many better things to spend your time reading
So for starters our mc’s brother just died and mc is trying to find the killer. Okay, well that’s all well and good, except his brother’s ex-boyfriend (who is in his 20s) starts showing up at mc’s school and hitting on him (our mc is like twelve). The manga really pushes their relationship as like a shoujo romance with our mc ‘falling’ for him but considering the huge age gap, the whole thing comes off as groom-y and super uncomfortable.
There’s also a weird fighting system, a mysterious conspiracy, and everyone just has cat ears and human ears(at the same time)? Apparently, in this world, when people lose their virginity they lose their cat ears. Which lets the reader know visually which characters are virgins and some of the characters wear fake cat ears to pretend they aren’t sleeping around and its a whole thing.
Overall, this story is super problematic and badly written.
Absolutely do not recommend, there are so many better things to spend your time reading
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2023
This has so many problematic aspects (like, typical 2005 yaoi often had). If we ignore the age gap between the two main characters, it's still a little weird at times, but I actually really love the story. The fights are very confusing, but also really cool, since they're based on language and words.
March 10, 2020
Well... I’m curious why some manga approach such controversial content so casually. This story immediately dives into a pedophilia situation where a college student is wooing and manipulating a grade schooler. This is all portrayed as a fantasy/romance which actually makes it even more vile, a grimy attempt at normalizing pedophilia. I could barely finish it.
March 27, 2023
Ich mag den Manga sehr gerne. Das Kampfsystem finde ich ziemlich cool und besonders. So gesehen bekämpft man sich da mit Wörtern. Und es hat eine gute Mischung aus Fantasy, Romanze und auch etwas Mystery.
December 1, 2014
Beautiful art and a captivating story. I don't need anything else.
January 5, 2016
Love this series. No matter how many times I read it, I still enjoy it more every time.
June 2, 2016
This sucked.... A 20 year old guy with a Twelve year old? talk about paedophilism...BELH!
Read
March 16, 2025DNF @ 22%
Story giving me the ick
Story giving me the ick
August 10, 2025
Yeah I wish I read the reviews. I can't read about a 20 something man and a 12yo boy. Very quick dnf
February 22, 2020
I first read Loveless over 10 years ago, when I was about the same age as Ritsuka. I really enjoyed rereading it as an adult. Back in the day I read through volume 8, so I’m excited to get back into it and hopefully finish the series.
As a pre-teen I remember thinking Loveless was really scandalous, due to the relationship between Ritsuka and Soubi. Now I think, at least in volume 1, the story follows really damaged characters, but I don’t think the relationship is explicitly inappropriate, just complex and messed up.
As a pre-teen I remember thinking Loveless was really scandalous, due to the relationship between Ritsuka and Soubi. Now I think, at least in volume 1, the story follows really damaged characters, but I don’t think the relationship is explicitly inappropriate, just complex and messed up.
February 25, 2023
★★☆
[2.5 stars]
I want to love this but I just can’t without feeling shitty.
This book is very problematic. I also have very little clue on what the hell is happening. The mc, Ritsuka had something going on?? Like, two different personalities? I don’t even know.
On the first day of school, he comes in and all the girls start squealing over him cause he looks ‘hot’ but he sees them as unintelligent fools whose personality is just their boobs. Wow.
He treats Yuikio like shit when she’s legit trying to make him feel welcome. Like yeah, she’s dumb, but at least she has a kind heart.
Then he basically changes from a emo bitch who hates everything to a energetic child towards other people.
Now this is what really conflicted me. When he exited the school, a guy named Soubi is waiting at the gates for him. Then grabbing him which causes him to scream. But the moment Soubi mentions that he knows what I’m pretty sure is Ritsukas brother, he switched up and clings to Soubi.
That’s not what I found strange though. What I found strange was the fact that Soubi is somewhere around 20, maybe a little more, and that Ritsuka is 12. Ritsuka MADLY MADLY blushes around Soubi, and Soubi tells Ritsuka that he loves him. Not in a fatherly manner but in a LOVE manner.
Also, Soubi kisses Ritsuka. I’m pretty sure there’s a reason in the magic system for that but the magic system is confusing so I don’t wanna get too into that. When they kissed, they talked about sex. Which ended in Soubi saying they can only do it when Ritsuka’s older. Oh. So he’s planning it? Okay…
I’m pretty sure Soubi is the love interest, which concerns me because their relationship would be illegal (grooming or pedo). But it might be Yuikio. Highly doubt it.
Anyway, apparently Ritsuka can’t help but blush like a god damn tomato whenever he sees Soubi. He’s literally attracted to Soubi like a moth is to light.
That one panel where Ritsuka is held on a collar made me go ‘how tf did this even happen’ because I actually have no clue. I DONT KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED. The way it was drawn seemed like it was supposed to be a sex scene but it wasn’t.
Also, Ritsuka blushes whenever talking about his brother. WHY? Yeah he was the only person who understood you but WHY do you treat him like he’s your crush? I DONT UNDERSTAND. This is really giving incest but not actually incest.
The only reason this is 2.5 is because it really did have potential. Everything could’ve been okay if Ritsuka and Soubi were in the same age range or if they acted more like friends or brothers rather than lovers. Like, I would’ve squealed if they were actually in the same age range. But I couldn’t. Ugghhh.
I got vol. 1 and vol. 2 at my local library, so I will be reading the second volume too. Maybe it’ll change my view somehow? Probably not.
[2.5 stars]
I want to love this but I just can’t without feeling shitty.
This book is very problematic. I also have very little clue on what the hell is happening. The mc, Ritsuka had something going on?? Like, two different personalities? I don’t even know.
On the first day of school, he comes in and all the girls start squealing over him cause he looks ‘hot’ but he sees them as unintelligent fools whose personality is just their boobs. Wow.
He treats Yuikio like shit when she’s legit trying to make him feel welcome. Like yeah, she’s dumb, but at least she has a kind heart.
Then he basically changes from a emo bitch who hates everything to a energetic child towards other people.
Now this is what really conflicted me. When he exited the school, a guy named Soubi is waiting at the gates for him. Then grabbing him which causes him to scream. But the moment Soubi mentions that he knows what I’m pretty sure is Ritsukas brother, he switched up and clings to Soubi.
That’s not what I found strange though. What I found strange was the fact that Soubi is somewhere around 20, maybe a little more, and that Ritsuka is 12. Ritsuka MADLY MADLY blushes around Soubi, and Soubi tells Ritsuka that he loves him. Not in a fatherly manner but in a LOVE manner.
Also, Soubi kisses Ritsuka. I’m pretty sure there’s a reason in the magic system for that but the magic system is confusing so I don’t wanna get too into that. When they kissed, they talked about sex. Which ended in Soubi saying they can only do it when Ritsuka’s older. Oh. So he’s planning it? Okay…
I’m pretty sure Soubi is the love interest, which concerns me because their relationship would be illegal (grooming or pedo). But it might be Yuikio. Highly doubt it.
Anyway, apparently Ritsuka can’t help but blush like a god damn tomato whenever he sees Soubi. He’s literally attracted to Soubi like a moth is to light.
That one panel where Ritsuka is held on a collar made me go ‘how tf did this even happen’ because I actually have no clue. I DONT KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED. The way it was drawn seemed like it was supposed to be a sex scene but it wasn’t.
Also, Ritsuka blushes whenever talking about his brother. WHY? Yeah he was the only person who understood you but WHY do you treat him like he’s your crush? I DONT UNDERSTAND. This is really giving incest but not actually incest.
The only reason this is 2.5 is because it really did have potential. Everything could’ve been okay if Ritsuka and Soubi were in the same age range or if they acted more like friends or brothers rather than lovers. Like, I would’ve squealed if they were actually in the same age range. But I couldn’t. Ugghhh.
I got vol. 1 and vol. 2 at my local library, so I will be reading the second volume too. Maybe it’ll change my view somehow? Probably not.
Read
June 1, 2015This is such a great manga! It started off a little slow, but by the end, I was so sucked in that I didn't realize I'd reached the end until I turned the page and it was over! The characters are quite interesting and varied, as are the relationships between them. The magical battles, and the method of using words to battle, was really unique in my opinion, or at least the way it's executed is unique, since its different from all the gaudy latin spellcraft or oddly-named special moves that most magical battle stories usually involve. I love the use of symbolism here too, with the puppy ears representing youth, but more accurately representing innocence and/or virginity, as can be seen when Ritsuka thinks Soubi wants to have sex with him, and says his mom would 'flip if I lost my ears at my age'. I also liked the metaphor of Ritsuka piercing Soubi's ears, it was very sexual and erotic, but in an innocent way, without being graphic or dirty. The one thing I wish would be explained is the purpose of the fighter unit pairs, how they came about, or why they exist, who the 'higher ups' are, or at least something more about the whole magic battle situation. Guess I'll have to wait until the next book to find out - can't wait!
May 9, 2010
So I went through this strange shounen-ai period for a while, I blame 4chan and teenage sexual confusion. Also having no straight friends, but I don't really blame them. I think I have the first 6 volumes of this series. The only other manga I actually own are the 2 FLCL volumes, so I hope this says a lot. I only buy a manga when the art and the story completely blow me away, which they did in this, utterly, when I first read it. A friend lent it to me, but a few pages in I thought "I MUST POSSESS THIS" so I bought it and continued to buy new volumes when they come out. The amazingness has kind of lessened in the later volumes, possibly because the story isn't really going anywhere, possibly because I've lost all interest in shounen-ai and find the college student & 12 year old boy dynamic mildly creepy.
In short, it was the art (and amazing binding! well done tokyopop) that drew me to actually purchase this series. It's the best I've seen in such a long running series. Don't take my recommendation too lightly just because you don't like the "messy" style of FLCL that I mentioned above. This has a much wider appeal.
In short, it was the art (and amazing binding! well done tokyopop) that drew me to actually purchase this series. It's the best I've seen in such a long running series. Don't take my recommendation too lightly just because you don't like the "messy" style of FLCL that I mentioned above. This has a much wider appeal.
November 7, 2016
I actually have the 2-in-1 omnibus, but I'm reviewing the two volumes separately since there was a pretty big jump in art quality from vol. 1 to vol. 2.
The first volume is confusing as hell. I want you to look at this page:
The light-haired kid at the top is the exact same character as the dark-haired kid at the bottom. And the first panel, despite the texture which screams "I am a memory", is actually happening in real time and it's not a memory at all. I spent most of the first volume playing, "Can you recognize the main character?" and, later, "Can you tell what the hell his personality is?"
By the second volume I either got used enough to this that it didn't matter anymore, or it stopped happening as much.
Aside from that, as far as the plot is concerned: it looks interesting, but it's very mysterious and all over the place. Also, it looks very light-hearted and fun, but it hints at a whoooole lot of darkness underneath and many cans of worms waiting to be opened. It's disturbing in its way - and I think that's exactly what it was aiming for.
The first volume is confusing as hell. I want you to look at this page:
The light-haired kid at the top is the exact same character as the dark-haired kid at the bottom. And the first panel, despite the texture which screams "I am a memory", is actually happening in real time and it's not a memory at all. I spent most of the first volume playing, "Can you recognize the main character?" and, later, "Can you tell what the hell his personality is?"
By the second volume I either got used enough to this that it didn't matter anymore, or it stopped happening as much.
Aside from that, as far as the plot is concerned: it looks interesting, but it's very mysterious and all over the place. Also, it looks very light-hearted and fun, but it hints at a whoooole lot of darkness underneath and many cans of worms waiting to be opened. It's disturbing in its way - and I think that's exactly what it was aiming for.
February 6, 2011
I love this book with a passion. I can't get enough of it. I love how Yun Kouga uses fantasy and combines it with forbidden love and hints of hate, confusion, lust, and yearning. Yun Kouga uses beautiful vocabulary and lures the reader in in such a great way, you feel as if you're actually there in the story. The characters are also very easy to relate to, the story itself is very powerful and emotional. I love it, and can't get enough! I've re-read this book many times as well, and can never stop reading when I start.
August 10, 2011
Hm, another one where I was surprised by how much I ended up liking it. It's very strange, but intriguingly so. I'm especially fascinated by the dynamic between Ritsuka and Soubi (like most people who read this, I suppose), especially because it's a weird mix of - it isn't really sexual, but it's also not non-sexual? I don't know, at this point, rather than creepy I find it really, really intriguing because of that (and from what I've read so far it also doesn't really become sexual, so I can see myself reading more about it).
Read
January 9, 2022This review is only of volume one, as I haven't read them all and I don't believe I would give latter volumes as high a rating. I'd call this shouen-ai. There isn't any sex, but there are definite sexual undertones. Poor Ritsuka is really a pitiful character, even if he does have the backbone of a much bigger/older person, and Soubi is darned sexy even if he decries any sexual appetite. The artwork is lovely, the story is engaging, and the mystery keeps you reading. I have enjoyed it so far and will finish it in time.
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