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Ichigenme...The First Class Is Civil Law #1
Ichigenme...The First Class Is Civil Law, Volume 1
Tamiya meets Tohdou at Teinou University when he is unexpectedly French kissed by him at his zemi's, or seminar's, launch party! While Tamiya is somewhat put off by the unexpected kiss, considering the other students were forced to strip, he is grateful to Tohdou and they soon begin a curious friendship. But things become a little rocky when Tohdou admits he is gay and asks Tamiya to become his lover... Tamiya is adamant about being straight. But as Tohdou continues to pursue him, he starts to think about his past relationships and his inability to associate with girls. And when one of his professors makes a move on him, Tamiya begins to wonder if he should take Tahdou up on his offer after all.
242 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
159 people want to read
About the author
Fumi Yoshinaga
148 books248 followersJapanese: よしなが ふみ
Fumi Yoshinaga (よしなが ふみ Yoshinaga Fumi, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo and shōnen-ai works.
Fumi Yoshinaga was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971. She attended the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo.
In an interview, she said that "I want to show the people who didn't win, whose dreams didn't come true. It is not possible for everybody to get first prize. I want my readers to understand the happiness that people can get from trying hard, going through the process, and getting frustrated."
Little is known about her personal life. She mentions that her favourite operas are those by Mozart in the author's note of Solfege.
She debuted in 1994 with The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in comic markets.
Of Yoshinaga's many works, several have been licensed internationally. She was also selected and exhibited as one of the "Twenty Major Manga artist Who Contributed to the World of Shōjo Manga (World War II to Present)" for Professor Masami Toku's exhibition, "Shōjo Manga: Girl Power!" at CSU-Chico.
Outside of her work with Japanese publishers, she also self-publishes original doujinshi on a regular basis, most notably for Antique Bakery. Yoshinaga has also drawn fan parodies of Slam Dunk, Rose of Versailles, and Legend of Galactic Heroes.
Fumi Yoshinaga (よしなが ふみ Yoshinaga Fumi, born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo and shōnen-ai works.
Fumi Yoshinaga was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1971. She attended the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo.
In an interview, she said that "I want to show the people who didn't win, whose dreams didn't come true. It is not possible for everybody to get first prize. I want my readers to understand the happiness that people can get from trying hard, going through the process, and getting frustrated."
Little is known about her personal life. She mentions that her favourite operas are those by Mozart in the author's note of Solfege.
She debuted in 1994 with The Moon and the Sandals, serialized in Hanaoto magazine, but was previously a participant in comic markets.
Of Yoshinaga's many works, several have been licensed internationally. She was also selected and exhibited as one of the "Twenty Major Manga artist Who Contributed to the World of Shōjo Manga (World War II to Present)" for Professor Masami Toku's exhibition, "Shōjo Manga: Girl Power!" at CSU-Chico.
Outside of her work with Japanese publishers, she also self-publishes original doujinshi on a regular basis, most notably for Antique Bakery. Yoshinaga has also drawn fan parodies of Slam Dunk, Rose of Versailles, and Legend of Galactic Heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 6, 2011
At first I didn't like Toudou. I'm not quite sure why but he just rubbed me the wrong way. But then he started hanging out with Tamiya and I suppose the fact that he was less arrogant made him warm up to me. Tamiya on the other hand I liked from the start even if he was a bit naive and indecisive. The ending was very sweet and I'm looking forward to continuing with the series.
November 4, 2025
3.5 stars. Review is on the second volume.
July 30, 2018
The number of times I've read this series is kind of sick, but despite some very problematic elements (which, tbh, are kind of a hallmark of this particular genre of manga), it holds up each time I read it and I still enjoy the hell out it.
September 4, 2010
Tamiya is a third year student who has just joined a zemi (a study seminar) at Teinou University L-awful School, under the tutelage of Professor Tatsumoto, and at a welcome party for new members, things take an unexpected turn when another third-year student, Tohdou, does a strip, followed by a trick they call the human formaldehyde, and the other newbies are expected to follow suit. But Tohdou rescues Tamiya from doing so by giving him a rather heated kiss and declaring that that more than meets the requirement! Tamiya is stunned, as we begin Ichigenme, by Fumi Yoshinaga.
Tamiya tells his friend Terada the story of the welcome party, as she fills him in on what she knows of the zemi and its very laid-back undemanding professor, surprised that he has even joined it. He protests the it is the only zemi for procedural law, which is what he wanted to study. By third year, most students have dropped their language courses and gone to large size classes for the most part, other than their zemis, the larger ones being easy to skip out on and not be noticed. Tamiya notices that he seldom sees his fellow zemi students in the bigger classes, giving an indication of their level of commitment and study. And they catch on quickly that he is a good guy to get notes from. During class, Tohdou suggests going to Hokkaido, and everyone seconds that suggestion as they begin to make plans. Tohdou says he'll pay for Tamiya to go, but Tamiya indignantly tells him that if he chooses to go, he'll pay his own way, which throws Tohdou for a loop - that is something completely different for him.
Next time, Tohdou suggests they go to a bar by the station, and split the bill, so Tamiya agrees. He thanks Tohdou for helping him out at the welcome party, and Tohdou makes it pretty clear that he likes Tamiya and wants to be good friends. Although Tamiya is adamant when he tells Tohdou that he is not gay. Exams are two weeks away, and suddenly everyone is conscious of needing notes. Tohdou's friends assume he'll get them from Tamiya, because he is so smart, but Tohdou is acting odd, for some reason. And Tamiya can't forget that kiss, at night, when he is alone in his bed, and he reacts accordingly. He gets a call in the middle of the note from Fuwa, a classmate, who tells him that Tohdou's father has been arrested for some very scandalous doings, and then she asks to borrow his notes, telling him to bring three copies of them with him. The next day, Tamiya thinks Tohdou is showing a defeatist attitude toward the exams, so, although he hasn't planned to, he gives him a copy of the notes and demands that he cram.
The zemi learns that their professor is going to be out for four weeks, and they are to get a substitute. This might not be good, they might be expected to do something! The new teacher is Ikeda, and he does indeed expect them to be prepared, which is something new for them, although Tamiya more than steps up to the challenge. Tamiya is impressed with Ikeda, in a sort of mutual admiration society scenario, and he thinks he might actually learn something from him, as he confides to Tohdou. Tamiya gets touchy when Tohdou tells him he is jealous of the time that he spends with the professor, then says he is just kidding, as Tamiya repeats that he is not gay. But something unexpected happens with the teacher, and Tamiya is left wondering about a great many things.
Tamiya can't stop thinking about the incident, and it's even infiltrated his dreams. But since Ikeda hasn't mentioned it, and it's been two weeks, he convinces himself it was no more than a joke. At the end of Ikeda's time with them, they all go out to celebrate, but afterwards, Tamiya doesn't feel so well, and asks Tohdou to take him home - and then he tells him to do with him what he wants!
You can read my complete review at Yaoi Radius!
Tamiya tells his friend Terada the story of the welcome party, as she fills him in on what she knows of the zemi and its very laid-back undemanding professor, surprised that he has even joined it. He protests the it is the only zemi for procedural law, which is what he wanted to study. By third year, most students have dropped their language courses and gone to large size classes for the most part, other than their zemis, the larger ones being easy to skip out on and not be noticed. Tamiya notices that he seldom sees his fellow zemi students in the bigger classes, giving an indication of their level of commitment and study. And they catch on quickly that he is a good guy to get notes from. During class, Tohdou suggests going to Hokkaido, and everyone seconds that suggestion as they begin to make plans. Tohdou says he'll pay for Tamiya to go, but Tamiya indignantly tells him that if he chooses to go, he'll pay his own way, which throws Tohdou for a loop - that is something completely different for him.
Next time, Tohdou suggests they go to a bar by the station, and split the bill, so Tamiya agrees. He thanks Tohdou for helping him out at the welcome party, and Tohdou makes it pretty clear that he likes Tamiya and wants to be good friends. Although Tamiya is adamant when he tells Tohdou that he is not gay. Exams are two weeks away, and suddenly everyone is conscious of needing notes. Tohdou's friends assume he'll get them from Tamiya, because he is so smart, but Tohdou is acting odd, for some reason. And Tamiya can't forget that kiss, at night, when he is alone in his bed, and he reacts accordingly. He gets a call in the middle of the note from Fuwa, a classmate, who tells him that Tohdou's father has been arrested for some very scandalous doings, and then she asks to borrow his notes, telling him to bring three copies of them with him. The next day, Tamiya thinks Tohdou is showing a defeatist attitude toward the exams, so, although he hasn't planned to, he gives him a copy of the notes and demands that he cram.
The zemi learns that their professor is going to be out for four weeks, and they are to get a substitute. This might not be good, they might be expected to do something! The new teacher is Ikeda, and he does indeed expect them to be prepared, which is something new for them, although Tamiya more than steps up to the challenge. Tamiya is impressed with Ikeda, in a sort of mutual admiration society scenario, and he thinks he might actually learn something from him, as he confides to Tohdou. Tamiya gets touchy when Tohdou tells him he is jealous of the time that he spends with the professor, then says he is just kidding, as Tamiya repeats that he is not gay. But something unexpected happens with the teacher, and Tamiya is left wondering about a great many things.
Tamiya can't stop thinking about the incident, and it's even infiltrated his dreams. But since Ikeda hasn't mentioned it, and it's been two weeks, he convinces himself it was no more than a joke. At the end of Ikeda's time with them, they all go out to celebrate, but afterwards, Tamiya doesn't feel so well, and asks Tohdou to take him home - and then he tells him to do with him what he wants!
You can read my complete review at Yaoi Radius!
February 24, 2019
吉永描寫大學生活滿寫實，她跟今市子多少有參考自己的大學時代（畢業論文這玩意今市子也很愛提），不像羽海野的作品破綻曝露作者本人沒有相關經歷也沒有好好做背景調查。
（寫於2008年12月12日）
（寫於2008年12月12日）
September 17, 2015
While the title cover warns that this book contains explicit contents, the sexual content here is rather low key, the sexual element danced around mainly because one character is rather closeted and insists on labeling himself as not gay (even though he doesn’t care to date girls and is rather drawn to one of his classmates).
The main part of this manga deals with various students negotiating their future careers, school work and private lives. The intrigues, lies, scandals, false friendships and dicey behaviors between students and teachers form a fascinating tapestry, one that is even more intriguing than the will-they-won’t-they sexual relationship between the hard-working Tamiya and the enigmatic but playful Tohdou. They form a neat contrast for each other without Tamiya falling into stuffy rigidness or Tohdou being a frivolous flibbertigibbet.
It’s a guessing game as to where either of them will end up come the end of school—or even if they’ll end up with each other—but that’s all part of what makes this particular manga so stimulating. The author manages to make Tamiya’s reluctance endearing rather than annoying. Tohdou’s actions barely skirt molestation but the author avoids that questionable behavior, too.
If I had to, I would recommend this manga for those wanting a really good storyline with quiet romance and softcore sex weaving its way through it.
The main part of this manga deals with various students negotiating their future careers, school work and private lives. The intrigues, lies, scandals, false friendships and dicey behaviors between students and teachers form a fascinating tapestry, one that is even more intriguing than the will-they-won’t-they sexual relationship between the hard-working Tamiya and the enigmatic but playful Tohdou. They form a neat contrast for each other without Tamiya falling into stuffy rigidness or Tohdou being a frivolous flibbertigibbet.
It’s a guessing game as to where either of them will end up come the end of school—or even if they’ll end up with each other—but that’s all part of what makes this particular manga so stimulating. The author manages to make Tamiya’s reluctance endearing rather than annoying. Tohdou’s actions barely skirt molestation but the author avoids that questionable behavior, too.
If I had to, I would recommend this manga for those wanting a really good storyline with quiet romance and softcore sex weaving its way through it.
June 11, 2007
Fumi Yoshinaga's art is wonderful. Her characters are all incredibly realistic and expresive making the reader's experience all the more immersive and empathetic.
This is the first volume in a series, establishing romantic tension and interest on the part of our heros Tohdou and Tamiya. Yoahinaga's boys-love (what I've read of it) tends to avoid many of the more seriouslf implausible or uncomfortable elements that can be found in boys-love and focuses more on original stories with endearing, unique, and human characters. It's always hard to judge a series by its initial volume, but so far this story is pretty enjoyable.
This is the first volume in a series, establishing romantic tension and interest on the part of our heros Tohdou and Tamiya. Yoahinaga's boys-love (what I've read of it) tends to avoid many of the more seriouslf implausible or uncomfortable elements that can be found in boys-love and focuses more on original stories with endearing, unique, and human characters. It's always hard to judge a series by its initial volume, but so far this story is pretty enjoyable.
June 30, 2010
Tohdou and Tamiya are law students in the same seminar. Tohdou is the son of a politician and a real flamboyant guy. He makes a move on Tamiya who denies being gay but they become friends. When a professor makes a move on Tamiya he wonders if maybe he is gay and he and Tohdou give it a whirl. I didn't really get a lot of the inside stuff as I don't understand how law school works in Japan and the signficance of certain things the students have to do except for the bar exam. It was an okay story of Tamiya figuring out he's gay and had the usual reluctant gay story-line.
March 24, 2013
Goofier than Yoshinaga at her best, "Ichigenme" kicks off as a somewhat awkward coming of age tale about two very different university students who become friends: serious and introverted Tamiya and flamboyant, openly gay Tohdou.
Yoshinaga embarks on a problematic trail of presenting a situation where a gay chartacter is pressuring an apparantly heterosexual friend into a sexual relationship. She spins this as a story of self discovery and lets Tohdou off the hook in an infuriating way. Still, the story keeps itself together and manages to build its characters nicely.
Yoshinaga embarks on a problematic trail of presenting a situation where a gay chartacter is pressuring an apparantly heterosexual friend into a sexual relationship. She spins this as a story of self discovery and lets Tohdou off the hook in an infuriating way. Still, the story keeps itself together and manages to build its characters nicely.
August 13, 2008
Tamiya, a hard-working young prelaw student, joins a seminar full of spoiled rich slackers, including Tohdou, whose goofy exterior hides... well, read the manga. As with all of Yoshinaga-sensei's manga, there's much humor and silliness, with enough depth and warmth to capture one's attention. And yes, the characters look like those in her other books, but her lovely art and eloquent facial expressions make up for that.
July 21, 2007
One of my favorites of Yoshinaga Fumi's and one of her best in my opinion. As with all of her work, the art is simple but it's the characters who really pull you in. Todou and Tamiya are wonderfully 3 dimensional and the manga presents their romance in addition to real-world issues of sexuality and friendship in a way that's believable and refreshing. Definitely highly recommended. <3
March 14, 2015
I love Fumi Yoshinaga's works, I really do. There's a "sweet intensity" about it that I can't seem to find anywhere else - it's hard to describe, but there are so many moments that take my breath away and make my heart melt and all that sort of stuff. I also love that she takes her time when she's telling a story - it never feels rushed or anything.
April 30, 2015
The low rating is for a sex scene of extremely dubious consent (I'm putting it mildly). After which the victim apologises to his attacker for leading him on. Rape culture -_____-
Which is a shane, I was really enjoying the characterisation, story and artwork until then. I think I'll stick to books from Ms. Yoshinaga that have no sex scenes from now on.
Which is a shane, I was really enjoying the characterisation, story and artwork until then. I think I'll stick to books from Ms. Yoshinaga that have no sex scenes from now on.
February 11, 2010
I love this author. This book was really good. I love the two main characters in this book, especially Tamiya. He's such a good guy, I love how he stands up to his classmates and stands by that other classmate that gets into trouble. Its a great story.
June 1, 2015
I liked it, it was slow and cute.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews