"Kabukibu" is a fantastic light novel series by the incomparable Eda Yuuri and yes, all these adjectives are necessary because this is *amazing*.
Having read quite a few of her novels, I know that she can write - not only BL, but characters, and plot. So I figured, even if this isn't BL, I'd probably enjoy it, but I admit, being the BL junkie I am, I didn't think I'd love it.
Boy, was I ever wrong. This is definitely up there with [nez] and the Koushounin series in how much I enjoy and love it, which is to say a whole damn lot. It's so full of passion and enthusiasms it's 1000% contagious, and I don't mind. So what if that means trying to fit a Kabuki viewing into my full schedule during my next Japan trip?
Because this series is about "Kabuki". If you don't really know what that is, I think you're on the same level as most people who read this - me definitely included. I vaguely knew that it was a form of Japanese theater, and that all the characters were played by men. That's it.
Kurusu Kurugo is a 15 year old high school student who loves Kabuki. He used to watch it with his grandfather, and now that he has entered high school, wants to form a Kabuki club. Of course, it isn't as simple as that - he has to find fellow students willing to join him, and that takes quite a bit of work. However, in the end, he manages to assemble a small group, and together, they perform Kabuki - and have fun. And that fun translates directly to the reader.
Most of the characters are teenagers, but while each have issues, these are most definitely not the main focus. The focus is Kabuki. And having fun while doing it. Each of the characters are wonderful - my current favourites are Kuro, Tonbo, Kaoru, Shin and Jin and Toumi-sensei and his father. Kaoru is a very tomboyish girl who is also in the theater club and initially doesn't want to join because, after all, Kabuki is for men only - but Kuro says that doesn't matter, and Kabuki was invented by women anyway. Then there's Hanamichi, a supermasculine guy who loves to dance the female roles in Japanese traditional dance but at some point thought he had to prove his toughness.. but Kuro convinces him to follow his heart. Hanamichi isn't gay, by the way, or trans, and neither is Kaoru a lesbian. And I love that. (Well, I wouldn't mind Kaoru being a lesbian. And real. And ten years older. *coughs*).
So far, there also isn't a trace of romance, and I hope it stays like that. It doesn't stop me from shipping everybody, though (that actually is the advantage of non-BL - it's pretty close to impossible for me to ship a pairing that isn't the main couple in BL, so this is a chance to ship to my heart's content). Like, Kuro and Tonbo - or Kuro and Shin - or Kuro and Jin - or Shin and Jin...
In any case, this is wonderful and I love it. Definitely among the best things I've read all year. And so much fun!