Passion, Volume 01

Passion #1

by Shinobu Gotoh, Shouko Takaku (Illustrator)

Student and teacher. Man and... man. Taboo upon taboo is what Hikaru and Shima have to overcome if they want to pursue their feelings for one another. Uikaru, a second year high school student, is obsessed with Shima, a male teacher. Surprisingly, Shima is not averse to the boy's affections. He even convinces Hikaru to study hard so that when he graduates, they would openly become lovers. However, Amamiya, an ex-lover of Shima, steps into the picture and tries to win him back. Will Hikaru and Shima's passion prove great enough to hurdle all the obstacles stacked against them?

Genres: Manga, Yaoi, Romance, Boys Love, M M Romance, Comics Manga, Graphic Novels

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Associated Names : Gotou Shinobu

Name (in native language): ごとうしのぶ

Reviews

[Niki Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Rape and obsessive stalking = true love" isn't really my thing.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun, despite a couple of weird translation malfunctions, but it wasn't great. Some inconsistencies in the art and the characterizations were a little stereotypical. So there wasn't much to really grab my attention. Nothing bad about it, just rather typical and exactly what would be expected.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has not aged well.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Yaoi manga is why I enjoyed, for a time, these graphic novels but before I explain why I do hope anyone reading the review will please read everything I say because it would be easy to take words out of context and misrepresent me. That the basis of the story in this, and every other, Yaoi series (I don't think I read the entire 'Passion' series - I am not sure if I had access to it all) is the love between two young men. That the opening scenes of the story has one young man raping the other because he so overwhelmed with lust/love is a wonderful reminder of the huge chasm of understanding that lies between us and Japanese ways of thinking. That the 'love' story involves a teacher and pupil is probably even more problematic (though it is the student who rapes the teacher). I thought it was both funny and fascinating, but then I didn't read it as 'gay'. There are plenty of 'gay' manga/graphic novels but no gay inclined Japanese bloke would be seen dead reading this romantic nonsense.

I loved and recommend all Japanese Yaoi as a fascinating dive into what might appear a familiar culture and society but is one deeply different to ours.

[Stephane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very basic taboo plot line. The characters were either very awkward or bland. The drawings made it hard sometimes because a lot of the characters looked alike. There also was often times I hard to reread a page or two because the context didn’t make too much sense. It also was uncomfortable in the beginning to start with a rape scene and then have the student be obsessively stalking the teacher before he even spoke to him. But, then magically the teacher was like “okay cool we can be lovers anyway even if you assaulted me.”

I feel like they could have done so much more and kept out the assault. My curiosity will probably make me grab the second book to see if the story actually goes somewhere.

[Luru · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

The plot is a bit weird (a student in love with a teacher and they end up "fake-dating"). The premise is fine but the execution, at least in this first volume, doesn't quite appeal to me. The characterizations are weird and everything seems rushed.

The art is okay, though I find it focuses a lot on faces.

[Mosley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the novelization first, I feel the manga moves at faster pace. The creator also stated that they were able to add more details into the novelization though not much change between the two. I do feel like Hikaru is a bit less whiny in the manga.

[Stephanie Jachymek · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5/5
Most of the people in this series are unlikable or bland as hell.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid taboo romance that hooked me enough to pick up the next in the series.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a rather quick read, but cute.

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy as hell, and awesome as... Damn, it was good. Compelling making me feel a lot, but want a lot more. Satisfaction, but the need for more.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Own it and read it once every couple of years. A great love story. I just wish it was more than 2 volumes.

[Shaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and interesting look at a older younger relationship between two men.