Kizuna: Bonds of Love, Vol. 3

Kizuna [絆] #3

by Kazuma Kodaka

The seduction continues... Will come shrink-wrapped and carries an 18+ age advisory.

Genres: Manga, Yaoi, M M Romance, Romance, Boys Love, LGBT, Comics

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1996

About the author

Associated names :
КОДАКА Кадзума
小鷹和麻
K2 Company
K2COMPANY

Name (in native language) : こだか和麻

Zodiac : Scorpio

Blood type : O

Kodaka-sensei made her debut in 1989 with Sessa Takuma! in Shounen Champion. Today she is one of the most popular Boys' Love authors. She is famous for her work on designing the characters for Triple X's BL anime Boku no Sekuhara (My Sexual Harassment) and is also the beloved author of Kizuna.

Matoh Sanami taught her how to draw using a shoujo-style. Sanami Matoh and Kazuma Kodaka are actually very good friends.

Her doujinshi circle is called K2 Company.

Name in Chinese characters for the Chinese Market: “小鷹和麻”

Location: Saitama, Japan

twitter for doujinshi: https://twitter.com/kazu_k_el

pixiv: http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=33...

Reviews

[Aria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belle le parti dedicate a Ran ed Enjoji, tra gelosie e nuove acconciature (Ran che prova a tagliargli i capelli mi ha fatto troppo ridere). Anche se continuano ad esserci certe uscite e comportamenti che non mi garbano del tutto, ce ne sono altri che mi emozionano tantissimo (quella scena delle proposta delle fedi... toccante, mi sono commossa). Tolgo una stella per Kai e Masa che mi turbano. Dallo scorso numero sappiamo che Masa è abbastanza libertino, visto che se la faceva pure col fratello della sua fidanzata (e qui in futuro mi aspetto spiegazioni) con le conseguenze che abbiamo visto (ugh). Ora pare che da giovane provasse qualcosa per la madre di Kai (e questo è un aspetto interessante), ma il fatto che riveda in lui la madre lo trovo... morboso? Oltre al fatto che l'ha visto crescere, letteralmente da quando era in fasce... e poi citiamo pure il grande age gap, che però a questo punto è l'ultimo dei problemi. Insomma, non mi è piaciuto vederli intimi e temo per il futuro... la Kodaka deve davvero darsi da fare per farmeli riconsiderare!

[Adriana Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little better than the previous ones.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s really a pretty good series.

[Wolf Ostheeren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too much drama in this one's main story, but the chapter with Kai/Masa's backstory is great

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your man don't carry scars for AND by you, is he even your man

[machinaheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series Review:
Kizuna is a brilliant piece of fiction and even though it suffers of some tropes and afflictions of the BL genre, the sheer brilliance of Kodaka's characters will always shine through. At the beginning the story can feel a bit episodic, but it soon picks up a coherent narrative and what an interesting ride it is. The setting with Kei and Kai as sons of a Yakuza boss is unusual and interesting yet it never feels too far out there. (Sometimes, maybe. Never in a bad way though.) What is also wonderfully explored is the kendo background of some of Kai and Ranmaru, I truly love the way the sport is drawn and explained. What truly shines in this story is the wonderful depiction of relationships, especially a homosexual love in a country such as Japan. But it isn't only the love stories that make this manga stand out, I also truly enjoyed the two different sibling relationships it depicts and the importance of family.
Kodaka's art while still rough around the edges in the earlier volumes is beautiful. I enjoy her clean lines and facial expressions. (Also, she knows how to draw beautiful men. Oh yes, she does ;))
This series is one I've read every other year since it came out and it is always wonderful to return to these beloved characters that feel as if they're family by now. Especially Kei and Ranmaru have a permanent place in my heart.

[Blak Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book in this series that I've read so far. I've ordered Bonds of Love-Vol. 4 and 5. Volume 7 came the other day and though I'm tempted I won't read it. Volume 6 in this series eludes me at the moment because I can't seem to find a reasonably priced edition. I will continue my search. Vol. 3 takes a series of twists. Ranmaru believes Kei is cheating and their lengthy relationship is put to the test. Kei is yet again forced to express his emotions. That's all I'll say!
Adding to this, I recently purchased the OVA Kizuna 'Much Ado About Nothing'. The OVA is fairly true in keeping to the manga story line and the art is nothing short of gorgeous! This OVA follows Vol. 3 in the series.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read #2: This time I have to drop a star on re-read because the jealousy story just didn't resonate with me.

Another great volume. The first half is about Enjoji and Ranmaru, the second half about Masa and Kai. Even though Enjoji and Ran-chan are my favorite couple in Kizuna, Masa and Kai are really sweet too - when Kai isn't hanging all over Ranmaru and being a spoiled brat. I mean, I know that he's a teenage boy but some of the stunts he keeps pulling...

[DeeNeez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three stories here, first is how Ran gets Kei to cut his beautiful long hair. *sob* I'll miss his long hair. The second story all about their relationship, security and trust. Ran finds lipstick on Kei's body after a night working the host club. Jealousy abounds. Ran sets out to find the other woman. Loved the ending of this one. So sweet. The last story features Kai and Masa. Telling us how Masa acquired his scar saving Kai.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying reading about the adventures of Kei and Ranmaru - they're adorable together, and it's a great mixture of romance, comedy and passion. Unsurprisingly, the other pairing - Kai and Masa - doesn't do much for me (again with the age gap), although I do like Masa. But the first half of this book alone makes this worth reading.