We have a few entries this time :dance: Please vote for your fav :)
Manga Review #1
Manga Title: Kimi no Nioi ga Suki (I Like Your Smell)
Manga Artist: Aion Kiu
Manga Cover Picture:
http://pic.mangapicgallery.com/r/alb...283_275507.jpg
http://pic.mangapicgallery.com/r/alb...283_275507.jpg
Type of Manga: Yaoi, Mature
Review:
The title of this manga actually only refers to the first three chapters. This manga is currently incomplete as far as translation goes, but it is actually a manga with multiple smaller stories.
The title story revolves around two lovers. Youji suffers from oxyosmia, which is a condition that renders a person overly sensitive to smells. Just imagine being locked in an elevator and being able to smell a sickening combination of perfume, smoke, body odor, etc. If you think that’s bad, imagine having a really, really sensitive nose. The only scent that Youji loves is Akira’s, despite how uncomfortable Akira is with Youji’s habit of pinning him down to, well, smell him. Even when they’re having sex.
Akira’s solution? Find something that will make Youji not want to smell him all over. I won’t spoil his attempts for new readers, but needless to say, he’s not terribly successful. Or at all successful, really.
As is typical with this type of story, the ‘uke’ has an attitude problem, the ‘seme’ frets about stupid things, usually way off the mark, and the two of them sort of stumble their way to a resolution.
The artwork is nothing special. It’s probably pretty average in terms of artistry. The storyline follows a familiar path, but the addition of the oxyosmia makes for an interesting tangle of problems…does Youji like Akira only for his smell? Is Akira just humoring him? Is he really angry at him?
I actually really enjoyed the primary story, and would recommend that you read this manga. Also, I liked that both lovers in the title story are very masculine. Sure, one is shorter, but they’re both very obviously men, and they look it. I found the characters amusing, and the story itself was pretty easy to follow. The characters were easy to tell apart, too, which is always a plus in my account.
Overall, I give the manga an 8/10. I’m looking forward to the remaining chapters when they’re complete!
Manga Review #2
Manga title: Beautiful life ( Nichijousahan Bi )
Manga artist: MOTO Haruko
Manga cover picture:
http://i68.tinypic.com/kcz5hw.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/kcz5hw.jpg
Review:
Beautiful life is a likable manga in one volume for readers who enjoy angst wrapped in adorable moments.
Plot (8-9/10)
The story revolves around Fumichi and Sazawa; one a waiter with nowhere to belong and the other a single father with a cute daughter. One night after Sazawa finds him bruised and beaten up in a dirty alley and takes care of him, Fumichi starts to wonder how it feels to have somewhere to call home.
Characters and relationships (8.5/10)
Character design is pretty good but it could be better. Both characters are interesting in their own way, especially Fumichi with his confused feelings and unfocused mind and let’s not forget Iyo-chan, Sazawa’s cute daughter who is the main reason for his father and Fumichi’s relationship with her adorable clinginess to the latter.
Their bittersweet relationship blooms with a slow but pleasant pace and although there are plot holes here and there, the main chain of the events remains solid.
Art (8/10)
The art is simple yet the best for the setting. It doesn’t outshine the story and provides a neat atmosphere with a unique style.
Conclusion (8/10)
Beautiful life is a wonderful manga with a great potential and it is regrettable that the mangaka has not put more effort into it but,then again,the fact that it is a very enjoyable read doesn’t change. So, don’t hesitate if you prefer plot over porn!
Manga Review #3
Manga title: Kayashimashi no Yuuga na Seikatsu
Manga artist: Mamahara Ellie (author: Tono Haruhi)
Manga cover picture:
http://i.imgur.com/GFrAncP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GFrAncP.jpg
Review: In this novel-turned-manga, Mamahara Ellie carefully and thoughtfully portrays Mr. Kayashima’s graceful life, tells a beautiful love story to its completion, and mixes romance and drama with a modest art style. This three volume series felt very unique: peaceful yet exciting. Proper yet perverse. Subtle yet appreciable.
Story: It is a gentle narration of a gradual love story with just the right amount of sex (Rough gardener ravishing innocent young master? Yes, please!). Some of the novel’s details were trimmed out for the manga, but Mamahara Ellie ensures the reader’s ability to infer necessary facts. That being said, the relationship and its development may seem superficial to some because realistically, the manga could not incorporate everything.
The story’s narration shifts between characters, unraveling the story from various angles with a purposeful method. The extra stories and side narrations provide slices of humor while the main story progresses steadily and calmly, very much like the daily life at the estate of Kayashima Sumito.
Art: Mamahara Ellie is known for both her shoujo and shounen ai titles, and her style is rare in the yaoi world. It reminds me of Antique Bakery with a watered down version of Yoneda Kou’s dramatic flair. Although she generally doesn’t indulge in many sex scenes, in this title Mamahara-sensei executes them with erotic elegance, satisfying perverted fujoshi around the world.
Characters: The development of Sumito from a selfish and awkward young master to an expressive lover was quite satisfying; however, his lover doesn’t appear to change as much, remaining stoic, rough, and straightforward to the end. All in all, the most entertaining character in the series is the butler. Really.
Conclusion: I dare not say everyone will love this title, but it was a nice change of pace from the usual single volume yaoi titles.
