Yaoi Review: Candy

Title: Candy
Author/Manga-ka: Satomi Sugita
Distributor: Oakla Publishing
For Purchase: Akadot
Price: Normally 12.95
Series Number: None/Anthology
Country of Origin: Japan

Tooru is a young man who never fit in as a child, and thankfully has the confident Takara at his side. Sadly, the two boys were ripped apart, and two years later, are under the same roof once again. Too bad Takara’s no longer the sweet and protective man Tooru knew as a child-he’s become a punk, and Tooru no longer knows what to do.

Included in this manga are four one-shots.

Art: Alright, every yaoi fan girl that I know NEEDS good art in order to even get to the plot. Sugita-san has done a wonderful job. Sugita-san’s artwork is very crisp and clean, and literally is candy for the eyes. Her use of tones are beautiful, and each page is a little delight! Rating: 8.5/10

Story line: Looking at all of the story lines Sugita-san utilized in this manga, there are a few areas where I sighed and shook my head, wondering what on earth she were thinking when making this comic. Full of over the top drama and “WTF is this” moments, I was pleased with what I was reading; but I kept questioning myself as to why I was reading it. It’s good for yaoi fan girls who enjoy/thrive off of drama and quasi-hilarious situations, but not for a fan who really wants something from the sweet tree. Rating: 7/10

The “Squee” Factor: I love myself a “squee” when I read yaoi; and not a single “squee” erupted from me while reading this manga. The characters are a BIT one (maybe two) dimensional, and the melodrama slightly takes away from the “squees”. It was a bit shallow for my tastes, but, to each her (or his) own! Rating: 4.5/10

The Cover: One of the best things an artist can do is draw readers with a flashy cover. I loved it when I pulled it off the shelves to check the age rating (because I am known to look at the age rating before anything else a lot), and couldn’t put down the fun colored title text and graphically intense background. Overall, I liked this cover; “like” being the keyword. Rating: 3.5/5

-- Final Grade: 67%: D+ Below Average --

After Thoughts: I’m standing by the grade I’ve given this manga. It’s a cute manga, I’ll give it that. I just couldn’t take the overdose of melodrama and shallow characters mixed with awkwardly placed sex. If you like a fun, medium-length read, pick up Candy and enjoy the cute boys.

Yaoi (Manga) Review: I Can't Stop Loving You!

Title: I Can't Stop Loving You!

Author/Manga-ka: Row Takakura

Distributor: KittyMedia

For Purchase: KittyMedia Branch Store

Price: 10.99 (Plus Shipping)

Series Number: 1 out of 2

Country Of Origin: Japan

Woo! My Second Yaoi Review. :)

So, this story deals with a Buddhist exorcist by the name of Kyouji. He's very good at what he does, but he can't actually SEE the ghosts he expels. That, he leaves to his best friend and lover-- Yu. Together, the duo work their way through many ghosts as well as their relationship which they keep to themselves in this crazy fantasy/occult romance manga!

Art: Very nice, wonderful detail. While reading it, I loved how it was easy to tell the difference between most of the characters. There was one instance in the later chapters of the manga where I was completely confused about which character was which in a certain situation, but it was quickly cleared up. Taking a second look at it, I also have to note that while the art is amazing and wonderful, it is rather on the plain, blended side of things. I feel like I've seen this particular art style way too many times. This is great art, but nothing that I've never seen before. Overall: 7/10

Storyline: It's fresh and inventive and very creative. The idea of a Buddhist monk-type character partnered with another man is very nice and a bit on the forbidden fruit side; making the whole concept just that much hotter. The character development is adequate; I'm just glad this manga isn't filled with air-headed himbos; those are very scary. Another enjoyable element of this manga is how Yu and Kyouji's problems as a couple exist in strange and funny ways. Yu's super-human strength is a problem in bed and they open the manga with a real laughing bomb in my opinion. I can't wait until I can read volume 2! Overall: 10/10

The "Squee" Factor: Um...I'd like to say right off the bat that there are plenty of Squee moments in I Can't Stop Loving You! There's a vast amount of these moments, and they're very Squee-rific. But, some of the Squee moments contain little things that potentially ruin the whole moment if the reader is in a certain mood. Hot, sweaty and steamy definitely describe this manga's many sex scenes, but they're nothing too amazing; making is seem like interestingly placed outright porn rather than a nice Yaoi scene. Overall: 6/10

The Cover: Having Kyouji in his monk garb for this cover shot was a really good idea. The text for the title is easy on the eye and adorable in its little heart. The pink background was what made me pick this manga up when I was in the local manga shop because I don't remember the last time I've seen a pink cover for a yaoi. Overall: 4/5

- - OVERALL: 77%: Average - - 

After Thoughts: I gave it an average score, and I have to stick with that. I mean, it's a really nice concept and everything about the characters is great! I just, don't think it stands out THAT much compared to some of the other yaoi I've read over the years. I'll still get the next volume; maybe that'll change my opinion of this little title. :)

<3

Yaoi (Manga) Review: .I.D.O.L.

Title: .I.D.O.L.

Author/Manga-ka: Dany&Dany

Distributer: Yaoi Press

For Purchase: Yaoi Press Store

Price: $8.95 (plus shipping)

Series Number: "One-Shot"

Alright, this is my first review of a manga, so let's see how this goes. :D

I.D.O.L. is basically about an Artist who seeks inspiration and finds it in a Hustler. Soon after hiring him, dangerous sparks fly between the two of them, and they soon find themselves drawn to each other and spinning out of control. 

Art:

Dany&Dany's art is amazing. I love how they are very detailed with their work. With every turn of a page, I felt as if I was sucked into the story! I was very glad to see the amount of detail that seemed to go into drawing the human form and clothing. It's something I've noticed in a lot of Yaoi manga I read, but the male body is never really drawn in detail. And I'm not talking about certain anatomy that's usually covered up by shining lights, either. Danny&Danny's art is just wonderful; I even bought their Art Book! I'm really close to getting addicted to the art of their manga. But, as amazing as the art was, this particular manga had a slightly fuzzy look to it; including the actual text of the manga itself. Overall: 7.5/10

Storyline: If you like light-hearted, funny, cute stories, this manga is not for you, and I love that fact! I'm so used to there being really shallow mellow-drama in lots of yaoi manga, this was actually refreshing. It's dark, with an artist fixated on painting a hustler who serves as the best inspiration he has had in a while. I really love the dialogue and all of the different elements that were included in this manga. Mild bondage and steamy scenes made me happy. :) Overall: 9/10

The "Squee" Factor: BAH! I loved this manga in the sense of the "Squee" factor. There was a nice amount of sex in this manga, a few scenes. Not enough to make me faint from the amount of them, but not too few to where I was bashing my head into the wall from all the sexual tension. They weren't just thrown in, either. The build up was just excellent, I have to say. Overall: 10/10

The Cover: I think that the boy's pose is sexy, the background was a nice touch, and the description of the manga itself is perfect. 5/5

- - OVERALL: 91%; Very Exceptional- - 

Afterthoughts: Sometimes when I'm done with a manga, I decide to sell it to Book-Off (I live relatively close to one [sort of xD]). In this case.... Yeah, no. It's adorable, and I love it! This baby's going on the Keep Shelf!

Absolute Obedience (18+)

Title: Absolute Obedience (Zettai Fukuju Meirei)

Type: Yaoi/Boy's Love/BL

Author/Publisher: Yura/JAST USA/Peach Princess

Genre: Thriller/Adventure/Dating Sim/???

Style: Visual Novel (Interactive)

Mac OS Compatible: NO

Price: $34.95 (before Shipping)

Get: Buy from Jlist!

Warning: THIS GAME IS 18+!

Alright, so Absolute Obedience is a game that dips into dark themes as well as slapstick humor. You have the choice to play as one of two characters, and the paths you play as each character (Louise Hardwich and Kia WelBehenna) really does reflect on the character's personality. These two men work together as they complete missions from clients that deal with sexual situations including seduction, domination, and plenty of other types of situations.

Graphics: Alright, I understand that in Japan, you are required to censor the...well... Private parts.... of the male anatomy. However... in the "uncensored" version of the game that I bought, I was a little sad when I saw my first CG. I actually had my friend over to play the game (since I FINALLY GOT XP for my Mac) and we were puzzled. To us, they SCREAMED "copy paste penis!", and we were just a little annoyed with that. However, one we looked past that problem, the CGs were nice. Not breathtakingly amazingly gorgeous, but each CG was quality and nice to look at. But there is also a problem that I had with the standing dolls. When the speech text appears, the picture of the character appears next to it to show the emotion, while the standing doll DOES NOT CHANGE. EVER. That really just made me think it was visually unappealing, and half the game doesn't even need half the screen.  Overall: 6/10

Music/SFX: ..... Okay, I need to start off this section of my review with: Music needs to enhance the moment, NOT kill it. There were so many times in this game when I wanted to throw my mouse across the room because the moment I got into the game. It would play the silliest music at the most serious times, and at one point while I was playing, I had to walk away because the music OR sound effect just completely turned be off from the game play. I think this game could've had much better in that department. But, on the other hand, I loved the character voices, they were totally appropriate to the visual aspect of each man. I wasn't extremely impressed overall in this area, but I wasn't too disappointed. Overall: 7/10

Story: I'm usually really nit-picky about story lines and plots, and this game is no exception. This game is set up in missions, and it's rather a "Hit or Miss" set-up if you don't have a walkthrough and want to get the "secret" final mission for both characters. I am the type that refuses to use a walkthrough for my first time through games, and with Absolute Obedience, I especially had a hard time. Everything was a big mess, and it seems to have been more of a game to play a little piece at a time and only when you need a quick yaoi fix. The underlying story line is only present in a few of the missions, and the others seemed like they were just thrown in. As a mission select style game, I wasn't very happy with how it turned out. Overall: 7/10

System/Omake: It's really hard to play this game sometimes, because the regular quick loading and saving seem to work differently in this game. Also, when I had finished Louise's final path, I couldn't use my current file to play Kia's final path no matter what I tried to do, and I had to start a whole new file and work my way through all of the paths in the correct order JUST to play Kia's final path. The programmers should have thought of that, in my opinion. The Omake for this game... kind of made me giggle. I was happy that I got to watch events that I had already played so I could see specific parts that I loved, and I was happy with the CG gallery. The only awkward part of this gallery was the thumbnails for every picture wasn't... fixed for the American  version. I had a little trouble finding certain CGs because I couldn't see the copy paste parts... Overall: 2/5

After Thoughts: Well, I don't think that this game was the best one I will ever play. It gave me more of an "only play this game when you need a quick fix". I was worried halfway through the missions of the game, and my worries seemed to manifest themselves in Louise and Kia. I can't go much into what I thought was wrong with each character, because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. This game WAS GOOD. Do NOT think I hate it with a flying passion, I just think that this is a niche name, and you need to be in love with a certain type of... well... sex. This game is worth a play once through at least, and if you're into drawing yaoi, then this game will give you plenty of ideas for your own artwork!

~Overall Grade: 62%: D~

Animamundi

• Title: Animamundi
• Type: Otome
• Author: Karin Entertanment
• Genre: Fantasy/Occult (Type: Alchemy)
• Style: Visual Novel (Interactive)
• Engine: Macromedia Flash
• Mac OS Compatible: YES
• Price: $19.95 ($5 shipping)
• Get: Buy from Jbox!!

Animanumdi is a bit dark, and it focuses on the ancient form of Alchemy. The main character's sister is in need of magical help, and the main character dives into the mixed world of science and Alchemy in order to save her. All the while uncovering all sorts of secrets and dangers that threaten Georik's (main character) existence.

GRAPHICS: The game is littered with detailed CGs and individual standing dolls. I really enjoyed the richness of the colors and detail in the costumes each character is adorned with. The CGs are wonderful, and they give the player a sense of awe. There are very few complaints I had about the graphics while I played except for the little bits where a lot of the standing dolls' silhouettes were a little fuzzy, but unless you're (like me XD) a person who obsesses over fine details like that, you won't notice. 9/10

MUSIC/SFX:  It is timed well, there is never moment in the game where you will feel that the music does not match what is going on. There is even moment in the game where I believe Latin lyrics are used in a chorus to add a creepy feel to the player's situation. The ONLY real problems I faced with the music would be that it sounds a bit muffled. Like if you are listening to a radio and you turn the treble down ALL the way. It makes the music less amazing, BUT it doesn't take away THAT much. The SFX are really great, cute and funny. However, they do at times tend to sound like they came straight from the old synth you have buried in your closet. 8/10

STORY: The story is very nice. It's rich and is FILLED with twists and turns and crazy problems. Karin basically stuffed everything they possibly could (evil scientist, problems with royalty, etc.) while STILL making it all work in the end. However, with there being so much going on, it is EXTREMELY difficult to get the really nice ending that you know you want right from the start of the game. Also, being that this game is listed under the "Boy's Love" genre, and I am a hardcore yaoi fan, I was much disappointed because when I'm told I'm getting Boy's Love, I AT LEAST expect a LITTLE hugging or kissing. However... I felt very sad after the game was over. I read around and found that Karin did major unwanted editing to the English game of Animamundi due to worries over sales due to a high maturity rating; so I'm going going to curse Karin with my newly acquired Alchemic powers. Those of you wanting a rich, deep story line, pick this game up! If  you're looking for something a little more hardcore, look for another game. 7/10

SYSTEM/EXTRAS: The main screen is the generic load/start/Config. screen. The crazy part is, unless you know where the choice points are, DO NOT think that you can lean back and relax while playing this game, because your time to answer a choice is limited. The extras aren't really there, you get a gallery of what you've gathered so far and access to CGs that you've already seen. I guess it could be considered a cosplayer's friend and if you're into CG galleries, but I would've liked to see a mini game other than the iffy ones that are present in the game. 2/5

Total Score: 86% -- B