TOP MANGA OF THE MONTH

From DMP: A collection of romance stories. We begin with the title piece, in which a concubine falls head over heels for his king. But what happens when the king's ambitions blind him to that love? Several short stories follow: Hibana, a troubled circus acrobat finds comfort in the arms of another of the circus' performers. But there's more twists to the story than Hibana's flips through the air. In the next story, a loving servant of a prince lets himself be put under a magic spell in order to spend one cherished night with him. The following yarn is about Canary, a very unusual boy who is owned by an old woman who exploits his talents, and the young stranger who meets him and teaches him about love. The manga concludes with two stories of students Okabe and Hidaka, and their exploration of their feelings for each other.

From The Pink Panzer: Partners was first written 15 years ago, although it has been re-printed several times since then. It's a ground-breaking classic, in the sense that it's the very first manga to realistically depict the gay S&M scene. Set in New York in the late 1980s, Partners follows the lives of six close friends who also happen to be leathermen. The manga depicts their relationships -- both sexual and emotional -- with unabashed honesty. While the story practically explodes off the page with a continuous, unremitting and glorious parade of smut, it isn't "meaningless sex" -- these are committed couples in full-time relationships, where pleasure and pain are natural expressions of affection for one another. (You guessed it; that's where the manga's name comes from. They're "partners.") The six friends that star in this manga are split up into three pairs. The main pair consists of Marlon and Doug, around whose relationship the manga revolves. Marlon, a high-flying executive, plays sub and devoted masochist to the beautifully dominant Doug. Doug is, interestingly enough, a janitor at the very company Marlon directs; during the average workday, they barely even make eye-contact. The contrast between their private and public lives is as stark as it is lovely. The other couples also feature in major roles, and what we end up with is an intimate and moving glimpse at an otherwise unconventional lifestyle. Be warned -- these aren't willowy bishounen clasping each other in slender arms! These are very real, very authentic male bodies bending and contorting in well-established ways. If beefy shoulders and leather chaps don't do it for you, you might be in for a bit of a shock!

From Nakama: One day, Katsuragi Megumi, a café manager, came across a deeply wounded patissier, Honda Yuuji. Since then, Honda has helped out at Megumi's café. Even though Megumi is much older and a bit clumsy, his cuteness truly touched Honda. One night, Honda sees Megumi screaming some man's name while masturbating. Seeing such an obscene Megumi, Honda realizes that he actually loves Megumi.

High school student Ao decides he’s in love with Ryoumei-san, a priest at the local shrine and Ao’s childhood friend. Not one to beat around the bush, Ao immediately tells Ryoumei he wants to do perverted things together, but it will take more than a little persuading to get the shocked Ryoumei into bed. Between bad advice, romantic rivals, and Ryoumei’s scruples, there are many obstacles in the path of true love.

Summary from Fantasyshrine: Kitahara, a website designer and Suzuki, a handbag craftsman, two people with opposite polar personalities, are brought together because of a one-of-a-kind handbag. Due to Kitahara's persistence of owning this particular handbag, the two ended up working together. Though they gradually become aware of the other person, they stubbornly ignore the pull that exists between them. Will they come to terms with their feelings!? It’s a story of two adults both too bashful to express their love for each other.

After graduating from high school, Masami, an office clerk at a law office, ended up raising his niece Akira after his sister suddenly ran away from home. When taking Akira to kindergarten one day, Masami discovers that his high school ex, Kei, was working there. It was their first time seeing each other in five years... From Liquid Passion

After living with an abusive father, and a runaway mother, two brothers decide to live on their own. The story follows their life together and how they fall in love with the people they do.

From Loveless: The protectors of a certain fox deity shrine happen to be Unka, an overly-serious red fox with a low social status, and Aura, a delinquent, pure-bred white fox. Can Unka, who is unable to express himself honestly, and Aura, who always goes all-out to get what he wants, really fall in love!? For another adult animal-eared series, check out the postscript at the end...

Ha Il Kwon's debut work. The "beauty" virus is spreading around the nation, targetting ugly girls and driving them to madness. Park Jangmi wonders - why must life be so unfair? As she ponders, she stumbles upon a mysterious barber shop, with a mysterious barber...

From The Moon in a Box: Shinoda is still reeling from the sudden separation from his wife when one evening he's lured into a peculiar little shop by the smell of coffee. There, Asukura, the shop's proprietor, converses with him about the beauty and usefulness of broken things. Despite himself, Shinoda keeps coming back for coffee... and conversation.

From Fantasyshrine: Kabutani is a “man-eater” who lives off human energy. One day, he becomes “in-heat” for his classmate, Kiriyama. Though he didn’t believe when his kindred said, “…Nothing compares to the taste of the ‘human’ you love!”, he couldn’t resist a “taste” of Kiriyama… And once he had, he became addicted to that tantalizing taste only Kiriyama can provide. What would a hungry and ruthless Kabutani do to curb his craving…!?

1) A Terrible Man (Hidoi Otoko) When recently divorced Asou Katsumi is picked up in a bar by younger man Nagao Daisuke he has no idea what he's in for. 2) Yuushu Continuation of 1. 3) Kawaii Otoko Final chapter. Extra : Itsumo Yasashii Side story about Daisuke's friend Kenji.

Yasukuni is the heir of a distinguished family, one that prizes masculinity and stoicism. He also happens to be crazy about one of his private instructors, Kiyoi. Among the many lessons Kiyoi gives him is the art of sexual pleasures. However, Yasukuni wants Kiyoi to make love with him earnestly, not just as a form of instruction.

From Fantasyshrine: Chapters 1-2: The Pure Merman ~ Pg. 14-56 The Pure Merman -A Present For You ~ Pg. 58-82 The merman Sango couldn’t help but falling in love with President Minami, who had implicit trust in him. However, not only did they have a huge status difference, they were different in species! To make things worse, mer-people must not lie… unless they wanted to be turned into bubbles… Chapter 3: Hercules? Hercules! ~ Pg. 85-100 All Hercules ever wanted was to stay with Keita forever, but the problem is... he's a bug. Chapter 4: The White Snake & The Prince ~ Pg. 102-109 Shiro(white) the white snake was shunned by the other snakes because of his colour, but he's finally found by his 'prince' a.k.a Hachiohji Takuma, nicknamed Ohji (prince). Chapter 5: Shiro and Ohji-sama ~ Extra Story - Pg. 111-114 Chapter 6: BUSTED! The Ombudsman Club!~ Pg. 6-21 Chapter 7: Shall We Study? ~ Pg. 23-46 Chapter 8: Found Love With You ~ Pg. 48-79

1) Loveliness ~ Maybe I'm Your Steppin' Stone Hirosue Kenji the convenience store clerk has a huge crush on his regular customer Mogi Kousei. When he finds out that Kousei's son is going to the same nursery as his niece, he takes the opportunity to get closer to his dream date. (Kousei was introduced in chapter 4 of I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone) 2) Loveliness ~ Passion Honey Mejiro Yasushi goes home after a hard day's work and finds his lover/cousin cheating on him. He heads over to Kousei's place for a drinking session and Nakano Shunji the grouchy co-worker joins them. Yasushi discovers Shunji's secret in the middle of the night. (continuation of Shunji's story in Otonage.) 3) Loveliness ~ Passion Baby Yasushi learns more about Shunji's painful past and his dependence on Kousei. 4) Loveliness ~ Charm Point Kenji doesn't understand why Kousei and his ex-wife is divorced even though they get along fabulously. He feels uncertain about Kousei's feelings for him, for he could start dating other women again. 5) Special Illustrations Includes: - About Delicacy Kousei and Kenji discuss public baths. - The Best! Shunji and Yasushi is finding his place hot and tight. - Kousei and Kenji's cosplay See Kousei as a host and Kenji as a construction worker. 6) Daylight Kosaka is obsessed with bikes and displays little interest in anything else, while his classmates are drooling over girls. Hotta his classmate has other matters on his mind as well...

Chapter 1-3, 6: Hidaka Atsushi and Sakaki Youichi have known each other since senior high school, and are now going to the same college together. They share a "rotten relationship", according to Atsushi, who, at one time, gave in to temptation and slept with his friend. Disgruntled about having to play the "bottom" role (since Youichi is 20cm taller than him), Atushi seeks out a smaller, cute boy to whom he can play seme to. Chapter 4: The Melting Point Chapter 5: Smiling At Tomorrow's Sky

From BLU: From modern-day tales of romance in Seattle, to eerie stories from historical Japan, to Yoshinaga-sensei's depiction of the class conflicts that fueled the French Revolution... In these unforgettable tales, there's a little something for every BLU fan! And perhaps best of all, the characters Claude and Antoine (a young aristocrat and his butler) are introduced in this volume. Catch up to their later adventures in Fumi Yoshinaga's 'Lovers in the Night'! *Contains a oneshot called True Tenderness. 'Ai towa Yoru ni Kizuku Mono' (Sequel)

Haruto and Ikuto have just transferred to a boarding school. Beautiful Ikuto is instantly a target for the boys all around! And as his brother Haruto desperately protects him, the School King, Ouga, has his own plans in mind!! All-boys school has never been this dangerous!! (from back cover, translated by Nakama)

Licensed.... This time focusing on the two elder brothers of Kenzou Honda... Shouichi Honda goes to the Asian imported product shop to collect the tax. There he happens to meet an importer, his younger brother, Junji who had run away from home. When Shouichi returns home, Junji is already there having a card game with their parents. They realize how their feelings have not changed since they made love only once 10 years ago. Relaited story: Close the Last Door: Saigo no Door wo Shimero Included is an extra side story.

From Boys On Boys Love: There is a “Secret Signal” between cram school lecturers Mizumori and Nishijima. Nishijima’s new cell phone strap means the invitation “How about today?” Although it’s supposed to let him be professional about looking forward to his secret relationship, and divide business from bodily pleasure, the atmosphere becomes dangerous?! The provoking adult way of not telling your intention...

By DaRyu: "A young man lives in a small town where he owns a small grocery shop and struggles through life alone with his small son. His childhood friend moved away after graduation and appears suddenly years after at the threshold of his shop , without money or occupation and puts his life to utter chaos. The drawings are lovely, full of life and quite explicit, the story is sparkling with gags but is realistic enough. Highly enjoyable!"

Sequel to: SUKI DAKEDO! Nagato Aoba enters the student council after much effort and heartache (Suki Dakedo!) but at what cost? Not liked by the rest of the council, incessantly pursued by Yura, and a hidden relationship with Maki, seems like enough trouble, but... is there more looming his way? You bet it is! Watch out Aoba!! Enter After School Men's Harem survival of the fittest!

1. Let's Live Together The boss who arrived with the staff transfers is, in spite of being my boss, super cute. Toda-san came from the Kansai Branch, and somehow ended up freeloading at my house...! When I come home I'm greeted by a half-naked Toda-san, at night we share one bed and Toda-san rubs against my back...!! Wha-what?! I've been embraced!! This kind of life seems like the sweet life of living together with your lover... or so you might think, but between two men is it "living together" or "homosexuality"? What am I thinking!! - From Nakama 2. Fight With Love Kitada Aki has been stuck taking care of Otoda Jun since highschool. Lately, though, Jun has been saying bad jokes about being in love with Aki... what should Kitada do? 3. Secret Meeting When Sasuke's father died, Zenjirou swore to stay by his side. Sasuke was taken in by a brothel to be raised as a male prostitute from childhood, while Zenji spent years searching for him. Zenji finally found him... but Sasuke/Yakumo* reached 16 and has already been bought for mizuge (losing-the-virginity ceremony). Will Zenji's love be unrequited, or will they both be partners in a forbidden love? Can Zenjirou watch the only one he has ever loved be owned by another man? A story of love between a prostitute and a young master. *Yakumo is Sasuke's "shop" name. 4. Pure Thread of First Love A "prequel" to Henai Prince. This is the story of the younger Takahshi brother Kenji and and the youngest of the Satou brothers, Youhei. It's not exactly a prequel as it is about different characters. 5. Clumsy Lovers Hashimoto-sempai is always yelling at Nishi. All the other soccer players say that Hashimoto is bullying him, but Hashimoto actually loves Nishi very much... he just doesn't know how to express himself well. Their relationship stays forced, until Hashimoto finds out Nishi is going to Italy to go pro... 6. Let's Pass Time Together Extra on Matsushita and Toda from chapter 1

A young Chinese boy, Lee-Ren is purchased from his poverty stricken mother by a Japanese official for sexual purposes in 1910. Thus begins the 'owned' life of Lee-Ren in his master's household, where he is alternately sold out and used within. Jin, the naive young son of the master, grows up with Lee-Ren. This is the story of their tumultuous relationship.