7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
an unlikely duo..., January 30, 2008
The main title in Duetto concerns two college students, Shinobu and Eiichi, who are secretly dating. Their vacillating relationship continues in the next few chapters, each progressing a bit further ahead into the future, showing how the couple continues to attempt a balance between advancing in their respective careers and expanding on their burgeoning affection for each other.
I found the bittersweet moments nicely contrasted with intimate scenes and found Shinobu to be an expressive, lively little character.
Despite the attractive art on the cover of this book, most of the main story is actually in a more vintage art style. In contrast, the short extra for the main couple is done in the author's later, more refined style, and at first I didn't even recognize the characters - that's how different the art was. I was both intrigued and slightly disappointed by the transition, as I would have enjoyed reading more about this couple in the new style. That being said, the extra is eight pages of touching affection for the two characters, and gives nice insight into the continuing growth of their relationship.
Secret is the next story in Duetto, and to me it sits jarringly out of place in this collection. Its manipulative, disturbing exploration of taboo love conflicts harshly with the comparatively benign previous story, and at first is completely disruptive to the overall whole of Duetto. Perhaps that was the very intention, and to be honest I did like it somewhat more on the second read, but it still caught me off guard.
Concluding this manga is the (too) short and rather charming one-shot, Glasses + He, which revolves around two hesitant classmates and the way they deal with the attraction between them. It's a cute little tale, and we get two parts of the story each told from a different perspective, which adds to the enjoyment.
Overall a nice purchase even with the varying art style and the strange taboo story.
Recommended.
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8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Dissapointed...but it wasn't terrible., January 31, 2008
Amazon's description is incorrect. Even the description on the back of the book isn't as promising as Amazon's listing. The book has 3 separate stories and the listing only mentions the first one. However, the part where they fight in public, yet behind closed doors they're actually dating, is all but three boxes on a single page at the very beginning of the book (seriously, I'm not exaggerating). The rest of the 1st story deals with the growing up of the guys and the fact that one of them accepts an overseas job. The positive: the first story wraps up pretty nicely and takes you through their relationship from all the way from highschool to them becoming successful men. The third story was nice and sweet. The second one was, I'll just say, not my taste. The negative: "I'll rape you to prove my love to you" seems to be a general theme in this book. And for me, that's a big no, no. The first story had some reference to it, but I was able to stomach it. The second story was just downright rape (and with incest no less). The third (luckily) had no reference to rape. So overall: the art was very good, and I don't regret reading it. If you're hungry for a good read, this is not it. On the other hand, if you find it on sale, try it out. After all, it wasn't terrible.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love the main story , "Duetto" but the second story....., March 7, 2008
I love the main story "Duetto" on long distance relationship. Read it 3 times! There is something just very sweet and romantic about this couple, lovers since school days, managing to keep their love alive despite separated by distance and career. Both characters are appealing especially the endearing uke. Told from the uke's point of view, their developing relationship through time is well told.
Now for the second story which is just very disturbing. As a Yaoi fan I accept rape and incest as part of the genre. I especially love brotherly love. But this one on father-son incest is too hard to swallow and one which I will not read again which I tend to do with my Yaois. It is all the more disturbing when the father is drawn as a sweet uke with an innocent face!
I enjoy the last story on 2 school mates too. It may be short but effective and the expression "all those foot steps just for me..." are such sweet words.
Overally a good buy despite the second story. Like the artwork too and the last chapter of Duetto is lovely.
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