Customer Reviews

Embracing Love 1 (Yaoi)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At last, Haru Wo Daite Ita ("Embracing Love", as the translation calls it) is licensed and coming to the U.S.! I own most of the series in it's raw Japanese form, and the artwork is simply gorgeous. The characters - Kato (blonde) and Iwaki (black-haired) - are extremely opposite but extremely loveable, and their budding romance is sweet and explicitly erotic (both men being porn stars). The story is also just that - A STORY. This isn't just a tale of random sex, but of a growing relationship between two men who are hit with every emotional, and physical, obstacle in the book: from homophobia to the mass media to family concerns and commitment issues.

I'm hoping nothing is censored out in the American version, because these two have some of the most outrageous sex scenes of any yaoi series; they sort of have to - currently at nine volumes, they have to find ways to keep the sex steamy!

The story can verge on the angsty at points, but it mostly stays true to light-hearted romance. A fun and enjoyable read, and well worth the money (and the wait). Also of note, neither man is femmy, as is so often the case with the uke/bottom role; mmm-mmm masculinity.

This is one you MUST read. By now it's been around for quite a while, and if this is your first time hearing about it, get it. A surprisingly realistic theme set behind Nitta's beautiful artwork makes for an amazing read. Don't let the description scare you. Although the story revolves around two porn stars, you'll be amazed at how Nitta is able to draw the audience away from that fact and into the true feelings of the characters. Of course, not enough can be said about the erotica in this book. It is perhaps more explicit than almost any other yaoi manga -- leaving little to the imagination. But even so, every such scene serves only to draw the readers deeper into the emotional bond between the two characters. A hint of comedy and a sprinkle of "fan service" make this a classic. So don't hesitate. Just get it. Trust me...you'll love it.

If you know what "yaoi" is and love it, you'll sure to love this manga series!! Drawn by the talented Youka Nitta, this series--known as "Haru wo Daite Ita" in Japanese--revolves around two actors (first as AV, then professional) falling in love and the ups and downs of their relationship. Of course, they're both guys!

Nitta's artwork takes some getting use to, so I recommend reading White Brand as the first taste (I think it's also recently licensed in the US). Other series include Night Cap (a drastically different story with the same characters as Haru), Last Waltz (sequel of Night Cap), 17 Guys, Casino Lily, My Changable Voice ("Boko no Koe"), and various others.

I love almost all of Nitta's works (or at least the ones I've had access to) and highly recommend her to any yaoi lover! Hopefully, in Haru wo Daite Ita you will find the unforgettably beautiful story I have.

Another great title from BeBeautiful.
Iwaki-san and Katou are two adult film stars who are rivals and nearing the end of their careers, yet suddenly they are both invited to the audition of a new movie...
Iwaki-san and Katou are shocked to learn that the movie is about two Gay lovers and they must prove their adult film prowess to impress the director.
After the smash hit of the movie, the TV Show is spawned and Iwaki-san and Katou are forced to be closer together, Katou is always open about his feelings toward Iwaki-san and cares a lot for him. While Iwaki-san must deal with the fact he's coming out and the paranoia that the media will find out about their real relationship behind the cameras. Which in result is Katou kissing Iwaki-san in front of the paparazzi.
Gorgeous art, sexy storyline and great romp scenes. This is a defiant collector's series. Embracing Love is one of the most famous Yaoi Titles in Japan and spawned a OVA Series which will be released by BeBeautiful in the future. They already have the rights.
Hurry up and pick up this sexy Yaoi Manga today!

Iwaki and Katou are both porno star. But Katou is at the beginning of his career and Iwaki instead is on a turn: quit or pass on more mainstream film. To both is asked to auction for a leading role in a film about a gay relationship and they have to make love together. Iwaki gets the role but Katou's success seems not to have problems. An year after, Iwaki and Katou has the chance to work together in the television adaptation of the movie, and they start a strange relationship where Katou pushes to have a real affair where Iwaki tries to quit everything.

Embracing Love is a continuing series arrived to 6 volumes till now. It's really good. Both Iwaki and Katou are adult, not young teens, so the relationship between the two is more serious and complex than the normal yaoi. Seme and uke are not net characteritation here. Iwaki is serious and not easy to reveal his feeling. Katou is passionate and open, he brings the rein of the relationship and forces Iwaki to "accept" his presence in his life. Sex between the two is very hot and the plot is preatty realistic. Reading this yaoi I have really had the feeling to read a complete work and till 5 to 6 volumes I have still the desire to read more and I'm waiting for the six volume to arrive.

This is my second favorite yaoi after Yamane's Finder series. Katou and Iwaki are rival porn stars auditioning for the same part in a more mainstream film. However, the producer decides that to earn the part, they have to have sex, with each other. Iwaki wins the part, and also Katou's heart - if he can only convince Iwaki! A fabulous romance with good character development and lots of hot, explicit sex.

Nitta draws beautifully, and the story is original. Highly recommended.

this is about two adult film actor who are rivals. they compete for a role in a movie by making love to each other. From there it only gets better. Iwaki wins the role but he doesn't like the fact that people think he is gay and that he is playing the part of the female. He invites katou over for a challange for the male part and sparks start to fly. katou makes love to him and now he's hooked. when they are caught kissing and it is in all the papers he is mortifide and trys to avoid Katou but still gets caught up in his web. At the author's house he admits only to himself that he doesn't like seeing Katou making love with anyone else. At the same time Katou admits to himself that he has feelings for Iwaki.
when they are wrapping up the end of the series Katou makes love to him for real without anyone knowing but the two of them. It is to funny. I would go on but this is just some of the highlights of the book this book just keeps geting better and better. The only problem is the dates for new vol keep changing. I just can't wait that long to buy the book it is a must read. love it, love it, love it

While most yaoi mangas are weak on story and are primary just for fan service and eye candy, Embracing Love feels like it's on a whole different level. Admittably, there are a few scenes that DO feel like fan service, but overall, this series keeps on track as a "love story" which evolves as a couple.

Compared to other yaoi stories, this one feels more mature. And not only because of it's more graphic nature, but because of the age, life experiences these characters have from the start, and their aging evolution of their relationship throughout the series.

This is one of the few yaoi series where when they're intimate with each other, they're TRULY making love in that scene. And has not been drawn purely for fan service/eye candy alone. In other series, getting each other to bed might be the climax and the "happy ending". But with Embracing Love, that's simply not the case. Here, you see a relationship that needs work from both partners to be a success. And how it's not totally clear which one is the uke or seme. Nor (later on in the series) does a relationship built on love have need for such labels.

As I read through the volumes, I kept seeing aspects of myself from both main characters. And at certain times I also see my husband through them as well.

I have high respect for Youka Nitta after reading this series.

this book definately makes you question a love relationship. it pushes the typical boundaries and give you a different aspect. i would recommend this book to any true yaoi fan.

This is actually my first yaoi and one of my first manga so my review will possibly be marred by inexperience about this very specific genre.

I find a lot to complain about this comic:

first of all, a simple remark: how about these blond Japanese with light eyes and very fair skins?

second, I do not really like this effeminate, skinny men with impossibly wide eyes, though I know this a rather western attitude.

third, what is all this obsession about roles in a gay couple? I know nothing, unfortunately, about Japanese culture but, are they really that obsessed with being active or passive, sexually speaking? Must the passive guy perforce be womanish, ethereal? Do they never switch roles?

fourth, I bought this specific yaoi because the reviewers agreed about its having very explicit drawings. Well, there are some, but rather confused, dimmed so to say: situations are much more rousing than the actual drawings.

fifth, the layout of the strips is sometimes confusing: I am not speaking about the specific Japanese paging style, which is illustrated in a forword, I am saying that in several pages the sequence of drawings and dialogue is unclear.

sixth, one third of the book has little or nothing to do with the main story, which is irritating.

Why buy it then? And giving three stars?
Because this manga is quite pleasing to read: the story is good, the drawing professional, the characters bigger than life but interesting, the passion between the two main ones rousing. All the above mentioned flaws are there but they do not overcome what is good in it