Customer Reviews

Gravitation (v. 1)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Gravitation Novel is not a sequel, nor is it particularly different from your average Gravi fare.

The writing isn't excellent, though I suppose I can't blame it for that, being a translation. It's just that I've read fanfiction written better than this. Not that I was looking for erotic scenes, but the "romantic" stuff is pretty light. Sex is implied, but never described. The upside of the writing style is that we get to read more of the thoughts and internal struggles of the characters that we were not privy to in either the manga or the anime. Shuichi's crazy behavior and up-attitude in the two series is shown to us from his own mental perspective, and we can see the play of doubt and sadness that comes over him despite those outward shows of cheerfulness.

The story is cute. It takes some liberties with the anime/manga storyline, mixing some things up and changing the order things happen in. From what I can surmise, from some of the things Shuichi mentions, this supposedly takes place after Yuki professes on TV that he and Shuichi are lovers (volume 6 of the manga), but never mentions that Taki had Shuichi gang raped (volume 4 of the manga), and Taki is still up and walking about and a member of ASK (and trying to ruin Bad Luck), so we can figure that incident either hasn't happened yet, or doesn't happen in this timeline.

The premise is typical Gravitation fare. Shuichi and company are promoting their CDs by going on variety TV shows and trying to get taken seriously. K is being a maniac, Sakano is being a spaz, Fujisaki is resigning himself to the mess he's gotten himself into by joining the band, Ryuichi is a nutball, Tohma is calmly pulling the strings from afar, and Yuki is being cold and distant to Shuichi most of the time. The story sort of focuses on this plot to ruin Bad Luck by spreading rumors about Hiro leaving the band to go to med school. This is drawn from the manga, where Hiro really almost did break Bad Luck up before they even got signed because his parents didn't want him to "throw his life away like his actor brother." One of the nice aspects and new angles of this story is Hiro's mother, who is still against the band and is trying to get Hiro to reconsider. It's a nice extension of what we could only assume from the manga was going through all the characters minds during these events.

The book climaxes with a big music festival, where Bad Luck has to overcome the underhanded tactics of their "unseen" enemy and put on a hell of a show. I'm only disappointed that they make no mention of Ryuichi singing with Shuichi when they earlier in the book state that Ryu would like to do so.

In all, I would say for any die-hard Gravitation fan, this title is worth reading. For anyone who is not all that into the series, you could take a pass on this one and not really be missing anything.

Ok folks, I might me a little over-zealous in my review, but being a hard-core Gravi/bl/yaoi fan, I believe that it is my responsiblity to warn others about this...book. When I heard thru my dealer(s) ( I work at a comic/card shop) that a Gravi novel was coming out I was psyched. I found it at the bookstore two weeks before the official release date and had to stop myself from reading and driving home that night (I do not reccomend driving and reading at the same time either!)
Well, anywhoo, I read and re-read the book in one night and was really thinking about bringing it back and getting my 7.99 back. I think that it is good that there is still interest in the series since the 12th manga ended, but this was totally lacking. Shuichi's head is not the best character's to be in and there is no sexy lil' bits that were in the manga. MAybe i am just a visual person, but I am a lover of books as well. like a few others said, the plot is mishmoshed and I had a hard time following along. In true Gravi style, there was musical hijinks and all the characters that we love, but I don't think that the writing was up to par, and agian i agree that i have read (and written) fan fics better than this. THe one semi-good thing was the undertones of lonliness and sadness in Shuichi that isnt touched upon much in the manga/anime.
I guess i wanted pages and pages of hot bl fluff, and perhaps some Yuki thoughts/emotions. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe I wanted to see Yuki drop to one knee and pledge himself and his love for Shu forever, maybe I've read too many fan fics, dunno.
If anyone has the chance to rent/borrow this book, do so before buying. Some people seemed to like this, but I, sadly, was not one of them. It was good, far from great, and the side plot about Hiro and his mother was just dumb; DUMB.
ANyone who feels the same/different about the book, feel free to contact me so that we can rally the troops or argue ;)

I love Gravitation, and I was excited to hear that a novel was coming out. I was hoping for, perhaps, a fuller plotline with more insight into the characters and their relationships - specifically that of the leading couple, Shuichi and Yuki.
I was a bit disappointed, however, when it turned out that the novel is really nothing more than one of the typical manga storylines...except in text-form - complete with the unbelievable and bipolar actions and attitudes of the cast. Shuichi would angst over a specific development in one scene, but then forget it in the next chapter. A barrier would be set in their path, but it would be overcome with a nonsensical and fantasy-style plot device. In fact, I think this entire novel would have been more acceptable if it WAS in manga form, as the cartoon-esque descriptions might be a bit hard to digest for someone who isn't used to seeing it in action within the manga.

All in all, however, it was a typical day in the lives of the Gravitation crew, and it's an easy enough book to breeze through that it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to read. Recommended for any fan.

gravitation has been one of the funniest, craziest, and surprisingly entertaining series that i have ever read. although i felt it started kind of slowly, the story took off into something that is difficult to describe.for example, shuichi is the weirdest main character i have encountered, yet he has a lot of loveable charm as well. i for one was very pleased with the ending to gravitation, because what i expected to happen...didn't. i love being surprised, and i'm glad that what i was waiting for turned out differently, because shuichi's decision really made him into a better character and "person." overall, i was seriously happy with the end of this silly manga series.

The ending is very open, but is also very cute! I need to get EX now...This series is addictive!

I absolutly love this series! But I have to admit that I was a little dissapointed with the last book, but Murakami-san has earned my trust back with this book! So, about the story, I'm assuming you read the last 10 books. Eiri and Shuichi's relationship evolves and the battle between Bad Luck and Nittle Grasper heats up! If you read the last books you should definitly add this too your collection and if you are interested in shounen-ai (or pretty much anything, Gravitation has everything) you should definitly give this series a try! But it now!!!

Remember, Maki Murakami herself wrote the 12-volume Remix edition of Gravitation. Remix Gravitation stories are actually side stories that fit in with the regular Gravi series, only super super yaoi, & just as funny. Currently, discs of both translated & untranslated scans are available on Ebay & the books themselves can be perchaced in America from JPQueen (expencive) but if ever a DJ series was to be published in english like a manga, this would be it. (DJs aren't JUST fancomics, they also include legit sidestories from the original creators.) PS, I was surprised that Yuki was 'dating' that girl, K, & his brother all at the same time while moping over Shuichi being with Yuki. There are lots & lots more surprises in Remix Gravi than this!) SPECIAL NEWS! I recieved an email from Blu saying that they're taking Remix Gravitation into heavy concideration for translations, due to abundant requests. (Blu is associated with Tokyopop these days)

The climactic final volume to the immensly popular manga series by Maki Murakami!

This one's fast paced and a little confusing. Ryuichi's motiviations are almost painfully slowly revealed. It turns out, he's been pushing Shuichi's buttons on purpose. When Shuichi discovers what he's been doing he is determined to finish the last song and crash Nittle Grasper's concert.

K's back in the manager's seat, and it seems that just about everyone is putting their hand in a devious plot, even Fujisaki! Reiji reluctantly heads back to New York, but she won't be heading back alone...

Yuki and Shuichi's relationship troubles continue to create angst, for both of them. Yuki Kitazawa's continuing hold on Eiri from beyond threatens to end their happiness. Eiri has to come to terms with his feelings, and it leads Shuichi to realize the last little piece of the puzzle regarding what happened between Eiri and Yuki, but I wouldn't feel right about spoiling the ending, so you'll just have to pick this title up and read for yourself.

Not recommended for younger audiences, though there are no sex scenes in this volume. Of course, if you were uncomfortable with gay romance, you'd probably know that well before volume 12, so I guess it doesn't need to be warned.

Gravitation 12 as we all know is the last book in the Gravitation series ( not including EX )
12 was hilarious,as all Gravi books are. The plot is up-beat and for once thought out. The art though, looks like they swapped artists ( it all started in 8)It's not terrible, but every charactor looks 11. Aside from that, the book was enjoyable. As for they're relationship, Shuichi and Yuki's love life is going smoothly. But of corse Shuichi thinks somethings up, and they get into fights, which causes total caos. But as for the ending, I thought it made a perfect ending to a perfect series. (Did I mention both Yuki and Shuichi are wearing rings on their left hands?) Hint hint. I believe it's a sign that they wed. (Not to mention, in EX, they go to New York, and when they return the press shows up stating ' They're back from their honeymoon!' ) Maybe its just my fan girl mind, maybe not. Either way, Yuki's never been cuter, and I loved this series. 5 stars!

Anyone who sees this book as an attempt at brainwashing the children of America needs a lesson in tolerance. They are acting in such an arrogant and childish manner. America's ideals, including majority rules, minority rights, freedom, liberty, and the right to pursuit of happiness, are simply pushed aside for our own beliefs and feelings. What upsets me most is when people see a gay couple and instantly think,"Wow, I wish those two weren't together; it upsets the natural order whenever I'm around them. For my own happiness, I'd like to see them gone." Anyone who sees gays as a distraction or disruption to the "natural order" is just as prideful and arrogant as the early white slave owners of America. It is that obscene; people should have a right to express themselves as they wish. Homosexuality is a freedom of speech, and so is marraige.
Now, on to the book review. I, personally, am not much a fan of yuri (I'm not gay or a boy, for that matter) and this book is targeted toward female readership: as such, I see this series as an excellent edition to yaoi/shonen-ai media. Gravitation is a must-get if you're a shonen-ai fan, and is also the best (in my humble opinion) shonen-ai book available in the United States. I won't say anything too book specific, all you need to know is that Shuichi's antics and Yuki's hard, cold demeanor make this a book of contrast...definitly worth the $10.00.
Anyways, ja ne, and I hope you live in a world of tolerance!