Hands Off! Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Kasane Katsumoto (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (October 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595321535
• ISBN-13: 978-1595321534
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #927,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pyschic slant to a mystery plot., May 31, 2005

By 

Elli - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands Off! Vol. 1 (Paperback)

This book is focused around three high school teen boys - Kotarou Oohira, his cousin Tatsuki Oohira, and the friend Yuuto Urushiyama. Each of these boys has a special ability. Tatsuki can see the past, Yuuto can see auras, and Kotarou (unbeknownst to him at the moment) is able to amplify the abilites of the first two.

The three main characters are the classics you find in many mangas. Kotarou is sweet and innocent. Tatsuki is the handsome,quiet, yet dark and mysterious type, and Yuuto is your typical gigolo.

The 1st volume sets the stage on how these three end up coming together. Basically Kotarou has transfered to a new school in Tokyo where he meets Yuuto. In addition, he moves in with his grandfather, who also takes care of Tatsuki, and this is how he ends up meeting his cousin again.
This story has somewhat of a detective type of plot. The three teens always end up in some situation where they have to solve a problem/mystery making use of their powers in the process. In addition, between the funny moments that arise in the plot, we have some conflict/drama between the main characters, particularly Tatsuki and Katarou, seeing as how an unfortunate incident long ago led Tatsuki to pull away from (and perhaps resent in some ways) Katarou.

Though this story has minor overtones of shounen-ai I would not classify it as that nor as a yaoi. It's quite clear that the main characters are heterosexual (at least Katarou and Yuuto . . . Tatsuki doesn't seem to like anybody - romantic or otherwise). And I don't see anything happening between the two cousins besides a mending of their past friendship. [It IS possible for two male characters to care about one another (epecially when they're family) without there being a romantic interest.]

So if you are interested in a comedy/drama with a psychic slant than I would recommend this book for you.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you liked Eerie Queerie, you'll love this one..., November 9, 2004

By 

Aja (MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands Off! Vol. 1 (Paperback)

"Hands Off" is super good. There isn't anything up on the Tokyopop website about it yet, but it focuses on a high school boy who is a psychic-catalyst, his cousin who sees past events, and his womanizing best friend who sees emotion-based auras. Wheee!

All three boys are pretty, but the main character is the prettiest of the bunch and he's had some trouble being taken seriously because of his looks. In general, I enjoyed the art very much.

In some ways, this book reminds me of Eerie Queerie, but I find it ten times better because of the psychic stuff. ^_^ It's also written much better with more of a coherent storyline than EQ. For the most part, the story is light and funny; a feel-good read. I look forward to the future volumes.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands Off!, May 18, 2005

By 

Kailee (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands Off! Vol. 1 (Paperback)

First, Hands Off is definitely not straight yaoi... in fact, nothing happens between the boys in the first three volumes (I don't know about later because they haven't come out in English yet). But please, don't let that discourage you from buying it.

The main characters in Hands Off are Kotaru, Tatsuki, and Yuuto.

Kotaru is a small girly boy, who hates his feminine features and short height. He gave his cousin (Tatsuki) esp when they were little kids, and for that reason they stopped being friends. In the beginning of Volume 1, Kotaru transfers to Tatsuki's highschool, where he meets Yuuto, and the two become friends right away. Kotaru loves basketball.

Tatsuki is Kotaru's cousin. He hates his powers, and for that reason, he hates Kotaru because Kotaru was the one who gave them to him. He is quiet, and doesn't talk much, and is REALLY strong (like, scary strong!). All the girls love him, but he just ignores them. He is always mean to Kotaru, but yet, whenever something happens to Kotaru, he always rescues him. Actually, in the third volume, Tatsuki starts to freak out if even something little happens; like if Kotaru is late for school he gets really worried (aww...), and paces around until he finds him.

Yuuto... ah, Yuuto. He is always chasing after girls, and asking them for phone numbers (think Miroku from Inuyasha, cept Yuuto doesn't ask girls to bear his children). Yuuto also has a special power. He can see people's auras, and can tell what they're feeling.

Now, don't get turned off by the fact Kotaru and Tatsuki are cousins. It honestly doesn't seem like it, and I assure you, you will find yourself begging for them to get together! Tatsuki so obviously cares for Kotaru, but can't get close to him. Hands Off has its sad moments, suspenseful ones, and cuteness. One of my favortite things is that Yuuto and Tatsuki keep grabbing his hand, or touching him in some way, and he has no clue why. See, whenever either of them are touching Kotaru, their powers get better, clearer. So they often grab his hand. ^^ it is really cute.

Also, the artwork in Hands Off is amazing! Kasane Katsumoto has such a good style! Her characters are cute, yet sexy at the same time (and Tatsuki looks so hot with his hair un-gelled! ^^). The plot is good, and will keep you entertained and wanting the next book fast!

So like I said, even though it isn't in the yaoi category, you can definatly tell something will happen between Tatsuki and Kotaru soon. And even if it doesn't, Hands Off is simply too good to pass up! Trust me... you will be hooked.