Customer Reviews

Kiss All the Boys Volume 1 (Yaoi) (Deux)

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

 

 

I have struggled with just how to review this series as I have already read it in its entirety and this review is just for volume 1. I struggle because I don't want to give away too much yet I feel it is important that the reader know just what they are getting into with this series. It is written in the humorous style unique to Shiuko Kano and one which I do enjoy, and although it is graphic, it is not nearly as graphic as some of her other work (see my reviews of I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone and Maybe I'm Your Steppin' Stone). There are a lot of characters in this one which helps add to the conflict throughout this story. Mostly it is a lot of unrequited love where two characters both like another character who happens to be lusting after yet another character. One thing to be aware of is that this series does include two couplings of 15-year-old boys with guys in their 30's and although it is humorous, there is a somewhat dark undertone to it if you really think about all that happens throughout the series.

A quick background on the story: Tetsuo Atarashi is a 32-year-old single hentai manga writer who is struggling with being impotent and to make matters worse was recently saddled with his 15-year-old son, Haruka Enomoto, who he's had little contact with. Needless to say, they don't get along very well and Haruka's being gay doesn't help any. Some of the other characters in this story are Michiro Enomoto, Haruka's uncle and Tetsuo's best friend and editor; Kiichi Momoyama, a 22-year-old Tetsuo runs into at an X-rated flick and becomes sexually involved with; and Hiroto Tamaki, Haruka's 15-year-old best friend and one-sided love interest.

Overall, I think it is a well put together book. The character design is nicely done as each character has a different look and I think the boys are cute and the men are pretty sexy. The plot is an interesting one and not your usual fare although it's not as in depth as some I have read. The construction of the book and its illustrations are better than average and I didn't have any trouble with the translation. There were a few times I was a little confused as to who was speaking but not to the point of interrupting the story. As far as sexual content, there were a total of 3 sex scenes; two masturbation scenes and one full sexual encounter. It was enough to keep it interesting although more would have been better in my opinion. As a whole, it is an interesting series that deals with issues different from what we typically get in yaoi and as long as you are ok with the age pairings, then it is worth a read.

Character Design = A-
Plot = B+
Book Design/Illustrations = A-
Sexual Content = B+
Translation = A-

Overall Grade = A- but barely

Tetsuo is a 32 years old porn comic artist. When he was 17 yd, he had a son with his best friend's sister, an older woman who, since then, always takes care of the son alone. But now she has to move for work and Haruka wants to live with Tetsuo, to be near his friends. Tetsuo is not a man used to be a father and plus in this moment his life is not so good, he has a two years impotence and he begins to reflect his personal life problems on the work.

When Haruka moves on with Tetsuo, he is no more the kid Tetsuo remembers; the boy is very sexually free (even if, truth be told, he is still a teen with the habits of a teen) and plus he pretends to be gay and in love with one of his highschool mate, Tamaki. Meanwhile Tetsuo makes a chance encounter in a X-rated theatre with another man, Momoyama, innocent and naivee, and Tetsuo, almost without realizing it, makes a move on the man, who, since that moment on, is obsessed with Tetsuo, thinking to be in love.

Tetsuo is perplexed, he doesn't understand his feelings, and he is also worrying for Haruka's friend, Tamaki, a shy and young boy, gentle and with a troubled family behind; where Tetsuo seems unable to be a father with Haruka, he seems to go on well with Tamaki. But there is another important and constant presence in Tetsuo's life, his best friend and Haruka's uncle, Michiro. For all these years Michiro has always been there for Tetsuo and also for Haruka, but he is only a friend, or he would like to be something more for Tetsuo?

Actually Tetsuo has his plate full with all these boys around him. The only one I'm sure he is not interested in a sentimental way is his son Haruka, for all the others I don't know. Esthetically I would like for him to choose Michiro, he is for sure the most handsome of the lot, but also Momoyama is so cute and innocent, I feel sorry for him, since I have not the feeling that, in the end, Tetsuo will choose him. And the Tamaki... he is too young for Tetsuo and then there is Haruka. I hope for him that Tetsuo's interested is only in a fatherly way.

This is the one of three volume, and I think I will find the answers to my questions only in the last one...

Well when I saw this book at the Deux booth, I wasn't interested becuase of two things: 1 the book cover picture and 2 the title itself.I wanted a BL manga that has a good story and charcaters I can care for and are not "feminine characters". So I asked the lady at the booth about it and she highly recommended this BL manga.
And thats what I got out of this manga.I am very pleased with it and the illustrations are nicely done.For me this BL title is a keeper.

Now I am by no means a yaoi expert, I've probably only read about 50 yaoi titles....but I think this manga was AWESOME! I was all smiles while reading it and VERY thankful that I had ordered all three at once! The relationship between Tetsuo (32 year old porn comic) and his estranged son is hilarious(don't worry, no incest)! Its very funny and original. Its a very engaging story with just the right amount of everything, yes that includes the sex! I think the series is just the right length as well...I would recommend this to any yaoi fan.

Kiss All the Boys is an older (first published in 1997) manga. The drawings are well done and most of the panels are filled with details. Though some of them are overfilled with kanji and english translation. Tetsuo is involved in manga writing, not yaoi though. This part of his life, though part of the story doesn't take up the story, an example like "Love Recipe". Tetsuo seems to be one confused guy, says he's straight but after getting drunk he gets into bed with a neighbor. This is the first volume of several. There are several intimate scenes somewhat graphic.