Sakashita Izumi, your typical straight high school student, gets into a sticky situation with a gay translator, Takamiya Katsura, when he gets mistaken for an escort (coincidentally also named "Izumi") from a gay dating club, B&B (Blue Boy)! The two go on a date, Izumi goes all the way, and now the older man's in love with our young hero and possibly converting this initial homophobe into that which he fears. Though Izumi tries desperately to deny the feelings of desire and trust he's starting to have for Takamiya, it's quite a struggle especially with Takamiya constantly showering him with compliments and affections and Izumi again winding up in his bed when he's left in his care for five days. Golden Week, a week off from school, also gives the two an opportunity to vacation together but at Takamiya's short-tempered friend, Aoe Reiji's summer home (he also happens to be the owner of B&B). The climax that reassures the trust and care the two men have for each comes at a party held on the last night of Golden Week at the summer house when Takamiya has to prove his loyalty when he's caught "kissing" the original "Izumi" escort from the first chapter! The two's story ends here with a definite relationship starting but Izumi still afraid of having more sexual encounters with Takamiya. However, the extra bonus chapter at the end of the book is good old fan service involving Izumi being drugged up by aphrodisiac-ridden chocolates to let down his guard about sex and the ever-responsible Takamiya relieving him of his overwhelming lust. Although Izumi and Takamiya were the main characters in this volume, following volumes will focus on other acquaintances'/friends' gay relationships. For example, Aoe Reiji and his young lover will take the spot light in Volume II.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cute and kind of heartwarming,
By
This review is from: Love Mode, Vol. 1 (Yaoi) (Paperback)
Izumi is waiting for a blind date to show up when he's approached by Takamiya Katsura, another man. Initially angry, Izumi decides to go out with the guy figuring that since Takamiya's paying, he may as well have some fun. After having way too much to drink, Izumi wakes up in Takamiya's bed, naked with Takamiya on top of him. Turns out Takamiya hired a male escort named Izumi from a discreet, exclusive club. However, that Izumi couldn't make it and the other Izumi got mistaken for the male escort.
What follows is a cute story of a boy coming to recognize his sexual orientation, and his feelings for another man. There are some explicit sexual scenes, but as in most Japanese comics of this type, the nether regions are only implied, not drawn in. Izumi reminds me of myself when I was coming out, so I tended to feel for the guy. While the future volumes won't always center on Izumi and Takamiya, it was enough to make me want to read another volume. The only thing I dislike is that the copyright page does not give credit to the translator. I like to know who does the translation of what I'm reading, and having it missing was annoying. Still, it was good yaoi. I look forward to Volume 2.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Series,
By eluvvv (Chicago) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Love Mode, Vol. 1 (Yaoi) (Paperback)
Having read the complete Love Mode series, I am proud to say that Love Mode is one of my favorite mangas. I cant wait till the other volumes come out so that I can buy the whole collection! Yuki Shimizu does an absolute wonderful job with not only the art, but creating the plot and story. Love Mode is a twist and tangle of such sad sweetnesses (it is most definitely a tear jerker). Not to mention, the complex character development and surprises left me in wonder. I would whole heartedly recommend this to anyone who's interested in completely drowning themself in the stories and lives of the characters of Love Mode.
*Please Note That This Manga Has A Reaccuring Homosexual Theme. But do not let that hinder you from diving into a brilliant series!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't stop with volume 1!,
By lemonzest "Jenn" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Love Mode, Vol. 1 (Yaoi) (Paperback)
I've been a huge fan of Love Mode for the past few years, and I can tell you that even in Japan it's still popular enough to be kept on the store shelves when so many yaoi series disappear into the out of print void. That said, the first time I read it I wrinkled my nose a lot - the main characters in vol. 1 aren't quite my cup of tea. I find high school-Izumi to be really closeted and whiny, and as someone else said, Takamiya comes off as too good to be true (although I think when you actually look at what he does in the book it's clear that he's not quite an angel). However, as other reviewers have pointed out, once you're past this initial introductory volume, the author really finds her footing and starts producing some of the best work in yaoi manga.
The series tells the story of the relationships between a set group of characters: Izumi and Takamiya in this volume; escort club owner Reiji and Naoya, a high school student living on his own after his family died in a car crash; Reiji's brother Kiichi, a doctor, and his manservant/lover Haruomi, who have their own troubled pasts to contend with; sickly escort Izumi, the hot guy next door and the lonely old man who brings them together; and a trip into the past with the story of Reiji and Kiichi's &@#*^! father. This is one of the only manga I've read that has actually made me cry - the author has a gift for drawing heartbreaking expressions and loves to prove that everything can get worse before it gets better, but she usually provides a happy ending after all the pain. By the 11th and final volume, I think you'll find it hard to dislike any of the main couples in this series. Even whiny Izumi and Takamiya, who I thought I'd never want to see again after volume 1 get better - check out volume 4's bonus chapter for a look at what makes their relationship tick. My favorite by the end was Kiichi - there has to be someone in the story who can get one over on Reiji, and Kiichi is such a wonderful conniving [...]. Even most of the side characters are great and memorable. While I'm a fan of yaoi manga, I won't try to pretend I like it because it's deep and highbrow, but I think that Love Mode is one of the few series out there that really balances between giving you the action you want with genuine exploration of the relationships and characters and drama. I highly recommend any fan of yaoi or relationship drama check it out, and remember to buy volume 1 and 2 at the same time so that you don't lose hope in the series from the start.
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