Manga Sutra -- Futari H Volume 1 (v. 1) (Paperback)

~ Katsu Aki (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yura and Makoto are 25-year-old newlyweds and terrified virgins. They're deeply in love (although Aki never bothers to explain how they met or fell in love), and in the first volume of this long-running series, they take a few soap-operatic chapters to get over their nervousness before they plunge into hentai-style sex, drawn with soft-core–cheesecake aplomb. (At crucial moments, Aki resorts to anatomical cross-sections.) But poor Makoto is a premature ejaculator, and they've both got a few things to learn—some of them from his know-it-all older brother and her promiscuous younger sister. Aki draws beautiful women with enormous shojo eyes, usually in states of embarrassment, but it's the book's goofy-looking, sexually inept men who are really the objects of mockery. American readers may be amused by the book's unnerving insights into Japanese sexual culture—Aki's narration declares that if going to the professionals at the soaplands is like eating out gourmet, then doing it with a significant other is like a warm home-cooked meal! And after a few hundred pages of thrusts and moans, there's a page that solemnly documents a series of techniques for French kissing. Still, despite the factual nuggets dropped in for what used to be called redeeming social value, this volume is much more about titillation than education. (Jan.)
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Product Description

Makoto and Yura just got married...and they have a lot to learn! At the age of twenty-five, newlyweds Makoto and Yura are still virgins. But not for long! That is, if they can figure out how everything works. Will the sweet--and voluptuous--Yura enjoy her first "experience?" Or is Makoto not yet savvy enough to light her fire? Follow the hot young couple as they step up into love and experiment with getting it on...and on...and on!

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1427805369
• ISBN-13: 978-1427805362
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #199,455 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what I thought it was after I thought it was something else, January 27, 2008

By	sanoe.net - See all my reviews

When I ordered this manga, I thought this was going to be a spicy story but mostly story with a bit spice. Then I got my copy and saw that it was sex guide! A SEX GUIDE! Oh no! I thought. I don't need a sex guide!

I thought about sending it back but curiosity being what it is, I decided to go ahead and open it and read it.

And for once, my curiosity didn't smack me upside the head (see: A Night to Remember by Eve Vaughn which is an example of curiosity that should have been left alone).

Although there are a lot of interesting (and surprisingly helpful) tidbits about sexual relations (this is a sex guide after all), the story of newlyweds, Makoto and Yura, (along with Yura's sister and Makoto's family) is a refreshing hoot.

Makoto and Yura are 25 and married via a marriage broker service. They are both virgins. As the story unfolds, one will read about a honeymoon night with long pajamas, the near misses moments and the almost-theres, the too much info brother, the too experienced sister, the sex under the family roof, thin walls, the too soon, the too much, and the "don't worry we can try again" scenarios and all the funny humor that can result from such situations.

And it is all told in a non-judgmental, easy reading style with appealing art to accompany the story that made this buy a completely enjoyable surprise.

So whether you've had sex (or just read it in a book somewhere), this series is worth a look. The story and its characters are very likable and one might just learn something new.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definately not what I expected, February 13, 2008

By	Scott Gibson "Overclocked reviews, for the ov... (Mooresville, IN, USA) - See all my reviews

When I picked up this title I was sort of expecting it to be a more typical hentai manga, contrary to the cover symbol which reads "a Guide to getting it on". When I cracked it open I found that I was actually quite wrong. However I was wrong in a good way.

The characters are very well written into the story. The character's personas are memorable and very heart-felt. Their attitudes and the general way the book is written gives it a very light hearted and uplifting feel. Sure, the characters of Yura and Makoto have their share of problems (in bed) but they give off a good vibe of understanding and caring. Makoto's brother tries to help him with his inadaquecies and give him a few pointers to help Makoto pleasure his wife. Akira (Makoto's brother) isn't overbearing in his attempts to help his brother and doesn't stick his nose in too far (like a lot of other similar manga characters do).

The book is wonderfully illustrated with beautiful artwork. Its pretty obvious that the artist did a lot of anatomical study for his art. The sex scenes, although very well done, are done in a more tasteful manner compared to most other hentai. The art is sexy and the layouts of each page are well thought out.

What surprised me was the length of this book and its size. Easily its double the size and thickness of a regular manga. It's got a very easily feasable plot, it's not "over the top". The characters are very down to Earth, very memorable and even adorable. The facts and tidbits are also very interesting (it is a "sex guide").

My vote: Worth buying.
This book is worth every penny for those who have had sex, are planning on/hoping to experience sex, etc. The story is excellent. The plot is uplifting and adorable. Yura and Makoto are very engaging protagonists. The book was all worth it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most unrealistic sex guide ever, March 28, 2008

By	PJ Arroyo (FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thought this book was hilarious but to call it a sex guide? sure it has basic tips for beginners but to call it a sex guide? that's...pretty inaccurate. It's incredibly addictive and entertaining but if you're looking for a sex guide you should find something more realistic. anyways the book is an adorable story centering around two newly married virgins. The girl Yura is one of those unbelievably innocent passive girls that Japanese anime is famous for. There are a bunch of other characters willing to offer the two advice and the story is about them getting better at sex. It's a step up from your usual love story (explicit pics)with a few sex ed tips thrown in (including the occasional diagram). Seems to me like the book is for comedy or to educate unbelievably sheltered people(not really). I still enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to other people. I'll probably buy the sequel as soon as its out.