Ze Volume 2 (Yaoi) [Paperback]

Yuki Shimizu (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Series: ZE | Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Raizo was smitten by Kon at first sight, and the two have spent their day not as any other couple would - with messy flirting all aroung the mansion! But love is never easy, and things get a little interesting when an anxious and irritated Kon becomes unsatisfied with mere flirting!

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: 801 Media, Inc. (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193412933X
• ISBN-13: 978-1934129333
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great continuation of the outstanding yaoi (M/M) series: better than the first volume!, May 13, 2009

By 

Brooklyner (NYC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ze Volume 2 (Yaoi) (Paperback)

In this volume, the relationship between two main characters - blond naive Raizou and his quiet mysterious "paper doll" Kon - progresses and is beautifully drawn. Sex scenes are great (though no explicit frontal nudity), and there is a number of both emotionally touching scenes and genuinely humorous moments. I think that's what really sets Yuki Shimizu apart from many other manga-kas: she is a true master in combining light humorous scenes with the dramatic and darker ones. And her characters are surely sexy!
I'm really looking forward to the 801 Media localization of Ze Volume 3 (Yaoi), and the quality of their edition and translation has been great so far. Based on my rudimentary understanding of the original Japanese edition, the next volume is going to focus on the relationship between two new characters (Genma and Himi), and it's going to be even steamier and sexier than Ze 2 (at least, to me). It is surely a darker and more dramatic volume as compared to Ze 1 and 2 (a warning to some sensitive readers: there will be non-con and rapes in Ze 3... Those who like more hardcore yaoi and/or yaoi with (mild) S&M elements will probably like it.)

Edit: As of of December 2009, this book is temporarily out of stock on Amazon, and some sellers here try to get ridiculous prices for it. Akadot offers the same book for less than the cover price, so don't overpay for it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Dolls with Soul, October 26, 2010

By 

The Kimi-Chan Experience - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ze Volume 2 (Yaoi) (Paperback)

Where volume one moved a bit slowly and introduced the Mitou family to us via Raizou's first encounters with this supernaturally gifted family, volume two really picks up the pace. This volume explores Kon's emotional development, as he comes to grasp exactly what Raizou's actions and words mean, and begins to feel deep stirrings of emotions himself. The dark side of being a kotodama wielder is also explored, with its attendant familial expectations, personal ambitions, and mental strains. Not everyone is strong enough mentally to bear it, or gifted enough to safely use it, and what happens when one faces failure or uses their power without the safety net of a kami to heal the bodily injuries inflicted upon the user is revealed in truly tragic circumstances. For Kon, it is a watershed moment.

Kami-sama are created to serve their kotodama master, to support them emotionally, heal them, and care for them as the occasion and need arises. When faced with his inability to heal the one he was originally intended for, he comes straight up against his darkest fear: being useless. But in our moments of deepest despair, we often recall the words of those who actually mean the most to us and it is this memory that pushes Kon forward,r eleasing him from his static emotional prison. Raizou therefore not only frees him him physically from his captivity, but emotionally. Kon may have awoken sentiently from being a mere paper doll at the moment of his creation as a kami-sama by the doll-maker, but his soul only truly awakens at that pivotal moment. From that instant on, Kon is truly alive.

The rest of the volume focuses on Raizou and Kon's attempts to truly join as one, with comic consequence. Poor Raizou is not only taller than the average Japanese, being of foreign blood, but it seems he is gifted anatomically. Poor Kon nearly has a heart attack when he sees the size of what is to be used for insertion, reacting in a rather violent way in the midst of their lovemaking. Poor Raizou really takes it heart, but Kon only truly understands the possible ramifications of his apparent rejection when Raizou takes a trip back to his home town in the aftermath. More emotional and social development follows, as Kon and Raizou face their feelings together, and each grows just that little bit more while strengthening their bond. It is nicely mirrored with the side short showing the couples back at the Mitou home, with a look in on each kotodamashi and their attendant kami-sama who are in residence that evening, though still not without comedy as the family place bets on the outcome of the pair being together that night.

While the art is not minutely detailed, it is quite attractive to look at, as well as explicit. There is some artistic burring of male anatomy, but that is original, not the work of Digital Manga (it would have been surprising had they done it anyway, as this is their 801 Media imprint which showcases some fairly hardcore titles in the genre). I say artistic blurring, as they are most definitely there, but may be highlighted by light for an almost glowing effect, or the lines may not be fully realised, though it is always VERY evident what is there. Some of the scenes do admittedly fall a bit towards the fan service side, but not meaninglessly so, as we also get treated to deeper glimpses of the inner workings of each couple's relationship along the way and not merely groping and skin flashes. Also included is the mangaka's note at the end to her readers, which adds that little personal touch.