Spell (Yaoi) (Paperback)

~ Hyouta Fujiyama (Author, Artist)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When second-year college student Takamasa Natori gets dragged to a double date by his friend, Takeda, he meets Junpei Kisugi. The two hit it off instantly, and they are soon getting along as if they have known each other for years. But when Natori hears that Kisugi is bisexual, he doesn't know what to think. The two remain friends but things heat up when Natori runs into Kisugi's current and slightly jealous lover Tohru...

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing (September 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569708061
• ISBN-13: 978-1569708064
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #241,172 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This one examines the guys' feelings very well., September 21, 2007

By	R.Parklane (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is my second Yaoi from this mangaka and I have to say I am pretty impressed with the way she handles her guys' emotions.
She has done a lovely job in this one exploring her guys' developing feelings for each other. Natori and Kisugi are appealing characters. Both are college students who met in a dating party. Natori who comes from a small town is a bit of a "country bumpkin", with his rather black and white view of his surroundings, and quite a "virgin". Kisugi is an acknowledged "bisexual" who is outspoken, direct and open about his sexual preference, hopping from one relationship to another, never seeking love but just favors and comforts. But they hit it off immediately, with common likings as each is drawn to the other's different personality.
Natori of course finds himself gradually developing feelings for Kisugi and getting confused over it. Afterall his good friend is a guy. It does not help that Kisugi has been seeing an older businessman for 3 months, his longest relationship so far.
We also have a female character Yasuha-chan, Natori's childhood friend who is secretly in love with Natori. And she is quite a character as she ends up lecturing the 2 guys on their relationship and giving them the "wake-up" call.
A great one to have in my collection as we have a sappy and vulnerable seme here while the uke is the confident and experienced one. The sex may be limited but the well developed emotions content and likable characters are most appealing. As this is the mangaka's earlier works, the artwork is a bit awkward. I certainly see the fluid improvement she made in her later "Lover's flat" which I enjoy alot.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth it!, May 25, 2008

By	Yaoi Holic "yaoiholic" (Parker, CO) - See all my reviews

Fujiyama Hyouta is a mangaka whose art is exceeded by her storytelling ability. Spell is no exception.

The three main characters (2 men and a girl - all university aged) begin a unique love-triangle fuelled by the main character's curiosity when he discovers that a new friend he "clicked" with is actually bisexual, and that he's currently dating a man. His childhood friend - a woman who has feelings for him - has to explore her relationship with him at the same time.

This is a great example of good yaoi, with an interesting plot and developed characters, which explores the feelings of a man who is confused about his sexuality and the relationships he has with the people around him. Some other mangas (Fujiyama-sensei's works often have this theme) are depressing in their exploration of what it means to be "gay," but this charming story is upbeat and shows that yaoi is much more than just sex.

I only wish it were longer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comparing it to Lover's Flat...., April 12, 2008

By	lore (Neverwhere) - See all my reviews

The reason I gave this book four stars is because the story is just a step below the same mangaka's "Lover's Flat". However, it's still an enjoyable, fun read.

The above synopsis is mostly accurate, only they meet at a mixer, not a double-date. Also, the above reviewer really covered most of the points I would have, so I just have a couple short thoughts.

The mature scenes are pretty tame, but there's a beauty to the art that gives all the scenes intimacy, to the point where explicitness isn't needed. I also especially liked the addition of an active female character, just because we see so few developed female characters in BL books. The main story takes up the entire book, which is always my preference, and I didn't find myself wanting anything more at the end, which means the story felt complete as-is. Overall, I would recommend this book if you like emotional journeys and expressive art.