Rating: Summary: Snobby Fangirl gets her come-uppance... Review: I used to turn my nose up at slash, I admit it. I bought this book based on a reccommendation from a teen librarian and...well, I'm a changed woman now. Ryo and Dee are wonderful and engaging, and I love watching their sweet romance unfold. There's just enough plot and action to satisfy my literary fangirl side, too. If you're wondering what all the fuss is about...pick this up and find out. You'll be hooked.
Rating: Summary: Fun, Sexy, and Dangerous Review: I was thrilled to learn that TokyoPop, probably the company most in tune with the American Manga fan community, had decided to take the plunge and release FAKE. FAKE is a shonen ai (more yaoi, really) series, meaning it it features a male/male romance written by women for women. It's the story of Dee and Ryo, new partners in the New York City 28th Precinct. Dee is immediately enamored with Ryo, while Ryo's not so sure about his brash, rude partner. Add in Ryo's new foster son, Bikky, a streetwise brat named Carol/Cal, Dee's old "friend" JJ, and the upcoming Berkeley Rose, and you've got a wonderful romance with plenty of police suspense and intrigue on the side.The translation is playful, fun, and well thought out. Sanami Matoh's art is lovely from the beginning, though it improves in later volumes. Light and playful at times, it can also be dark and deadly, dealing with serial killers, troubled children, and murder. For an added bonus, American readers get a hilarious view of the Japanese interpretation of living in New York City (keep an eye out for things like the fact that these guys only eat Chinese take-out, and we apparently salute when we introduce ourselves). All in all, FAKE is a wonderful shonen ai/yaoi series that gets quite hot and heavy in the final volume (which is a long way off in America!). The entire series is fun, dark, and interesting-its only failing is the final volume, which is a bit rushed and choppy. But, this is June, 2003! For now, enjoy the wonderful stories and characters Matoh has to offer!
Rating: Summary: Great! Review: I would say that the only other shonen-ai (boy love) title that I've ever read that could beat this would be Gravitation by Maki Murakami. You don't really have to be into the whole CSI thing to enjoy this, but if you do like forensic stuff, then this is definetely the thing for you. Sometimes, I gotta admit, though, the shonen-ai can be a bit overpowering and even mushy, but then again, if you're a fan, then this is perfect, eh? The art is beautiful here... Very realistic-looking. The details and background details are beautiful and believable, as are the characters. Each chapter or "Act" follow a different case or continue from one of the previous chapters. Although they don't seem to follow an actual line (like Gravitation, for instance) and just seem to be like seperate episodes, all of it will come together throughout the series. If you like Gravitation, I'm sure you'll love this.
Rating: Summary: WoW Review: I'm fairly new to the world of manga, but I have read 4 or 5 series and this, so far, is my favorite. I don't own the manga (I'm only in high school and have no time for a job so I'm too poor to buy it) but I've been able to find a couple sites with the sans and then other sites with the traslations and I have been able to put the two together. First off it's shounen-ai so that's always a plus, but it also has a *plot* so that makes it 100 times better. If you like shounen-ai and adventure/suspense related things I would highly suggest buying this series! I'm trying to!
Rating: Summary: An unique exquisite series Review: I'm not usually into Manga, but for FAKE of Sanami Matoh. Here you have enchanting characters, a real plot, a sweet teasing seduction-type love story, where the gist of the plot is the sense of anticipation, will Dee succeed in making his beloved Ryo fall in love with him? The tough Dee and gentle Ryo are simply adorable, and the fact that they are both supposed to be detectives at NYPD Police requires only a moderate amount of suspension of disbelief. Bikky and Carol,two wayward kids entrusted to Ryo's (and Dee) care are absolutely endearing. Notably there is a zany humour pervading the series that, though for "late teens" and not recommended for the homophobic, is narrated in a gentle and poetic way, no concession made to vulgarity or crude scenes. I think that. as a graphic novel , FAKE ranks as one of the best, next to Monsieur Jean of Dupuy-Berberian. A must read for the comic novel connoisseur!
Rating: Summary: YEA!!! Review: It is about time someone got this manga out! A lot of us FAKe fans were afraid that Tokyopop would ruin it or do something horrible to it, but our fears were put to ease when FAKE hit the shelves and turned out to have been done amazingly well! I got my copy a lil later then i wanted but it was well worth the wait! FAKe is a love story between two NY city cops. It is the sweetest thing and has some very funny parts. Anyone who likes romance stories who isn't uncomfortable with homosexuality, this is a must. In fact, I would say that even people who are made uncomfortable by homosexuality should try this manga, it might open their eyes a bit. ~_^
Rating: Summary: My treasured favorite, Matoh is a genius Review: Love this series very much. The characters are wonderfully developed. Dee and Ryo's relationship is an absolute thrill to watch. They're got their ups and downs like a real dynamic relationship. The stories are very enjoyable - it's got comedy, drama, and lots of unresolved sexual tension. You may be frustrated yourself by how much this series teases you when Dee and Ryo start getting intimate then BOOM - interrupted.
But I think that's what makes this manga so addictive and enjoyable and make me want more.
I love both of the characters dearly. Dee, the aggressive seme, is free-spirited and kind of sloppy. But he is extremely passionate. I find this quality of him irresistible. Ryo, the hardworking little police detective, is so good-natured and responsible, and very lovable. I don't blame Dee for wanting to make hot love to him. These characters have a strong contrast, and it makes them very attractive and a perfect match.
Throw in some crime plot dramas and other invading love interests (Berkeley, J.J.) and you get the comprehensivly thrilling series of FAKE. This goes down as a treasured favorite of mine.
Rating: Summary: SWEET Review: Man I just got on Friday and I love it. The way the story is tell is great. If you are a Cowboy Bebop fan, you should read it.
Rating: Summary: Shonen Ai with a plot Review: Most Shonen Ai (gay male themed manga) lacks story and emphasizes squidge over content in every conceivable way, but FAKE is the truly charming tale of a buddy police team, one very gay, the other very uncomfortable about his new partner. The resulting hijinks are often quite funny and the writing is clever. Don't even think that Matoh has a flipping clue about US police departments or procedures: like most foreign writers, she has not done her research in that department and does not come even close to capturing an authentic feel to police life in the USA (yes, I do know what I am talking about--three generations of cops in my family, thanks so much). Why am I still giving this five stars? Becuse the characters are so darned entertaining and the goofy premise is easily overlooked (especially if you realize that many manga are short on story and long on page count--this one actually has a story which puts it a cut above on many levels). I like the art style a lot-it is less sketchy than most manga. This book is genuinely sweet and entertaining. I have all the original books in Japanese, went to great lengths to get translations for them and am deliriously pleased to see this edition in English. Here's hoping the publisher continues to experiment with shonen ai themed books, especially considering the numbers of fans who have been spending BIG BUCKS for pirate editions over the years. All the money we now save will go into buying more legitimate english editions of manga.
Rating: Summary: One hell of a ride!!! Review: Now I AM NOT GAY!!! Understand. I really do not approve of the gay lifestyle, but yaoi is fine with me...I came across Fake. "No way!" I screamed(silently) They had Fake out in America. I bought it and boy was I impressed. See, years ago when I was about 14, I used to live in Japan with my family. We moved from California to there. Now where back here. Whaaa, back to my jist. As I was saying, I bought the original Japanese manga of Fake, and I only read the first 6 volumes. I loved them. Then when I moved back here, I bought the last volume and let me tell ya, things get REALLY toasty between Dee & Ryo. The first volume is great though. A must buy for anyone who has an open mind and LOVES manga. Four thumbs up, I mean 2 thumbs up. For would be kinda complicated to do:) LOL
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