Kizuna - Bonds Of Love: Book 1

Rating:
Summary: Start here
Review: As a big yaoi and shounen-ai fan, I'm always looking for new series in which to become interested. When I first heard about Kizuna, it was in its manga form and strictly in Japanese, which I cannot read. However, I liked the pictures and what seemed to be occuring in them, so I had a friend roughly translate a bit for me so I could at least get the gist of what was actually happening. Ultimately, this was not very satisfying, so I was incredibly excited when I heard that it was being translated into English.

As we all know, most manga (and anime, for that matter) are horribly mangled when translated. This is not one of those instances. While it's not a verbatim translation, it's damn close. The love story between Kei Enjouji and Ranmaru Samejima is very sweet and the main focus of this first volume. Kei's charmingly bratty, younger half-brother, Kai Sagano, is all ready to throw his 'wrench' into the happy couple's existence, but those plans become quickly squashed upon the appearance of his life-long protector, Masanori Araki, the right-hand man of Kei's and Kai's yakuza boss father. Masa and Kai clearly share a special bond, helping to open Kai's eyes and steering him away from Kei and Ranmaru.

Volume 1 of Kizuna is very well done. Not only is the artwork beautiful, the story is very cohesive and the characters are all likable. It has something for everyone: romance, drama, comedy, even a bit of action, and let's not forget the lovely yaoi sex scenes. Plus, Be Beautiful did an excellent job of translating and producing this version of the book, which is very uncommon in many translated series.

If you're wondering if this series is worth your time, stop wondering. It is.

Rating:
Summary: a MUST - have!!!
Review: Kizuna is one of the best stories I've read(it's funny, cute, romantic, dramatic -- it's got everything)!!!!
The artwork is not as great as Fake but the story is so strong you get used to the differences very quickly.
The story itself is about 2 lovers, Enjouji and Kei, who are already very much in love but are challanged by many obstacles (Mainly Kei's brother Kai who is in love with Enjouji).
Kai's father is a Yakuza boss and so Kai has his own bodyguard who is very loyal to him -- Kai begins to fall in love with him... their relationship is very cute and becomes more developed as the new volumes come out.
The story is definitely YAOI so don't get it if you can't stand graphic images of ... you know ... 2 guys, um, "gettin it on"...
So now that I've got that off my chest, I'll go back to my manga and drool some more!!!

Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: Venturing in the world of Yaoi thru Kazuma's work makes me really beet red.I read a review of this in Anime Insider and they were right on the money. I really dont read this kind of book/manga and I cant believe I am but the story, the characters , the art is so compelling.
The illustartions of Ranmaru are so beautiful(sigh).