Kizuna: Much Ado About Nothing

Originally released in Japan in 2001, Kizuna's third OVA is making a belated appearance here in the U.S., courtesy of a nearly stealth release by Kitty Media. An overdue entrance, but assuredly a welcome one. For unlike the other Boys Love anime released by Kitty Media to date (Level C, Boku no Sexual Harassment), Kizuna has an engaging plot, rather than being a thinly veiled excuse for sex, sex and yet more sex.

Not that there's anything wrong with lots of steamy man on man sex (that's why we're fans, right?), but Enjouji and Ranmaru are such lovable characters, it would be a shame if their only interactions were in bed. And this OVA doesn't disappoint!

Taking place after the events of the first two OVAs (originally published here by Ariztical Entertainment and re-released by Be Beautiful), Kizuna 3 draws its story from volumes two and three of Kodaka Kazuma's popular series. It intertwines a laugh-out-loud funny, yet bittersweet, misunderstanding between Kodaka's two main characters, Enjouji Kei (the erstwhile adorable, doting but flaky seme) and Samejima Ranmaru (his patient, lovably uptight and cranky uke) with flashbacks to their relationship's beginnings. A simple misunderstanding involving a New Half (transsexual in the making), a love hotel and Enjouji leads Ranmaru to question how long their relationship can last in the face of what society considers normal and proper. After some amount of angsting by both men. Enjouji, first though sheer physical force and then through rough, but impassioned words, eventually convinces his Ran-chan there's no one else in the world for him. And so all's well that ends well. Except ... well, Enjouji is Enjouji and he manages to get in trouble again as the credits roll, with Ranmaru threatening to move back home. A perfect encapsulation of their bumpy, but loving relationship, and a good complement to the flashback scenes of young Enjouji and Ranmaru initially coming to grips with their feelings for one another.

Of the the three OVAs, this installment is by far the best. The animation itself is leaps and bounds beyond the first two, not surprising, given the eight years or so between them. The first two OVAs suffered from a lack of cohesiveness, trying to cram too much into too little time, with the result being choppy and somewhat incoherent. Much Ado About Nothing wisely focuses on a single main story line, jettisoning extraneous characters, and thus has a beginning, middle and satisfactory end. And, for me, at least, I am glad that the animated version stops short of Enjouji's full-out sexual coercion of Ranmaru, as it's sadly painful to watch. Here Enjouji gets his point across before the two are even fully undressed and it works just fine.

I do have to quibble that there's warnings about graphic sex on the DVD, since there's, well, none. There's some attempted sex, some cute humour with the lovers each discussing the other's penis and some lovely kisses. But nothing more than that. Hardly worth the warning (though it would've been nice to have had the hot sex scene near the end).

On the whole, definitely one of the best Boys Love OVAs out there. Decent animation, a complete, coherent story and some wonderful voice acting by Okiayu Ryoutarou (Ranmaru) and Ichijo Kazuya (Kodaka's older brother, as Enjouji). A must-have for any collection.