The Art of Loving

Raised in a stifling atmosphere by parents to whom he cannot relate and who put heavy obligations on him to keep up his grades an inheret the family company, Yutaka can only find release through masturbation. That is, until Tohno Maki transfers to Yutaka's school. Yutaka becomes obsessed with Tohno, and plots to try and make Tohno his. But making a sex toy out of his best friend will not necessarily bode well for a trusting, healthy relationship. It is a story about desire, obsession, and unrequited love.

This manga actually has a plot--it's not extraordinary, but it is there. I think what I like most about the story is that Yutaka and Tohno are very fleshed out characters. They have deep emotions, go through pschological trials, and have to balance emotion and desire with responsibility and obligation. Underneath the story of Yutaka's desire is the story of two troubled teenagers who see something in one another that binds them together. I found it easy to identify with aspects of both of the characters. The roles of the two characters within the relationship are not the typical yaoi roles where one man is submissive and the other more dominant. Despite Yutaka's obsession with Tohno, he desires both to be dominated by his friend and to dominate him. I found this a refreshing change from the usual yaoi pairing.

This manga is not as sex-centered as the summary on the back led me to believe. "Indulge in this sin and get swept in the throes of forbiddin, carnal urges now" is a little over the top. Yet, there is a very explicit sex scene to start the manga and very frequent scenes depicting masturbation.

The artwork in the manga was surprisingly good. Judging from the cover I prepared myself to be disappointed, but the artwork is consistent, detailed, and expressive. The faces of the characters depict their feelings clearly and emotionally. The backgrounds are busy but not overwhelming, and white and black space is used well and appropriately. The shading is exceptionally well done.

The Art of Loving is an enjoyable, emotionally charged read that combines descriptive art, well-rounded characters, and an interesting plot. As a bonus there are some funny anecdotes by the author at the end. I definitely recommend this manga.