Junjo Romantica

Shungiku Nakamura's Junjo Romantica Vol. 1, actually contains two separate stories: "Junjo Romantica" and "Junjo Egoist."

In "Junjo Romantica" we find Takahashi Misaki, an eighteen year old student, struggling with his grades, who is determined to be admitted to M University. His older brother, Takahiro, dropped out of this same university to get a job and look after Misaki when their parents were killed in an auto accident. Misaki feels duty bound to repay his brother for taking the responsibility of raising him. He decides the best way to do so is by earning a degree and graduating from the same university his brother was forced to leave.

Enter Usami Akihiko, who is a famous novelist, decidedly eccentric and best friends with Takahiro. Misaki's brother has asked his friend, Akihiko, to tutor his beloved younger brother. And so the fun begins. Misaki's first meeting with Usagi san (Usami's nickname and why it's Rabbit, I don't have a clue but just the thought of it makes me smile) is not particularly promising. He finds Usagi san cozied up to his brother and suspects that Usagi san's intentions are definitely dubious in nature. His suspicions are confirmed when he finds out that Usami Akihiko, in addition to writing serious novels, also writes yaoi novels under another pseudonym. Misaki goes ballistic when he reads a passage from the newly published yaoi novel and discovers that the main characters names in this 'perverted manuscript' are Akihiko and Takahiro!

Misaki confronts Usagi san and accuses him of trying to take advantage of his brother by forcing him to return Usagi san's sick affections. He orders Usagi san to leave his brother alone, stating boldly that he should find another plaything as 'any guy will do'. Angered by Misaki's words, Usagi san forces him onto his bed and what begins as a lesson not to judge others without knowing the truth of the situation, turns into a pleasurable though admittedly shocking interlude for Misaki.

The rest of the story deals with the developing relationship between Misaki and Usagi san. Misaki's struggles with his feelings are delightful, comical and at times heartrending to watch. He feels sympathy; turns out Usagi san has suffered from unrequited love of Takahiro for ten years, never once letting Takahiro know of his feelings. Misaki is appalled by his brother's insensitivity when he shows up with a woman and announces his engagement telling Usagi san, "I wanted you to be the first to know." This is a pivotal point in Misaki and Usagi san's relationship. There's plenty of exasperation; Usagi san is decidedly high-handed, especially when it comes to showing affection for the most-often-reluctant, Misaki. Then there's the jealousy; on both their parts. Usagi san is suspicious and resentful of the new and too friendly friend, Misaki has made in school and Misaki feels he is just a substitute for his brother in Usagi san's eyes. It's a real pleasure to watch these two work things out, each in their own unique and individual way. Altogether this is a wonderful, amusing and highly enjoyable story.

Next up we have "Junjo Egoist" which begins with one of our main characters, Kamijo Hiroki, agonizing over his own bout of unrequited love. And for who? Usami Akihiko! The timeframe for "Junjo Egoist" is set earlier than that of "Junjo Romantica." Usami and Kamijo are both students at T University although Usami is already a working novelist at this time as well. You may notice that Hiroki has a small part in "Junjo Romantica." By then he is a professor at M University and Usami stops in to borrow a book from him.

In "Junjo Egoist," Hiroki is literally swept off his feet by high school student, Kusama Nowaki. Nowaki spots him crying in the park over Usami and is immediately attracted to him. He drags Hiroki off and introduces himself, as well as some elderly men friends with whom he's launching rockets. Afterward, Nowaki follows Hiroki home and asks him to tutor him so that he'll be able to pass the college entrance exams. At first Hiroki refuses.

Not easily discouraged, Nowaki makes off with Hiroki's apartment key. Hiroki is awakened the next morning by warm and gentle fingers sliding through his hair. At first he dreams it's Usami but awakes to find that Nowaki has used the key to let himself in and has fixed Hiroki's breakfast. During the course of their morning together, Nowaki manages to save Hiroki from being smashed by an overturning pile of books. Grateful, Hiroki finally, with his usual bad tempered ill grace, agrees to tutor Nowaki.

This story is every bit as enjoyable as "Junjo Romantica." It's a bit more serious in nature and lacks "Junjo Romantica's" humor, though it's not totally devoid of such. Hiroki starts off as a rather tortured young man considering the love he has for Usami which is not returned. He's also brooding, grumpy, bad tempered, and surprisingly reticent when it comes to expressing any other feelings besides annoyance. You'd think he would be hard to like but such is not the case.

Nowaki is the perfect foil for Hiroki. He's kind hearted, straight forward, even tempered, understanding and not afraid to show Hiroki that he is loved. Both of these characters harbor their own share of vulnerability and it's touching to see how they are buoyed up and reassured by each other even if, in Hiroki's case, his reassurance is expressed in a somewhat gruff but cute manner. It's such a pleasure to watch Hiroki lose his despair over Usami while acknowledging his growing affection for Nowaki. It's a beautifully written story with plenty of emotion to tug at the heartstrings.

In addition to the wonderful stories contained in this volume, I have to say that the artwork is excellent. It's very detailed and expressive and at times just plain comical. I had no trouble reading the emotions of the characters by the expressions on their faces. Usami Akihiko is gorgeous, Misaki is cute and Hiroki and Nowaki are both beautiful young men. The sex scenes are hot, especially the final one between Usagi san and Misaki which also manages to be quite touching in the process. Usagi san, despite his overbearing attitude, can be a very tender and caring lover.

All in all this is a first rate manga. BLU has given us wonderful stories and beautiful artwork. I couldn't ask for more.