Yellow

Short version--If you like/love FAKE, try this.

Now for the long version. Goh and Taki, both 22, share an apartment and work as drug "snatchers." They steal from the bad guys, and turn the stuff over to the good (?) guys. But the story we care about--Goh is gay, blond Taki is not. Goh, of course, wants his beautiful partner's body. And more, if he can get it, but he'd be happy to start with Taki's body.

But a revisit of FAKE this is not, the partners are completely distinct from those beloved NYC cops. Goh is suave and charming, the con man of the pair. Taki is the fighter, strong and self-confident and QUITE certain about his sexuality, thank you very much. Through three chapters in the first volume, we get to know the partners and the strong bond of friendship between them. I especially loved every time Goh got too fresh, how Taki backed him off.

The art is beautiful, the guys are sexy and distinct. They have their little squabbles, as any roommates would. Goh is anything but celibate, so along with the sexual tension of the main story, there are still a few little bits of action. And, of course, he never gives up on catching Taki in a weak moment. His attempt in the third chapter had me going back several times, it is just plain HOT.

This story does not feel rushed, as so many yaoi mangas do. It has well-designed characters in logical, developing relationships.

Likeable, real characters, drama, comedy and sex, crime subplots and plenty of chances for the guys to show their true feelings--Yellow has all the good points of FAKE while remaining a completely different story.

And next book, we're promised, comes a new character. Love triangle, anyone? I'll be finding out, I can tell you that. This is a series I will follow to the end.