February 2007 Yaoi News

MangaCast reports from the Tokyopop panel at New York Comic Con that BLU has licensed Barefoot Waltz, the second volume in the "Tamkumi-kun series" by Shinobu Gotou. BLU announced the first volume, June Pride, at Yaoi-Con.

Press Release from Broccoli Books

Los Angeles, CA (February 21, 2007) -- Broccoli Books has announced their boys love imprint name, Boysenberry Books, and will launch it with three titles. Delivery Cupid, Pet on Duty, and Sex Friend will be released starting in summer 2007. The website for Boysenberry Books, boysenberrybooks.com will launch in March 2007.

"We are excited to add a new boys love imprint to Broccoli Books," says Broccoli Books publisher Kaname Tezuka. "We selected the name Boysenberry from fan entries, and the Japanese boys love publishers were equally delighted with the sweet and tangy implications of Boysenberry and how it matches the concept of boys love."

Delivery Cupid is a collection of six short stories. The title story is a romantic comedy about Tsubasa, who is half-human and half-cupid. In order to become a full cupid, he must successfully unite a couple. However, the target is an evil man named Norimasa who shows no love for anyone. When Tsubasa accidentally ends up as Norimasa's match, the trouble begins. Are Tsubasa and Norimasa attracted because of cupid magic, or is it true love?

Delivery Cupid is by manga author CJ Michalski and will be released in July 2007.

Pet on Duty is a romantic comedy featuring Mizuki, who just lost his job and must stay at his older brother's company dorm. Since there are no outsiders allowed, Mizuki must live in the dorm secretly -- like a house cat. At first Mizuki is intimidated by his older brother's roommate Toru, but seeing a softer side of Toru changes his opinion. Toru treats Mizuki well, but Mizuki wants to become more than a pet companion.

Pet on Duty is by manga author Nase Yamato. It will be released in Fall 2007.

Sex Friend is a collection of four short stories. The title story is about classmates Kyoichi and Yoh who are closer than best friends, but not exactly lovers. Kyoichi is left wondering if he's just a convenient sex friend or does their relationship mean more to Yoh?

Sex Friend is by Koreaki Kamuro and will be released in Fall 2007.

All three titles are single volume manga.

Like the Broccoli Books, some Boysenberry Books titles will be released as Boysenberry Books DELUXE featuring additional content from the Japanese edition. More information will be posted online at boysenberrybooks.com.

The MangaCast blog is reporting six new titles from Drama Queen! Title translations and descriptions are taken directly from the quoted Drama Queen press release. Thanks, MangaCast, and thanks to Elegant Madness for bringing it to our attention!

Awakening Desires by Bohra Naono (A Desire Boy)
What do you do when the person you're in love with is too old for you? Or your best friend? Or you're the one who's too old? This is a collection of romantic stories about first love.

Chronicle of the Divine Sword by Uki Ogasawara (Urakatana Kaminoki)
The ninja Shinkai Sumida gained immortality from Shiva, god of a magical sword. Four hundred years later, he meets Tsunaie Hirasaka, a man whom he's already killed once, and has vowed to continue killing through the endless cycle of reincarnations.

Maiden Rose by Fusanosuke Inariya (Hyakujitsu no Bara)
Two soldiers caught on opposing sides of a war between nations must choose between country and an oath of fealty made long before. But the world that they live in is hard, distrustful and cold. What will happen to their innocent love, as they are tangled ever deeper inside the terrible ravages of war?

Wicked Love Song by Kaoru Kyogoku (Furachi no Ai Uta)
Choco and Aasan met on a heavenly tropical island. Aasan seduced Choco with his sweet words, but in reality he's completely vicious! Choco's fiance has left him on the rocks--what surprising path will he take in the midst of this sadness?

La Vita Rosa by Akira Honma (Jinsei wa Barairo da)
Miyamoto works for the sales division of a major insurance company. Every day, he continues to put the moves on his cool, attractive boss, Himuro. Then one day, the young company president, Takarada, returns to Japan. Takarada is in love with Himuro too, and he and Miyamoto engage in a fierce battle for Himuro's affections.

Can't Help Getting Hurt by Mika Sadahiro (Mukizu ja Irarenee)
Shouji thinks his boyfriend, Honami's first love, Terumi, might still have feelings for Honami, so he goes to investigate. He finds out that while Terumi does love Honami, he's straight. Shouji can't seem to get Terumi out of his head and things get even more complicated when Honami's own lingering feelings for Terumi surfaces.

Gakuen Heaven DVD Now Available

Gakuen Heaven DVD Vol. 1 is now available for purchase in Media Blasters' Yaoi eBay Store -- a month before the street release date of March 6th!

Yaoi-Con Pre-Registration is Open!

Pre-registration for Yaoi-Con is now open! Remember, you must be 18 years old on or before October 26th to register. Yaoi-Con 2007 will take place October 26 - 28 in San Fransisco, California.

Broccoli Books Hints at Upcoming BL Imprint

In an e-mail newsletter today, Broccoli Books hints at the name of its upcoming BL imprint, with three licenses soon to be announced! Here's the hint:

As soon as we hear the imprint's name and the new licenses, we'll post it here!

Juné Manga announces two new yaoi manga licenses for release this summer:

Don't Say Anymore Darling
Written and illustrated by: Fumi Yoshinaga
Rated 18+; MSRP: $12.95 - July 25, 2007
Kouhei is a doctor at the local university hospital who has lost touch with his high school friend Tadashi. While Kouhei grew up to become a successful young doctor, Tadashi became a jobless, poor-as-dirt, flaming gay writer. But one lonely night, at his wits end, Tadashi sends Kouhei a text message and receives a reply. Of course Tadashi has secretly harbored feelings for Kouhei for a long time. But when he finds out Kouhei is getting set-up for an arranged marriage...

Not Enough Time
Written and illustrated by: Shoko Hidaka
Rated 16+; MSRP: $12.95 - July 25, 2007
Shoko Hidaka's breakthrough comic is a collection of eye-opening love stories. Yousuke suddenly shows up on the door step of his old high school buddy Tanigawa after years of no contact. While the two had a budding relationship back in school, things fell apart and they decided to part ways and search for their true love. However, it might be that their relationship in the golden days of high school was what they have been looking for all along.

Thanks to our reviewer Jukebox who contacted BLU independently, we have a list of BLU Manga's 2007 release dates for you! All of these titles and dates have been added to our 2007 Release Calendar:

January 2007
Menkui 3 (available now)

February 2007
Gorgeous Carat 4 (available now)
Junjo Romantica 2 (available now)

March 2007
Innocent Bird 1
Black Knight 3

April 2007
Shout Out Loud 4

May 2007
Love Mode 5
Lovers in the Night (newly confirmed)
Love Pistols 1

June 2007
Junjo Romantica 3

July 2007
Innocent Bird 2

August 2007
Love Mode 6
Truly, Kindly
Shout Out Loud 5