Utter poetry, this book lures you in with the stunning artistry displayed by the author, then traps you in the deep and twisting plot. ( )

A friend was dressing up as one of the characters (I can't remember which one!) for Halloween, and she wanted me to read it. It was a quick, one day read, but it was entertaining. ( )

It's kind of hard to know if I should just be disturbed by this book, or if I should be disturbed because I found the book so darned interesting. The premise of this urban fantasy is a bit scary. 12 year old Ritsuka lives in a home with an abusive mother and a never there father, with only his adored, older brother, Seimei to turn to. However, at the point at which we join this story Seimei has been horribly murdered and in such a way that it appears that Ritsuka is being threatened as well. Two years later Ritsuka is attending a new school. His home life is even more appalling than before and he is constantly battered and bruised. Even worse is Ritsuka's own belief that because he cannot remember his true self from before Seimei's murder that he deserves the ever increasing abuse from his mother as his due. The day he starts school he is also approached by a 20 year old man named Soubi who tells Ritsuka that he knew his brother. Soubi's actions toward Ritsuka are, at best, highly troubling. Soon Ritsuka discovers that Soubi was Seimei's "fighter", who has been sent to Ritsuka to keep him from being taken by members of a secret organization.

With the exception of his mother and father, the adults who have contact with Ritsuka all find him oddly, compellingly, adorable, most especially Soubi. Even his psychologist wants to take him out on a date. Ritsuka's saving grace seems to be a very shapely classmate who also takes an immediate shine to him, but at least her attentions seem to be primarily innocent.

Although very psychological in nature, this story certainly has fantasy elements in it. Everyone in this world has catlike ears and tails until they lose their virginity, the fighting has a surreal and supernatural feel to it and the damage caused to the "sacrifices" during the battles is all caused by words, not direct physical contact.

I thought the artwork was very good as well with the characters each having enough of their own appearance to avoid undue confusion. There is a lot of emotion throughout the story and it is well presented in the corresponding panels. I have to agree that Ritsuka is most cute when he smiles :-)

The first three manga that I've read so far pretty much follow along the lines of the anime, which I've already seen, so I'm very interested to see what will happen in the next few volumes. Despite the underlying sensuality behind Soubi's actions towards Ritsuka and the idea of adolescent fighters trying to kidnap him, this is a very compelling storyline and I am looking forward to reading more.

The manga is rated for older teens and up which I would have to agree with. ( )

A magical-high-school-student story turned sideways. Loneliness, duty, a search for trust and identity. Lovely art, too. ( )

A sweet story about a boy who's lost his older brother as well as himself. ( )