Youka Nitta

I love Youka Nitta's "Embracing Love" series. It is one of the top 3 hard yaoi series available, and is a more or less a straight up romance. This, however, is not so simple. At first, I was a little off-put. The minister isn't very likeable, and the diplomatic storyline really requires attention. A person actually has to read this manga carefully to follow along. Not because of poor translation or misplaced bubbles, but because the language is that intricate. I quickly realized this could show more be Nitta's best work. The artwork is her typical high standard, with clean lines and well defined backgrounds. The men are attractive (and look suspiciously like Iwaki and Katou;), and undeniably male.

Nitta obviously did some research for this title. The conversations between the ambassadors are clever and have a lot of innuendo and hidden meaning. The story revolves around a young up and coming diplomat. There is a vicious rumor that he uses his body for negotations instead of words. However, readers learn that he truly is a brilliant diplomat. Those rumors aren't completely off-target though. He is hiding a scandalous secret - just not that! When another young diplomat, who happens to be the brother of his fiance, learns his secret he seduces him. And then proceeds to play mind games with him throughout the novel! This is what makes him not so likeable. However, the minister has demons of his own that make him crave destruction as much as success and he needs someone to love him. And I loved how Nitta shook up the traditional yaoi roles. The young diplomat is the seme but it's the minister who's obviously in control. Delicious.

The interplay here is fabulous. The sex isn't as frequent as in "Embracing Love" but it's actually a little more graphic and surprisingly crude at one point. These two men are having an affair that could destroy them. And they know it. They are complicated characters in a complicated plot. Nitta includes a note at the end that this was intended as a stand alone, but she loved the characters so much it will continue. Phew..boy are we lucky!

I would have given this more than 5 stars if I could. I hope volume 2 comes quickly. Highly recommended! show less

Great new omnibus editions of a wonderful, classic Yaoi series.

V1: This is my second favorite yaoi after Yamane's Finder series. Katou and Iwaki are rival porn stars auditioning for the same part in a more mainstream film. However, the producer decides that to win the part, they have to have sex with each other! Iwaki wins the part, and also Katou's heart - if he can only convince Iwaki! A fabulous romance with good character development and lots of hot, explicit sex. Nitta's artwork is show more clean and well drawn. Her men look like men (instead of boys/flat chested girls) and the sex is graphically rendered. Highly recommended! There are 6 volumes available in English (so far).

V2: Katou and Iwaki have moved in together in Iwaki's tiny flat. Just as they are adjusting to living together, and the unexpected publicity it generates, tragedy strikes Iwaki's family. Can their fragile relationship survive? More hot sex, the addition of more secondary characters, and even more development to the two protagonists. Highly recommended! show less

SuBlime continued their beautiful omnibus editions of the EL series.

V3: Our couple begins having relationship pains such as jealousy and miscommunication. Iwaki feels pressured by Katou to have sex all the time, Katou needs re-assurance that Iwaki loves him. Angst galore, with lots of "make-up" sex. Yes, it's a lot like a soap opera, but that's what makes it fun!

V4: Iwaki and Katou are cast in competing tv shows; their demanding schedules keep them apart and put a strain on their show more relationship. Katou decides to take drastic action (hot sex in the parking lot) to bring him closer to Iwaki.

This romantic yaoi gets better with every volume, as we get to know the characters more and their relationship goes through realistic bumps (such as careers, time management and family problems). Highly recommended! show less

This is one of the few yaoi translated into italian (even if I bought and read the english version) and now I know why: it's pretty tamed and I think a good choice for italian readers that are not so open to gay sex.

In the first enstallment of this yaoi our two main characters Jouchi and Kazama waltz around each other for all the story. Jouchi has a girlfriend, not very impressive and a lot absent and he discovers his childhood friends Kazama is the very famous voice actor he wants so badly show more to match.

Kazama is cold and distant with almost everyone but seems not able to ignore Jouchi. But in his presence some unfinished business from his childhood come alive again and he tries to avoid the young man. But in the end Jouchi makes his move, unveils himself as the seme in this story: till now I have had not a real idea of the play role of the two.

Undoubtedly, for my taste, I need of something more: I appreciate this one as an appetizer, the introduction to the real story, that will tell us about the development in the relationship of Jouchi and Kazama.

As always Youka Nitta drawning are beautiful and all the characters in the story, both main than supporting, are really good detailed.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933440120/?tag=elimyrevandra-20 show less