Erica Sakurazawa

Between 2003 and 2004, Tokyopop published six manga by Erica Sakurazawa, some of the very first josei manga to be released in English. More than a decade later josei has still yet to establish a firm foothold in North America, though things seem to be improving and publishers continue to make an effort. Most of the josei that I have read I have thoroughly enjoyed. I wish that there was more available in English, but in the meantime I make the point to support what is currently available and show more to track down those titles, like Sakurazawa's, that have gone out of print. The first of Sakurazawa's manga to be translated was Between the Sheets, which was originally published in Japan in 1996. The volume was not my introduction to her work but out of all of Sakurazawa's manga that I have so far read, I feel that it is one of the strongest in terms of storytelling. Between the Sheets was initially brought to my attention due to the elements of same-sex desire that play a critical role in the manga's story.

Minako and Saki are extraordinarily close friends. They frequently hang out together, enjoying the bars and party scene where Saki, despite having a boyfriend, is constantly on the lookout for men. But when Saki and Minako share a drunken kiss in order to convince an undesirable suitor that they're a couple and to leave them alone, Minako finds her feelings for her best friend beginning to change. Minako had always admired and cared deeply for Saki, but now her love has turned obsessive. She wants to be with Saki. In some ways she wants to be Saki. Saki views Minako as an extremely important person in her life but nothing more than a friend while Minako wants to be everything for Saki: her lover, her protector, her one and only. Convinced she knows what's best for Saki, Minako will do anything to get closer to her and to drive others away, including sleeping with Saki's boyfriends.

Frankly, Between the Sheets is an exceptionally disturbing and even horrifying work. Minako's obsession with Saki creates an ominous and foreboding atmosphere. Each turn of the page seems as though it could reveal some sort of horrible tragedy worse than what has already occurred. Minako's feelings become self-destructive and her way of dealing with them hurt not only herself but Saki and the men in their lives as well. Often in fiction and romance one person's utter devotion to another is held as an ideal. However, Between the Sheets takes a much more realistic approach to this sort of extreme, obsessive desire. Minako's fixation on Saki becomes all-consuming. It's not flattering and it's not romantic. In fact, it can hardly even be called love anymore. Her friendship with Saki has evolved into something much darker and much more dangerous. The damage done may be irreparable.

Because of its subject matter Between the Sheets can be a tough and uncomfortable read; it is not at all a feel-good story and there is very little happiness to be found. The characters are entangled in a web of lies, cheating, and betrayal. Unpleasant emotions like hatred, anger, and jealously overshadow those of adoration, love, and affection. However, Sakurazawa handles the intensity of those feelings in a believable way. That realism is probably one of the reasons that Between the Sheets is so troubling. Minako appears to be normal and innocent, her twisted way of thinking hidden safely from view. Sakurazawa's artwork reflects this--on the surface nothing seems amiss. If readers weren't privy to Minako's inner thoughts, they might never suspect the unhealthiness of her state of mind. But eventually her actions and their tragic consequences cannot be ignored and make it quite clear to everyone involved how unbalanced she has become.

Experiments in Manga show less

As a zealous fan of some of Erica Sakurazawa's other works, like The Aromatic Bitters and Between the Sheets, I can't help but be disappointed by this one. It's got some of the same strengths as her other work, like her sketchy, somewhat minimalist lines and mature, believable characters--well, except for Taku, the love interest, who is the latter but not the former.

But unfortunately at just 150 pages The Rules of Love is far too short to develop the plot in a realistic, 3-dimensional way. show more There just isn't enough space for character development, which makes the emotions depicted between the characters feel sometimes like it comes ex nihilo. It has flashes of excellence but ultimately feels a bit flat and thin. I have no doubt that if it had been 250 pages then Ms. Sakurazawa could have used the same plot, the same characters, and the same beginning, middle, and end to much greater impact. show less

I want to say that the Aromatic Bitters was slightly more enjoyable than Sakurazawa's other josei romances. The characters were given more time and varied experiences (though they aren't necessarily more likable) and the plot felt like it started at a better point and ended at a better point than the Angel series. The art in Aromatic Bitters is slightly more refined and crisper, but there is something to be said for Sakurazawa's watercolor craziness.

Although Sakurazawa is well represented in English translation, Between the Sheets is really her only Yuri work. An interesting though tough read, this josei focuses on Minako's experiences as she tries to live up to her stylish, much wilder best friend. I particularly liked the portrayal of men in this novel, one of which even recognizes that Mina is in love with/wants to be Saki. The art is good, but maybe not as incredible as Sakurazawa's usual watercolors. An excellent read.