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ICHIGENME . . .THE FIRST CLASS IS CIVIL LAW (VOL. 1) [ADVANCE REVIEW] |
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Monday, 12 February 2007 |
 | | ▪ | PUBLISHED BY: | | 801 MEDIA | | | ▪ | ART/AUTHOR: | | FUMI YOSHINAGA | | | | ▪ | FORMAT/COLOR: | | JAPANESE FORMAT / BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 236 | | | ▪ | RATED: | | 18+ | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 03/07/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 02/13/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
From the author of Antique Bakery and Flower of Life, this new yaoi romance is both endearing and mature. Tamiya is an earnest and hard working student who takes his university studies seriously. This young man from the financially strapped side of the tracks finds himself at odds when the class he needs to take is dominated by the rich elite of the school. They goof off and gossip and it’s driving him nuts. One of the students is driving him up the wall but not for the same reason. Tohdou is rich too, but shows a kind streak and an irrepressible fun side that both attracts Tamiya and frustrates him. When Tohdou confesses that he is gay, their budding friendship is tested by Tamiya’s attitude and his own changing feelings.
Mature characters in increasingly complex relationships are a hallmark of Fumi Yoshinaga’s writing. This manga is no exception. Seeing Tamiya struggle with his growing attraction for Tohdou and examining his past relationships is done well. The story follows them as they both struggle with school, peers and their evolving feelings towards each other. This book isn’t about seduction, it’s about love, pure romance through and through. It has a gentle story telling manner with subtle shifts. It made for a more mature yaoi romance and an irresistible story.
Fumi Yoshinaga continues to display a talent for giving characters an emotional complexity not often found in this genre. That combined with an original and appealing art style makes Ichigenme stand out from the masses of manga populating book shelves.
Extras in the manga include a full color cover page, translator and editor notes, and a sneak peek at volume 2. The dust jacket on the inside also has an exclusive “801-chan” comic strip.
IN SUMMARY:
Ichigenme is a mature romance with passion, desire and complex characters in subtly changing relationships. It is a superior read. |
