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BLUE VOL. 1 (ADVANCE REVIEW) |
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Reviews
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | DIGITAL MANGA PUBLISHING | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | KEIKO KINOSHITA | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 200 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | M | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 07/08/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 06/24/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Tomosaka and Noda have been friends a very long time. It is a deep bond based on hardships shared, joys fulfilled and years gone by. It means a great deal to both of them, the ease with which they can rely on each other. It is a source of comfort and stability or both men. And it is all about to be turned upside down. Kiss Blue is a poignant gay male romance from Keiko Kinoshita, the creator of Little Crybaby, and You and Harujion. She brings the same touching and subtle emotional story telling to this manga series regarding two men weighing the cost of friendship in the face of love long denied. Noda often is heartbroken and seeks out Tomosaka for comfort. Noda also tends to have a string of lovers. But somewhere along the way, Tomosaka had begun to realize he thinks of Noda as more than his best friend, and the string of lovers he sees with Noda are each a wound to Tomosaka’s hidden heart. He buries his pain and tries to bear it for the sake of a friendship he cherishes. But when one fateful night leads to a confession and more, can he go back to just being friends? And can Noda pretend that it wasn’t more than just a night of sympathy for his best pal? The author gives an emotionally moving tale in a subtle manner between these two men as they struggle with life and their changing relationship. As with her other works, Kiss Blue holds that unique style that is Keiko Kinoshita’s alone. I admit it took me a little bit of time in one of the first manga I ever read of hers, You and Harujion, to become accustomed to the art style as it is quite different from the average yaoi. But the poignant and gentle story telling that held such depth won me over. And now, sometime later with Kiss Blue, I have to say I’ve become partial to the clean art and its unique expressiveness. If you enjoy moving romantic dramas, this yaoi is a definite top pick for its mature and touching story telling style.
IN SUMMARY:
Kiss Blue is a gentle romance about how and when friendship becomes more. |
