▪	RELEASED BY:		DIGITAL MANGA PUBLISHING
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		HIROKI KUSUMOTO
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W / COLOR
		▪	PAGES:		200
		▪	RATING:		YA
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		08/12/2008
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		08/25/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

Never has so eclectic a set of stories graced a yaoi anthology until Wild Butterfly. The first tale that shares the title of the manga is about Oliver, a young man with a lame leg and aspirations to serve his country in a time of war. Instead he teaches the young keeping the nation’s laws close to his heart. That is challenged when the handsome soldier Michael enters his life. He teaches unconventional ideas, concepts that go against the nationalism Oliver holds so dear. But the closer he gets to Michael, the more he’s swayed by the kind mind with the sorrowful past and always ready smile. When the time comes, Oliver will have to choose between the rigid rules of his country or the love he bears in his heart.

It is a strong, compelling drama. Although no country names or time period are given, the setting and clothing are reminiscent of the Nazi regime of World War II. This story also holds something of a twist at the end. But it is not the only tale to have a surprise within its pages. Senyoden – Legend of the Demon Oracle is as different from the first story as anyone could get. A fortune teller is betrayed by his emperor and bears a terrible curse. In a tragic turn of fate, a young man named Koei is out searching for his lost family. The two people meet, man to demon, and the cruelty of destiny is shown plainly.  This isn’t really a yaoi tale but it is an unforgettable story well worth the read.

Staying in the time period of medieval Japan, the third story, The Strange Tale of Shiramine, sees regular present day Miki washed up on the shores of an island. There he meets the dark and charismatic Akihito. It seems he has time traveled to the past where an island for exiles holds a sad story of a man.  As the two draw closer, a task made difficult by Akihito’s withdrawn ways, Miki comes to regard the man as few others in his life, past, present or future. A poem binds them, a cursed scroll may undo them, and uncover the destiny that links them in this unforgettable tale by an exceptionally talented author.

A bloody romance unfolds in Fangs. A vampire and a human share love, blood and violence.  It is a short tale which powerfully demonstrates the thin line between pity, hate and love. The last story is probably the most surprising to find in a yaoi let alone a romance. In Tomuraishi – Protector of the Dead, again readers find themselves in a feudal era. This time zombies and destructive ghosts run amuck. The laws of the underworld must be obeyed and to stop such creatures from crossing over, one man stands in their way. Yet when a precocious lad in search of his dead father crosses paths with the protector, neither will ever be the same again. It is a tale that holds little in the way of romance but much in the way of compelling fantasy, horror and some unexpected humor.

The art style varies with the needs of each story. All the character designs differ (with the odd exception) and offer different worlds, eras and individuals to ignite the imagination. The designs are detailed and charismatic. Most of the stories have an interesting twist at the end that affects one’s entire perception of the characters. It is original and innovative writing. We can only hope to see more from this talented author and manga-ka. 

The manga contains four full color pages.

IN SUMMARY:
Wild Butterfly is a yaoi anthology that offers something diverse and truly different than your average yaoi. Vampires, zombies, war stories, time travel and demons make up the roster of this creative collection of tales.