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momogajo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
nordiccowgirl's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dianareadsalot's review against another edition
3.0
This is hard for me to rate.
There were things I liked & disliked about this volume.
I'm relatively new to manga, so I'm not sure if what I didn't like is just because something was lost in translation or because it was truly written with that intent.
What I liked:
I thought the action was good. I liked the snarkyness among the characters. The pacing was fine.
What I didn't like:
I did not like the lack of Dee asking for or getting consent. Dee has literally attacked Ryo without his consent several times. Then he stays at Ryos' house to take care of him. It's mind fucking in my opinion. It's seems to me Ryo thought he was straight, and Dee, who identifies as bisexual, is having Dee force himself on him. Each time Dee forces a kiss on Ryo, it seems like it is confusing him. I'm a fan of consent & there has been zero consent. Also, I would have liked for Ryo to put a stop to it. Ryo could have asked for a transfer. Um, hello, HR issue right there. However, if Ryo was going to have a bisexual awakening, there are many ways that could have happened that included consent instead of what occurred.
Another thing I didn't like was the homophobic actions of Bikky. While he might have internalized homophobia and might be gay or bi himself, he is mean. He says and does things to two boys at camp, which is what I believe constitutes a hate crime as he was violent. He even talks about getting rid of the evil from those two boys. Implying that being gay is evil.
Oh, how could I forget when Carol tells Dee that she isn't interested in him anymore & she doesn't want to date him when she's 18. And what does Dee do? He freaks out like he's been abandoned or something. Yes, you heard me. You have an adult NYC cop practically throwing a temper tantrum, wondering who could be a better catch than him. Wtf???
Am I missing something? Did something get lost in translation?
I'm on the fence with reading the next volume. Either they correct their ways, and Dee explains (no explanation would be valid in my opinion) and starts asking for consent, and Bikky stops being a homophobe. Or Dee continues to take when he should ask, and Ryo falls for Dee. I think something serious would have to happen for the power imbalance to be corrected.
There were things I liked & disliked about this volume.
I'm relatively new to manga, so I'm not sure if what I didn't like is just because something was lost in translation or because it was truly written with that intent.
What I liked:
I thought the action was good. I liked the snarkyness among the characters. The pacing was fine.
What I didn't like:
I did not like the lack of Dee asking for or getting consent. Dee has literally attacked Ryo without his consent several times. Then he stays at Ryos' house to take care of him. It's mind fucking in my opinion. It's seems to me Ryo thought he was straight, and Dee, who identifies as bisexual, is having Dee force himself on him. Each time Dee forces a kiss on Ryo, it seems like it is confusing him. I'm a fan of consent & there has been zero consent. Also, I would have liked for Ryo to put a stop to it. Ryo could have asked for a transfer. Um, hello, HR issue right there. However, if Ryo was going to have a bisexual awakening, there are many ways that could have happened that included consent instead of what occurred.
Another thing I didn't like was the homophobic actions of Bikky. While he might have internalized homophobia and might be gay or bi himself, he is mean. He says and does things to two boys at camp, which is what I believe constitutes a hate crime as he was violent. He even talks about getting rid of the evil from those two boys. Implying that being gay is evil.
Oh, how could I forget when Carol tells Dee that she isn't interested in him anymore & she doesn't want to date him when she's 18. And what does Dee do? He freaks out like he's been abandoned or something. Yes, you heard me. You have an adult NYC cop practically throwing a temper tantrum, wondering who could be a better catch than him. Wtf???
Am I missing something? Did something get lost in translation?
I'm on the fence with reading the next volume. Either they correct their ways, and Dee explains (no explanation would be valid in my opinion) and starts asking for consent, and Bikky stops being a homophobe. Or Dee continues to take when he should ask, and Ryo falls for Dee. I think something serious would have to happen for the power imbalance to be corrected.
trin's review against another edition
2.0
My first yaoi! Aww. Here are my thoughts, which I’m sure you are dying to hear. ;-)
I…liked it? But didn’t love it? I mean, it’s very cute, but it’s so…well, immature. There’s an aside from the author at one point where she says, “Well, this is really a girls’ comic, anyway” and…yeah. That’s the problem for me. It’s clearly written with teen girls in mind, and while I must say that Japanese teen girls are TOTALLY AWESOME if this is what they like, I think I’ve outgrown it. Ryo and Dee, the two protagonists, may be employed as New York cops, and there may be fake splashes of cartoon blood from time to time, but the whole thing is so…fourteen years old. I mean, the guys are in love from minute one, and then there’s lots of kissing and “Oh my god! He kissed me!” And there are none of the (this is so lame) social issues I want from a two-cops-in-love story—everyone at the station is just, like, okay with this? *pouts* I want some angst and some grit, dude.
So basically what I’m saying is: I would rather be reading due South fic. Sigh.
I…liked it? But didn’t love it? I mean, it’s very cute, but it’s so…well, immature. There’s an aside from the author at one point where she says, “Well, this is really a girls’ comic, anyway” and…yeah. That’s the problem for me. It’s clearly written with teen girls in mind, and while I must say that Japanese teen girls are TOTALLY AWESOME if this is what they like, I think I’ve outgrown it. Ryo and Dee, the two protagonists, may be employed as New York cops, and there may be fake splashes of cartoon blood from time to time, but the whole thing is so…fourteen years old. I mean, the guys are in love from minute one, and then there’s lots of kissing and “Oh my god! He kissed me!” And there are none of the (this is so lame) social issues I want from a two-cops-in-love story—everyone at the station is just, like, okay with this? *pouts* I want some angst and some grit, dude.
So basically what I’m saying is: I would rather be reading due South fic. Sigh.
captwinghead's review against another edition
3.0
I’m pretty sure this was the first BL I ever read years ago! It’s very 90s, the story is quite simple and it’s funny how Ryo adopts 2 street kids within days. The attraction is pretty instantaneous, but it’s still a pretty cute story. Great flash back to the past for me.
cass_wba's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I first read this series as an 11/12 year old, and revisiting it as an adult has been interesting. I never realised how much the story seems to cut and skip along, but I am remembering why I enjoyed it so much. Will re-read them all in time.
misssusan's review against another edition
2.0
Ehhh not the biggest fan of broad humor. :/ A friend I respect likes this though so I'll give it another volume in her name. 2.5 stars
taleisin's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 really -- I don't know what to think of this manga. On the one hand I like the characters and their dynamics. I love the slow burn romance, as Ryo and Dee develop feelings for each other. Race is not handled in the best way, with Dee bluntly confronting a number of characters about their ethnicity. This may be the fault of translation. What really bothers me, though, are the issues of consent. While it is clear that both Ryo and Dee [male police detectives] are attracted to each other, Dee is much more comfortable with his sexuality. He pushes Ryo too hard sometimes. I don't think he means any harm by it, but still. I would have preferred to see their relationship develop from partners to friends to something more.
Without the issues, this would have been a 3.5-4 star read, easy. Issues aside, I do plan to continue with this seven-volume manga series.
Without the issues, this would have been a 3.5-4 star read, easy. Issues aside, I do plan to continue with this seven-volume manga series.