A review by taleisin
Fake, Volume 1 by Sanami Matoh

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.