Tortugas's manga / #Yakuza(7)

The mother of all yaois. It’s a joy to read, and a really fun romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’m hoping for more Fei Long in the future.

Who wouldn’t fall in love with Yashiro, he is perfection personified. Vol 9, ch 56-57: whew

Sequel to MODS. Follows story of Haru, the male brothel manager, and his dead lover’s younger brother and son of Yakuza boss, Yukitaka. Story has better pacing / development than the first manga.

Overall a pretty good story about former yakuza turned driver and a male prostitute with predictabley low self esteem. Subject is heavy, but treatment felt a little melodramatic at times, maybe some developments seemed absurd or rushed between the romantic leads. In contrast, the relationship between the young Shiro and his savior and benefactor, Shigure, was really poignant and touching. That dream sequence at the end, where Shigure basically gives Shiro his blessing to move forward, is deceptively simple and powerful.

This manga seems like a spawn of Saezuru to some extent, with Yakuza boss and underling pairing. Boss tries to push back and stifle his growing attraction and concern for underling, who can’t feel pain due to tragic past. This manga doesn’t hold up well in comparison, the ending seems rushed, but it’s still a solid story incorporating difficulties in recruiting young people into the family, and doesn’t pull back on violence. Not (usually) over-sentimental, which is a good thing. Lots of good sex scenes, and I especially loved a few demonic freak-outs that the underling had with boss. Drawing is really good, and I like how author goes back and forth between the present and the past showing how their relationship grew.