Spell (Yaoi) Paperback – Illustrated, October 9, 2007

good book

This is my second Yaoi from this mangaka and I have to say I am pretty impressed with the way she handles her guys' emotions.She has done a lovely job in this one exploring her guys' developing feelings for each other. Natori and Kisugi are appealing characters. Both are college students who met in a dating party. Natori who comes from a small town is a bit of a "country bumpkin", with his rather black and white view of his surroundings, and quite a "virgin". Kisugi is an acknowledged "bisexual" who is outspoken, direct and open about his sexual preference, hopping from one relationship to another, never seeking love but just favors and comforts. But they hit it off immediately, with common likings as each is drawn to the other's different personality.Natori of course finds himself gradually developing feelings for Kisugi and getting confused over it. Afterall his good friend is a guy. It does not help that Kisugi has been seeing an older businessman for 3 months, his longest relationship so far.We also have a female character Yasuha-chan, Natori's childhood friend who is secretly in love with Natori. And she is quite a character as she ends up lecturing the 2 guys on their relationship and giving them the "wake-up" call.A great one to have in my collection as we have a sappy and vulnerable seme here while the uke is the confident and experienced one. The sex may be limited but the well developed emotions content and likable characters are most appealing. As this is the mangaka's earlier works, the artwork is a bit awkward. I certainly see the fluid improvement she made in her later "Lover's flat" which I enjoy alot.

Fujiyama Hyouta is a mangaka whose art is exceeded by her storytelling ability. Spell is no exception.The three main characters (2 men and a girl - all university aged) begin a unique love-triangle fuelled by the main character's curiosity when he discovers that a new friend he "clicked" with is actually bisexual, and that he's currently dating a man. His childhood friend - a woman who has feelings for him - has to explore her relationship with him at the same time.This is a great example of good yaoi, with an interesting plot and developed characters, which explores the feelings of a man who is confused about his sexuality and the relationships he has with the people around him. Some other mangas (Fujiyama-sensei's works often have this theme) are depressing in their exploration of what it means to be "gay," but this charming story is upbeat and shows that yaoi is much more than just sex.I only wish it were longer.

The reason I gave this book four stars is because the story is just a step below the same mangaka's "Lover's Flat". However, it's still an enjoyable, fun read.The above synopsis is mostly accurate, only they meet at a mixer, not a double-date. Also, the above reviewer really covered most of the points I would have, so I just have a couple short thoughts.The mature scenes are pretty tame, but there's a beauty to the art that gives all the scenes intimacy, to the point where explicitness isn't needed. I also especially liked the addition of an active female character, just because we see so few developed female characters in BL books. The main story takes up the entire book, which is always my preference, and I didn't find myself wanting anything more at the end, which means the story felt complete as-is. Overall, I would recommend this book if you like emotional journeys and expressive art.

When I read this book, I was pleasantly surprised because it was one of the best yaoi I had read in some time. Sometimes in yaoi, two totally straight guys will suddenly fall in love leaving the reader asking wtf? I KNOW its fiction, but I find these situations are so fafetched that it detracts from the story. Spell is NOT one of those, in fact the way the main characters meet and start to have feelings more than friendship for each other, is very realistic.There are the usual trials and tribulations...one main character wondering why he's feeling this way about his friend, the other having a "long-term" (for him) boyfriend. The chemistry between Natori and Kusagi is palpable from their initial meeting to the end of the manga.I really like the drawing style of the mangaka. While it's distinct and somewhat different than a lot of the yaoi out there, the boys are still cute (even the chibis are really cute!). The smex is hot without being lewd. The translation is also done very well, smooth and natural. And one thing I LOVE in a manga is also there: the entire book revolves around the 2 main characters and contains no side stories (Yay!).

Wieder, m.M.n, ein Meisterstück von Fujiyama Hyouta. Ihr wunderschöner, für manche vielleicht gewöhnsbedürftiger, Zeichen-, Story- und Charakterstil haben mich wieder gefesselt und den Manga verschlingen lassen. Ich persönlich kann den Manga Fans von Yaoi/BL sehr empfehlen.