Manga-ka: Tokiya Shimazaki
Publisher: 801Media
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: December 2007
Synopsis: “Since being informed by student council President Asuma that they’re going out, Mizuki has somehow managed to be led into the relationship. Despite how often Mizuki voices his adamant protests, before he knows it he always finds himself falling in step with whatever Asuma says. “But is that really such a bad thing?” The long-awaited third volume of the ever-popular high-school love comedy series commences!”
It’s more trouble for Mizuki when an aphrodisiac leaves him lusty but also under threat of being taken by his schoolmates. Where’s Azuma when you actually want him? A notable twist to this dilemma is the side effect: Mizuki wakes up the next day as a child! What follows is a sneaky shota (visibly underage individual) slip in so a bit of warning to readers. Soon it’s back to business as usual; school, studying and… vibrating sex toys? The sexual antics continue in volume three of Love is Like a Hurricane.
Tokiya Shimazaki’s fan girl appealing series continues with one new yaoi stereotype tossed in after another. Loveable puppy boy? Check. Shota? Check. A little light bondage? No problem. The aim seems to be to have something for everyone, one chapter at a time, and thus far it’s been a smooth ride. Most of the book’s focus stays on Mizuki and Azuma, the main characters for the series, but the last story deviates to some childhood friends discovering they want a little more to their relationship before it’s too late. It’s an enjoyable change from the usual with entertaining personalities that differ from the title couple.
The art in volume three is consistent with previous volumes so those who loved it then will continue to love it here. The characters remain expressive and lively and the sex scenes detailed and uncensored. The front of the book also includes a couple of full colour images, which is a nice treat for fans.
801 Media continues a line of high quality releases; clean translation and a really nice job placing the text, both in and out of the speech bubbles. They did a notably good job of placing the English words on and around the artwork accordingly and everything looks really great together. At the back of the book are a couple pages of advertisements for their other released series.
Overall there isn’t too much that can be said about volume three that wasn’t already said about the previous two. Love is Like a Hurricane remains just as cute, entertaining and energetic and this volume should continue to appease its yaoi loving fans.
Review written Feburary 1, 2008 by Lissa Pattillo under name Kurishojo for MangaJouhou
Book provided for review purposes by 801Media