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Posts Tagged Makoto Tateno

Review: King of Cards (Vol. 01)

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Makoto Tateno
Publisher: CMX Manga
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: August 2007

Synopsis: “‘Chaos’ is a trading card game that is very popular at Manami’s school. Trying to learn more about it herself, she purchases a beginner’s set, only to discover that it contains “Sahgan, The Mighty Sorcerer,” the rarest card in the game. Now every other player is out to win the card from her. But Sahgan himself begins to visit Manami in her dreams, offering her advice on how to win.”

Minami is an average schoolgirl with a budding interest in Chaos – a card game where players pit monsters against each other in a battle for remaining life points (sound a little familiar?). Fresh-faced to the game with her experienced cousin as a guide, Minami is struck with newbie-luck and when purchasing her first deck, discovers a card that’s not only rare but possibly the rarest card in the whole game.

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Review: How To Control A Sidecar

Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Makoto Tateno
Publisher: DokiDoki
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: May 2010

Synopsis: “Naive and easy-going Kousaka is a bartender at a local popular hangout place. One night, a couple–a young mischievous, spirited guy and a rich, handsome and well-groomed man walk in. Kousaka noticed that they seemed a bit odd being together-but little did he know, they weren’t there for happy hour drinks! They were there to approach Kousaka and to be a part of their 3-way relationship. When he finally realizes that he is wanted by the two-Kousaka finds himself embroiled in a messy love triangle! Now what will he do?”

Some boys’ love manga can only be enjoyed by stretching your disbelief. For example, in How to Control a Sidecar, one of the characters goes through a horrible trauma, only to brush it off. In real life no one would react the way this guy reacts, but, this isn’t the real world. It’s still a little disconcerting to see a manga casually wave off something like rape, especially since otherwise How to Control a Sidecar is a fun manga.

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PR: PJT Announces Yaoi-Centric “Fujoshi Paradise” Tour

Pop Japan Travel announces the Yaoi-centric “Fujoshi Paradise” Tour!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gardena, CA (April 2, 2010) – Pop Japan Travel, the premier provider of pop culture-themed tours of Japan, is pleased to announce their latest tour for yaoi fans: the 2010 Fujoshi Paradise Tour.

Designed with the sizeable international fan base for yaoi in mind, the Fujoshi Paradise Tour isn’t just another tour of Tokyo. The tour is a full week of activities and experiences just for the yaoi fan, such as an exclusive meal at a butler cafe, and is hosted by tour guides from the yaoi publishing industry and yaoi fandom alike. Pop Japan Travel has also announced that famed manga creator Makoto Tateno, the creator of yaoi series like Hero Heel, Yellow and Blue Sheep Reverie will also be meeting with tour participants for a private Q&A session and a night out on the town.

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Review: 9th Sleep

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Makoto Tateno
Publisher: June
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: December 2009

Synopsis: “The planet had died once before… On the day of Despaira, a god appeared in the sky and saved the world. His name was King Shishioh. But now with the throne of the king empty, a vicious battle between two brothers is unfolding. Who will ascend the throne?”

The story follows Luke, a young man who finds himself hunted by a man claiming to be his brother. When the truth of his existence is revealed the two brothers set into motion a series of events doomed to repeat themselves in a battle for the world’s throne that transcends a life time – and perhaps a readers’ level of patience despite its whimsical platter of eye-candy.

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Review: How To Capture A Martini

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Makoto Tateno
Publisher: DokiDoki
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: December 2009

Synopsis: “Innocent Naoyuki fell head-over-heels for drop-dead gorgeous senior Shinobu when he was just a shy underclassman. But after a whirlwind fling filled with first kisses, first drinks (and much more!), Shinobu vanished on the very day that Naoyuki was set to confess his feelings. Years later, the two grown men suddenly cross paths in a chic city bar where the exotic drinks flow freely… and the trysts only last one night! Can Naoyuki convince the cool and distant Shinobu that what was once a childhood dalliance is now deep and passionate love?”

How To Capture A Martini – it wasn’t until the end of the book that I figured out the title’s figurative meaning. Despite my personal ‘duh’ moment in regards to this clearly laid out reasoning, it doesn’t change the fact that the name itself suits the story very well. It throws a pleasantly cheeky spin on the largely emotional foray of the two leads, well-embodying this one-shot tale of their adolescent romance’s second chance to flourish.

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Review: Yellow 2 (Episode 01)

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo
Yellow 2 - Episode 1

Manga-ka: Makoto Tateno
Publisher: June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “Straight and macho Taki partners with feminine and gay Goh to form an expert team of bandits hired by the police to steal from the mafia. In July of 2005, DMP introduced one of the most popular creator & ground-breaking series: YELLOW to the yaoi industry, cementing Tateno as a yaoi fan favorite. Finally, Makoto Tateno has created a mini sequel series starring her two beloved characters, which have never been published in print, until now!”

Yellow 2 takes place three years from where the prequel series ended. Our two leads – Goh and Taki – now the equivalent of happily married and retired are called back to ‘duty’ by bequest of a friend. The two used to be one of the world’s best pair of ‘snatchers’ – a fancy word for thieves for hire who may or may not have morals playing into their cause. Their new job has them sleuthing for clues that’ll lead to the shipment of drugs they’ve been asked to find before someone else does.

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Review: Happy Boys (Vol. 01)

Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Makoto Tateno
Publisher: Doki Doki
Rating: Teens (13+)
Release Date: September 2009

Synopsis: “Welcome home, madam!” For the patrons of Lady Braganza, an afternoon outing for tea and cake becomes an immersion in high-class lifestyle, where mannered servants attend to their each and every need. You see, Lady Braganza is a butler café, and the cheerful staff of Shiva, Renjo, Ivory, Silk and Eve are charged with the task of making each and every “sir” or “madam” feel like pampered royalty!”

The Lady Braganza is a butler café where patrons are treated as royalty, served the most delectable of teas and cakes while being served by the most wholesomely attentive staff. Happy Boy’s cast of characters all work at this café and it’s their job to make sure every customer finds themselves pleasantly lost in the illusion – but not all readers may find themselves as entranced.

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YaoiCon 2009: Digital Manga

YaoiCon 2009 - Digital Manga

Easily the most anticipated panel of this year’s Yaoi Con, Digital Manga brought out the big guns as promised in recent weeks to deliver to the eager audience. Deb Aoki and The Yaoi Review were both present and live-updating the panels so thanks to them both for the information.

You can read all about it under the cut –

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Yaoi Submissions, Schedules and a Staggering Zombie

Boys' Love Snippets

Some boys’ love news snippets today with submission closures, convention schedules and an undead publisher still looking to make a return:

Yaoi Press has recently updated their info page to inform propestive creators that their submissions are currently closed. This is a uncommon state for Yaoi Press which has spent the majority of its time open to new stories by writers and artists. The page does however offer up an honest and open look at why their submissions are currently closed and assurance that they still have previously submitted works on file.

Word has been circulating for a while about Digital Manga’s big yaoi title announcement, promising many happy fans, and that they’ll be making said-announcement at the upcoming Yaoi Con. Today Digital Manga has posted their Yaoi Con schedule including their industry panel and signing times for special guest, Makoto Tateno (see art above).

Digital Manga has also sent out a press release about signed and framed Makoto Tateno artwork which will be available for sale both at Yaoi Con and on their online shop, Akadot.

And lastly, in an odder turn of events, DramaQueen has updated its online shop to showcase what they’re calling a “Rebirth Sale”, offering up several of their back issue books for cheaper prices along with a message that suggests they’re still working on the comeback that they’ve promised for so long. Hmm… sounds sort of familiar.

I won’t beat the proverbial horse on this one but suffice to say DramaQueen hasn’t done anything to win readers’ sympathy or support in the past two years but I suppose it’ll still be interesting to see if they ever do release another book. Still, as much as I’m all for supporting the industry, it’s my honest opinion that shoppers should stay away from ordering through DramaQueen’s online website. The risk is simply too high that prospective buyers will only join the line of people still waiting for DQ to pay their dues.


PR: Limited Edition Makoto Tateno Yellow Cell From DMP

Gardena, CA (October 8, 2009) – Digital Manga Publishing, one of the industry’s most innovative and unique manga companies, is pleased to present this amazing limited edition cell of Makoto Tateno’s Yellow characters, Taki and Goh! Limited to a run of only 250 units, each cell is individually hand-painted in Japan, then signed individually by Makoto Tateno. Each will also be marked with its number out of the 250 run, and will be framed and matted. This is a unique opportunity to own a beautiful piece of framed, signed art, that will be run only once and in an extremely limited amount by a renowned mangaka! Beginning in December 2009, you will be able to purchase this lovely art only from Akadot Retail (www.akadot.com), and Yaoi Club (www.yaoiclub.com)! Each piece will run $195.

Since Makoto Tateno will be Digital Manga Publishing’s guest at Yaoi Con 2009, we will have available a limited amount of 30 cells just for Yaoi Con! And we’ll be offering the 30 available at a special price, $175! They’ll be the first 30 from the run, so if you’re a big Makoto Tateno fan, it’ll be your opportunity to own this cell in hand at Yaoi Con! It’ll be a great time to own some great new Yellow merchandise, the new Yellow Omnibus Vol. 1, collecting volumes 1 and 2 of the original series, and Yellow 2: Episode 1, the return of Taki and Goh after five years away, never before published in the US!

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