1999 SHANGHAI by Mizushiro Setona

A forbidden feeling that wells up between two opposing gang protégées, a fated encounter that brings both of them fall into the trap of love. How far will they go for the uncontrollable emotion they have for each other? A strong yet dangerous desire devouring their hearts to the point of no return. A love so pure yet unacceptable. Who would have thought that such powerful feelings would tie a member of Toulon, the strongest gang, and a member of Xianglongji, the smartest and most clever gang, which both rule the shanghai area, together  in a relationship that would test their loyalties? A battle of territories, power, dignity and love that would risk not just their lives but their hearts as well. So which will prevail? Their love for each other or their loyalties to their brothers?

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1999 Shanghai v01 c04 - 15

1999 Shanghai v01 c04 - 202

1999 Shanghai v01 c04 - 204

One of Mizushiro-sensei’s great works, 1999 Shanghai is a very wonderful yet tragic tale of love between two people under opposing gangs. It is a story that will make one smile of happiness witnessing the passionate love of Dawu and Xiaoxue and cry the moment after, realizing that these feelings will soon crumble to their feet. Despite of the risky situation, both of them love each other so much that they have to choose the path they should take next. They knew so well that any time they have to point the gun to each other and pull the trigger yet the love blossoming between them never ceased. Until they couldn’t hide their relationship anymore and they have to decide which is which.  With the important persons in their lives and the gangs involved, it was just a matter of time for them to end up killing each other. 

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1999 Shanghai v02 c07 - 140

A beautiful love story in the slum world of Shanghai brought to light the consequences, the sufferings, and most of all the desire to love and be loved despite the spaces between them. They’ve struggled to save their feelings for each other yet it should have never been there from the start. And later on the cruel reality hit them hard. They have to obey the rules. They have to stand under their respective position. They have to bury their hearts.

1999 Shanghai v03 c09 - 033

1999 Shanghai v03 c10 - 085

1999 Shanghai v03 c12 - 148

1999 Shanghai v03 c12 - 149

1999 Shanghai v03 c12 - 155

“Let the two of us go through heaven until hell”

“In the face of love, falling like a meteor, we are so helpless”

“He’s just one of 6 billion on this earth, but he means so much to me.”

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1999 Shanghai v04 c16 - 109

1999 Shanghai v04 c17 - 185

1999 Shanghai v04 c17 - 188

This manga is a masterpiece. A striking representation of forbidden love just like the famous Romeo and Juliet of William Shakespear. A love so chaste yet dangerous, a desire so strong yet poisonous. I knew so well that it has a tragic ending yet I couldn’t resist myself from reading it. And I would have regretted if I hadn’t read such a wonderful and painful story that made me cry buckets of tears. It was exquisite! The feelings and the emotions the manga gave me stirred me so much. I’m so grateful that I was able to witness their love until the very end. This manga will always be in my heart and the love that Dawu and Xiaoxue shared will always be in my memories. I love everything about it including the beautiful smiles, the painful cries and the fearful bloodsheds. I’m a tragedy manga lover despite the sorrow and the melancholy it gives me.  1999 Shanghai is one of the best ever mangas I’ve read.

Witness the love of Dawu and Xiaoxue and experience the feelings of the prohibited love they have. Moreover, another unacceptable emotion from one of each opposing gangs developed on the sideline.

THEY WERE VERY HAPPY UNTIL THE VERY END.