Kinpeibai Kinden Honoo no Kuchizuke by Mizukami Shin

Heyahh! So here I am again bringing everyone a review of a manga I just read. I was supposed to continue typing my story but ended up reading yaoi manga despite the self-control I've been implementing. Now, I want to share this story by Mizukami Shin entitled “Kinpeibai Kinden Honoo no Kuchizuke”. From what the translator said, it came from a Chinese famous erotica written during the Ming Dynasty in 7^th century (pretty old huh). The story circled about political power, prostitution and of course, BL! As I was reading the first few pages, I felt sad for the character Kinren but at the same time the story became interesting and I was so eager to find out what would happen next.

Kinren’s (Kinnen) character portrays beauty and his survival instinct was strong despite the fact that the way his life led was really wrong. In this manga there was a lot of orgy and sex with old men (damn it! Only Kinren looks good when he’s doing it with those ugly politicians). Those who have weak stomach and don’t like violent and too graphical sex shouldn't read this (just a warring) though writing a review about it means I still recommends the manga.

The story portrayed how political power ruled over the poor people as well. Kinren, being a son of a prostitute didn’t have the ability to resist that was why he ended up as a prostitute for a long time until he grown to a beautiful man. The other character, who he was in love with was Bu shou, didn't have enough ability to save Kinren from his path to darkness and then everything came down to another character entering the scene. Simon, a womanizer and playboy hindered both of them to be together too.

I really liked the story and how emotional it got. The mangaka drew Kinren pretty good. I thought everything would end up to a tragic end since many things happened along the story. In the end, despite Simon’s cruelty, I still felt pity for him. Overall, it was a good read and the art was fine even with such detailed drawings. I’m not a fan of most of Shin-sensei’s works but I do have favorites among them, like aigan-shounen, Ushirokara Dakishimete (this one’s so funny) and of course this one. Anyway, here’s a summary of the story. Enjoy it if ever you want to check it out!

summary:

Kinnen is the son of a famous prostitute, when his mother becomes sick, he sees no other way to survive than to become the sex toy of a rich Chinese nobleman, despite the protests from Bushou, who loves him. Years pass; Bushou has not forgotten about Kinnen…

Ai No Kusabi volume 7

Hello there everyone! So after a few months of patiently waiting, finally my Ai No Kusabi vol 7 novel arrived yesterday.  I was patient enough to wait for months, no? Since I pre-ordered it 2 months before the release date on august. Oh well, I guess complaints were pointless for I’ve ordered it for a pretty desirable price. When the book arrived, I had a feeling of disappointment and sadness for vague reasons. The first reason was, as a forumer, of course I had already read few comments about the book. Like Aisha being a girl in the 7^th volume (WTH?). I was disappointed with it. Yes basically because I had already imprinted it on my mind that all the blondies were men. The second reason was, again as a fan, I had already seen the art of the new volume and of course I was taken aback. Having read the novels for three times (I didn’t read the entire 6 volumes thrice though, only few of them), I got used to the drawing or the art of the 6 volumes that I couldn’t seem to get used to the new art when I saw it (I have copies of them stashed in my AI NO KUSABI folder though.lol.). And lastly the third reason was because they changed the translator. Having loved Ai No Kusabi since the first time I laid my eyes on it, I was afraid of disappointment. But since reading was the only way for me to find out what happened after that night where Iason fucked Riki so hard, there was no other way but to open the book and read it.

Ai No Kusabi Volume 7 book cover

Sooooooo~ here’s what I wanna say about it. The first few ages were beautiful. Yes, nothing beats a lovey-dovey scene from Iason and Riki after waiting for so long for the next release of the book. No doubt, the God of all Semes, Iason Mink still held that title. I just love Riki’s stubbornness and his ever disdainful attitude towards Iason! And of course, Iason’s oh so twisted exquisiteness was unbeatable. Despite having the cover art different from the past, well, I guess the artist still did a great job.

Hmmm. Let me just deal with my reasons from above. The first one was of Aisha being a woman. Yes, confirmed by my own eyes and my understanding, it was a “SHE” and not a “HE” used. So my eternal scandalous (?) image of the beautiful proud Blondies was shattered. I didn’t know who to blame because from the previous volumes, Aisha was a male. And I would be so glad than anyone else if this was just an error and that Aisha was really a male (though the name says it’s a female).

The second reason of my wavering faith (?) was because of the new art. But alas!! As you can see, the artist has done a good job. I guess I should say thank you for it. However, please excuse my rudeness but in my own opinion (others might not agree though) I still preferred the old art. Why? Simply because having it drastically changed had my heart ached. I mean, I loved everything of ANK from the tree the paper came from until the last ink of the last page of it but then suddenly new changes forced its way on my heart and mind that I didn’t know how to react (sorry for being such a bitch).

And lastly, about the translator. I still love the old translator of the English version of the novel. The English and every word and feelings it conveyed to me were nothing to compare about. However, it didn’t mean that the new translation sucks. There were a few, no I lot changed from the way between the previous volumes and volume7 but still it was a good read. Maybe having these feelings in me towards the old things about Ai No Kusabi was because of my attachment to the story nonetheless, volume 7 held a great part of the whole continuing tale of Iason and Riki and I couldn’t wait for the next volume of it!

I’m not yet done!! Okay so back to the story. . I got confused while reading it because my dumb mind refused to accept some new facts from the novel. Like new names (Lavi?? who the hell???). . .details details. . .boom! He was Robby from the volume 3! And Vince (who?), Cher (it was Schell right?)! But oh well, I still could connect them so it was fine. Then there was this Paradita shit kind of pet who was all so clingy with Riki that it got him into trouble and the bastard Blondies got their beefs with Riki and then shit happened. Yeah it came down to it that that Paradita was a shitty bastard and wanted Riki out of Eos.

the paradita and riki 

 Anyway, another thing, when I saw Zico I thought of someone who looked like him and then when I scanned my novels, I found out it was Orphe. Yeah they looked kinda alike with Orphe. Hahaha! I thought when Guy and Luke sniffed around for in formations, they’d be able to gather information about Riki being a pet but then it turned out this Zico was under Iason as well, too bad for Guy. AH!! Oh I almost forgot!! They turned Kirie to an Alita!! Kinda like a fuck toy. Poor Kirie, I pity him. But seriously I felt like he was not even worth turning to that shit. I mean they should have just put him somewhere out of Riki’s system. Hahaha. Whatever! (I know right I’m talking nonsense here…sorry!)

so what do you say? they kinda looked alike right?? or was it just me?

Now here, the love scenes! Oh my gosh!! OH MY GOSH! Fucking great! Iason going down on Riki for the first time?? (My feelssssss I can’t even! Iason I love you so much!) When I was reading that part which was the end chapter, I couldn’t help thinking about the old 2-part anime version of Ai No Kusabi! There was this scene where Iason was blowing Riki and it was too hot and sexy that all throughout that scene I was imagining it while reading the book! Damn great!! XD oh I so love it! I love Iason so much! I mean who wouldn’t? Afterall, he was willing to do anything just to have Riki! Even though he had not realized it yet, it was so clear that he was so in love with Riki! And Riki’s denial of his own longing and feelings was taking its toll on him. Just a few touches and his body would react to Iason. Ah~ I just couldn’t help falling in love with this pair over and over again!! Riko Yoshihara-sensie, you made the greatest tale of the yaoi genre! Thank you so much!

Lastly, I just couldn’t help but feel sad thinking that everything would be reaching to an end soon. That the beautiful yet twisted romance of these two, a Master and a pet, Iason Mink and Riki the Black, would have such a heart-breaking and tragic end (as what I saw on the anime). The chance of discovering and loving the yaoi fandom held a great part in my heart specially this story of Ai No Kusabi. Everyone who had made this novel great, thank you very much!!