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 - 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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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.

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1999 Shanghai v03 c12 - 149

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“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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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.

Ai No Kusabi Vol. 2: DESTINY

So last august 03, I’ve got hold of a copy of Ai No Kusabi volume 2: Destiny. It was a dream come true for I have been longing deeply to have a copy of those precious books I’ve been admiring all this time. I have already read the whole 6 volumes of the story using a soft copy I have downloaded online but having the real thing was not just a mere whimsy of mine but the desire to have the physical copies on my hands. It is for my complete satisfaction.

The fact that I couldn’t gain the volume one because of its rareness thus, the price was quite out of my reach, made me settle to buy those I could afford.  After it arrived, I quickly read the volume two without hesitation, for the second time. It was as if the feelings I had the first time I read rose again and my chest was full of those warm unknown emotions. Reading it means experiencing those great ups and down of emotions and the thrill of knowing the events and the characters again.

I couldn’t count how many times I smiled, laughed, screamed and called out the names Iason and Riki repeatedly. The happiness and excitement of witnessing those fateful encounters of these two marvelous characters kept me swaying in and out of my own world. If I had not entered into this beautiful world called “YAOI” I would have not known this tale that embodied the true meaning of “the wedge of love”.

The moment I opened the book destiny, I was in deep joy that I felt like crying. Perhaps, not everyone would understand the feelings I felt but I believe that any Ai No Kusabi fan out there would undoubtedly agree with me.

As I continued to read, the phrase “Riki met Iason” made my heart cried out of passion. And I was completely swept away with the urge to reminisce this beautifully conveyed story of Iason Mink and Riki the Black. And so, with every flip of the pages and every move of my eyes as I read the story, I was under the spell of this beautiful tale of dark mysteries.

I can’t seem to patiently wait for the volume 3 to arrive on my hands. However, since I haven’t purchased the volume 1 and quickly jumped to the second volume to read, I might as well just use the soft copy I have to read it again. I am now so enthralled to read this novel again. In my opinion, there’s no doubt that “Ai No Kusabi”, just what June manga says, defined the genre. 

TETSU X RIKA by Modoru Motoni

So I’ve just finished reading Tetsu X Rika and it fucked my mind so much that I can’t decide whether it’s good to read the sequel or not, the “Rika the breeder”. I can say that’s it’s a well thought manga and that the idea of it is unique but you really must have a strong stomach to be able to read it calmly I think. I was stopping a few times because it’s becoming harsher and harsher and my heart aches. I really wished they had end up together but it seems that the rejection and the feelings they have for each other’s the one carrying the whole story. So, anyone there that wants to read a psychotic BDSM yaoi manga. . you might want to try TETSU X RIKA. 

Never thought Modoru Motoni would make such genre of manga but it’s still good and a quality manga. 

Just a warning: it partly contains shota, incest and rape so better be prepared if you’re gonna read this manga.

I’m curious of what’s gonna happen in “Rika the breeder” since Tetsu’s younger brother’s gonna be in this manga as a main character. But I’m hesitating because the scanlation group hasn’t finished doing the translation since two years ago so it seems they had dropped the story. Too bad since I think it’ll be a more mind-fucking manga than “Tetsu X RIka” since RIka’s taking the lead here. Damn! I don’t know what to do anymore :3 they’re just so fucked up that I ended up wanting my mind to be fucked up as well. LOL. seriously, Tetsu X Rika manga involves a great amount of psychological element in the story that’s why it would really affect the readers. anyway, let’s just see what decision I’ll make, whether I read it or not depends on my mood.

I really don't know if I want my heart to break so much that's why I still haven't decided on reading the "Shiikugaraki Rika" or "Rika the breeder". Anyway, see for yourself if you wanna read this manga but I assure you it's a really good one :))

Namida mo Toku:Blue Grey Dream

Manga Cover

In a world where selling one’s body became a living, would you able to find true happiness and love? Would you be able to believe and trust freely to some sweet talks?

Chapter 1

Just like a swift dream, Shiki and Ootori’s story stirred me emotionally. I didn’t expect the ending of the manga and I was really taken aback. I felt like crying after finding out what happened between them. I like the story even thought it became like that though I did hope for it to be the other way around. It’s really so heart-breaking*sobs*. Oh man~ am I a masochist? Reading painful stories yet loving it.  After finding out the ending of the story, I couldn’t resist the urge to write a review about it. It was really a good story. Honjou-sensie! Why?? *sobs*.

Chapter 2

 The story was just so beautifully made and the characters too. You might think I’m a shallow reader that something like this got me so emotional but the hell I care?! It was just really. . .*ughh!*. Anyways, I really admired Ootori-sensie for loving Shiki so much despite the fact that he’s a male prostitute and I’m really disappointed with Shiki!! Shiki’s an idiot! It was his fault and his doing that Ootori-sensie fell in love with him so badly but then he let something like that to happen to Ootori-sensie!! He’s just so selfish. .*sobs* Oh no! I’m too into this. My tear glands are about to burst. Darn it! Love is just so troublesome that’s why I don’t need it! It’s 3:26 in the morning and I’m so depressed because of this story. And I’m having an exam this morning. . . I’m so dead!

*sobs*

*sobs*

*sobs*

Yeah, I’m crazy. You might wonder what I’m talking about since I’m not being clear here but you see, I just want you to read it and find out yourself. I won’t expect you to understand my feelings about this manga after reading it but you see I’m just too shallow that’s why I’m so affected.

This manga “Namida mo Toku” by Honjou Rie-sensie might seem a simple story to some but I could say that I felt the emotions of the story as well as the message in it. Really, I still couldn’t get over it. So please read it and let’s share this bittersweet pain together. YOU! Yes you! Read it okay!

And ohhhh! Oootori-sensie’s friend is a bastard! He’s the most idiot one! Mind you!

I’ll include the book summary below. So, mina-san! Stroll around in the red-light district of the future and see for yourself a blue grey dream.

It takes one manic to recognize the other.

Chapter 3

Summary from Baka-updates manga

After the failure attempt of eloping with his customer, Shiki (Purple Ghost), a male prostitute, gave up his hope for love… until Ootori-sensei came along. Will Shiki finally find what he had been looking for…!? So what if there's a huge gap on their social standings, what's so wrong about living and loving for the moment? Enjoy this forbidden love story in the red-light district.