New York New York manga

Okay, let me just say this first. This contains some spoiler so be warned and if you don’t want to be spoiled, just read the first paragraph. The plot of the story was really good, it showed the point of view of the society of how Taboo homosexuality was during the early days, as well as the characters involved and their inner private point of view of themselves. In this manga, “New York New York” by Marimo Nagawa-sensei, Kain was a closet gay and was afraid of being discovered because of circumstances like bigotry, which we couldn’t deny that is still present at this modern period. His struggles and indecisiveness was shown descriptively and the changes afterwards after meeting Mel took a great part in reforming his beliefs and feelings towards himself. I believe that his strong emotions led him to weigh which was more important to him and made him the person he became. Sensei made a very nice elaboration expressing the step by step actions the character made in reaching the person who could proudly say and admit his sexuality. The art was good and I was really satisfied with it because I believe that it fit perfectly to the setting and the characters. I strongly recommend that you read it guys.

It’s been a long time since I’ve written something about the mangas that I’m reading. There’s been a lot that happened and I’ve been very busy but anyway. At first I didn’t thought I would come to write something about the manga I’ve just finished reading. The title is “New York New York”. When I had put it into my bookmarks or let’s say when I found it and saw that it was labeled as tragedy I got the feeling that I didn’t want to read it for a while so it took me a little more time to have the courage to read it. I’m really easily drawn to angst but even though it’s like that, I still avoid reading them sometimes but I always ended up reading them anyway. While reading NYNY, I thought “ah—I have to prepare myself. I need not to attach myself to the character too much because this manga has a tragic end”. But then while reading it, I just couldn’t stop myself feeling affection towards the characters. The feelings they have for each other and the strong desire and hope during the trials they were passing through was really great that I always thought that it was such a waste for it to have a tragic end. I had already braced myself for the tragic end but then as I continued to read the story and got out of that particular dangerous and scary scene, I thought, “Maybe it was labeled as tragedy because there were a lot of killings”. I was really happy that there weren’t something like Kain dying or Mel dying in that traumatic events. When I was reaching the end, the story took turn and it made me happy of the development of it. They were very happy despite the traumatic past that had happened. But what really moved me was the great love they had for each other; that despite what they had been through, they were able to stay together and be truthful to each other. I love the character of Kain, strong and willful. I love Mel’s gentleness and the way he looked the future with a smile and was able to cope up with everything. Really, but what moved me to tears was the end of the story where, at their old age, they were still as lovely as the newlyweds they were, loving and tender to each other, that despite one leaving, one was able to accept and continue life. I love it so much. Especially the last scene where they were both reunited, I couldn’t control my emotions I cried so much because I was sad yet happy at the same time. Now I’m really happy that I read New York New York. It was an amazing experience and it has been a long time since the last time I cried over a manga (a few days ago, I cried over a novel tho it wasn’t as bad as this time). So anybody out there, I’d recommend your read New York New York as well and witness such an amazing story about homosexuality, murder, acceptance, hope and specially, a love so strong it could  conquer even as dangerous as life and death. 

summary from mangatraders:

Kain Walker is an admired and appreciated policeman of New York of all his colleagues. By fright at disappointing his fellows and also being discovered, Kain hides that he is gay and refrains from any coherent relation... until the day when his way crosses that of Mel Frederics, a calm and soft young man at the dark past. A meeting which is going to confuse their life.

Genre: Action, Drama, Psychological, Slice of Life, Tragedy, Yaoi

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…