They have got some of the CGs up there, which I think are quite beautiful.

Gosh that art does look awfully adorable.

I’ll probably review the game after I finish it!

Please let me know when you do. I can’t read Japanese, so I doubt this’ll be a game I’ll ever be able to play, but I’ll be interested to hear what you think.

Now, that’s interesting. I’m curious, what’s it called? Are you reviewing it on your site?

It’s called Tamayura and it’s a Japanese cultural adventure game. This is the official homepage:
http://www.palmiers.jp

They have got some of the CGs up there, which I think are quite beautiful. It’s the first game (?) with Honami’s art. At first, I’m a bit surprised because Honami=cute & school for me but this story is set in a very isolated village that seal it off completely with the outer world. Also, whoever from the outside world marries the village members will perish young. The main character’s parents also died young in a car accident leaving him alone. He is suddenly dragged back to the village during a mysterious festival.

I am interested in this game because it’s my first time seeing Honami drawing so much smut (probably)…she’s usually quite “clean” with her smut. There’s also SNAKE play *v* …my favorite and almost all the members are reversible. So you have uke looking characters actually on top of mature seme looking characters!

I tried to buy from the publisher of the game because then I can get the special artbook and manga specially drawn by Honami sensei but the publisher will not ship outside of Japan ;__;. I’ll probably review the game after I finish it!

Actually I’m playing a game demo with Honami as character designer. It’s actually a HORROR BL game (imagine Honami drawing HORROR)

Now, that’s interesting. I’m curious, what’s it called? Are you reviewing it on your site?

However, I actually cheer for Sou x Katsura more (because I want to keep Kouichi to mysefl *v*)

lol

because the two can end up in a more balanced relationship. I feel it’s with Kouichi, Katsura would be more dependent on Kouichi because of the difference in the level of maturity.

I hadn’t thought of it that way, but I think this is very insightful. Yeah, Katsura and Sou do seem more closely matched in terms of maturity. While I’d like Katsura to wind up with a guy who I know is going to treat him well, it definitely does feel like these guys are growing together — and that, ultimately, they aren’t too far off in terms of power. (When Katsura confronts Sou later in the book with his feelings, it definitely felt like he could hold his own against the older boy.)

Sorry for all the ramblings and I am looking forward to more of your reviews!

Well, thanks for the props. It’s always nice to hear that someone is enjoying them!

I so resonate this comment!! Actually I’m playing a game demo with Honami as character designer. It’s actually a HORROR BL game (imagine Honami drawing HORROR) (*O*) but then like you said, I only want to end up hugging the “enemy” ^_^;; Well, her more mature male characters (the middle ages) are not as sweet as her cute high school characters but I still want to hug them nonetheless (laughs).

Back to Rin >_> I like it as well!! Actually I like Kouichi THE BEST because he’s TOO lovable. He seems so relaxed, so mature, and so nice I also envy Katsura for moment. However, I actually cheer for Sou x Katsura more (because I want to keep Kouichi to mysefl *v*) because the two can end up in a more balanced relationship. I feel it’s with Kouichi, Katsura would be more dependent on Kouichi because of the difference in the level of maturity.

Actually, after you read Only the Finger Knows, you may find parallels between OTFK and Rin (although you must read the novel version because the manga version only covers the first novel). Rin=Wataru, Sou=Kazuki, Kouichi=Asaka ^_^;; That’s why I don’t like OtFK (though everyone in the Western world seems to be talking about it). Having said that though, I do like Kannagi sensei and I think she’s a good author because she’s written another series about Yakuza. That series departs from her usual characterization and I have been writing to English publishers to ask them to translate that series as well. The plot there is VERY NICE (especially the first book…). However, I think that’s not chosen because the art’s by Kane Hikaru (who’s not famous outside Japan ;__;). OtFK or Rin gets easily published because of Odagiri & Honami … ahhh… what a waste.

Sorry for all the ramblings and I am looking forward to more of your reviews!

Alex

The notes from the mangaka mention it being her favorite kanji, but shame on Juné– they don’t publish the kanji anywhere in the book!

Yes, I read that note, too — and with such a big call-out, I was surprised that the publisher didn’t bother to translate the kanji for us. (I kept looking in the back for a little Translation Notes section with an explanation — no dice.) Perhaps Juné just assumed the author had done a good enough job translating it herself in the note and they didn’t feel it was relevant. Either way, since the author made such a big deal about it, a little hand-holding would have been nice.

I must admit, though — I was surprised to read you liked this one. Considering the set-up and how it plays out, I was concerned that it might not be innovative enough for you. Glad to see you enjoyed it.

The notes from the mangaka mention it being her favorite kanji, but shame on Juné– they don’t publish the kanji anywhere in the book! (The actual cover only contains the name in English.)

So I had to go spend some quality time on Amazon.co.jp to find the kanji, and then look it up ^^;; (My knowledge of kanji is *horrible*.)

I have yet to check out OtRFK — although being a classic, it’s definitely on my list. (It does seem like required reading for those who want to talk coherently about yaoi and its impact on the West.) Alas, so much yaoi, so little time…

And for other readers: Jen has her own review of Rin! over at her site YaoiSuki, where her knowledge of Japanese also helps us to understand that title a little better. You can find it here:

http://yaoisuki.net/content/view/279/