Manga Review: Jealousy, Volume 1, by Scarlet Beriko

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: July 2020

Volumes: 4+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

The prequel to the popular yakuza rom-com Fourth Generation Head: Tatsuyuki Oyamato!

A yakuza head finds himself ensnared in the unwavering attentions of a sometimes impetuous but always cunning schemer. If being yakuza doesn’t get him killed, his new lover just might!

Uichi Rogi is in a bind, both literally and figuratively, when he meets Akitora Oyamato, the yakuza head who’s come to collect a debt from Uichi’s lover. Instantly smitten, Uichi schemes dubious and often dangerous ways of getting closer to the man, but his lies come at a heavy price—one he may regret having to pay for Akitora’s affections.

 

Review:

 

This is a spin-off of the one-shot Fourth Generation Head, featuring the stoic bodyguard of the yakuza with his little daughter.

I will say I'm intrigued by these two characters, and I find his daughter to be quite smart and cute. But most of this volume centers on Uichi and his past, what led to him being where he is today. Once upon a time, he was a young man, who had a hard time really connecting with people and feeling emotions, and he grasped onto the yakuza head at the time. He does several questionable things in order to get closer to him, leading him to very odd and sticky situations.

Uichi's obsession with the yakuza head is definitely dangerous and unhealthy. I'm curious where it's going, but I'm also very wary. Mostly, though, I would like to know more about his present situation, and I'm not sure when we'll get that.

Same as with the previous story, though, I tend to like the characters and relationships, more than the main, yakuza plot line.

Manga Review: Fourth Generation Head: Tatsuyuki Oyamato by Scarlet Beriko

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 1 (But has related series).

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A young yakuza boss has a sexy encounter with his wild side when his family’s dirty business becomes personal.

The last thing playboy Tatsuyuki Oyamato, fourth-generation heir to a yakuza family syndicate, wants is any responsibility for running the family business, especially when a recent erotic encounter with a male masseur has him totally preoccupied with questioning his sexuality! But Tatsuyuki’s forced to step up both in the sheets and on the streets when a hot hookup deepens his newfound attraction to men, while also drawing the attention of a mysterious man who seems dangerously obsessed with Tatsuyuki’s lineage…

Review:

Tatsuyuki is the playboy, next in line for his yakuza family business, so he's had a pretty easy life. When he's given new responsibilities in a new place, he finds himself in some difficult circumstances. Someone he doesn't remember from his past shows up, Koga, a guy who fell in love with him at a young age. Only this is being used against them.

I really loved Beriko's other release, whereas this one didn't hit quite as good for me. I think it's just cause I'm not a yakuza/mafia fan, and some of the matters handled here go dark and dirty, and not in a good way.

Other than that, though, it was good. There's some very good smutty scenes, from early on, too. I really liked Koga's character, too; he's a teacher, with a happy outlook, and he's sweet on Tatsuyuki. He fawns over him a little bit. Tatsuyuki didn't stand out quite as much, but he's a good guy deep down.

A good, very steamy yaoi volume in the end. Very good artwork. I'm still very much looking forward to the next series being released.

Manga Review: Jackass! by Scarlet Beriko

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2017

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When the panty hose go on, all bets are off between these best guy friends!

Practical Keisuke’s incredibly handsome best friend Masayuki has always rubbed him just a little bit the wrong way. Maybe it’s because Masayuki is rich, carefree, and so stunningly handsome that he can, and does, have any girl he wants? But one day, when Keisuke accidentally wears his older sister’s panty hose to gym class, it’s suddenly his hot friend who’s doing the rubbing…on Keisuke’s panty hose-clad legs! Has he unwittingly unleashed a secret fetish that will change their relationship forever?

Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect with this volume, other than it sounded fun and looked nice.

Keisuke lives with his aunt, and his childhood friend is gay, and he's never considered himself that. Until suddenly he gets in a situation involving another best friend and some pantyhose...

As the volume started, I wasn't really sure who was who, and it felt a bit like I was missing something. Like there had been a previous series or something. But after things started getting a bit steamy, it got good, and then I didn't want to put it down.

This was definitely a high school story. I appreciated the sense of bromance, the actual male friendships not even including the romance; these were all just guys, even if some of them were in love with another one. It also had quite a bit of conflicted teenage angst; Keisuke didn't know what he wanted, and he was teasing Masayuki in a bit of a childish way at one point, but it felt real and relateable.

I really enjoyed the main romance, how it developed and how it led to more. It was fun and hot, and I liked the use of the fetish. There was also two sub-plot romances, and I really enjoyed them, as well. The childhood friend and his bully had their own plotlines, and I actually liked both a lot. I was a little unsure how it was going to end, but I liked it. I normally wouldn't like the “bully” character, but I think it was handled well here, and obvious to everyone his real feelings.

At the end, it felt like there needed to be more, like some of the minor characters needed more exploring. I might have also just wanted more.

I was surprisingly impressed with this volume, and now I want more.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!