JUNJO ROMANTICA Volume 1: (Yaoi) Paperback – October 10, 2006

I don't know why is was not advertised that it was not the official manga. I mean I still love it bc its one of my fav mangas, but I feel like it should've been stated that it was an unofficial print. I could be wrong though, and I still really like it

For those of you that are new to the yaoi manga genre, you should be aware that this particular genre of manga has only recently started to be widely translated and published in America; maybe for about the past 10 years - that is not very long ago considering that some of the original manga and anime series were making it over here as early as the 70's. That said, this series, first published in America in 2006, is one of the older yaoi releases that was available at the time.Over the years the Junjo Romantica Series has spawned several books (I think we're headed upwards of #13 at this point) and now has its own drama TV series. So as you can see, things have gone well.The first book has two sets of couples. The main couple revolves around Misaki and Usami (Usagi to his lover and friends = silly Japanese nick-name). Their relationship starts off with a not-so-welcome bang and slowly but surely develops into one of longing and unexpected affection. Don't be fooled though, this series wouldn't have been around for so long if Misaki (the Uke in denial) just caved in and took all the loving that Usagi (a true Seme in every way) had to give...Misaki puts up a good fight (or pretends to) and keeps you laughing at his attempts to convince himself that he's not gay; he just happens to have feeling for and enjoys sex with another man...heh.The second couple in the first few books (1-4 maybe?) is centered around two characters who exist and interact in the same world as Misaki and Usagi. The Uke, Hiroki (Hiro-san to his lover) is older and was childhood friends with Usagi-san. (For those that are familiar with yaoi plot set-ups...childhood friendship is almost always an indicator of potential one-sided love). The Seme, Nowaki, discovers Hiroki crying over his lost love one day and falls for him at first sight...despite being several years younger then Hiro-san Nowaki peruses his interests with the single mindedness of a true Seme (even though he is uneducated and less experienced) and eventually wins over the once frosty heart of Hiroki with his natural warmth and devotion. As this series progresses more characters and couples are added (all within the world of the original main characters), and I have found that I learn to love each pairing for their own reasons.Despite the 'over the top' lifestyle that Usagi has, most of the other characters are down to earth and have to deal with real world problems in their relationships. Nakamura sensei does a very good job of delivering lively and expressive characters. Her plot line for the first book was neither too serious nor was it overly humorous; I'd say it was just perfect for an introductory book to a longer series. As the books progress so does the plot and character development. Although I will say that she is a VERY funny artist and this is reflected in her chibi panels; you'll laugh for sure at some of Misaki's more dramatic reactions - I call them 'angry cat' moments. At the same time some of her panels are done with such grace and maturity that I found myself almost crying along with the characters in the book; the true mark of a good artist.Overall her art is not flowery or 'pretty' in a conventional way, but I enjoy it and have found that over time it has simply become the Nakamura Sensei style that I appreciate in her books. In the earlier books her sex scenes aren't very graphic (nothing you couldn't read on the bus or at the park) but she gets more 'adult themes' oriented in some of the more recently published books. Never fear though...the sexiness is still in the first book and despite not being very graphic it is indeed very mature and smokey! In my opinion she more than makes up for it with her plots and how deeply she can take the reader into the world of the book. As this series progresses you may find that these characters and their relationships really grow on you until you find yourself wanting them to be happy as if they were real people; and that, to me, is the best kind of story. Whether you consider yourself a veteran yaoi collector or are only starting to get into the genre I would urge you to add all of these books (in order...so that you understand all of the progress that's made) to your collection.

I am extremely pleased with the Speed, Packing and Condition the book arrived in and am EXCITED to dive right in. I admit it's a little different reading it from right to left lol...but after falling in love with the characters (especially Usagi and Misaki) and their world in the anime, I would of learned Japanese if I had to just to read this. My normal genre tends to lay with authors like Laurell K Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, Nalini Singh or Kim Harrison so this is a TOTAL first for me and I am already looking forward to buying the others in the future.

In preparation for teaching a university course on queer manga next year, I've been reading quite a few Boy's Love works (and other genres, such as yuri). Recommended by an undergrad, I read through Junjo Romantica without having yet seen the anime version. Volume 1 introduces two young male couples, aspiring college student Misaki and his tutor Akihiko Usami (with the older Usami in the role of the seme) and a similar couple, 17 year old dropout Nowaki and his tutor Hiro (with the older Hiro in the role of the uke). The plot points are rather thin, the characterization over-heated, and the drawing so exaggerated as to be nearly distorted. The line work is work-a-day, rough and slapdash, and any underlying compositional finesse is undermined by the seemingly indiscriminate use of harsh blacks, grays, and textural effects. Still, it has a jagged charm. The later work of silver age comic book artist Carmine Infantino comes to mind, with his oddly jutting chins and dizzying, flattened foreshortening, but Infantino's design sense is, by comparison, far superior by not being confusing to the eye, nor does Infantino obscure the visual storytelling with visual clutter as does Nakamura in the art throughout this manga.

Words cannot describe how much I love this manga series! I think it was the very first yaoi anime/manga I'd ever seen. I used to be really uncomfortable with homosexual content on TV or in books or whatever, but then I started reading yaoi and loved it! I'm the kind of girl who'd be annoyed at anything involving romance because of how cheesy and unrealistic the stories are. And I'm still not sure what really caught my interest in this because it's far from reality (maybe because it's because it involves two guys?), but I can't help but enjoy the storyline and the characters in it.It was shipped fast and came in good condition.

If you're really into your yaoi manga/anime, you can't go wrong with this. The series tells the tales of three boy x boy couples (Junjo Romantica, Junjo Egoist and Junjo Terrorist) and the rollercoaster ride of a time they all seem to have. Volume 1 introduces the first two couples (Misaki + Usagi and Hiro + Nowaki). Both stories have a great mix of comedy and romance and those lovey dovey bits we all adore :3. I do give this 5 stars but if I was to be really picky...I'm not a fan of the artwork, but the story soon draws you away from this. A must have (though do note that this is aimed at an older audience).

This is a must read for any yaoi or manga reader! The series is based on maleXmale relationships with interesting storylines that make you laugh and maybe a little tear in your eye!The first couple that appears is junjou romantica couple misaki and usami(aka usagi) misaki's reactions will definetly make you wet yourself as he experiences his first gay relationship with our oh so cool and calm minded usagi.Misaki is a economics student who reluctantly becomes usagi's eye of affection.Usagi san is a well known and award winning novelist who does yaoi books on the side which he includes details of his love affairs and fantasies with misaki.Of course poor misaki goes mental about it and it takes him time to figure his feelings for usagi but there are some interesting moments of course that make you wet yourself.Our second couple the junjou egoist couple nowaki and hiroki(hiro-san). Hiro-san is heart broken as he is in love with his childhood friend usagi-san. He suddenly bumps into nowaki who wants to be tutored by hiro-san but actually has fallen in love with him.Nowaki is a optimistic sweety that just wants to make hiro-san smile again.These two go through alot and get stronger from it but there are moments.....enough if you want the juice of it read the series, some of the moments with hiro-san and nowaki make you either want to cry or laugh your heart out.Our third couple the junjou terrorist couple has a smaller yet cute part of the series. Shinobu is a young man who suddenly falls in love with myagi a literature professor who tries to.... well tell shinobu hes not interested. Well shinobu thinks its destiny and is very persistent so please read and you will find out the whole story. Like the other couples these two will make you laugh till your ears pop.Well hope I havent ruined your reading pleasure but you wont know the whole and proper story till you read it and trust me this series is worth the money, there is even an anime out but its still to be realeased on DVD as its only just finnished being aired on Japanese TV.All three couples are interlinked with different charcters so it all adds to one big storyline. Please read the books, I have the first 5 volumes so far and its awesome!

This is the first of a range of the Junjo anime books, I've bought for my daughter, who's a fan of anime.Have bought several others in the range, especially Junjo Romantica.

Omg how could I not love it, it's better than the anime and is a little more graphic <3

Came much early than expected, plus the book was in perfect condition, really do enjoy reading, if this stuff is your thing then its a must!