Sea View
Story and Art: Ayumi Kano
Published by the Juné Imprint of Digital Manga, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1-56970-584-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-56970-584-1
Review by Linda Yau
Every year from when he was a young boy, Kei Tsuwabuki contacted his estranged famous architect grandfather, and would get response. It wasn’t until one year, the letters stop, so he journeys to his grandfather’s island home to find him. Upon arriving, he meets Michiru Bangi,a student at the school his grandfather taught at. Apparently, there is more than the eye can see, so now Kei must find out what secrets Michiru has with his grandfather.
Following the title story, there is a second story: Thou of the Blossoms. This is a story of photographer Sayatsugu Isumi and Akira Ichimura, a young heir. Akira is heir to a prestigious garden that Isumi got exclusive permission to photography for his upcoming show, but what would happen if someone else trespasses to take a picture of that garden?
Kris was right in her earlier review, that this book sure didn’t feel like a yaoi graphic novel. I looked at the rating for YA and 16+, and thought that this book makes a pretty sweet bl-possibility, and probably the people who rated this book underestimated the maturity of adolescents now.
I like Thou of the Blossoms more, because I felt that there was a story potential there for a more steamier continuation, whereas Sea View had a mild perspective, with a very incomplete ending. Still I would definitely recommend this title for a beginner Yaoi reader.