is a Japanese

manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...

written and illustrated by Shinri Fuwa. First serialized in Chara Selection, the manga was later adapted and released in North America by Digital Manga Publishing. The adaptation received mostly positive reception by reviewers.

Plot

Homura Yasobe is a young, successful businessman who seems to have it all—good looks, wealth, and a future as the head of his father's Yakuza faction. However, he hides a secret: he's in a secret relationship with Touji Karasuma, the fierce and ambitious heir to a rival gang. Despite the immense risks involved, the two continue their forbidden romance, setting the stage for a thrilling story that blends elements of "Romeo and Juliet" with the perilous world of the Yakuza.

Release

A Gentleman's Kiss was first published in the Japanese

manga magazine are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics an ...

Chara Selection from August 25, 2005 to April 25, 2006. The manga series was adapted into English, and released in North America by

Digital Manga Publishing Digital Manga is a California-based publishing company that licenses and releases Japanese manga, anime, and related merchandise in the English language. Digital Manga also owns and operates eManga, a digital publishing site for manga and l ...

. Both volumes were released between August, and November 2008. In addition to the two volume series, a

Drama CD Radio drama (or audio drama, audio play, radio play, radio theatre, or audio theatre) is a dramatised, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine ...

was also released in April, 2006.

Reception

Danielle Van Gorder from Mania.com described the art as "interesting, bold and very assured", and felt that although the story had many cliches, it was "executed well enough" to make it feel fresh. Van Gorder felt that in places, the characterisation was too subtle. Rachel Bentham, writing for Active Anime, enjoyed the art and story, saying that the "men are handsome, the romance dangerous". Katherine Farmar, writing for Comics Village, compared the premise to ''

Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...

'', but appreciated that this was only the premise, and that the story became more complex with a

love triangle A love triangle is a scenario or circumstance, usually depicted as a rivalry, in which two people are pursuing or involved in a romantic relationship with one person, or in which one person in a romantic relationship with someone is simultaneo ...

with "uncertainty and ambiguity". Leroy Douresseaux of Comic Book Bin enjoyed the lack of a seme-uke dynamic, and enjoyed the stubborn strength of the characters.

References

External links

Official website
at Chara (magazine)
A Gentleman's Kiss
at Digital Manga Publishing {{DEFAULTSORT:Gentleman's Kiss 2005 manga Drama anime and manga Digital Manga Publishing titles Tokuma Shoten manga Yaoi anime and manga