A Gentleman's Kiss (Japanese: 爪先にキス, Hepburn: Tsumasaki ni Kiss) is a Japanese manga 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.
| A Gentleman's Kiss | |
 Cover of the first volume of A Gentleman's Kiss as published by Tokuma Shoten | |
| 爪先にキス (Tsumasaki ni Kiss) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Yakuza, Yaoi |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Shinri Fuwa |
| Published by | Tokuma Shoten |
| English publisher | |
| Magazine | Chara Selection |
| Original run | August 25, 2005 – April 25, 2006 |
| Volumes | 2 |
Plot
editHomura 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.[1][2]
Release
editA Gentleman's Kiss was first published in the Japanese manga magazine Chara Selection from August 25, 2005 to April 25, 2006.[3] The manga series was adapted into English, and released in North America by Digital Manga Publishing. Both volumes were released between August, and November 2008.[4][5] In addition to the two volume series, a Drama CD was also released in April, 2006.[6]
Reception
editDanielle 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.[7] Rachel Bentham, writing for Active Anime, enjoyed the art and story, saying that the "men are handsome, the romance dangerous".[8] Katherine Farmar, writing for Comics Village, compared the premise to Romeo and Juliet, but appreciated that this was only the premise, and that the story became more complex with a love triangle with "uncertainty and ambiguity".[9] Leroy Douresseaux of Comic Book Bin enjoyed the lack of a seme-uke dynamic, and enjoyed the stubborn strength of the characters.[10]
References
edit- ^ "A Gentleman's Kiss Vol. 1". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ "A Gentleman's Kiss Vol. 2". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ 爪先にキス(1) (in Japanese). Chara Selection. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ^ "A Gentleman's Kiss Vol. 1". Juné Books. Digital Manga, Inc. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ "A Gentleman's Kiss Vol. 2". Juné Books. Digital Manga, Inc. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ 爪先にキスCD (in Japanese). Chara Selection. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ^ Van Gorder, Danielle (August 12, 2008). "A Gentlemen's Kiss Vol. #01". Mania. Demand Media. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- ^ Bentham, Rachel (October 12, 2008). "A Gentleman's Kiss Vol. 1". Active Anime. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ Farmar, Katherine (November 10, 2008). "A Gentleman's Kiss Volume 1". Comics Village. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ Douresseaux, Leroy (December 5, 2008). "A Gentleman's Kiss 2 (Yaoi)". Comic Book Bin. Toon Doctor. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
External links
edit- Official website at Chara (magazine)
- A Gentleman's Kiss at Digital Manga Publishing