What's your opinion about this manga?
| It's my turn to post the special read this time around! My pick is the very much over looked & under loved Fake series by the manga-ka, Sanami Matoh! Fake –a story about two New York City detectives, Randy ‘Ryo’ Maclean and Dee Laytner who are partners at the 27th Precinct. Randy ‘Ryo’ Maclean, a Japanese-American, is new to the precinct and finds himself partnered with Dee Laytner, an overly confident and cocky American who likes nothing better to do than tease and sexually molest Randy (Ryo) on a daily basis!  From the first day Randy arrived at the 27th Precinct he has had nothing but trouble, his new partner, Dee Laytner has no sense of 'personal space' and insists on calling him by his Japanese name, Ryo. While on their first investigation the two meet a street punk named Bikky. When Dee and Bikky are kidnapped, it is up to Ryo to come to their rescue and all on the first day on the job! It soon becomes apparent that Ryo has taken a shine to Bikky and offers to take him in, much to Dee’s protesting. Which brings us back to the 'trouble' that is Dee, who unashamedly molests Ryo by kissing him and in public no less! And Ryo isn’t exactly receptive to Dee’s advances; in fact, he doesn’t really know how to respond or where to turn... The prime focus, of course, is on the developing attraction between Dee and Ryo who also find themselves involved in in-depth cases that just so happen to delve in each characters' past showing us how they manage to struggle with those memories and what effect it has on their relationship and others that are close to them. Dee and Ryo –the relationship between these characters is what really draws you in, Dee is very charismatic, confident, boisterous and proudly bisexual... whereas Ryo is more serious and sensitive a polar opposite personality wise. This could be considered a cliché pushy seme-passive-uke relationship, but Ryo is anything but and defiantly no "Sandra Dee", which coincidently is a standing joke throughout the manga. Dee also has a somewhat softer side, which comes into play with both Ryo and Bikky (Ryo's foster son). You will definitely be asking yourself so many questions by the end of the first volume— When/how would they get together? Will they do more than kiss? Can Dee convince Ryo, a supposed "straight" guy, that love between two men is possible; enough to break what protective wall Ryo has built around his heart? Obviously they are both attracted to one another, but only Dee is more than willing to show it. I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense, the thrill of action and especially the angst! Needless to say, after reading the first volume, I just had to read the remaining six volumes just to quell my need for more of Dee and Ryo. Sanami Matoh's artwork does take some getting used to and may not be to everyone's taste, especially as it is not the typical style most attribute with this particular genre. But I think her style is unique, her characters are well drawn and clean and it definitely grows on you the more you continue to read and connect with the characters. Fake happens to be one of my favourite shounen-ai titles, and one of the most romantic BL manga I have ever read. If in the past you’ve been put off by Tokyopop’s horrid header text "Meet Ryo and Dee, two New York City cops with an attraction for action- and each other!" or even passed it by because of the artwork or that it focuses on "gay cops" in America, then how about giving it a much needed second chance? It isn’t just a story about sex, the sex comes later, it is a story about two men who go from being partners, to friends, to lovers—about learning to believe in others, be true to yourself and let go of those "Fake" feelings. Fake OVA & Fake II (Second Season) (may contain spoilers) Club Classification: Uke: Manly, equal relationship Explicitness: shounen-ai through out the 7 volumes, soft to average explicitness between volumes 6 & 7 Please feel free to let all of us hear what your opinion is on the Fake series! |
Geisha_XDec 6, 2009 3:32 AM
| I have to confess I have been planning to read this but the art is exactly why I haven't. From what I saw the second season of the manga has a somewhat different--and better--art, I'll have to look forward to that. On the other hand, the story sounds really interesting; I think I have read only one manga about the partner relationship between cops and BL, and that was from Sadahiro Mika, so this, being shounen-ai/soft yaoi, must be quite different, more focused on the developing of their feelings right? I'll come back with my toughts when I read it :D |
Queen2408 said: I have to confess I have been planning to read this but the art is exactly why I haven't. From what I saw the second season of the manga has a somewhat different--and better--art, I'll have to look forward to that. I was the same at first, the artwork was what put me off too~ but I soon got used to it, if only because the story and the characters kept me interested. It was only on the second time of reading it that I really could appreciate the art as well as the captivating story. Yes, the second season Sanami Matoh's artwork takes a 180 turn! A lot of the Fake fans on Livejournal actually think differently, that the art has changed them to much... I actually don't mind the change in art syle. Queen2408 said: On the other hand, the story sounds really interesting; I think I have read only one manga about the partner relationship between cops and BL, and that was from Sadahiro Mika, so this, being shounen-ai/soft yaoi, must be quite different, more focused on the developing of their feelings right? I'll come back with my toughts when I read it :D I love Buddy System/XI, and you're right the stories are completely different. Fake does focus more on Dee/Ryo's growing feelings and friendship and of course love. |
| Fake is classic BL. <3 I've been reading her stuff... for a long time. Starting with Fake, continuing with @Full Moon.. I've liked her distinct art style the whole time. It's been a few years since I read it, but I liked how the relationship was allowed to develop. They actually felt like people and cops, not just guys the manga is setting up to get it on in the final chapter like many BL works seem to do. G Defend is another cop (sorta) title like that, filled with actual charaterization. :) Fake is definitely a title I have and will continue to revisit. |
| I love FAKE and it's one of my favorite BL titles EVER. I won't consider it as a masterpiece though. It's good, but not on that level. Still, FAKE managed to make me feel the butterflies that recent BL (and even yaoi) titles can't - there's the simplicity in the story, plus the fact that it doesn't focus on snogging (or sex, but then again this is just BL). It was a long, long, frustrating road before I finally managed to sigh in relief and then squeal. Which is good. Another thing I loved would be the setting up of the supporting cast. They all just grow on you. |
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| I was put off my the art at first as well, but just a few chapters in and I was hooked. I like the fact that the story has many serious relationships outside of the romantic relationship and it doesn't seem as if those characters are just stuck in there for show. Fake is one of my guilty pleasures when it comes to fanfiction as well. |
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| Thank you guys for all your comments on the series! I was hoping for more... but at least we got lots of poll hits! shinkeikaku said: Fake is classic BL. <3 Fake is definitely a title I have and will continue to revisit. I am in total agreement with you on this! neko11lover said: FAKE managed to make me feel the butterflies that recent BL (and even yaoi) titles can't - there's the simplicity in the story, plus the fact that it doesn't focus on snogging (or sex, but then again this is just BL). It was a long, long, frustrating road before I finally managed to sigh in relief and then squeal. Which is good. That's why I can never find a good romantic shounen-ai story anymore... I always compare it to Fake and then end up feeling let down at the end. I know! It took them a while to get there, but it was totally worth the wait! <3 KellyK said: I was put off my the art at first as well, but just a few chapters in and I was hooked. Fake is one of my guilty pleasures when it comes to fanfiction as well. That was exactly why I put off reading it for a while, and as soon as I read the first act I was hooked just like you said! Fake!fanfiction is also my obsession, I hardly read from any other fandom I like, but Fake always makes my top 5 most read fiction! |
| I think FAKE is one of the picturebook examples of classic yaoi that actually really work. It's a bit older and the art is not everyones cup of tea, but the story and the characters make up for it. I liked the way romance and action were mixed here and believe that this is what makes Fake still not feel outdated. And I also liked the secondary characters. The romance for Bicky was at one point almost as important for me as the one between Dee and Ryo. It is more than yaoi I would say, more like a bigger story that has a yaoi part. And thanks for the hint with the fan fiction - I haven't read any Fake ones yet, but I'll have a look about for sure and try some out. |
| Any particular fanfiction stories worth linking? :3 |
Geisha_X said: And I also liked the secondary characters. The romance for Bicky was at one point almost as important for me as the one between Dee and Ryo. It is more than yaoi I would say, more like a bigger story that has a yaoi part. I have to agree with you at first I didn't care much about Bikky, but he grew on me and his relationship with Cal is adorable! I'm also an avid fan of Drake/JJ and Diana/Berkeley. shinkeikaku said: Any particular fanfiction stories worth linking? :3 Some of my favourite series fics: Grumpy Demon (Fake in Love series), Brit Columbia (Fake the first year series), Swordy (Crash and Burn series), and Ai no Kusabi Fake style AU; (Chained to You) fav one-shots: moontatoo(various one-shots, and pairings), Lady Feather (Various), Drake's Crazy Day, Photograph, Proper Definitions, Spaghetti, The Way I Want You, Through the Wire, Wrapping Paper An Advent Fic Some of these fics are NC-17+ |
| Thanks, I'll check them out. :) |
| Just finished it..That was a nice read btw. This wasn't only about BL, although I must say I got tired of the "intrusions" after a while haha. |
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