Feb 20, 2013
There were some good moments, but most of the time the story and dialogue seemed to be just a vehicle in which to arrive at those moments. I think I need to blame half my discontent on the translation; some lines were stilted and felt like they were chosen from a list of “acceptable translations of X_concept.” On the other hand, since there were so many subplots–and this would be the mangaka’s transgression–the moments seemed to butt up against each other, squeezing all the air out of the breathing room. That isn’t to say that the story didn’t flow, but it was tightly packed. And
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I believe Ogasawara-sensei knew that which is why she compensated in what I think is one of the funniest ways. To make sure all of the plot points were hit within her allotted page-count she let the multi-page sex sequences do double duty. There is very little of the usual, “lift your hips,” “it’s all the way in,” “you’re already like this.” Also missing in action is the standard rain of “ahs” and “nns.” Instead, we witness full-on conversations about promises, stage performances, and former lovers. Or my favorite, “That’s why I don’t want you to overdose and die.” Yes, talk dirty to me.
Just beneath the multitude of story elements is a decent story, one that I rather enjoyed and would have enjoyed more if it weren’t for all the cramming. I think Virtuoso could have benefited from a second volume. I wonder if there actually is one. There is a title listed on Ogasawara-sensei’s MU page, Jounetsu no Virtuoso. The characters on the cover look like Kenzo and Lorenzo and there’s the title, of course. Also, Virtuoso was originally published in 2005 by one Japanese publisher and then republished by another in 2008; the same publisher release Jounestu in 2008 as well. These things lead me in the direction of believing that it is a continuation, but neither title is listed as a “Related Series” on the other’s detail page. Does anyone know? Either way, it is a decent story that given 25 to 50 more pages could have been an easy 4.0.
Feel free to read the full review on my site.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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