Aug 10, 2016
This series by Narise Konohara has 3 major works, followed by several short stories. They go as in order as follows:
1. In The Box (Hako no Naka)
2. The Fragile Swindler
3. Out of the Cage
Short stories:
4. And Then...
5. Rainy Day
6. Field of Silver Grass
...
7. Summer Vacation
Hako no Naka is placed in a Japanese prison setting, which was interesting in itself, with highly specific rules set down even to how you're to lie on your futons to sleep (it made me curious enough to even look up some documentaries on the stuff). What struck me was how very realistic and natural a lot of the story's progression felt, especially compared to other BL (Boys' Love) media I've seen. Although Douno expresses his discomfort I, thankfully, didn't hear too much of him mentally arguing the whole "I'm not gay...but I like ___" tirade that I've seen other BL media do. His behaviour towards his situation and the outward response from others to his and Kitagawa's relationship was also actually pretty natural.
Out of the Cage was especially apparent in using a couple plot cliches to move its storyline along, but I suppose that there was enough foreshadowing in this that at least made it believable. Other than that there wasn't too much to break my immersion; I was impressed, considering that happens a lot when I read romance. There is sex - but it's not done too unreasonably.
The painterly cover art is gorgeous - for Hako no Naka, at least. I've seen another cover for it and one for Out of the Cage that both looked very anime-esque. Other than that there is little to no other art for this series, which personally I now see as a benefit - aside from vague descriptions of Douno and Kitagawa most of it is left to your imagination - perhaps it may be too bold in saying, but it does bring out the possibility that Douno, at least, and Kitagawa, could exist as real men.
My personal opinion of this dips with some of the characters. Kitagawa had an extraordinary childhood - but at times I was wondering if that was enough justification for his actions. His initial infatuation with the very "average" Douno and intensive pursuit - for the most part their relationship was extremely one-sided, and only the ending of the final main work and the short stories really redeem this on Douno's end. The most prominent heterosexual relationships in the story are also the most broken - aside from Douno's sister, pretty much all of the main women in this series are seen in a very negative light, which was bothersome (can't BL works have more women that are a) great characters b) aren't old/young/related with/romantically involved with the main characters and c) still play a huge part in the story?)
I may have more thoughts running in my head with this series but I truly enjoyed reading Hako no Naka and its subsequent works. There were some touching moments in this series - Douno's depression in prison, the realization of his love, the last two short stories especially, among other things -
Some minor complaints, but really, this is one of the best BLs I've read. In context of its genre I'd give it a 10, without context as a written light novel series I'd give it an 8.5. A definite must-read for BL lovers, proving that well-written works within this often-looked down upon genre do exist. Thank you, Nostalgia on 9th Avenue, for providing the beautiful translation.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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