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This story is so sweet and beautiful. I loved it very much, and I can't wait to read the next volume.
The plot is MUCH deeper than what fans expect from YAOI, and is both artistic and intriguing. You WILL NOT regret adding this title to your collection. This title is FANTASTIC. The artwork is WAAAAAAY above what YAOI fans are used to, with not only beautiful boys, but whole frames that can truly be called art.
Darker than Same Cell Organism, but fluffier than Loveless, I think every mature reader will find a great read in Il Gatto Sul G. Riya will leave you wanting to adopt a teenage boy from your local pet shelter. Il Gatto Sul G is unique among yaoi titles in the fact that it demonstrates fantastic plot and artwork, as well as "lemon". The drawings are beautiful, and the characters are complex. It has a great balance of ideas, and a good emotional and intellectual depth for the genre.
Riya's "suitor" very much resembles what often passes for a yaoi "hero". The effect is dramatic rather than "fluffy", and successfully conveys not only Riya's vulnerability, but also his rage, obstinacy, and artistic drive. But it now becomes plain that the manga-ka is not interested in a quick fix. But he is only a college student; flawed, fallible, and in WAY over his head. His seemingly sympathetic cousin Saki shows up to push the plot along, drop tantalizing snippets of information, and behave enigmatically - turning this into a mystery in addition to everything else that is going on. The art is delicate and gorgeous, but deceptively so.
Considering the excellent potential of the story and the increasing seriousness of the subject matter, I rather wish this was not the case. In fact, it looks like we are in for a long, messy storyline. It still comes across more formal than naturalistic, but that seems now more the style of the book than a problem. It is rare for me to read a manga so grounded in the real world, where real problems (such as how to earn a living) are actually important to the story. Well, Volume 2 is longer, better written, darker, more intense, and the art is even more ravishing. But it is still a "yaoi" title, and as such a certain amount of sexual content per volume seems to be considered obligatory. Although fragile, he is no pitiable martyr, but a difficult and complex youth who "has his own pride". The story also examines Riya's relationship with his family, including his mentally unstable father in America.
One worry I had with the first issue was that the situation was so complicated that I felt a happy-feely ending would be painfully contrived. But his self-justifications for the assault in Book One (the "you really wanted it" shtick) seem intended as a form of psychological abuse designed to undercut Riya's self-respect and ability to defend himself, rather than a position the author has any sympathy with. On the one hand, we learn the level of commitment and extreme psychological stress it takes to be a first class violinist - but we learn also that Riya's specialized education has left him unfit to support himself any other way. My view is that the characters have enough problems without being contrived into exploitative situations for my supposed enjoyment. And rarer to read a title in DMP's "yaoi" lineup where traditional storytelling values such as attention to plot, character, and setting aren't being sacrificed for contrivance and fan-service. So there you go. The difficulties of Riya's position become even more apparent. This volume contains some dramatic developments in Riya's relationship with Atsushi, with his creepy sempai, and with his Other Self.
Still, I have tried over a dozen "DMP June" titles, "Yaoi" and otherwise, and this is EASILY the one most worth following. So far, Miyagi does an impressive job of maintaining story integrity in face of genre requirements, but I fear the story may in time fail to justify its darker themes. I assume that those reading this have read Volume 1 and want to know whether to continue. Atsushi is compassionate, deeply attached to Riya and longing to be of help to him. There was a tendency for the writing to be slightly stilted and clunky on occasion in Volume 1, but it flows much more smoothly here.
but we have had to fight as to gets to read it. what more can a mange reader want. I did buy if for her. good story and wonderful art.
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