Animania

Of course, any one who regularly reads Animania knows I do love my yaoi. I must admit, I've found myself sometimes getting bored, though, as a lot of stories, particularly one-shots and two-shots, seem to follow a basic formula and use cookie-cutter characters. After reading a good review of it on AnimeOnDVD, I decided to pick up the two-volume Vanilla series written by Riyu Yamakami. The review gave some indications that this one might be a bit of a break from the "same old same old." It was originally released in 1998, which may explain why its a bit different from some of the stuff coming out today, but on to the review.

Vanilla introduces seventeen year old high school student Ichiru Morio who finds him world turned a bit upside down as he comes to realize that he is homosexual through his strangely growing love for his teacher Yoshitaka Saeki. Saeki is like the worse person for a first love in that he is very cold and somewhat cruel. Ichiru accidentally finds himself hiding behind a desk while Saeki has sec with another male student. Saeki sees him, but is unbothered and toys with Saeki after the other student leaves. Ichiru finds himself confused, hurting, and lonely as Saeki blows hot and cold. Even when Ichiru's feelings finally seem to get through, he can't be sure if Saeki truly feels anything back or if Saeki is just indulging in another one of his strange whims.

I really enjoyed this two volume series and it certainly met my hopes for being different. I like that Ichiru doesn't just quickly jump into the "okay, I love a guy, let's get it on" bandwagon that is often seen in these series. He genuinely struggles with his feelings and his growing realization that he's "different" and even then needs someone to help point it out before he finally comes to see he is gay and to accept it. His reactions to Saeki's hot/cold mannerisms may seem over the top, but certainly is in keeping with the way some might feel when they are so hurt and torn and feeling lost. I think Yamakami did a great job of crafting Saeki's complex character and balancing between having him be seem like a total jackass and being an emotionally awkward and thrown for a look by his reactions to Ichiru. The second volume is a little weaker than the first in that it focuses a bit much on Yajima, Saeki's butler, and Kazuki, the student Saeki was having sex with that Ichiru saw. It wasn't too bad, though, and Yajima is a very interesting character, though I'd rather those two have been given their own volume so it could be better developed. DMP's release is beautiful, as always, and Yamakami's art is well-done with distinctive characters, good details, and a great job showing Saeki's often subtle emotions.

Rating: A-