Brilliant Blue, Volume 2

Creator: Saemi Yorita
U.S. publisher: Digital Manga
ISBN: 9781569701003
Released: August 2009
Original release: 2005

After reading the first volume of Saemi Yorita’s Brilliant Blue I knew I would want to finish Nanami and Shouzo’s story. Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to read a review copy of the second and final book. Brilliant Blue, Volume 2 was originally published in Japan in 2005, a year after the first volume came out. English readers were lucky to have both books of the series released only a few months apart in 2009 by Digital Manga under their newer DokiDoki imprint. While I wasn’t blown away by the first book, it was still a solid start to the series and I enjoyed it—I cared enough about the characters to want to see how things turned out for them. In addition, the small town aspect of the story continued to appeal to me, having grown up in a rural village myself.

Initially, Shouzo returned to his hometown to take care of the family construction business while his father recovered from a back injury. He had no intention of staying any longer than that required. Of course, he didn’t intend on falling in love with Nanami, either. And it turns out that Nanami has become quite fond of Shouzo as well. So he’s decided to stick around, at least for now, but realizes pursuing Nanami will be difficult at best. Living in a small town he knows their relationship will be impossible to keep secret from the neighbors, let alone their families. Already people are beginning to wonder why the two men spend so much of their time together outside of work.

In some ways, Shouzo’s behaviour towards Nanami is disconcertingly reminiscent to that of Douwaki from the first volume, something that is even remarked upon by another character. Fortunately he’s not nearly as selfish as Douwaki and truly cares for Nanami and his well-being. One thing that Yorita continues to nail spot on is what it’s like to live in a small town where everyone knows your business and rumors can spread like wildfire. Also stressed is the importance of family. Nanami’s relationship with his brothers is particularly well done and Shouzo’s parents are just great. But being so close to one’s family can also be problematic at times. While Yorita does a fantastic job with the portrayal of real relationships beyond just the main couple, I don’t find her artwork to be singularly exceptional. Which is not to say that it’s bad, because it’s not. In fact, she has some very nice and effective panel and page layouts that convey the emotional elements of the story quite well and her chibis are incredibly cute but not sickeningly so.

While technically the second volume of Brilliant Blue could be read apart from the first, it really works better as a continuation of the story rather than a stand alone work. This is particularly evident in the development of Nanami and Shouzo’s relationship—without considering what has come before it would feel rushed. Even so, I was surprised to see how quickly their families accepted them as a couple (I will admit that was glad though). Although the main story concludes rather suddenly, a lengthy side story finishes out the volume. It’s actually quite nice, taking place about six months later when Nanami and Shouzo’s relationship is more firmly established and matured. Once again, I wasn’t blown away by Brilliant Blue but it is a heartfelt story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Yorita has a knack for creating emotionally authentic relationships for her characters.

Thank you to Digital Manga for providing a digital copy of Brilliant Blue, Volume 2 for review.

Brilliant Blue, Volume 1

Creator: Saemi Yorita
U.S. publisher: Digital Manga
ISBN: 9781569700990
Released: May 2009
Original release: 2004

Yaoi and boys’ love manga are fairly inundated with school romances, which I do enjoy, but sometimes I want to read something else. So, I was happy to discover Saemi Yorita’s two volume story Brilliant Blue which is not only about construction workers, but takes place in a rural small town, also something not often seen in the genre (at least in my experience). I believe that Brilliant Blue is currently the only title by Yorita available in English. Originally published in Japan in 2004, it was released under Digital Manga’s DokiDoki imprint in 2009. I’ve seen DokiDoki described as “The Gateway from Shojo to Yaoi” and Brilliant Blue‘s first volume fits this imprint nicely by focusing more on relationships rather than on sex.

Shouzo Mitani swore he wasn’t coming back to his hometown until he was at least 30, but when his father is hospitalized for a back injury he returns home to help run the family construction business. Not much has changed since he’s been away except for his old classmate Nanami—the once chubby, dim-witted kid has grown up to be quite the looker. He’s still a little socially awkward and has a difficult time reading, but Nanami is brilliant when it comes to numbers and electrical work. Everyone seems to get along well with him. Shouzo comes to value Nanami’s skills and friendship to a much greater extent then he ever did before he left town. Nanami, too, has grown close to Shouzo, becoming quite fond of him, but even still Nanami is trying to hid a painful secret and it’s starting to take its toll.

At first, I found Nanami to be annoying although by the end of the first volume of Brilliant Blue he was endeared to me. Just like the people in his hometown, I couldn’t help but like him and want to look out for him. Even Shouzo quickly succumbs to his charm. Their relationship develops slowly, but nicely. Nanami is easily manipulated and influenced by other people but Shouzo realizes this and is careful how he approaches Nanami; he is genuinely concerned for his well-being. Both men are very honest although in different ways: Nanami is innocent and takes things at face value while Shouzo has the tendency to just blurt out whatever is on his mind.

Yorita has done many things well with the first volume of Brilliant Blue. While remaining consistent in character design, the style of the artwork changes to suit the feel of the story—it is amusing when silly, serious when called for, and romantic when needed. Although I didn’t find the artwork to be particularly stunning, it was very effective and conveyed the story’s emotions quite well. Yorita also captures perfectly the sort of claustrophobia that can come from living in a small, close-knit community where everyone knows your business, sometimes even before you do. (I understand exactly where Shouzo is coming from, having grown up in a rural village myself.) I enjoyed the first volume of Brilliant Blue and found the story to be rather charming. Shouzo and Nanami’s relationship doesn’t happen in a vacuum and the two must consider the reactions of their families, friends, and the wider community—something Shouzo in particular is painfully aware of. I am looking forward to reading the second and final volume to see just where the pair end up.

Thank you to Digital Manga for providing a digital copy of Brilliant Blue, Volume 1 for review.