MJ Review: Star

[Eric]

Title: Star
Mangaka: Keiko Konno
Originally Serialized in: (Frontier Works)
Genre: Yaoi
Licensed by: DMP
Price: $12.95/US

Sudou has a terrible reputation at work for being a love-‘em-and-leave-‘em seducer of the ladies, even though this seems at odds with his grumpy expression and rumpled lab coat. When his co-worker Hirokawa spots him one night playing with a street corner jazz band, Hirokawa is surprised by Sudou’s open and warm expression—one that quickly fades when Sudou spots Hirokawa. The businessman is not so easily put off however and begins to try and draw the reclusive Sudou out of his shell.

The strength of this story lies in its characters. Sudou’s personality is awkward and antisocial, which leads to most of the misunderstandings and difficulties at work. Hirokawa’s attempts to help Sudou learn the ways of people are sweetly gentle. He never shoves, only nudges and advises, showing Sudou where he is wrong without a hint of censure. Konno doesn’t skimp on the two main side characters either. Sasaki, a co-worker who dislikes Sudou, and Shinobu, the woman Hirokawa’s been casually sleeping with, are both rounded out over the course of the story, becoming more real as Sudou is better able to understand them.

As their story progresses, I enjoyed my time in Hirokawa and Sudou’s heads and hearts more and more. Hirokawa’s affection for Sudou is real and palpable. Even though he never thought he’d fall for a guy, Hirokawa doesn’t question it; he just allows himself to feel. Sudou’s confusion and loneliness are equally real. Not understanding the ways of the world and of love has left him adrift, and even though Hirokawa seems to be offering a lifeboat, Sudou is afraid to accept it for fear that he’ll lose his masculinity.

Konno’s art is in terrific form here. Her men are men—broad shouldered and mature. Their full lips and dark, expressive eyes give voice to the emotions they can’t speak. Her sex scenes are particularly sensitive. As there isn’t an unwilling party to the bed play, Hirokawa and Sudou’s physical relationship has a sensuality and romance that is sometimes missing from yaoi. From panel layouts to pacing, the story’s artwork is strong.

The problem lies in the dialog. Not being a person who reads Japanese, I can’t read the original to see if the problem lies with Konno’s word choice or the translator’s. Too much of the dialog, both spoken and thought, has meanings that are hard to grasp. It seems forced and stilted, though occasionally a clear passage will shine through. Luckily the art is strong enough to carry the greater weight of the story, but it is a shame to see a terrific tale brought down by word choice.

Reviewer: Snow Wildsmith
Proofer: Iliana
Editor: Lissa Pattillo