Manga Review: White Brand

[Jason]

Title: White Brand
Mangaka: Youka Nitta
Originally Serialized in: (Houbunsha Co., Ltd.)
Genre: Yaoi
Licensed by: June (Digital Manga)
Rated: Mature (18+)
Price: $12.95/US

Youka Nitta has become somewhat infamous in yaoi circles since she was caught plagiarizing some of her art, but she remains a fan favorite for her gorgeous men and her steamy sex scenes. This collection of her early work was the fourth title published by her and the first compilation. The stories in it go from rough and awkward to interesting and unique, though none achieve the heights of storytelling that Nitta would reach later in her career.

The first two stories in the collection, “White Brand I” and “White Brand II,” are weak to the point of being painful. Cousins Izuru and Keshiki have been estranged since Keshiki’s father died. The young man was severely traumatized by his loss and now believes that only things that are white or pale are “clean” and good. Unfortunately this means Izuru’s dark skin and hair cause Keshiki to reject the cousin he once loved. There is little character development, so readers don’t really get a sense of why Izuru would love his cousin, who frankly comes off as crazy and someone to avoid.

The next story, “Teal End,” is better written and paced. It is about the son of a lacquer painting artist who is in love with his father’s non-Japanese apprentice. The story is sweet and light, with just a touch of angst. Unfortunately, that story is followed by “Hasta La Vista, Baby,” which is a complete mess from beginning to end. An actor living with two roommates must confront his feelings when he ends up caring for his baby nephew in preparation for a new role in a play. It seems fairly obvious that Nitta only wrote this story so that she could draw hot guys holding a cute baby. The plot veers from place to place and the characters are all jerks. I was so bored with it that I almost skipped over it completely.

Luckily that story is followed by two tales that are strong, interesting, romantic, and unique. “Exhibition Painting” tells the story of a young man who can always tell what people are thinking. When he takes in a young homeless man, their new relationship allows him to get past the lies of his life. After that one is the last story in the collection, my personal favorite, “One Size Fits All.” A young man who has a fetish for large women finds himself attracted to the extremely tall male model that moves into an apartment near his own. Fetish stories can be tricky to do well. Nitta uses a delicate touch with this one, fleshing out both characters just enough to make the story compelling.

Nitta’s art in this anthology is not quite up to the standards that her fans might expect. The elongated arms and legs and expressive eyes that she’s known for are there, but here she hasn’t quite mastered proportion. Heads are sometimes too small for bodies and necks can seem overly long. The smut that fans know from Nitta’s other work is nowhere to be found. The only sex scenes are in the last two stories and they are positively modest by the standards of Nitta’s later works.

Overall I’d recommend this collection for devout fans that must have everything of Nitta’s. It’s not, however, a good collection for readers who have never read her work, as nothing in here is high enough quality to show off her talents.

Reviewer: Snow Wildsmith
Proofed and Edited By Lissa Pattillo