Manga Review: Blue Sheep Reverie Volume One

[Jason]

Title: Blue Sheep Reverie
Volume: One
Mangaka: Makoto Tateno
Originally Serialized In: Bessatsu Hana to Yume (2000) | Karen (2006)
Genre: Yaoi, Shojo
Licensed by: June (Digital Manga)
Price: $12.95/US

After the woman he loves, Maria, is brutally murdered, young Kai vows to find out what happened to her. To that end, he makes himself indispensable to Lahti Bara, one of the Four Kings who run the Sarte Group, a powerful organization in the city. Kai will do anything to find out information, but how far will he go when he finds out that Lahti is gay?

This volume is a companion to Tateno’s series Steal Moon and exists in the same slightly science fiction world. As this was originally published as a shojo title, there isn’t a ton of romance between Kai and Lahti, but the emotions are there nonetheless. Tateno builds her story slowly, presenting the details of her world, the main players, and the all-important intrigue.

The secondary characters are not neglected here either. Several of them are seemingly unimportant at first, but by the end are becoming essential to the plot. Tateno doesn’t let them take over though. She keeps her plot moving steadily, which helps keep it real even during the less believable parts.

Tateno’s art is not classically beautiful. She favors sharply pointed chins and eyes that can even make male characters look too girly. She has a good feel for layout, however, especially in the action scenes. She uses a good amount of screen tone, but manages to keep them from overwhelming or darkening scenes that shouldn’t be darkened.

Fans of Tateno’s work, especially those who love her detective series Yellow, will find much to enjoy here, though there is less humor than in her other works. Kai and Lahti are intriguing characters and the desire to know what will become of them, and any possible relationship, will keep readers eager for the next volume.

Reviewer: Snow Wildsmith
Proofed and Edited By Lissa Pattillo