Ok People…
This is going to be short and sweet, I have even added links, so you can go explore and enjoy.
While I have been reading manga, anime, comic and other graphic books for a long time only few have ever actually reach my keeper shelf list.
I started off with comics as most people do so I had my years with the Archie comics and from there I moved on to the DC set of heroes and heroine. Personally I have always been attracted to the baddies and over the years I have enjoyed the antics of Veronica, Poison Ivy, The Joker and other such dastardly people.
When I found Yaoi I developed a different kind of love for this type of reading material. Firstly there is the graphic which can range from sketch art to solid shape or more flourish styles and I am fascinated by it all and sometimes go out of my way to find the more elaborate style offerings like Crimson Spell.
If you have never read yaoi before the writers and illustrators have gotten the sexual tension present in each books down to a fine art. There are loads of yaoi books that I don’t particularly care for, whether because of the plot or weak characters but most have a few scenes that normally leave me with a smutty little grin on my face and it’s all down to the sexual tension.
The mandate that I was given by Kris was to list my sort of top 5-10 manga, anime, comic with no specific to genre. As this is a m/m site I will mention just a few that are definitely a firm favourite of mine.
Twi-harders who are into the yaoi scene – you will love this one.. The plot is not so much about sex but the small and sometime unsteady steps that make up a new relationship. I had great fun reading this one.
6…Only the Ringer knows – Kannagi Satoru
I adore this series, it’s one of those series that follow the main protags through not only physical but emotional development over a period of time and I have collected all the books over the years…
Some rather intense characters are in this one.
- Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Lonely Ring Finger: Released March 2006
- Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Left Hand Dreams of Him: Released July 2006
- Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Ring Finger Falls Silent: Released October 2006
- Only the Ring Finger Knows: The Ring Will Confess His Love: Released June 10, 2009
5… Private Prince – Eiri Asato
Matsuno Kaoru works for a department store that sells very elegant men’s clothing. At this department store, there is a mannequin named Mister Veirne that brings about good business to the store. Strangely enough, Kaoru begins to notice how life-like Mister Veirne really is…
Just read it, even on re-read it’s still bloody good.
4… Crimson Spell
Already featured in the series here. A fantasy based yaoi that has a little but of everything to satisfy even the most scrupulous of fantasy connoisseur.
3… Junjou Romantica
Already featured in the series here. Be prepared to sink into this series and it wont let you go that easily.
2… Ai No Kusabi (The Space Between) – Rieko Yoshihara
I found this book when I was into a whole lot of spec fiction, the story is set in a futuristic society and the draw of the book for me was the beautifully drawn characters and the structure of the world. There is romance, angsty moments, backstabbing unrequited lust and loadsssss of sexual tension – and this was all nicely wrapped up in a world that I loved and was not afraid or ashamed to submerge myself into.
A must read.
1… Batman
*****
Well, I know what I will be reading next based on EH’s recommendations. What about you?
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
Still giggling over Broke-Bat Mountain…
I own How To Seduce A Vampire and completely agree that it's fabulous. As for the other recommendations, I know what I'm buying next. Great post EH. And thank you for doing this series Kris, it's so good. It's awesomesauce too.
@Chris…
No giggling at the Broke Bat Mountain…. it's where all the cool stuff happens..
🙂
@Mary….
Yup another lover of the Vamps…. Yeah..
Let me know what you think of Only The Ring Finger – it's simply but it's really is one of my fav's…
🙂
EH: Thanks for the terrific recs, EH. I'll definitely be trying How To Seduce A Vampire and Private Prince.
Ages ago Ingrid recommended Ai No Kusabi to me and then Tish sent me the anime adaptation of it. I liked it very much. Very different, but so good.
Cheers again, EH, for taking the time to do this! *smooches & snuggles*
Mary: “And thank you for doing this series Kris, it's so good. It's awesomesauce too.”
We have mutual awesomesauceness. LOL.
I'm getting as much out of this series as everyone else. Some really terrific new reads. It's great. 🙂
Kris, what the hell are you doing awake?! It's way too early for you to be up.
Heh, my veri word is mensa.
Chris: Insomnia. 😦 I'm hoping that picking on Kassa on Twitter though will make me feel better (gr?) enough to go back to bed.
Woe. 😦 I hope that does the trick for you!
@kris..
Thanks for having me – I actually had fun digging through my books to find these….
Which naturally had me doing re-reads…
Yaoi re-reads are so much fun….
E.H>
Oh some of these look positively delicious. Thanks for the heads up. 🙂
And Batman – definitely a man's man. 🙂
Haha Batman you dirty devil you 😉
@Tracy..
you are definately in for a treat….Delicious is not the word.
And Batman – definitely a man's man.
On so many levels…
🙂
@Blodeuedd..
**wiggles eyebrow at the innocent girl***
🙂
Broke Bat Mountain??? Oh my…
I used to be so into yaoi as a high school girl…now…not so much. Mainly because I can't find any good ones that don't involve cheesy teenage angst or blubbering pink-haired ukes.
*sigh*
Broke-Bat Mmoutain… I'm not giggling EH, honest 🙂
So many great sounding books. I raced off to the swap sheet and was squeeing when I realized Crimson Wind and The Ring Fingers Knows are both on it. And I so like the sound of Ai No Kusabi….am tempted to buy the first one just to try it 🙂 Is it novel or anime?
Kris – love this post series. You're awesome! And I hope you have long and sweet dreams tonight!
Thank you so much EH!
Grrrr! Book Depository has volumes 2-5 😦 *sulks*
Any other suggestions on where to look please?
Orannia: Try Anime Castle. They supply Amazon.
Orannia: And thanks for your wishes for a good night's sleep. Here's hoping. 🙂
Great post, EH, and thanks for the recs, especially the vampire one which sounds really interesting.
I was laughing at the Broke-Bat Mountain thing too :).
Kris: Hope you got some sleep :(.
@VC…
OH god – Yaoi in high school… It was during my high school years that I learn the dark art of hiding books within books and it was also the time my gran taught me to sew clothe book covers..
She knew I was not going to stop reading them…
Crimson Spell and Ai No Kusabi should do you right…. They actually have a pretty decent plot, stunning art work and they will both have you going through a range of emotions…
🙂
@Orannia
Let me know if you have not found them.
I orginally had this read to me and it is awesome in the pure form (Japanese) – It was orignally a novel…
In Japan this book actually has cult status across yaoi, sci-fi and spec fic genre…
One word of warning – Make sure you actually read the book before you watch the screen adaptation – you will miss so much…
Enjoy 🙂
@Jenre…
You girls are laughing at the Bat cave – do you know how much naughty things happen on them there mountains…
I hope you enjoy these books that I love as well…
🙂
@Kris..
Put the book away and go to bed now…
🙂
Hi Kris, and EH! Fantastic post – I must check out Broke Bat Mountain 🙂
XXXX
Could be worse, could be broke back mountain…
The Space Between looks awesome! Thanks for the the informative post & the hot battiness.
@Sassy…
Not you too…. them mountains are filled with wild things…
Thanks for coming by hon..
E.H>
@Sweet Vernal Zephyr said…
I am glad you enjoy the post – it was fun to do…
I hope you enjoy The Space Between… and it was a depleasure sharing the battiness..
E.H>
EH, I saw the anime first and have not yet read the Ai no Kusabi books. I would like to though but the books are hard to come by or very expensive.
@Ingrid..
Email me please…
erotichorizon@googleamil.com
🙂
Thanks for the great suggestions – now I only have to narrow down to one to kick-off my Yaoi experimentation.
*hugs*
Anna
Hey Anna..
There are more than enough yaoi readers on here to help you with a starting point..
Say WHEN and I am sure you will be innundated with suggestions..
Happy pondering hon..
🙂
Great list. I have read Private Prince and really enjoyed it. Almost started Junjou Romantica but haven't gotten to it yet. I will have to go back and also look at the vampire one too. 🙂 thanks
I also really enjoyed Love Mode if you have not read that one, it is good.
Okay, I just had a moment where I thought I had commented and then completely forgotten all about it. LOL.
Thanks for dropping by everyone. I'm really glad that you enjoyed EH's post and participating in this series. Makes me happy I was able to con so many people into doing posts for me. 😉
Kris – thank you! I tried Anime Castle, but they only have Volumes 2-5 😦 I did, however, read on Amazon that Volume 1 was quite short so I'm going to do a very bad thing and start from Volume 2 🙂 I was planning on getting some books from The Book Depository anyway this weekend, so I'll add Volume 2 to the list 🙂
EH – thank you. I'm going to start with Volume 2 (pure sacrilege but *grin*) And so noted about reading the books before watching the anime 🙂
@Kris…
Love Mode – Yummy..
Junjou Romantica – Read NOW!!
…How to Seduce a Vampire – I am sure you will enjoy it..
🙂
@Kris..
I did think I was seeing double there for a moment as well…
You can con me anytime to come over hon… I had fun..
Thanks
🙂
@Orannia
pure sacrilege – Indeed
🙂
I'm right there giggling with Chris!
Great post EH. I agree ORFK & ANK are really good, and am going to have to check Seduce a Vampire next time am shopping.
Rossy
@Rossy..
Chris is at the top of the “ususal suspect list” – so I forgive you for giggling at the my bat….
**shakes fist at Chris**
OTRFK – I love it , love it….
Hope you enjoy “Seduce a Vampire” ..
E.H>