TOP MANGA OF THE WEEK

1. Water Breath (main story) An injury destroyed Olympic hopeful Ryuji Hayashida's promising swimming career. He was transferred to a university where he believed no one knew who he was, but he was wrong. There was someone who recognized him the moment their gazes met at the university's swimming club. 2. Pension A tempestuous tale of a rock band and the consequences of their enigmatic guitarist's return. It didn't take long to realize he has a keen interest in their lead singer. 3. Dance Shachi never got over his feelings for his classmate Michio who jokingly danced with him at school. Years after their school graduation he discovered what Michio did for a living. The discovery inspired him to sell his father's car for one night with Michio, which turned into a different kind of dance. [warning: contains S&M scenes] 4. Longing Shy and timid high school student Sakaki has always watched his classmate Ryoji from afar, but he wasn't as invisible as he believed himself to be.

Iizuka's gay, and unfortunately for him it's an open secret among his co-workers, who all but whisper about it the second he turns his back. Even worse, he begins falling for his new boss, Takase--at least until they go out drinking one night and Iizuka wakes up the next morning with no memory of what happened.

1-3) Sweet Warmth. After a difficult time of being dumped by his lover and getting hurt by falling down the stairs, Shinshu meets Fushimi at work, where he is assigned to help him due to his injury. Fushimi is tender and thoughtful towards him, which is a different experience for Shinshu. 4) Kiss at Midnight. When childish and spoiled Harumi gets rejected by his housemate whom he loves, he moves in with Hisaya who has always been there to pick up the pieces for him. 5) If Love is Secondary. Natsuhiko gets drunk one night and is taken home by Jin. Natsuhiko seduces Jin, only to realize later that Jin is his college crush who turned him down! Jin was such a playboy back then, has he changed at all? 6) The Love that Follows You. Takashi is ready to propose to his girlfriend, but she never shows up for their date. At her apartment he finds a note and her younger brother Yukinari. With his girlfriend gone, Takashi starts spending time with the lonely Yukinari, but is he only a father figure to the younger man?

Honda is a pharmacist who is overworked due to the hospitalization of his co-worker (who he's secretly in love with). Luckily, one of his customers, Sasashi, turns out to be a doctor who is looking for a job. Honda immediately hires him, but then learns that not only was he fired from his previous job for embezzling, but he's a notorious playboy too.

From Bliss: Arthur and Laurent were childhood friends that grew up together, but they had the difference of a noble and servant status. As they grew older, they came to understand the difference in their stations. Although both of them have affections for each other, such feelings could not be accepted...

Blogger, Shio, meets up with some friends he met online through his blog. He is going to meet Miya (supposedly female), a blogger he hasn't met yet. He is surprised to find out that Miya is a very tall man who has a very calming effect on others.

The Sequel to; 'Signal' and prequel to "Hatsukoi no Atosaki" From Attractive Fascinante: Sakaki, a president of an import interior company, wouldn’t get serious with anyone. He became afraid when he started to care about Okada, a hetero. Sakaki couldn’t remember anything when he found himself waking up in Okada’s home. With Okada’s unconscious speech and conduct, Sakaki felt bothered. Will the storm calm down?

Set in feudal-era Japan, Yorube Naki Mono centers around prostitutes, assassins, and the grimier sides of city life. One night, a mysterious young man named Shikon is introduced as the newest member of Saiga's group of assassins for hire. Shikon is outgoing and flirtatious, but Saiga can sense there's more to Shikon than he lets on... A chance encounter on a moonlit night leads to two destinies awakening.

Living in an all boy’s dorm, it’s standard to do ecchi things with your roommate. Truth is, Mao wants more. How is he to keep his real feelings hidden when Hayato says, “I like your scent the most.” The only problem, Mao isn’t the only one whose scent Hayato likes.

A young doctor with a weakness for pretty faces returns to Japan after studying abroad in the USA and joins the staff of one of the best hospitals around. There he finds himself facing off with an icy-cold co-worker who's nearly as pretty as he is unapproachable.

1) Mega You Freak 2) Mega Love Melancholy 3) Home 4) Cor Leonis - Lion's Heart 5) Destination - The bird and the plane 6) Café Hickory House 7) [i][/i]

Akihiko, searching for answers about the early-death curse that afflicted his father, returns to the rural family seat, but when he arrives, he is faced with only more questions. What is the nature of his familys curse, and why does it strike down only male descendants? Who was the Meiji-era ghost that appears in Akihikos visions? Above all, does his mysterious cousin Ren have the answers that he seeks? Find out in Miyamoto Kanos new Time-skip mystery, Sleeping Moon. (Taken from liquid passion)

Series of 5 oneshots: 1) Natsu Jikan A boy goes to meet a stranger after his mother died. The mother left a lot of love-letters to this man... 2) Torrid Night After years have past Takaaki has returned to his childhood home and his stepbrother Nozomi. They are the only family they have left, and both hold secrets from the past that can destroy them. But the dark passion they feel is dangerous too... 3-4) That's What God Says & Sweet Little Devil Izumi and Tetsuya are neighbors, both with very similar problems. Does one's appearance really determine who you are or how you should be? Were these neighbors fated to be together? 5) The Sleeping Man Naoki and Tatsuya were high school classmates and close friends, with Tatsuya having the task of waking up his ever sleeping friend. They agreed to meet at the dawn of the new millennium, and though they both show up, there's something off....

1) High-school student and tattoo artist Tohru is holding a secret love for his friend. So when he's confessed to by his junior he turns the boy down flat. But Katsumi isn't one to give up easily. 2) Former students and current sensei's Kikawa and Meguro had a relationship as children. But that was all over years ago, right? So why can't Kikawa stop thinking about Meguro? 3) Student Katahana can't help but wonder why his close friend Tohmune always wears an undershirt. What exactly is he trying to hide underneath his clothes? 4) Since he met Katsumi, Tohru feels he been acting strangely. He can't seem to concentrate on anything, even his tattoos. And the tangled relationships between artists and their subjects seem keep coming between them.

Fujimori and Matsuda attended the same high school and college; unbeknownst to even himself, Fujimori had made it a habit to hang around his senpai under the pretext of enjoying the delicious sweets that Matsuda was so good at making. But after Matsuda moved to Toyko for work, Fujimori cut off contact with him. 5 years later, they reunite unexpectedly and...

When his interior designer mom takes off to New York for a year, Toranosuke, dorky name none withstanding, gets sent to stay with his uncle. And it's just his luck that Ryouji's obnoxious, violent, and has the same sharp tongue as Tora's mom. Only it turns out that he's not really that bad, and maybe Tora's falling in love (with his uncle, of all people), and Ryouji has a heart of gold underneath the bellowing and violence. Except that Ryouji's pretty much the worst guy in the world to fall for: he enjoys sex more than eating, has a commitment problem, and has long since convinced himself that he's really, really straight. from Vices and Devices

A collection of oneshots: Story 1: Spring and Love Come Early? Ichio Tomochika, the archery club president, likes the calligraphy club member, Komada Aoba. With black hair and black eyeballs, Komada is just like a stubborn black cat. Looking at such an adorable cat everyday, Ichio hopes Komada can sense his feelings he has for him. After an unexpected kiss from Ichio, will Komada return his feelings? (From Attractive Fascinante) Story 2: The Trap of Love Story 3: I Want A Bit More Love Story 4: Youth Melancholic Story 5: While Numbering Stars Omake: While Numbering Stars Extra

1) Ai ga Aru kara An insatiable lust for men has landed Matsuzoe with his fair share of them. However, after sleeping with a new and younger acquaintance, he’s gripped by an inexplicable sadness. 2) Re:Cycle Tomo picked up a stray cat even though it was against his apartment's regulation and got kicked out. Luckily Yuusuke suggests that they live together instead. 3) Kemono Dou Even though Kaji has no problems finding transient love, he is looking for more than just a one night stand. 4) Omoeba Tooku e Kita Mada It is almost dawn and the taxi driver picks up a passenger that tells him "Let's go to the beach". 5) Dourakuteki Matomo na Nichijou Kousaka is fretting about his workplace; his boss seems to be completely nonplussed whether the cafe will go under. 6) SWEETOGRAPHY Yamanobe looks like he is leading the charmed life but Itou slowly learns that there are many things that he can't exactly talk about with others. 7) Hana Aogu The heir to a flower arranging business is being pressured to marry soon. On the eve of the marriage interview he meets a man who makes him question his duty to his family. 8) Tooku de Mikaketa Ano Hito wa Matsuzoe (from chapter1) sees Masaki by chance on his way to his latest conquest's place. 9) Afterword

From The Pink Panzer: Partners was first written 15 years ago, although it has been re-printed several times since then. It's a ground-breaking classic, in the sense that it's the very first manga to realistically depict the gay S&M scene. Set in New York in the late 1980s, Partners follows the lives of six close friends who also happen to be leathermen. The manga depicts their relationships -- both sexual and emotional -- with unabashed honesty. While the story practically explodes off the page with a continuous, unremitting and glorious parade of smut, it isn't "meaningless sex" -- these are committed couples in full-time relationships, where pleasure and pain are natural expressions of affection for one another. (You guessed it; that's where the manga's name comes from. They're "partners.") The six friends that star in this manga are split up into three pairs. The main pair consists of Marlon and Doug, around whose relationship the manga revolves. Marlon, a high-flying executive, plays sub and devoted masochist to the beautifully dominant Doug. Doug is, interestingly enough, a janitor at the very company Marlon directs; during the average workday, they barely even make eye-contact. The contrast between their private and public lives is as stark as it is lovely. The other couples also feature in major roles, and what we end up with is an intimate and moving glimpse at an otherwise unconventional lifestyle. Be warned -- these aren't willowy bishounen clasping each other in slender arms! These are very real, very authentic male bodies bending and contorting in well-established ways. If beefy shoulders and leather chaps don't do it for you, you might be in for a bit of a shock!

1-3) Imperfect Love Spell First year Ueda isn't interested in joining any of the clubs until Momotani Yuushi, crybaby vice-president of the supernatural club runs into him. Unable to leave his pathetic (and adorable) sempai alone, Ueda finds himself drawn into the increasingly odd life of the supernatural club. 4) Yowareru Karada- A swimming lesson reveals ulterior motives between a sempai and his cute kouhai. 5) Doukashiteiru!- Manager Muroi is regarded as attractive but clumsy and hopeless as marriage material by the girls in the office. Good thing there's adorable and sincere Ogawa and stoic Taki to take his mind off his hopeless love life. 6) The Power of Pants (Pasokon no Pa wa Pantsu no Pa)- Computer geek and general otaku Takahashi considers himself undersized, but only has porn to compare himself to. Takahashi's recently struck up an unlikely friendship with jock Miyamoto. Maybe this could be his chance to compare size... 7) You're Still Standing at the Same Place, Looking at the Same Sky- Sou always admired Ryu sempai from the aeronautics club and his close relationship with Komori sempai. Two years later Sou runs into them and finds out Komori is getting married. Can he replace Komori in Ryu's affection?

A teacher who's used to everyone falling in love and worshiping the ground he walks on (be it boy or girl) suddenly comes across something he's never seen before. ... A student that is not affected by his looks.

Yuuya, a high school student, unexpectedly bumps into Kiriya-san while walking down the street and ends up saving the older man's life. The two are neither "friends nor lovers," but form a companionship in order to listen to each other's troubles. Will this friendship turn into love? (from Kawaisa) Yuuya, a high school student, unexpectedly bumps into Kiriya-san while walking down the street and ends up saving Kiriya's life. The two are neither “friends nor lovers,” but since then, they have formed a companionship in order to listen to each other’s troubles. So whenever one of them is sad, the other one will be there to give comfort. At first they were just bonded over their unhappiness but before they knew it they'd developed a physical relationship. But Kiriya-san thought Yuuya is a college student, 19 years old. And so, when he coincidentally had a part-time job as being the substitute teacher in Yuuya’s class… both of them created a distance with each other. This made Yuuya understand his real feelings for Kiriya. Will this friendship turn into love?

A collection of five short stories:1) RikaraSeiten is the illegitimate son of the King. He's considered to be an insult to his kind and his brothers make fun of him by humiliating him and his position. It's thanks to Rikara, a prisoner (or as Seiten would say: a fallen angel) that he finds the strength to fight and win back his life.2) Rougoku ni Saku HanaA stern magistrate, Hakuto, is habouring unrequitted love for a superior and seeks a quiet spot i which to shed his tears but finds more than he imagined in the form of forgotten prisoner Doukoku.3) Lingering Attachment (Miren)After all else is destroyed a general and his lord come to know each other's feelings. 4) Bed de Kimi toAfter graduating high school two soccer team mates enjoy life as newly weds but have problems finding time to be alone.5) Tag Out!When baseball captain Tamaki hit a stray ball into the principal's office he never expected it would lead to him becoming a servant for the young, handsome and rich school alumni Shinobu.NOTE: Chapters 1-3 are set in ancient China, whereas chapters 4-5 are set in the modern day Japan.

1)Essence of Fine Carbonic Acid- Yasuomi is the descendant of a vampire clan, but hates the taste of blood, so he takes essence in the form of kisses (Virgins preferred). When Shige met Yasuomi at a goukon, he had no idea what he was in for, and now Yasuomi won't leave. But is Shige just a food source? 2)A Temporary Contract With Him- Hibikitani is a mediocre salesman whose envious of his super elite new boss Sakakibara. Being upbraided by Sakakibara, an annoyed Hibikitani promises a better sales performance in exchange for a night with him, and to his surprise Sakakibara agrees! 3)The Legendary Inhabitant Room- Oonuma is one of the few students spending the holidays at the dorm. But he gets to spend more time with his roommate, Teraiwa. Unfortunately the dorm, and especially Oonuma's room is plagued with rumors of ghosts, and Teraiwa is very mysterious sometimes... 4)Restraint- Overly emotional Shizuka and calm and cool Manabu are a couple that's always fighting about something, but the heat of an argument can turn into something else very quickly! 5)The Stars That Fall in the City- Businessman Wakamiya is interested in no strings attached sexual relationships now that he's in his old age. When adorable younger man Soeda enters his life, he finds it hard to resist him. But Soeda is loud, and bold for his cute appearance, will the contrast be too much for Wakamiya? 6)A Cruel Man- An older uke supervisor and his young seme subordinate share an intensely physical connection with a dark twist...