Fake Volume 7

I have so much love for this series. UST all over the place, heavy plot, well developed characters (even the minor ones!), good artwork, and finally, *finally* Dee and Ryo get together and wow, is it beyond good. I don't read Japanese so I don't know how good the translation is, but I like what I saw. To really enjoy FAKE, the main thing you want to remember is that Sanami Matoh didn't know the specifics of American law or the NYPD (she admits as much in the author's notes). So just forget what you know about criminal procedure, the justice system and whatever you've seen on Court TV; if you can do that, you'll find this manga much more fun. I've read a fair amount of yaoi manga and this is probably one of the best out there. You can't ask for much more in the way of plot and action. The characters are so well developed that they feel like real people and the artwork is beautiful. Seven volumes before Ryo finally gives into Dee, and the UST is maintained at a perfect level, just enough frustration to make you snatch up the next manga, but not enough to make you grow tired of it. And it's not really about the sex (or the lack of it; poor Dee), it's about getting to know these guys and their colleagues and figuring out each mystery they're involved in. By the time the series ends, you don't want to let them go. If you're a yaoi fan and you (somehow) haven't read this series, it's one of the few I'd actually recommend buying instead of just checking out of the library. It doesn't get much better than this.

Yes, I know 'kool' isn't a word. Oh well, shoot me. FAKE draws to a close in an amazingly well drawn (as always) scene of pure hearmelting bliss. I was sad to see it done, and wished that it went further. There is, actually, a short after-story for everyone else in the artbook buuuuut...it's not located in the 7th book! So sorry! (For those who can, go find Like, like Love!) The book on Ryo's past finally closes, the weight of his parent's death finally lifted from his shoulders. Thus he is able to finally let himself admit his love (gasp!) for Dee and they have a very erotic and amazing night together, after having one earlier in the book that had been a bit more rushed. For those who like their yaoi/shonen-ai books light...this is still a bit graphic for those looking for sweet kisses and hugs. If you want full blown graphic sex scenes...neither are here. A subdued, cleverly shaded scene with beautiful imagery are given instead! All in all...an amazing manga ends with the amazing finish of the seventh and last book. FAKE, we miss you already. (Don't forget to buy the DVD! :D)

Oh my dear God... Thank you Sanami Matoh. This is the perfect ending to the perfect series. It's my favorite series and after finishing it I can't stop reading fanfiction about these two [In fact I can't read any fanfiction other than ones based on FAKE now!]. I feel so alive after reading this series... and i'm so happy for Dee [my fav character. HE'S SOOO HOT!!!] for finally getting Ryo after 2 long years of celibacy. He deserves it. He loves Ryo so much. They're perfect 2gether. And, in my opinion, I love Matoh-sensei's art and congradulate her for not making Ryo into into one of those ukes with no muscles at all, it's good to see something that breaks away from the mainstream. I also love how Ryo is older. Love It!! Ryo isn't too wimpy but he isn't detached from his sentimental side - and neither is Dee. This couple is amazing and I think all FAKE-addicts should go onto the web and read some fanfictions by Wildefyre, Swordy[read the Crash and Burn Series!!!!Now!!], happyberry, and all the rest. ...And if you don't know already, the characters from FAKE all appear in a short one-shot that is based a few years after the manga ends and shows who ends up with whom. This 24-page short was featured in Sanami Matoh-sensei's artbook Monotone and was called Like, Like, Love. If you like, and are interested, if you go to fakephoenix.com [no www.], enter, and go to translations, you'll find 'Like, Like, Love' at the bottom of fakephoenix's list [no downloading involved, just click the links and there are the pics]. I This is the best manga ever, and the OAV ain't too shabby if you don't think like me. [I think the animators screwed up Matoh-sensei's wonderful art and the fact that Henry was okay after getting hit with a motorcycle (in other words, the creators of the anime didn't follow the manga all too well) weirded me out, because even in the manga Henry was carried out on a strecher because of a little police brutality... but w/e]. Yeah, well, I'm done. DeeXRyoFFRox Signed, A die-hard anime/manga fan

This is the review Matoh-san may cry about....XD FAKE ended very nicely. I admit now that the ending was a little corny and sentimental, especially if you just read that last page, but it's excellent. I do have to admit I'm not that fond of the art, but I eventually got over my dislike of macho strong-chin broad-shouldered men and enjoyed it. That's not to say the art sucked- it just isn't the pretty boy style I love so much. Anyone who has read 1-6 needs this, and anyone who hasn't should start from the beginning.

In the final volume of Fake, we finally get to see what happens to our beloved couple, Dee and Ryo. Keep in mind, if you're not ready for it, there are some yaoi scences in this volume -^_^- Not only do we get the love story between Dee and Ryo, we also get another crime story to go out on. We get to find out what happens in regards to the murderer of Ryo's parents in a story with an ending I would never have imagined! For Bikky and Carol fans, they are unfortunatly not present in the final volume (except for on a chapter title page) but we have all the stories about them from the previous volumes to read ^_^The only problem with this volume is, that it is the last one! No more Fake *sob* But, all good things come to an end, not to be cliche, lol! A great ending to a great series, Fake vol. 7 is a must buy for Fake fans!