Voice or Noise: Volume 1

This manga-ka (Yamimaru Enjin) earned my respect after I read her "The Way to Heaven", an awesome sci-fi yaoi. Then I checked out her other translated works, and two volumes of "Voice or Noise" didn't disappoint. My 5-star rating is based on both volumes, I must admit that volume 1 was a bit confusing and disjoint (I suspect that the translator hasn't got a handle on the story yet). Besides, it's the first published book by this manga-ka. Unlike volume 1, volume 2 is a definite BL (with some mild "yaoi (M/M)"-type moments: kissing, an "embarrassing" situation between two main characters). Note that the younger character grows up quite a bit in volume 2, so by no means it's a "shota"-like (or disturbing in any way) story. Most likely, he's going to be fully grown-up in volume 3, so we can expect more yaoi content :) There are no rape-like or situations with dubious consent in this series, and overall, it's very soft yaoi / shounen-ai at this point (rated "16+" by BLU / the US publisher). Volume 1 is mostly spent on setting up the premise and explaining the universe of the story: one man (a physics professor) can talk and understand animals, and a teenager - who meets him accidentally - might have the same ability. So, as the only ones of this kind, two are bound to develop some feelings towards each other. If volume 1 left you somewhat disappointed, keep on reading! It gets much better in volume 2. I've never seen a yaoi manga (or any manga for that matter) delving so much into psychological and even metaphysical world of its characters as this series does. It's almost Freudian in nature: our characters experience lucid dreams leading them to parallel worlds, and the line between dreams and reality blurs. The talking cat has a much more developed personality than most human ukes and semes in the yaoi world, and is a very much enchanting character on his own. Volume 3 of this series was published in Japan in August 2008. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to its translation! BLU announced that they are going to publish the concluding volume 3 in August 2010...

Want crack, action, and/or soap opera plotting? Stop reading this and go look at reviews for, say, Takakura Row, Nitta Youka, or Tohjoh Asami. Voice or Noise offers none of those things. If you're not inclined to this type of manga you'll find it to be slow, a little confusing, a little boring, and devoid of anything except UST. If you are inclined to this type of manga, you'll find it to be intelligent, gentle, and sweet, with the UST a satisfying instead of irritating element. I found myself landing firmly on the latter side of the fence, and despite its flaws, this title is one of my favorite recent releases. The text is hard to follow at points; I suspect that the translation is a little obscure, and the flow through the balloons could have been handled better. Whatever the reasons, I had to back up on a regular basis and reread to make sure I was getting it. The other major issue is that, although the mangaka indicated that she would continue it, the story seems to be on hiatus. Which, if you enjoyed this series as much as I did, is a bit frustrating. Vol. 2 ends at a three-year jump, and now I dearly want to know what's going to happen to Shinichiro's and Narusawa's relationship. C'mon, Enjin-sensei--don't leave us hanging! Bonus points for a contrary, awkward seme; an impetuous, goodhearted uke; and the funniest, most irreverent talking cat you'd ever want to meet.

The characters are developing and it did start o.k. I'll wait for the rest of the volumes.

The description on Borders reads: "College professor Narusawa can speak to animals, and Shin-chan yearns to learn as well, for the sake of his dog. But will that knowledge bring Narusawa and Shin-chan closer together, or will it tear them apart?" Overall this seems to be an interesting start to a series. It seems Narusawa can speak to animals and a vet friend of his recommends that Shinichiro go see Narusawa. And ask him to ask the dog (Flappy) why he isn't feeling well. Shinichiro may have the same ability to talk with animals but not sure if, with training, he would be able to. They spend time together and Shin wonders if Narusawa is "experimenting" with him to find out if he can talk with animals. There is a fight between them but in the end they are friends again. Not sure were it might be going. There isn't anything overtly sexual (a few blushes) but Shin does look a little too young to be more than friends with Narusawa but you never know. If you don't like that type of relationship (older man/teen boy), I would not recommend getting this series until others find out. The publisher is Blu manga which publishes BL and Yaoi so...