Sylvia's Anime/Manga Recs
Slash or yaoi, whichever term you prefer. Eroica is elsewhere.
Obligatory Content Warning
These
stories are slash, meaning they involve homosexual relationships, and some
of them are quite graphic. If you are too young to be allowed to read this
or if you are likely to be offended by the subject matter, take yourself
hence.
Card Captor Sakura · Gensomaden Saiyuki · Revolutionary Girl Utena
Rurouni Kenshin · Tokyo Babylon / X 1999 · Weiss Kreuz
Territory
by Hth
A remarkable and quite atypical Touya/Yukito relationship - sweet and awkward
and passionate, and surprisingly visceral and *real*. Kinomoto Touya is
extraordinary in many ways, but when it comes to romance, he isn't all that
much more adept - or more restrained - than the average teenager.
The
Butterfly Lovers by Nanjo Koji is a Saiyuki Gaiden fic - a look at the
previous incarnations of two of Sayuki's heroes. An excentric and bored
young general hits on a slobby courtesan - or something of the sort, anyway
- at an official reception, and things progress from there. Funny, sweet,
heartbreaking and hopeful in turns. Kenren/Tenpou (Gojou/Hakkai).
Voice
in the Dark by MJJ
After Gonou assumes the name Hakkai, Gojou struggles to understand this
new version of his friend and to regain some measure of closeness. In the
process, he reveals far more of himself than he realizes. Brilliant Gojou
characterization; I especially love how oblivious Gojou is when it comes
to his own emotions.
Cruel
Intentions by PL Nunn
Gojou and Sanzou stumble into the lair of a youkai visionary with a grudge
against humanity, and are forced to resort to desperate measures in order
to survive. To complicate matters, Gojou can't help but feel that the youkai
has a point. Wonderfully long, with a sequel in progress.
· !Super
Cat –
The
Prince and the Pauper
Touga/Saionji. A glimpse at the beginnings of a completely tangled relationship.
Subtly painful, utterly believable and amazingly in character... as far
as anyone can tell, with this particular fandom.
·
Yasmin
M. –
Waiting
to be Caught
Saitou/Sano. An AU and a HL crossover, strange in the best way. A driven
and monomaniacal immortal hunts down his lover again and again through time.
Just goes to show that you should be careful what you ask of the gods...
A fascinating concept and some very nice characterization.
· Natalie
Baan – Sakura
and Snow
WIP, Seishirou/Subaru. The author says that this novel is her answer to
the question of how to resolve Subaru Sumeragi and Seishirou Sakurazuka's
longtime conflict. I say that this novel is one of the best fanfics there
are in any fandom. It's a psychological mystery novel; to Seishirou, Subaru
is an alien creature, a puzzle to be solved. To the reader as to Subaru,
of course, Seishirou is the alien one –
and through Seishirou's
increasingly nonplussed and fascinated study of Subaru, the author skillfully
unfolds Seishirou's psyche in all its cold alienness and tenacious humanity.
Natalie's characterization is nothing short of beautiful. There's also magic,
intrigues, dragons, ghosts and demons, and romance of the twisted, painful
and desperate kind that I like best. Even if you've never heard of Tokyo
Babylon and X, it's more than worth it to find a summary merely in order
to be able to enjoy this incredible novel properly.
In
Aoe's latest WK novel Embracing
the Shadows, an unsuspecting Crawford suddenly finds himself with not
one, but two extremely high-maintenance redheads. After some initial consternation
- it took him long enough to adjust to just the one! - he rises to the occasion.
Very good, angsty, and occasionally sweet. The inexplicable omnipresence
of cheeseburgers is slightly disturbing, but adds a touch of mystery. <g>
· Aoe
– Something
Me In You
Yohji/Schuldig. What happens when an assassin is trapped inside the mind
of a telepath who isn't entirely sane at the best of times? If you haven't
seen Weiss Kreuz, take my advice: don't. Do not on any account, however,
miss this novel. Aoe is one of the best writers I know, and Something Me
In You and its sequels (one still a WIP) are the best of her writings in
my opinion. The premise is fascinating, and the things the author does with
it make me green with envy. Aoe's style is wonderful - descriptive and seemingly
effortless, never flowery or melodramatic, always right on target. Her characterization
is incredible, her psychological insight more than impressive. Lastly, she's
patient - a rare virtue in a writer. She rushes neither the plot nor the
development of the characters, letting them unfold slowly and believably.
But enough raving. Read it.
·
Mami-sama
– Imprisoned
Freedom
Schuldig/Aya. Schuldig stalks and brings down a particularly challenging
prey. That's the plan, anyway.