YAOI MANGA REVIEW: Scandalous Seiryo University: Class Reunion

Jennifer LeBlanc AKA Asami's Girl — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:09:18 +0000

NOTE: If you DON'T want to know who the new couple featured in this series is, then don't read the review. I don't exactly tell you who hooks up but I DO tell you the possibilities.

This is the first time in a while that I screamed like a fan girl when I saw that Scandalous Seiryo University: Class Reunion arrived at my doorstep today. I immediately devoured it anxious to find out just what couple this volume would focus on since we were only teased with the possibilities in the last few volumes. Well, I’m here to tell you! Our little Kouki is all grown up and wow, has he ever matured. (If you remember, Kouki is Misonoi’s little brother). So just who else shows up with volume four? As side characters, we still have Misonoi (Tsuyoshi, now 24) and his still boyfriend, Hajizume. We are introduced to a slew of new characters, which I’ll leave for you to discover on your own and one of my absolute favorites from the series… HAYAKAWA!!! I nearly passed out when I saw he would be featured in this volume. I nearly cried when he did at his heartbreak over Misonoi so to see him have his own romantic possibilities made me very happy.

So let’s get to the nitty gritty, shall we? The plot of this one revolves around Hayakawa. Early on Kouki accidentally sees Hayakawa kissing Kouki’s professor, Masafumi Kanzaki. He freaks out and Hayakawa realizes he’s been spotted. The rest of the story deals with a love triangle between Hayakawa, Kanzaki and Kouki. Here’s what you won’t see in this volume… sex. Yes, that’s right… there is ZERO sex in this volume. I know what you’re thinking, “How could that be? Seiryo University is ALL about the raunchy sex!” I was surprised too and the mangaka even admits she feels it was a mistake and that originally it was meant to be a raunchy sexcapade. Since I know the ending (and won’t spoil it for you) I’m moderately ok with this. This is still an ongoing series and has now gone in a new direction with a new couple so this is really just an introduction to getting that couple established. I think it could have at least ended with one sexual romp but it didn’t and it can’t be changed now. However, I think the next volume will make up for what this one lacked (at least I hope it does).

The illustrations are really nice and the mangaka’s character style has matured a bit from previous volumes. The boys have all matured into really hot men and instead of the slightly scrawny guys she used to draw, they are much more man like. Kouki has his shirt off in a few scenes and I was amazed at just how gorgeously drawn he is. I can’t wait to see how this reflects in how she draws her sex scenes. The book itself includes two double sided color illustrations of past and present characters (that’s FOUR color illustrations… nice!). This is one reason why I LOVE titles from Kitty Media. They do a beautiful job with their printing, are STILL periodically including color illustrations and their gross price is only $10.99! With Amazon’s discount, I picked this one up for a mere $8.79. Their translations are pretty good and I had no trouble following the speech bubbles. There were a few typo’s but nothing that made following the story an issue. Finally, the characters chosen were a great choice for continuing the series. I think many of us loved Hayakawa and hoped he would get more focus. Maturing Kouki was smart as well and he is absolutely gorgeous. I’ll admit, there was a part of me hoping the new couple was going to be Yano and Ishida but I’m stoked Hayakawa is getting his chance to shine, especially since he’s usually in a tousled kimono (mmmm….. sexy!).

There’s a four page side story that focuses on the old characters and has them discussing the book and all of the “concerns” the mangaka assumed we would have like no sex and if the old characters come back? I loved that she added this part in and her additional note. It’s disappointing that her gorgeous sex scenes were missing in this one but I love this series and the direction it is now going in so I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment. My suggestions for you? If you’ve loved the series so far, go get it! If you’ve yet to get into this series, go buy them all! As a hard yaoi lover, it is one of my favorites and I think you’ll love it too.

Plot: B (not a bad plot, just typical)

Illustrations/Book Design: A

Translations: A-

Sex Scenes: D (none but understandable)

Characters: A (great choice for new storyline)

Overall Grade: B

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The Yaoi Review » Kazuto Tatsukawa

YAOI MANGA REVIEW: Scandalous Seiryo University: Class Reunion