The debut manga from Kazuasa Takashima that was instantly a favorite (for a lot of people!). This mangaka has the most beautiful artwork I think I have ever seen.
The story, which is actually in two parts, takes place in a quasi-primitive world where people live in clans and hunt and gather for survival. The first story has to do with Yuuen, son of the chief of the Forest Clan, who is beautiful and petite and pretty useless as a hunter. Over and over again their kills are taken by Emba, son of the chief of the Lakeside Clan, a rival group that competes for space and food. Yuuen is told by his father that he must impersonate a woman in order to persuade Emba. Yuuen reluctantly does so, but Emba instantly recognizes him, though doesn't let on because he wants Yuuen to keep returning to the lake where they meet everyday. Soon, however, Yuuen begins to feel guilty for deceiving Emba as he begins to fall in love with him.
The second story is my favorite of the two. It actually goes back several years to when Yuuen's and Emba's fathers were young. Yuni, Yuuen's father, was petite like his future son, but much more fiery in spirit. Selem, Emba's father, was kind and gentle, and it was from him that Emba inherited his dark-haired beauty. Yuni gets lost and injured in the forest looking for the so-called "flower of vows" that he'd been dared into seeking. Selem finds him and patches him up but Yuni's injuries keep him from returning to his Clan right away. Prideful even with his injuries, he accepts the help but doesn't know who Selem is or that he is the heir to the Lakeside Clan. As the days pass they begin to fall in love but both know very well that it is doomed to last. Love between young men is still too frowned upon, so they must be content with one night of love before separating to their different lives and responsibilities.
It's interesting to see the tragedy of the father's story lead to the union of their sons, when times have changed enough for them to be accepted. I would be interested to see if Selem and Yuni, older and wiser now, would rekindle their love!
Mangaka: Takashima Kazusa
ISBN:
Volume 1: 4-8352-1327-0
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