Kizuna - Bonds of Love: Book 2 (Yaoi)

by Kazuma Kodaka

Ranmaru and Kei were not always the perfect couple. There was a time when Ranmaru was an up-and-coming Kendo star and Kei was shy and timid scholar. What brought these two different souls together,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1586649574
• ISBN13: 9781586649579
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Central Park Media
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 5.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

Kizuna Volume 2

This is a great book! You can't wait to find out what happens next and get your hands on volume 3. This is one series you can't put down.

A Superb Series

As others have noted, Kizuna is one of the classic boys love series, and deservedly so. Characters, plot, art: it's all topnotch, and this is one of those rare manga that has something that will appeal to everyone. Be Beautiful is to be thanked for bringing Kizuna to the English-language market, yet the translations of the first three volumes were frustratingly inconsistent and there's just no excuse for professionally published books to contain typos and misspellings. Happily, they seem to have pulled it together with Vol. 4, so you'll have nothing to distract you from the brilliance of Kodaka sensei's work.

Classic...now with improved artwork!

If you're any sort of respectable yaoi fan, you will know the Kizuna title right off the bat. It's an on-going series by Kazuma Kodaka (*sacrifices a sheep in her honor*) about two long-time friends and lovers - Ranmaru and Kei. Some angst, some comedy, and a lot of sex. An overall great story with an equally central focus on the romance of it's side characters: Kei's half-brother Kai and his bodyguard Masa, as well as a few assassins here, some transvestites there... Every character is well-done and loveable, and no volume is wasted on filler or fluff. Volume four, however, marks a notable turn in Kazuma Kodaka's artwork; a dramatic improvement for the better. The first three volumes were more masculine in nature - sharper noses and square jaws & bodies. Volume four and beyond takes on a softer, more delicately detailed style that is simply drop. dead. gorgeous. I highly recommend this series, from beginning to end (whenever that is).

Another great volume!

I've been a fan of Kizuna for years, even before it was licensed. The angst is portrayed realistically and it does seem believable. Anyways, the first half of volume 2 is a flashback of how Kei and Ranmaru first met, first kissed, and first made love. But as their relationship is developing, we see in the background that the yakuza is around and is slowly working into Kei's life. And when Kei is nearly run over in an attempted yakuza hit and Ranmaru is the one who gets injured, their love is put to the test as they both try to overcome Ranmaru's obstacles as he tries to make himself able to walk and play kendo again. The second half of the volume is more in depth with the yakuza. A man obsessed with Masa murders his sister who was Masa's former lover and then targets Kai. This story reveals a totally different side of Kai than the usual spoiled meddling brat that we knew in volume 1. We see Kai as no doubt what he really is; a vulnerable, sensitive person who has a hard time with his feelings. It also puts bigger strains on his relationship with Masa. All in all, this was a very good volume. I have to admit; I didn't like Kai's antics in volume 1, but I started feeling sorry for him in this volume. Mr. Sagano stands as my least favorite character, and not just because he's mean to Kai. I get the feeling from him that he cares a lot more for Kei than Kai. I mean, how else could he tell his young son at his mother's funeral that he had another family? I'm hoping that Kai's relationship with his father grows better later on. But this is a great book nonetheless and if you loved volume 1 you'll definitely love volume 2.