Finder Series

Personally, I have a lengthy list of yaoi manga that I've abandoned either at the start or halfway through due to their utter lack of plot. It doesn't matter how much explicit content a manga has; without a compelling story, nothing else matters! I initially thought "The Finder Series" would be another letdown, but to my surprise, it had exactly what I'd been longing for: a sensible and captivating plot, remarkable characters, realistic art, abundant sex and action—in short, everything needed to keep you hooked.

The series, as outlined in its synopsis, revolves around Akihito Takaba, a young, struggling photographer who gets entangled in a bizarre situation he could never have imagined when Ryuichi Asami, a powerful mafia businessman whom Akihito was trying to expose, becomes interested in him and goes to great lengths to win him over. Suddenly becoming (not yet gay but) the uke of a sadistic man, Akihito struggles to comprehend reality when Fei Long enters the scene, complicating matters further. Liu Fei Long is another influential figure in the mafia world, albeit more traditional, who has a history with Asami and decides to use Akihito as leverage to settle old scores.

I must admit, I personally didn't like Akihito, but he isn't the usual wimpy or girly bottom type commonly found in most BL manga. His character is very convincing and believable, as are most of the others. The story's flow is excellent, with few unwanted twists or turns.

Revealing too much would spoil the story, but suffice it to say, this isn't your typical yaoi manga filled with meaningless sex scenes. For those BL fans craving something more meaningful, this is where you'll find it all. There's hardly a dull moment throughout. Just the right amount of sex, action, character development, and a unique story make "The Finder Series" one of a kind. I highly recommend it!

Warning: Not recommended for those uncomfortable with S&M.

Personally, I found this to be one of the best yaoi manga out there. It has everything you could love about steamy yaoi.

The characters are stunning, and Yamane Ayano excels at portraying their unique personalities. Her illustrations capture them wonderfully, with meticulous attention to detail in their body structures—everything you'd want to see in a yaoi manga.

This yaoi is packed with all the steaminess you could wish for, alongside a beautiful storyline that includes action and a wonderful romance. It's full of amazing twists and plots, with enough steam throughout the great narrative to keep you on your toes!

You will undoubtedly fall for the main characters instantly. Akihito Takaba and Asami's twisted love story—could it be as forced and unrequited as it seems? You'll have to read on to see how the lust unfolds. But rest assured, this is one yaoi manga you won't be disappointed with.

Finder Series is fundamentally an action-packed narrative, specifically a steamy yaoi thriller. That's the essence of it. Its allure lies in its twists, perilous situations, and adrenaline rushes. There’s no saccharine romance here; just humorous moments and a raw, possessive kind of love. I'd normally disapprove of such sadistic, emotionless relationships, but the portrayal here as a fitting cat-and-mouse game between complex, powerful men makes it compelling.

Only later in the story do we—and the characters—begin to question the nature of their feelings. Their relationship started as a power play, then evolved into desire, and now seems to be shifting towards something deeper after numerous near-death experiences that reveal what truly matters.

The plot is action-driven, beginning with somewhat typical abuse scenarios before escalating into a mafia war. It remains intriguing and engrossing, even with numerous sex scenes, thanks to a storyline that supports most of them and keeps you invested. This balance is quite an achievement—a BL series that's not solely about relationships or sex but also what surrounds them.

Yamano Ayane's art style is highly stylized, recognizable for its clean designs, intricate backgrounds, beautiful characters, detailed attire and hair, and expressive faces. Characters can appear too 'perfect' with well-defined muscles and impeccable grooming, making it feel sexy. The explicit sex scenes feature BDSM elements and graphic details like blood, including some non-consensual encounters. They are direct and to the point. The colored artwork is excellent, showcasing the mangaka's talent for creating stunning visuals, which have improved over time. Her art books are fantastic. Humorous scenes slightly alter the style, giving characters a cuter appearance.

The characters may seem one-dimensional initially but grow more complex as the story progresses. Akihito appears to be a simple, cheerful idealist while Asami is a ruthless yakuza boss who must dominate everything. However, subtle actions and expressions throughout the story reveal there's much more beneath the surface. Some parts leave me puzzled by Akihito's behavior, questioning whether he's too forgiving or lustful, making his relationship with Asami less unique.

It's clear that this couple isn't on equal footing. Asami stands at the top, while Akihito struggles to maintain his manhood against such strength. We know more about Akihito's personality than Asami's, who is secretive and mysterious. Akihito constantly wonders about Asami's true nature and strives to match his power. Future chapters promise more insight.

Finder Series is an exhilarating tale of power, desire, and a deeply complicated relationship set in a dangerous world. If you enjoy drama, sexy men with guns, elegant figures, and explicit content, this should become a favorite. There's even a seductive Chinese nemesis nearly matching Asami in power and presence. Wicked characters abound, some not what they seem.

I wouldn't call this a masterpiece, but it's a must-read in its genre. Re-reading parts occasionally still brings enjoyment. It's refreshing to find a manga with multiple volumes and an engaging plot. Extra stories could stand alone as separate narratives. Looking forward to seeing how these two navigate their relationship and if Akihito will ever understand Asami's heart.

---Queen2408 for the Anti Girly Uke Yaoi Club. You are invited to join and participate in the discussion.

One that leaves a great deal of fantasy for lovers of the Yaoi genre.

Story:

There is no better recipe than a combination of mafia+yaoi+romance+humor and this was what intrigued me to give this series a try.

When Takaba Akihito, a young ambitious freelance photographer, stepped onto the toes of dark and dangerous Asami Ryuuichi, the head of an influential Yakuza, he never thought it would change his life forever.

Akihito’s first sexual encounter was with Asami (poor fellow was basically abducted), and it was a somewhat nasty and pure rape that revolved around BDSM, punishment, and submission. Yet, the fact that rape doesn’t immediately evolve into romance here adds a tinge of realism to the story and exhibits the insecurities the characters feel as they struggle to comprehend the realities of how they should feel as opposed to how they should act.

Throughout the series, I’m enticed by how Asami remains steadfast in his domineering and hardcore attitude towards Akihito, even claiming him to be his possession. Also, the gradual transition of how Akihito eventually comes to terms with his feelings for Asami after a couple of life-changing events is convincing and makes it more compelling for readers to empathize with the characters.

Here, their outburst of emotions, anger, and feelings are mainly let out through a series of sex and body thrusting exploits as they struggle to come to terms with each other.

That said, despite the overwhelming splatter of sex scenes, there is a gratifying degree of thought and depth in the storyline itself. Apart from dwelling into the struggles of romance between the same gender and dangers of the Yakuza world, the mangaka places a great deal of effort into developing the characters and giving life and depth to them – these were all that set this series apart from other Yaoi titles and make it a fulfilling read.

Characters:

The male protagonists are appealing in their own ways, with distinct personalities and charms. They are not just here to f*ck, but each has a story to tell, dark pasts they are struggling to forget as well as weaknesses they are trying to overcome.

I like how the mangaka portrays their personalities – you have Akihito, the stubborn, juvenile, and yet thoughtful man coupled with the much matured, cool, and composed Asami that sometimes appears sadistic and over-protective of Akihito.

The contrast between the characters is what made their interactions interesting and I like how through a series of events and adversities, they develop in terms of personality and come out stronger than they were yesterday.

Art:

I cannot complain anything about the artwork as I was awed at how beautifully the characters are drawn. The main characters are captivating; you wish they were real in life, and their appearance perfectly matches their personalities.

The sex scenes are drawn rather steamily and explicitly with a light tinge of bondage and sadism. There have been more than 40 chapters released so far and amusingly, NONE of the sex scenes appear repetitive – I wonder where the mangaka got her imagination from.

Overall:

Captivating storyline and substantial plot progress, checked.
Fantastic artwork, checked.
Promising character development, checked.

This series is essentially an all-in package readers would expect from a Yaoi title.

Unless you belong to the orthodox old school of thought, and are someone who obediently shuns anything so-called immorally mind-blowing which your school’s discipline master and mama would disapprove, this series is definitely worth the go.

I began this series a few years back but never managed to get past the first volume. Recently, after reading some praise about it being one of the "best BL titles," I decided to give it another chance. Having now read six volumes, I feel ready to share my thoughts.

Pros:

- Graphic sex scenes

- Attractive characters

- A bit of humor

- Artwork (except for the occasional yaoi hands) - 7/10

Cons:

- The story is quite bland - 5/10

The plot involves action, but it mainly consists of Asami rescuing Takaba from situations he's gotten himself into, 90% of the time. While I enjoy action in yaoi, my main issue is that these action sequences lack a substantial plot. It feels like a random assortment of gangster scenes, making the story somewhat boring due to its lack of depth.

- Character development - 6/10

The series does offer some insight into the characters' beliefs and goals, but it remains underdeveloped. Six volumes in, I expected more background on how they reached their current state, beyond just knowing that Takaba likes photography. From the start, it was one of those clichéd stories where guy 1 desires guy 2, who initially rejects him but ends up sleeping with him while still playing hard to get. I wish there had been more growth between them.

- Overabundance of sex scenes

This is both a positive and negative aspect. As a yaoi reader, I appreciate the sex scenes, but there are so many that they become monotonous. There's little buildup; everyone seems intent on raping Takaba because he's cute and has a mysterious relationship with Asami.

Overall, I might be overly critical since the series receives high praise, and I'm an experienced 23-year-old yaoi reader. If I'd read this when I was 16-18, I would have found it amazing. Now, having read hundreds of yaoi series, this one is almost forgettable except for the sex scenes.

The series is worth reading for its yaoi content, but avoid it if you're looking for realistic scenarios, fluffy romance, or dislike rape themes. I plan to continue reading to see if it improves, which may change my review. This series isn't bad, but it's not particularly great either.

Viewfinder is primarily a yaoi manga, and as you might know, many yaoi stories involve themes of rape where the victim often doesn't fight back much. However, in this case, the character Akihito does try to resist. What makes this yaoi so fascinating is how spicy, smart-ass, independent, funny, and brave Akihito is. I love how the story initially seemed heartless but gradually softened up. Not only does it showcase love, but it also includes adventure. The manga is somewhat different from typical yaoi, which makes it exciting to read.

ONE MORE THING THAT MAKES VIEWFINDER SO AMAZING IS Asami, a powerful leader in Japan's underworld society SLASH Akihito's rapist slash lover. He is possessive, badass, loving only to his partner, rich, and somehow these two meet lolzz. I love this manga so much that I can read it five times or more without getting tired. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR YAOI MANGAS RIGHT NOW.