Gravitation

The narrative maintains a consistent rhythm, and despite becoming somewhat unrealistic around the eighth volume, it remains as engaging as ever. The artwork is exceptional, and while the characters can be a bit over-the-top at times, they aren't nearly as irritating as some characters in other manga. Overall, an incredible shonen-ai manga.

Gravitation, to me, feels like a mixed bag. Some anime and manga enthusiasts adore it, while others don't quite appreciate its style. Initially, I was skeptical about buying it. Although I wanted to explore more of the shounen-ai genre, I couldn't help but question if it was worth my time. As I began reading, my curiosity was piqued by how a music-themed manga would unfold. So, I purchased the first two volumes and gave it a shot. I must say, I am thoroughly impressed with Murakami-san's ability to craft an engaging story.

My initial skepticism stemmed from the quality of the artwork. It wasn't exactly what I had hoped for, but as the series progressed, the art improved significantly. Another element that really hooked me was the characters. Each character is unique in their own way, with personalities that are vastly different yet complement each other perfectly when they interact. Shuichi's over-the-top personality, Yuki's sober demeanor, Tatsuha's obsessive streak, Tohma's darker side, and Sakano's frequent panic attacks all mesh together intriguingly. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they all fit together.

If I had to recommend a series for newcomers to the shounen-ai genre, Gravitation would be my top pick. It provides a great introduction to the genre and offers an entertaining blend of compelling characters and an engaging storyline.

Gravitation was my very first dive into the yaoi/shounen-ai genre, and it did not let me down.

I adore Shuichi. Initially, I worried he might become irritating, but his quirky nature turned out to be hilariously endearing. His relentless pursuit of his dreams is genuinely inspiring.

Yuki won my heart too. At first glance, I feared he'd be aggravating, yet he surpassed all my expectations. Though he appears cold at first, the way he softens around Shuichi is incredibly sweet and heartwarming—sometimes even comical.

Their dynamic is a perfect balance. Shuichi's infectious cheerfulness brightens Yuki’s otherwise somber world, while Yuki grounds Shuichi by showing him the harsh realities of pursuing his dream.

The manga's whimsical, cartoonish humor adds an extra layer of charm. Characters like Reiji significantly elevate the manga beyond its anime adaptation.

If any of these aspects intrigue you, give Gravitation a read. It's a delightful, enjoyable experience that offers a little bit of everything.

My first review... exciting!!! Haha! Well! Anyways, to answer all the basic questions first:
1. Yes, this is a Yaoi, but only a soft one.
2. It is a romance, comedy, and maybe a little bit of action.
Gravitation was just something random I picked up both to pass time and to try something new other than my usual shojo, shonen, etc., manga. Before I knew it, after a few chapters, I was hooked. Sure, the art may not be as great compared to other mangas, but it makes up for it with all the comedy they put into it. A truly great read :)

Prepare for a lengthy review, and my very first one! I've read the entire Gravitation series three times, making it perfect to review this now.

Let's dive in...

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Story: 8/10

Gravitation revolves around Shindou Shuichi, a passionate music fanatic aspiring to be as great as his idol Ryuichi Sakuma. With his best friend Hiro Nakano on guitar, they form a band. Determined, Shuichi aims to become a rock star. Fatefully, he meets Eiri Yuki, who harshly critiques his lyrics. Obsessed with Yuki and his words, Shuichi throws himself into Yuki's life. Their connection is like gravity, pulling them together irresistibly.

The story hooked me from the start with its engaging plot and humorous moments courtesy of Shuichi. The romance was well-balanced, leaving you wanting more. However, as the series progressed, the comedy became too over-the-top, featuring 'mecha pandas,' gun-toting Americans, and Shuichi's constant mood swings ruining romantic scenes. Despite this, Shuichi's music career struggles were realistically portrayed.

Overall, I enjoyed it immensely, from Volume 1 to 12. The journey through Shuichi's music career and industry was well-executed, as was the romance. The negatives included occasional craziness and Shuichi's dramatic antics, which weren't as pronounced initially.

Art: 8/10

Comparing Vol. 1 and Vol. 12 side by side without context would make you think they're different series. By Vol. 6, the change is evident. Maki Murakami's art can be sloppy at times, and some characters look too similar, making identification tricky. However, becoming familiar with the characters helps. Murakami's style is visually appealing, with classic dramatic expressions. Personally, I prefer the earlier art style.

Characters: 10/10

The characters are what make Gravitation unforgettable. With Shuichi's hyper energy, Yuki's stoicism, and Ryuichi's genius lyricism, they add depth. These characters made me fall in love with the series. They're all likable, and you'll find parts of yourself in them.

Enjoyment: 10

I was hooked from Vol. 1 to Vol. 12, unable to put it down. The humor and character interactions were excellent. Never did I consider dropping this manga. The story, characters, art—everything draws you in and hooks you.

Overall: 9/10

With a solid story and art, along with outstanding characters and enjoyment, this manga is a must-read. It's a shounen-ai classic that every fan should experience. For those curious, take a chance on this manga. It holds a special place in my heart.

I strongly recommend watching the series before reading the manga for this reason:

The story. Due to Murakami Maki's rather undeveloped art at the beginning of the series, it also hindered the flow of storytelling; thus, it is quite challenging to understand or get into the story. From personal experience, I tried to read it first but found the art completely off-putting and dropped it after the second chapter.

Now, onto the review...

Gravitation is often called the gateway to the shounen-ai genre due to its appeal. What sets this apart from others in its genre is its diversity. For once, it does not solely focus on the characters' (in this case, Eiri’s and Shuichi’s) relationship but encompasses everything around them – the side characters, the music, their careers, their individuality, and most importantly – the gags.

Comedy is Gravitation's biggest draw, and it excels in making readers laugh. Most of the humor relies on over-the-top antics, references to the music industry (like N-Sync), or sexual innuendos. Another appealing aspect is the lack of typical lovey-dovey or corny scenes. If present, they are usually used as a gag themselves, with Murakami mocking these for the reader's enjoyment.

The initial volumes’ art is - bluntly put - quite horrendous. As mentioned earlier, it can repel readers, and the storytelling is sloppy. However, there is a significant improvement in art during the latter part of the series, becoming noticeable around volume 6. Murakami introduces an effective way of using panels to enhance storytelling. Although her art improved, I wasn’t fond of the new character design for Shuichi. Initially, one of Gravitation's strengths was Shuichi’s more masculine physique, but as the story progresses, he becomes shorter and eventually has a physique that might disappoint some readers (for better or worse). Thus, he fits the stereotypical uke role.

The cast of Gravitation all play significant roles in the story – whether meddling, providing support, or representing parts of the past. They all contribute, giving this series an edge that other shounen-ai stories lack.

It seems unrealistic how everyone accepts Shuichi’s and Eiri’s relationship; then again, a manager who uses a gun for persuasion and a giant robot panda chasing Shuichi through New York isn't exactly realistic either.

All of Gravitation has been licensed under Tokyopop, who did a fantastic job translating. However, the first few translated volumes may cause some to cringe with their attempt at using 'hip' phrases, often backfiring with tacky lines like “take a chill pill.” Fortunately, it improves along the way, and I appreciate their efforts to appeal to Western audiences by incorporating our entertainment industry, such as MTV (“Oh, I get it, I’m on Punk’d. Where’s Ashton?”).

Both versions of Gravitation are light-hearted, filled with humor, and entertaining. The manga makes you appreciate how well the anime producers adapted it - it’s one of the best adaptations of a manga I’ve seen. And the manga contains some of the silliest content I've ever read - but it’s those stupid shenanigans that make me laugh so much.

Having watched the anime when it first appeared on fansubs online, I eventually decided to try out the manga. I visited my local anime store and bought the first two volumes. Within a few weeks, I had purchased up to volume 10, completely hooked.

Story: The story was excellent and intriguing at the beginning. It was enjoyable and engaging, with plenty of panel time dedicated to some favorite characters. However, as the story shifted from Japan to America, its appeal diminished somewhat. The focus moved away from Shuichi's career and onto a psychotic manager who became increasingly unrealistic. Initially, the story was quite believable, only occasionally dipping into fantastical territory, which made it just perfect. The introduction of the manager in a robot panda felt like a shift from slice-of-life to something more akin to FLCL. Overall, the story is good and well-handled, except for a few over-the-top characters that steer the plot in odd directions.

Characters: The characters are well-developed and believable. Their everyday personality traits are pushed to their limits, giving them a strong sense of presence and vibrancy. They are enjoyable to follow along with and watch grow and mature throughout the chapters.

Overall: I recommend this series overall. If you can handle the sudden tone shift that occurs around volume 8, you will surely love this manga.

This series is absolutely fantastic, particularly if slapstick, dark, and sexual humor with a compelling story are your cup of tea.

It's unfortunate that many shy away from this story due to its Shonen-ai elements, but honestly, it's not a big deal nor overly excessive. (Though, the Doujins might differ, but that's for another discussion.)

Overall: The characters are fun, the comedy is top-notch, and the plotlines are substantial and engaging.

If you're looking for an unforgettable manga experience, do yourself a favor and CHECK GRAVITATION OUT NOW!