Falling for my fiance's forsaken brother :In forced marriage

When it comes to yaoi, there really aren't many series that can compare to Yatteranneeze.  

The plot might seem clichéd to some. In fact, I've encountered the same basic premise in a few shoujo mangas. Hiroya is the quintessential good student—always on the student council, consistently achieving high grades, and never engaging in anything remotely rebellious. On the other hand, Misaki is intelligent when he applies himself but often doesn't bother, preferring to embody everything Hiroya isn't, living as rebellious a lifestyle as possible within his circumstances. Naturally, they form the central couple of Yatteranneeze. Hiroya decides he wants a change and enlists Misaki to teach him how to be cool rather than remain the perfect student. If this were the entirety of the story, it might only merit a 6 from me. However, there's much more depth to it. Yatteranneeze is one of the few yaoi series I've encountered that tackles significant issues affecting gays and people in general, such as homophobia, AIDS, and rape. The narrative seamlessly blends comedy—largely driven by Hiroya's occasional overwhelming innocence—with drama and romance, executed in a way that keeps you eagerly turning pages.  

I must admit, I have a soft spot for mid-90s manga art, and Yatteranneeze exemplifies this style beautifully. The character designs are relatively straightforward, which suits the series well since it focuses on fairly ordinary Japanese students. While the artwork wasn't groundbreaking, it complemented the story perfectly, maintaining consistency throughout and occasionally delivering breathtaking visuals.  

If there's a slight drawback to the series, it lies in the characters. Nevertheless, I'm still awarding it an 8 for being very good. Character development was exceptional; by the series' conclusion, it's evident how their experiences have shaped the main characters and even some supporting ones. That said, I didn't genuinely adore any of them except for Misaki. The others were likable enough and didn't detract from my enjoyment, but they didn't evoke strong positive emotions in me.  

More often than not, I find series more engaging than standalone works, which was certainly the case with Yatteranneeze. Each chapter concluded in a manner that left me craving the next. The romance feels authentic, and while the drama occasionally veers into melodrama, it enhances the experience. By the end, I genuinely wanted Hiroya and Misaki to stay together. Whenever their relationship faced threats, I genuinely felt sadness because I wanted them to succeed. It's rare for me to care so deeply about a couple in any series, underscoring just how much I cherished this one.  

In summary, I give Yatteranneeze a nine. I'd recommend it to anyone seeking a compelling love story, provided they're open-minded about yaoi. Even someone who isn't a fan of yaoi could read Yatteranneeze and look past the fact that it involves two boys, recognizing it simply as a great love story.  

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Often, when diving into manga, you might find it challenging to finish even a single chapter without losing interest. You skim through pages, skipping lines of dialogue, only to feel dissatisfied minutes later. This is often the case with most shounen-ai manga. You may pause briefly for a seductive scene or chuckle at an awkward moment, but generally, the story feels coincidental and unengaging, with characters reduced to mere objects of affection.

This is not the case with Yatteraneeze. Crafted by the talented Meiko Koide and the lesser-known Koh Akizuki, the story revolves around Hiroya Fujimoto and Ryuu Masaki, two high school students from opposite ends of their school's social spectrum. By employing meaningful plot devices, tackling controversial topics, and showcasing realistic relationship dynamics, Koide and Akizuki have created a shounen-ai manga that escapes many clichés and flimsy plot elements that hinder others in the genre.

Admiration is a universal feeling—whether directed at a sports star, a successful actress, a popular mangaka, an older sibling, or even a trendy neighbor. But how far do we go to emulate them? Hiroya Fujimoto, the vice-president of his school’s student council, tires of his average life, personality, and hairstyle. "What would my life be like if I were that person?" Have you ever pondered this? Or gone so far as to explore it?

Insecure, introspective, and hesitant, Hiroya embarks on a relatable journey to reinvent himself. Though his storyline seems more juvenile compared to Masaki's, it offers an inspiring yet touching narrative about self-discovery. Hiroya vows to transform into what he believes he desires—a confident standout like Masaki. However, a new hairstyle, wardrobe, and a comically placed earring can't alter one's inner essence. True self-realization demands dedication and resilience against criticism, but can one achieve all this alone?

Masaki, a rebellious figure who sees no issue in missing planned meetings, inspires Hiroya's transformation. To outsiders, Masaki appears as just a troublemaker with dyed hair, but beneath this facade lies a teenager grappling with significant issues. As mentioned earlier, Masaki's role is more mature, dealing with family conflicts, relationships, and personal health challenges.

As the story unfolds, the protagonists of Yatteraneeze evolve in ways rarely seen in shounen-ai. Quickly sidestepping the "seme-uke" trope, we discover Hiroya and Masaki as complex individuals. When their stories intersect, we witness their relationship grow into a realistic experience. They tackle obstacles that could fracture most couples, learning to accept each other's strengths and flaws.

A few side characters exist, including Masaki’s brother and boyfriend, his ex-girlfriend, and other students developing crushes on Hiroya. These characters contribute little to the main narrative and remain underdeveloped beyond shared emotions. Their subplots, such as a photo scandal and a memory loss scenario, aren't as compelling as the rest of the story but don't detract significantly from the overall work.

Artistically, Yatteraneeze showcases meticulous attention to detail, with Meiko Koide excelling at conveying emotions through her illustrations. The artistic style evolves alongside the characters and plot, transitioning from lighthearted to more mature tones. Occasionally, character designs appear misproportioned, but this isn't overly distracting.

Yatteraneeze is a hidden gem that might be overlooked due to its lack of widespread recognition. Despite minor flaws, it shines with well-developed characters, an engaging story, emotional depth, and a thoughtful approach to controversial subjects that many manga shy away from. If you seek a shounen-ai with a realistic touch, Yatteraneeze is worth exploring!

(This is my first review, so thank you for reading if you've made it this far! Feedback and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated!)<p>

It’s not uncommon for me to voice my dissatisfaction with the yaoi genre as a whole. In fact, I frequently question why I consider it a genre I enjoy. I adore the concept, yet the execution is often abysmal. Have you ever come across a yaoi manga where a tall, dark, and brooding bishounen perpetrates near sexual abuse on a short, blond, angst-ridden bishounen before they exchange teary-eyed love confessions? I certainly have, about twenty times over. Occasionally, I ponder whether I should cease reading yaoi altogether to spare myself from this onslaught of subpar titles. Fortunately, there are enough exceptional manga within this genre that make enduring the mediocrity worthwhile. Some series truly stand out, not merely crafted for the enjoyment of naive teenage girls and perpetually leaning on genre clichés, but designed with the elements that constitute a genuinely high-quality title. Yatteranneeze! is undoubtedly one such series, and it genuinely feels to me that it's almost too good to be classified as a yaoi manga.

Sure, it begins rather simply: Fujimoto, an honor student, decides to shed his nice-guy persona and enlists bad-boy Masaki to assist him. Along the way, they become entangled in their emotional and physical affections. Drama unfolds, but everything resolves as they eventually become a couple. Cliché? Absolutely. However, unlike other similar manga, the plot isn't merely an excuse for fanservice. In fact, the story continues to document the relationship's evolution. Amidst the somewhat unremarkable events typical of every school life manga (culture festival, anyone?) and the occasional steamy scene (which are highly enjoyable in their own right), Fujimoto and Masaki grapple with complex emotions. For a while, Fujimoto struggles with his sexual orientation; later, Masaki fears his past lifestyle may have given him AIDS... and nothing is resolved with just a kiss and an "I love you." The issues are addressed with the tactfulness and realism one would expect in any other critically acclaimed teen fiction (think Rainbow Boys). The characters endure in a manner that's relatable rather than implausible, which is why the potential drama enhances the plot.

That's also what makes the characters pivotal in what renders Yatteranneeze! exceptional. It may feature one "experienced" boy and one shy, cute one, but that's merely another instance of how this is a manga that employs predictable stereotypes in unpredictable ways. As the series progresses, the characters develop and influence each other significantly. As anyone who has ever been a teenager can attest, everything that happens during your teen years, good or bad, can shape you, and Yatteranneeze! truly reflects that. This applies not only to the main characters but also several side characters, most notably Masaki’s fragile brother Chisato and his reckless best friend Kanae. Their story and relationship are also exceptionally well-written, and unlike most side relationships, they have ample time to evolve somewhat – though not enough to keep me from craving more of these two! (Unfortunately, while there is a one-volume sequel known as Yatteranneeze! Gaiden focusing on Chisato and Kanae, it's more or less a volume of yaoi-fied business talk and quite underwhelming.) I can't help but wonder how the creators of this series manage to achieve with their characters what other yaoi mangaka seem unable to grasp, but they do so magnificently.

That said, if I had to pinpoint the weakest aspect of this manga, it would undoubtedly be the art. Not that it's poor by any stretch – far from it! – but at the same time, it's not extraordinary. The volume covers are quite appealing; colorful and featuring a nice variety of poses from volume to volume, although there's a lot of text, making them somewhat cluttered. Flow from panel to panel is generally smooth, and of course, the scenes that prevent Yatteranneeze! from being PG-13 look fantastic. Otherwise, though, the art is merely above-average: it won't deter you from reading, but you probably won't rush out to buy the artbook either.

Yatteranneeze! is what you might term a hidden gem among rough stones. It defies what one might anticipate from a yaoi title and showcases an engrossing story and remarkable characterization. It's ideal for the jaded yaoi fan seeking more from the genre, readers curious about the hype surrounding yaoi but hesitant to dive in, and even those not particularly interested in yaoi but appreciate good manga and don't mind some gay erotica. And unlike certain, more popular yaoi titles, it's guaranteed to keep people coming back for more!

I don't mean to write such a bad review.  
It probably won't be very helpful, but all I can say about this manga is that I rate it a 10.  
This is definitely one of the best I've read. :)  
I absolutely don't think anyone would waste their time reading this.  
If you like yaoi, this is a great manga to get into.  
Take my recommendation ;)

It's a beautiful love story .......️

I just finished chapter 58 and realized I had not commented yet! This book is really good! Such a different perspective of other Alpha books. It’s actually pretty funny. Sad at parts. The character growth of the FL is awesome! Great read!

one of the best

looking forward to the rest of story