Book Review: Kiss All the Boys, Vol 1 by Shiuko Kano

 

Kiss All the Boys, Vol 1      

Author: Shiuko Kano

Publisher: Deux Press

American release date: April 1, 2008

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Yaoi manga/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

Tetsuo is 32 years old. He writes a porn comic for his best friend Michiro. He is also the father of a 15-year-old son named Haruka, whose mother is Michiro’s sister. Tetsuo hasn’t exactly been a hands-on father. But when his ex is offered a long-term opportunity in Paris that she just can’t pass up, Tetsuo finds himself playing father full-time. On top of that, Tetsuo has another kind of problem  - he can’t seem to get it up, which makes dating difficult and frustrates him to no end.

Tetsuo accidentally discovers Haruka is gay (if you consider snooping accidental) and doesn’t know what to make of that so he confides in Michiro, who is also gay. Michiro advised Tetsuo to simply accept his son for who he is and to be a better father. Seems like good advice. When Tetsuo leaves Michiro, he happens upon a porn theater and decides to clear up one problem before tackling another. But outside the theater, a strange man unexpectedly crumples on top of him, seemingly terrified by the thought of going in. Deciding to play Good Samaritan, Tetsuo helps him in (basically to avoid embarrassment on the street) and they end up sitting together. The man is aghast when he finds himself hard, although Tetsuo assures him that is natural for where they are. But when Tetsuo suggests he head to the bathroom and take care of the issue, the man says he is afraid to get up. But then the unexpected happens when Tetsuo takes the “problem” in hand.

Afterward, Tetsuo is confused about what occurred. Luckily, he’ll never see that guy again. Except that’s not how life works. And the man – whose name is Momoyama – turns out to be Tetsuo’s new neighbor!  He seems smitten with Tetsuo, and offers to return the favor! One thing leads to another and Haruka unexpectedly catches them in the act (guess who’s confused now!) and he runs off. Turns out there is a guy he likes named Tamaki and he doesn’t know what to do about it.

Complications continue to arise as Tetsuo tries to deal with the idea that he gets hard with Momoyama (who he nicknames Homoyama) and he is also working through the problems with his gay son, while Momo just wants to get Tetsuo to acknowledge him. Momo ends up being confronted by Michiro, who tries to tell him it was just the alcohol, but he accuses Michiro of being in love with Tetuso himself!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began this yaoi manga, but I quickly found myself engaged with the characters and the story. Tetsuo has a tendency to be a rather clueless and selfish prick but I think he has a good heart and hope he will get better. I see a triangle brewing, maybe even more if I correctly read Tamaki’s reaction to something he unexpectedly witnessed. I’m a little conflicted about Haruka because he’s only 15, and I hope he doesn’t get any sex scenes, even with Tamaki. Guess we’ll see. Enjoyed the first volume and looking forward to the next!