Kabuki (manga)

Kabuki (カブキ, Kabuki) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukari Hashida. It is classified in the yaoi genre (male–male romance). The series was originally serialized in Japan by Kaiousha beginning in 2004, and as of 2011 five volumes had been released. It was licensed for English-language publication in North America by Digital Manga Publishing under its June imprint, with the first volume released on September 9, 2008, the second on February 15, 2010, and the third on February 23, 2011.

Plot

Kounosuke is the favored son of a noble family. When he is caught in a fire at the family mansion, a blow to the head causes him to remember scenes from a previous life. In that past life, he was a daimyō (feudal lord) during the Warring States period of Japan, and he had a torrid love affair with his page, Kageya. Kageya had sworn that when they were reborn, they would be together in the next life. When Kounosuke wakes up, however, three men appear before him—all named Kageya. The story follows Kounosuke as he attempts to traverse time and be reunited with his beloved Kageya.

Reception

Critical reception of the series was mixed. Leroy Dessaroux described Kabuki as a "supernatural romance" and praised the "impressionistic" and "realistic" art style, but felt that the tale lacked passion. Danielle Van Gorder, writing for Mania.com, considered that Hashida "was trying to do too many things" in the book and did not succeed at any of them, calling the volume "forgettable."

Publication

References

1. "Kabuki Vol. 1 - Juné Manga". Archived from the original on 2010-04-03.
2. "Kabuki Vol. 2 - Juné Manga". Archived from the original on 2010-04-03.
3. "Kabuki Vol. 3 - Juné Manga". Archived from the original on 2010-04-02.
4. "Yukari Hashida's Kabuki Volume 1 - Flower (Yaoi)".
5. "Kabuki Vol. #01". Mania.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01.