geri_chan | Haru fic update and quick Otodama review

I know I sort of promised in the last chapter of "Unmasked" that the next one would be posted in a more timely manner, but now it's two weeks later and still no story. *looks around sheepishly* So I just wanted to say sorry, I underestimated how much time some RL commitments and my Snupin Showers story would take up. The good news is that I'm almost done and I hope to finish it up over the weekend.

In other Youka Nitta related news, volume 1 of "Otodama: Voice from the Dead" finally came out, and I really loved it. It's published by DMP's yaoi imprint Doki Doki, but it's not actually a yaoi story. There are some slashy hints between the main characters Kaname and Hide, but it's not so blatant that it can't be passed off as merely a close friendship for readers who aren't into yaoi.

The story is a supernatural mystery, revolving around Kaname's ability to hear sounds beyond the normal range that most humans can hear--including the voices of the dead (hence the title). Kaname and Hide both used to work for the police, but left under mysterious circumstances that are only hinted at in this volume--it sounds like the police wouldn't listen when Kaname tried to get them to act on some information he heard (some of his abilities, particularly his ability to hear the dead, are naturally difficult for most people to believe in), and a life was lost when the police didn't follow through quickly enough, due to lack of solid evidence, it's implied. Hide's twin brother, now a high-ranking superintendent, was somehow involved with the case.

Kaname and Hide quit the force after that, and Hide works as sort of a private detective, specifically helping clients troubled by stalkers, while Kaname works as a soundman, a musical engineer. However, the two brothers and Kaname end up working together again when one of Hide's cases intersects with the police's investigation of a serial killer. Meanwhile, there's a scruffy-looking guy who goes around taking pictures of corpses, and he seems to be obsessed with Kaname...

I like the contrast between the brash, emotional Hide and his cool, collected brother. The brother is a restrained, reserved type--almost uptight; he reminds me a bit of Iwaki in some ways. But although he and Hide don't always see eye to eye, he is a good cop who cares deeply about his work and the people he's trying to save. Hide reminds me a bit of Miyasaka, only more mature and less of a jerk--you can tell that he would never even consider trying to rape someone.

Kaname spends most of his time isolated from the rest of the world--he has to retreat into a soundproofed room to keep from being overwhelmed by all the ordinary sounds of everyday life that the rest of us don't even think about. His friendship with Hide keeps him grounded and prevents him from becoming a complete recluse, and in return, he reluctantly allows Hide to enlist his help on some of Hide's cases.

Kaname is a typically pretty bishonen type character with long blondish/light brown hair--in looks, he reminds me a little of Onozuka (although he could also be a softer, prettier version of Katou), even though their personalities are nothing alike. Maybe it's because Hide reminds me of Miyasaka, but I kept thinking that Miyasaka and Onozuka could star in an "Otodama" movie or tv show in my little Haru universe! Physically, the creepy death-obsessed photographer resembles a scruffy Katou, so maybe Katou could play that role? ~_^

Also, I really like Superintendent Tadashiki, another fine supporting female character by Nitta-sensei. She's smart and beautiful, and tough enough to succeed in the male-dominated Japanese police force. She also seems to have some sort of rivalry going with Superintendent Nagatsuma (Hide's brother), and I hope we see more of her in future volumes.

I thought this was a really good story: suspenseful and well-paced, and it really kept me hooked right up until the end. It should appeal to readers who like mysteries and/or the supernatural, and I think it has great crossover appeal, so I hope that DMP is able to market it towards the general public and not just yaoi fans. At the same time, the beautiful artwork and strong story, combined with the slashy hints between Hide and Kaname, should also appeal to readers of Nitta-sensei's yaoi titles. I highly recommend this title to any manga fan.