Menkui is a word the Japanese use to refer to someone who is easily swayed by appearance; someone who is shallow and only attracted to others based on looks, etc. Our hero, Kotori, is frequently accused of being menkui.

It's hard to blame him though. He's a perfectly normal-looking guy who has the most gorgeous brother in the world, Kujaku. And he's surrounded by good-looking people at school, too! What's an average joe to do?

Then one day, super-attractive Akaiwa pops up at Kotori's house. Kotori assumes that Akaiwa is there to see Kujaku, and they become fast friends and start hanging out. Akaiwa eventually confesses to Kotori, etc, happy couple.

Volume 1 covers all the usual relationship hangups, with various jealousies and misunderstandings and whatnot. Er, for the main plot anyway-- there are four omake comics.

The first has to do with Kotori's brother and is serious; the next two are completely unrelated characters and some brotherly love, and the last one is yet another completely unrelated story. They are all pretty cute though...but I definitely like the Kujaku one the best. Let's just say it tickles my fancy, and anyone who's read it and knows me at all knows exactly why ;)

Volume 2 takes a sharp turn from "cute high school romance tale" to "supernatural crack high school romance tale," and as seemingly random as it is-- Kotori gets stuck in a mirror with a gorgeous kimono-clad narcissist, and Akaiwa and Kotori's friends have to save him...if they can find him.

After that, Kujaku's friend Seri-- a prince from an India-like country --pops by on an elephant and makes Akaiwa jealous, and thus we leave our heros!

Again in contrast to volume 1, we only get one omake story-- involving the younger brother of Kotori's friend Chikage, a tale referenced in the first story in volume 2. It's cute.



*Whew* Summaries aside...I really like the art for Menkui!; Tanaka-sensei uses much cleaner, thicker lines than your average yaoi mangaka. That plus the fact that the characters really aren't all that girly gives the reader a nice refreshing break from traditional girly-boy yaoi.

Unfortunately, it's very light on the actual content. We see some kisses and snuggles, but they're not exactly hot and heavy-- ever. I'd say it's really the only shortcoming of the series.

Well...okay, I can also see how the sudden switch to crack-based supernatural tales might be a shortcoming to some people. Like I said, I like the change. If it had just been a continuation of volume 1, it would have either gotten very boring, or it might have followed up on the Kujaku short and gotten very melodramatic. But you've been warned!

Overall I'd recommend this title for a fun light read, but not for something hot.

Mangaka: Tanaka Suzuki
Censorship: N/A
Warnings: No smex. Brotherly love.