Men of Tattoos (review)

Men of Tattoos by Yuiji Aniya

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a story divided into chapters but through different perspectives as the plot unfolds; while funny and touching at moments, the story does not have a happy ending. It is a bittersweet drama that made me both happy and so terribly sad.



***My Katagi-kun-The story opens with Katagi and Kubota; childhood friends who end up reuniting after several years and are now lovers. Katagi-a member of the Yakuza-is a sweet and playful guy who just not seem to belong in this line of work. He has an important meeting to get to but is diverted by Kubota, first with a bout of sex and then with a sudden arrest-as it turns out that Kubota is a cop.



****Dog of the Ranunculus-Mutou is Katagi's boss and he cares deeply for his young master-Arima, the son of the organization's leader-a greedy man who only uses him as a pawn to amass fortunes in the stock market. Mutou gives in to his young master's plan to leave together, the choice made easier when his father tells Mutou that he can have the boy as a plaything-as long as his son continues to make more money for him. Mutou gives instructions to Katagi, to pick them up at a specific time and drive them to the ferry terminal.



***Cinderella and the Mad Shark-Kubota is at it again, dressing up as a woman to nail another member of the organization the police has been tracking and responsible for the murder of another member's death.



****Everyone's Song-Mutou and Arima appear to be enjoying a nice outing; buying ingredients for a meal they're going to prepare. In bed together, Arima gets scared when he starts hearing this loud ringing in his ears.



-Finally released Kubota waits for Katagi. But Katagi is a little unforgiving after what happened, and gives him a few good punches. Kubota learns that Katagi was raped repeatedly in jail-an ex-boxer, he was unwilling to fight back in order to get an early release on good behaviour. What Katagi doesn't tell him is that one of the inmates was HIV positive.



-Kubota takes Katagi to a hospital, where he discovers terrible news about his boss Mutou and his young master Arima.



***The Spring Time of Love & The Path of Dreams-This is a bonus story about Mitsuhisa, a university student who happens to be in love with his friend Haruno-one Mitsu believes is totally straight and a real player. Wondering if he should have the courage to reveal his feelings, it takes an event of paranormal proportions to actually push him into making his love known.











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