Yesterday, was a slightly momentous event in my manga-reading history. I went to Digital Manga Publishing’s Warehouse Sale and bought myself 44 books in total. That fact, in and of itself, is not significant. I drop more money on more manga at various anime conventions. What is special about that is that over 34 of these titles are either yaoi or BL, making it the most of those particular genres that I’ve ever bought at one time.
I’m actually not all that into BL and yaoi, despite many people assuming otherwise. I have no prejudices against the concept, but I do have a lot of problems with many of the tropes used, and for good reason. Why would I want to read about rape, men pressuring other men into sex or student-teacher romances when I wouldn’t want those same things to happen to me? There’s also a heavier reliance on tropes than in most manga, which I find to be an instant snooze fest. Needless to say, finding BL or yaoi manga that I want to spend my money on has been tough.
So, in celebration of acquiring 34 books that I would have never read before now, I’m challenging myself to read and blog about one or more BL or yaoi manga a day, every day, for 30 days. I have given myself a lead time of one day, so I can find the time to type everything up if I get a bit busy. Some days, I’ll blog about more than one volume of a particular series. Some books have been disqualified because I don’t have the preceding volume, because I’ve already read them, or because they’re novels. Now to begin!
All Nippon Air Line
This was such a great title to start with!
The premise is obviously goofy: An airline, staffed completely by men from the CEO down to the lowliest janitor, called All Nippon Air Line (A.N.A.L.) where gay sex with anyone (and everyone?) is encouraged! Customers included!
The stories of this airline and its passionate staff are told in funny vignettes where the punchline usually revolves around the airline’s name, the unusual services they provide, the public’s reaction to such a flamboyant airline or the bizarre tastes of the hottest flight attendants. Even some of the sound effects are a good laugh. (Spanka Spanka, anyone?)
I found it really interesting just how much stuff about running an airline was covered, despite all the gay jokes. Even topics like how young people become attracted to the lifestyle of the flight attendants, how airlines can have major crises if they can’t get clearance and how airlines take care of sick employees is covered. The author outs herself as an airplane nut and it shows, although it became quite obvious that the manga was written pre-9/11. (Being able to enter the cockpit? Not anymore!)
Aside from a few short moments of coerced sex, the manga is pretty clean. (And rated 16+! Wow!) I didn’t find those few instances funny, but since the point of All Nippon Air Line is humor, I have an easier time with the coercion than when those moments are meant to fulfill my sexual fantasies.
The only other minus to this manga is the occasional disproportionate face, but otherwise I’ve seen much worse art in manga. Pick it up if you’re interested in a silly BL romp.
One day down. I can only pray that the rest of my foray into BL and yaoi manga is this enjoyable. (I won’t get my hopes up.)
