Winter Demon Volume 2 (Yaoi) (Winter Demon)

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Customer Reviews:

Even better than the first [Posted on 2007-08-28]
Many otaku/japanophiles tend to look down their noses at American-made manga, considering it inferior in comparison to it's Japanese counterparts. I can't disagree more. I am a big fan of yaoi, and I have found that many of the American yaoi mangas are much better. Winter Demon is a good example. This yaoi series succeeds in being not only sexy and sensual, but also has an interesting storyline.

I personally find the second installment to be better than the first. The artwork is alot nicer (though the cover doesn't do it much justice) and more light is shed upon the characters. Hasuin is kind yet has a bit of a manipulative streak in him, and I was also happily surprised to discover he has something of a hair fetish. Fuyu is actually very nice despite the fact that he acts like a real butthole most of the time, and I love how he's always trying to bed Hasuin despite the latter's very vocal objections. The strong yet tender Figaru is steadily becoming my favorite character, and I felt so badly for him when...well, I won't ruin it for you. you'll just have to read it to find out. As for me, I can't wait for volume 3! The preview for Dark Prince was very enticing, and I am going to be picking that up as well.

Beautiful artwork & stupid sex scenes. [Posted on 2007-11-19]
Beautiful, gorgeous artwork; one of the best I've seen in manga. I love how the clothes drape over the characters. The plot is pretty basic, it is the characterization makes it interesting. I thought it was hilarious that Fuyu can't remember Kyoto's name and kept calling her "girl" or "that girl", despite the fact that she had nursed him back to health only days earlier. While Fuyu is devoted to Hakuin's well being, Fuyu is still very selfish and carnal and Hakuin is somewhat forced to resort to flirtatious behavior in order to manipulate Fuyu as well as delay the inevitable as much as possible, though this nearly backfired on Hakuin couple of times.

Unlike some reviewers, I liked the epilogue and thought it made sense that Ichiro and Figaru "broke up". Ichiro is young with a chance to marry and live a normal life. Figaru is good to let Ichiro go like that with his blessing. Makes me wonder if Fuyu would release Hakuin from slavery one day. Being a reluctant sexual companion to a demon is unhealthy especially for a chaste monk who was previously the demon's victim.

After the epilogue is chapter 2, the continuation of Winter Demon. This short chapter reiterates the unease Hakuin feels regarding Fuyu's carnal nature and the bad memories of their first encounter. The chapter ends with a threatening tone from Fuyu to Hakuin. This only reinforce my thoughts from the epilogue that Fuyu should follow Figaru's example and release Hakuin for his sake. At least Ichiro was a willing (and very enthusiastic) partner to Figaru, Hakuin is not.

Admittedly I am not the target reader for this kind of genre. I actually tore some of the unnecessary and gratuitous sex pages out the book and chuck it into the paper recycle bin. Hence the sizes of the Winter Demon books grow increasingly smaller from volume 1 to 2. Would volume 3 end up being the smallest of them all?

The Best Yet [Posted on 2008-01-03]
I really liked this manga, it's a way better improvement in art and story from the first. The art is amazing and there's definite depth, and sexy scenes. If anyone was disappointed with the first manga give this one a try it'll keep you wanting more. I can't wait to get the third and hopefully it'll meet Winter Demon's 2 standard.

3.5 stars, not quite as good as V1 [Posted on 2008-03-18]
I enjoyed the first volume of Winter Demon very much. This volume, while still enjoyable, just wasn't as good. I think perhaps because the story was less serious. Fuyu and Hakuin are escorting a sick friend to find a doctor. Fuyu isn't happy to be doing so and is even more unhappy to be charged with entertaining a child in order to gain the doctor's services. I think the purpose of this volume was for Fuyu to discover the true horror his rape caused Hakuin, but the surrounding "plot" was too weak to give the moment it's due gravity. Still, it made the point and began the change in Fuyu that will continue. The "action" in the story is decidedly derailed by the scene, but Fuyu becomes more tender toward Hakuin after that.

I like these characters and will certainly order volume 3, but hope that volume gets back on the track set by Volume 1. Recommended.

Love the series, but this was one of the weaker volumes. [Posted on 2008-07-26]
Having read the three currently published volumes of Winter Demon, I have to say that I found this one the most lacking. For myself, I think it was due to a fairly weak plot and little action. Having said that, there was a lot about this book I did enjoy, namely there's a lot more character development with Hakuin as he tries to come to terms with his relationship with Fuyu. It is nice seeing the dynamic between Hakuin and Fuyu change as they spend more time together. Still, volume three remains my current favorite in the series.

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