Midnight Stranger, Vol. 1

I’ve long been a fan of yaoi, but I mostly consumed it in fanfiction and fanart, so this is my first time actually getting into reading yaoi manga (this isn’t my first comic book, though, but it is my first manga). I didn’t have any particular reason for choosing this title as my very first yaoi manga to read – I just happened to be browsing amazon and this one looked cute (and I liked the story synopsis) so I ordered it. I read it pretty quickly – I think it only took me about two hours. My very first impression is that it’s hard getting used to reading from right to left. It’s not only right to left in pages, but on the page, you go from right to left on the panels. I kept having to go back and try again when sometimes I’d forget what I was doing and read it the wrong way (and then wonder why things didn’t quite make sense). By the end, though, I was getting better at this, and I imagine it’s something that would come more naturally after reading more manga. Now, as for the actual story – it is very sweet and cute, and dare I say it – fluffy. I like the fact that there’s a supernatural element to it (the main characters are gods/spirits), solely because I find that books with a supernatural element to them are a bit more interesting (I get bored sometimes with stories that are just plain high school romance or whatever). The pacing of the book moves pretty quickly (something I quite appreciate), but at the same time you get enough of a feel for the characters’ personalities that you can enjoy them. Roi is a bit subservient and has a bit of an inferiority complex, and Xiu is rather full of himself (I would be too if I had his abilities!), but in the end you get the sense that he deeply cares about Roi regardless. It makes for an interesting dynamic between them, and it’s incredibly sweet to see them interact. The only that I really don't understand about the book, though, is the random story in the middle (it involves characters that we've not been introduced to before and appears to be a side-story of sorts). I liked the side-story, but it wasn't really introduced very well – it was just like – bam – there it was in the middle of the book. I do also wonder why this manga is titled "Midnight Stranger" as I don't really remember any point in the story that directly emphasizes midnight or strangers. Oh well, guess it's not important. Art-wise, the comic is beautifully drawn. Everything looks great, and there’s no “yaoi-hands” here to speak of (fyi for anyone who doesn’t know, yaoi-hands refer to artists who have their proportions off and frequently draw too-large hands on characters). Lastly, I should mention the smut-factor here (I read these things for sex scenes first, then story second). There's plenty of explicit sexy scenes (woot!), but they are sorta/kinda censored. What I mean is that a lot of angles are drawn so as to obscure the naughty bits, and there are a few times where genitals are just sort of left undetailed in the drawing. It's not too jarring in the artwork, so I'm still happy. So, overall, I can definitely recommend this to yaoi fans. I’m not sure if I’m impressed by it because it’s the first one I've ever read (and therefore don’t have much to compare it to), or if I just like it in general. I guess it doesn’t matter since I enjoyed it so much I’ve already immediately pre-ordered the next volume, as well as the author's other works (in English). So, that's my recommendation right there!

I found this story to be entertaining and funny, it is in typical Naono Bohra fashion. A supernatural yaoi involving older men, with wonderful artwork. A fire god saves an "ugly" lowly demon from humans and makes him his, and gives him a human body so sex can ensure. The humor involved is on par with all Naono Bohra's work and if you are a fan of her works, this story won't disappoint!

I love Hours Naonoi! Such beautiful art and rich short story telling. Everything is quirky and sexy and sweet!

I really like this series. Xiu and Roi are both really cute in their interactions and respective insecurities, and the plot, while not very deep, is mostly sweet, a little angsty, but overall not too intense (you always know things are going to be fine). What I didn't like about this manga was the (rather long) side story at the end, which as a lot darker and more gruesome than the advertised story that I had bought this for. It honestly wasn't to my taste, and wasn't what I felt I had signed up for with Midnight Stranger. It depicted a relationship between a teenager and an ostensibly older man, and was at times rather violent (but not sexually violent) and had a kinda creepy, ominous tone to it.

A fun and completely unbashful tale. Very amusing and relatable characters. Wonderfully drawn.

Love all sensei's manga this is another great yaoi I definitely recommend it the art and beautiful and sublime always does an amazing job with translation

Loved every page in this book. The main story and side story. Can’t wait for more. I hope Peri gets a side story.

I like the level of characterization and the consensual nature of the relationship. I'm enjoying the goat's powers and how they relate to the story of the mortals in his life.

Llegó mucho antes de lo esperado y en perfectas condiciones, así que no tengo queja alguna.

Fujoshi Reporting in! Anything by Bohra is always a good choice! Anything by Bohra that's supernatural based is an even better choice! Story about an ugly but sweet spirit that helps humans get rid of sickness and a fire god who loves/owns (in a sense) him. There's also a side story in this volume which is awesome!!! Can't wait for the second volume to come out. If you like Yaoi and supernatural this is a good one. There is enough smexy times and good dialogue with sweet story to keep your fujoshi/fundashi heart thumping. Enjoy loves!

I first read this series via fan-made online scanlations and I instantly ADORED it so, when I found out it had an "official" edition, I absolutely had to get it...and I recommend you do the same, you won't regret it: the story is funny and heart-wrenching, the characters are absolutely amazing and you'll immediately love them to bits, even the sub-stories are as intense as the main one; for me, this is a must-read for all yaoi fans.

Todos os trabalhos da Naono Bohra são maravilhosos! esse não é diferente!! já quero mais!

Me encantan las historias de Naono Bohra, poder encontrar el primer volumen de esta serie fue una gran suerte. Enviado y entregado en tiempo y forma, muy bien protegido.