Jealousy

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The first couple chapters of Jealousy have more vivid characterization than most volumes of yaoi I’ve read. The story is about Rogi and how he becomes obsessed with the young boss of the yakuza, Akitora.

Rogi makes for an enthralling main character because he’s full of personality- a fierce concoction of contradictions and hyperbole. He acts goofy and nonchalant in dangerous situations to the perplexity of those around him. He is a promiscuous and seductive man. But despite his worldly nature, he acts very childlike at times. Rogi causes chaos and doesn’t give a second thought about the consequences. With no concept of shame, Rogi is ... almost like a wild beast in his complete disregard of order and rules. He is clingy when it comes to Akitora and will do anything in order to get closer to him. These clashing traits of his personality are what make him dangerous. His actions are unpredictable and he could seduce you one minute and then try to kill you in the next. It is entertaining to witness a character having so much fun not playing by the rules and seeing how far he will be able to go about his wild ways before everything inevitably falls apart.

Although Rogi hogs the spotlight whenever he appears, the rest of the characters are nothing to scoff at. Akitora and Rogi instantly click upon their first encounter. Akitora carries many responsibilities and can’t be as free as Rogi, so he finds it refreshing to be with someone so unrestrained. They have great chemistry. The manga takes its time to establish the characters and build up the sexual tension to a palpable level. Akitora’s wife isn’t someone to be pitied in this case; instead, she is a formidable queen. She even manages to intimidate Rogi. She holds her own and is as cunning as the male characters. She knows how to play her role as the wife of a yakuza boss, and garners the respect of the men.

On the whole, this story is much stronger in terms of plot and character than its predecessor, Yondaime Ooyamato Tatsuyuki. Although Jealousy is considered the prequel, I started reading it before Yondaime, and I can confirm you don’t have to read it in order to understand this manga. In fact, Jealousy is a marked improvement over the main story. When compared to the heady potency of Jealousy, all else seems wholly inadequate.