Gouhou Drug
Legal Drug

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I have deduced that when CLAMP sets out to create a piece of work, they put in a plan to put it to a halt. Just to make us all suffer (not really, but doesn't it make you wonder?).

Story: For any of you familiar with xxxHolic, Legal Drug plays out similarly to that, even though LD came before it. But while in Holic you find Yuuko's store when you have a wish to be granted and Watanuki and Domeki find a way to grant it for you; in LD Kakei, the owner of the Green Drug Store, comes to Rikuo and Kazahaya with odd ... jobs. Jobs only they could do because of their abilities. All so that they can earn extra money on the side to pay for rent. On the surface that's it. Underneath it all something more complex slowly seeps out the sides, pulling you deeper and deeper into it only to end at volume 3! We really start to taste the story, with Kakei, Rikuo and Kazahaya, and even Saiga and we don't really get enough. But the problem is, that what we do get is absolutely wonderful. Throughout each of the side quests, we get these little bits of both Rikuo and Kazahaya's past, that make you itch for more. In the end, I'm really looking forward to it [finally] being continued. There really isn't anything more exciting than knowing that your finally going to get more.

Art: What can I say [again]? CLAMP makes itself known on its artwork and its characters. LD has a 90s feel to me although it was published in the 00s. It's reminiscent of X and Clover. It's edgy, dark and detailed. You really can't go wrong if you're already a CLAMP fan, and if you aren't than you might want to give it a try because it's truly worth it. It also carries the same sensual feel that CLAMPs older works do that I think the newer ones do not. CLAMP was at its best artistically at this time and I don't think you should pass up the chance to experience it for yourself.

Character: Absolutely the best aspect of LD. Kakei is a favorite along with Rikuo. But I've grown to love them all. Their personalities are so quirky and aggressive, it's obvious that they're children of CLAMP. What should also be apparently obviously is the shounen-ai, especially between Kakei and Saiga [you can't miss it - really]. If you have a problem with this, then what the hell are you reading CLAMP for? No one wants to hear you bitch and moan about how much you can't stand it when the simple solution was to just not read it - or to keep your mouth shut. Another wonderful aspect about these characters is their air of mystery. That's what LD is about. Finding out who exactly Rikuo and Kazahaya are, who the women in their lives are, why Kakei opened the Drug Store for them and why is it that they all came to be together? What is Legal Drug? You shouldn't pass up Legal Drug purely for the fascination of Rikuo, Kazahaya, Kakei and Saiga.

Enjoyment: I really love LD, absolutely. I'm an avid CLAMP reader and fan as well, so my opinion might be biased. But that shouldn't dissuade you from taking the time to just see if this one is for you. Because CLAMP never really seems to fail with it's characters and they always manage to make a story come to life around them and their art is always superbly detailed and rich that I can't help but enjoy [almost - see Chobits] everything that they give us. And this one, despite it's length, didn't disappoint me.

This plot is developing really well. Every 'assignment' leads us a little closer to knowing what is happening with Kazahaya and Rikou and these mysterious women. So far we are still no closer to knowing the reasons for the assignments but I don't doubt that it will be revealed in due course.

Legal Drug also has good character development. The relationship between Rikou and Kazahaya grows more and more obvious (to everyone except them). Their feelings for the 'lost women' of their lives is shown wonderfully.

There is a lot left unsaid though, since Saiga and Keiko are still very much unknown to the reader. It can ... also be confusing having 2 slim blonde characters and 2 heavily built dark haired characters, thank Gods for glasses!

Although this manga series is made up of lots of separate assignments there are knock on effects from each one and issues are carried over. The reader is given tantalising teases about both Rikou's and Kazahaya's past and their relationships. It is also quite humorous.

The colour artwork at the start of each manga and the trace drawings are a wonderful addition and some of the nicest manga artwork I have come across.

I have to say this has quickly become one of my favorite mangas, the pictures, the teasing of Kazahaya by almost everyone, as well as the surreal assignments and the mystery of those women. This manga grips me and makes me laugh out loud. I will say though that if shonen ai isn't your thing then don't read this but if you're like me and you're partial to a bit of shonen ai then jump right on in!

Nanashi Moriko *Not quite a Legal Drug fangirl but dying to read vol 4.*
18/3/05

Potential is the big word here when describing Legal Drug.

The character's intentions, abilities and origins are shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, getting clearer and clearer every few chapters. This is what helped me to continue Legal Drug however the series brought a focus to strange things in the manga unnecessarily. This includes background characters saying profound things to the main characters including their full names; it seems like they'd get a call back moment in later chapters but this isn't the case. The fact that Legal Drug contains these red herrings that never get concluded really disturbs the immersion and makes finishing the manga ... feel so-so.

What this manga lacks does not make it unreadable or unenjoyable, the strengths are clearly in it's progression of plot and characterisation. I feel like the unfinished feeling of Legal Drug was due to an extensive and interesting plot developments/devices were rushed into 3 volumes. Reading the sequel, Drug and Drop, may connect loose ends but I feel like I shouldn't need to read a sequel series to be content with the first installment.