Aug 20, 2016
Relationships are always complex, they never go smoothly, but so does life. As the title suggests, this manga’s story revolve around eight men all linked aka connected with each other through circumstances, profession, and personal relationships. Links talk about these men trying to live their lives and hoping to find happiness and maybe love.
Art
One word...beautiful. I have just started following Kizu Natsuki sensei's work and the enamoring art style and well defined features of the characters, especially their eyes takes you in the story. Its the art that talks, and the story is defined by the art or is an extended version of the art
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(if you know what I mean). Also "ikemen" gorgeous Seme and lovely (to an extent of girlish-like) looking Uke. But the background design and the variation created for all characters in the story including supporting characters, just amazed me. Not every mangaka can create such variation and still remain connected to the story.
Characters
Have you ever waited to listen to your favorite radio show/TV series with baited breath just to hear or watch your fave RJ or TV actor speak or perform. The first couple featuring in the story is of Sekiya Masahito and Shibata Ryou and their link is established when the young radio jockey with a suave voice ^^ meets a 30 yr old shop manager with a koe/voice fetish. Sekia gets irritated by this overly enthusiastistic, extremely friendly, bothersome ossan and his persistent requests of friendship. Shibata san is too dense to understand that Sekia kun does not want to get along. How will Shibata san manage to get the unsociable Sekia's attention?
The second couple's relationship is of two people having a link through professional/personal connections. Tsubame Yahiko is Sado Takaaki's Secretary (a Yakuza boss), and his bodyguard, and he is head over heals for Niitsu Akiha, Sado's senpai and his dead brother's ex lover. No one can replace the memories of the past and if someone is not ready to move on, its even harder for the ones who love them. This is the reality of Yahiko and Akiha. Will Akiha ever understand that his happiness time has finally arrived; that sometimes its better to let go of the past and accept to give love another chance?
Our third couple did not even started as a couple, they were just two people who got linked through a cat. Yup, Ogikawa Yuusei is a sales man who tried to rescue a cat from rain, but collapsed because he was drunk. In came the knight in shinning armor, Kameda Aoi, a metal engraver who was just walking by. He sees the drenched /sorry looking fellow and his cat, picks them up and brings them to his home. Their friendship is a quirky one, but is their a scope of developing a relationship?
Our final couple looks like two people always on bad terms (seen mostly arguing or fighting with each other). How are they linked…Nakajou Shinobu is a Yakuza's son, although he does not do any Yakuza work and he is Sado Takaaki's partner who is a Yakuza boss and has been working under Shinobu's father. They share a connection through a tragedy that happened 10 years ago, which brought them together and started a relationship with no expectations, but somehow they are still together. Will one of them break the fragile thread that binds them or will they hold on to it, and to each other desperately?
Enjoyment
As you can see the characters truly unique, but here is the enjoyment element - Links BLCD. Yes, you will feel the effect of the manga triple fold with the drama cd. There is no question that the whole voice cast has done a wonderful job. We have an awesomely cool regular fave BL seiyuus - Meano Tomoaki, Shingaki Tarusuke, Hatano Wataru, and Nojima Hirofumi in lead roles. But the new comers in BL, Taishi Murata and Saito Soma are amazing enacting their roles too. Taishi Murata is super hilarious portraying the awkward, Happy go lucky Shibata; while Saito Soma blew me over when I heard him playing Shinobu (totally different avatar from his anime roles). Another noticeable seiyuu is Furkuwa Makoto. Forget One Punch Man anime please and behold his BL seiyuu version. Although he portrays a quiet character of Kameda Aoi, the acting is too funny and so is his chemistry with Ogikawa's seiyuu Hanae Natsuki who is sounding surprisingly mature in his BL voice acting work. Tamaru Atsushi did a good job as a supporting seiyuu enacting the dead brother's role whose presence has remained throughout the series. So do listen to the BLCD!
Overall
All four stories have something in common, they touch your heart and all four couples will become your fave. I loved Sekiya and Shibata…they are just too cute to ignore, but its Shinobu and Sado whose constant banter, yet extreme feelings for each other stole my heart. My recommended must read and a keeper. I hope Natsuki Kizu sensei brings us a sequel of this series.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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