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Story:
This story was quite good, it is about young man who is sent by his family to become a monk (quite wealth feudal lord from the way they acted). But, things get difficult when his much younger brother shows up crying at the same time bandits do. What is a older brother to do, try and save the younger one of course! But, things go array when his younger doesn't get far enough away in time and it captured by the one of the bandits and their leader. The leader finds the elder brother fascinating and want him for himself so he offers him a ... deal...his submission for his younger brother's safety. But, this is just the start of the tale. From then on it picks up pace. The only reason I gave the story a 7 and not an 8 was because there was a part in the story that was confusing. I know that it was probably meant to be for shock value to the readers. But, to not know what is going on for about 3 to 4 for pages is a little much for me. Other than that the author did an amazing job putting so much in this story and making it all work.

Art:
Now some may disagree but I found the art to be very beautiful. I don't think the author used it throughout, but I could definitely feel the use of the new software that some of the manga artist are using. It gives the pictures more depth and more perception. So the art reminded me a lot of the manga Crimson Cross (just the art, nothing more).

Characters:
The characters are unique. Like the main character, the elder brother who ended up having to play "uke" to the bandit lord. He is not your cookie cutter "uke", he is neither weak, girly looking, nor putting his heart in anyone's hands but his brother's. Whom he is doing all this for to protect. The other characters are the same, nothing quite fits into any mold that you might try to find and this is makes them so interesting to read. It's to bad they didn't take this magna further, but at least they didn't leave it with an ep! Like some do. But, it does remind me of Deeper Eye's Kyo without the yaoi of course.

Enjoyment:
It was a fascinating read, especially since I love the feudal era, but really that is a backdrop. I wouldn't even consider it a character except for the superstition of the era does affect our main characters life since his birth. There are a few moments in the manga were you might laugh, but they are few and far between. Mostly, if you were actually "in" the manga, you would be locked in a world with no light, and where no hope enters. The only thing keeping you going is your will to survive and the love of your brother (and it is purely platonic love for those who are interested). While it is full of is sadness, tragedy, pain, and suffering, but it is definitely worth it to read; so you can experience all those emotions packed into a one-shot so well it is hard to describe with words. But, then again, isn't art suppose to reflect life?

I will say one word that described my reading of this manga "cathartic." Artist are by nature emotional people, we put out emotions into what we do. So another artist can feel the emotions come off another artist work more than a natural reader. Making the reading experience that more intense, no matter the emotion. But, no matter what emotion you are left with, even artist, it should always be inspirational. That someone could put that much of themselves into an art form, which manga is, and share it with the world says a lot for the author as a person and an artist. Maybe that is another reason I enjoyed this one so much is because I connected with this author more I have with some of the other ones. Plus, by profile say "I walk alone..." If you read the manga you will find the significance between me and one of the characters. So this is in no way a spoiler because you won't know who I am talking about or what unless you read the manga.

Overall:
I think I have covered just about everything that can be said on this manga so my last request would be just to read it! I really do not think that you will be disappointed, but instead rather delighted. I hope this helped...and please do read it...One more thing this is not for the squeamish or those who do not like YAOI (boy x boy) because this has some VERY mature content. Don't say I didn't warn you...!!!!

While the plot was different than the normal "yaoi", the manga was originally suppose to have more chapters so if the ending seems a little weird, that is why. It is not necessarily a good or bad ending, but you are left with questions and the answer is that the writer "due to certain circumstances" did not finish the manga. But, it is still an interesting read because it does not use the normal formula that is why I liked it. The only reason I gave it a lower than normal score was because of the fact that is was left unfinished by the author. ... However, there is still an ending so you are not left in the middle of a scene or anything.

So far this is great. It is moving a little faster than "Zetsuai" did at the first part of the series, but I am only up to Volume 3 so we will have to wait and see what happens next. People have said that "Bronze" is better than "Zetsuai", but I don't agree with that assessment. "Zetsuai" was a slow agonizing pain, whereas, "Bronze" as the feel of a continuous stabing pain that is unending, faster and unyielding. They both have their merits and are both masterpieces in their own way. I do not know if this was the author's intent, but I can see ... the logic in the pace of the two stories. (Next Part very minor spoiler so don't read if you don't want to)

In "Zetsuai", Izumi soccer career and emotions are somewhat at a standstill because of his past. Therefore, the story moves at a slower pace. In "Bronze", Izumi's soccer career is speeding ahead so maybe there was the need for the story to follow in his footsteps, figuratively and literally.