In 2009, gravure model, TV talent and entertainer Ichinose Ayaka came out as a lesbian in an interview in FLASH magazine. In Biankon ~Watashi ga Josei to, Kekkonshiki wo Agerumade~ (ビアン婚 ~私が女性と、結婚式を挙げるまで~)  Ichinose tells us about her life and how she got to a place where she, a reasonably well-known entertainer, was holding a wedding ceremony with her girlfriend, professional dancer Sugimori Akane.

Ichinose-san did not have an easy life. Suffering from undiagnosed ADHD, her school life was stressful and her mother was a shut-in with some other issues. That she has become as successful as she has is due, in large part,  to her own will and drive to make her career happen. 

This autobiography is bluntly told, without linguistic flourish, much as it might be if you were sitting with Ichinose-san over a drink. The book takes us from her first love through subsequent relationships, to meeting Akane and deciding that they would have a marriage ceremony in public in Japan, where such things are still not legal.

There’s no particular skill in writing, or storytelling on display, this book feel more like Ichinose-san is compelled to get her story out there in print, so no one can deny it of her…much the same way she created her own career.

Ratings:

Overall – 7

I was especially interested to note that the publisher of this book is Futabasha.  They are also the publisher of Morinaga Milk’s work and Tagame Gengoroh’s Otouto no Otto. I’m convinced that there is a LGBTQ ally, or family, at high levels there. ^_^

It’s here, it’s queer and it’s a must-have this holiday season!

Absolute Power: Tales of Queer Villainy, is available for pre-order at a discount and if you are or know someone who will love amazing LGBTQ fiction, grab this book. Heck, buy a baker’s dozen!

It’s especially good for the late teen evil psycho lesbian in your life.  You want to make sure you provide positive, strong role models for them. ^_^

And, let me take this opportunity to thank all of the more than 500 Kickstarter backers who believed in this book. It was very gratifying to see so many friends among the ranks. I am completely confident that you will enjoy this book as much as I did, (even after reading it a half dozen times for editing. ^_^)

Evil. Was it born this way? Maybe these villains knew from the very beginning, maybe not, but by the time you get to meet them, they’ve come through the crucible and learned to accept themselves for who they are.

In Volume 1 of Gengoroh Tagame’s Otouto no Otto, we meet Canadian Mike Flanagan, who has come to Japan in search of his late husband’s early life. We also meet Yaichi, Mike’s husband’s older brother. Yaichi’s assumptions about life and the passive homophobia he feels are challenged by Mike’s very existence. 

In Volume 2, Yaichi begins to see his passive homophobia and start to examine it, in the context of his accepting daughter, Kana, Mike’s talk with a closeted young boy from the neighborhood and a neighbor’s negative reaction to Mike. Volume 2 ended with Yaichi having a dream of Kana growing up to be gay and waking full of uncertainty.

In Otouto no Otto, Volume 3 (弟の夫), the volume begins with Yaichi’s mind full of that dream.  Kana doesn’t help by deciding that she, Yaichi, Mike and her mother Natsuki should all go on a trip to an onsen. When Yaichi shares the dream with Kana’s mother, Natsuki’s acceptance of that future adds to Yaichi’s confusion. And he’s sharing a bath with Mike. Yaichi is absolutely bombarded with things he has never before had to deal with.

Returning from the onsen trip, Yaichi is recognized by a classmate of his brother’s. As a reader, it was almost impossible to not instantly realize that the friend was himself gay. Mike, for the first time, is brought face-to-face with the uncomfortable tension of adult gay life in Japan.

The volume ends with trouble brewing. What, specifically will happen we don’t know, but it will involve Kana, which makes us angry.

In Volume 3, the honeymoon is over. Mike’s no longer the teacher, and Yaichi, the student is flailing in deeper water than he ever realized. There’s moments of sincere discomfort and, for me, anger, as so little has changed, or can even be done. 

Tagame-sensei’s deft drawing of expression and body language communicates so much more than the text itself. It’s very adult and subtle book and assumes an adult readership, attuned to adult society. Such a pleasure to read, even when it hurts, as it surely will.

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 9
Characters – 10
LGBTQ – 10
Service – 7 (Nude guys in bath, duh)

Overall – 10

This manga reminds us that the world is changed one person at a time. 

2017 Update: Pantheon Books has released it in a gorgeous English-language (what will be 2 volume) edition. My Brother’s Husband, Volume 1 has launched!

There’s a handful of days left in the Dangerous Women Kickstarter and we’re really hoping to make a stretch goal or two.  I know that folks here are always looking for great lesbian fiction – this is a really great anthology with 13 of the most dangerous (and fun!) women you’ve ever met. 

Hypnotika – Ruthless, brilliant teacher of supervillains. Controls the media – and you. 

Estratega – Games the financial markets and takes revenge on the selfish , trying to have a dinner date, dammit. 

Samantha Corvus – Killed as a witch, just trying to take what’s hers. 

Chrome Menace – A slick as quicksilver, as strong as metal and as bitter as the tears of the forgotten.

Eden Sorrow – Willing to destroy the world to destroy one man.

Sadie – A god. A sadist. A lonely woman. A force of nature.

Mirdonna – Changing the world, one beating heart at a time

Jack – A slick talking lover, who wants to enjoy her travels, one bank and one woman along the way.

Celestite – “The Scourge of Brighthaven” facing some employment problems.

Jaguar – Channeling ancient gods to commit crimes and the only thing standing between the world and complete destruction.

Nereid – A hero whose girlfriend is an evil scientist.

Jessica Mayfair – A journalist willing to sell her soul for the perfect story.

Alex Weiss – Burnt out INTERPOL officer, hard drinker and willing to stab anyone in the back for the right deal.

If you trust my recommendations, please back this book! $5 for a DRM-free digital copy in multiple formats, only $10 for print, my sincere thanks, and Team Dangerous will probably spare your city. ^_^