Ayano YamaneBesprekingen

This volume truly takes readers To the Edge. At the end of V10, Asami and Akihito, Feil Long and Mikhail, and the Russian rebels are all sent message by Sudo to come to a warehouse holding the missing shipment. The stage is set to finish it all.

This volume is mostly a knock down, drag out fight amongst the players. Bullets fly while Mikhail goes head to head with Yuri, and Fei Long and Asami dodge and kill his mercenaries. Akihito can no longer wait on the sidelines; he rushes in to find and help Asami. But will they make it out this time? This volume was very exciting, with all the players converged on the warehouse. Fei Long and Asami must work together to stop the Russian rebels.

While the cliffhanger ending is absolutely killing me (ah! I hate waiting!), there is so much awesome in this volume. I love the new romance developing between Fei Long and Mikhail; it was so satisfying to see our main couple finally express their feelings to each other; and, the tease of finally learning Asami’s past (he has a brother!?!) is so exhilarating. The two closing stories are two of my favorite Finder side stories. In the first, Akihito accuses Asami of stealing his pudding and when he denies it, Akihito turns to Fei Long to drink away his woes. Asami comes to retrieve his wayward lover, and Akihito will have s steep, bondage-heavy price to pay for running away to Fei Long! The deluxe edition bonus story is a sweet tale of Akihito’s efforts to celebrate Asami’s birthday. This volume has left me yearning for more.

At the end of V9, Fei Long arranges to have Asami and Akihito flown to his private resort and then approaches Mikhail Arbatov, head of the Russian Mafia, to take down the Russian rebel group. Fei Long offers money, but Mikhail wants something else: Fei Long himself. Fei Long surprisingly agrees, but then they learn that Asami’s helicopter has disappeared over the ocean!

Honeymoon begins with Asami and Akihito crashed on a deserted island, with nothing to do but each other! LOL! This delightful interlude is woven through with the main plot as Fei Long has been taken by the Russian rebels, his Triad is in disarray and Mikhail discovers he knows the rebel leader. Asami’s people find the crash site soon enough, and he’s on his way back to Hong Kong. Akihito insists on coming with him and Asami agrees. They’ll face the danger together.

As has become standard, the volume ends with two cute Finder stories, one of which is the deluxe edition bonus. Both are fluffy and lightweight, but fun.

Asami and Akihito escaped the condo assault, and Akihito has been hidden in a temple to keep him from being targeted. He’s going stir crazy not knowing with nothing to do and not knowing what is happening with Asami. Sudo is on the run from his buyers and Asami, and has teamed up with the shady Sakazaki to try and find the missing shipment. Asami has traveled to Hong Kong in pursuit, which naturally draws Fei Long into the fray.

When Akihito’s safe house is discovered, and unable to reach Asami, he turns to Fei Long for help. Fei Long decides to remove Asami from the situation so he can resolve it himself, but his underestimates the danger of Sudo’s buyers, a Russian rebel group. Akihito and Asami are reunited, but they’re out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Two cute and sexy Finder stories close the volume. In the first story, Asami comes home to find Akihito babysitting for a friend and the baby won’t quite until Asami holds him. The deluxe edition bonus story finds Akihito being bullied at a new job and Asami comes to his rescue in a most unusual way.

V8 continues the Pray the Abyss arc, with Akihito infiltrating a brothel to try and find the missing hostess. But, things go south and he ends up being captured by Sudo – who has become obsessed with Asami and is completely unhinged. Kuroda and Asami come to the rescue, but the situation is far from resolved. Sudo’s buyers want the missing shipment and will do anything to get it – including a massive assault on Asami’s condo. There is a lot of exciting cat and mouse as Akihito and Asami hide from the mercenaries. Asami wants to protect Akihito, but they are vastly outnumbered and the odds are against them.

This volume hits the ground running and does not let up. Asami and Akihito have become much closer, but the danger has increased. Akihito has chosen: Asami is his and he will not give him up without a fight. The volume ends with two Finder stories: the first where Akihito accidentally ingests drugs and goes to Asami for “release.” The SuBlime deluxe edition bonus story is another cute interlude, where Asami has a custom suit made for Akihito and they go on a date. And end up naked in a hot tub together. A very sexy way to close the volume.

Akihito has moved in with Asami, but is still insecure about what he means to the powerful underworld boss. His doubts intensify when, while on a stakeout, he sees a man crying and clinging to Asami’s arm. Asami must have had other lovers before him, but does he still? And then there’s the mysterious Kuroda, who calls Asami by his first name. Where exactly does Akihito fit in?

V7 marks the start of a new multi-volume arc: Pray the Abyss. Akihito takes a picture that causes a domino effect starting with a missing hostess, a shipment of stolen goods and a political scandal. The crying man turns out to be Sudo, the manager of one of Asami’s clubs, who has screwed up royally when a side deal he was making goes south after Akihito’s photos are published. Akihito feels responsible for the missing girl and begins searching for her. He will cross paths with Sudo, who is both jealous and repulsed by Akihito’s relationship with Asami. He throws fuel on the fire of Akihito’s doubts, until Asami discovers why he’s been so upset.

The new storyline is very promising, with shady new characters introduced, a mysterious shipment and Akihito once again in the middle of a mess he doesn’t understand. Akihito must make a hard choice on whether to distance himself or fall deeper into Asami’s dark world. This volume was thrilling, with lots of hot sex between Asami and Akihito. I cannot wait for more.

It’s tough to follow-up the epic Arc of Truth storyline from Vs 3-5. The this Volume had a high bar…and it’s just not up to that level. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. It was an excellent installment for the Finder series, with hot, explicit sex, and more development of Asami and Akihito’s relationship.

V6 returns to the format of the first two volumes in the series - a collection of shorts, rather than one continuous plotline. Akihito is now living with his friend Kou, after Asami moved all of his stuff out of his old apartment and left him a key – to Asami’s condo! The volume follows Akihito trying to rebuild his life, his career and his friendships while also coming to terms with how he feels about Asami. The format works well following the intense Arc of Truth; something a bit more light-hearted was welcome. Where I think it fell flat was the last story wherein Yamane crossed Finder over with characters from the recurring side story of previous volumes. The original short concerned two young men who are attracted to each other learning that their fathers are in love with each other as well. I wasn’t particularly fond of this story the first time (too much school-boy angst), and having the boys go on a school trip with Akihito ending up as a “chaperone” didn’t improve it. The few scenes where Akihito learns the danger of dropping Asami’s name were funny, but overall it was weak and took up too much of this volume. While I was glad it wasn’t a complete departure from Finder, I would have preferred more time with Asami and Akihito, or even to catch up with Fei Long. Still, this was an enjoyable read and another beautiful SuBlime edition.

The exciting conclusion to the Arc of Truth storyline picks up right from the V4 cliffhanger. The book opens with Fei Long’s men torturing Asami’s spy, Yé, and then it flashes back to when he met Fei Long in prison. Is he truly working against Fei Long? Meanwhile, Fei Long and Asami play a deadly game trying to one up each other, and the Russian Mafia has taken Akihito prisoner. They want the casino deed as well. The Mafia’s leader, Mikhail, is a new character who will return in future volumes. One who has a fascination for Fei Long, and whose true intentions are unclear. Akihito manages to flee his captors, and is finally reunited with Asami, but Fei Long is right behind him. He pleads with Asami to walk away from their feud: can they maintain a truce long enough to overcome the Russians?

This book is action-packed with violence, intrigue, and sexual tension in spades! The characters have come to a new level; they are all three-dimensional and very real. Akihito, the usually bubble and cheerful photographer, is traumatized by what happened. Asami has to find a way to help him, and it finally moves their relationship from Yakuza boss and plaything to something more. I could not put this book down! Again, this SAuBlime volume benefited from a fantastic and much improved translation. Since this story was so heavy and completely wrapped up, the deluxe edition bonus is not a Finder interlude, but an extended interview with the Mangaka.

At the end of Volume 3, Asami was shot protecting Takaba. Fei Long was also shot, and escaped taking Takaba to Hong Kong as a hostage. V4 picks up in Hong Kong where Fei Long is recovering, and has just been reminded he has a prisoner. This story is much darker. Akihito is held prisoner by Fei Long, who has threatened to drug and sell him to a brothel if Akihito doesn’t please him. Akihito submits to Fei Long (still rape, obviously), but searches for ways to escape; all while worrying that Asami may have been killed. Much of the story takes place in Hong Kong as we follow Takaba’s sad state and his guilt and remorse over acting impulsively and putting Asami in danger. There is a lot of action and plot advancement in this book, but also a great deal of character development. Fei Long has a young ward, a small boy, who is instrumental in showing Fei Long has a heart and that Takaba does not deserve to be treated as a pawn.

Overall, this was a gripping read that I could not put down. Asami has come to Hong Kong just in time for a valuable casino deed to be stolen from Fei Long. Asami wants revenge on Fei Long and to take back Akihito, and Fei Long is trying to keep everything from spiraling out of his control. When Asami ends up with the deed, he agrees to an exchange with Fei Long. It all comes to a head on one of Fei Long’s casino ships. Unfortunately, another dangerous player enters the game at just the wrong moment. Akihito disappears and Asami and Fe Long come face to face. The plot ends on a cliffhanger, and the book closes with two Finder stories. An interlude between Asami and Akihito (hot sex!) and an alternate reality story as the deluxe bonus where Akihito runs an agency and Asami and Fei Long work for him as secret agents!

This volume was fast paced, the unfolding story was exciting with tons of intrigue. I loved it. This was also another beautiful edition from SuBlime, with a lovely full color insert.

Akihito unintentionally comes into possession of a data disk that everyone wants. Thinking it must be bad, he wipes the data. When Fei Long comes looking for the information, he kidnaps Akihito’s friends to pressure him to get the information from Asami. Takaba goes to Asami for help and is rebuffed. What follows is a truly steamy sex scene between the two and Asami drugging Takaba afterwards to keep him from finding Fei Long. Only, Takaba is stubborn and goes after his friends. The Mangaka goes to a new level with this volume and introduces a gripping story arc that will span multiple book and force the evolution of their relationship: The Arc of Truth. The two groups go head-to-head in a shoot-out, with Fei Long and Asami both injured and Akihito trapped in the middle. Fei Long escapes to Hong Kong, but he takes Akihito as a hostage.

Though I really enjoyed the direction the story turns, I found this volume a trifle disappointing with about a third taken up by a side story with different characters. The high quality from SuBlime is still evident in this volume, with color insert and the deluxe edition bonus Finder story at the end. The closing story is a sexy, cute story of Akihito prank calling Asami while drunk on New Year’s and the consequences of interrupting Asami’s sleep. A solid entry in the series, but I hope future volumes cut out the side stuff.

The SuBime edition of Volume 1 was superior to prior releases, with better translation and higher production values. I was happy to see that quality continue with Volume 2. The story opens with a cop talking Akihito into infiltrating one of Asami’s clubs to get a scoop. He immediately gets in over his head and Asami steps in to help him, and of course he expects “payment” in return. This volume then introduces an important recurring character: Fei Long Liu, head of the Chinese Triad, Baishe. He and Asami have history, and the rest of Volume 2 flashes back to their past before either was head of their respective organizations. Fei Long believes Asami betrayed and shot him, and his hatred will prove dangerous to Akihito. Though the volume has very little smut, the story is engaging and it builds the characters.

The book closes with “Love DNA”, a return to the characters from the side story Plants in Love from Volume 1. This volume has a beautiful full color, fold-out image, like all SuBlime’s Finder releases. It has a deluxe bonus, but instead of a Finder short story it’s a travelogue of Hong Kong (where Fei Long is based). Since V2 is almost entirely Finder, I enjoyed it even more than V1, especially with the addition of the beautiful and deadly Fei Long. Highly recommended.½

I started Finder many years ago when it first was issued. I hadn’t yet read the latest 3 volumes, so I decided to re-read from the beginning. Akihito is a news photographer who comes into the cross hairs of Asami, a powerful Yakuza boss, while perusing a story. Asami kidnaps him and “teaches him a lesson” on investigating the wrong people. Akihito ends up in danger again after trusting the wrong cop and is shocked when Asami saves him.

I had forgotten that the first volume only has about one third devoted to Finder, the rest is composed of three short tales: 1) Love Lesson, a brief story of a high school student involved with his class president, 2) Plants in Love, another brief about two students who discover their single fathers are romantically involved and they find themselves attracted to each other also and 3) Risky Society, a longer story about secret agents on a mission who end up in bed together after one is injured on a mission. This new deluxe edition closes with two more Finder tales. The first is a quick interlude when Asami shows up at Akihito’s place to “get out of the rain” and seduce him, of course! The second is a bonus for this deluxe edition. It’s a non-continuity story of Akihito working at a spa, to pay for his stay after his wallet was stolen. And Asami and Fei Long both just happen to come stay and take advantage of the new staff member. What hooked me on Finder was how different it was from so much high school yaoi. The main characters are all adults, the story is gritty and sometimes brutal. And the sex is explicit. Readers should be warned there is rape in the story, as befitting a story about Yakuza, Triad, drug dealers and smuggling. So, it's not for everyone.

I’ve owned both the Be Beautiful editions and the June editions of Finder. These SuBlime deluxe editions are by far the best. I had no idea how poor the prior translations were until I read this edition. The dialog and plot are now completely coherent, and the story flows smoothly. Additionally, SuBlime includes a beautiful full color, double sided fold out and the bonus stories at the end of each volume. The Mangaka also has an afterward, explaining how Finder was originally supposed to be an S&M collection. Overall, this is my favorite Yaoi series and I am so glad to have these new, vastly improved editions.

Loved it!

My favorite yaoi manga, period.
Asami is the hottest seme/top in the entire yaoi universe. Close behind comes Jason Mink (Ai no Kusabi).
Takaba Akihito is one of the only two uke I know that really tries to escape his fate, but alas ... have you seen Asami naked? Have you seen Asami's overwhelming gaze? Have you seen his dangerous self control? I don't blame Takaba for falling for his tormentor. I really don't... *wipes away drool as images of naked Asami come flooding*
You don't believe me? Here ya go:

This was good. It had a great sense of love and loyalty around the fact that it was yaoi.

I actually thought this was cute if it didn't make me confused.

A wonderful work.

Positively sepctacular.

Such wonderful work.

I am so hyped up after this. I want to read more.

It gets better every volume. Can't wait for more.

It is wonderful to read such work.

I loved this so much.

Amazing.

This is fabulous.

Absolutely out of this world work. It was inspiring.