Saihoshi The Guardian (Yaoi) 
asked by speed5599 on November 3, 2006 7:38 PM
The dainty Prince Anel must travel without military escort to a neighboring kingdom where tensions run high. Sastre, an honorable Guardian, is brought in to be Anel's only protection for the journey. Anel is enchanted by his noble bodyguard, but Sastre becomes more interested in Kaleth, the spirited servant and lover of Prince Anel. Kaleth is forced to disguise himself as the prince to be a decoy for his enemies and proceeds to stir up unfamiliar feelings in the heart of the austere Guardian. Sastre finds himself torn between duty and desire.
Reviews
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Don't get me wrong. Saihoshi was a very good read. Good enough to match most Japanese yaoi titles. Despite the fact that it barley took up 1/3 of the book. The characters were all good (the prince was especially funny.)
My problem starts after Saihoshi ends. There are two extra stories. They weren't even done by the same artists. They are deeply disturbing and beyond creepy. The first ones art (if you can call it that) is so bad I had to read without looking at the pictures- do you know hard that is? When I did catch a glimpse of the artwork I recoiled in horror. The plot was abysmal.
The second story was worse. A blind boy being threatened by practically a stranger into having sex made me feel ashamed for the first time in my life by what I was reading. The art looks like it was drawn by someone whilst on a train, using their left hand... no, scratch that .. using their feet.
I have literally hacked out these two stories from the book and thrown them in the bin. I then stapled back the book and put stickers over the back cover, so I may never be reminded of those stories again.
I am terrified to buy Saihoshi vol 2 purely out of fear of what will be at the back and yet I so want to finish it. :(
This was my first and last attempt at buying western manga for a very very long time. If you have money and a strong stomach get it because Saihoshi is probably worth it, just dont EVER read the end stories. You have been warned
My problem starts after Saihoshi ends. There are two extra stories. They weren't even done by the same artists. They are deeply disturbing and beyond creepy. The first ones art (if you can call it that) is so bad I had to read without looking at the pictures- do you know hard that is? When I did catch a glimpse of the artwork I recoiled in horror. The plot was abysmal.
The second story was worse. A blind boy being threatened by practically a stranger into having sex made me feel ashamed for the first time in my life by what I was reading. The art looks like it was drawn by someone whilst on a train, using their left hand... no, scratch that .. using their feet.
I have literally hacked out these two stories from the book and thrown them in the bin. I then stapled back the book and put stickers over the back cover, so I may never be reminded of those stories again.
I am terrified to buy Saihoshi vol 2 purely out of fear of what will be at the back and yet I so want to finish it. :(
This was my first and last attempt at buying western manga for a very very long time. If you have money and a strong stomach get it because Saihoshi is probably worth it, just dont EVER read the end stories. You have been warned
reviewed by maxmill on November 5, 2006 12:21 AM
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I almost didn't get this book because the reviews were so lackluster. I'm glad I did anyway. I bought and enjoyed "Stallion" by Kosen and decided to try Saihoshi anyway. The first story about the guardian is very good and the artistry is pleasing.
Yes, it was irritating that the guardian story was only about half the book (as the other stories were not nearly as good). BUT, I have to disagree with the reveiwer that says "this never happens in Japanese manga." Yes, it does. Case in point, Target in the Finder, which happens to be my favorite Yaoi title. Target was awesome, but half the book was taken up with 3 stories unrelated to the main story about Asami and Takaba. The other stories were very good, but Finder was by far the best.
Saihoshi did end in a cliffhanger, but the second Volume is already available for pre-order. Some readers may be put off by the Americanized left to right layout (as I was), but don't let that deter you if you enjoy Yaoi and are looking for something new. I also recommend "Desire of the Gods" by Insanity Team (also Americanized). Is Saihoshi the best Yaoi out there? Certainly not. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes.
Yes, it was irritating that the guardian story was only about half the book (as the other stories were not nearly as good). BUT, I have to disagree with the reveiwer that says "this never happens in Japanese manga." Yes, it does. Case in point, Target in the Finder, which happens to be my favorite Yaoi title. Target was awesome, but half the book was taken up with 3 stories unrelated to the main story about Asami and Takaba. The other stories were very good, but Finder was by far the best.
Saihoshi did end in a cliffhanger, but the second Volume is already available for pre-order. Some readers may be put off by the Americanized left to right layout (as I was), but don't let that deter you if you enjoy Yaoi and are looking for something new. I also recommend "Desire of the Gods" by Insanity Team (also Americanized). Is Saihoshi the best Yaoi out there? Certainly not. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes.
reviewed by jdog on November 6, 2006 5:38 PM