Renowned hentai mangaka Hiroyuki Utatane and wife Ryo Ramiya, also a hentai (doujinshi) mangaka, must have a very interesting err…sex life, if Utatane’s vividly imaginative works could possibly be a reflection of his bedroom activities. In Temptation, you’d see a wide variety of themes and atmosphere from being hilarious (Alimony Hunter), to eccentric (Mirror), and to downright creepy (Crimson). Frames that depict homosexual (both gay and lesbian) intercourse, as well as those transsexual in nature are featured in such a manner that could issue a wake-up call to anyone in the throes of lethargy. The most shocking experience, however, can be felt from Crimson, where you’d find yourself wondering if you’re right in the middle of a nightmare. Read: blood, Oedipus complex, and bodily fetishes all rolled into one. And here I thought looking away was an evasive tactic I could only use in watching videos.

What makes Temptation special, though, is that all of these are highlighted by one of the most detailed artwork you will ever see in hentai print media—a trademark of Hiroyuki Utatane. He never skimps on the details, so for those of you who haven’t cured your homophobia and shudder at the thought of somebody shoving his best friend down your posterior, it might be wise for me to issue a warning note beforehand. After the three-chapter reading, you are introduced to various erotic pin-ups that are rendered so expertly they can only be considered true works of art. Now, that’s what I call rewarding.

If you’ve seen the animated Countdown series, you’d easily appreciate its print form. Alimony Hunter came out in Countdown, whilst Mirror was animated in Countdown Akira. The only catch is that you’d have to read Utatane’s other works, because what I have seen in Countdown Akira (the anime) is not completely shown here. In fact, most of the stories inside Temptation have that nasty habit of leaving you hanging over the edge. But it’s a good investment anyway, especially for a hentai title. Anything Hiroyuki Utatane is a recommended collector’s item. Just make sure you know how to take care of your mental health, and you’ll be safe.

Individual Rating: Art/Animation 9; Story 10; Characters 9; Sounds 9; Ecchi Level

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2002 at 5:11 pm and is filed under Temptation, Manga Hentai. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.