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Nearly every time I read a manga series, I am reminded of just how closed-minded the American media can be. With all the hoopla on homosexuality in America, especially in light of the gay marriage issue, books like Gravitation by Maki Murakami shows how the very same issue is not nearly as taboo in many cultures.
Gravitation is about a fledgling musician named Schuichi Shindou who is desperately trying to get his band, Bad Luck, off the ground. His laid-back band-mate, Hiro, and his sister Maiko try to convince him to calm down and get a social life, but Schuichi is seriously high strung thanks to an important gig that is quickly approaching. Added to the stress are the comments a random stranger makes about his lyrics. The comments and the man haunt him, having a bigger impact on Schuichi than even he understands. Eventually, he discovers that the man he has been obsessing over is none other than Maiko's favorite romance novelist, Eiri Yuki.
Jumping in front of Yuki's car just to get his attention, Schuichi knows that he is in love with the notoriously straight Don Juan type. The two embark on a very strange love-hate rapport. Yuki is cold and aloof but still comes to see all of Schuichi's concerts and eventually Schuichi even gets him to move a step forward, proving that their friendship is more-it is a relationship. Unfortunately, the appearance of a strange woman and a record producer with a very different interest in Yuki may force Schuichi to make a devastating choice between his recording career and love.
I was just blown away by Gravitation! Having never really read a story that revolved around a male-male (shonen ai or boy love) relationship, I was a tad worried. While I do not see anything wrong homosexuality, the idea of two men together never really appealed to me. But then, who cares what appeals to me?! When a love story is written in such a true and genuine manner, does it really make a difference?
The layout of Gravitation was well done. Having the chapter titles labeled as Track numbers was a very clever move to reflect the main character's love of music. The art was well done as well. I was very surprised when one frame of Schuichi crying face nearly made me want to cry!
Gravitation is the very touching tale of a young boy's realization that he is gay and the story of his first love, told beautifully in a time that I find puts an overly sexual spin on what it means to be gay. Beautifully executed, this manga leaves you wanting more. It is a realistic portrayal of the fear that comes with such a big life changing experience set in a country where such a thing is not necessarily frowned upon. It is good to know that places like that are out there, because I swear that if I have to debate with one more closed-minded person, I may just move to such a nation!
Send your comments and or questions about this article to jhmanzano@optonline.net.