Zetsuai 1989

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Zetsuai 1989
File:Cover of Zetsuai OVA.jpg
Cover of the Japanese VHS release of the Zetsuai 1989 OVA
絶愛-1989-
(Zetsuai 1989)
GenreYaoi
Created byMinami Ozaki
Manga
Written byMinami Ozaki
Published byShueisha
MagazineMargaret
DemographicShōjo
Original run1989 – 1991
Volumes5
Manga
Bronze: Zetsuai Since 1989
Written byMinami Ozaki
Published byShueisha
MagazineMargaret Comics
DemographicShōjo
Original run1992 – 2006
Volumes14
Original video animation
Directed byEndo Takuji
Produced byMasao Maruyama
Music byKenji Kawai
StudioMadhouse
Released29 July 1992
Runtime45 minutes
Original video animation
Bronze: Cathexis
Directed byRintaro
Produced byMasao Maruyama
StudioMadhouse
Released6 July 1994
Original video animation
Bronze: Zetsuai Since 1989
Directed byItsuro Kawasaki
Produced byMitsuhisa Ishikawa
Youichi Ishikawa
Music byKow Otani
StudioProduction I.G
Released4 December 1996
Runtime45 minutes
Light novel
Zetsuai Since 1989, Kaen Danshou
Written byAkiyama Rin
Illustrated byMinami Ozaki
Published byShueisha
Original run1997 – 1998
Volumes4
Manga
Bronze: Zetsuai Gaidan Kaendan-Shō -Tenshi Kōtan-
Written byMinami Ozaki
Published byShueisha
MagazineChorus
DemographicJosei
Original run28 January 2011[1] – present
Volumes1

Zetsuai 1989 (Japanese: 絶愛-1989-, lit. "Absolute Love 1989"; alternately titled in English as Desperate Love and Everlasting Love) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Minami Ozaki. It is a yaoi (male-male romance) series that follows the relationship between a rock musician and a soccer prodigy. Originally serialized in the manga magazine Margaret beginning in 1989, the series has produced a variety of adaptations and spin-offs, including the sequel series Bronze: Zetsuai Since 1989 (ブロンズ　ゼツアイ　シンス1989), two original video animations (OVAs), a series of soundtrack albums, and several light novels. Zetsuai 1989 has been noted by critics as a major work of the yaoi genre, and was one of the first works in the genre to reach an international audience.

Synopsis

Kōji Nanjō is one of the most successful rock stars in Japan, with his hauntingly beautiful voice and very attractive features. But beneath all the fame and glamour, he is a damaged and hurt young man who has absolutely no happiness or interest in life. One night after a string of bar-hopping, Kōji passes out in a heap of trash in the rain. He is found, taken in, and cared for by Takuto Izumi, a soccer prodigy. Despite the fact that Izumi is a complete stranger, he moves Kōji deeply, and Kōji soon develops an intense obsession with Izumi. It is later revealed that the reason Kōji sings is to find the person he fell in love with at first sight six years earlier, whom he remembers for showing extreme ferocity on the soccer field and for a particularly penetrating gaze. Kōji knows the person's name is 'Izumi,' but he thinks the person he saw was a girl, so initially he believes it was Serika Izumi, Takuto's sister. It is only when Takuto looks at him angrily that he realizes Takuto is the 'Izumi' he was looking for. His body goes into shock, and from then on his obsession with Izumi knows no bounds. Due to the manga artist's illness, the manga ended at volume 19 without a proper ending. When she recovered, she drew the dojinshi Ai ni Obore, Ai ni Shisu (愛に溺れ、愛にしす, lit. Drowning in Love, Too much Love, also known as Dekishi (溺死, lit. Death by Drowning)), to give readers a proper 'final meeting' scene.

Characters

Kouji Nanjo (南城市 浩二, Nanjo Kouji) Voiced by: Sho Hayami Takuto Izumi (泉 拓人, Izumi Takuto)

Young Takuto Izumi Voiced by: Miyuki Matsushita
Adult Takuto Izumi Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu

Serika Izumi (泉 芹香, Izumi Serika) Voiced by: Kumiko Nishihara Yugo Izumi (泉 ユーゴ, Izumi Yugo) Voiced by: Etsuko Nishimoto Nanjo Akihito (明仁 南城, Akihito Nanjo) Voiced by: Masami Kikuchi Madoka Shibuya (渋谷 まどか, Shibuya Madoka) Voiced by: Omi Minami Mieko Minamimoto (皆本 美恵子, Minamimoto Mieko) Voiced by: Rei Igarashi Toshiyuki Takasaka (タカサカ 俊之, Takasaka Toshiyuki) Voiced by: Tohru Furusawa Takuto's Mother (拓人の母, Takuto no okasan) Voiced by: Tomoko Munakata Katsumi Shibuya (渋谷 勝美, Shibuya Katsumi)

Development and release

The word "Zetsu-ai" is a compound created by Minami Ozaki which has been translated as "desperate love". Ozaki's preferred English translation is "Everlasting Love".[2] Many western yaoi fans got their introduction to the genre through this series, which defined the genre for them..[3] Zetsuai 1989 was licensed in French (by Tonkam), German (Carlsen Verlag), Korean, Spanish (Glénat España) and Italian (Panini Comics) languages. It was the first shōnen-ai manga to be officially translated into German.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag | OriginalISBN = 4-08-849611-6 | LicensedISBN = 3-551-74776-8 |LicensedISBN_note=Germany
ISBN 2-84580-042-8 France | LineColor = CD5C5C |Summary = Koji wakes up to find himself in a strange bed. He learns that Takuto Izumi found him passed out in the street, and took him home, along with a puppy Izumi found near Koji. Koji remains for some time with Izumi, as he believes that when he was younger he had fallen in love with Izumi's sister Serika. Izumi ignores a high temperature and goes to a soccer match. He helps the team win, but loses consciousness after the final whistle. Koji brings him to the hospital and on impulse almost kisses Izumi, but is scared of the attraction between them and decides to channel his feelings towards Serika. Koji does not want to return to his rock star lifestyle, despite the admonition of his manager Katsumi Shibuya. Izumi sees a newspaper article with a photo of Koji and Izumi at the soccer match with the caption "Found Koji!" Izumi is infuriated. }}

2 23 April 1990[4]4-08-849639-6—3-551-74777-6 Germany
ISBN 2-84580-043-6 FranceKoji's fans besiege Izumi's house, asking painful questions about his past and his relationship with Koji. When Izumi is finally able to get rid of the fans, Koji himself comes to talk to Izumi. He had realised that Izumi intended not to become a famous soccer player because he did not want to draw attention to his younger sister Serika and brother Yugo, who live with relatives. Izumi's mother had killed her husband, and that is why Izumi, who was always bullied for being a murderer's son, is afraid that revealing the past may affect the future of Serika and Yugo. Koji realizes that he is in love with Takuto, and that the girl on a soccer field six years ago, who he secretly admired, was in fact not Serika, but Takuto. Koji promises to leave Izumi alone and starts dating the famous movie actress Mieko Minamimoto, though in an interview, Koji mentions the unnamed person he truly loves. The interview is read by Serika, who guesses the person Koji loves is her brother. She has also suspected for a long time that Izumi intentionally played badly in soccer matches to avoid attention and hide their past. She tries to apologise to him, but Takuto says he is going to quit soccer completely. Koji intervenes in the conversation and during the fight between them, Serika runs onto the road and almost gets hit by a car. Izumi rushes to push her off the road, but Koji saves Serika instead (actually trying to save Izumi) and breaks his hand in the process. Izumi sees no reason for Koji to protect his sister and decides that Koji must be in love with Serika. 3 30 July 1990[5]4-08-849666-3—3-551-74778-4 Germany
ISBN 2-84580-044-4 FranceKoji can't stand being away from Izumi, so he arranges a transfer to the same school. Izumi tries to ignore him at first. When he goes to a soccer field for training, Koji is willing to be a goalkeeper. He explains he likes soccer and especially Izumi's playing. They establish almost friendly relationships. Koji again begins to meet with his former lover Mieko, and even flirts with her younger sister. He uses both of them to deflect the paparazzi's attention from Izumi. On the other hand, Izumi still believes that Koji is in love with Serika, so he is very irritated about Koji's unfaithful behaviour. He demands that Koji say, definitely, who he loves. Koji confesses that he truly loves Izumi, but to quickly avoid an argument, pretends it was just a joke. Izumi is evicted from his house due to a "no pets" rule, so Koji's manager Shibuya offers Izumi lodging at an apartment with him and Koji. 4 30 November 1990[6]4-08-849703-1—3-551-74779-2 Germany
ISBN 2-84580-105-X France ——

Bronze: Zetsuai Since 1989

No. Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
1 29 January 1992[7]4-08-849841-0
Izumi is tormented by nightmares after sleeping with Koji. Koji tries not to aggravate the situation. He spends nights with women, and Izumi is insanely jealous when he detects the smell of their perfume. The soccer/football association of Italy invites Izumi to train there, but he is not ready to make a decision about moving abroad, so the coach invites him for a brief visit to Italy instead. Koji makes a speech during one of his performances, saying he has decided to end his career as a singer. The next morning Izumi leaves for Italy, leaving a note promising to return in a week. Koji drops everything and races to the airport on his motorcycle, but on the way he gets into an accident and falls into a coma. Izumi finds out about this upon returning to Japan. Shibuya blames Izumi for what happened. Both Izumi and Shibuya keep hoping that Koji would wake up, but time passes, and nothing happens. The soccer coach cannot understand why Izumi is hesitating and stalling, and finally warns him that Italy will not wait forever. Izumi decides that he must keep living, even if Koji dies.
2 28 July 1993[8]4-08-848113-5
3 30 January 1994[9]4-08-848173-9
4 30 May 1994[10]4-08-848213-1
5 30 July 1994[11]4-08-848233-6
6 21 December 1994[12]4-08-848283-2
7 20 December 1995[13]4-08-848436-3
8 21 December 1996[14]4-08-848585-8
9 24 March 1997[15]4-08-848624-2
10 30 November 1998[16]4-08-848883-0
11 30 January 2000[17]4-08-847165-2
12 30 March 2003[18]4-08-847609-3
13 30 September 2003[19]4-08-847665-4
14 24 March 2006[20]4-08-846040-5

OVAs

Two original video animations (OVAs) were made, one taking place in Zetsuai [Since] 1989, and the second during Bronze: Zetsuai since 1989 (also called Bronze Zetsuai[21] or simply Bronze). Koyasu Takehito plays the part of Izumi Takuto, and Sho Hayami plays Koji Nanjo. Radio dramas and CDs (with some lyrics composed by Minami Ozaki) were produced. The actors themselves often provided vocal parts for music. Five original music videos were made and compiled into a video called Cathexis.

Soundtrack

Main article: List of Zetsuai albums

Several albums were released relating to the Dokusen Yoku doujinshi, Zetsuai 1989 and Bronze since Zetsuai between 1988 and 1996.

Light novels

Several light novels were published by Shueisha. They were written by Akiyama Rin with illustrations by Minami Ozaki. The plot of novels is mostly connected to Nanjo family (Kaen Danshō series in particular), for example Kouji's elder brother Nanjo Hirose.

# Title Japanese title Released ISBN
1 Kaen Danshō 華冤断章 小説 18 July 1997[22] ISBN 4-08-702004-5
2 Zetsuai Since 1989 絶愛 Since 1989 15 December 1997[23] ISBN 4-08-702008-8
3 Kaen Danshō – Uragirimono no Matsuei 華冤断章－裏切り者の末裔－小説 16 January 1998[24] ISBN 4-08-702010-X
4 Kaen Danshō – Yami no Sumu Ie, King no Umareru Machi 華冤断章－悪魔の棲む地下 帝王の生誕れる街－小説 5 August 1998[25] ISBN 4-08-702012-6

Reception

At the time of its writing, the genre as a whole was not commonly recognised by those not creating it, but Zetsuai 1989 is considered one of yaoi's "major works"[26] and "one of the greatest icons of shōnen-ai".[2] Koji and Izumi have been described as shōnen-ai's Romeo and Juliet. There is little explicit sex in the series. Instead, the series is "angst-ridden", and includes "a lot of blood" via themes of self-harm and accidents.[2] Ozaki's works have been described as "prolonged erotic psychodramas", and Zetsuai 1989 is the "most famous" of these.[27] Many western yaoi fans got their introduction to the genre through this series, which defined the genre for them.[3] Critics have commented on the series' melodramatic plot, its "semi-insane characters", and for the controversial style of its artwork.[3] The depiction of love in the series has been described as "nearly violent", which is regarded as a "true revelation" for female readers.[26] The character of Izumi's mother has been criticised by Kazuko Suzuki as an example of yaoi showing "extremely negative images of mothers".[28] Anime News Network has criticised the melodramatic tone of the OVA Bronze: Zetsuai Since 1989.[29] described the art style of Zetsuai as being "like a fashion designer's workbook", but Anime News Network says that the character design is "horribly mutated" and "disgusting".[29] Rachel Thorn describes the relationship between Koji Nanjo and Takuto Izumi as an "intense and often grim love story",[30] saying that "if you like your shônen-ai (or "slash") intense, look no further."[31]

References

  1. ↑ "Bronze Zetsuai Boys-Love Manga Returns in 2-Part Story". animenewsnetwork.com. 24 May 2024.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Clements, Jonathan; Helen McCarthy (1 September 2001). The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 (1st ed.). Berkeley, California: Stone Bridge Press. pp. 460–461. ISBN 1-880656-64-7. OCLC 47255331.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Johnson, M. J. "A Brief History of Yaoi". Sequential Tart. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "絶愛 : 1989 2". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  5. ↑ "絶愛 : 1989 3". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  6. ↑ "絶愛 : 1989 4". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  7. ↑ "Bronze 1". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  8. ↑ "Bronze 2". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  9. ↑ "Bronze 3". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  10. ↑ "Bronze 4". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  11. ↑ "Bronze 5". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  12. ↑ "Bronze 6". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  13. ↑ "Bronze 7". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  14. ↑ "Bronze 8". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  15. ↑ "Bronze 9". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  16. ↑ "Bronze 10". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  17. ↑ "Bronze 11". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  18. ↑ "Bronze 12". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  19. ↑ "Bronze 13". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  20. ↑ "Bronze 14". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  21. ↑ John, A. (2004). Lent Comic art of Africa, Asia, Australia, and Latin America through 2000. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 157. ISBN 0-313-31210-9.
  22. ↑ "華冤断章" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  23. ↑ "絶愛" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  24. ↑ "華冤断章 裏切り者の末裔" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  25. ↑ "華冤断章 悪魔の棲む地下 帝王の生誕れる街" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Kadokura, Shima; Kakizaki-Raillard, Misato (2008). Nicolas Finet (ed.). Dicomanga: le dictionnaire encyclopédique de la bande dessinée japonaise (in français). Paris: Fleurus. p. 621. ISBN 978-2-215-07931-6.
  27. ↑ Paul Gravett (2004) Manga: 60 Years of Japanese Comics (Harper Design, ISBN 1-85669-391-0) page 90
  28. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Suzuki
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Agnerian, Maral (9 February 2002). "Zetsuai & Bronze - Review". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2009.Aestheticism.com
  30. ↑ Thorn, Rachel. "Girls' Stuff--Yet More Mini Intros". Archived from the original on 30 May 2004.
  31. ↑ Thorn, Rachel. "Recommended Shôjo Manga". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2022.

Further reading

  • McCarthy, Helen (1 January 2006). 500 Manga Heroes and Villains. Barron's Educational Series. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7641-3201-8.
  • McCarthy, Helen; Clements, Jonathan (1998). The Erotic Anime Movie Guide. London: Titan. ISBN 1-85286-946-1.
  • Animerica April 1993 (vol. 1, no. 4)

External links

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