is a Japanese yaoi manga known for its melo-dramatic, almost operatic plot,^[1] its disturbed characters, and for the controversial style of its artwork. The word "Zetsu-ai" is a compound created by Minami Ozaki which has been translated as "desperate love". Indeed, desperate, reckless emotion characterizes the frequently violent "love" story.

Synopsis

Nanjo Koji 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 lies a damaged young man who has absolutely no passion for anything in life, much less music. Well aware of his problem, Koji often seeks out any means to fill the void in his life, but is never successful.

One night after a string of bar-hopping, Koji passes out in a heap of trash in the middle of a rainstorm. He is found and later cared for by Takuto Izumi, a soccer prodigy. Despite having a very introverted personality, Izumi's selflessness in caring for Koji, despite the fact he's a complete stranger, moves Koji deeply and he soons develops an intense obsession with Izumi. It is then found out that the reason Koji sings is to find the person who he fell in love at first sight, that was six years ago from the main story. It was 'Izumi', and Koji thought that the person he saw was a girl, the boys in attendance was talking about 'Serika Izumi' and Koji was asking the 'Takuto Izumi',the one that looks through him. When Izumi Takuto looked at him with anger - he knows, his body knows that that's the person he was looking for. His body was in shock and his obsession to Izumi knows no bounds.

From this first meeting, the lives of both Koji and Izumi become entertwined in a twisted knot of pain and love. As Koji forces himself more and more into Izumi's life, the more he's able to expose various traumas Izumi suffered as a child (mainly witnessing the murder of his father by his mother). And the closer Koji gets, the more he exposes both Izumi and those closest to Izumi to Koji's dangerous lifestyle and extremely dysfunctional family. Takuto's little brother asked Koji if he was gay or something and Koji replies: 'No, I am not gay. I am only in love with Takuto, even you are twins I can only love Takuto.'

Despite each obstacle they face, Koji and Izumi are linked by the feelings they hold for one another. But each time they pull through, the consequences of their love is sometimes too costly.

Publications

The series has been published in several languages, but not yet English.

It was started 1989 as a legitimate spin-off of the author's Captain Tsubasa doujinshi Dokusen Yoku. The series Zetsuai was abandoned after 5 volumes. The author, or mangaka, Minami Ozaki picked the story back up after a few years with Bronze. So far, Bronze has outpaced Zetsuai and has 14 volumes. The story arc it is currently in is called Restart.

Two OVA's were made, one taking place in Zetsuai [Since] 1989, and the second during 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.

Manga volumes

Zetsuai 1989 was licensed in french (by Tonkam), German (Carlsen Verlag), Korean, Spanish (Glénat España) and Italian (Panini Comics) languages.

Volume 1 ? 176 p.

• ISBN 4-08-849611-6
• ISBN 3-551-74776-8
• ISBN 2-84580-042-8

Volume 2 ? 176 p.

• ISBN 4-08-849639-6
• ISBN 3-551-74777-6
• ISBN 2-84580-043-6

Volume 3 ? 176 p.

• ISBN 4-08-849666-3
• ISBN 3-551-74778-4
• ISBN 2-84580-044-4

Volume 4 ? 192 p.

• ISBN 4-08-849703-1
• ISBN 3-551-74779-2
• ISBN 2-84580-105-X

Volume 5 ? 200 p.

• ISBN 4-08-849740-6
• ISBN 3-551-74780-6
• ISBN 2-84580-106-8

Soundtrack

Light novel

Several light novels were published by Shueisha. The author of books is Akiyama Rin and all illustrations done by the mangaka Minami Ozaki. The plot of novels is mostly connected to Nanjo family (Kaen Dansh? series in particular), for example Kouji's elder brother Nanjo Hirose.

Reception

Anime News Network has criticised the melodramatic tone of the OVA Bronze: Zetsuai Since 1989.^[2]

References

1. ↑ http://www.aestheticism.com/visitors/reference/list-classic.htm
2. ↑ http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/zetsuai-and-bronze

External links

• Official Site
• Onami's Dojinshi Central
• Sadomina's Zetsuai Shrine
• Zetsu's Zetsuai & Bronze Fanpage (in four languages)
• English translation of some songs

de:Zetsuai es:Zetsuai 1989 fr:Zetsuai 1989 it:Zetsuai 1989 pl:Zetsuai 1989 ru:Zetsuai 1989