What do young men do when the going gets rough?  In Itaru Yaichi's case, he flees Tokyo, leaving his woes behind, and ends up passed-out stinking drunk on top of a garbage heap, awakening to find himself being photographed, no less!  This is the situation in Liberty Liberty, the new yaoi offering from author Hinaka Takanaga, from Blumanga.com.  And that is how Itaru meets Kouki Kawabara.  It is not an auspicious beginning to any sort of friendship, for although Kouki (who is photographing Itaru for the wrong reasons) actually prevents the young man from drowning in his own vomit, a fight erupts between the two which results in Kouki's camera being broken (which does not belong to him), after which Itaru passes out and is taken home by the reluctant good samaritan.

Highlights

When Itaru awakens the next day to find himself in a strange place, Kouki informs him that he has broken his work camera – he is a photographer for a small but growing cable television station – and owes him for it, to which Itaru must confess that he has no money. A quandary indeed!  Itaru is deeply sorry, but he is broke, and when Kouki suggests he go to his parents for the money, he becomes deeply upset and begs that they not be brought into the situation, although he will not explain why not.  The softhearted Kouki allows him to stay, even tending to the boy's sore foot, but he is keeping a tab on everything, with the result that Itaru's debt it growing larger with each passing day.  He introduces Itaru to Kurumi Tokita, reporter and female anchor for the television station (although technically a guy), and when Kouki tries to get him to go out and get a job,  Itaru follows the two of them to the station,  as he has no idea of where to go to find a job.  There he meets the rest of the small staff, and learns what Kouki was actually doing on the night that they met, which involves an attempt to catch a stalker in the act (but which only yielded Itaru).  Kouki wants help to finish the assignment but no one else is available, so Itaru volunteers, and Kurumi decides to have him help work off his debt in this way until he has a job which pays actual money, although Kouki is less than enthusiastic about the idea.  Itaru and Kouki have a little adventure in the process of uncovering the stalker, and they slowly begin to adjust to one another, although awkwardly, discovering more and more information the more time they spend time together.  The resultant news story is a success and nets the station new subscribers, so it's time to celebrate!  Itaru gets blitzed again (apparently he drinks like a fish!), and has to be carried home by Kouki, after which they continue to talk, and we learn more about Itaru's life in Tokyo, and the dreams which he holds dear.  The longer Itaru stays with Kouki, the more comfortable he comes, and the more he likes him.  However, when he learns of Kouki's past interest in Kurumi, he begins to wonder about him – wonders if it is possible that Kouki could like him in the same way (since technically Kurumi is still a guy).  Kouki uses Itaru as a reporter in a short segment, and Itaru finds himself working very hard for the cable station, a job which he deeply enjoys and which he throws himself into.  But he is also determined to repay his debt, so he takes a job working nights as a waiter in order to do so, and becomes a very busy guy.  At the same time, he realizes he is falling deeply for Kouki, and wishes more than anything that Kouki could love him too.  Until he sees something which leads him to not only doubt that it is possible, but to doubt himself, as well.

Overall

When it comes to yaoi artwork, there are what I like to refer to as two main schools – the first in which the heroes/main pairings are equally matched-  age-wise and beautywise – as two beautiful young men, and the second where the first young man fits that description, whereas the second (generally, but not always, the uke of the pair) is a large eyed waif faced young man.  This book follows the latter format, and I have to say it is not my personal preference, but it is popular among many, particularly younger girls. This being said,  Liberty Liberty is a sweetly told tale which explores the questions of following one's dreams, and believing in oneself, as well as trusting in one's heart.  Some things are simply meant to be, and this seems to be the case with the meeting of these two young men, who are both struggling to be themselves.  Itaru is naive and hopeful, even in the face of a crushing personal crisis at home, while Kouki, although outwardly crusty at times, is tender and caring.  Kurumi the cross-dresser is delightfully perky, and together they encompass a pleasant tale that will leave you mostly satisfied at the end and hopeful of the future for all involved.

Comicsonline gives Liberty Liberty 4 out of 5  cable news awards!