About the Series

Kizuna is a long-running yaoi manga series by manga-ka Kodaka Kazuma. Published by Biblos in Japan, the manga is available in the U.S. in a slightly edited version from Be-Beautiful.

The story follows the romance between Enjyoji Kei and Samejima Ranmaru as it is tested by misunderstandings, yakuza politics, and rival love interests. Complicating their lives are Kei's younger brother Sagano Kai, the heir to the yakuza dynasty, and his complicated relationship with his bodyguard, Masanori Araki. Finally, rounding out the cast are Tashiro, another yakuza, and his lover, J.B.

The slight editing in the U.S. release comes in flashbacks to Kai and Masa's relationship. Two pages showing a young Kai kissing Masa are cut (Kai is 5 years old, there's a perfectly innocent reason, and Masa is shocked), and another panel referring to it shows only Masa's shocked expression.

Some fans also see issues with Be-Beautiful's translation choices, such as referring to Enjyoji Kei as "Kei" rather than "Enjyoji" (as everyone does in the Japanese).

There is a three volume OAV series based upon episodes from the manga. The first two are fairly easily available in a very badly subtitled version, the third is hard to find. When I say very badly subtitled, I mean it! The subtitles are hard-coded and do not synch with the actual dialog. A new release, entitled the "Special Signature Edition" has recently been released, but I haven't seen it, so I have no idea if the wretched subtitles have been kept. (And I'm a sub fan! I only watch anime subbed, it's just these are horrid.)