“Police officer Kain Walker has gone to great lengths to prevent his coworkers, family, and friends from finding out he's gay. But when Kain meets Mel Fredericks, he realizes at once that his whole world is about to change. For the first time, Kain wants more than a one-night stand, but a relationship carries risks, discovery not least among them. Battling with others' expectations and biases—and his own—Kain struggles to balance his desire for secrecy with his feelings for Mel at a time when being out could cost him dearly.” (Yen Press)
Originally published in 2003 and focusing on 90s New York, Marimo Ragawa's love story of two young men in the city that never sleeps captures the difficulties and the growth of the gay community during that period. A rather sensitive topic to revisit yet one deserved of exploration, Ragawa presents both Kain and Mel as both flawed characters that have to balance social prejudice along with their own fears of self-identity from the previous generation that told them they were amoral for their orientation. Consequently, the book delicately explores an array of harmful stereotypes as the lead character, Kain, slowly becomes aware of his own prejudice against homosexuals as he embarks on his first serious relationship with Mel.
These underlying themes of persecution and prejudice push the dramatic elements of the book, with the first omnibus volume covering everything from family disapproval to the AIDS pandemic. Furthermore, Kain's career as a police officer puts him in a position where masculinity is key in earning the respect of fellow officers and superiors making him at constant odds with his professional versus personal life. This is only scratching the surface of what occurs in the book in reflecting on the sacrifices both Kain and Mel had to overcome to build a relationship. The story goes to a few very dark places, which is best left unspoiled given how key a component it becomes to the struggles of the relationship.
Despite the rather somber subject matter, both Kain and Mel make for an endearing, impassioned couple who suffer heartache and pain together. In fact, their ability to find solace in each other's arms, in the face of extreme personal and social issues strengthens the bonds between the two as they open up and face these challenges together–the reader will be cheering for their relationship to bloom in the face of diversity. Ultimately, Marimo Ragawa bears the souls of her characters and is comfortable showing their humanity, both the positive and the negative.
There is a certain charm in the manga style of the era and “New York, New York” reflects the classic shoujo aesthetic that makes the visuals immediately recognizable and defined. Furthermore, Ragawa does an exceptional job of capturing the landscape of New York during the time period with her background work really defining the tone of the release. For those who prefer the modern cartoony visuals of romance loaded with ‘uwu' moments, the art may be a miss, but for long-time manga fans who cherish the earlier eras of shoujo, the book will be a treat.
“New York, New York” will pull at readers' heartstrings and run them through the gambit of emotions from love to outrage. Ragawa shows a deep understanding of character building and the social landscape of the era making the title a deeply engrossing read. Brilliantly written and realized, the work feels both timeless and important. A must-read for fans of BL, romance, gekiga, drama, and lovers of more classic manga aesthetics.
