I really enjoyed this first volume! It was funny and I'm sure the plot is going to thicken as we move forward.

The characters are both cuties, they are complex but the with the bits of humor it makes them really likeable. I think for the first volume it succeeded in getting me hooked and I can't wait for more. I also liked the little funny bonus chapters in between.

Also, can we just acknowledge the tension of that cover! I mean that alone had me requesting it. Although I do like a good BL manga.

I enjoyed it!

Their dynamic got me intrigued and the mystery surrounding the one person who disappeared had me anticipating for the next volume. This was also humorous at times as well.

I really enjoyed this! The chemistry between the two main characters was fantastic and the mystery element kept me hooked. It's charming, and I look forward to seeing them gradually fall for each other as they solve the mystery. I enjoyed, that the mystery remained the driving force throughout the story, while still showing the spark between the two main characters. Looking forward to the next volume!

This was a great volume 1 that set up the story well and had very little annoying tropes. Both MCs are hilarious and seeing their interactions and how well they jive together makes me confident that this will be a intense ride with funny points along the way. I like that everything was out in the open before the end of the volume and that from now, the story should just progress.

The scene where he tries to cut his wisp of a ponytail off had me in tears.

Can't wait to read volume 2!

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the digital ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC!

The premise of Kei X Yaku immediately caught my attention and I knew I had to read it. I'm so glad I did, because it was a lot of fun and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Given the whole, solve a murder plot, I wasn't expecting how humorous this would be. Shiro is an absolute troll and I love to see it.

I felt that the art style worked really well for the storyline.

Rather enjoyed this! I felt the chemistry between the two main characters was great, and am intrigued by the mystery element. It was nice that it was just about the romantic elements. The mystery is the driving force behind how these two characters come to know each other and I'm glad that it remained a leading factor in the entire story and wasn't lost in the beginning. Looking forward to reading the next one!

Kodansha Comics provided an early galley for review.

Branching out on my manga reading, I decided to give this one a shot.

While relatively short in length (three full chapters plus several one-page bonus comics), the story wastes no time diving into the scenario. These two opposites are thrown together into a violent mystery dripping with sexy tensions and political intrigue.

Kaoruhara does a wonderful job on the art as well. I appreciate how the fashions on the characters are changed up, adding styles and textures into the mix to keep the visuals interesting. Too often manga can fall into that "same outfits" motif - much like they are the costume that fit the model for the character. I like to see variety.

My attention was captured enough for me to seek out the next volume to see where the story goes.

This was the first volume of a manga about a police officer and yakuza who fake date and team up to find out what happened to someone they both care about. It's cute, and I hope they slowly fall for each other as they figure out the mystery.

It was way cuter than I expected and I can't wait for the second volume.

The plot seems good and the series is off to a good start! Definitely recommend to anyone who likes spy/agent books, especially bl ones.

Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for allowing readers like me to read and review volume 1 of Kei x Yaku: Bound by Law! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The only thing bothering me about this volume is how short it is.

Ichiro and Shiro are of two different worlds in this modern, opposites attract, murder mystery. Ichiro is part of the police force investigating a cold case that began three years ago. His senpai Rion Nakaba popped up in a viral video, dubbed the 'Joker Case', being tortured by unknown suspects but the video was taken down seconds later leaving a desperate Ichiro to figure out how to find Rion. When he is told to put the past away and focus on his current investigation, Ichiro's boss tells him he has to become lovers with Shiro, who is part of the yakuza and jumps bed to bed with politicians, in order to take down a big clan. Little do Ichiro and Shiro know that they are both trying to find more clues into Rion's disappearance. The odd pairing strike a deal to continue the farce of being in a relationship, to appease Ichiro's boss, and help one another discover darker secrets of the past.

I wish this was longer. I was surprised when I reached the end because I was getting so into the mystery and the humor between Ichiro and Shiro. I do like the past moments shown with Rion. I'm definitely going to get this volume and continue reading the series. I'm curious as to how they will find more clues and crack the case on Rion's disappearance and if she wants to be found, if she's not dead already. I wasn't expecting the amount of humor in this one. I thought it was going to be more of a serious cop drama and don't get me wrong there is drama but not as heavy as I thought it would be. I do like the flow of the story. It went by so fast, I swear I blinked and it was over. I like the dynamic between Ichiro and Shiro. Their bonus comics inbetween the normal chapters added a little bit of depth to the characters and their personalities.

4.5 stars

This manga was amazing. Entertaining and visually stunning, with an intriguing plot and a slow simmering romance in the background.
I honestly can’t wait for more of these two as they search for Shiro’s missing sister.

Kei X Yaku vol 1 does an excellent job of setting up its premise and the tension - working together to try to uncover the truth behind a disappearance three years ago, a government investigator and a yakuza boss enter into a fake relationship once it becomes clear that both sides are hiding something and they can't get to the bottom of it alone. I all but raced through this volume - there's an excellent balance between banter between the leads and the suspense of the case that really pulled me in and kept me engaged. I'm definitely going to be keeping my eyes out for the next volumes!

Kei X Yaku has a clever title. Kei is the first part of keisatsu, police, and yaku is from yakuza, the Japanese system of organized crime. Put together, keiyaku can mean "contract" (Kei X Yaku pg. 160, Translation Notes). The main characters, Ichiro, a policeman, and Shiro, a member of the yakuza, find themselves in a strange contract-- faking being boyfriends to solve the apparent murder of a woman who matters to both of them.

This is just the beginning of the series, which has been in publication in Japan since 2019. I think the first volume sets up an intriguing premise, one that will especially appeal to fans of "odd couple" pairings and tense mysteries. The first chapter moves rather quickly and it isn't exactly obvious what the opening event has to do with the story at large until later, which was confusing at first. Since this is a BL (Boy's Love, manga centering on romantic relationships between men, also often called yaoi), the two main characters are bound to get together at some point-- volume 1 just has tension. However, it's a good start and will leave BL fans, and fans of crime drama, excited for more.

The art is decently skilled, though not exactly groundbreaking-- which is not necessarily a bad thing, it's not a niche genre work where more unique drawing might be expected. Some panels give us chibi versions of Ichiro and Shiro, as do the bonus comics between chapters that have a more slice of life tone.

Overall, I'm intrigued to see where the story goes and how the relationship between the leads will progress.

I liked it a lot. The characters are well written, the plot is good. I think it has everything it needs to be a good story and people like it as much as I doI liked it a lot. The characters are well written, the plot is good. I think it has everything it needs to be a good story and people to enjoy it as much as I do.

Great start to the series! I'm a sucker for mafia romances, and this one was so cute, too. I am quite intrigued by the plot, and I already love the characters and their dynamic. I love when mangas have cute, funny moments juxtaposed to serious, dramatic ones. I just wish more happened in this volume! Definitely will continue with the series.

Thanks to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

An enthralling start to this manga series.. I'm eagerly anticipating the next installments. Seamlessly blending angst, profound themes, lively banter, and heartwarming romance (at least I hope), it's a captivating concoction. Shiro and Ichiro have already won my heart, and I'm wholeheartedly rooting for their journey.

Loved it! The story has a good twist and hook beyond the usual cop/mob or spy/crime boss setup. Funny little scenes sprinkled throughout really makes it spark. I want to glom all the rest of the series now.

<i>I would like to thank NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.</i>

Book 1 of Kei X Yaku: Bound by Law- The deets: A missing police officer last seen in a disturbing video, sleazy/pervy politicians, a yakuza crime family, and a potentially-corrupt police department...so the missing officer's partner and her brother swallow their differences and team up to find her!

My gawd yesssss to all of that!!!!

It's a story that's as old as time, but what a MEGA vibe it is!!

The art was pretty and the story was very intriguing! And though it's only just the beginning few chapters in this installment, this series promises to navigate some very seedy and dark viciousness before the boys find their missing Rion!

I'm hooked on this mystery, and I'm sure their romance will be slow and silly, but still pretty delightful! I enjoyed this, and I'm definitely excited to see where this series goes next!

I loved this. Ichiro and Shiro are both dynamic characters and I like their growing relationship. The pacing was fast and engaging, and something was always happening in the story, which kept me entertained. I'm excited to see where the two of them go and how their relationship forms because they are from two very different sides of the law and I want to see how the effects their growing relationship

A silly and intriguing story with pretty art.

The plot was decently done and I don't have any major complaints. The pacing was a little slow but was fine for an introductory volume. I find the mystery story more compelling rather than the romance. However, I will say the romance is interesting and my interest is piqued.

The art was lovely and delicate. It highlights the character design and is pleasing to look at. It seems to be dynamic enough for various styles of scenes. This art style is very "light" and delicate which can make some gritty action scenes look strange. With the gritty scenes in this volume, it seems to work fairly well but I wonder if it will work when the action/violence increases.

* Thanks to the publisher Kodansha Comics via Netgalley for the ebook!