Product Review

Japanese Audio with Removable English Subtitles......eight years after the original release of the classic yaoi OVA for the widely popular manga series by Youka Nitta, we finally have Embracing Love (Haru wo Daiteita) legally available on American shores thanks to Kitty Media's license. Previously, the title was only available for download or viewing on streaming websites via fansubs, but now a legitimate DVD release is here. Embracing Love is the story of two rival adult film stars who by chance are selected to compete for the same role in a gay erotic film. This chance encounter results in a passionate relationship between the two men, who break from adult films and into more mainstream roles in films and television, while juggling this new and controversial foray into a same-gender love affair. The OVA covers about the contents of the first two volumes of the manga series, summarizing what led Katou and Iwaki together in flashbacks and skipping over a number of the less significant details in the story in favor of covering more plot. The animation quality is surprising good for this genre. Characters move smoothly, backgrounds are detailed and color and lighting are apropriate for each scene's mood. The OVA predates the excessive use of CG found in so many anime now, making the animation more cohesive overall. The audio is also of a high quality, featuring veteran voice talents for both male leads and a soundtrack of more popular musical fare than the average yaoi DVD generally offers. The love scenes are numerous and range from the innocent to the erotic.