Fake 1

Fake #1

by Sanami Matoh

Ryo and Dee, two of New York City's finest, are called in to investigate the activities of some two-bit street punk. The operation goes south rather quickly when Dee is kidnapped and Ryo must put all of his skill and training to the test to get his partner back in one piece. Their partnership is on the line as electrified emotions raise feelings between the two guys that are hard to ignore

Genres: Manga, Yaoi, Romance, Comics, LGBT, Graphic Novels, Fiction

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Japanese: 真東 砂波
Also read Sanami Matou.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought this was pretty dumb, with the ridiculously hot and young detectives doing a terrible job of police work (never following procedure, yelling at their chief, ranting about everything they're asked to do) and the slapstick drug dealers and the racist humorous-sidekick brown street kid that Ryo lets move in with him and --

And then as I was formulating this to myself, I realized it was a parody of that sort of American odd couple cop action comedy movie, with some cute guys kissing thrown in for the teen-girl intended audience. And it was actually pretty fun, viewed from that perspective.

I also liked the side story with kids Bikky and Carol going camping and getting attacked by the bear.

[Trin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first yaoi! Aww. Here are my thoughts, which I’m sure you are dying to hear. ;-)

I…liked it? But didn’t love it? I mean, it’s very cute, but it’s so…well, immature. There’s an aside from the author at one point where she says, “Well, this is really a girls’ comic, anyway” and…yeah. That’s the problem for me. It’s clearly written with teen girls in mind, and while I must say that Japanese teen girls are TOTALLY AWESOME if this is what they like, I think I’ve outgrown it. Ryo and Dee, the two protagonists, may be employed as New York cops, and there may be fake splashes of cartoon blood from time to time, but the whole thing is so…fourteen years old. I mean, the guys are in love from minute one, and then there’s lots of kissing and “Oh my god! He kissed me!” And there are none of the (this is so lame) social issues I want from a two-cops-in-love story—everyone at the station is just, like, okay with this? *pouts* I want some angst and some grit, dude.

So basically what I’m saying is: I would rather be reading due South fic. Sigh.

[Joanka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little sentimental journey to the past. The story is a little more bland (and with some problematic themes that scream both it's manga and it's been made in 90s) than I remembered but the art is a little better so there is that. I still find this story about two cops cute and funny at times so yeah, a really nice way to waste my evening when I can't think thanks to a deadly case of cold.

[QS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, this series. There are pretty much no words for my love of it. I remember reading it when it first came out about eight years ago and loving it so much that I somehow managed to convince my dad to buy the last volume of it (which was wrapped in plastic to protect innocent eyes) without him actually know what it was about. I recently decided to reread a novel that I loved around the same time, and decided to dig this series out from under my bed for a reread to see if all of my taste was bad. Thankfully, I apparently came across something worthwhile on occasion. If I had to make one complaint, it would be that a lot of this us frankly completely unrealistic, but considering the content of a few other shounen ai/yaoi manga I've read, this series is pretty reasonable.

FAKE is about two male NYPD cops falling in love. That's it. Tons and tons of other really interesting stuff happens (c'mon, they're COPS), but you never forget that the focus is on getting the two main characters together. It's also clearly created for teenage girls, and I should probably be embarrassed about loving it so much. But it's kind of ridiculously awesome because Matoh doesn't pretty anything up. There's blood, death, drugs, explosions, and even terrible things happening to children...and this just in the first volume! On the other hand, there's more than its fair share of humor, and enough kissing scenes to make any yaoi fangirl glee.

But what I think really makes the series is the characters. Ryo is a complete sweetheart when he isn't screaming at Dee or Bikky for their various transgressions. Dee cracks me up when he isn't being too overly obnoxious. Bikky and Carol are just plain adorable, especially in Act Four (which is about them, of course). And JJ...oh, JJ. He is the most perfect blend of adorable, annoying, and badass that makes me love him to pieces. Also, I'd completely forgotten that his full first name is Jemmy. Jemmy! I don't think I will ever mentally refer to him as JJ again. Even the minor characters, such as the Chief (who is pretty much every other Chief of Police in fiction ever), Billy (stereotypical obnoxious preppy worthless white boy), and the various criminals are utterly fantastic in their own ways. I'm especially looking forward to seeing some of the characters in the future volumes (just wait until you meet Diana!).

And may I just mention that when I was younger I totally thought Bikky's fifteen year-old incarnation was kind of ridiculously hot? In fact, I was of the opinion that he was the most attractive character in the entire series...although my opinion has (thankfully) changed since then. (Seriously, just wait until you meet Diana.)

[Sammy Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and have read it so many times now. I got the series again when it was republished and so I have it all on ebook now, finally! It is was originally published in the early 90's and you can tell by the art and the clothes. I can't believe this is only about 5 years younger than me! I adore Ryo and Dee, even Bikky too! They are two of my all-time favourite yaoi manga police detectives! Their story is a slow-burn and it is so worth the wait we go through! Dee is bisexual and his sights are set on Ryo from the off. He loves good looking people and Ryo fits the bill! After getting to know each other Dee truly starts to have feelings for Ryo. Ryo on the other hand isn't so sure of his sexuality so his feelings for Dee confuse him. I love them together and the slow build-up over the volumes is so worth it. It only gets better from here!

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m pretty sure this was the first BL I ever read years ago! It’s very 90s, the story is quite simple and it’s funny how Ryo adopts 2 street kids within days. The attraction is pretty instantaneous, but it’s still a pretty cute story. Great flash back to the past for me.

[Tandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

For purely brain-in-bucket silliness to distract me from all the stressors of the real world, this was the perfect book. Extra points for the nostalgia since I first read it in high school.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

starsky and hutch coded

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Move over, Wonder Woman: Warbringer! Turns out this is the worst book I've read in quite some time.

Manga artist attempts to create (gay) gritty 90s buddy cop routine in NYC without any reference materials - not even an episode of Law & Order. I think the only thing close to acceptable realism might be the shoulder pads.

[Ana Maria]

Bikky toca hacerse a la idea de que van a acabar juntos🫵🏻
Anywaysss un poco instantáneo lo de Dee por Ryo aunque a la inversa puede que lo desarrollen bien así que ya veremos.
pd: bisexuality mention siempre es un win!

2.5-2.75!

[Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After watching the ova and getting immersed in the 90’s yaoi again the nostalgia hit me and I decided to pick up the manga since I liked the story in the ova and a lot people praised the manga saying that it’s an oldie but a goodie
I’m ready for the ride let’s see where it goes 🤭

[cloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

really cute!!! some of my favourite tropes (accidental child acquisition, sharing a bed, etc.) popped up in the first few pages and i really liked the nostalgic art style. read at the town library i don't think i'll ever get to read the rest of it 😭

[milkbread · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, no offence, but I don’t really like 90s manga. Just doesn’t suit me. Second of all, what. in. the. chicken noodle soup turkey sandwich broccoli salad? AAAGHHH- not for me

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars. I lot of the language in this is dated but I enjoyed it anyway.

[Claudia Marcela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randy Maclean, de nombre japonés Ryo, llega como nuevo detective al precinto 27 de Nueva York, su nuevo compañero Dee muestra un interés inmediato en él, y aunque Ryo no está interesado, Dee persiste. Su primer caso juntos es la investigación de un traficante de drogas muerto y su hijo de 10 años, Bikky, es el único testigo del crimen, así que deben protegerlo. También se nos presenta a Carol, una jovencita carterista que roba para pagar la fianza de su padre desahuciado. Además aparece JJ un excompañero de Dee en la academia de policías, que está loco por él.

Aunque no fue el primer manga que leí, sí que fue el primer manga yaoi cuya historia se extendía más allá de un solo tomo y definió mi gusto por la trama más allá del romance, problema constante en los yaoi de hace 20 años y los actuales. A pesar de la atracción entre Dee y Ryo y el lento proceso en que Ryo empieza a aceptar las atenciones de Dee, el enfoque principal de la trama son los casos policíacos. La mangaka aborda con maestría temas como la pobreza, los delincuentes juveniles, el racismo y otros temas delicados, que se suavizan con su toque de humor. Si bien, ahora podemos ver que hay cosas reprobables en algunas escenas, como la homofobia de Bikky al golpear a unos niños que se estaban declarando su amor, o el que Dee coquetee con Carol, una niña de 13 años, hay que considerar que se escribió en los 90's y enfocarse en los puntos fuertes: la parodia policíaca, el humor y el lento desarrollo de la relación entre Dee y Ryo.

Releído después de tantos años, porque lo vi con nueva portada en Kindle Unlimited, pero es el mismo contenido. La única diferencia con el volumen físico original es el agregado de un fragmento con Ted y Drake contándole a Ryo sobre cuando Dee llegó a la comisaría y tuvo que enfrentarse a un compañero que andaba en malos pasos. Esa historia tiene un estilo diferente al resto del tomo, porque es posterior a la finalización de los 7 tomos y el estilo de la mangaka ya había cambiado bastante (De hecho, recuerdo que en su día ese cambio fue sujeto de muchas críticas porque ya no eran el Dee y Ryo que conocíamos).

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the only reason i held out on reading this one was the art. In the first volume, at least, the art has a bit of an old-style feel to it, it's not the same as many of the newer manga. But i am soooooo glad i got over that and read it.

This series is amazing! I'm absolutely in love with it and i'm not even finished yet. I'm a big yaoi fan but i think that even if i wasn't i would still enjoy reading this.

I think probably the best part about it is the relationship between the two main characters, Ryo and Dee. The way their friendship progresses and the way they talk to each other and interact is just perfect. There are moments when i find myself grinning or just completely bursting out laughing at some of the things they're bickering over or what-not. I may have picked this up for the shounen-ai but i keep reading for the comedy (Well for the relationship as well because they're just so sweet!).

Because this is a long(ish) series you know that it's going to take a while for the relationship to get moving which is something else i'm grateful for. There aren't any moments when you're just like, 'that's completely unbelievable, no way would that happen in real life' which is nice. It's also very satisfying to watch the slow progression of their feelings.

There's a lot more too it than that but you really have to read it for yourself. I couldn't recommend this series enough. And if you're like me and put off by the art then don't be, once you're used to it you don't even notice that it's not a conventional style, and really, it kind of works like that.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally Read: 8/21/15
Updated Review: 8/18/19

Watched the OVA and now reading the series online. Yep. I'm definitely hooked.

~~~

Original Review: 8/21/15

I must admit, I've gotten so used to the impression of yaoi = straight to bedroom-fun, that this one, with its handful of kisses and nothing more, was quite refreshing. (Sorry for the run-on...)

It's an interesting start of a series, at least. I mean, undercover cops dealing with druggies and criminals, you're gonna find loads of action. And of course, having two hot gay/bi leads is sure to loads of "action" as well.... But not in this volume, so calm down, yaoi fangirls!

Also, the fact that Dee is openly bi, and refuses to diminish his sexuality as anything other than that is awesome and way of ahead of the times (considering there's STILL hot debates about bisexuality being a thing).

While I cannot deny the strange thrill some girls get with yaoi (including myself, once in a blue moon...), I'm not a devotee. I need to have interesting story and characters before I can dig deeper into the fan service. FAKE has at least some of that. Sure, the archetypes are somewhat clichéd and the humor is a bit immature, but it still captures my interest, and that's all that matters.

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an illustrated story that reads back to front about two young male officers recently partnered up who are painfully attracted to each other. Dee is out and doesn't care who knows it (though he claims he's "bi") while Ryo is much more innocent and confused by his feelings. With Dee in the lead, he creates some cute, sexy, comical situations and steals a kiss from Ryo whenever and wherever he can. The two must fight drug lords and deal with young delinquents. The dialogue between Dee & Ryo is fun which more than makes up for the often silly and inept police work and all of the sleep-overs for whatever reason. The only thing annoying me quite a bit is the silly fighting between Dee and a young street kid named Bikky. It seems too juvenile for a grown man who is supposed to be an officer of the law and reads more like a parody . . . I'll definitely track down more of these. So fun.

[Carl J Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this manga, I know some people think that it can be quite immature but for me that was half the appeal. I really like the the whole tug of war going on between Ryo and Dee. I think it touches really well on the beginnings of a relationship, especially when one of the people involved is unsure of their sexual preference. Okay I admit that it can get a little confusing with the age fluctuation of the other supporting characters but once you get use to that it is a really great read. I defiantly recommend reading this whole saga.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably by today's standards, these would be problematic to someone. I only have vague memories of the series. But I can't deny that I loved this series when I was a clueless younger fangirl. I believe upon rereading that I will still love them. It's hard to start disliking something nostalgic and as cliche as it sounds, close to your heart. That sounds weird, I know. It is a fangirl thing, I think. I wonder what makes us into such fangirls and why I'm not still in super fangirl mode over things? Is it because I'm older?

[DeeNeez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series will always have a spot in my heart. Every time I read this series, I fall in love with Dee and Ryo all over again. Two New York detectives fighting crime and gradually falling for each other. Dee is bisexual, known to go after anyone good looking, and he has his sites on his new partner,Ryo. Ryo, unsure of his own sexuality, is not sure how to handle Dee, let alone his own heart.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard a lot of good, nay, great things about this series and this is enjoyable (I mean, it's a buddy cop manga about two cops who eventually fall in love - what's not to love?). I'm definitely going to read more of this.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite manga series and I decided to reread it. Just as amazing as I remembered it!

[M]

This volume seemed more authentic than number 2.

[Lailah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Katelynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I reread this entire series tonight as a tribute. I've owned some of the volumes for nearly 18 years and as I get ready to move house, it's time to say goodbye to them. I'm going to use this as my series review.

This was the BL series from my teenage years. Well, this and Gravitation. So there's a lot of inherent nostalgia to this series. But it's also very 90s and very typical of the genre--which is to say full of dubcon. Though, I am happy to report that it wasn't as bad as I'd feared upon reread. It's still there, and there are some inappropriate moments that made me raise an eyebrow or two, but anyway.

Also, being a product of its time, it's got some interesting issues with its use of language. Though, to be fair, some of that could just be early 2000s localization. One of the key secondary characters is very homophobic on page and there are multiple uses of the r-word throughout. Again, yes, a product of its time, but still.

What actually struck me the most on this reread is the overall writing. Which, on the one hand, very clearly had some formative influences on me in ways I did not realize. 😶 And on the other hand is much weaker than I remembered--specifically the police procedural stuff.

The romance was better than I was expecting, mostly because I had very cautious expectations. There's a bit too much "will-they/won't-they" and overuse of the "constantly interrupted" bit, and I would've liked to see a deeper exploration of Ryo's own internalized struggle with his sexuality.

Still, I'm glad to have reread it. I'm not sad, exactly, to be letting my volumes go--but it's still sort of the end of an era. And that's okay. I'm happy to send this off on a good note.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is hard for me to rate.
There were things I liked & disliked about this volume.

I'm relatively new to manga, so I'm not sure if what I didn't like is just because something was lost in translation or because it was truly written with that intent.

What I liked:
I thought the action was good. I liked the snarkyness among the characters. The pacing was fine.

What I didn't like:
I did not like the lack of Dee asking for or getting consent. Dee has literally attacked Ryo without his consent several times. Then he stays at Ryos' house to take care of him. It's mind fucking in my opinion. It's seems to me Ryo thought he was straight, and Dee, who identifies as bisexual, is having Dee force himself on him. Each time Dee forces a kiss on Ryo, it seems like it is confusing him. I'm a fan of consent & there has been zero consent. Also, I would have liked for Ryo to put a stop to it. Ryo could have asked for a transfer. Um, hello, HR issue right there. However, if Ryo was going to have a bisexual awakening, there are many ways that could have happened that included consent instead of what occurred.

Another thing I didn't like was the homophobic actions of Bikky. While he might have internalized homophobia and might be gay or bi himself, he is mean. He says and does things to two boys at camp, which is what I believe constitutes a hate crime as he was violent. He even talks about getting rid of the evil from those two boys. Implying that being gay is evil.

Oh, how could I forget when Carol tells Dee that she isn't interested in him anymore & she doesn't want to date him when she's 18. And what does Dee do? He freaks out like he's been abandoned or something. Yes, you heard me. You have an adult NYC cop practically throwing a temper tantrum, wondering who could be a better catch than him. Wtf???

Am I missing something? Did something get lost in translation?

I'm on the fence with reading the next volume. Either they correct their ways, and Dee explains (no explanation would be valid in my opinion) and starts asking for consent, and Bikky stops being a homophobe. Or Dee continues to take when he should ask, and Ryo falls for Dee. I think something serious would have to happen for the power imbalance to be corrected.

[Taleisin (Tales of a Bookwyrm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 really -- I don't know what to think of this manga. On the one hand I like the characters and their dynamics. I love the slow burn romance, as Ryo and Dee develop feelings for each other. Race is not handled in the best way, with Dee bluntly confronting a number of characters about their ethnicity. This may be the fault of translation. What really bothers me, though, are the issues of consent. While it is clear that both Ryo and Dee [male police detectives] are attracted to each other, Dee is much more comfortable with his sexuality. He pushes Ryo too hard sometimes. I don't think he means any harm by it, but still. I would have preferred to see their relationship develop from partners to friends to something more.

Without the issues, this would have been a 3.5-4 star read, easy. Issues aside, I do plan to continue with this seven-volume manga series.

[Juani Martignone · Rating 4 out of 5]

La historia de dos policías en Japón que empiezan a enamorarse. Al ser policías investigadores toda la trama está marcada por las aventuras que tienen que pasar con cada caso policial. Los personajes secundarios son dos adolescentes, una chico y un chico, que van a vivir también aventuras y romances. Parece ser una novela muy rosa pero está atravesada por la desigualdad, los niños desamparados, el delito, las drogas, los prejuicios con los extranjeros, porque uno de los protagonistas es norteamericano y el otro es japonés. El proceso de aceptación de la homosexualidad es rápido pero verosímil. Es tan entretenida que puede leerse en una sola sentada.

[Kiwi · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF the series.
damn it was so annoying. you want to talk about bad tropes in yaoi? well this bad boy right here has absolutely all of them! and it couldn't even be mildly entertaining. the first volume, even the second one, are tolerable. but it gets on your nerves after the first half of the third. i cant even call it what a 14yo on w@ttpad would write because i have read better stuff on there than whatever this was aiming to be
i fear not even the art could save it (which was the whole reason why i even started reading it in the first place). and what was up with that paneling? terrible. sooo bland and such an eyesore at the same time