The Betrayal Knows My Name, Volume 02

The Betrayal Knows My Name #2

by Hotaru Odagiri

Welcomed into the arms of the Giou clan and the Zweilt, Yuki reaches out to his comrades even as he is drawn into their war with the darkness. But the demonic Duras continue to spread their malevolence around Yuki, and the members of his new family are not impervious either, as one of their own vanishes without a trace and yet another is cornered by a sudden ambush. In the Zweilt, Yuki may well have found the long-sought-after place he belongs, but the enemy seems intent on stealing it out of his grasp forever.
And when the shadowy figure of "Reiga," the nemesis of the Giou, finally steps into the light, will Yuki find himself utterly alone, crushed by the weight of the truth?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Graphic Novels, Yaoi, Magic

376 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2011

About the author

Associated Names :
さくら いつき
さくら学舎
小田切蛍
桜いつき
櫻いつき
Sakura Gakusha
SAKURA Itsuki

Name (in native language) : 小田切ほたる

Doujinshi Circle: Sakura Gakusha (さくら学舎)

Writes doujinshi under the penname SAKURA Itsuki.

Ryoko Mitsuki was her assistant.

Reviews

[Miss Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my God, this ridiculous melodramatic manga. I kept vacillating between insulting the characters -- these melodramatic fools! -- and loving on them helplessly because I am an emotional sucker. ;_; My feeling are complicated okay! Sometimes girls simultaneously want to hug a character and kick their shin and run away. Sometimes those girls are me.

Let's break this down by character then. I kind of want to shake Yuki because what do you even do with all this pure hearted naivety? What do you even do?! Oh my God Yuki, when a dude cold tries to murder you that's when you stop making excuses for him! Betrayal hurts but being killed hurts more I guarantee it. That is where you are headed if you keep this up.

Shusei I want to yell at for a minute and then possibly collapse into tears. You don't even understand, his plotline is ridiculous and melodramatic and also hits me right in the heart. I was more invested in the anime's take on it but considering I was riding the Overidentification Train through his whole arc in the anime and I'm more objective now, that's still pretty strongly invested. Fool! Have some friendship candy.

Hotsuma makes me laugh helplessly because this guy has so many feelings and I can't. I might have more in common with him than anyone else in this series because as you may have noticed I ran the emotional gamut reading this volume. Control thyself child! I will work on doing the same.

Touko and Tsukomo are adorable and my feelings on them are thankfully nothing more complex than that. I just love them, that's all. It's restful.

Lolololololol Luka. Character feelings? No. Deep amusement at how he is the fanserviciest dude to exist in a manga primarily consisting of gorgeously drawn guys? Oh yes.



Shirts are meant to cover your chest? I'm sorry ma'am, I don't think I quite follow your logic.

Basically are you into extreme melodrama bolstered by pretty art and a cast designed to pander to the female gaze hard? Than pick up Uraboku! You can join me here when you start yelling at the characters while riding the bus. Shh, it's okay honey. I understand. 3.5 stars

[Shawnie Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell him Luka!
Lol damn!

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the smiles and the tears— ...they've lived on by sharing with each other haven't they? ...And amidst battling the duras ...with our lives on the line ...he's gripped by the fear of losing that one precious person. ...Seeking out the warmth of others ...wanting with his whole being to be needed. We are ...just human—such small, frail beings. - Yuki Giou

This volume is an exercise in heartbreak. Yuki's heart is broken by betrayal and mine was broken by Hotsuma, Shuusei and not only their current situations but their history. They are they cover because for the most part, they are the focus theirs is a relationship built on trust and pain and loyalty and scars. Though there is definitely some lols as well Tachibana is the light relief, between his outfits and the situation he finds himself in he does lighten the mood. The are two main story arcs in volume 2 one involves the psycho doll from the end of volume 1, Ashley the other is more subtle an indication of stories to come. That distinct balance between constant action and calm is welcome and necessary.

Towards the end of the volume new characters are introduced a new pair of zweilt, Senshirou Furuori and Kuroto Hourai and Takashiro's steward, Fuyutoki. The introductory scenes for these characters are telling. Senshirou and Kuroto are hiding something and Fuyutoki shows that Takashiro isn't as old as he acts. On the ages, I'm struggling to remember how young these characters are. Yuki, Hotusma, Tsukumo and new zweilt Kuroto are 15, Shuusei and Tooko are 16 and the other new tweilt Senshirou is 18. Luka is impossible to age with any form of exactitude he's a 1000+ year old demon. It's a sign of good design that the characters that are the same age don't necessarily look is Hotsuma who has had a bad life looks older than Yuki. One note on Kuroto he fights with a katana and is a gifted strategist with an offensive specialty, its at least interesting.

This is very much a character driven series for me, there is a plot, and there are secrets but those secrets are tied to people and their relationships. I read for those characters, those relationships. I think that is something that is common for readers too, reading the author notes. I really like the characters, the art, the extra short stories and the detail. Also, human Sodom is absolutely adorable, his childlike nature is perfect. It's a series that if you like the first volume you will continue to like it.

My reading experience in a gif:

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This continues to be a ridiculously emo, overwrought mess and half the time I can't tell who is who, but somehow it is still enjoyable.

[Grayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Will someone fuckin kiss already? I'm so conflicted about this sister brother relationship because I want them together but also ew this ain't Alabama

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yuki is welcomed into the Giou Clan and begins to form friendships with the various members while learning about their own unique abilities - but demons continue to hunt for him, and they seem to be led by a figure from his past. Odagiri continues this entertaining series with more fun characters and enjoyable twists. How will Yuki face someone as terrifying and familiar as this new foe?

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this volume we get to see more of Luka's seemingly sad past. We also got to know the other characters more [Shusei, Hotsuma, and Takashiro]. Again, some parts of this manga made me laugh, and this is why it's on my favorite list, not to mention that the characters are such an eye candy. ^_^

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep and intense, this is NOT light reading (well the weight of the actual volume keeps it from being that already). I love how the relationships are deepening, and the plot grows ever more complex. This is becoming a favorite series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. Much. Angst. But hey, sometimes that's what you crave in a story.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still really enjoying this story. So far, the anime follows everything pretty closely, but the manga definitely fills in some of the gaps that I'd had questions about while watching. There's a little bit more of Luka and Yuki's backstory (and some absolutely deliciously wrenching angst), but the highlight of this volume is the relationship between Hotsuma and Shuusei. I didn't quite grasp either of their characters' full motivations in the anime, and seeing some extra glimpses of their backstory and the reasons for their inner turmoil added a lot of valuable depth. I'm eager to continue into the next volume!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is so interesting and the relationships have so much potential. Sadly this series so far has been bogged down by unsurprising twists, boring plot, and an intense repetition of personal conflicts. I hope these characters can move past the same interpersonal problems so I can enjoy the drama and romance? that seems to be brewing.

[Hawraki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've watched the anime and I was curious about how the story ends. The manga has so many details and it is too girly for me. I have no idea why I am still reading this series but I'm not going to give up on it yet.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still overly dramatic, but I think that's it's charm.
The romantic suspense is killing me! Luka, for goodness sake, tell Yuki. And same goes for Shuusei, I swear if the author is just leading us on with him and Hotsuma's relationship than I'm going to cry.

[Aki Ryuichi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luka 😍
Él es mi segundo por siempre (después de Asami ABVIAAAAA)🤣🤣

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh Luka loves Yuki 😆😆😆

[Wandering Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I know the author said there would be no LGBTQ+ characters or themes but I really need Hotsuma and Shusei to be a thing.

[Eke · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don't think I'm too interested to continue on

[Maverynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was just grindy. It would probably be better if I had the individual volumes, but I don't. Also yet more characters as if we aren't confused enough.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that we are learning about Shuusei and Hotsuma and getting more of their joint back history and individual back history. I like them both and they seem to be fan favorites. I was sad Hotsuma's friend Shiori got sucked in by a duras!

I loved how Yuki helped Hotsuma with his painful remembrance from the past. It strengthens their relationship and actually also Shuusei and Luka's relationships with Yuki too witnessing it!

Yuki is missing his friend Kanata and his friend is worried at his new "family's" motives. I love how Tsukumo and Tooko despite not getting detailed back histories are there supporting Yuki and defending him!

There are moments between Luka and Tooko and between Hotsuma and Yuki and Shuusei and Luka. These make the whole manga. They are intimate and so revealing about their characters!

I loved the Yuki charms and how it protected Tsukumo. Loved how Tsukumo and Tooko would trade things when they go on a mission so they can return to one another to trade them back. (Plus the side story was so revealing about their relationship!)

The final arc of the volume was quite good with Takashiro gambling on Yuki and Luka pulling out a win against the cool marionette opast. Kanata pops up like a bad penny. Yuki is totally effected by the outcome. I love how the emotional story is always around Yuki!

We meet Kuroto and Furuori! Yay! New Zweilt.

BOTTOM LINE: I love how we are getting to know everyone better!

[Jeninne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I'll admit, with this being my ultimate guilty pleasure manage series, I'm mostly in it just for the Yuki/Luka ship. The suppoting cast is great and all, but the anime didn't do a lot to sway me into watching for them. But the manga? That's a whole different story.

This manga focuses less on the Yuki/Luka main story, and more on the backstory of Hotsuma and Shuusei. It also does a much better job of making them likable and relatable than the anime. In this volume Hotsuma's childhood and how he reacts to people for specific reasons is a lot more solid and explained. Hotsuma has a LOT of character development that the anime just didn't have time for, and I found really interesting. Coupled with the much more expanded dynamic with Shuusei, I can firmly say that this was a much better read than I was expected.

I was also surprised to see there was a lot in terms of building on character relationships I hadn't expected to see. Ther was some downright lovely stuff wth Toko and Luka, and a nice little bonding moment between Shuusei and Tsukumo. It's stuff like that that the anime doesn't really have time for, but really flourishes in a manga. I can't sing the chaacter development in this book enough.

As I progress through this manga I'm only loving it more and more. The pacing of the story is getting bette, the humor is still spot on and appropriate, and I'm really excited to read even more. This is a solid entry and a full four stars from me.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this volume focuses heavily on Hotsuma and Shuusei's relationship. We get some back-story on their pairing, and then Shuusei is kidnapped by the (hysterically over the top) villain Ashley. Hotsuma searches frantically for him, but Shuusei is convinced that Hotsuma is in love with Yuki and therefore doesn't need Shuusei anymore, so he doesn't fight for his freedom.

Then Yuki suffers a betrayal he has a hard time coping with, but in true Yuki fashion we get statements like this:

Maybe it's impossible for people to live their lives without hurting anyone, but there are things like warmth and kindness and the depth of feeling. The courage to take a single step. People are also the ones giving me precious things like that.

Finally, we learn more about why Luka won't tell Yuki about their relationship in Yuki's previous incarnation. ::swoon::

As in the first volume, the romantic elements of the various relationships are hinted at more than actually depicted... a longing glance here, the stroking of hair there... so this might not satisfy if you're looking for yaoi.

The battle against the Duras continues, and new characters are introduced who will probably be featured more in the next volume.

The translation is clear and I really appreciate the cultural notes at the end.

Very much looking forward to volume 3!

[Melissa E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my God, do I love Odagiri-sensei's artwork! It is absolutely gorgeous, and completely five stars on its own. My problem with this series is Yuki. Yuki makes me want to strangle things every time he comes onto the page. He is every obnoxious Mary Sue character you've ever seen...just in a pretty boy package. Ugh. When it was just Luka fawning over him it wasn't so bad, but once the ENTIRE DAMN CAST started doing it, my eyes rolled back so hard that it hurt. -_-

So, why did I give this four stars? Hotsuma and Shuusei. I am an absolute sucker for redeemable angsty characters like that, and I LOVE their dynamic! I was so excited that this volume focused on them. Tsukumo and Touko are also adorable. This entire world is very interesting and unique, honestly...if the Yuki worship was toned down a bit I would absolutely love it.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! The artwork, the characters and the plot are all fantastic! I really cannot get enough of it. Yes, the plot does have some elements that we have seen in a hundred other fantasy manga, but there's just something about this that still stands out for me. I have read the first six books multiple times over the past few years and despaired of ever being able to get my hands on books 7 & 8 in English, but now that they have been translated an published (yay!! XD) I am rereading the whole series. It really is still just as good as it was the first time. Hotaru Odagiri has seriously done a fantastic job!

[Melissa Kidd · Rating 2 out of 5]

The artwork is what's keeping me in at the moment. I feel like it will get better and I do like the artwork so I think I will try another few volumes and see. Story is sort of confusing at the moment, but that could also be that I read the first volume half a year ago. :) Something simple for a night were I don't feel like doing anything.

[David Skies · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Quotation Marks"

"Quotation marks everywhere."

I swear, if this manga was a person I was having a conversation with, I'd break their hands to stop them from making air quotes with their fingers.

Meticulously.

With a ball-peen hammer.

[Minjae Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right after reading volume 1 I immediately dove into this one and almost forgot where I was when I finished it. I found myself going back and forth in the pages rereading and trying to get more details and it was totally worth it!! ❤️❤ I love this!!

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just so dramatically angsty and over the top...but fun. Everyone smolders, even the girls!

[scarlettraces · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.5)