Blue Morning, Vol. 3 Paperback – Illustrated, November 12, 2013

Akihito is beginning to take greater control of Kuze family matters, much to Katsuragi’s surprise. All letters in regard to bank business are to go straight to Akihito. Meanwhile, Akihiko is paying his court to the fifteen-year-old Chikako, of the Sajo family, and spends their time together playing games with her. He realizes the gap that exists between the Sajos and the Kuzes, and intends to call upon the —Moriyama, as well as the Ashizakis. Meanwhile former houseboy Amimaya is visiting with the retired housekeeper, Kiku. He reveals to her some of his thoughts regarding Katsuragi, but the older woman makes no direct comment.Akihito requests that Ashizaki act as his agent in the matter of his proposed marriage, explaining his reasoning behind this decision, which Ashizaki concurs with and agrees to help. But that help will come with a steep price. Is Akihito willing to pay such a price? Afterward, Akihito goes to Katsuragi, and initial conflict becomes into their usual method of resolution—lovemaking. Later, Katsuragi thinks on the original plans he made when he was first put in charge of Akihito’s education, the revenge he intended to extract for promises made to him but never kept, for unforgivable behavior toward him. Has something changed now?Akihito is not pleased that Katsuragi no longer dines with him. He tells the two highest ranking servants that they will dine with him from now on, which makes them uncomfortable. When Katsuragi arrives, Akihito informs him that he will be joining them as well.When Amimaya returns to visit Kiku, he learns she has returned to her hometown, to his dismay. Furthermore, she has left instructions for him to clean every corner of the storehouse. Furthermore, her instructions emphasize papers that he will find there, given to her by Lord Kuze. Is this significant? Amimaya grasps what he perceives to be the meaning behind Kiku’s actions and agrees to do as she has requested. Maybe his lifelong dreams will come true after all.Akihito seeks Katsuragi’s opinion on household matters, and as they work together, the butler does something quite unexpected—he kisses Akihito. A thrilled Akihito responds in kind, kissing Katsuragi’s hand. But the moment is spoiled when Katsuragi demands Akihito release him, and he walks away, to Akihito’s dismay.The next day, Katsuragi receives a request for him to go to the storehouse, where Amimaya has something to tell him. Meanwhile, at school, Ishizake searches for and finds a despondent Akihito, who is no mood to talk. Ishizaki can only imagine what has him so upset, what is usually the cause of his upset—Katsuragi. Ishizaki knows what is being asked of Akihito, and he asks can he actually go through with it, but Akihito doesn’t want to listen and asks, instead, what message Ishizaki has from Katsuragi’s brother.Amimaya lets loose some rather nasty accusations at Katsuragi. Akihito goes to see Katsuragi’s brother, and learns the former houseboy has made accusations of his own. But the elder Katsuragi also warns Akihito not to trust Tomoyuki.Back at the Kuze manor, Akihito and Katsuragi now dine alone, as the other servants have begged off, due to their discomfort. Alone, they can talk more freely concerning what Amimaya has alleged. Will this new information tear them apart or drive them closer together? What is Akihito willing to do in order to stay by Katsuragi’s side and raise the Kuze house, as he has sworn to do?In this volume of Blue Morning, we learn about Katsuragi’s parentage, and we also get a glimpse into the boy he was, and the expectations he was raised to have by Akihito’s father. There are still pieces of that puzzle that are missing, and if they include, as I suspect, Katsuragi’s sexual abuse by the older Kuze, that will explain much. At the same time, we see more of Katsuragi’s own feelings for Akihito, as his tightly wound façade beings to unfurl at Akihito’s continued tenderness and unswerving loyalty, something he has received from no one before and certainly did not expect from the target of his own ambitions. No wonder he’s becoming confused and uncertain, as he never saw this coming. Will he embrace his feelings for Akihito or deny them in order to proceed with his plan? I’m leaning toward the former, but I am also a hopeless romantic. I’ll be very disappointed if this series ends and these two are not together and very much in love. Guess I’ll have to wait and see.As usual, the artwork is superb, the story excellent. Both men are very lovely to look upon, but especially Katsuragi. I’m looking forward to the next volume.

The third one is more than love, but tight destiny between two heros. Love this manga and the artist. The English translation needs more thought.

This truly is an incredible series and it just gets better and better with every volume. The depth of storytelling, historical accuracy, and delicate nuances all combine to make this one of the best titles in the entire Viz manga lineup.In volume 3, Katsuragi's history will finally be revealed, explaining why he was removed as heir and replaced with the then-sickly Akihito. These revelations from the former house boy Amamiya will have an impact on both Katsuragi and Akihito as it relates to the expanding landscape of the Kuze family. For the groundwork laid by Katsuragi twenty years previous will be greatly affected by Akihito, who suddenly begins to take the reins as head of the Kuze viscountcy. An arranged marriage with a Duke's daughter and a devil's bargain with the merchant family Ishizaki will either make or break the Kuze's family fortunes. And at heart, is the relationship between the two men and the desperation of their situation.The politics and conventions of early 20th century Japan are completely fascinating and so intricately wound within a strong story. In this volume especially, the social mores and confines of the nobility are laid out through the story of Katsuragi's birth and Akihito's predecessors. I'd recommend this for the love story at the heart but really, the haunting artwork and historical information are also so vital to the importance of this manga.This series definitely has my highest recommendations. Volume 3 reveals so much more in the story and ends with a stunning revelation by Akihito as he continues to pursue his own agenda away from the machinations of Katsuragi.Received as an ARC from the publisher.

Again, 9/10 of this book was a history lesson and convoluted plot and 1/10 had anything to do with the main "couple." Finally, in this volume, the butler Katsuragi begins to acknowledge feelings towards his master and even initiates kissing and lovemaking. But the bulk of the book is about the main character trying to convince the noble families to let him marry a very high-ranking noble woman to gain his own bloodline more prestige.All the political play is very boring. And the series thus far has been building up to make you believe the couple are actually siblings or something. It finally comes to light that they may be uncle and nephew, but Katsuragi says his mother was such a loose concubine that he long ago gave up trying to figure out who his real father is. So it seems that question will never be resolved and neither of them cares, anyway, so...not sure why the author made it such a big question mark up to this point.I'm only still reading because I already bought the whole series but at this point I'm kind of skimming all the filler crap, to be honest. There are too many players in this series to keep track of anyone.

"Blue morning" is so much above the dozens of mangas I have read, I do not understand why it is sold at the same price as the others : you get a masterpiece at the price of a mass product...Masterpiece, it is, both in art and in scenario. The story is cleverly narrated and magnificently illustrated... Have you ever watched "Stalker" by A. Tarkovsky ? Each picture of this movie is an art photography. So is "Blue morning" : there are so many magnificent drawings it is the first manga I read where I spent more time marveling at the pictures than reading the story. Every tree, every chair, every costume, every building is drawn with exquisite details, how on Earth did Shoko Hidaka took the time to draw this series ???The series is well worth buying for the art alone, and to be honest, it is a steal at this price... Now, alike "Stalker", not everyone can enjoy the story. You need to be able to appreciate serenity. It unfolds calmly and intelligently. Obviously, this will not be of everyone's taste, especially among manga readers.There are drawings illustrating a story, and in this sense it is a manga. But it is manga elevated to an art. It contains sex scenes between the two male protagonists, and in this sense it is a yaoi. But it is first and foremost a masterpiece.

I love it! they are send in perfect condition, with two envelopes. This edition is so good, and the translation is perfect!

Awesome art and story, perfect for those who like their yaoi manga with a well-constructed plot and a dramatical twist.