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Fuyu no Semi

冬の蝉
Genre	Yaoi, Drama, Romance
Manga: Embracing Love
Author	Youka Nitta
Publisher	Digital Manga Publishing
Volumes	1
OVA
Director	Yoshihisa Matsumoto
Studio	VENET
Licensor	Media Blasters
Episodes	3
Released	2007-02-23 – 2007-04-27

Fuyu no Semi (冬の蝉, Fuyu no Semi^?) is a Japanese anime OVA losely based on Youka Nitta's manga series Embracing Love (春を抱いていた, Haru wo Daiteita^?).

1 Synopsis
2 Related Manga/ Characters
3 Media
4 External links

[edit] Synopsis

This three part yaoi story spans the war torn era when the Japanese turned from a Shogunate to Imperial rule and entered trade with the rest of the world (1862-1869). While the story unfolds historical dates and important figures are given while the characters give even more bits and pieces of this period during dialog.

Episode One: Edo Love Song starts in 1862, second year of the Bunkyuu Era, in Shinagawa Gotenyama during the Expulsion of Foreigners movement started by the Choushuu clan of which Kusaka Touma is a member. Kusaka differs from his clan believing in peace and opening Japan up to foreigners where it can do trade and stand with equal footing on the world stage, the Open the Country movement. While trying to stop other Choushuu clan members from setting fire to the British Embassy, Kusaka is confronted by a Bakufu (Shogunate) samurai who helps him escape from the authorities.

Years later, while trying to find a school that will teach him English despite his clan's political stance, Kusaka once again meets the samurai who had saved his life. No longer in the employ of his Town Magistrate father, Akizuki Keiichirou goes to English school. Recognizing each other, Akizuki eventually offers to teach Kusaka English. Having been raised in an upper class home, Akizuki takes pleasure in learning more about the common class lifestyle that Kusaka has always led while they learn English in secret as their clans cannot see them together without creating conflict. Despite their precautions, one of the Choushuu sees them and Kusaka has to stop meeting with Akizuki.

Episode Two: Record of Ezo War starts with Kusaka thinking about cutting ties with his clan when the Head Administrator, Sufu Masanosuke, offers to send him to London. Before leaving, Kusaka meets with Akizuki one last time and tells him his feelings. While Kusaka is in England, Akizuki gains the leadership of his clan and it's immediate association with the Shogun. After four years, Kusaka returns to Japan and receives a high ranking post in the Imperial army. It is during this time that Japan is in the midst of the greatest civil war Japan has known with Kusaka on the Satsuma-Choushuu (Imperial) side and Akizuki on the Bakufu (Shogunate) side. During one of the last battles, Kusaka finds Akizuki about to commit seppuku after having lost a leg to cannon fire.

Episode Three: Tokyo Tragedy starts with Kusaka working for the new government, wearing Western style clothes and living in a Western style home. In a private Japanese cottage behind the house, he keeps Akizuki in secret. Relations between the two lovers have broken down as Akizuki cannot stand being kept in hiding in comfort while his fellow Bakufu comrades suffer in prison.

[edit] Related Manga/ Characters

Kusaka Touma - in the manga of Haru wo Daiteita he was played by Katou Youji. Voiced by Shinichiro Miki
Akizuki Keiichirou - was played by Katou's lover Iwaki Kyousuke. Voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa