TRENDING
Shigekiteki Na Kankei (Yaoi)
2011-01-14
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Kaiya's become bored lately with his sex life, it's just the same things over and over again with different people. When he finds a book on S&M dropped by reserved coworker Makise, Kaiya finds the idea intriguing. Suddenly he can't stop thinking about mak
Shinkuu Yuusetsu
2011-01-14
From amber love pj:In this country, every person has to be matched up with a partner. Partnerships are made around when you turn three or four. The doctors decide who gets paired together. One person acts as the 'supplier.' The other as the 'receiver.'
Silver (fujita Kazuko)
2011-01-14
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. From JShoujo Scans:Geraldine Francis is the innocent daughter of a wealthy aristocrat. Being sheltered all her life, she is oblivious to her cousin Charles' true intentions when he lures her in and makes her fall hopelessly in love with him. It is only after the murder of her father that she realizes his love was nothing but love for the money and the land that came with her name. She vows revenge, and she throws away her past in order to become "Silver," the perfect woman. With a new face, and a new lease on life, she will turn the tables on the man whom she once loved so that this time, it is he who will be left with nothing.Adaptation of English fiction Silver by Penny Jordan.
Smash Bomber
2011-01-14
Binta Yugawara is a "Bodz" or Bomber Kid, in the city of Atamu, who dreams of defeating his hero, Smash Kintaro. While in the city, he battles using a pog like game system, against several other Bodz, including Banji Chihara, BJ, and a man by the code name, "X."Hiroyuki Takei (of Shaman King fame), is the supervisor for this series. All artwork is officially drawn by Kato Gaito, who later helped assist Takei with "Jyuki Ningen Jumbor." The series was canceled after 3 chapters and never met the intended 197 pages announced in the first chapter. Neither Shueisha nor Takei have ever officially mentioned this series since it was canceled.
Take Moon
2011-01-14
A TYPE-MOON staff member artist Takenashi Eri has created many side stories to most of the group's projects; 'Tsukihime' & 'Kagetsu Tohya', 'MELTY BLOOD', 'Fate/stay night' -- you'll find your favorite characters in various hilarious situations that weren't covered by any of the original products.
Trickster (fuwa Shinri) (Yaoi)
2011-01-14
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Compilation of three stories:1) Lovers2) Happy, Happy, Present3) Does God like Presents
Twinkle Tiara
2015-12-29
This is a story by the author of Kero Kero Chime, and you can tell. The characters look similar, though the plot seems different. Rupika lives on a far off planet called Rakariina and has a growth on her head that looks like a tiara(called the Twinkle Tia
Dengeki Daisy
2011-01-24
Teru, a poor and kind girl, recently lost her older brother, her only remaining relative. Before he died he gave her a cell phone connecting her to a person he said would support her if ever he were unable to. As time passes she is cheered on by text messages sent from this enigmatic person, known only as DAISY. Then, one day, through an unexpected incident, Teru begins working for the delinquent school janitor, Kurosaki. But this sadistic scoundrel Kurosaki is reall...!?
Digimon Xros Wars
2011-01-24
Taiki Kudo is an upbeat boy with a desire to help those in need, although he tends to overexert himself. One day, he hears the voice of a Digimon named Shoutmon who is on the verge of death. Wanting to help him, Taiki is given a Digivice known as a Xros Loader, and he and his friends Akari Hinomoto and Zenjiro Tsurugi are warped to the Digital World where they meet Shoutmon and his allies, Ballistamon, Starmon and the Pickmons. By using the power of the Xros Loader, Taiki can perform a DigiXros, which can fuse any of his allies together into different forms. Taiki and his friends use this ability to fight the forces of the Bagura Empire while crossing paths with teams Blue Flare and Twilight.
Tsubaki Biyori
2011-01-24
Ever since Tsubaki Tarou, who lives alone in the city, was coincidentally reunited with his childhood friend Hiraiwa who is now divorced (with a child), his life started to subtly change. Tsubaki naturally integrates himself into Hiraiwa and Fumio`s family, slowly adding colour to their lives. A heart-warming story depicting the warm interaction between people and their tender lives.(Source: Terrible Trio)
Zombie-Loan
2011-01-24
When a human is marked to die, a faint gray line that is invisible to most appears around their neck. As time passes, that ring becomes darker and darker, until it is eventually black, and that person dies. Kita Michiru has an unusual gift, she posses Shinigami eyes, which allow her to see these rings. When Michiru notices that two of the boys in her Class, Akatsuki Chika and Tachibana Shito not only have rings, but that they are jet black, they reveal to her that they were supposed to die in a tragic accident six months ago. With the help of the Zombie Loan loan office, they were given a second chance at life, should they be able to pay for their debt by doing the work of Shinigami and killing malicious zombies. They petition Michiru to assist them in their efforts, and she finds her everyday life changing dramatically. (Source: Mobots)
Aegis
2011-01-24
From NetComics:Having gained independence from Revro, the Earth secretly trains an army of boys. Jino and Izare are abandoned to the camp, and Izare silently sacrifices himself to keep his promise to Maria that he'd look after Jino. But Jino escapes the soul-killing cruelty of the camp. With Jino in his heart, Izare remains to become an ultimate weapon. The boys' lives, and the secrets of the mysterious Maria, gradually unravel. For Earth, can peace and utopia be won?�
Ai no Kotodama (Yaoi)
2011-01-24
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. After graduating from high school, best friends Tachibana and Otani decided to move-in together as more-than-friends. Although their feelings are very real, the secret nature of their relationship, and the words that have gone unsaid between them, leave r
Anata To Senya Ichiya
2011-01-27
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. From HotCakes:The man super-uptight office worker Ooizumi Sonoko got drunk and spent the night with shows up at her work and turns out to be the section chief?! A hilarious romantic comedy about pure love wrapped in indecency.This series was published as part of vol 2 - 5 in Oboretai and the first 3 chapters(done by ShoujoMagic) can be found in vol 2.
Dream Toy Factory
2011-01-27
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Plot: A 1-volume long manga containing various ridiculous and twisted oneshots.1) Head Prolapse Elegy2) White String3) Mr. Urashima4) Dream Toy Factory5) Drafting a Water Goddess6) Closed Hospital7) The How and What of Excretion in the Future8) The How and What of Future Sports9) The How and What of a Space War10) The How and What of Earthquakes and Volcanoes11) Tale of Reversed Oddity12) Sweet Fashion Notes13) White Teeth are Nice
Futari Ecchi - For Girls
2011-01-27
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Plot: Based on the hit manga by Katsu Aki, 'Futari Ecchi for Ladies' takes the story to a new level.The newlywed story continues but this time around the perspective is from Yura, our FE heroine. This tale adds new twists and mind boggling problems that women encounter.
Hagoromo Mishin
2011-01-27
Plot: Civil engineering student and reknowned bridge otaku Youichi helps a swan stuck on the scaffolding for a bridge under construction, only to be visited that night by Miwa, a beautiful woman claiming to be the same swan Youichi rescued. Miwa stays with Youichi in order to pay back her debt, but he is, understandably, less than convinced that she is what she say she is. But, Youichi not being one to look a gift swan in the beak, or more importantly not one to leave a woman in need hanging, things soon develop in the way you might imagine.(Then again, maybe not exactly like you imagine...)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - Onisarashi-hen
2011-01-27
Plot: Summer 1983...Hinamizawa is a tranquil village, but its inhabitants have been plagued by strange deaths and unexplained disappearances seemingly every year. Some say it's the terrifying curse of Hinamizawa's legendary deity, Oyashiro-sama, causing victims to be spirited away by monsters, but is this town harboring dark, horrying secrets even more sinister than any supersition or myth?In Onisarashi-hen, a former resident of Hinamizawa named Natsumi is introduced, and her life after the Hinamizawa disaster is explored.A year had passed since Natsumi's family moved to this city. Natsumi became acquainted with her new life, surrounded by friends as they went home together peacefully every day.However, the news streamed through the television one day would change her fate substantially. A toxic gas disaster had occurred at a rural village. Furthermore, the village that got caught in the disaster was the one that Natsumi's family used to live in. Shocked by the incident, Natsumi's grandmother told her "this is Oyashiro-sama's curse'. What is this "Oyashiro-sama's curse" that grandmother is speaking of...?The event marked the beginning of grandmother's eccentric behavior. A dissonant tone within the family indeed. As the calmness becomes concealed with each passing day, the uncertainties in Natsumi's life begin to appear...The story is divided into a total of eight chapters: four "Question" arcs and four "Answer" arcs. Each chapter keeps the same main characters, but ends in a different way. However, each chapter gives valuable answers, hints, and clues to the previous one, while at the same time bringing forth even more mysteries.The question arcs are:Onikakushi-hen,Watanagashi-hen,Tatarigoroshi-hen andHimatsubushi-hen.The answer arcs are:Meakashi-hen,Tsumihoroboshi-hen,Minagoroshi-hen andMatsuribayashi-hen.The side story arcs are: Onisarashi-hen, Yoigoshi-hen, and Utsutsukowashi-hen
Katsubou no Manazashi (Yaoi)
2011-01-27
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Plot: After his mother deserted them, senior high school student, Reo was living together with his mother's stern ex-lover, the very imposing uncle Shuuji. But 2 months ago, as he dropped by his home on his way with a friend one evening, an event occurred that changed their relationship forever. Since the day his uncle forcibly embraced him, the man demands his body time and again and Reo who has been suffering ever since seeks his close friend Kenta's advice but
Kyou mo Ashita mo
2011-01-27
Plot: Chika has always dreamed of becoming a manga artist since childhood. However, she comes from a family that requires every member to become a teacher in the future. Then, she meets Ryou, a manga artist, who also happens to be a friend from her childhood. She gets the chance to work part-time with him as his assistant. So, has her chance of chasing her dreams finally arrived?!
O/A
2011-01-27
Horiuchi Yutaka-san is a popular idol, who isn't as glamorous and happy as her fans may think. Naturally, her next steps include a radio show, but one she isn't all too keen on doing. Although she tries her best to keep up her image, things quickly turn problematic. As she soon finds out, her voice is not hers alone.
Okubyou na Kimi no Te
2011-01-27
Plot: Shino thought she could drive away the persistent Takeomi by telling him that she didn't want to do anything physical even hold hands until she was married. But he agreed, and the two of them had a good relationship until Shino's first boyfriend showed up and revealed the real reason why she was "waiting".
Kimi to Koi no Tochuu
2011-02-07
From Chibi Manga:Just when I thought it'd start with you, you disappeared; I would've never thought this...Yuna has lost trust in love after her first boyfriend Takumi broke up with her. Shiina-kun from her class has already confessed to her twice and now finally she approached onto love another time. But Takumi appears in front of her!! What will the swaying Yuna do!?
Ashita mo Tanin (Yaoi)
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Akio’s daily life has been taken care of by his best friend, Ryousuke. Akio has been secretly in love with this best friend for so long. Ryousuke is a serious salary man and always hopes to have a family. However, Ryousuke’s wife-to-be ran away before the wedding. Since then, Ryousuke began to pamper Akio even more. Is Ryousuke taking Akio as a replacement for something he lost? What happened two years ago that made Akio unable to confess?
Clamp no Kiseki
2011-02-11
To honor CLAMP's 15th anniversary, CLAMP no Kiseki: The Ultimate Collection features full-color pages, exclusive material, 6 pages of new, never-before-seen manga, and limited-edition collectible figures!
Cold (Yaoi)
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Odagiri Yuki, a brilliant surgeon, is also known as the "Absolute Zero Angel" for his ice-cold aloofness with people, and his soulful compassion when he operates on patients. Haunted by a lover's death, Yuki consoles himself with drugs and sex... this piques both personal and professional interests in Mine, a neuropsychologist, who accepted Kuneida's request to cure his friend's coldness. What would it take to melt the "Absolute Zero Angel"?
Figure 17
2011-02-11
Tsubasa Shiina is a fourth grader who just moved to Hokkaido with her father. Shy Tsubasa has a hard time making new friends at school. Her father is concerned, but he's just too busy with his new job. He even shows up late on Parents' Day. One night, Tsubasa sees a strange-looking object falling from the sky. Is it a spaceship!? It falls right into the woods by her house. It turns out to be a wounded alien in a damaged spaceship. All of a sudden, a monster starts coming at Tsubasa! Tsubasa suddenly transforms into "Figure." Confused and afraid, she somehow manages to defeat the monster with her new unbelievable power. After the fight, Tsubasa sees a girl who looks just like her--the girl's name is Hikaru!
Kimishidai (Yaoi)
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. not found...
Mori no Animal Company (Yaoi)
2013-03-19
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Deep within the jungle lies a mysterious building known as the Animal Company. At first glance it is a normal company. Look closer and you'll see that its workers are animals of all shapes and sizes. Mori no Animal Company has us visit a fantasy world of animal salarymen where we witness their comedic capers in love.
Risky Society: God Bless My Justice (Yaoi)
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. A rookie to a society of people with supernatural abilities must prove himself (and his love) to his superior.Released in volume 1 of the Finder series. [B-U M]
Sayuri-hime 3
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. A special mini-edition of Yuri Hime magazine with extremely short one-shots/stories and illustrations by several Yuri Hime, Yuri Hime S, and Yuri Hime Wildrose regulars. This book was sold at a special event.[B-U M]
Subarashii Shitsuren (Yaoi)
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. A collection of oneshots involving salarymen.
Sweet Dog Food (Yaoi)
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Oneshot from Harukoi SakuraHighschool student Sayachika, descendant of a werewolf clan, has a hard time separating sexual lust and the urge to eat. His lover, childhood friend Airen, does not feel good about the idea of being eaten, and consequently, their intimate relationship suffers. Can Sayachika’s parents help him confront his demons so that he can finally get some action? Or will he be forever a puppy? (from Blissful Sin)
Yazuka Girl
2011-02-11
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Senguu Fumihiro is a young boy that made a promise to his dying grandmother to find a good wife for himself. With this intention he enrolls in a prestigious school but on the first day his world turns upside down when all the students begin to kill each other and one of them even turns into a monster. He is saved by a girl named "Akari", sent to protect him by one of the factions that rule the school.
Yume no Yume
2011-02-11
From Wingtip Cafe: Two stories:The first is from the Mesopotamians' Gilgamesh Epic, centering around Sdynaza, the woman who brought Enkidu to Uruk city, and Leo, the dream guardian.
Brave Story - Shinsetsu
2011-02-12
From Tokyopop:When 14-year-old middle-schooler Wataru's father leaves home and his mother is taken ill to hospital, he decides to change his fate by traveling through the magical door shown to him by his mysterious classmate Mitsuru. In a land of magic and monsters, Wataru must summon all his courage and embark on a journey with several comrades to meet the Goddess of Destiny and change this "mistaken fate."
Cinderella Collection
2011-02-12
Plot: Shin is a top grade student in primary grade 6. In people's eyes, she's always serious. She's a girl with poor taste, who has no interest in fashion. Half threatened by the fashion King in her class, Omone Asahi, Shin entered the Readers' model interview...! Surprisingly, she gave a stunning performance. She begins her journey to become the legendary super-model...From ANN:Natsukawa Nina was an ordinary "unsophisticated" sixth grader. She was top of her class and a member of the student council, but she always felt left out when compared to her highly fashionable friends and classmates. All that changed when her classmate Matsuki Asahi blackmailed her into applying for a modeling position with the popular magazine "Lollypop". After attempted sabotage by fellow applicants, Nina secured a position, and went on to make appearances on morning television, TV commercials, and even a soap opera, all while struggling with her developing feelings for Asahi.
Kagami no Kuni no Harisugawa
2011-07-14
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. "Boys are creatures whose sight will follow the girl they like wherever she is. And if there it comes the chance that the boy realizes that the girl is in danger, if he is able to save her they will feel the ultimate bliss in life" is something that Harisugawa Tetsu has pointed out, and true enough he has always been following with his eyes the girl named Satomi Mao.Thanks to certain details in their childhood, Satomi has always been friendly with Harisugawa and she has a friendly budding relationship, completely unaware of Tetsu's feelings for her. Tetsu for his part preferred to play the friend part and keeps his feelings hidden for the sake of not endangering the closeness that they already have, ever since he was young Tetsu had believed that if he can build little by little a good relationship with Mao, he will get to the point where he can confidently confess to Mao and not get rejected, Tetsu has always been waiting for his one true chance without getting too close to Mao by accident.At first it seems that this "stalemate" will never be broken; however, one day Mao sees a strange mirror in an thrift store and for some reason she feels that she must have that mirror. Mao buys the mirror without thinking twice about it.... But she is completely unaware that the mirror will change forever Tetsu's life as well as her own.
Rakshasa Street
2011-04-28
Plot: Requiem Street, where evil spirits are attracted to in order to destroy them. A place where spirits and humans co-exist, not all humans can enter Requiem Street. Only those rare-soul users with guardian spirits can enter. Xia Ling was just a normal university intern, but a meeting by chance changes her ordinary life... In this world full of evil spirits, can you cooperate with your guardian spirit in order to survive?
The Princess Of Darkness (bunbun)
2011-05-05
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. A short story about the demon king and her loyal servant, Aslia.
Fairy Heart
2011-08-15
From MangaToshokan:This is a story of fairies, told in a place without a name. Once in every 100 years, a young fairy from in the deep bush must come to the human world to become an adult. They use 'power' to attract a human male, to fall in love with. Afterward, the man dies. But, the fairy to whom he'd given his love will grow wings and become a beautiful adult.This fantasy romance story starts off with a fairy of Grass, named Grassbee, going to the human world to become an adult. Will she be able to attract a human male? Will she be able to become an adult fairy and get fairy wings? Magic can only do so much...
From Hell Manhwa
2011-08-05
From Sweet Indulgent:To a person, ‘life’ can be…a picnic in a sunny Spring day,or a battlefield in a freezing Winter day…For some, it can be like the heaven…Or for some, it can be like the hell…
Kaichou To Fukukaichou
2011-09-22
From Okazu:The Student Council President is gaga over her Vice President, but the feelings may or may not be returned. In the meantime, it's up to the Fukukaichou to keep the flaky Kaichou on track.
Juuhime - Phantom Pain
2011-10-18
From Twisted Mist:A timid boy named Zao Ci, which was accepted by Mateliya, a Demon as her "number 2". He was always called an idiot by Mateliya. He is so weak that he could not even pull the trigger of his gun. But, who actually knows that he had a special power within him, which only Mateliya can control. This begins the adventure of the contract of the boy and his master to save others.
Ai Subeki Fujitsu (Yaoi)
2011-11-27
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. From Attractive Fascinante:Keita, a very popular high-schooler, couldn’t understand the reason he always get dumped in his relationships. However on the night his friend, Shuuji, returned to town, his virginity was taken away by him. After weekly smooching with Shuuji, Keita soon realised he was in love with him and confessed. Shuuji rejected him immediately. Why did Shuuji reject him even though they have feelings for each other?
Cherry na Teacher (Yaoi)
2011-11-29
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. From Attractive Fascinante:Kotani found his pace all messed up when the new biology teacher, Fujishima Masato, appeared. Fujishima confessed and Kotani felt scared. Fujishima’s preservation won and Kotani accepted him. Kotani’s ex-student came back and behaved oddly towards Kotani. When Fujishima couldn’t find both of them, he thought Kotani might have been kidnapped. Was he able to save Kotani in time?
Crows: the Aftermath
2011-11-30
This is one of the three Crows Gaiden volumes done by Takahashi Hiroshi himself. It says Crows in the title, but really, it's more closely related to Worst than Crows. It focuses on Tesshou's and Guriko's year, so it's set the year after Crows (main series) has ended. There are only one or two minor Crows spoilers in there, so you can read it without ruining your enjoyment of Crows. It's also an ideal entry point for those who want to read Worst without having to wait for the Crows scans to finish.
Dekiai Rule (Yaoi)
2011-11-30
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Miyashita sensei was always an overachiever, but his perfect life was disrupted when he met his desired-filled student, Jindou. Trying his best to keep Jindou back on track, sensei had to guide Jindou personally as well as to fend off his ex-partners. Love developed as time went by, but sensei kept a distance from Jindou by trying his best to maintain an innocent relationship between them. Would Jindou succeed in breaking down sensei's territory?
Dragon Sister!
2011-11-30
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. The classic Chinese tale of The Three Kingdoms--with all your favorite historical figures cast as cute girls! As the Han Dynasty collapses, two mighty warriors--Zhang Fei and Guan Yu--stand strong against the tide of rebellion. But because these fighters are female, their dreams of fighting in the Imperial army are nothing but dreams... until they find a patron and like-minded brother in Liu Bei, an idealistic descedent of royalty with dreams of his own. Forging a pact, the three form a volunteer army dedicated to restoring peace, which means first defeating three deceptively adorable sisters who oppose them, and who have their own, definitely cuter, plan for China's future... One thing's for sure--history's about to get a makeover!
Kenban no Ue no Caress (Yaoi)
2011-12-07
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. The prodigy, Isshiki Kyouya, selected Sasa Kenjirou as his piano teacher. Sasa, who used to be a prodigy, thought that his own potential was limited when he heard the young Isshiki played at a concert. However, Isshiki was actually captivated by Sasa’s music instead years back. Their love for each other was connected through their music. With the reverberating affection, this relationship blossomed miraculously. Taken from Baka-updates
Kohitsuji to Ookami (Yaoi)
2011-12-08
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. After his apartment was burnt down to ash, Koide Yuu got to stay in a high class mansion because of his wealthy friend's help. However, the situation changed drastically when his friend's brother, Oosawa Masakuni suddenly appeared at the mansion. And then the days Yuu became Masakuni's guinea pig for his sex experiments (which he had no choice but to agree in order to pay for the rent and compensation for an antique vase he broke) began! <3
Yuuutsu Na Asa (Yaoi)
2011-12-10
The following content is intended for mature audiences and may contain sexual themes, gore, violence and/or strong language. Discretion is advised. Upon his father's death, Akihito Kuze became a viscount at the age of 10. His smart, handsome young butler Tomoyuki Katsuragi has since managed all affairs pertaining to the viscountcy perfectly. The talented and charismatic Katsuragi is very popular in their social circle; but as Akihito grows older, he becomes colder and more distant by the day - though still as faithful to the Kuze household as he has ever been. Akihito is now a young man, and desperately in love with Tomoyuki. He determines to discover the reason behind his butler's inexplicable behaviour, and this is where their story begins...