Fake (manga)
Fake is a seven-volume BL manga by Sanami Matoh. The story focuses in a romance between Randy "Ryo" Maclean and Dee Laytner, two New York City detectives from the fictitious 27th precinct. An anime version of the fifth act from the second manga is also available, in the form of an OVA. Fake was serialized in the monthly manga magazine Magazine Be × Boy from June 1993 until June 2000, and later compiled into seven volumes by Biblos. After the company went bankrupt in 2006, Fake was republished by Mediation as five volumes, with one newly drawn extra story featured at the back of each. Fake's English translation was published by Tokyopop in the United States of America, and by Madman Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand. Fake was later released digitally by COMPASS, Inc. in 2021. All seven volumes are available in English. The one-off sequel "Like, like love" is only available in Japan as a part of an art book by Matoh.
On May 12, 2007, the manga Fake "Second Season", a sequel, premiered in a new Japanese magazine called Hug, also published by Mediation. COMPASS, Inc. published Fake "Second Season" digitally as Fake second in 2019.
Summary
Randy "Ryo" Maclean, a half-Japanese cop, is new to the 27th Precinct in New York, where he is partnered with Dee Laytner, an American with an overconfident attitude. Dee develops a significant romantic interest in Ryo, but Ryo is unsure of his own feelings for his partner or what to think about other men or women hitting on him. The two experience various misadventures and awkward moments as they try to sort out their relationship and feelings, while still keeping up with their jobs and normal lives.Other noteworthy characters include: Bikky and Carol, two children who have lost their families and are taken in by Ryo, and subsequently Dee; JJ and Drake, fellow detectives from the 27th; and Commissioner Berkeley Rose. A few of the acts focus on the young love that develops between Bikky and Carol. JJ harbours an obsession with Dee and becomes quite jealous of Ryo, but moves his attentions to Drake towards the end of the series. Berkeley is also attracted to Ryo and does not try to hide it, going so far as to steal a kiss from the latter whenever possible, much to the irritation of both Dee and Ryo.
Characters
;Dee Laytner;Randy Maclean
;Bikky
;Carol
;Jemmy J. Adams
;Berkeley Rose
;Diana Spacey
;Drake Parker
;Ted
;Warren Smith
;Rai
;Lass
;Jim Campbell
;Kai
Anime
Fake was adapted into a one-hour OVA based on volume two of the manga.The Japanese voice actor cast is notable, with such famous names as Tomokazu Seki playing Dee, Nobuo Tobita playing Ryo, and Rica Matsumoto both playing Bikky and singing the closing theme, "Starlight Heaven".
It has aired in the U.S. on Logo as part of an anthology series dedicated to LGBT-themed animation and geek culture called Alien Boot Camp. It premiere in two parts, the first half on November 9, 2007, and the second a week later on November 16, 2007.
Dee and Ryo are on vacation at a charming English hotel by a lake. Ryo is hoping to get some peace and relaxation; Dee is hoping to get some Ryo. However, things take a bad turn when a dead body is found floating in the lake. Dee and Ryo don't want to do police work when they're on vacation, but it's hard to avoid it when a case falls in your lap!
They meet two other guests, Arisa and Cindy. Arisa and Ryo bond over the fact that they're both of Japanese descent while Arisa also bonds with Dee over Dee's unrequited love, as Arisa herself had waited six years for the man she loves to propose. After a pleasant day together, strange sounds are heard in the darkness of the hotel lobby. Investigating, Ryo and Dee meet Berkeley Rose, a New York cop who has decided to investigate the murder as "a fun way to kill time".
From that point on relaxation becomes impossible as surprise guests come pouring in—first Bikky and Carol, then JJ. In a town nearby, Berkeley figures out who the murderers are, and why they kill any Japanese who cross their path. Problem is, Dee just left Ryo back at the hotel with the killer, and JJ let it slip that Ryo is half-Japanese!
Back at the mansion, Ryo, the detective and Carol, the pick pocket girl has been drugged. There, the mansion's owner, Leonard Henry, reveals the reason he has trapped, tortured and killed Japanese persons like Arisa, and anyone unfortunate enough to witness it, like Cindy, is because the very first guests of the countryside mansion, who happened to be Japanese raped and killed his daughter, Maria-Elizabeth 5 years ago, who was 13 years old at the time of her death. After this horrible incident, in a discriminatory rage, Leonard has killed many people of Japanese descent to avenge his late daughter. He even killed the accomplice cook, whom he adopted a long time ago.
Dee comes just at the nick of time, with a motorcycle to save his romantic partner and hands him to the police. Before going to the slammer, his one request of burning anything related to his daughter, including the giant portrait, in Leonard's personal office is honored.
Back at the station, Ryo and Dee see that their commissioner has been replaced with the NY cop they met at the mansion, Berkeley Rose.