Tokyopop will publish the first volume of You Higuri's Gorgeous Carat manga in February of 2006. A shonen ai (literally 'boys' love) historical romance set in Paris in the early 1900's, Gorgeous Carat follows the adventures of a notorious jewel thief and the man who loves him. Ever since Digital Manga announced the publication of Higuri's Gorgeous Carat sidestory (see 'Digital Manga Announces 'Gorgeous Carat Galaxy'), fans have been wondering when someone would announce the U.S. publication of the main Gorgeous Carat series.
Tokyopop will publish Gorgeous Carat under its new BLU imprint, created for shonen ai and yaoi titles. Both shonen ai and yaoi titles would be classified as shoujo manga, largely written and drawn by female creators for a female audience, but in a distinction that is becoming ever more muddled (and appears to apply more in the U.S. than in Japan) shonen ai titles are much less explicit in their depiction of the love between two impossibly good looking guys. Although Digital Manga announced Gorgeous Carat Galaxy on its yaoi Website, Tokyopop (correctly) rates Gorgeous Carat as '16+,' which puts it in the shonen ai category. But whatever label is attached to it, the 4-volume Gorgeous Carat series is an acknowledged classic of its genre, a swashbuckling adventure as well as a relationship drama.
