Manga Diary of a Male Porn Star is an autobiographical account of Kaeruno Erefante’s time in the AV industry. The manga follows Kaeruno’s time from being a cock on screen or an extra on a groper train, into a full-fledged ‘actor’, using an adorable little frog as his stand-in (“Why are you a frog?” “Because of the tadpoles I shoot out of my Erefante stick”). Instead of being a glorified series of conquests (though there is a degree of just that), the focus here is more about learning the ins and outs of the industry through a first-hand account. The trade secrets, the different roles of the crew, and how to navigate the industry as a performer are all conveyed with a humorous wit.
*This Review Covers Volume 1
Despite the overtly sexual connotations of a work like this, the end product is actually pretty… wholesome? Particularly when comparing this to other Ghost Ship releases, the book contains no nudity and focuses on information with a tinge of humor through Kaeruno’s awkwardness. Understandably, this may disappoint those looking for bountiful bosoms, ahego faces, and possible penetration, yet it is in this earnest approach to tackling the industry that the work manages a broader appeal than those just looking for a hearty dose of lewd.
Although the porn industry has shifted from higher production pieces, particularly here in the West, the industry is still prominent in Japan. Ultimately, the end goal of these productions is to sell the fantasy, you are not really supposed to see the team behind the curtain. Furthermore, with consumers of illicit material, it is not something that is often given much thought.
Personally, I have always been intrigued by the other side of the porn industry, from how it affects performers to the logistics of getting a crew together to trying to get the perfect ‘money shot’. Undeniably, the series is at its most intriguing when it explores and pokes fun at these elements of the production. For example, showing how the angle to capture a blowjob involves the director essentially sitting on the male performer’s face (ruins the fantasy a bit, hey?), or the use of a clock to keep track of when to switch positions. It presents porn as it really is, a hyper-focused production with one goal in mind: to sell the illusion of sex between two (up to 50) people.
The art direction is overtly cartoonish, but the starlets are drawn in a more ‘realistic’ style to mimic Erefante’s disbelief in landing a career where he can sleep with beautiful women. If the goal of the work was to titillate. this would make it a frustrating mess, but since the emphasis is on education and humor, it is quite appropriate. In the art direction, Erefante comes across as slightly nerdy with certain panels having an ‘online humourous edge’ to them–meme art, essentially.
Ultimately, Erefante personality is what makes the series so darn entertaining. He gives a rather honest account of everything that happened to him, even touching on moments of embarrassment and crossing porn faux-pas through his lack of understanding. He is also a rather shy personality (despite still being prone to celebrating his sexual conquests) which makes him relatable–he is not just some dudebro ‘crushing puss’. The way he interacts with the others in the industry further gives a broader picture of the entire process. Admittedly, this may seem slightly disingenuous as (at least here in the West) the industry is no stranger to chewing and spitting out people, leaving them damaged. However, if you look at this from his own personal experience of navigating the industry in a sincere and honest manner, it is simple to take his observations at face value.
Manga Diary of A Male Porn Star is an honest and entertaining look at the AV industry in Japan. While it may not scratch that itch of people looking for a sensationalized interpretation of the industry, the comedic and informative approach makes it a deceptively endearing title whose appeal should transcend the subject matter. If that approach intrigues you, don’t hesitate to check this one out.
Manga Diary of A Male Porn Star is available through Ghost Ship, an imprint of Seven Seas Entertainment
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