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 first published as seven volumes by Biblos, but 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 is published by Tokyopop in the United States of America, and by Madman Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand. 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. There is currently no news on North American licensing.
Summary
Randy "Ryo" Maclean, a half-Japanese cop, is new to the 27th Precinct in New York, and he is partnered with Dee Laytner, an American with an overconfident attitude. Dee has a great amount of romantic interest in Ryo, but Ryo isn't sure about his own feelings for his partner or even what to think of another man or woman hitting on him. It's one misadventure and awkward moment to the next as the two of them try to sort out their relationship and feelings, while still keeping up with their jobs and their normal lives. Other noteworthy characters are Bikky and Carol, two kids who have lost their families and have been taken in by Ryo, and subsequently by Dee. A few of the acts focus on the very sweet young love that develops between those two. JJ and Drake are other detectives from the 27th, and JJ, completely obsessed with Dee, becomes quite jealous of Ryo, and that of course makes for some interesting moments throughout the story, although JJ moves his attentions to Drake towards the end of the series. Berkeley Rose has a similar fancy for Ryo. He isn't shy about it either, going so far as to steal a kiss 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!
Release
Volume list
''Fake''
''Fake: Second Season''
Reception
The OVA has been called "funny" because of its take on the common joke of "the homosexuality in the cop buddy" formula.
