Partners is a manga set in New York during the late 1980s, which chronicles the lives of six dear friends who all identify as leathermen. The manga portrays their intimate relationships - both physically and emotionally - with frank honesty. This is not just a tale of indulgent eroticism; rather, it portrays the committed relationships of couples who view pain and pleasure as natural expressions of their deep affection for each other. It's easy to see why the manga is titled Partners - the characters are all in dedicated partnerships with each other.
The manga focuses on three pairs among the six friends, with the central relationship being that of Marlon and Doug. Marlon, a successful executive, is a submissive partner and masochist to the dominant and stunningly attractive Doug, who is ironically employed as a janitor at Marlon's company. While they barely acknowledge each other during work hours, their private lives are drastically different. The other couples also play prominent roles, giving readers an immersive and poignant look into their unconventional lifestyle.
