It is 1880 at the all-boys school, Lacombrade Academy in France. Serge Battour is a cheerful and kind new student who is trying to fit in with the rest of the student body, despite the taboo of his Romani heritage, made obvious by his dark skin. However, his roommate Gilbert Cocteau, known for sleeping with anyone at the school to manipulate them to his advantage, is not helping the situation, especially when he makes it his personal goal to bring about Serge's downfall.

Originally serialized in the 1970s, The Song of Wind and Trees is considered by many to be the first true yaoi manga as well as the first shota manga. In 1979, this series was awarded the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award for shounen/shoujo manga.

A bit of warning: the work includes scenes of rape and child abuse.