1-3, 6: Some clichés were turned on their heads (The sensei is older, taller and yet so obviously the uke.) Other clichés were disappointingly included (The ending was flat with its quick resolution.)
The essence of the story was deep: Both men pretend to be something they are not, while truly only wanting to be loved for who they are. The sensei is a romantic, starry eyed shoujo reading virgin type, yet all the school thinks he's an experienced player. The student is the selfless nice guy front, but inside he's really selfish and angry at being nice.
The one shot at the end does a lot to explain the student's psyche and behaviour throughout the main three chapters. It helped 'save' the initial ending at chapter 3, which seemed willy-nilly, "we're all good now".
The sensei's unexpected, deep devoted and kind, constant acceptance regardless of the student's 'face' was interesting human behaviour. I wonder if it is realistic though. Maybe I'm a cynic.
I felt there was a lack of emotional impact though. Not enough drama; or rather, the drama of the first two chapters didn't match the ending's drama. I think "Grave Sin" by Honjou Rie (in "Kagakushitsu e Douzo") did a phenomenal job for this type of "realization and guilt" type story. This one was only so-so.
4: A "possessive love" themed story. Where there be no verbal communication, there be angsty dub-con. LOL. I love this type of story. It really oversimplified the emotions though. But it was a fast, intense story, but not long-lasting.
5: This one held a theme of 'what is love?' The main character tries to figure out what exactly is love, if not wanting to see your friend smile. IT was quite touching, with the way that the unrequited love fellow just kept being his friend, even though it hurt him. A little more effort was put into this story with the characters' psychological development.
The art had a lot of expression in the eyes, even without being enormous. Most of the scenes were illustrated competently and anatomically balanced (for shoujo type manga). Occasionally, there was an awkward looking neck or posture, but overall it was smooth. The choice of frames and panels to tell the story was well done - I was never bored or thinking it leaped from place to place.
(-29)
