I reviewed this yesterday after reading volume 3, but am changing it since I reread the scanlated volume 1 and the raw volume 2, volumes I read 15 months ago. I originally typed that this series would be very dissatisfying if you're unable to read the raws. Boy, was I wrong. Yes, you'll be dying to know the backgroundstory and the end, but the buildup is beautifully done, and I feel the low ratings are totally unbased. Even without knowing the end, every chapter is touching and entertaining. Another reason is the oneshots; they were meaningful and far better than the usual oneshots I've read of BL. I really love the psychological development of the characters and how the mangaka displays it. Her art feels raw and certainly in the beginning, with sharp shots that goes straight through you. There are a lot of recurring symbols, the arrow, the crow, the stars,... there's so much to find in this manga.
First, I start with the story. The plot is very ordinary, but each character has it's own complicated personality, which is written masterly by the mangaka. This may seem like the story is going nowhere, but that's not true. Every scene contributes either symbolically, or essentially in what happens later, or making characters realise something. Nothing comes suddenly, unlike the usual manga. There are no exciting actions or turns, but if only you notice the little details, you'd be struck with the sensitivity.
Fortunately, there is an ending, and boy, it's a satisfying one. It doesn't feel rushed up, and when Toshi cried near the end, I found it so endearing.
The characters are by no means perfect, afterall, there are several dimensions in them. The reason why Kyuu was loathing his brother, why Toshi loves Kyuu and then turned "mean" towards Kyuu, and how Sumi became the way he is, is fully covered up through flashbacks and conversations. I really liked Toshi, because he's goofy, quite shy, honest and kind, my fav type of seme 😀
Now, this isn't a complete dark manga, there are a lot of cute moments. Like how Kyuu was pouting when Toshi was eager to have Kyuu cutting his hair, since Kyuu thought Toshi would prefer him with long hair. Then Kyuu became happy again once Toshi said he prefers a Kyuu with short hair. Ofcourse Kyuu didn't get the inner meaning of the comment "Then I can see the nape of your neck" XD There are many more, and I'd love to see more of this scanlated, because there's so much more than volume 1, which is how the ratings of this serie became so low >(
I rarely give something a 10 or a 1. At first I gave it a 9, but after rereading, I believe this definitely deserves a 10. It's cleverly drawn, no scene is too much, and more entertaining than any other action driven BL.
(-38)
