....at least the character development. Like mentioned by someone else the art is very 90s, along with the clothing/hair style of the characters. Despite the 90s look it doesn't distract too much from the story itself and what sucks you in is the character development and story. None of the characters are "perfect" and all of them have flaws from the main character to the supporting characters. Both Ritsuo and Ken were very human characters you could potentially meet on the streets. I personally found Ken more likeable by the end and the more mature of the duo despite how it all starts as the story progresses, but how Ritsuro reacts throughout the story seemed like how some may react (ie trying to act straight and keeping appearances while in public).

The story itself follows several subjects such as homosexuality, addiction, rape, prostitution, infidelity, drugs, divorce, long distance romance, regret. For the most part, the author tackles the themes pretty well, especially with homosexuality, coming out and family response. In the story you have one of the main characters family accepting the relationship while another disowns their own son because they don't understand it initially (later on they'll start to try, but like in real life, the parent imply it'll take time). The dilemmas with long distance relationships and trust issues that may stem as time passes.

There's also an OVA that follow parts of the first volume. Like mentioned by someone, it doesn't do the manga justice, since OVA never went beyond one episode.

honestly i don't really like this(sorry for those people who like this) it's just too much for me, too dark or too dramatic yet you'll feel the urge to continue reading this cause you want to know what will happen and what will the ending be...

my real feelings are- i regret reading this

I give it 8/10 just because of

Anyway, this manga is worth reading and is definitely better than anime.

'Boku wa Konomama Kaeranai' is one of those manga that you read and are amazed by, but then never want to read again afterward just because it leaves you so upset and stirred up by the time you're finished. I started reading this manga just because I'm a perfectionist and I'd put it on my to-read list at some point since many consider it a BL 'classic'. I hadn't expected to enjoy it--I'd completely gone into it with a "well, let's get this over with" attitude.

The art is painfully 90's. The clothing is ugly and frumpy and the hairstyles are funny. I wasn't a fan of how they were drawn aside from in maybe a few panels. But the art did the trick, definitely. There was never any point after I started reading where I couldn't read anymore because the art was so bad. (Which is shocking coming from me, since I'm very art-oriented when it comes to manga.) It's not beautiful, but I wouldn't say it's weird-looking or detracts from the story at all.

The characters are definitely relatable and pitiable and likable and also sometimes 'hate-able'. I don't think I've ever been more disappointed with a fictional character than I was with Ritsuro for what he did in volume four because of how raw the emotions were. The plot has many twists and turns that can leave you giddy but most often leave you needing to read more so you can make sure everything will be okay in the end. The story deals with issues like rape and homosexuality and drugs and prostitution and personal selfishness in ways that are definitely realistic and also upsetting.

And the ending left off on a happy note, which is good because I probably would have been a frazzled mess by the time I finished if it hadn't. Overall, even though I will probably never read it again, I highly recommend the experience of reading this manga at least once. I found it to be quite powerful. The growth of the characters (especially Ken, who I adored by the end) is incredible and beautiful and also bittersweet. It leaves you with a distinct feeling that you actually read something that had meaning.

... Last updated on January 18th, 2010, 9:46pm

WOW what a manga...there was so much angst and emotions in this one it was very plot driven I have to admit I was brought to tears more then once. I saw the OVA couple years back and it did this manga no justice maybe I'll check it out again now that I've read the manga maybe I'll feel differently now...then again maybe not...I was kinda shocked to find out this is the same mangaka who did "nudist" these two are sooooo different...I could hardly believe it was the same mangaka. I can definitely see why this is considered a classic it just a great piece of work! You have to check this one out!!!

This is one of those extremely dramatic plot with so many twists and turns. You hate it but you want to know the ending. That's what I'm feeling right now. Even though some of the stuff that happens are just overly exaggerated, it still makes you want to continue reading. I guess this is why I'm buying all the books so I can finish it in one reading. Waiting for netcomics is too painful.