wow, this story is super unique. Normally I don't like tragedies, but this is such a well-written story that I really enjoyed it. Sometimes reading outside of your usual things can be enriching. I really liked these characters. I was rooting for them all along. I choose to believe it was a happy ending. Like the author said in the post-script, everyone was saved in their own way. Maybe even Souma lived on. Who knows. At least Masataka got into his chosen school. His character development is so wonderful and sincere. No one is perfect, but he truly does have a pure soul.

Honestly speaking, I don't have much to say cuz my feelings about this manga is somehow in disarray.. But the plot is very well thought out and the art is beautiful. Ending was...let's just say I'm still thinking about it. It will move you if you if it moves you. That's it

This dark, dark story was very well thought out. It is one of few where the story just suddenly grasps you, and you can't do anything but finish it. There were no boring parts, had great twists, and portrayed the theme of loneliness quite well. I was reluctant at first to reading this series because I don't particularly favor tragedies. So many reviews said the ending was sad, and that the dude dies. I had it on one of my lists for about 3-4 years before I decided to just read it. And quite honestly, the ending wasn't even THAT sad at all. There seems to be hope for Saiki Souma. I mean, come on! The poor dude just NEEDS, or rather, DESERVES a good ending. His life was just as bad as fifty shades of f*cked up. ;D

... Last updated on June 27th, 2012, 5:16pm

This has got to be the darkest yet one of the most moving yaoi pieces that I have ever read so far.

The story's so haunting and full of psychological battles and each character is twisted in their own way; having pasts that innocent people wouldn't take well. And even if there is rape here as there is rape in most yaoi, the rapes here are justified. Shocking to the eyes and heart, but justified.

And the end was sad. It was a big twist in the story. Each chapter all I do was gasp and widen my eyes, but at the final chapter I cry and feel so heartbroken.

I read all the volumes for about three hours, not sure at the beginning to finish it because it has a "heavy" feeling since the start, and there are lots of pages. Certainly not an easy read. But opening through the pages it attracts me more and more.
Upon finish reading this manga, it was hard to believe it's over. Just like when you have a vivid and confusing dream.

... Last updated on May 25th, 2012, 4:15am

i've always disliked watase yuu's shoujo works. they were just...bleagh. i was ready to give her up altogether.

then i read this piece. simply BEAUTIFUL. yuu watase, please write more stories like these.

I'm running through all the manga I remember reading and putting them on booklog. (So far, 1127 volumes of manga of all genres excluding BL, since I'm still in the process of adding that).

I have read a heck load of shoujo--and all that I have read from Watase Yuu were cliche and boring. From Fushigi Yugi to Ceres to Alice 19th to Absolute Boyfriend to Imadoki etc. It kept getting worse. I only ever read them in the library if I was really bored. This one actually had twists I didn't expect. I also like that the uke looks like a normal, unextraordinary boy. This has the dark atmosphere that I like most in my manga (well, more tragic than Nakamura-level dark). I do think it's beautiful. (But keep in mind I think Double Mints is beautiful.)

I really dislike the "no-no-no-YES!" aspect of most yaoi manga--this is the first real "no-no-no-NO!" BL manga I've read. I'm pretty sure this is considered actual shounen-ai (genre pretty much no longer exists). Back then, people complained about the lack of gay sex. Nowadays fujoshi, including me, are complaining (rightfully) about the lack of depth in BL.

(Christ, now I'm craving for the next Ai no Kusabi OVA--a series which has both treats and depth.)

So much tragedy and pain ran through this story. Although it would have been difficult for them during that time period to maintain a relationship I wish they hadn't separated. I wish Souma hadn't told Masataka to stay away. It seemed a very bitter way to part. I don't see the situation remedied but it would be nice if they could come back together in the sequel.

I had a hard time getting into it at the start, and because the chapters were much longer than expected, I thought this was one of those stories that would drag on for a long time with lots of drama, which would be tiresome.
BUT I held onto it, and after the first two chapters, I began to really get into it, and as I neared the last chapters I was like WOOOW all the time. It was a very touching story and I felt a lot of emotions reading it. There was lots of drama of course, but it rarely felt 'pushed'. Even though if you review the facts from a neutral perspective, with all the murders and suicides and illegitimate childs, and rapings, it's a bit over the top.
So despite this, it is something you must absolutely read! It's long but not boring, very dark but very touching, and so beautiful at times, especially with the poems I found in it. I learned some new things.
Creating such a deep and intricate world is a skill I admire so much, and thus I give it a 10!

I ain`t a fan of Yaoi, but Yuu Watase. I admit, I was turned off and didn`t even bother putting this in any of my lists because of the yaoi tag. But I decided to read this now and I didn`t even stop. I couldn`t expect less from Watase sensei. Everything was breathtaking: art, plot, drama and angst. If you thought Genbu Kaiden and FY was already deep and heartbreaking, this was even more intense. I loved the psychological maturity you need to understand and go through this to the end. Quite twisted, violent, and obscene story and Watase sensei didn`t spare a detail. The romance wasn`t too you know, `lovey-dovey` but rather disturbing. The art was amazing as usual. Souma looked very much Uruki which made my heart beat a lil faster. The most disturbing parts were the over possessiveness of Souma`s lovers and Sakurako. The ending was a good closing and very heartwrenching too. All I could say is that this was one decent yaoi (only the second time I read such genre and probably wont read any again) but it was worth giving up my study time for finals just to read this. One of the best dark mangas I``ve ever read. ♥