Actual shota or loli disturbs me, but I'm interested in the underlying dynamics that can make such a phenomenon possible (did I mention reading Nabokov's 'Lolita' recently?). So now, I'm looking for SUBTEXTUAL shota/loli where NOTHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS and THERE IS NO ECCHI OR SUGGESTIVE FANSERVICE OR SEXUAL CONTENT, but there still are hints of complicated feelings under the surface, or even actual romantic feelings that go unconsummated (because of age). Just subtext, please!

And remember! NO ECCHI.

Examples:

Blood Alone - well, the 'girl' is an immortal vampire, but the unrequited loli overtones are still there in the dynamic she has with her apparently older male caretaker...

Gunslinger Girl - probably the most obvious example!

Dear Mine - younger boy and an older girl in an innocent shota-tinged romance.

Hakkenden - the young boy has insane levels of subtext with his adult guardian/dog/priest.

Super Lovers - unsettling because of added the incest factor, but subtle enough not to bother me. Much. Plus, the art's so beautiful that I could probably follow it all the way to hell and back... Lol.

Any more like these? Subtextual shota/loli without ANY sort of ecchi content or suggestive sexuality!

Edit: Oh, holy crap! I meant to post this in 'I'm Looking For...' but somehow, I posted it in 'Manga General' instead! Could a mod kindly move this for me? Thanks and apologies! *awkward laugh*

Otoyome-gatari could fit, haven't readit for a while though, I'm waiting for some more so I can read it in one go.

Hmmm...I don't see how it could be incest. The little boy (Ren) is only the MC(Haru)'s adoptive brother. There's no actual blood relationship.

I haven't read it, but Immortal Rain sounds about right.

Edit - Just remembered another one which I haven't read but think will fit (going by the cover and the description ^^); Adarushan no Hanayome.

Edit #2 - Oh! How could I have forgotten Shi ga Futari wo Wakatsu Made? It has, like, the most intensely subtexty guardian-and-the-guarded romance ever!

And I'm pretty sure the first half of Kuruizaki no Hana has a lot of this. Too bad Tokyopop dropped it before publishing the last volume

Also, Gun x Sword. Just watch the anime, though. The manga hasn't been scanned.

Not really sure, but I think Peacemaker will eventually evolve into something very much resembling UDDUP in terms of the relationship between the two MCs. It has the 'pretty girl in danger asks skilled fighter to protect her' formula, anyway.

Last edited by calstine at 2:42 pm, Oct 26 2010

I'm gonna second that, realy good manga and it's definently worth checking out.

________________

@calstine, you are a LEGEND like always. Thanks so much!

Thanks also to 0sirt & Maxlurifax!

Found another one entirely by accident. Only 2 chapters are out so I can't be sure whether there will be any consummation or not, but Flower of Destiny might be worth a try.