I just joined this site mainly to talk about this manga. First, I finished the anime really quickly, and felt very sad at the end, since it meant that I would not be able to see any more of these characters. Then, I heard that the anime only covers the first two or three manga volumes out of 15. I tracked down the manga, and finished all 15 volumes within the past week. It left me with a sad, empty feeling, despite the happy ending.
I enjoyed the entire story. I tend to take on the feelings of the main characters of things that I read, so I felt extremely depressed while reading the latter half of this manga. There is so much pain and sadness, but it is done so well that I couldn't stop reading it. Every once in awhile, an anime or manga comes along that completely screws with my emotions. This did this for me.
For strayed, I have an answer:
Spoiler (highlight to view) Yes, Ai was turned into a human. In the extra story in the last two volumes (Video Girl Len, which took place about 7 years after Video Girl Ai), Youta confirms with the old man from Gokuraku that Ai was turned into a human and was doing well.
Unfortunately, Ai is not shown at all during these volumes, which made me very angry and sad. I wanted to know... did she age? How was she doing? Was she still dating Youta? The mangaka purposely does not answer these questions. Youta does encourage the old man to visit Ai sometime, so it gives me hope that she is still with Youta. However, she made no appearances at the art class that Youta started. *sigh*
I'm still a little sad that I reached the end, since I became very attached to the main characters (especially Ai).
Spoiler (highlight to view) I wanted to see at least an extra chapter of content with Youta and Ai. I wanted to see a glimmer of happiness, after all that had transpired in the main story, and after all that it put me through. Nope... didn't happen.
I really want to shout from the hilltops and have others experience this manga, but I'm afraid there is too much nudity and too many panty shots. I haven't told anybody IRL that I was reading this, and I feel like they would make assumptions about my character based upon it. Really sad, since this is a great manga that should be read and advertised.
Anybody have any recommendations for similar works? I know that, eventually, I would like to read another drama with introverted characters like this one.
I dunno if anybody will respond, since this board isn't exactly "hopping" with activity. But, I feel like I can feel a bit better if I did my part to advocate this wonderful title.
Also, the old man from Gokuraku does not have a name. He is simply called "Old Man" by every character that knows him.
EDIT: Gotta answer AiFever's question from awhile back:
Spoiler (highlight to view) Ai returned after 2 months of disappearing, it showed a panel of what was the Old Man's glasses after Youta finished the book, did the old man have something to do with Ai becoming human? or was it the power of Youta's will?
any thoughts?
ANSWER:
Spoiler (highlight to view) The old man had everything to do with it. Everyone thought about Ai, and that power allowed her to return to human form.
In the last two volumes (Video Girl Len, 7 years after Video Girl Ai), when Youta and the old man talk, the old man is happy to hear that "it worked" and that Ai was turned into a human.
Last edited by Nintendud at 4:43 am, Mar 7
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