Fargo, Fargo, Fargo... How much can an artists work say about themselves? Quite a lot in Fargo's case. The common elements between "If You Hate Me So" and their more popular work, "Love is an Illusion" tell many tales. Well... Maybe. I don't want to stray into determining what their own personal preferences are, but they certainly seem to like stories involving characters with ambiguous moral virtue.
The thematic consistency across Fargo's work so far is an exploration of love that shouldn't exist. Or more specifically, domineering lust in place of rational love(1*). It's why the omegaverse was a good setting to place "Love is an Illusion" in (also apt title...). I've always been of the mind that omegaverse fiction partakes in allegorical maximalism. Where darker elements of sexuality and romance are taken and made hyper-extreme for the sake of their exploration. There is no vague expression of sexual interest in the omegaverse. Everything is birthed from the deep, dark chthonic ooze of nature.
Unfortunately "If You Hate Me So" doesn't have the excuse of "biology duh xD" to explain away the confusion involved in love birthed from sexual coercion, assault and just general assholery...
Not that I'm a puritan! I do defend contentious depictions of sexual and romantic relationships in fiction (refer to my BJ Alex review teehee). Even in instances where they seem to be sexualising abuse. However, this playbook has gotten old in the yaoi genre. As a gay male myself, said "community" does appear to have norms of sexual behaviour and exploration that would make many a boomer blush vigorously. But is aggression, abuse and violence so common as to warrant such an EXTENSIVE exploration by those who create manga about "us"? Have enough male bodies been puppeteered to play out the raunchy sexual inclinations of the (primarily) female heterosexuals who create these stories?(2*)
So on this backdrop, is "If You Hate..." good? Errrrrrrrrr...
Like, I'm not sure these characters would be likeable even if they weren't acting like total sleazebags. Minjae might have a bit of an arc about standing up for ones self and self-determination. But it's also very hard to take that seriously when his action is in favour of two people who have really done nothing but act in ways that are detrimental to his well being. The climax of the romance, everything apparently resolved, feels disgusting as a result. Generally mediocre presentation salting the wound.
"Oni to Tengoku" is an example of a story with another morally reprehensible character who is likeable despite his existence being one that would be immediately behind bars. The characterisation is just heads and shoulders above "If You Hate...", in fewer chapters at that.
In conclusion "If You Hate..." lacks the compelling elements that would make up for it's sins. I generally come to romance for characters that I myself would like to be wrapped up with (take all the connotations lol). Lovely Complex, Shirayukihime, Cheese in the Trap, All About Lust and Roommates (and so on...) all offer this, and for both characters in the romance at that. "If You Hate..." fails in both regards, and then makes even those outside of our binary distasteful individuals. I'm obviously not enough of a glutton for punishment.
1* I recognise that many wouldn't consider love "rational". But certainly there is more rationality involved in love birthed from pleasant interactions with someone you find sexually attractive versus those from DEEPLY unpleasant interactions.
2* I type this point with slight amusement. Anyone who has read any amount of raunchy female fiction knows that the sort of themes common in yaoi are also found there in their hetero-flavour. I also know NOTHING about Fargo. Not even their basic bio. Because I am what!? Lazy.
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