This manga seriously is the best. I’ve read it countless times before – a billion years ago, the first time – and I can’t get enough of it. From time to time, I re-read it and it’ll never make it out of the top 3.
Every time I read it, I realize something I hadn’t before, like it makes this manga more special every time. Don’t get me wrong: it’s not like this is a totally innovative story that’s never been seen before in the BL world. On the contrary, it’s pretty a common one. But that’s what make it so good, the fact that Kannagi-sensei managed to turn such an ordinary plot into a brilliant one.
The characters grow with the story; they develop alongside their relationship.
Wataru’s quite a normal person – not like all the ukes out there, thank God, but he’s not profound, complicated either. Then again, it doesn’t make him any less complex. He’s got a lot going inside his head, from hate evolving to love, constant pain and a newly found love that he’s never experienced before. As Karin (his sister) said, there’s indeed a cold side to him, because he had to go from being so comfortable as an indifferent person to being in love with someone and suffering.
Kazuki’s not behind him, either. False and fake, he’s always been engaged in this act of being perfect. He is that character that you look at and say “God, how complicated!”. As his whole life’s been a lie to please others, he doesn’t know how to deal with his own feelings when they are forced to arise and does what he does best: makes up yet another act, this time being the opposite of what he normally is. Basically, Kazuki’s never true to himself. When he wants to say “to hell with it” and be himself, he pretends to be perfect, and when he actually wants to be that perfect person because he’s in love, he pretends to be cold. Though some may think Kazuki’s a jerk, he’s actually really insecure, and that’s why he does all those things.
But the character construction isn’t even the best part about this manga. What makes it amazing is how it’s throughoutly thought of by the author. Every single part is needed, there isn’t a phrase that’s not indented to make an impact or isn’t crucial to the storyline. I’ll exemplify that by Kazuki’s behavior towards Wataru. Though it may seem he’s absent at parts, as the story isn’t narrated by him, he’s been there the whole time for us to observe. Kazuki follows Wataru’s every movement:
- At first, Wataru shows up and Kazuki panics, which is explained by him later on.
- Then, Wataru starts falling in love with him and since Kazuki’s only causing him pain, the seme wants to get away from him (which is shown by his constant remarks about not wanting to see Wataru again). He’s not oblivious to the fact he’s being hurtful, he just doesn’t know it affects Wataru so much, and also, he doesn’t know what to do. Despite that, he wants to be noticed by him.
- Then comes that part when Wataru shivers just from hearing his name, and what does Kazuki do? Take the chance to advance. He wanted to kiss Wataru, he was going to. But since Wataru questions him, Kazuki stops and makes an excuse that’ll make Wataru think it’s all in his head – like he’s done several times before and does further on, too.
- A few days later, comes the part Kazuki escapes the basketball game and Wataru goes after him. That’s where many readers get lost, since none of it is explained, but Kazuki actually wanted to test if Wataru would follow him.
- Since he does, Kazuki then advances again – and this time actually kisses him. In Kazuki’s mind, everything was solved and they’d be a couple already. Of course Wataru doesn’t know that, misunderstands it all and rejects him, which leads to yet another conflict.
– Kazuki then closes himself up, because he thinks won’t get a chance. From then on, things are explained cautiously.
You see? “Only the Ring Finger Knows” isn’t about originality as a plot, but about subtleness and details. It isn’t another common shounen-ai. It’s about misunderstandings and unknown mutual feelings. Of course it’s predictable, but you have to pay attention to every detail in order to fully extract everything. That’s why you can read it many times and never be tired of it, but satisfied with what you have every time you do. I also like to call this an “angst producer”, since it makes me cry my heart out every single time I read it.
Finally, Odagiri-sensei’s such an amazing drawer and the art goes along with the story just perfectly as well. It’s delicate and simple, beautifully done!
EDIT: Poorly reviewed by me and it deserver better!
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