I remember reading Koi no Kotoba way back and I for some reason decided to revisit it.
When I was first reading it, I remembered how shocked I was when I found out that she was younger than she looked.
But I stuck to reading it, and honestly, I wasn't disappointed. It's a story, an actual STORY in manga form, not a "manga" with "artwork" and "plot". The author put effort into writing this, and it shows.
Now, let's address the elephant in the room; the girl is young. I think she could be 13 or 14 or so. And they have sex. But let me be clear; such things happen in real life (but often much less wholesome) and as unsavory as it might be, it shouldn't be overlooked as a manga topic just because it's unsavory or not good.
Yes, I said "wholesome", because there is no manipulation on the side of the much-older MC, and overall their relationship is emotionally benign. Both sides voice their concerns and negotiate with each other. For an essentially abandoned middle school-er (with big breasts) that is confusing affection and sex, she could have been unluckier (just consult the hentai section).
Art is by far the weakest point of this manga, when compared to the quality of the writing. OK, the art DOES have a simple, pleasant and even warm feel to it, and while not exactly bad (it's still better than 99% of shojo manga artwork!), it isn't anything amazing.
So, what is it about?
I could say it's a love story, but it really isn't, because love isn't in the center. Growth is.
It's a story where love and connection between two (for lack of a better word) broken and damaged individuals becomes a vehicle for their individual growth and them overcoming their problems.
The MC is suffering from depression and complete lack of meaning in life
, deciding to end his life in a bit over a year when turning 30, tho he later has a change of heart as he grows
.
The girl suffers from family abandonment issues and is trying to leach to someone to feel loved. As they interact with each other, as they get involved n each other's lives, each fills up the emptiness in another's life. This is the base for their growth. The story follows their day-to-day life and some events in her school life and what happens to them as their relationship progresses and the climax happens. But, it isn't melodramatic like some other manga, and that's good.
The eventual climax with her family is handled in a very I think realistic and mature way.
The ending in itself also isn't bad.
The MC's growth, maturity and care for FMC are manifested in the decision he makes towards the end.
Basically, after her mother kind-of OK's their relationship, he has a honest 1-on-1 with himself and decides to put some distance between him and her so SHE could grow and experience a wholesome high school life after reconnecting with her mother.
It would have been oh so easy for him to continue having a relationship with a willing (and attractive) high school girl and have sex with her all he wanted. It would have been oh so easy to excuse his lust in front of a mirror by saying "It's fine, she loves me and wants to be with me".
But he doesn't.
Because he genuinely cares for her and her happiness, and knows he's in the way of her experiencing a magical period in her life that is high school.
So he pushes her away for her own good, even if tho he loves her, and even though she loves him, and even if her mother is sort of begrudgingly accepting him.
But, he doesn't just push her away, instead he communicates his intentions to her, and she accepts, but promises to meet him
.
As far as endings to manga go, I've seen worse.
Overall, it's a nice manga that is an actual story with a start, body, and finish, with good characters and that is realistic, even if a bit controversial to some who don't want to believe that similar (and much more f-ed up) things happen in real life.
A firm recommend from me.
(-33)
