Judging by the rates, I guess this is a "love it or hate it" type. Well, I didn’t think it was that good, nor that bad. But I understand why it’s very controversial and some people may have a hard time accepting situations the main couple goes through.
Let me start with the good points:
- The art is freaking gorgeous, in my opinion. It’s simple and easy-going, yet very beautiful with its own delicacy. It reminds me of Only the Ring Finger Knows.
- The story did have some surprising parts that. First, I wasn't sure whether I wanted Kana to end up with Aoi or Shuuya, even in the end.
I was a little frustrated that he ended up with Rin at first, but then became a huge fan of their love. Even though the cover of this manga has Aoi in it, it never occurred to me.
.
- I’ve never seen a manga where the villain is also the main character’s love, and actually the good guy, in its own twisted ways.
- There are some details to this story that make it really sweet, though they’re not exceptionally important. Even the characters names suit them perfectly. "Aoi", for instance, means "blue", and his whole character represents "freedom".
- Aoi doesn't regret what he's done, they don't even talk about it. You're probably wondering how that is a good point, but I think it just means their love is so strong, they didn't even need to explain themselves. Also, if they did talk about it, it'd be as cliché as any other manga. I think Aoi did regret what he did, and the shell had some meaning that we don't actually get to know - because Kana himself doesn't. I don't think Aoi was in love with Kana during his revenge. I think he fell for him after he saw that Kana followed him despite what he's done. It's all very subtle, but that's my opinion of it all, I really liked it like that and not so explicit.
- The feeling we get afterwards. Are some of you angry? Frustrated? Happy? Sad? Feeling it's not complete? Well, isn't that all positive, given a manga made you feel all that?
Well, I'm not saying there aren't issues with the story, because of course there are:
- The characters were pretty much stereotypical. In my opinion, the only one who was a little realistic was Shuuya, even though he’s secondary. While Aoi is set as the villain, Shuuya is manipulative as hell, always telling Kana he's a burden to people. Of course he may not do it unintentionally – though I have my doubts about whether his love is brotherly or not – but he still makes Kana feel trapped
- Kana's relationship with Aoi grew awfully fast and, even if it was planned and Kana was really too naive, it still seemed unlikely. When Kana was thinking such deep things about romance, even if he was in love with Aoi for real, I couldn't believe his words. I took it as those of someone who doesn't know what they're saying.
- I’m usually all for angst, but this didn't get me even teary-eyed. It's like I didn't have enough time to relate to the characters or something, and therefore I didn't feel their pain, didn't feel anything for them. Even though this manga’s quite long for one volume, I couldn’t connect with the characters until the very end – when I then started to love Aoi.
- As it progresses, Shuuya is out of the blue, totally kicked to the side. It's not that he doesn't interfere anymore, but he doesn't even appear until the last chapter or so. HHe was so against Aoi and Kana’s relationship before, but when they started dating for real, he suddenly didn’t interfere anymore? Doesn’t make sense.
- Most of the scenes were very cliché – not that I mind it, but it’s gotta be well done.
- There was no development on Kana. The characters come and go and they stay the same, mostly.
The first half of this manga is average – I could even say above that. But then it suddenly gets really good in the last two or three chapters.
The ending was quite profound. Most of the things that were missing were compensated for.
I finally felt there was love between them when it started to approach the end. Don’t be fooled: even when they just get together again pretty easily – which made me really think if I’d continue reading this – it gets better. It frustrated me a little how they spent so many years apart. I mean, after all Kana’s done to see Aoi, he suddenly became a coward and didn’t see him for six years? Oh, then again, be careful. They’re love is not to be taken like some lovey-dovey, sweet one, like we all think until the very end. No. It’s really twisted, broken and wrong. Even though Kana’s gone through all that, he’s almost obsessed about Aoi. And Aoi, though he doesn’t realize it, is pretty insecure, but he does love Kana. Also, that was when Kana started having some personality - he started to matter.
Also, what I think is relevant and not mentioned before by anyone: who did Aoi really get revenge on? Kana, for being accepted in a family he wasn't? His father, for neglecting him? Shuuya, for not doing anything about it? Or maybe all of them.
As Yukishiro Marie-sensei is a new author, we can tell she’s got a lot to grow, but since this had so much potential, I think in a couple of years from now, we’ll be given a very good manga by her hands.
PS:
Ah! I kinda feel bad for Shuuya, not having anyone to be with…he clearly loved Kana – even if it’s not quite clear what kind of love it is.
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