I know what you're saying, but I don't agree. Open ended stories, are some of my favourite kinds of stories, it keeps you thinking on about what could of happened next, and can fill me with a strange sort of piece. Lots of histories' best writers have open endings, so calling them lazy or cowardly isn't right. I've read books where they try to tie up all the strings at the end, and let me tell you - it is just wrong. It feels forced and leaves me more unsatisfied then an open-ending ever would.
I've often done the same sort of ending in my persona writing, as I don't think there'd be anyway to not do it without feeling like I've cheated my characters and their development.
You're right in feeling there should be another chapter, but that chapter is life itself going on, and can never fully be expressed.
The story ended at a point that was right for the characters and where they were at. And that's what I believe.
Yes, it could of said whether or not he died - but for me that would of just taken a lot of the meaning out of the moment.
It's a bittersweet open ending and I love it. You're free to your opinion, I'm free to me own, and I fully respect that.
Thank you for taking the time to reply and share your opinions. The joy of these comments is seeing the various points of view and when they are as well written and clearly explained as yours, the joy is even greater. I hope that my opinions did not offend anyone, as they are simply that, my opinion. I try hard to clearly express both my views and reasons in a way that definitively shows that they are only one readers opinion. Seeing another point of view is inspiring and offers an opportunity to broaden one's horizons and own views on a subject. Yours have done this for me. Although I still do not find "open" endings to be to my personal preference, perhaps my comments about them being lazy and cowardly were too hasty and harsh. I apologize if I offened. I was rather disappointed in the end, since the rest of the story was so incredibly well written. It felt like Shakespeare had ended "Romeo and Juliet" at the moment Juliet drank the "potion". An incredible and captivating story was just left with no resolution. Please do not misunderstand my OC, I absolutely adored this story. The writer is obviously incredibly talented and the illustrator too, was superb. I likened this story and it's creators to Shakespeare earlier for good reason - this story is undoubtedly a masterpiece in my eyes. I was ONLY diappointed by the ending, not the entire story nor it's writer and mangaka.
In regards to the story continuing on as if it were real life... perhaps this is why I am opposed to "open" endings. When I read a manga or fiction novel, I am very aware of the fact that it is a fantasy or fiction and do not consider the possibility of "the future" for the characters. The last page of the manga/novel is the end of the character's world and existence. Perhaps I am to literal or have little imagination, but when I write fiction, I write with this premise in mind. Therefore, I feel it is my duty to my characters to fullfil their existence to the last page - unless I plan a second volume. Leaving my characters with no sure end to their story feels as if I am cheating both the characters and readers. I often decide the end before I ever type a word. As an "escapist" type of reader and writer, I prefer stories that have as little of the harshness of reality mucking them about as possible. I write, and prefer to read, stories with this "ideal, happily-ever-after, everything-works-out-in-the-end" kind of plotline. I suppose I am just too "classically" trained - a story must have cetain elements to be considered a "good" story or even a "complete" one - A beginning, a middle and an end; a protagonist and an antagonist; conflict and resolution. Lacking one of these core elements makes the story incomplete and thus not a "good" story. Or so my professors drilled into me. LOL
Thank you again, for replying and sharing your views. I look forward to having more conversations like this in the future.
There's actually an official doujin that seems to take place after the events of this series, in which Masataka runs into Souma again. You can find it on myreadingmanga.
Although personally, I loved the open ending. It's so perfectly suited to both the tone and themes of the story.
Thank you, so much. I will have to check that dj out.
Here's the link: http://myreadingmanga.info/watase-yuu-sakura-gari-dj-utena-cn/
It hasn't been translated yet though!
Awesome! This will be a chance for me to put learning Japanese to the test. LOL Thanks a bunch.
Thank you! And you're welcome Mameiha, it's great to be able to discuss different views without people getting angry at me :D
It was my privilege to hear your opinion and share mine. I'd love to do so again with you.
Right back at you.
pls give me another great story of yaoi like the this one and youre my love price in view finder..
i would appriciate it if you give me a long and completed chaps..
thank you
pls give me another great story of yaoi like the this one and youre my love price in view finder..
i would appriciate it if you give me a long and completed chaps..
thank you(￣∇￣")
**SPOILER ALERT**
... I could be upset because I hate "dead" endings, but this one really got to me. It wasn't the characters I felt bad for, it was the readers. "Open" endings like this bother me as a reader and a writer. Have the grace of your convictions to choose an ending. Leaving it up to the reader is like telling them to write the story for you. It is a piss poor, lazy and cowardly way to write. Kill off the character or don't, but for pity's sake choose. I would rather cry my eyes out over a character's death, than be left feeling like there should be another chapter. This story was an inspired piece of both art and literature. Which is why I was stunned and disappointed by this lame end. I could not stop reading this manga and enjoyed every twisted twist and mysterious turn. Truly this is one of the best manga I've ever seen - except for the end.