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when you get past the weird fandom this manhwa accumulated, you can see the fucked up dynamic between the two main characters. both are messed up and traumatized, koogi fleshes out their backgrounds. very interesting perspective on stockholm's syndrome. this is the only manhwa that i've felt intense anxiety when reading (even for the third time).
silly little captive x captor dj, i like the ending because it highlighted some stockholm's syndrome-ish aspects, as well as being conditioned into longing for his captor- all smothered into one, small chapter.
i think this one shows harada’s capabilities of portraying a healthier relationship. this one still dive's into past traumas and how they could seep into current relationships. i love the dynamic here, too- it's so so cute.
i haven't read this in a while-- it was the first of harada's works that i've read. i love fukusuke's charming exterior and malicious intentions. i also love the character of riku- he's very aware of fukusuke's tactics, and yet he endorses them and watches things unfold from the sidelines; i truly love morally grey characters (and non-fetishized crossdressers!!!).
i love harada so much; this one is a really taboo subject of pedophilia and childhood grooming. i think the dynamic is done in a way where it isn't romanticized or fetishized-- both kei and yui are messed up and you can see it through their interactions very clearly. ofc, i <3 morally grey characters- maiko was very calculating, sympathetic, and even a lil cold- but also endorses him in pursuing a relationship with his groomer- maybe it's because she was aware of kei's trauma
whenever i think of this manhwa, i ignore the ending (it was just to hasty for me-- i don't like happy endings in these genres). i loved chapter 23 especially; when mc says "at first, i cried from shock, this time i'm crying because i'm so angry that i'm weaker than you". he's an interesting character who kind of just accepts what's going on passively, yet unhappily.
this one's so sad; a one-sided love driven into a competition to eliminate the men from saki's life. minako is such a sad character- the one she truly wants is saki, and yet she complicates saki's love life by seducing her boyfriends into cheating. this is to single out saki so she can have her all to herself. this does not work in minako's favor; it's a very bittersweet ending, as she settles for one of saki's boyfriends who hasn't gotten over her.
this one portrays bulimia and eds in such a way that i, and surely many others, could relate to. it's the only manga that's even fleshed out a main character with an eating disorder that ends up controlling their life. anno’s style is beautiful, and this manga has a very special place in my heart <333.
although it misrepresents proper bdsm etiquette (consent...), i think it portrays the violent and more extreme sides of bdsm pretty well. sometimes it gets a little repetitive, but everything i wanted to happen happened (which i was pleasantly surprised of, i'm a bit violent with my fantasies :3).
wow.... this manga details the experience of exploring your sexuality at a young age- especially in a close-minded environment. the story of mishima and kirino is so so bittersweet, it really hits you in the heart :(. it also explores the idea of unresolved expression of oneself- which could manifest into harmful exertion onto other people (both kirino and yanagida). different family dynamics are also explored, which is always interesting. this manga is beautiful like srsly
Killing Stalking