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this one is terribly tragic and hard to read. the story centres around sexual assault. a man who abhors rape meets a man who lets himself be treated anyhow, by anyone. someone who wants to save others and someone who learns that he deserves to be saved. again, this story is intense and dark. take caution, but know that there is happy ending amidst the tragedy.
this is a popular one amongst fans of angst. a professional hitman falls in love with a prostitute and their relationship develops while on the run. this story is dark and unforgiving, much like the lives these men live. yet they bring each other hope and salvation despite their circumstances. whether or not the ending is happy... that is for you to decide.
romance blooms between an assassin who can't kill and a blind man who wants to see the world. the art, the story, the characters—everything is absolutely gorgeous. despite having a happy ending, this work is so pungently bittersweet that it leaves you with conflicting emotions. truly a work of art.
i love everything about this series. from the art and concept to the plot and characters... everything feels so uniquely beautiful yet fragile, like a facade that could shatter with the slightest touch. a painful yet hopeful story about modern "vampires" and the trials they face as immortal monsters.
a man who cares little for his own life is saved by a witch, who is being hunted relentlessly. though gritty and violent, this story centres the most selfless kind of love: utter devotion. if you look between the thrilling chases and dangerous fights, you'll find questions of worth: who is worth saving? and what makes life worth living?
this is perhaps the most complex relationship i've ever read about. they're in love, they're enemies, they need time apart, they can't live without each other. a heartwrenching account of two boys who hurt and heal each other in equal measure, facing the demons of their past and trying desperately to forge a new future.
a heart-wrenching story about two boys who save each other time and time again. injury, grief, and loneliness are explored in this tragic work as the characters learn that healing and hurting come in cycles, and that pain will hold you back until you make the choice to move forward.
one of the most beautiful works i've ever read. a boy goes on a journey to find his mother. he finds so much more. stunning artwork and endearing characters make this a captivating story that asks: what REALLY makes a family?
this one is uniquely beautiful. a salaryman with no will to live meets a storyteller who is secretly a bakeneko. the art is stunning, but the writing truly sets this work apart. koudan (the traditional japanese art of storytelling) and yokai (mythical japanese spirits) are both central to the plot, giving this work a classical, artful quality. it is genuine poetry.
the art is gorgeous, but the story earned it a place on this list. this is a fairy tale about a prince of ice and a wandering knight. even in its comedic and fluffy moments, this work stays true to its style as a myth, giving it a particularly magical quality. i could analyze it for hours, but i must insist that you read it for yourself.
Stigma