Long Dezcription of Yatamomo (pls read)

I don't usually comment on stories I've read because I believe stories can be truly based on the reader's interpretation, but after many times of reading and trying to understand the message Harada tried to convey with this story, I couldn't help myself but speak.

Each read gave me a new perspective of Momota, as he is one of my dearest characters I hold to myself.

I'll be only discussing Momota, Momota's mother (briefly), and Yata.

As many readers know, Harada is imfamously known for their "realism" or very raw aspects of their stories. Some may agree and some may disagree varying from each story, however, Yatamomo is undeniably genuine piece of work. 10/10.

Momo is quite ruthless but definitely headstrong in different extents. His childlike desire to be wanted, loved, and nurtured shaped his way of perceiving and releasing love to himself and others. His mother, the main cause of this question, hadn't known the same love either. (Disclaimer: I am NOT defending his mother.) Momo was born from the hatred of his mother being assaulted and raped, and undeniably castrated from her loved ones she called "family". Relatively around the beginning of Chapter 4, Volume 2, is the backstory of Momota's childhood. He was born with love in his household until he sought other ways of love, and "others" took advantage of him. His mother became very jealous and never thought to help her young baby. Despite Momota being born in a household beginning with love, I always question, was he truly? Jealousy does not come from osmosis. She was jealous of her son (not her daughter in many realistic cases) because he received more than his mother. She seen it as a competition. His mother hated him from birth, which came to light after Momota met with his mother. The same transgressions his mother went through during her pregnancy was the same that she wanted Momota to go through. "If I have to experience it in my childhood, then you should to." Both are very common mentality within many POC communities which is ridden with unsealed trauma and harm. Although Momota explained she was hardworking, diligent young lady who worked hard for her child at home as a single mother, did he ever ask how she truly felt? He wouldn't or he truly won't. Truthfully, she has NEVER wanted him. In retrospect, Momota loved his mother dearly. He wanted her love, to hug him, and coddled him while whispering in his ears with a sweet voice, "I have your back." Nothing more or less. He wanted all of her love because he never knew any other. These cases are real. This is not fictional or far-stretched cases/stories compared to other BL's in the community. It is not as common in men than women, but people DO experience this type of "love". No child should ever go through that. EVER.

Following after, a few comments speaks about how Momota was causing grief knowing his mother was struggling and also was trying to find her meaning of love by stealing her boyfriends and seeking love from others. Full offense, this is just a dumbass discussion. 1. You didn't grasp what Momota had to go through. 2. You're disregarding his emotions. A child is pure and innocent, doesn't know from right and wrong. 3. You can separate reality from fiction, but you cannot ignore the reality of it either. Use discernment. Momota was a child, and even as a teenager who only knows the basics of life, did what his mother only showed and taught him. Partially, some panels show how Momota sought for love and wanted his mother's attention. Some showed how Momota used prostitution as a way to show provoke her, similarly used to get her attention. And majority was to show how this life was the only thing Momota knows. Harada has never gone revealed if Momota went to school or not, but that was his known life. He could only express himself through others and negative emotions as he even then, tried to suppress those emotions to protect himself.

As we know Yata met Momota from pure coincidence. In a public bathroom after being tricked by 3 men, and then being questioned for fellatio on first interaction. Not the best introduction, but this singlehandedly reveals to Yata how Momota thinks of himself. The objectification of himself for pleasure in the means of to love or to gain. And actually is very persistent in the story despite Momota and Yata growing in their relationship. Yata begins to see Momo as pitiful and he refers to him as a stray cat which seems belittling as a first reader honestly. Momo is pitiful, but is it righteous for us to announce that. No, its not. Momota is a person that deserves respect equally as everyone else.
Down the road, personally as a reader who has read this over a dozen of times, Yata certainly uses Momo as a give or take relationship. I can cook, clean, give you money, and coddle you but you have to deal with me (sexually ofc). Their relationship reveals the trueness of what sex really is when there's an imbalance. Pleasure is secondary in depiction of sex. Emotional connection and understanding one another is the trueness of what it is. Yata unknowingly uses this against Momota knowing his body is weak against pleasure, his trauma is bubbled around this object sanction by "love". In many other chapters, Momota experiences many trials with Yata. Suda, Kurita, gaining independence, and foremost, his mother. Yata has been there for Momota through thick and thin, trying to understand the complexity of his life and character after realizing his love and care for Momo. Its undisputable. However, Yata does not know how to express his dislikement towards Momota's sexual idiosyncrasies. Yata uses the imbalance of power against Momo because he knows Momota cannot reject him because Momota puts 100% of his trust into Yata. Momota uses sex as a coping mechanism to release his worries and stress becuase that is what he is used to. As a child revealed to mature things, and in Momota case, experiencing child prostitution, it changes how your mind and body expresses itself. As said, sex for sex in the name of power is just assault in many cases. This isn't normal, but it is very common in heterosexual relationships or communities rather. The greed of sex. In this case, it's truly dub-con. Consent is unclear and ambiguous, but their relationship is stabilized where it is not needed. This is the norm for many relationships, and can also be a deal breaker if not discussed. But since their relationship is founded through the comfort of sex, I believe we cannot discuss any further than having dissatisfaction for Yata mistreatment. In retrospect of the previous line, Yata continously, until Momota opens up about his childhood fully to Yata, uses sex as a punishment. The frequent recalls of rape during his childhood panels with Yata in many ways. Regardless the teachings of sexual conduct. We cannot question, Yata was truly for Momota and is seeking best interest of Momota growth. We cannot seek 100% in a person because there's no person on this Earth who is perfect, even fictionally. He understands Momota and promotes his growth to become someone who's "normal". To overcome your trauma without disputing it or harming. He wanted someone to tell him, "I love you" and c
"It's okay, I'm here." He needed that someone by him who had the most best interest in him as Momota is not perfect himself. And Yata is truly a good fit. It balances his trauma and coddles Momota childlike emotions. (My fault for the redundancy of this paragraph)

Lastly, this paragraph is about Harada's drawing and storytelling in particular I have caught wind of in many occasions during my reads. Beginning with Momota's true name. In the beginning Momota refers to himself as Momo and many others do to in story besides one person, his mother. She typically refers to him as my son, my stupid son, using my as a possession rather than seeing Momota as an actual true person and as her creation. In Chapter 3, Volume 2, Momota's mother reveals Momo has been using her "shop" name after separating in over a decade. There's two ways I can envision the reasoning in why Harada chose not to reveal Momota's true name. One, Momota uses his mother's prostitute name because it was only thing he could take from her. The only thing that reminds him of his mother. Two, Momota uses his mother's prostitute name to erase and suppress his childhood. The only thing that could erase his memories is to remove his name. Such a fine detail no one I've seen speak about. Personally, I believe it's to remind him of his mother. This story conveys that the reflection on trauma should not involve suppression or denial, but rather the process of overcoming and acknowledging its trueness. Momota uses her name as its the only thing she as offered to him. Seen in Chapter 7, Volume 2, Momota bought his mother a ring with the little money he had regardless of being drunk and gave it to her. Momota's mother only thought materialistically. The ring was cheap nor did it fit. She reacted negatively, yet in one panel she turns her back and looks at it. In vice versa nearing the end, I believe Harada used the ring as a way to bridge a give and take. She wanted something to remind her of her son's existence. And Momota wanted something to remind him of his mother's existence.

Another feature, very miniscule, I noticed was Harada's artstyle, especially nearing the end. Harada's drawing of Momota is typically whimsical and silly, or just childlike in general because thats how he is typically. Once Momota reveals how he truly feels Harada draws him more as an actual person, a man whose growing in his life. In the last panel with his mother, it brought me almost to tears. Momota looked so real. He looked as if he'd grown up (which he did). It felt as if he leaped over his trauma and held Yata's hand. And same for his mother. Such beautiful reflection of his growth.

Thanks for reading, my bad for the long paragraphs essay. I love this story with all my heart as I see as a reflection of life and of my childhood too.