This is my review from both the novel and what I've read from the manga so far, so if you're not interested in GETTING SPOILED, DO NOT READ THIS
As much as I would love to give it a 10/10, I would definitely be able to say that it is not perfect, BUT OMG I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT, INCLUDING THE SPIN-OFF The story would've been really different with out it, so I appreciate that Overall a 8.9/10 The first time I read the manga, it's plot really captivaded me, it was just so silly, and serious at times, the artstyle is amazing both manga and novel, and even as a hopeless romantic, that mostly reads romance, I was very satisfied with their relarionship There're certain parts that I enjoyed more in the novel than in the manga, and viceversa, but if I had to choose one, I'd definitely say, I prefer the novel Something about the pace of it did bother me a bit, since some parts felt a little to streched out with nowhere to go, and some other where just, skipped? For example, SPOILERS!!! after Akira left Al in America with Kyiv and Pat, I felt like focusing more on Stan's story was really unnecessary, I like the start of that volume, we were able to see Al in a complete different environment without Akira. As much as he loved him and longed for him, he had to realize that he was too dependent on Akira I liked a lot of the monologues Al gave about the reasons why he didn't want to become a full vampire The whole codependency was completely driven on this idea that for Al to become something of importance to Akira, for Akira to worry and care for Al(or at least demonstrate his kindness or love at certain point) he had to be imperfect, he had to be a broken vampire, knowing this, and Al still being conscious of how much of a burden he was becoming to Akira, he just wasn't able to accept it As much as he could profess his love to Akira, tell him constantly that he wasn't going to leave his side, he still didn't grasp the idea of death for both him and Akira, the possibility of it, the sadness and grief that comes with it That one chapter where Kyiv threatens him to shoot his heart with a silver bullet, is truly crucial for Al to understand his situation at the moment, and be able to move on, which at some point he does, 6 whole months, BUT here comes my problem, because they already had set up something with how Stan was presented in the previous volume, and also the whole hijacking arc, they couldn't just brushed it off, it all connects, and Stan' s attempt to kill Al becomes crucial to Al's transformation, of course, he was turned against his will because it was the only way for him to not die at that moment, so it also forces Al to confront all these insecurities and thoughts about Akira not wanting him if he's not imperfect, but it just,,, doesn't happen? Apparently his only worry now is that fact that Akira might now like him because he has black eyes and black hair now? (Like really, he mentions this like 3 times and even tries to dye his hair), and I mean, it's understandable in a way???? He's more focused on Stan, who literally just tried to kill him and also was damaging Richard's legacy and popularity by horrible rumors, but the whole volume is about Stan, and when Al decides to go back to Japan, they're all like "ig you're ready :)" (kinda) and Al decides about how he wants to become an equal, be independent, be someone that can stan along Akira and someone Akira could rely on maybe one day, which is nice! And does happen!!! But they just also, skipped the supposedly "training" that Al goes through with his powers, and also we don't get to see more of Pat, nor Kyiv later on until a few mentions at the end(which is why I liked that they added small novels of some characters and even some of Kyiv's story in the manga) But here comes the last volume, I personally, LOVED IT, probably my favorite one But first let me complain about my main issue, and it's the fact that, omg the plotwist is the same thing in different situations and different people, and as someone said in the comments, it's almost comical how it has happened that they've encountered murderers, A TOTAL OF 6 VOLUMES, AND IN ALL OF THOSE 6, THERE'S A MURDERER IN EVERY SINGLE ONEEEE I am willing to forgive that, since I really enjoyed reading it, it had light hearted moments, and moments where I both cried so much I needed a break from reading, and also moments where I was laughing a lot Ok coming back, vol. 6 Best volume out of them all, including the Spin-off(that would be my 2nd favorite related to the series) I'm mostly going to talk about the end and Akira's relationship with Al First of all, if you don't like Akira, fuck you, to that comment with a lot of likes saying "who cares about akira who can't even come to terms with his feelings", literally WHAT????????????????????? Something that I've seen a lot of comments, both novel and manga, and people's perception in their relationship and they feel like Akira doesn't love, or even like Al YOU WOULD BE WRROOOOOONNGGGGG My god, Akira's kindness is splashed around during all the volumes, you don't even have to read between the lines, it's right there, and of course I know kindness doesn't equal to liking not loving, but it starts as that, because that's all Akira knows how to give(we learn through the spin-off why he's the way he is yadayayada) but as the volumes progress, there's a lingering feeling on both sides and they both don't know how to express it, but it shows they care for each other more than anything, Akira willingly giving out his blood, patting him in his head both un human and bat form, letting Al work both in the funeral home and in his acting career, looking out for him, etc etc And I would be willing to be that during that time he started eating ice cream, he was becoming more conscious with his feelings, but knowing Akira's past and his idea that no matter what, people are just going to leave him, or lie to him, or betray him, or use him, he felt the need to let go before he got hurt again, he has never depended, nor was vulnerable with anyone before, as to not get hurt, so he had to protect himself And then they situation with Kaito happened Really liked the mystery aspect, one of the things that bothered me in this volume, is that Al would always talked about wanting to become independent and look for a job, but a lot of the scenes in the novel where just, Al as a bat following and being with Akira again, which yl, understandable, but dude, we're would talking so proudly about wanting to be an equal with Akira? Besides that, I feel like this time it does makes sense, because it correlates with Al's main ideal, being able to help Akira on hiw own way, not being dependent on him, and standing as an equal, knowing that in Akira's place, he would've gone through the same lengths for Al. But okay, now the end, chapters 11 and 12 were fucking AMAZING, I cried like a baby, AND THE EXTRA TOO!!! After Akira's confrontation with Kaito, he can't help but feel guilt, the same guilt that has been following him since he was born, from the divorce of his parents, to his guilt of having to be taken care of in his aunt's house, repeatedly being abused both physically and verbally, his guilt at the facility for the harrasment he's been facing, both his caretaker and the directions fake care, Al's first encounter with a murderer, Ishimoto's death, and now Kaito's life Somethings he's been living with for his whole life, piling in his shoulders, has finally being confirmed As much as he tries to reason with it, he knows, he knows it's not true, but can't help not feeling it, that gut wrenching feeling of despair, that idea that maybe if he just didn't exist, none of that would've happened, but for the first time in forever, he had someone that believed in him Al didn't know much about Akira's past, but he was willing to look past through that and fully believed in Akira, everyone that has ever cared and loved him was But Al was there, willing to give his all for Akira Something that I really like about their relationship is that both gave each other what the other wanted the most, Al, after his first death, longed for normalcy, for friends and a house, a warm comfortable place he could go back to, he wanted empathy and understanding for his nonhuman self, the kindness of it, to be treated as how he was before. Akira wanted to be chosen, prioritized, finally be someone's option, for someone to love him, care for him, someone he could trust completely, someone to be by his side, without lying or betraying him in any way, someone loyal he could spend the rest of his days. In a way, they complement each other so well, not only their dynamic, but everything else too They were even willing to marry each other, if it wasn't such a pain in the ass for Akira jajajaja A lot of comments saying how Akira doesn't love him, but I completely disagree, he, more than anyone knows how to love, but never feeling that love being reciprocated, nor even received by the other person(like in his aunt when she blamed him, after he tried to protect her, or how the principal lied to him) he only knows how to react bluntly at such direct words that Al uses When Al tell him to not feel guilty, to let it go, to live his future, because as much as the past hurts, the future CAN be happy, Akira cries at the possibility of it, as the idea of him really deserving that, finally letting the tears flow, Al too, crying his share for Akira's countless years he hold it in for the sake for others Akira, that all he knows is how to be kind to others, no matter what, was never kind to himself, as Al lets this path for Akira to begin The kindest man, that Al has fallen in love with. Sure, they're love wasn't as affectionate, but yall can't just change Akira out of nowhere, that wouldn't be ideal I personally feel Akira's love PLASTERED in the whole novel, and ofc, Al's love too <3 Something that I also really liked is the way they handled Akira's mourning after his comfrontation with Kaito, how they describe his little but subtle changes, attention to detail to perfection. Ok that's all, if I remember what else I wanted to day I'll add it too, thank you for coming to my teddy talk, go read the novel, I gotta sleep, bye
This is my review from both the novel and what I've read from the manga so far, so if you're not interested in GETTING SPOILED, DO NOT READ THIS
As much as I would love to give it a 10/10, I would definitely be able to say that it is not perfect, BUT OMG I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT, INCLUDING THE SPIN-OFF
The story would've been really different with out it, so I appreciate that
Overall a 8.9/10
The first time I read the manga, it's plot really captivaded me, it was just so silly, and serious at times, the artstyle is amazing both manga and novel, and even as a hopeless romantic, that mostly reads romance, I was very satisfied with their relarionship
There're certain parts that I enjoyed more in the novel than in the manga, and viceversa, but if I had to choose one, I'd definitely say, I prefer the novel
Something about the pace of it did bother me a bit, since some parts felt a little to streched out with nowhere to go, and some other where just, skipped? For example, SPOILERS!!! after Akira left Al in America with Kyiv and Pat, I felt like focusing more on Stan's story was really unnecessary, I like the start of that volume, we were able to see Al in a complete different environment without Akira. As much as he loved him and longed for him, he had to realize that he was too dependent on Akira
I liked a lot of the monologues Al gave about the reasons why he didn't want to become a full vampire
The whole codependency was completely driven on this idea that for Al to become something of importance to Akira, for Akira to worry and care for Al(or at least demonstrate his kindness or love at certain point) he had to be imperfect, he had to be a broken vampire, knowing this, and Al still being conscious of how much of a burden he was becoming to Akira, he just wasn't able to accept it
As much as he could profess his love to Akira, tell him constantly that he wasn't going to leave his side, he still didn't grasp the idea of death for both him and Akira, the possibility of it, the sadness and grief that comes with it
That one chapter where Kyiv threatens him to shoot his heart with a silver bullet, is truly crucial for Al to understand his situation at the moment, and be able to move on, which at some point he does, 6 whole months, BUT here comes my problem, because they already had set up something with how Stan was presented in the previous volume, and also the whole hijacking arc, they couldn't just brushed it off, it all connects, and Stan' s attempt to kill Al becomes crucial to Al's transformation, of course, he was turned against his will because it was the only way for him to not die at that moment, so it also forces Al to confront all these insecurities and thoughts about Akira not wanting him if he's not imperfect, but it just,,, doesn't happen? Apparently his only worry now is that fact that Akira might now like him because he has black eyes and black hair now? (Like really, he mentions this like 3 times and even tries to dye his hair), and I mean, it's understandable in a way???? He's more focused on Stan, who literally just tried to kill him and also was damaging Richard's legacy and popularity by horrible rumors, but the whole volume is about Stan, and when Al decides to go back to Japan, they're all like "ig you're ready :)" (kinda) and Al decides about how he wants to become an equal, be independent, be someone that can stan along Akira and someone Akira could rely on maybe one day, which is nice! And does happen!!! But they just also, skipped the supposedly "training" that Al goes through with his powers, and also we don't get to see more of Pat, nor Kyiv later on until a few mentions at the end(which is why I liked that they added small novels of some characters and even some of Kyiv's story in the manga)
But here comes the last volume, I personally, LOVED IT, probably my favorite one
But first let me complain about my main issue, and it's the fact that, omg the plotwist is the same thing in different situations and different people, and as someone said in the comments, it's almost comical how it has happened that they've encountered murderers, A TOTAL OF 6 VOLUMES, AND IN ALL OF THOSE 6, THERE'S A MURDERER IN EVERY SINGLE ONEEEE
I am willing to forgive that, since I really enjoyed reading it, it had light hearted moments, and moments where I both cried so much I needed a break from reading, and also moments where I was laughing a lot
Ok coming back, vol. 6
Best volume out of them all, including the Spin-off(that would be my 2nd favorite related to the series)
I'm mostly going to talk about the end and Akira's relationship with Al
First of all, if you don't like Akira, fuck you, to that comment with a lot of likes saying "who cares about akira who can't even come to terms with his feelings", literally WHAT?????????????????????
Something that I've seen a lot of comments, both novel and manga, and people's perception in their relationship and they feel like Akira doesn't love, or even like Al
YOU WOULD BE WRROOOOOONNGGGGG
My god, Akira's kindness is splashed around during all the volumes, you don't even have to read between the lines, it's right there, and of course I know kindness doesn't equal to liking not loving, but it starts as that, because that's all Akira knows how to give(we learn through the spin-off why he's the way he is yadayayada) but as the volumes progress, there's a lingering feeling on both sides and they both don't know how to express it, but it shows they care for each other more than anything, Akira willingly giving out his blood, patting him in his head both un human and bat form, letting Al work both in the funeral home and in his acting career, looking out for him, etc etc
And I would be willing to be that during that time he started eating ice cream, he was becoming more conscious with his feelings, but knowing Akira's past and his idea that no matter what, people are just going to leave him, or lie to him, or betray him, or use him, he felt the need to let go before he got hurt again, he has never depended, nor was vulnerable with anyone before, as to not get hurt, so he had to protect himself
And then they situation with Kaito happened
Really liked the mystery aspect, one of the things that bothered me in this volume, is that Al would always talked about wanting to become independent and look for a job, but a lot of the scenes in the novel where just, Al as a bat following and being with Akira again, which yl, understandable, but dude, we're would talking so proudly about wanting to be an equal with Akira?
Besides that, I feel like this time it does makes sense, because it correlates with Al's main ideal, being able to help Akira on hiw own way, not being dependent on him, and standing as an equal, knowing that in Akira's place, he would've gone through the same lengths for Al.
But okay, now the end, chapters 11 and 12 were fucking AMAZING, I cried like a baby, AND THE EXTRA TOO!!!
After Akira's confrontation with Kaito, he can't help but feel guilt, the same guilt that has been following him since he was born, from the divorce of his parents, to his guilt of having to be taken care of in his aunt's house, repeatedly being abused both physically and verbally, his guilt at the facility for the harrasment he's been facing, both his caretaker and the directions fake care, Al's first encounter with a murderer, Ishimoto's death, and now Kaito's life
Somethings he's been living with for his whole life, piling in his shoulders, has finally being confirmed
As much as he tries to reason with it, he knows, he knows it's not true, but can't help not feeling it, that gut wrenching feeling of despair, that idea that maybe if he just didn't exist, none of that would've happened, but for the first time in forever, he had someone that believed in him
Al didn't know much about Akira's past, but he was willing to look past through that and fully believed in Akira, everyone that has ever cared and loved him was
But Al was there, willing to give his all for Akira
Something that I really like about their relationship is that both gave each other what the other wanted the most, Al, after his first death, longed for normalcy, for friends and a house, a warm comfortable place he could go back to, he wanted empathy and understanding for his nonhuman self, the kindness of it, to be treated as how he was before. Akira wanted to be chosen, prioritized, finally be someone's option, for someone to love him, care for him, someone he could trust completely, someone to be by his side, without lying or betraying him in any way, someone loyal he could spend the rest of his days.
In a way, they complement each other so well, not only their dynamic, but everything else too
They were even willing to marry each other, if it wasn't such a pain in the ass for Akira jajajaja
A lot of comments saying how Akira doesn't love him, but I completely disagree, he, more than anyone knows how to love, but never feeling that love being reciprocated, nor even received by the other person(like in his aunt when she blamed him, after he tried to protect her, or how the principal lied to him) he only knows how to react bluntly at such direct words that Al uses
When Al tell him to not feel guilty, to let it go, to live his future, because as much as the past hurts, the future CAN be happy, Akira cries at the possibility of it, as the idea of him really deserving that, finally letting the tears flow, Al too, crying his share for Akira's countless years he hold it in for the sake for others
Akira, that all he knows is how to be kind to others, no matter what, was never kind to himself, as Al lets this path for Akira to begin
The kindest man, that Al has fallen in love with.
Sure, they're love wasn't as affectionate, but yall can't just change Akira out of nowhere, that wouldn't be ideal
I personally feel Akira's love PLASTERED in the whole novel, and ofc, Al's love too <3
Something that I also really liked is the way they handled Akira's mourning after his comfrontation with Kaito, how they describe his little but subtle changes, attention to detail to perfection.
Ok that's all, if I remember what else I wanted to day I'll add it too, thank you for coming to my teddy talk, go read the novel, I gotta sleep, bye