Heh. So, I've seen this manga a lot before while lurking, but I intentionally avoided it, thinking it was shota-con and I didn't feel comfortable with it. But then I saw a reply in a forum recommending the manga COMPLEX and said that it's very good and the relationship progressed from childhood to adulthood, so I got interested. When I saw the cover, I felt reluctant again, but decided to give it a try... and I'm glad I did.
I can say that this manga is a very memorable manga. I love it for the most part, but I won't deny that I disliked some parts. I'm one of those who got really disappointed with Tatsuya, because his betrayal was the turning point of this story. I also disliked Takako (the woman) because he manipulated and took advantage of Tatsuya, but I know that nothing would've happened if he didn't act on the provocation. It's his fault that we had our hearts broken, yet why did he have that contented, normal life? I'm not saying he didn't deserve to be happy because he made a mistake, but I at least wanted him to be remorseful! It's one thing to sleep with a woman and get her pregnant, so you'll marry her out of sense of responsibility, but it's another thing if this happens while you are in a deep relationship.
He fell in love with Junichi and made him fall for him after some time, co-habitated, publicly announced their relationship, and even worked in the same company just because he wanted to always be with him. So I can't truly understand his betrayal, despite the fact that he did it out of fear and insecurity. But, c'mon. He's been through worse, and if he at least believed in his love for Junichi, he wouldn't even be able to touch that girl, knowing her intention.
There's too much to say about his betrayal, but I'm moving on anyway. I felt like Kenta's romance being included here is pointless. I don't mean that it's pointless because it showed us the decisions he made as he grew up with gay parents, but because I believe it could've been put into a separate story. Kenta and Manabu's story wasn't even properly presented. I get that the mangaka probably intended to show us how two guys' relationship will go if the other chooses to remain friends and live the straight path instead of being influenced by his confused feelings and the environment he grew up with. I think the story could go deeper, especially because of Manabu's background, and him falling for Kenta may just be a result of him being there when there was no one else was... So maybe if he met another person whom he could connect with, he may either feel differenlty for Kenta or it could prove that his love for Kenta's strong enough that even if he were to add a few people in his life, Kenta would still be the only one he loves romantically.
Overall, I loved how Tatsuya and Junichi lived happily in love despite the problems they faced. It could've been better if they focused more on Tatsuya and Junichi though, instead of mixing Kenta's story in.
Heh. So, I've seen this manga a lot before while lurking, but I intentionally avoided it, thinking it was shota-con and I didn't feel comfortable with it. But then I saw a reply in a forum recommending the manga COMPLEX and said that it's very good and the relationship progressed from childhood to adulthood, so I got interested. When I saw the cover, I felt reluctant again, but decided to give it a try... and I'm glad I did.
I can say that this manga is a very memorable manga. I love it for the most part, but I won't deny that I disliked some parts. I'm one of those who got really disappointed with Tatsuya, because his betrayal was the turning point of this story. I also disliked Takako (the woman) because he manipulated and took advantage of Tatsuya, but I know that nothing would've happened if he didn't act on the provocation. It's his fault that we had our hearts broken, yet why did he have that contented, normal life? I'm not saying he didn't deserve to be happy because he made a mistake, but I at least wanted him to be remorseful! It's one thing to sleep with a woman and get her pregnant, so you'll marry her out of sense of responsibility, but it's another thing if this happens while you are in a deep relationship.
He fell in love with Junichi and made him fall for him after some time, co-habitated, publicly announced their relationship, and even worked in the same company just because he wanted to always be with him. So I can't truly understand his betrayal, despite the fact that he did it out of fear and insecurity. But, c'mon. He's been through worse, and if he at least believed in his love for Junichi, he wouldn't even be able to touch that girl, knowing her intention.
There's too much to say about his betrayal, but I'm moving on anyway. I felt like Kenta's romance being included here is pointless. I don't mean that it's pointless because it showed us the decisions he made as he grew up with gay parents, but because I believe it could've been put into a separate story. Kenta and Manabu's story wasn't even properly presented. I get that the mangaka probably intended to show us how two guys' relationship will go if the other chooses to remain friends and live the straight path instead of being influenced by his confused feelings and the environment he grew up with. I think the story could go deeper, especially because of Manabu's background, and him falling for Kenta may just be a result of him being there when there was no one else was... So maybe if he met another person whom he could connect with, he may either feel differenlty for Kenta or it could prove that his love for Kenta's strong enough that even if he were to add a few people in his life, Kenta would still be the only one he loves romantically.
Overall, I loved how Tatsuya and Junichi lived happily in love despite the problems they faced. It could've been better if they focused more on Tatsuya and Junichi though, instead of mixing Kenta's story in.