this was so… flat. it’s disappointing that with such a strong premise and interesting characters that all the author wants to do is write sex scenes every 3 chapters while the plot is in virtually the same place it’s been since ch.1.
his bff is probably gonna do some fucked up shit soon knowing this author
this work definitely employs racist and culturally appropriative tropes but it’s (almost) worse trait is that ogawa chise couldn’t even use those problematic aspects to at least create interesting character dynamics and a fresh narrative like they used to, nope just rehashed star crossed lovers and how the freedom to make your own choices is good *yawn*. the art is beautiful as always though and this comment isn’t an insult to readers who are enjoying this story, just stating my opinion on why *i* don’t.
it’s actually really interesting to me that the way the next scene everybody is dreading is written in the novel as less a rape scene (which it is) but more as a scene where taeui is frustrated that ilay decides to punish taeui and vent his frustrations on taeui’s body using forceful selfish “sex” that causes bodily harm instead of hearing him out first and THEN making his judgment on the incident of taeui “abandoning” him. in the aftermath, taeui is more mad about ilay’s refusal to have a healthy conversation with him and ilay’s lack of consideration for his pleasure + body, not necessarily all that bothered or traumatized by his rape. this type of portrayal on the authors end is why sa in romance novels is often considered romanticization because sa isn’t treated as the horrifying life altering violent crime that it is with lasting effects on the characters relationships not only with each other/the greater world but also with themselves (i.e. personal body image, changing how they socialize, and lasting mental health effects), but instead it’s used casually as a plot device to create romantic tension between the 2 leads.
Even though I agree that the primary focus of the next scene isn’t rape (ur right tho it is), it’s still one of my least favorite scenes of all three novels. I feel like it puts them right back to square one and tae’s thought are so upsetting. So I’m really dreading the next scene T-T
and those feelings are totally valid! the author didn’t have to use sa to create that romantic tension especially knowing the history of sex and violence in ilay and taeui’s relationship so it makes sense that instead of having the intended effect of simply ~mildly~ frustrating the readers and prolonging the “angst” even post love confession, it’s triggering and upsetting to readers instead. leaving them to feel like the author is undoing ilay’s “growth” and simply unnecessarily rehashing already existing emotional arcs which in turn hurts the characterization and weakens the overall romantic narrative. i will say though that the sequel, diaphonic symphonia, does do a much better job at re-establishing emotional growth in ilay and treats taeui and ilay’s romance with much more respect (if you can ignore the other couple lol).
Yes!! I love diaphonic symphonia for that reason, it feels like they are actually building trust and affection in their relationship, I really hope it gets a manwha adaptation for that reason, but ur right I think the other relationship might be a litttleee too problematic for some readers (although I would love to see Chris). Again though, even though I fully agree with your point on the next scene and thank you for agreeing w me too!! It’s uncomfortable but it does build their relationship even though it may be annoying with how it’s gone about,,ilay does listen to Tay after and they rekindle. I think scenes like that only work in this manwha and novel because of their personality’s, in my opinion both of them are stubborn and atp in their relationship tay understands ilay and his actions to some degree so he doesn’t start disliking ilay, i was just disappointed when I first read it but ds does clear it up. If it doesn’t get an adaptation I’m scared ilay will continue to be hated (I would understand why but it’s annoying his character growth is in another story).
are we supposed to gaf like i feel bad for the kid but then he grew up into a rapist so….
Like, most artists do this to make readers forget or easily forgive a character’s shitty actions, and I’m afraid it works every time. That’s why they keep giving the rapist a sad backstory, so we feel bad for them and eventually excuse their actions. Lol
Like fr!!! Feel for the shitty childhood but omg mf is a maniac rapist menace to society now so who really give a fuck
it feels crazy to say this considering how this manga started but i wasnt convinced of the ml’s feelings by the end of it. something about the way he couldn’t say ily to the mc and barely even comforted him when he was so very clearly suffering ruined it for me which really sucks bc i loved ch.1-4 :(
you’d think the author would care more about actually advancing the plot instead this roses and champagne parody but oh well. i can’t claim that sa in yaoi is completely disqualifying for me as a reader but it would be totally unnecessary in this story and ruin their characterization & relationship for no reason so i hope the author doesn’t go there.
author is definitely hinting at an alpha x alpha romance with the brother and the blind date guy.
the brother is probs in love with that other villian guy which is painfully boring tbh. i hate when people betrayed their loving family members or friends who have done nothing wrong towards them for “love” in stories. idk why the author is hiding his face though, it would suck if it took multiple more novels for this succession plotline to get resolved when not that much time has actually passed in universe.
he punched him with the arm he sprained?