The art: 10/10
The smutty monster sex: All you could ask for and more
The plot: 3/10
*mild spoilers and a small rant*
The only reason i gave it a three was the art and because I almost like the uke. The seme is just a scumbag with an unrequited love. From what I've seen in the chapters so far and spoilers is the same. Just another Stockholm torture-him-until-he-loves-me-back nightmare. I don't care that it's got a complex backstory or that it will be super sweet after they get together. It doesn't change the fact that the story is fundamentally built on a rapist fantasy that is unhealthy to read and should never be normalized.
BOTTOMLINE:
This could've been the best story you read all year, but the author was too lazy to give the characters a reason to fall in love.
Seriously tho? Is it too much to ask for? If the uke had just been a random gay buff dude who was super enthusiastic from the start it would've been perfect.
Ah omg, ik the wizard looks so sus and thats freaking real...feel bad for the uke.
what?
Pls tell me where u got Raws! Thx
Lol this makes no sense
The moment I saw those tentacles, I knew this wasn't going to be a deep and serious story. This is the type that has plot to give context to the sex, basically every hentai ever. ╮(￣▽￣)╭
I had a stroke reading that
I've read enough yaoi to understand you need to relax your irl standards somewhat but but the fact that you have no problem with how the story starts concerns me. I'm not sure what you mean by mentioning a prince on a white horse either, but non consensual sex is not something to be romanticized. Even if it's your kink, there's a time and place. Portraying it as a lighthearted or funny way to begin a romance novel is disturbing.
I guess where I stand is that if you are going to be unrealistic (say have a plot with a porn-like nonsensical instant sex lead in) there's no reason to make it noncon. It also can go from a "bad start" to a romance without rape. You can even have crazy monster sex at the same time!
This one is a perfect example:
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/hot_summer_star_vacation/
But I'm not just pointing out the morality here, having no chemistry between the characters other than sexual tension following a sexual assault is just lazy writing tbh. It shows the author put in little effort to actually develop the characters and story and is completely unoriginal. (the inability to create good tension means you are a bad writer) Having read the author's other work I know that they can create tension, but struggle to release tension at appropriate times to create a good reading experience.
If you want some of the "bad start good ending" alternatives I recommend these:
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/oshiete_ookami_san/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/yasashii_pantsu_no_nugasekata/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/isso_koe_ga_nakattara/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/tenshi_no_sasayaki_wa_akuma_wo_otosu/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/que_sera_sera/ (non yaoi)
If you really want stories that portray the outcomes of sexual assault, even just an attempt, in any realistic kind of way I recommend these:
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/kasegimasen_kara/
(for the more feint of heart, a fabulous read btw)
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/yondaime_ooyamato_tatsuyuki/
(for the hardcore fans that want some grit and realistic trauma)
Uhh yikes
your mindset is literally an example of the consequences of romanticizing and normalizing rape in yaoi :(
It should never be “the rape is ok because they fall in love anyway” but rather “they should not have fallen in love because rape is not ok”
Dub con and non con are prevalent in yaoi and have been since its inception. This is because of a lack of understanding and immaturity on the part of the authors (or at least that's my opinion) but even I read them. Why? Because I try to choose manga that have other redeeming features that make them worth reading. More recent stories have included better plots and are more interesting to read.
HOWEVER
There have been studies done that show that reading many stories that feature non-con make more people rationalize it and make it seem like a normal behavior. There's a reason one of my most used tag on this site is Fluff. I try to mix dramatic or stressful manga with manga that are good for the soul that are healthy reads. I recommend this for anyone who reads manga, yaoi in particular.
"you can't get the feeling of rape" is a phrase that makes me feel uncomfortable
They were earlier in the comments, you probably already found them but just in case here they are
https://newtoki95.com/webtoon/8624476/%EC%97%90%EB%A1%9C?page=2&toon=BL%2FGL+%EB%A7%88%EB%B2%95%EC%82%AC%EC%9D%98+%EC%97%B0%EA%B5%AC%EC%9D%BC%EC%A7%80
I didn’t say you were normalizing it, I said the authors were, and because the authors normalized it so much, you have become desensitized to it.
i understand what you mean by this one wasnt as “serious” because it seemed more comical compared to others like “Painter of the Night” or something, but you have to still acknowledge it as rape because it undoubtedly is. and the fact that authors use rape as a ‘trigger that leads to love’ is problematic.
preach!
If the seme did any of that sh*t to me. I'd claw his eyes out~. ;)
That's the normal, healthy reaction. Not falling in love.
Well i don’t actually read those manga anymore nor do I really like them
Reading the comments it seems I'm not the only one perturbed by the recent chapters. Not only has the author randomly put super modern flair in these chapters, it seems that they are unable to make the plot move forward while having the characters behave like themselves.
*mild spoilers if you haven't read the update*
case in point with the conversation with Crentine. The MC has endured far worse verbal insults, but she only loses her cool in this one situation. It just seemed like the author knew how the scene needed to play out and it didn't matter if that's actually how the character would behave.
Then there's the Harlem club scene. I like when manga mix genres and historical eras. It's cool to watch people in victorian wear use magic and modern technology, but this was too much. Not only did it feel out of place, but it made no sense (especially the 80's outfit that no 12 year old should wear). There is no way based on the setting that her upright noble family would allow her to travel without guard, even if she goes out with her teacher, especially at night. This just felt like the author conveniently forgot about the rules of the world they created to do something cool.
And I'll be honest, the Harlem club scene with no African Americans feels a bit racist to me. It's like denying something is so integral to jazz, R&B, and club singers. I'm well aware there were plenty of white club singers, but if that's what you're going with, just don't call it Harlem. (If you're going to rip off the real world you might as well go all the way and make a character based on Ella Fitzgerald)
I love how educated and analytical this comment is, and I wholeheartedly agree with you. I love the art and I was fine with how slow the story was as long as it was on track, but the way it went off track these last few chapters. I just hope it gets back on track and this singing at clubs doesn’t become a key component of the story from now on.
The latest chapter is such a shame. Another story I'll have to drop for the same reason. ╥﹏╥
To anyone thinking of reading this:
my advice would be to read the first 5 chapters and then stop.
Here's why:
*Spoilers*
The first couple sex scenes and fluff are worth reading.
But the pacing of the book after that is off and uncomfortable.
And as far as I'm concerned when an author is trying to write a warm and fluffy novel, showing one of them cheating and then immediately having a happy ending is shitty. Let's not even talk about the potential side couple.
So read the first five chapters and then move on without regrets.
I put this on-hold because I was waiting for more chapters, so I don't know about the cheating . Can you tell me who cheats/which couple it involves? Cheating is just something I hate so I'm probably going to drop this
Cheating is a strong word for it but basically, I would count it as such if it was my own relationship.
*SPOILERS*
Basically the uke decided to not date the Lucas and tries to be a dick to stop him from being interested. This just turns into a super hot S&M scene (yummy) but then after he calls off dating and breaks the seme's heart intentionally "because he's too young" then he heads straight to a gay bar to hook up with a rando. He then is unhappy because the rando wants to hook up again and hands him his card. He keeps the card to see this guy again but tells himself "it's for no reason" implying he feels guilty. This was hours or days after breaking up with the seme. Then not even a week later he is back on track for a happy ending with his sweetheart after "giving in to his feelings" but the one night stand is never discussed nor it the scumbag he hooked up with brought back for drama/reconciliation. It just feels out of place and makes him seem like a terrible person.
I get that most yaoi relationships, especially the fluffy/smutty ones, are unrealistic. Especially a story with an age gap. But the half hearted doses of realism are jarring and unnecessary imo. It's not like I expect all characters to be without flaws either, but the problem is that the author made the seme into a precious bean that is flawless. He IS the cinnamon roll we all love and deserve, so pairing him with an uke that is so flawed makes me uncomfortable. I would've preferred either both flawed or both perfect. If you don't know what I mean by flawed, refer to "If You Hate Me So" the second couple in that story are the villains in the love story of the first couple. Totally fucked up in the head, but watching them fall in love and accept each others flaws is so good to read. But in a relationship with a perfect character and an imperfect character, it will fall apart as soon as the perfect character finds out. The imperfect one will always be the one "one sidedly being accepted" and never have the moral high ground, not exactly good to read.
Long story short: I'm also not a fan of cheating in stories so there is definitely some bias here. This is far from the worst manga I've read, I just think it needed some editing here or there to make is worth reading for me personally.
Thanks for the reply! The story sounds like it became way too much of a headache for me to continue enjoying
I'm pretty bummed too, the art is so nice and the seme is so cute, but it happens
╥﹏╥
This is why I prefer stories where both main characters are evil/clever/vengeful. I love these characters but I fear there is too much to lose by keeping your nature secret
I feel like this manga exemplifies the need for a competent editor. With a few tweaks this could've been an amazing favorite of mine, but instead it's just frustrating thinking of how good it could've been.
To anyone considering reading this:
This has all the components of a good laidback childhood friend/age gap manga. But it just isn't a good or relaxing read and will probably stress you out.
If you want specifics here are spoilers:
**SPOILERS**
The seme is a manipulative jerk who goes without consequences for his actions and has no redeeming qualities.
The uke is just a normal kid who I honestly believe is not gay and just got taken advantage of. By the end it just seems like they will be together until the seme cheats on him in a little while.
Yeah its pretty disappointing. Its hard to find any bl manga without any of those traits. I just want some cute bl without.. yknow rape.
hello im sorry to interrupt but i think ur info is a bit misleading. what do u mean that the seme is manipulative jerk? which part of the story to be exact? bcs i dont think i saw any scene where he's being manipulative. or did i just skip some chapter or something. anyways, enlighten me please.
Why would he cheat on the boy if he liked him since middle school-
ummm hiii(￣∇￣") he exaclty played around with tons of girls while he liked him ??
And??? You're not allowed to be with anyone else just because you're in love with someone you're sure is straight/never going love you??? That's stupid.
If you want to stay loyal to your feelings, go for it, but there is no rule. If you're single, you're free to do whatever.
They had no relationship before, no compromise, now they DO and the seme has no reason to jeopardize that relationship.
actually i meant the times when uke said "why dont you go out with me, why it is not me" and seme just brushed him off and then he decided uke's feeling were just misunderstanding or sth like that. after that he continued to sleep around?? so i think in the future he might get insecure because he cant trust uke's words and feelings. and then booom you know whats next ┗( T﹏T )┛
But that's such a cliche, It happens in like, 9 out of every 10 stories, it's just the character who doesn't want to get their hopes up.
It's not uncommon for straight people to say they like the person that confessed to them just because they want to test their own sexuality and later on realizing they didn't actually like them or they prefer the oposite gender after all. No wants to be in that situation, specially if it's going to ruin a good friendship.
I still think it wouldn't make sense if the seme cheated on him after all they went through to believe each others feelings and accept each other. I think he values that deeply
yeah youre right IT REALLY HAPPENS IN ALMOST EVERY STORY. i mean i dont find you wrong and this explanation seems right to me. but i still dont find seme trustable. and also you said he didnt confess because he didnt wanna ruin their friendship but he just ignored him for years. its a minus for seme :/ still i think you are kinda right tho(≧∀≦) thank you for explanations ✧
It's alright, I'm always up for nice discussions, it's about a topic we all like after all ｡◕ω◕｡
indeed ヾ(☆▽☆)
Fr, like you aren't in a relationship yet, you can still like someone and have sex with a bunch of people. Maybe you're pent up so much about the person you like but since you like em you won't do it with them yet. So you do other people to release that tension (idk if my explanation is great,I'm still practicing English)
I was honestly hoping for a story about the original Anna. She seemed like a badass woman that was confident in her skin. When he said he preferred her this way, (sobbing, acting like a child, and not consenting instead of an enthusiastic participant) I was honestly grossed out.
You kinda have a point but it's cause he's a sadist
Yeah...but that's only cool when they have a safe word and the other party is consenting.
Im not trying to argue just want to make my point
From what i remember i don't think she said no, but even then that doesn't mean yes. Also she obeyed him so really she just a masochist in a way .