The only thing I don't understand is why Rachel's group follows her. I admit she's very cunning antagonist (however not cunning enough to realise that she was being used by the FUG) but I fail to see how her group feels any fidelity towards her. When I compare her to the members in her group she is lacking.
And when I feel like i've underestimated her, she comes face to face with Bam but the power difference to me is still evident. I do agree that antagonist's don't always have to be powerful in terms of strength, but I do think that there has to be a balance in ability. It only seems she has an emotional affect on Bam, which I do find interesting. Also, her wish to see the stars is fairly interesting, but ultimately everyone climbing the tower wants to achieve some kind of wish, the only difference is the dubious simplicity of her wish, so the difference in her goal to other contestants doesn’t excite me that much. However, the truth behind this clearly has more depth than the author currently lets us in on.
I think why everyone and myself hate Rachel is that she is able to achieve her goals through others and it seems to me that the only skill she excels in is deceit. In addition, her jealousy towards Bam leads her to betray him, whilst obviously used as a tool by the FUG. Also Bam continues to pursue Rachel in order to receive an explanation as to why she betrayed him, this frustrates me as I believe Bam should be destined to achieve greater goals (there probably will be), than to affirm that there was a good reason behind her betrayal and that they are still bound by friendship. But I know I can’t relate to Bam and how he feels about their friendship. Because of this she is very easy to hate, and if this is the authors intention then they’re doing a very good job at it.
Overall, I can’t see any major developments in Rachel's character since the time she betrayed Bam. Though somethings got me believing that Rachel is not the main antagonist of this manga. But we’ll see :)
One thing, Rachel isn't an antagonist, and you can bet and see for yourself that Baam doesn't see her that way either. The mistery about why Fug work with Rachel might be related to Baam. I think the higher ups think that keeping her and helping her is a way to keep Baam at sight and, maybe in the future, make him join them for once as a weapon to dethrone Zahard.
What i resume is that Rachel is a hostage of Fug that has an Stockholm Syndrome when they make her think that they will make her wish true, when their true goal is to own Baam as the ultimate weapon for victory over who rule the Tower.
By the way, i see coming a HUGE development for Rachel. If u look around, there isn't any facts about Rachel's characters that could be taken for sure, so i bet that is a must that is pending and well reserved by SIU. When that development arrives, that will be an assured plot twist.
I do agree that the FUG may be using Rachel as an incentive for Baam to keep climbing the tower as well as keeping a close eye on him. And frankly, i'm not just interested in Baam's perspective of Rachel, it's evident to me that Baam does not see Rachel as an antagonist as she saved him from his loneliness, though i'd probably argue that people like Koon do see her as one.
Also, I am interested in where Rachel came from and how she came to meet Baam, as well as the truth behind her dream of seeing the stars that the author constantly reminds us of. There possibly may be soon coming changes in Rachel's character but in all honesty, up until now I don't believe in her and the character she is built up to be.
I duuunooo maybe it will change xxxx ╮(─▽─)╭
I mentioned Baam's perspective cuz he is the only one that knows rachel, or at least more than any other. Baam too have been seen as a villian for almost everybody except for Koon that is, somewhat, considering him a friend and Rak that sees him as a turtle (also friend xD), putting aside all the females that had crush on him, everybody else at least consider him a threat to their dreams and goals. Thats, in my opinion, the good thing about this manhwa. There is no Bad y definitely there is no Good, every single one have to work his ass the best they can to reach their goal, or else for what reason were they summoned at the tower?
Yaaay! we've established that the manhwa isn't black and white in terms of the characters. Well done! (~￣▽￣)~
I agree with everything you said.
Firstly, even if Baam doesn't oppose her nor hates her, I think she's definetely an antagonist in the storyline. Although I admit it's unknown if whe's the main "villian ", and her rol as antagonist may even change, later on.
Secondly, I agree that antagonists have to be as strong as the protagonists, not necessarily in terms of physical strenght, but in inteligence, or special abilities. An I'm also very confused, because I keep on waiting to see Rachel strenght, and I see nothing. About her development as a character, that is difficult to see because we know almost nothing about her and her journey.That's why, I think we will learn the reasons that explain how could she climb the tower so fast, what is and which is the extent of her "strenght", and why FUG needs her, after the author shows us Rachel's own story.
Thirdly, althought I do not know yet if Rachel has anything that makes her "special" on her own, I think FUG is using her at least for two reasons: because she has a big influence in Baam actions and simply because she's willing to do and sacrifice anything for her dream. I mean, the fact of someone being ready to "sell her own soul, and be condemned for eternity", in exange of the power to reach an ambition... that could be very dangerous.
Fourthly, I may be giving her too much credit, but I believe Rachel knows that FUG is using her. She seems to be the kind of person who plans everything in advance, considering different course of action, depending in the outcomes (even the possibility of betrayal or new allies or being thrown away by FUG).
Fifthly (sorry if it's not a word), I believe two reasons could explain why the members of Rachel's group follow her, despite her apparent weakness: because their boss told them to (I think FUG is a hierarchical organization), or because she's a charismatic leader. I think it's very probable that Rachel is one of those persons who can persuade people to follow her just by talking to them, or with a dreamlike ideal, like the Hitler/Jesus/Dalai Lama tipe of leaders. I mean, we all have seen the worst of her and her hypocricy, but before betraying Baam, she was nice to him, and taught him lots of things... maybe she can be nice and very charming? I have a strong feeling her colleagues rejected her at first, thinking " why do I have to follow a little girl who is weaker than me", and that she did something to surprise them and convince them to acknowledge her. But, who knows?
AAAYYYAAAAA, I refuse this ending!!! Though I love this manga, and it's one of the first ones i've read, the ending didn't feel "final". I dunno, I kinda wanted to see teru and kurosaki in the distant future being all happy and stuff....
(╯3╰)
I want to see them get married(๑•ㅂ•)و✧
I would also love to see that please.....
Ikr I thought that there will be a chapter like that since there were so many special chapters Σ(っ°Д °;)っ ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
yeah me too!! >n<
I dunno i'm kinda happy the author didn't exaggerate miyamura's and hori's first time, kinda feels more real. It's usually the highlight in some shoujo manga's, but i don't really think thats how the author wanted it. Not that I don't enjoy occasional sexy times, but I think this manga does pretty great without milking the idea.
It was a shock to all of us because it was so sudden. But I think it makes it so much more realistic. This manga is so refreshing!
Same. I'm glad it wasnt made into some cheesy holy ceremony the way some shoujo handle it. In shoujo I can practically hear cherubs singing, bells ringing, and see flowers everywhere when the main couple does it for the first time.
oh my god, waiting for the next chapter. Kaneki's gonna let loose and go into badass mode!!! <3
wow....Akira's younger brother really scares me. Though i'd really love a chapter on why Jutta steals his brothers lovers. (Probably cause Jutta loves Akira)
╮(─▽─)╭
also do you think Jutta will try to steal Naoya?
(〜￣△￣)〜
Yeah, that's probably it... Since he tried to kiss him once. It's a toxic love, though, the kind that doesn't care about the loved person as long as they can monolize them... He is childish and selfish, like a boy with his favorite toy. He used to do it with Maya, too, but in a lighter way (probably because he wants to monopolize too, but not that much since he doesn't "love" Maya). I dislike him, but I dislike sensei more, because sensei was supposed to love him and protect him, yet knowing what meant for Akira he still did it with Jutta, that's the worst betrayal...
He'll probably try to steal Naoya, yep, and for the first time he'll experience the absolute rejection as it should be (๑•ㅂ•)و✧
Or he ends up going after Akira. This is getting dangerous.
He'll probably try but I think he wouldn't be able to steal him. Naoya is scary too!!
hahaha thats true Naoya is possessive and scary....in his own very sexy way (づ￣ ³￣)づ