Koe No Katachi
Cried so much I had to stop because I couldn't see the pages. An incredible story that completely destroys you, heart wrenching and so engaging you won't want to put it down until you see how it ends. There are some really detestable characters that I just can't forgive or understand, but for the most part it takes you into the head of the bad guy and you see inside them what drove their actions and how they think and how they change and overcome. It's painful and hopeful and ends much like real life with so many possibilities. It truely touched me and although I've gotten used to the concrete formulaic endings, I appreciate the vague ambiguity of the future.
Nigai no Theme
I'm rereading this in 2021 and I feel the same in that I'm not sure how I should feel about it at all. I guess I'm mostly sad for all the heartbreak within the story. But the end was positive and showed them moving forward despite it all. Rather than the ending being too rushed I think the beginning of his cheating makes no sense. I dont understand why he slept with him to begin with...though perhaps he was just charmed by him and it was on impulse. Cause he (the club leader) was a really good guy until the very end. I think he fell to lust and couldn't stop despite knowing what he was doing was wrong. I think this a good portrayal of taking a relationship for granted and following urges that don't really match your heart. Because I do think that he still loved Arata the whole time, but also knew that if he kept up this dalliance sex may turn into feelings. I'm quite surprised about Arata wanting to stay with him but I'm also impressed by his love for na-chan. And I do think the violence was something out of his nature and very unlikely to repeat itself. But its all so heart wrenching that he was pushed to that breaking point, that Na-Chan accepted it as love and forgave him for it. Its all so sad that it escalated to those heights. This story is really quite heartbreaking. I felt sad even thought it ended happily...it was rushed and unresolved. I’m mixed. There wasnt enough time for me to forgive either of them. The senpai was really good person that I can say certainly, I hope he gets his own happy ever after. Should those two be together? I was so hopeful in the beginning too, now i could understand a slap, but beating him like that is... :( I do think someone can learn and come back from it, and never do it again, but only after much help and healing. And i do believe he loved him, but it wasnt enough to stop him from seeking his own pleasure with someone else. I dont think they can return, but i do appreciate the attempt at a mature retrieval. It just didnt get there for me. It was an interesting plot and characters, its just needs more.
Smells Like Green Spirit