pluckaduck's manga / #unrequited love(11)

i actually enjoyed this. it's a well-written subversion of the typical stories with generic plots like these. based on the generalized events, it'll seem like another cliche bl/hetero story where the mc falls for ml first, persistently pursues, and succeeds, but the relationship is rocky cuz the ml treats the mc like shit, so mc has had enough and breaks up. and ml proceeds to regret and try to win her/him back. this, but the story is self-aware about the lovebombing and the ramifications and doesn't romanticize it like several other bl stories do. usually the way the mls would just become stalker-ish after the breakups is so unrealistic, but this story explains the reason well. and it felt rather more pathetic than cathartic ngl. granted, it was very cathartic how mc was just so cold to him and seeing ml so desperate like a stray dog... but this wasn't written to be cathartic and romantic. it actually showed how messed up the situation is. mc is toxic, but in a realistic way. he seemed pretty normal when he was still together with the ml, but his other twisted side reveals itself when he breaks up with him. the way he just lost interest, and was even disgusted by the ml who was acting all clingy, yet simultaneously felt pleasure seeing how the ml was reduced to such a mess.... it's so goddamn realistic. and what makes it better is that this is pointed out several times in this story. tbh, the most healthy ending would be if they should've cut off ties... but i also think they're meant for each other. i hate it when the mc stupidly goes back to ml cuz they choose to believe in him again, but this actually feels right. ml really went crazy here, and he knows it- he knows what mc did was lovebombing but he cant help it. he willingly ruined his reputation to make mc feel guilty and unable to extricate himself from his life... man, that was toxic asf... but i loved it ngl.

ch 18. haha i always thought Brocoli-head would look good with cheerful blondie. even tho he looks weird, he's a good guy who deserves the girl waayyy more than mc, who's a creepy edgy dude. man it was really interesting how realistic the story was, also i found it kinda funny how some scenes were dramatized even tho the context was very silly... very chuuni lol. honestly seemed like ur typical school life harem with a creep mc, but it is far from it, it can even be said to be a subversion of this trope. it is so well-written with realistically flawed charas. the narrative is very self-aware. his personal growth was really really great, and while i still think his friend brocoli-head and cheerful blondie forgave him too quickly, i am so happy for him that they did. but the love interest felt very random, she was kitahara's bully but was suddenly re-introduced as his love interest? it's kinda rushed, considering he jacked off to her and came on her clothes... like i dont mind, but i wish she was as fleshed out as kitahara. and what if kitahara doesn't forgive her bully? what will mc do, since he essentially said that he'll support her?

the story is complex and twisted, but it could be executed better. for example, i want to see how they know the mc killed his son- bc no one else was in the room where it happened, and the narrative didnt show if anyone was near the scene to see what happened... also, it would be nice to flesh out the father's angst more- eg. adding more details depicting his conflicting burning hatred towards mc and his despair and love for his late son. overall it was ok, this kind of premise is interesting but could be hard to tackle so im not complaining much, but i wont be rereading

ch5. damnn... unrequited love rocks when its actually angsty this is everything I ever want in bl. i want it not strictly bl, but with bl elements that are delved into, and grounded themes many can relate to. such as reconciling and dealing with unrequited feelings for someone of the same gender. i love how everything mc learns with each character culminates into an intense montage of mc being so utterly torned over the revelation that his childhood friend was in love with him. it turned everything upside down, but mc wouldn't have responded so maturely without having those discussions with mani about girls and boys being friends, and masuo and his friends' consultation about homophobia. i have to admit, i was with the girl duo's opinion but shingo's logical counterargument and masuo's disclosure about his being molested really put masuo's homophobic feelings into perspective. that was probably my favorite part of the story.

the premise that they're such young looking dolls for humans in the first place, is kinda concerning. the concept is certainly unique, and the story does explore different types of love, the chara designs are really cute, but... it kinda falls short of its potential. it might be bc of the limited premise; there's only so much u can do with dolls + love in the first place, but i think it could've been more succint, and certain areas could be explored more

ending was rushed. the concept intrigued me, but the storytelling was bland. could've been more intense and sorrowful. also, they deserved it.

first story wasnt all that sad. the art is really nice tho. the uke didn't feel fleshed out enough for me to care. if the mangaka intended his entire characterization to be miserable, regretful, and pitiful, then they succeeded. bc he has no other personality. he feels like a plot device instead of a person. and it doesnt feel particularly sad or angsty bc of the seme. i was bitterly thinking how nice that the seme is so kind and gentle and conveniently there to comfort, save, and baby him. tho, my callousness might be attributed to my lack of love life, so i cant relate to his situation much.