Responses
Wow, I didn’t think explaining why there are so many negative comments on this thing would get me so many dislikes! I stick by my opinion though. I’m always going to like this series regardless but people are mad and they’re mad for a reason and it’s the reason above.
In both stories they are not far apart in age but they are in VERY different points in life. Nike has just started to be in her teens while Livi is still a child, he’ll be a teen soon but that doesn’t make it any less jarring especially because we live in a different era and I would never think this relationship acceptable usually. Which is why I appreciate the fact that while Livi has made attempts to seduce Nike it is abundantly clear no relationship is going to form yet but it will eventually. This is where the anime and manga begin to veer into different courses. The audience doesn’t want to see anymore of Livi the child, it has been years and they want an adult Livi and the mangaka doesn’t ever address this important issue and instead puts importance into the world building and the politics. Now while the politics and the world building are great, it is pushed aside by most readers because of the redundancy of Nike being kidnapped, put in danger, and ultimately disappearing to show the world and/or the development of Livi’s character. It’s boring, uncomfortable, and unnecessary to most people. I assume after this arc closes there is a possibility of a fast forward in time as Livi waits for Nike because everything that the author wanted to show of the world they already did. However, at this point it’s too little too late for most readers because again, it’s been years. The audience is frustrated, they wanted romance and it’s clear the author has plans to not deliver. Waiting until the last few chapters to show a vague image of an adult Livi and Nike who we as an audience aren’t as connected to and we can’t see ourselves how they’ll actually be together is probably how this story will end and that isn’t what anyone wants. I’ll read till the end and I won’t hate either the manga or anime but I will always prefer the anime version.