(omg sorry this is so long, I didn’t know I’d feel so passionate abt this LMAO)
No I’m honestly on the same page, but for me it’s kind of like I’m also frustrated with these two’s motivations, like you started this all out gang war, got a bunch of people hurt/started all of this unnecessary drama, for TWO people to duke it out?? Like don’t get me wrong umemiya and takiishi are the two strongest fighters and whatnot and takiishi just wants to *feel something,* which is an eh motivation, it’s fine, but I can’t help but be frustrated by their motivation because they dragged *four* schools into this three-person beef.
And it’s not even beef, it’s just that this guy likes fighting, and endo likes takiishi (because he’s a beast? ok), I don’t feel sympathy for either endo or takiishi because there’s no stakes here, they basically got what they wanted? Like all they want is to fight and they’re essentially getting what they want already (plus the whole thing of wanting to turn the school into chaos), versus everyone else trying to keep the peace. It really just rubs me the wrong way that technically they’re involving civilians by doing this siege on the *whole town,* and it’s not even for an understandable reason. I can’t sit here without being like “these two are so goofy and for what” because they’re the only two people in this madness that is enjoying what is going on, and all of the characters we know and love are suffering because of ONE DUDE THAT WANTS TO FIGHT.
And by this chapter, now that the tides are turning and umemiya is starting to come back and fight with sakura’s encouragement, l think that this is where the author plans to leave their motivation for why endo and takishii are doing what they do, and I kinda feel mixed about it. Sure, simple motivations can be enough sometimes, but for the final battle? Like on a broader scale, umemiya and takiishi represent two eras of Bofurin, and umemiya is the only guy on takiishi’s fighting level I get that, but I’m not entirely understanding the stakes because it just feels personal, and in the progression of this “final battle” I already can track how it’s gonna pan, and it sucks that we start the comeback with flat antagonists that we can’t really empathize with, and can’t seemed to be reasoned with—which is fine, but they were built up from the start to have a lackluster impact/motivation, in my opinion at least.
yeeees, i get what you mean!! it’s hard to root for these two characters who’s motivation is to only stir up trouble and get their blood pumping. even with the backstory given for both endo and takiishi, we only saw that these two are “strong” and endo feeds on takiishi’s overwhelming strength to keep himself entertained. and ume is the “thing” that keeps takiishi entertained in turn, so endo does all this bs just so he can see takiishi “shine” like jshsjjs PLEASE GO TO THERAPY THE BOTH OF YOU
endo and takiishi at first were rlly interesting. like who are these two ppl going to such lengths (endo specifically) just to stir up trouble?
endo's "infatuation" w/ takiishi was amusing at first, but now i just feel sorry for the dude lmao... being this obsessed w/ someone who doesn't even "see" you. he went boring for me kinda halfway when all he did was wax poetic abt takiishi, but i got my hopes up when he met sakura, character development??? is he finally going to look at something else? give up on this idealistic image of takiishi? from the recent chapters? i dont think so... i rlly hope he gets more character depth rather than just become the guy everyone will remember as "that dude who's obsessed with takiishi"
takiishi on the other hand... was rlly eh for me.. i've already read a lot of literature with "aloof" and "cold" and "unemotional" characters, so his trope wasn't anything new. he isn't the first character you'd see with only bloodlust keeping them "alive". so im kinda hoping to more character depth to him other than just "ooh strong opponent im PUMPED!!!! fiGHT ME!" from the recent chapters and from endo's narration, we aren't given any reasons yet to actually root for takiishi or at least feel any empathy towards him should he lose this fight..
hopefully this second round of ume and takiishi's fight sheds more light on endo's and takiishi's characters. like gimme something to root for them!!!
hbu yall? what are ur thoughts?