Listen, this is an amazing manga. Not only does it have an interesting time-travel mechanic but it makes the reader feel true loss and victory throughout the series. I rode on an emotional rollercoaster while reading, and I loved watching where Takemichi's blunt determination would take him.
However, I cannot count how many times I've screamed at the screen, "Please, someone get an adult in here!" I understand that delinquent culture as been prevalent throughout recent Japanese history (70s?), and you have to really give a hand to the boys who managed to form unbreakable bonds and continued to support each other, but at the same time I couldn't help but want to punch some sense into these kids. It reminds me of the message behind Mob Psycho 100, where you can rely on the adults and people around you, where you don't have to struggle alone, and where you are an ordinary person no matter how extraordinary your abilities. I'm glad that Takemichi is somewhat of an adult and is here to try and mend the past, which is probably why he is a beacon for so many other characters, but even he can be short sighted and blinded by insecurities and fear. I love that he's presented with these character flaws, but it's starting to become repetitive. I'm looking forward to his growth both as a teen boy and as a young man.
Also, let's not get started on the fact that most of these kids we follow are middle schoolers. I was always thinking, yeah, no wonder micky has been teetering on the brink of darkness, he's a kid who's be given huge responsibilities and adult budens. I'm glad we have scenes of the kids enjoying themselves and having fun, but damn do they still have to deal with the pressures of territorial control, leadership responsibility, personal relationships, and heart-wrenching loss. The series is a good insight to the mechanics of gang culture and how young minds can be influenced by it.
As for now, considering the big reveal from the most recent chapters, I'm absolutely terrified as to how Takemichi will have to start thinking and planning to prevent future mistakes. Now he has less control over the events of the past, and it's possible that Naoto will not return. Despite these setbacks, I'm really glad Takemichi was able to stand his ground and has the support of the people around him. I wonder if that will change as well.
Listen, this is an amazing manga. Not only does it have an interesting time-travel mechanic but it makes the reader feel true loss and victory throughout the series. I rode on an emotional rollercoaster while reading, and I loved watching where Takemichi's blunt determination would take him.
However, I cannot count how many times I've screamed at the screen, "Please, someone get an adult in here!" I understand that delinquent culture as been prevalent throughout recent Japanese history (70s?), and you have to really give a hand to the boys who managed to form unbreakable bonds and continued to support each other, but at the same time I couldn't help but want to punch some sense into these kids. It reminds me of the message behind Mob Psycho 100, where you can rely on the adults and people around you, where you don't have to struggle alone, and where you are an ordinary person no matter how extraordinary your abilities. I'm glad that Takemichi is somewhat of an adult and is here to try and mend the past, which is probably why he is a beacon for so many other characters, but even he can be short sighted and blinded by insecurities and fear. I love that he's presented with these character flaws, but it's starting to become repetitive. I'm looking forward to his growth both as a teen boy and as a young man.
Also, let's not get started on the fact that most of these kids we follow are middle schoolers. I was always thinking, yeah, no wonder micky has been teetering on the brink of darkness, he's a kid who's be given huge responsibilities and adult budens. I'm glad we have scenes of the kids enjoying themselves and having fun, but damn do they still have to deal with the pressures of territorial control, leadership responsibility, personal relationships, and heart-wrenching loss. The series is a good insight to the mechanics of gang culture and how young minds can be influenced by it.
As for now, considering the big reveal from the most recent chapters, I'm absolutely terrified as to how Takemichi will have to start thinking and planning to prevent future mistakes. Now he has less control over the events of the past, and it's possible that Naoto will not return. Despite these setbacks, I'm really glad Takemichi was able to stand his ground and has the support of the people around him. I wonder if that will change as well.