In the very last panel, Taeman isn't smiling. The black and white scene parallels the colored one except for that one panel, possibly indicating that the reality others see and the reality Taeman lives is different. He might seem at peace, but something is broken inside.
It's a fantastic touch by the author/illustrator, and I wanted to applaud the idea to add monologue and break the parallel.
It makes me laugh how some people are shook about the positions for this couple. The author follows a certain pattern when it comes to her couples, and you can see it in her other works.
Personally, I like it a lot. Part of it is because her characters feel more alive and genuine to each other, and it introduces you to all kinds of couples. *My Way With You* stirred something in me, and ever since I've really enjoyed those kinds of couples.
Plus, for me, "position" doesn't really matter here. I like the characters, the mental strains and burdens, the emotional conflicts, and the premise; so if the author had switched the position or taken out sex altogether, I might've been a little disappointed but would've kept reading. This story is worth reading.
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.
Hi, can we just talk about the fact that Akihito finally shot someone? For a kid who was shown throughout the series to be unable to kill and unable to properly hold a gun, I have to say, I was pleasantly suprised when he shot with no hesitation this time around.
I'm not sure this was the last we saw of Sudou. Usually characters can be believed to be dead once you see them dead or lethally wounded. Both is not the case for Sudou and Aaron, only for Aaron who was shot in the forehead.
As CKB wrote above he has been holding the gun and has been shooting at people several times. In this situation it will have been accumulated experience and adrenaline helping and it would be rather sad if he never got any better :D
To be honest I was really happy wit the way Akihito was handled in this chapter. He only draws the attention of the troops cornering Asami and does not take them out himself. That would have been a stupid Mary-Sue moment.
I read somewhere someone commenting that he would be a perfect Assassin. LOL! No. Not yet, not by far. And it is perfect this way.
He is still himself, he just learns, he grows, he gets more convicted. And I personally would find it much more compelling if even though he dared to shoot at Sudou without hesitation there would still be the flaw that he is not a perfect shot in a panic situation, and that he therefore didn't manage to kill.
They can't make me hate you, Therion.
An absolutley engaging and provoking narrative masquerading as a love story. This isn't about two people from different worlds coming together, it's about people having to deal with the politics and trauma of generational war. The writing brings out the grey morality of the world and makes you think about how war leaves scars on everyone. Oh yeah, and the romance? That's the cherry on top, making this story so much better as we share the pain of many different characters trying to live in that place they call home.