This is why I don't read tragedies, like what's the point? I get attached to the character and have fun watching them interact only to see that they'll never get their happy ending?? It's a wonderful read, don't get me wrong, but i can't grasp why in a world full of negativity, you'd seek out fiction designed to make you feel bad.
That’s because it tells you that not all stories can’t be as perfect nor as beautiful as others, the reality of our world consists of many tragedies and bad endings and that can also be an inspiration to writers and artists. It’s not about making you feel bad, rather it the dramatic storyline that makes you think hard, cry and feel pain, will eventually turn into a good lesson for all of us in the real world. And that’s why I also don’t like the sentence “a bittersweet ending”.
At the beginning the mc was kind of my least favorite part of the story with the whole "stalking and obsessing over a child" thing, but now she's one of my favorite heroines ever. She by herself figured out that nothing good can come out of a book named persona, that her husband was being brainwashed (I was fully expecting her to go "How,, can he not believe me??(´;︵;`)") and decided to try and avoid his death fairly early on.
The bartender was a really nice character, but i wish they weren't labeled as a transgender woman? Either draw the character in a way that a transgender woman would present herself or make the bartender a Drag queen. Honestly if they wanted to go with a gender non conforming character, they could've labeled the bartender as non binary. Generally I don't think this manga did a great job portraying the LGBTQ community, they made one okay gay characters (the mc) and the rest were these creepy old man who just want to get in his pants. Of course the only other "normal" man is straight and he's making an exception, because that isn't invalidating at all. The story could've been a lot more interesting too, if you make someone's prime characteristics that they're shut off and quiet, then don't be surprised that after their development they're going to be completely blank.
Might've been a dumb rant, but i just think the story could've been made better.
That's why Japanese BL is sometimes so good - it's just a nice fantasy, out of this world, when people love each other just because and don't label each other, they're all just people.
Most "mamas" in Japanese gay bars are like that, like, for real.
This manga, like most BL mangas, doesn't have a goal to portray a realistic life of LGBTQ+ community, so... I don't know, I think you shouldn't have expected that, really... :c
this is very clearly not a case of "people love each other without labels" they mention their sexualities all the time???? It's exactly like the OP says.
Also no, mamas at Japanese gay bars are NOT like that. That's very weird that you think or assume that.. Is it the influence of weird bl like this that gave you that impression?
Clearly you are very young, so I wont go too into it, but what is healthy to understand is that you can enjoy a piece of media or fiction and be critical of it at the same time. Having critique of a work means you care and that you take it seriously, it's not a negative thing.So instead of finding excuses for a manga just because you like, be glad that people are invested enough to produce critique, and maybe think about what this means and reflects on the work for yourself.
Have a good daayyyyyyyy
Does a person have to conform to things decided by others to live their lives as they like? Why do you stereotype a person to your own experience? I had a friend who shared a house with a transgender looked like the bartender acted like the bartender. Drag queen is a bit different. Dem tlady prepared me the best salad I've ever had lol. Too bad they split houses before I got the number. (╯°Д °)╯╧╧
Can we awknowledge the top comment by @SOF and how many people agree with them?? What the fuck? I can accept the manga and that there are legitimately some people who read it for it's wholesome brother like moments, but ignoring the fact that the audience this kind of story is attracts is fucking creep would be so intentionally ignorant. I couldn't blame anyone for reading this, since i too find their interactions sweet and endearing, but beware of what kind of people your reading this story with.
I really love the art style in this! I'm so tired of obviously copy and pasted in limbs and faces. I understand why you would do that for accessories, but for the main characters entire body? That's a bit too much. But here everything is expressive, especially Regina! She isn't my favorite kind of main character, but i still really like her. It's nice that her personality isn't "I'm loud, dumb and weak to handsome men!(≧∀≦)", but actually something that makes the conflicts more interesting.
On a final note, I'd like to point out that we finally have a busty protag. Not the protag we needed, but protag we deserved.
I feel like the story should be better if the spinels had any other distinguishing feature beside dark skin, hair and eyes. It's just uncomfortable reading a story which deals with a real problem (slavery), without an ounce of realism. When the duke said "because he's mine" or something, i vomited in my mouth. Maybe if the duke tried to get into government and change the laws or some other magic solution, I'd be fine with it, but the dude does the bear minimum of not being a total asshole and is treated as though he's an angel from above. Can't tell if this is some weird savior fantasy of saving a black slave ( but don't worry, he has straight hair and blue eyes, so you don't have to put yourself down), or if this is just incompetent and not at all thought out storytelling.
Don't get me wrong, I fully understand that that was supposed to be a romantic moment. It was just badly executed one. If he said "He's one of my people." I'd live for it, since it would clearly show that he sees Dev at an equal level. When I read that, i don't see "despite their social standing, they've found love and comfort within each other", but "Rich dude, bought a slave and is now possessive of it.".
So far i only like the female side characters. Like the vet dude is a total asshole and he mind of deserves this ironic fate, BUT not from the beast of you get what i mean? Like how is it karma, if the one being he's genuinely nice to in his life hurts him. This isn't even a revenge story, it's just two dick weeds doing what dick weeds do.