beta
Based on the spoilers in the comments ( so pound of salt, since it’s not posted yet), my comment back in April 24 may be even more justified. Because what I commented works both ways. With very little gender bias, just swap ML with FL and remove some character specific details. (go back to read of y’all like). (〜￣△￣)〜
This is also based on chapter 5, which clearly shows him biting his own arm to try and resist her heat. He has the scars to prove it too. So non-consensual on his part.
Already some are suddenly changing their tune from
- we should lynch him! Death! Castration! (╬￣皿￣)凸
To
- well we can’t really blame her… they are both not to blame ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~
When she may have arguably done the exact same thing as we thought he did. Rape.
(￣∇￣")
I am expecting even more of this when chapter 6 is posted.
Where is her lynch mob? Σ( ￣□￣||)
So, there is nuance when she is the rapist? Ok. Bias detected.
And this was my exact point folk. Omegaverse sets up the premise of dubious consent. And a lot of y’alls refuse to acknowledge this. Both parties equally do not consent in this story. Think two highly intoxicated people having sex. But people just jump on the bandwagon of hating the alpha. Not based on his character, but on his action under the fugue of the heat.
The ML is not a sadistic, perverted, bastard. Hate him for the right reasons: How he mishandled the situation when he met her again. That manipulation was asshole move right there.
There is no one to fully blame here. Just horrible actions and terrible consequences. The situation is f-up from both sides. Like a freak accident. And that takes nuance to understand. I am a bit proud to say I called it before the spoiler comments. (๑•ㅂ•)و✧
Now we have a situation where he may have being a victim too. But notice this: the FL is not facing the same backlash (so far). So, people do understand that there can be nuance, but only when it suits them.
This is just « chef kiss ». Exactly what I needed to prove my point. ╮(￣▽￣)╭
I am waiting to read some more to see how the character’s personalities turn out. So I can sh*t on them for the right reasons.
I’m hoping this author’s goal is to explore how fucked up omegaverse is as a trope. I highly doubt that’s what’s gonna happen though. That would nice, but that is setting my expectations too high. （￣へ￣）
I like the genre, but I find myself gravitating away from it more and more. The whole dubious consent of the premise being a major reason. The toxic fanbase another. (￣∇￣")
This mangas comment thread is exposing the belly of the beast. There is a a lack of understanding of consent in the comments. This situation, as I have exhausted breath repeating, is fucked up on both sides. ╥﹏╥
To me both characters are reprimandable for different reasons. Yet, none of them are sadistic, irredeemable, or devoid of humanity. They are people who made and continue to make terrible decisions with awful consequences. The only guilt free party is their child. They are also both suffering from trauma. Like clear cut PTSD-like trauma responses.
ML’s biggest mistake was following this girl home everyday, same route to home or not. Even with the different cultural context of Japan. And maybe because of it: ie, you are more likely to get your underwear stolen in Japan on a balcony then your wallet. MLs actions created the opportunity for this whole shit show to evolve. Don’t be stalking teenage girls. That’s literally a crime. Not to mention immoral.（/TДT)/
FLs biggest mistake was thinking what happened to her (which we know she doesn’t even remember well) justified her manipulative and predatory behaviour towards the ML. And so far, even with the truth of that night to light, she is still shifting blame. Although the last sentence/panel gives me hope. Recording sex acts then using it for blackmail is literally a crime. Not to mention immoral. (/TДT)/
And those are just their biggest mistakes in my opinion. Not their sole mistakes. Shit so far, they’ve only made mistakes. I feel sorry for their baby. That’s it. ╥﹏╥
Their caricature is deserving of contempt. Both of them. They are both victims. They are both perpetrators. It’s literally two people abusing each other. Through manipulation, coercion, and more. Just. Reprehensible. ╮(￣▽￣)╭
This is overtly complicated by the omegaverse trope, the heat, and the lack of self control this genre promotes.
Some even have misconceptions of the trope. Ie. I saw a comment that ML wasn’t in rut, so he could’ve resisted. Hummmm. No. That’s not how it works. (⊙…⊙ )
And to those who say, we shouldn’t care because it’s just a manga. Literature and art affects our mood, and how we experience the world. Books and art have being used to radicalize people for example. Especially the impressionable and/or poorly educated with zero critical thinking. This piece requires nuance. Not everyone is able to have nuance. Recipe for what you see in the comments. （￣へ￣）
Anywhoo. That’s my 2 cents. Or pound. Sorry this shit got long. (〜￣△￣)〜