Beachloves's manga / #Thriller(15)

Short version: You want a buddy-cop-style murder mystery with horror elements? 5/5 go for it! You want a Shounen-ai, gay romance involving supernatural elements? take a hike it's not in there. boooo/5 thumbs down. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo............... I spent my entire Sunday evening reading this and I am torn. On the one hand. This is a very well-written action thriller with horror elements. The characters are interesting, the deeper concepts about morality are thought-provoking and the big reveal towards the end was well executed although predictable. HOWEVER! The tone of this story shifts dramatically after the first volume and it was not to the stories benefit in my opinion. *spoilers ahead* In the first volume, a major part of the plot is the method used to exorcise ghosts. Rihito "penetrates" Mikado soul and passes through him to purify spirits. When Rihito "penetrates" Mikado's soul, the sensation of Rihito "going inside him" feels sexually gratifying, even orgasmic. Their relationship is emotionally intimate you can really feel the "Shounen-Ai" elements in the early chapters. There are sexually suggestive jokes, physical intimacy like hugging, as well as scenes showcasing both of their physical pleasure from their souls touching in the first few chapters. BUT THEN!!!!! For some reason, the series takes a hard left turn and the "Shounan-ai" becomes just straight "Shounan". All of a sudden there is no reference to the exorcism feeling good. There is no sexual tension, no long lingering looks, no real emotional intimacy except for that between friends. And all I gotta say is... I'm DISSAPOINTED!!!!!!! The first time Rihito meets Mikado he says "you are my destiny" FUCKING DESTINY!!!! But like NO HOMO BRO! UGH!!!!!!!! I guess there is gonna be one more volume and they could end up together at the last second but to be honest that wouldn't make any sense with the story? Just looking at chapters as of now (excluding the final volume wich could only be 6-7 chapters long). You have around 6 chapters of "Shounan-ai" stuff. Like the sexual tension, the orgasmic touching etc. And 41 chapters of "Shounan" fighting, detective work, and no meaningful reference to a deeper romantic attachment. In conclusion. I feel like calling this a "Shounan-ai" was a mistake. Perhaps the author wanted a BL but was convince to take the story in a different direction. The worst part is the first volume was so good and the sexual tension was so cute I kept reading on and on just praying that eventually, we would find our way back there! All I can say is this was false advertising and I want my Sunday evening back.

Stone cold fucked up man.

54 chapters in and I have to say what a thrill ride. I am honestly shocked how this story is shaping up. I signed up for a fantasy rom-com and I ended up with a thriller. But I'm not mad about it! Honestly, I feel that the darker elements in this story help break the well-worn mold of the typical urban fantasy romance. 5 stars! (so far)