ArtemisFowl's manga / #amazing(5)

Oh my gosh this was soooo good. I was put off by the comments for a really long time, but got tricked into reading the first chapter on one site (and decided to read the rest on mangago). Why is every freaking person in the comments section trying to shame the uke? Why should he be ashamed of himself? Even if you’re in the camp of “oh, the uke slept with so many people, stain on his purity, for shame!” — what about all the people he slept with? Shouldn’t they, in your eyes, deserve equal or more shame than him? Stupid double standards. Aside from my rant, I just want to say this was an awesome manga. It had so much emotional and philosophical depth; both characters were struggling with so much prejudice, and they grew in their interactions with the other person. I understand completely why they fell for each other. They were BOTH competent, likable characters. I can’t believe I skipped out on such a treasure. What a treat. Obviously there were dark parts to the story, concerning both trauma and abuse, but this story was so compelling. Despite not being attracted to stories that are gritty/traumatic, as well as in the omegaverse (which I normally super hate, mostly because it peddles in trauma, abuse, and sexism for tension), I again really felt like this story was just so good. I’m formally going to rate this manga, for the first time ever in the history of making this account. It deserves five stars.

Wow, wow, wow! This manga blew me away. Two patrons at a bar become friends, one a straight-laced alpha who doesn't believe he's better than everyone else (and is constrained by the pressure of expected perfection at work). His drinking buddy hears him out, and in the first chapter they end up in bed, with the seme super out of it and the uke (an omega) just wanting to be impregnated so that he can have stability. Things do not go according to plan for the uke, and the seme stops anything from happening once he comes to. The next day, the seme goes to work and realizes that his drinking buddy happens to be a coworker in a different department -- who pursues him with the same relentlessness he showed the night of their almost-consumation. Easily could have been trite, but the author managed to spin gold with the dynamics and the complexities of their pasts. An exploration of depth, tenderness, and what it takes to love another fully. ~Chapter 6.5

This is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read. Timeless, warm, filled with characters who love each other but have insecurities and the fragile feeling of what will become of your relationship once you change it. Hayakawa Nojiko isn’t one of my favorite authors, but she really nailed it this time. The watercolors are beautiful, and the effects of the paneling that shifts into metaphor and foreshadowing are fantastic and retain a sense of depth. Perfect for a day when you’re wishing to immerse yourself in something beautiful.

Two actors become lovers after reuniting as leads of a drama. ~ Chapter bonus