pluckaduck's manga / #Romance(165)

well, it was a bit predictable from the get-go when the flower was shown... but i admit, i was a bit confused when the dude told her to move on... but turns out i was right the first time. still pretty bittersweet. if it was longer, it will be better

i mean, it was ok. not all that sad. i dont exactly see how they fell for each other so deeply. it's was all due to the sharing emotions thingy. it was only seven days. to the point that the other will be miserable for the rest of their lives without the other? not realistic. the ecchi aspect also repulse me. not my cup of tea.

ok nice ending and all but what about the completely forgotten storyline about the disememberment and murder and the creepy friend? all that buildup for nothing.

their relationship is cute and sweet but that's about it. in terms of developments and relationship dynamics, it's kinda cliche. also, it's kinda unrealistic how everyone despises and disdains the girl bc she's unable to fly, but irl, she would be an extremely valuable specimen and treated as such. and why cant people swim? it's just moving your limbs/body in water? is it biological evolution to balance out the flying ability? or is it bc the flyers don't feel a need to practice/train? i think it needs to be touched upon.

it has a lot of tropes i like-- smart mc (although mc is a bit mary sue), harem, POLITICS, and various chara dynamics and banter. even without reading the novel, i know a lot of detail is being left out in the manhua bc a lot of the scenes's transitions feel very awkward, and it messes up the flow of the story a lot and breaks my immersion. the art is pretty, but it's only good for 'fan art' level of art, not made for storytelling, bc of the framing and camera shots and general flow. the facial expressions and poses sometimes felt incongruent with the dialogue and scene. for example, panels of a single chara showing an emotion/reaction are confusing bc it was incongruent with the previous panel and/or the emphasis was all wrong. they also need to explain how mc gets his knowledge, like the pencillin thing? felt that should be important enough to tie back to mc's character. i enjoy the dynamics of mc and his love interests; some are problematic, but well, i already turned my brain off. but if there is one thing that i find disconcerting, it's mc's age-- he's 17 yo at the start bro. HE'S 17 YO. yet these old men keep lusting after him and flirting with him (talking about the guard and prince of yu). i know age of adulthood is different in ancient china, but christ, why couldn't he be at least 20 yo before the older mls start liking him?? also, i find it hilarious their kisses are censored, but not mc's nipples lol.

the second couple is just as multi-faceted and endearing as the primary couple. i love how hiro is just so blase to his gf's fujoshi hobbies and even helps her with them. and kaba, even tho he's uncomfortable, he ultimately just gives in to his wife's hobbies as well. the third couple didn't really clicked for me, probably bc there was no explanation as to why the girl had such crippling social anxiety, which was the main obstacle for their miscommunication that stymied them from getting together. but their dynamic is very cute as well. also, i felt the story dragged a bit in the latter half, but nevertheless, it's still great

i pity the mother to some extent bc she simply didn't have the mental fortitude to deal with raising two kids, but it does not justify her abuse at all. she victimizes herself, is timid and immature, cannot own up to her mistakes, and vents her frustration and anger on innocent kids. she's a pretty nuanced chara; instead of simply being an abusive cruel parent, she just emotionally premature and too weak-minded with a victim complex to juggle the responsibility of raising two children and being the breadwinner.

the worldbuilding is great, the law of magic is well-established and reasonable yet also imaginative. the collision of modern times is also great. the story's somewhat philosophical and the charas are likable and unique. the subdued tone and non-grisly art lacks intensity, and the developments, whilst unpredictable, is not wild so i get why this isn't everyone's cup of tea, especially if you're seeking cathartic mindless wish-fulfillment food.