pluckaduck's manga / #school life(109)

art carried. story's not exceptional or unique, but it's sweet and heartwarming. their visuals are great, but it's the typical hot masculine seme and uke with girl-ish delicate features

couldn't really immerse myself in this story... it might bc of the art, it feels cluttered. the author should blur out the background or put less, or but put more emphasis on shading and atmosphere work so it's easier to focus on the characters and their emotions. also, not sure why this is worthy to be cried over. sure, the situation is one of the worst to be in for partners, but it's not like the ml becomes resentful and cold towards mc, so whats to cry about? also, i think the author should've made it clear if the girl was the ml's gf or not, cuz i thought it was implied, since mc didn't even bring it up for ml deny it, so i was annoyed that the translator was like "she daydreaming, she a bitch" like what, is she supposed to give them her blessings? isnt it natural to take revenge? other readers just naturally assumed the girl was not his gf so they can curse her out without hesitation, but what if she was? then the author's just villainizing her. i might have given this work another star if this included the girl's comeuppance and perhaps, guilt over the accident she indirectly caused, and then have them meet up again for her to properly express her remorse - like make her more than just a plot contrivance, make her a realistic character like the main leads too.

for a manhua, it's pretty good. the first couple is adorable, the second one's dynamic is good, but their progression is not as developed, lacks a foundation (like bran's interest in him feels random and superficial), and feels forced as a result. not to mention bran is at least in grade 11 and zayne is in grade 8... just overall not well-written thus half a star is knocked off

ch 26. extra half star cuz of the art. man the art. they're good with sexual tension. the premise's execution is ok, i like how it explores the mc's loneliness due to the erasure of his existence in the world. mc's past is pitiful, and his characterization makes sense. their past relationship unexpectedly has more depth than i anticipated, but their current one is just the typical obsessive teasing guy x tough rebellious but softhearted guy (ie think the second couple in 19 days). on the other hand, the ml's mom felt rather comically abusive so i didn't really care for him. dynamic-wise, i like it, but the author's other work was better. both mcs are fierce, hard exterior/soft interior types of guys, but i liked the other dude better. bc despite being such a good fighter with an unbreakable will against bullying, he does not have an equal power dynamic with the ml. it's like he's running around on the palm of his hands. it may look like he has autonomy, since he talks back to him and resist him as much as he can, but everything is progressing in the ml's favor. their relationship was more interesting when they were young. and I'm still hoping for a scene in which the mc will kick the ml, not even a normal kick, but one that'll make him faint... like he did to mc like did we forget about that?? frankly i want the romance to take the backseat cuz i wanna learn more about the original body's owner

ch 107. really good, just lost some interest now that they're together.

has a really accurate depiction of adhd in the mc. she's just a pure ball of sunshine. she's so adorable and funny. it might seem like the ml is the typical edgy loner type with a dangerous past, but no, it in fact subverts and pokes fun at that trope; he's just a normal teenager with lots embarrassment and pentup anger from people always assuming the worst in him bc of his scar that was a result of extremely mundane trip. at first ngl I didnt like him all that much since he was an asshole to mc who was trying to be friendly to him, but his characterizarion is very well-written, much more than just a misunderstand boy as we learn later in the story

ch5. damnn... unrequited love rocks when its actually angsty this is everything I ever want in bl. i want it not strictly bl, but with bl elements that are delved into, and grounded themes many can relate to. such as reconciling and dealing with unrequited feelings for someone of the same gender. i love how everything mc learns with each character culminates into an intense montage of mc being so utterly torned over the revelation that his childhood friend was in love with him. it turned everything upside down, but mc wouldn't have responded so maturely without having those discussions with mani about girls and boys being friends, and masuo and his friends' consultation about homophobia. i have to admit, i was with the girl duo's opinion but shingo's logical counterargument and masuo's disclosure about his being molested really put masuo's homophobic feelings into perspective. that was probably my favorite part of the story.

the premise that they're such young looking dolls for humans in the first place, is kinda concerning. the concept is certainly unique, and the story does explore different types of love, the chara designs are really cute, but... it kinda falls short of its potential. it might be bc of the limited premise; there's only so much u can do with dolls + love in the first place, but i think it could've been more succint, and certain areas could be explored more

ch 13. stopped here cuz i was getting bored. mehhh... it wasn't that tragic. but ig it's wrong to compare to my standards, cuz i was just reading dark yaoi incest just before and wasn't fazed. nevertheless, the characterization is really good. this isn't my first story with a protagonist trying to survive in a homophobic world.but i particularly like how the mc's actions weren't justified, but presented as they were: self-serving and scummy. all in all, the trauma of driving ur friend to suicide, and ignoring his bullying is portrayed realistically here.