Itsuki Shu's manga / #Tattoo artist(1)

2/10. *TRIGGER WARNING- SEXUAL ASSAULT/RAPE* Beautiful art, uke and seme were both interesting, promising premise. Poorly handled themes of sexual assault and rape, both seme's end up doing morally reprehensible things to the uke that were addressed very poorly, rushed bad ending. -SPOILER WARNING- When I initially started reading this story I enjoyed the dark themes. The uke, despite just leaving an abusive relationship, oozes confidence. He initiates a consensual sexual relationship with the seme, who is considerate and gentle. It was so lovely to see two flawed and damaged characters healing each other, I really wish that things could have continued that way. We get treated to a lovely, tasteful, on-screen rape of the uke by his ex (extreme sarcasm). When I first read it I was shocked and upset for him but had faith in the author's ability to make this plot point work. Initially, it seemed that the rape was meant to simultaneously show how bad the ex is while highlighting how good the new seme is for the main character. HOWEVER, later the seme ends up being rough and cruel to the uke AND the rapist ends up getting a strange redemption arc? This is abhorrent. Loving someone does not excuse rape or sexual assault. He is NOT sympathetic, he is a violent rapist and abuser. This author should not have even attempted to characterise him in this way and I am very disappointed that this is the way they took the story. The ending was rushed and bad. Why did the seme come back? How did all of the obstacles that kept the two apart suddenly disappear? Why is the rapist willing to give the uke up all of a sudden? Are the yakuza gonna just be chill about all of this? There are too many questions that are waived without any answers. We should have an explanation as to why the seme decided to come and find the uke. He was adamant they should stay apart. There should have been more time devoted to them coming together and less time spent on the uke and his rapist ex fucking and living together. There should have been far more caring moments of healing for the seme and uke. Their sudden love and dependency makes no real sense. I could overlook this if the story was better. I rated it a sad 2/10 only because of the beautiful art and the first few good chapters. What a damn shame.