otakulys's manga / #blackmail(22)

Meh. The only thing that stopped me from taking it down to two stars is that the pair from the first story still hate each other by the end, and it's still super fucked up. I was worried they'd start to fall for one another and the story would try to be cutesy, like that's possible after rape and humiliation and all that. Most of the stories felt like they cut off mid-scene. Overall, just kind of a disappointment. I've definitely read worse, but I'm already forgetting the stories I hadn't already read. I skimmed almost all of the sex scenes, of which there were many, because the dynamic grossed me out. Also, too many fluids. Pretty art, though.

As of 19 chapters, I'm really torn... I'm not sure I like that this guy is obviously end game. He's getting more backstory now, but he was manipulative and horrible from the start--blackmailing, almost outing the protagonist to his family more than once, all this shit. He's clearly crazy and obsessive, but I guess we're supposed to see it as devotion. Eh. The art is touch and go. Sometimes it's beautiful, sometimes people have weird little pointy chins, tiny heads, and huge, thick necks. I would give it three stars for now, but I actually like the secondary couple/throuple more than the main, so I'm in it for that. Hopefully it starts to flow a little better for me. I do really like break up and second love themes, I have to admit. Here's hoping it's satisfying in the end.