otakulys's manga / #obsessive love(4)

Hmm... I was first exposed to this mangaka in an anthology where she'd written a oneshot. At the time, that was all that she'd had published, and I lamented that fact as I absolutely adored her short story. It broke my heart into a million pieces--like ugly crying, swollen eyes, blubbering mess--but it was so beautiful and perfect. I rejoiced when I saw, some time later, that she'd released more work. However, I'm on the fence with this. I love her art, but I'm really over the whole "my brother raped me but secretly I'm in love with him, so it's okay" bullshit. It's sad that his brother is like that, but I hate when that sort of thing is just brushed aside, like the rapist's feelings are what's most important. I can tolerate that mindset in a story that knows it's messed up. I'm concerned that the mangaka thinks this is somehow sweet or justified. I don't even know. They clearly have a complicated relationship. I'm hoping that it breaks the typical expectations and gives us something fantastic, but I'm bracing myself for more of the same. I hope her other stuff isn't marred by yaoiland logic. She's obviously talented.

Very short, but a creepy little tale about love and obsession, and the unhealthy, disturbing behaviors that might lie beneath the surface of people we love. I liked it.

Wow, this is definitely twisted. What a messed up relationship. But I enjoyed the manga, and I really liked the parallels to the fairytale, The Red Shoes. It's a less literal approach to it, though it still maintains that concept of never being able to take the shoes off. In the fairytale, a huntsman has to cut off her feet to save her life, so I guess be happy that wasn't you, Yuriy. Lol Seriously, though, a lot of creepy sexism goes into shoe designs, if you dig into the history and concept. They look pretty on your legs, but they aren't good for you. I've had jobs where I was forced to wear heels, and it's not great. Anyway, Adam, you fucking sociopath. It started out seeming like Yuriy was the one in charge, arogant and confident sort, but that wasn't the case at all. The way Adam smiles all passive and calm, like nothing is happening, wtf. It's his own fault things go the way that they do, but I honestly feel like Adam wasn't punished enough for what he did. The ending came so quickly. I get that it was something major for what he likes to do, but I feel like Yuriy should have been killed. He treated him awfully and he doesn't deserve to have him in the end. That would have really crushed his spirit, and he deserves that. At any rate, the happily ever after doesn't seem fitting to the story, but it's sweet enough. The whole tale is pretty creepy and disturbing, though. Manipulative love to the most unhealthy degree. Also, did I miss something? What was the secret? That Yuriy whored himself out? I wasn't clear on that. I did like the history with the uncle and his rival, though. That was a nice little addition. I love when enemies turn out to have been involved, especially when there's still sexual tension there.

I love this mangaka, though this wasn't my favorite by her. Still, it was dark, sad, interesting, and complicated, like a lot of her stuff. I haven't read the manga it's the prequel to yet, though, so I wonder if I should have read that first. Poor baby, either way. I even feel sorry for the uncle, because he lost his mind. He wasn't like that from the start. I do have to ask, though, why did people tag this as incest? Am I missing something, or were there just that many people confused by the fact that he calls him uncle? He was dating his mother. They aren't related in any way, biological or otherwise.