axelmania's manga / #shoujo(277)

years of experience teach a traumatized girl how to more effectively lash out at the people attacking her. it takes several more for her to notice the world around her isnt entirely hostile and to start to love as well as hate. i like the way arias design changes as she ages, and how her sister "the saint" has the big doe eyes that usually signal a sweetly passive shoujo protagonist. its just.. not that original or exciting of a story, but ive had some fun. i wish that the relationship development between aria and the crown prince wasnt so quick.

to be honest this was a bit too over the top and couldnt keep my attention. maybe ill try it again later but i suspect ill like the tv adaptation much, much more. being conventionally feminine and attractive to men equalling strength in a fucking girl gang manga really isnt a great look, sorry, as unsurprising as it is.

its a het manga, but the commitment to making all of the plot about tea is great, im actually enjoying myself here. no the characters and romance arent unique or engrossing but its like. counterfeit tea, how do we perfectly market the tea in this restaurant, tea cures cancer, im here for it lmao