Ranked #13004

Mon Seul (Manga)

Before anyone reads this manga, you should know that the "Seinen" and "drama" category for this manga really means what it means: There is some very disturbing issues in this manga that might even make older guys flinch. Do NOT READ IF YOU DISLIKE LOLI. (and i mean even disliking it a little bit. Like, when i read this, i was feeling weird and im usually ok with Loli but, this isnt loli-comedy, this is...more disturbing).


Story: one of the reasons the story is decent is because of it's structure: at the start of the manga, the story is told directly by the main character (ikeuchi) in first person, as he describes the situation, and what disturbing event took place. This later shifts to become like reading a normal manga (just viewing what is happening), but shifts back and forth for a while in this manner.

The actual content of the story involves a lot more than the synopsis describes: Betrayal, Tragedy (in ikeuchi's view), despair, forgiveness, and what it means to be a family. Not just Loli (although it is one issue used, it should not be primarily focused on).


Art: The artwork for this manga is decently drawn, and all the characters look pretty cute too (like in any romance manga). If you prefer manga will decent looking characters, this manga will do.


Character: Like was mentioned before, the main character actually tells us his story from the beginning, meaning you get to see and feel what the main character feels all that more. As the story progresses, more and more is shown about ikeuchi and the other characters (each of their individual stories are told one time or another). And, they are not exactly what you may expect them to be: Minami is not the innocent little sister, kanda is not the reliable and responsibly best friend, and ikeuchi does not truly know what it means to be in a family.


Enjoyment: To be honest, in order to actually enjoy this manga, you have to suffer a little bit from it first. (there is shock content that involves loli, and you also have to read for a while in first person, most of which is about the main character's anguish and despairing situation). However, my final impression of this manga's enjoyment factor was that it was decent and unique: in the end, the characters are able to find peace with themselves.


Overall: This is a decent manga to read, it is short and it can make a huge "impact" on you. It is a good break from normal lovey-dovey romance genre manga and truly has shocking drama in it. However, this manga should not be read if you dont like having your emotions running loose or if you dont like Loli. Otherwise it is a good read. read more

When I read the synopsis, I immediately knew what the story was about. How it was going to go about it... was the reason why I read it.

I've used "one step in the mud after another" to describe an anti-feel good manga before

. But this time I think I'll go with 'sky diving with an elephant on top'.

Lolicon has always been a worry. Some anime/mangas distract you with comedy, fan-service, or incest -kissxsis-. Some even try to raise an ethical point.

But Mon Seul sets up the situation, and goes from there. It doesn't try to convince you of anything. It just shows you what probably will happen, when it happens. I guess one could respect that. The logic in the characters+story seem sound from where I'm standing, but I know most won't agree.

As most people over at mangafox.com have expressed, this definitely isn't a manga to make you feel all fuzzy inside. Raging emotions, inner conflict, murderous intent, maybe a sick feeling inside... I think it's safe to say THAT is what you'll be getting by reading this manga.

Psychological/ethical, tragedy/drama, lolicon and family issues. How could I write a positive review about this? I guess if the point of the manga was to create unpleasant feelings and ethical debates on lolicon then... well done. It's perfect. And unpleasantly realistic, as many won't agree.

I won't say I regret reading this. If there was anything I liked about this manga, it'd be that I have respect for a mangaka to do this kind of story - and how it refuses to be solved.
I don't dislike it because I think it could be better. In fact, I don't know how it can be better. Can it have a satisfying AND realistic factor when it comes to a story like this. You could have a lolicon manga that makes you fuzzy inside. But that's not realistic.
The only thing I dislike about this manga is that it can't be enjoyed. But I guess that can't be helped. Be it my own fault, or the ethical issues it deals with.


_ >_>' and don't click 'un-helpful' because i'm following the guideline "don't write spoilers". read more