May 28, 2020
I felt I had to write a review based on how I feel about this manga, seeing as there isn't any and it's clear why - people avoid the topic of stalking with a burning passion because it's "wrong" and "shameful" (nearly "sinful" really) and... it's really ironic, specially considering how easy it is to "stalk" nowadays with technology and all that. i feel like these topics should be more talked about, not shoved under a rug. Even more, I feel that shaming a series so badly for dealing with stalking in a genre loaded with rape, scumbag attitudes and popular series such as Ten
...
Count (a psychologist abuses a mysophobic patient by abusing, "dirtying" him - need I say more?) is silly, to say the least. But "to each their own" I guess so now I'll proceed to explain why I actually LIKED Natsume-kun ... despite its controversial central topic.
Natsume-kun wa Nandemo Shitteru tells us the story of a boy, Natsume (hah...), who falls in love with his childhood friend. But he doesn't just "fall in love" with him - as if that wasn't enough, he begins to want to know more and more about him, even if he wasn't to have his feelings returned which eventually leads to him taking pictures of Yousuke in secret in public and friendly settings. Eventually, however, Yosuke finds out and their feelings get... twisted.
Despite its clearly problematic premise, however, I found good points about this manga.
Story: 7/10 (SPOILERS)
Natsume's feelings for Yousuke are sincere, if a bit creepy/over-the-top, and his reactions are reasonable; at first he wants to have returned the feelings he had harbored for so long, but when his desires are not met, he actually settles on not pushing it further. That is until Yousuke starts feeling giddy about being loved and blah blah, typical BL stuff. But it's typical *cute* BL stuff, so if you like cute BL and can get over the creepy premise (after all nobody really wants to find out a friend has been obsessively taking pictures of their sleeping selves...) it might be right up your alley.
Art: 9/10
I was actually picked by the art! People who like a more carefree art style may REALLY enjoy it. It's reminescent of cute modern animation, not too detailed but just very cute honestly. The cover image really sets the mood, and each object has meaning. If you like it I guess it's all the same style, not much inconsistency. Also, the smut is cute. No, really.
Character: 7/10
Well, i guess, neither are really lovable *but* they're not hateable either. It's kinda "eh, I don't support you but good for you I guess" kind of feeling. Certainly not where the series shines honestly, But some of their insights are nice (such as the "I don't need a hand to get up anymore" etc.) and they could be worse. Like ... way worse.
Enjoyment: 8/10
It's a really cute series, the art sets the mood and you can't help but cheer for their happiness, also cute smut. I mean, it was certainly enjoyable even if I was kinda "... does this even happen irl?" at most things. Maybe because I am deeply bothered by most BL I read in more ways than one, this one was just ... decent. In other words, I'd rather have pictures taken of me by my best friend so they jerked off in secret than be raped by some dude up the next alley, but whatever floats your boat, again.
Overall: 8/10
Did I mention yet? It's super cute. Yeah.
IN SUMMARY
Stalking isn't cute, kids, don't do that. Unless you a) want to get caught by the police and go to jail or b) you're a harmless cute 2D teen struggling with your unrequited love for your osananajimi, at which point I'm just "eh, whatever, they're not feeling your gaze anyway".
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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