Onanie Master Kurosawa: After the Juvenile

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Well, since there wasn't a review already written I decided to write one myself. I will keep this short.

If you're expecting a big continuation, a new plot, or really any big story then I'm sorry to say you will probably be disappointed: It's not very long. If anything, this is one of those "x amount of years later" segments that happens at the end of various different forms of media. Albeit this, it does help to show that everything that kurosawa worked for eventually resulted in a success.

Without giving away anything from the original, (if you haven't already read it, stop everything:eating, sleeping, homework etc. ... and read it now) the story basically shows how some of the relationships ended up, and allows a person (specifically me) to feel relieved to know that everything ended up "working out." This short story starts when Kurosawa returns a year later with his friends to the place that they went on their school trip, and ends a little while after they leave.

If you've read the manga, then I would recommend reading this. But truthfully, it doesn't add anything new. Rather it just presents some kind of closure for the readers. Honestly, I would have been fine with only the ending of the manga, but it's nice to read if you're a fan.

Note: Do not read this if you have not finished Onani Master Kurosawa as it contains some spoilers for it.

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"After the Juvenile" is a short epilogue to the OMK doujin that takes place about half a year after the class reunion (now in their 2nd year of high school). It shows Kurosawa and the other 3 members of his 8th grade field trip group (plus Takigawa) going back to Osaka to once again enjoy one of the happiest times of their lives just like Kurosawa had seen depicted in Takigawa's painting about her future. It also deals with Kurosawa's and Sugawa's awkward relationship that has ... just entered its fifth month without any development whatsoever.

In my opinion, the first chapter is a little awkward due to some of the new drama, but the second chapter fixes that problem and ends very well. The writing style is very different from the original due to this being a novel without manga illustrations to back up the text, which I found to be weaker than the original. The story barely adds anything to the already great ending of the original story, but it's nice if you are huge fan of the original (like me). If you did not like the original or hate the idea of Kurosawa ending up in a relationship with the tsundere Sugawa, then I recommend not reading this. Still, it's just two short chapters that takes about an hour total to read, so there's not much to lose even if you dislike it.

In this captivating sequel novel of miscommunication and teenage angst, we follow the protagonist, Kurosawa, on a supposedly fun-filled trip with old classmates. But things quickly turn 'mature' as the characters engage in melodramatic quarrels and ridiculous team-naming debates.

Kurosawa's bimbo girlfriend, Sugawa, is a master of overreaction and melodrama. Her demands to join the trip and subsequent anger provide a humorous display of immaturity. You can't help but chuckle at her dramatic 'we're breaking up' outburst over a seemingly trivial matter.

Kurosawa's attempt to appease Sugawa by buying her a souvenir is met with skepticism, highlighting the absurdity of their relationship dynamics. One wonders why they're ... even together if they haven't progressed beyond holding hands after five months.

As the story progresses, we meet characters who seem to have changed very little since middle school. Takigawa and Nagaoka bring comic relief with their enthusiasm and questionable team-naming skills. The trip continues with mundane activities like visiting an aquarium and riding a ferris wheel. Kurosawa's strange obsession with shipping Kitahara with the fat otaku and Kitahara's (understandable) discomfort add an awkward cringe factor to the story.

The narrative's focus on mundane details like checking emails and pondering the lack of communication with Sugawa contributes to the story's boring tone, and Kurosawa's profound internal monologues about touching Sugawa's 'voluptuous boobs' inject teenage hormones and immaturity into the mix.

The second half revolves around the awkward atmosphere among the group during their trip to Universal Studios Japan. Kurosawa observes the strained relationship between Nagaoka and Takigawa, as well as his own confusion about how to interact with them. As the day progresses, Kurosawa has a candid conversation with Takigawa, who reveals her own troubles with Nagaoka. They discuss Kurosawa's recent quarrel with Sugawa, highlighting his fault in not informing her about the trip in advance. Kurosawa learns the simplicity of human relationships and realises the importance of treasuring the person you're with.

Kurosawa tries to call Sugawa but gets her voicemail, leaving him worried and realizing the importance of proper communication. He returns to his friends on the train, asking Kitahara to keep in touch with Pizza-ta, showing his concern for their relationship. As the journey ends, Kurosawa reflects on the anxiety caused by being separated from someone important and the need to stay connected.

Moral of the story? Keep your girl close, otherwise, she might cheat on you. Or in Kurosawa's case, you may, figuratively, get 'NTR'd'.