Jan 3, 2012
The fact that this particular manga contains rape is definitely daunting. Some people like that, but I'm certainly not one of them. And to clarify: Yes, there is rape. Full on rape. But you shouldn't pass this manga up if you're on the fence.
So brothers Yoshito and Shinya have issues at home and with each other, and Ryuu gets caught up in their bizarre psychological struggle while he deals with feelings of his own. Ryuu has a crush on Yoshito, which is all well and good until Shinya comes into the picture, and then things get complicated. Sounds like a fairly basic plot, and
...
it is, but I have to say I haven't seen it done quite like this.
I didn't like the rape. However, instead of shoving the rape aside as though it never happened, it is actually addressed throughout the manga. And while this can go terribly, terribly wrong, I think Masara Minase pulled it off fairly well. I think it was addressed as realistically as it can be in yaoi manga.
There wasn't too much depth in the characters, most likely because this is a pretty short manga. However, I found myself adoring Ryuu, which is something I very rarely do in yaoi manga. He isn't a helpless, brainless, looks-like-a-ten-year-old uke. He's an actual person and he's extremely kindhearted in a real way, not the Mary Sue way I see people try to pull off. He acts like a teenager; he likes motorcycles, has fights with his father, cusses, and gets upset when something bad happens. The best part? He can defend himself. I found myself angry when he did something only a typical stupid uke would do, and then he surprised me. He's not helpless, he can function in the world and he won't let himself get pushed around.
Yoshito and Shinya I can't praise as much, because I feel they weren't fleshed out enough, but from what I saw they were human and likeable enough. Shinya was definitely not a typical seme and I really appreciated that. He and Ryuu were able to balance each other out; one added something to the other. While I see a possible dysfunction in the romantic relationship in the future based on some faulty logic in the foundation, they have a real enough relationship for modern gay teens.
So overall the story is pretty simple and the characters aren't too in-depth, but this manga is pretty good considering a lot of the manga I've read lately. It's angsty and it's about teenagers, but it's about as lifelike as I can ask for in yaoi. I say it's definitely a solid OK.
The art is wonderful; I sought this out simply because it was by Masara Minase. Beautiful as always.
It seems a little iffy at first glance (if you've got my hang-ups) but I enjoyed it overall. What could have been a freakish, dysfunctional threesome turned out to be a halfway decent relationship (thanks to Ryuu, without whom the manga would crumble). It's not a completely happy story, but it has a fairly happy ending and I don't think the angst or dysfunction brings it down any. Don't expect too much depth, but definitely give this one a try. It's got its own spice.
Story - 7
Art - 8
Character - 7
Enjoyment - 7
Overall - 7
Solid OK.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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