May 24, 2021
I will be talking about the majority of the contents of this manga including the ending so if you want to go into the manga with an open mind and without spoilers I’d recommend reading it first.
Itou Hachi’s fantastical yet beautiful reimagining of a Victorian era manor sets the bar for the level of sincerity that mangaka should take when looking to present feelings as complicated and diverse as love.
The best place to start is with Mel herself. Mel enters into her life at the manor with the reader allowing us to take in her experiences together. She makes it through these early days on
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curiosity and determination, establishing the innocent wonder she still holds. This wonder persists despite the glimpses we get into Mel’s past and the abuse she has lived through. Her strength is shown in her persistence, never giving in despite the abuse and her position in society as it seems an impossibility to ever have any control over her own life. However, Mel is still left with something positive out of her past in the form of a friend that grew to truly understand her. This friend provides support for Mel not only during the time of her abuse but also in giving her the confidence that her emotions towards her master are valid and worth supporting, understanding what would bring true happiness to Mel.
Master of both the estate and Mel is a mysterious yet increasingly genuine writer. The beautiful estate in which she resides is a remnant of much more exorbitant and engaged times, now managed by just herself, the family's maid and Mel. The emptiness of manor perfectly captures the emotions she is going through. She is worn out, uninspired and directionless, simply living a life as if carrying out a long dead tradition. Mel entering into her world breathes life into the mansion in ways the master could have never imagined. Transforming her life by giving it purpose, literally filling in what should have been there. Her affinity towards Mel should come as no surprise as she is totally enraptured by the joy and experience of Mel discovering a life worth living which is reflected back onto her.
Just as the master is inevitably drawn to Mel, Mel starts to understand and grow in her love for her master throughout the course of the manga. Beastkin within the world of this manga are servants raised from birth to obey whoever they end up with. With this etched into her mind her experience with her master is one that develops gradually. Whether it be cleaning the manor or being allowed to sleep with her master when scared by a thunderstorm each of her experiences leads her to understand both the maturity of her master and the love her master has for her. She grows to learn her master’s ‘scent’, finding a person that truly loves her. Therefore, the combination in the master’s desire of Mel’s innocence and Mel’s infatuation with the maturity of her master is the driving link in this absolute relationship.
One character whose importance can't be emphasized enough is the original maid of the manor. Herself a relic that has outlived the majority of the family she serves, she is the one to push the master forward in life. Observing the master each day has deepened her attention towards what the master needs, and is the one that drives the master toward meeting Mel in the first place. Seeing that the master was somewhat lost, she decided to push for what ended up being the perfect remedy. After meeting Mel and working with her, she grows to understand the relationship Mel and her master are moving towards. Making peace with her own position in the world, she knows that the way she can truly support them is by letting them free.
Being set free is possibly the most important thing to take away from the relationship Mel and her master have built for one another. Their final decision is to leave the manor in full; its memories, its customs and the system of beliefs that govern the area. The maid stays behind to relinquish them from any obligations to their previous life. This story of Mel and her master ends on a hopeful note. A hope that we can grow to accept love in the many forms it takes and the depth of what love encompasses and ultimately means for these characters.
Some may dismiss this manga and the relationship of our main characters as unacceptable. Just as beastkin are brought up in the world of this manga to live and act a certain way so too are we to conform to the standard view of what love can encompass. However, the truth is that love is so much more than just what we conform to accept. Even if this type of story is not for you, its value is undeniable and the characters just as valid as any other work.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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