Hidoku Shinaide
Don't Be Cruel

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Updated 06/2020
There's now 60+ chapters so it's time for an update to this review!

At first glance, it starts with the typical yaoi starter: r*pe. In this case, blackmail. Nemugasa is so emotionally and physically abused it makes me wonder HOW did this relationship start and how the HECK did it become like it is today. But as much as I HATE this, the character development is very flushed out and developed enough for me to let it slide.

Now for the art. When I first wrote this review (IN 2014??!!) I said the art was "hot" but "hot" isn't enough to describe the art. ... Going back to the beginning to catch up with the recent releases, I can physically SEE and FEEL the improvements and maturing of the art that directly translates to the maturing of the two main characters, Maya and Nemugasa.

I really enjoy the realistic depiction of the stress of taking college exams and trying to get into the school of their choice while maintaining a relationship. There's a lot of juggling around with rash decisions, sacrifices, losing sleep to study, having your future being decided in one moment... These are things that a lot of people can relate with. And when you thought the story ends when they graduate high school... it doesn't stop there! Enter college, with new struggles!
Before, I had rated this a 9 however, further into the story there's drama and misunderstandings in every volume which became exhausting especially for binge reading.
I was tempted to drop it to 7 HOWEVER there was a moment later in the manga that made me stop and think about lgbt experiences are like in Japan. I wish I could talk more about it but... that would be going into spoilers.

Maybe it's the fact that the characters feel like they're maturing or because it's been so long I matured, that this manga... resonates... with me more than I thought it would. I hope I was able to convey how much I enjoy this manga without giving away too much. And please give this manga a chance. Even if the beginning sucks.


(07/2014)
I have finally lost track on the amount of times I have reread this manga and everything single time, it has left me crying AGAIN AND AGAIN! I keep on promising myself to write a review but everytime I end up reading the manga all over again.

At first glance, It starts with the typical yaoi starter: r*pe. In this case, blackmail (like we've never seen that one yet). But above all else, the character development is what really sets itself apart from most yaoi.

Let me tell you a thing. The art in this is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLY AMAZING!!! It's detailed yet cute in a way that cute can become sexy and sexy to HOT (chibis are adorable too!)

I mentioned before character development. It's (or at least I think) realistic with the whole dealing with a relationship both being the lover and the loved one and the stress of the future after highschool and into adulthood.

I have read and reread this manga x times and I keep falling in love all over again.

Why would you not read it?
It's funny, adorable, sexy, meaningful, and heartwarming.
Now GO AND READ IT

I think alot of people were confused by the 1st Vol because it is comprise of several different story lines. But stick with it, and let Maya & Nemu grow on you.

I somehow is re-reading it for the 3rd time all the way thru. There were some points that I missed, some points lost in translation and I have to re-read. But I love how Nekota Sensei let both Maya & Nemu grow. I do agree with someone earlier that why introduce Ruka towards the end. But if you keep on going, that'll show how the 2 main ... characters grow with that introduction. I also agree that they showed Shinkawa and Maya's interaction like it was leading to more, and it's not yet revealed and kinda annoying because there's obvious more to it, but it's not being explored. The storyline has cute and funny moments, there are moments that break your heart or squeeze your heart so tight that you feel for the characters. That's what makes a good story, right?

The ShinaideXElektel crossover was cute, and again implied there's something happened with Fumi, and hope that Sensei will add a side story soon. Love to see how MayaXFumi's past would be like.

Sex, yes, there's tons of it, but as the characters grow, that part grows too. They are more honest with themselves and know what they want out of their partners. It's hot, that's all I'm going to say.

Artwork is very beautiful, especially on Maya and Akira. Love the other characters too, but more so on the colored art, for sure!

This is has been the first time a manga has ever given me the most feels in my entire life, and I'm not joking when I'm saying this (although it might sound like the most cliche thing ever), it felt like I was on a roller coaster.

Sometimes I would feel anger and pain towards the characters, and then joy and happiness but there was a feeling of sympathy and bitter sweetness there too. Other days it would plain pleasurable and then anguish, but let me tell you I've never fell more in love with characters ever in my life than have with these two (and ... this is including all manga I've read, whether its shoujo, horror psychological or even shounen manga).

Maya and Nemugasa have completely grown on me and taken a hold of me, I love them with everything I have. And I can't even tell you how many times I've re-read this manga, whether I started it all from the beginning or read from a certain chapter of the manga, it never failed to make me feel how felt, when I read it for the first time.

I also applaud Yonezou Nekota for creating such an amazing story, it pleases me greatly how effective the author can make it. There are times when you feel like you want punch Maya and just hug Nemugasa but there are time you empathize with Maya and understand why his like that or even feel for him because he realizes his mistakes or what he has done, the author clearly shows how he reflects these emotions strongly through his facial expression. Which lead to way Nekota draws the characters, s/he has such an effect on me I cannot even explain, as well as feeling the love and lust of Nemugasa's face when Maya is with him, just warms my heart.

I'm telling you this manga will be roller coaster but you won't regret, it's filled with passion, humor, lust, romance, heart broken and many many more, just read it please. There's so much more to this than the sex. Yes, sex is want in this but the ups and down of Maya and Nemugasa's relationship journey is what makes you stay.

[sorry for any spelling errors or grammars, seems I was quite excited whilst typing this out, I guess I really just need more people to read it also so we can all talk about it :) ]

One of my favorite yaoi mangas ever!!

Although this manga does start out a little problematic (not really a spoiler, you'll know what I'm talking about within the first few pages), it saves itself!!

I have read all volumes/chapters/doujinshis for this series up until this point and I can say that there really has not been a time during this series where I was bored or felt that the storyline was repetitive. Yes, there are some overused tropes, as in all yaoi/shounen-ai mangas, but the mangaka does it in a way that makes everything feel fresh and not overdone.

The art style took a little time ... to grow on me, but after the first few volumes, I was used to it and began to really enjoy it.

Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend this series!!