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Never did I expect that I would cry and be happy at the same time literally in every chapter in a manga.

This manga is mainly about an old couple that survived a horrific world war. That’re twenty years later, now reminiscing and remembering the good and the bad memories they’ve had and made. Now what makes this completely different and unique, is how the story goes and it’s pacing in particular. It isn’t that special or really different but overall how it shows you the scenes and how captivating it is. Like really, you’d only understand me if you’ve read the manga.

~ Thoughts ~

First ... and foremost, this really messed me up inside and out. I’ve said this the second time already, yet I’ll say it again. You’d get heavily and emotionally invested with it’s characters and it’s conflicts and overall the story. Which is also really something to take note of.

~ The characters ~

I’d have to say, each and everyone one of them is unique and isn’t shallow. They have depth. They have emotions and interests. They have their likings and whatnot. They’re characters that’re people who felt really real. Like the Young Toranosuke whos’ having the dilemma of Juvenile love. Troubled so heavy in confessing and having the hand of the beautiful Servant Kaoru. The main couple’s power dynamic is very entertaining. Yet this isn’t the only relationship in the story that is unique and wholesome. Some of it was also very bothersome and saddening. The struggles and strong emotions they’ve had. You can’t help but feel and somehow and somewhat relate also. The characters aren’t simple as they’re quite written decently. Enough to respect the story for what it is and how it goes.

~ Illustrations/Art ~

The illustrations aren’t that particularly special or great. But it definitely did a good job on delivering and maneuvering the characters with their emotions. You can really feel the mood and the situation that they’re in. Which makes the story and the manga overall even better.

~ Favorite Scene/Panel ~

Honestly, I’d say everything and every simple yet crucial panel of the story. It really hits different when you’re invested whole heartedly. But that would just be crude and ridiculous. So I might have to pick the one where they hold hands and say the title. There’s still a lot of powerful and impactful scenes that I can show but I can only show this. To also avoid spoilers. .^_^.

~ My Gripes or Critical criticisms/Nitpicking ~

As much as the author did a good job, in my opinion. The story hits you with the same emotional beats, again and again. It’s something to really critically take note of as it shouldn't frequently happen in a story. Because it makes things simple and even bad to others. Like the constant emotional scenes of being worried, sad and crying of the characters. Which is too simple yet still an effective way to make your audience feel emotional. But despite this, it still doesn’t change the fact that I really got hit by it too. Which isn’t too bad. And the author provides a buildup for every conflict and emotional payoff.

If you’ve read all of this, then I appreciate it!

Would love to know what you think about the review and the story too!

Balance Policy is about a boy who was turned into a girl because of japan's birth rate declining.

In short mangas like these, you can't really expect anything "good" in general standards and it is understandable. Rather, when it comes to these, I think you're supposed to just read and observe till you get a proper conclusion of everything that has happened. That is if, you ever get it.

What made this manga piqued my interest~

Is that it gives this distinct and strange feeling. Given the premise and synopsis of the manga, it is. Everything and Everyone is strange and weird in their own ... way, as so is the story. And mangas like these are often than not, short. Yet they give off that same feeling.

The feeling of distinct oddness that each of the characters show and convey to each other and to us readers are quite something that makes us not want to remember it. Well, generally. But for me it's the exact opposite.

And the moral or the message that the author wanted to convey was to be who you are despite the gender. As long as you feel like it and know it is still you. Which isn't a bad one, yet simple. You'd have to cut it some slack as it only has 15 chapters and this manga is indeed only "simple".

Though the ending left a bitter taste to others, I can understand them. But as a person who's read a similar manga this isn't exactly new either. And there's just no exact "Good Ending" that fits in the narrative of the story.

I think it did it's job to make the readers see something unexpected just as the premise and story did, and feel something up until the end. And that "feeling" can be bad, disappointed, or even trashing the story. Which again is understandable. And to a certain extent, fair.

Overall it's an 8 for me, personally.