I personally really liked the art. I liked how distinct it was and how well it captured emotions. It wasn't anything new, but it was very good regardless. I also think that considering this manga is more character and plot driven, and less focused on epic panels or detailed character designs, I think it does a good job. I also like how the things that the characters remark as important are also drawn dramatically so the audience can also see it for themselves. It's not just all talk, but also the medium of manga is used to enhance the story further.
The story, as I said, really surprised me when it subverted tropes of the genre. I'll try not to spoil by speaking vaguely, but will be spoiling some plot points, so I would skip this if you don't want to be spoiled, but also there are some triggering things in this manga which you should be aware if you are sensitive to certain topics. The things I enjoyed was the friendship between the two main characters and how they weren't forced into a relationship just because they have the same orientation. I also really enjoyed the exploration of each characters individual sexuality, and showed that not everyone's experience is the same and that gay people aren't a monolith.
One thing I'm really glad this manga doesn't normalise or romanticise is teacher student relationships, and older men preying on younger boys. It was always treated as creepy and never treated lightly. Even when we are meant to sympathise with the predator, it's never treated as something normal, but something that is morally wrong.
Two things I didn't quite enjoy was the representation of lesbians. Which in all honesty was a blink and you miss it moment, but it was distasteful especially considering the content of this story. The lesbian character was used to further prove that one of the main characters was definitely not interested in women. But the scene also enforced the idea that woman 'turn' lesbian after a bad sexual experience with a man, and as we know isn't true and a harmful misconception. I know the author wasn't interested in this character more than just to make a few jokes and not to develop her as a character, therefore I feel like she could've been omitted all together. However, she appears so briefly hat it doesn't' really affect my enjoyment of the overall story.
I also didn't enjoy the reinforcement of the trope that men who're homophobic are actually gay themselves, but even more than that but the coupling of the bully with their victim. I do not enjoy this trope especially considering how relentless and how brutal the bully was willing to be to the victim, I didn't think they should've ended up together. It's a trope that is so prevalent, and is showed so often in queer stories. I just don't like the idea of not only forgiving the person who caused one so much suffering, but also awarding the abuse with love. However, this manga is bit old, and I can give it the benefit of the doubt that these conversations weren't being had at that time.
