Specifically, the first 20 chapters are hindered by clichés and uninteresting dialogue. They establish important details but overall fail to stand out, and end up feeling like a prolonged exposition. I do think this part could have been presented better.
Admittedly, I read the afterword of Volume 5 before reading the manga itself. I think it makes the beginning a lot more interpretive, but also highlights the lackluster writing. On one hand, it makes it clearer that Kei, who initially appears as some sort of an antagonist, is rather meant to be a source of conflict, which represents the author's own struggle with gender and sexuality. They act as a catalyst for the concepts that will appear later in the manga. On the other hand, when interpreting, I wouldn't want to rely this heavily on the author's words outside of the story. The may provide important context, but I'd rather have the story speak for itself. I can also see why people may think these chapters negatively portray a gender non-conforming characters, though I personally don't think the intention was to target any specific identity.
The pace is picked up significantly after chapter 20. The story diverges into two distinct plot lines, both of which delivering much more remarkable messages.
--- [Light Spoilers Ahead] ---
The portrayal of Yo's and Yui's relationship greatly subverts the typical romantic plot line. The manga depicts sex as something dark, rather than as a gesture of love, and shows how it can be used for manipulation and control. Although this portrayal of sex is often associated with non-consent, the manga displays something even stronger - a "forced" sense of consent, in which the characters use sex to prove themselves as a man or a women, and even as a form of revenge on another person, while the intimacy is completely gone.
Simultaneously, the story focuses on Kei and Ren, the hardships each of them faces with their body and identity, and the way in which they find comfort in each other. Chapter 28 is by far my favorite from this manga so far, and is nothing short of beautiful. It delivers an extremely powerful message about body positivity and self-acceptance. While there is still some awkwardness present, both characters share it, and they use the situation to convey a positive perception of one-another's body. This relationship is not explicitly sexual or romantic, yet it feels very intimate.
The concepts shown in this part of the mange are outlined even more by the harsh contrast between these two plot lines.
The manga definitely has a lot more dark themes to show, but I do hope that it also focuses on the more positive elements that were displayed in these chapters. Overall, "Okaeri Alice" is a mixed bag, but also highly intriguing. Right now, we can only wait and see how it continues.
