NSFW, sexual assault (in fantasies), sexual harassment, brief depiction of self harm
TL:DR
Gets you really in the head of a despicable character allowing you to understand, but not excuse, his behaviour. Let down to a too convenient ending. You're going to have a bad time if you can't forgive some pretty severe sexual harassment
Story: 6/10
All the decisions he makes are perfectly understandable due to the way the author keeps us in his head it means that no matter how dumb a decision that Kurosawa makes, you don't feel like it's just for plot-advancement. I appreciate that the MC has to take the hard way, no cop outs here. It was genuinely surprising when this happened. He does some despicable stuff and he has to atone for it.
The bullying is realistic instead of exaggerated, keeping it believable and keeping you in the position of the characters.
I think Kurosawa's initial to relationship with Takigawa is well written, a little stereotypical but good. I also appreciate that he did not just “get the girl” and be fixed. Life isn't usually that convenient (more on that later) and it leads to a really well written change in character.
Prior to his atonement, I was very much enjoying this manga. Unfortunately, it drops the ball. It's shown that he is bullied and there is this comparison the Kitahara comparing how the two react. Except, Kurosawa absolutely deserves to be ostracised for his heinous acts while no one is aware of Kitahara doing anything wrong. The manga also attempts to elicit the readers sympathy due to the bullying but it just fell flat for me, he's kind of terrible so I don't really care if people don't like him. He isn't really the victim in this situation unlike Kitahara and the comparison falls flat.
The manga tries to compare Kurosawa's and Kitahara's reaction to the bullying but their situations are entirely different. They both act the same and yet Kurosawa got lucky and people reach out to him, despite pushing them away and after all he did to them. Even before his confession, people still try to engage with him despite him constantly making it clear he'd rather be alone. Kitahara is blameless in everyone else eyes but get's no hand up from anyone. The message of reaching out to people doesn't work when we see that there really isn't anyone she can reach out too.
That Kurosawa is depicted as despicable and a pervert is excellent, he's not given any excuses for his actions, however the fact that his fantasies are depicted in the manga for the audience feels exploitive, like the reader becomes complicit in his fantasies and the sexualised depictions of the characters he targets takes away something from the manga. I feel like it would be better if his fantasies were less explicitly depicted or only implied, for example we could see what he's actually doing (jerking it) and he speaks what his fantasies are. As it stands now, it feels like the reader is also supposed to be getting off on Kurosawa's fantasies too.
His personality does a 180 and he suddenly becomes a personable, outgoing guy. Kurosawa's atonement feels too sudden and it seems as if people are far too forgiving as if it really comes out of nowhere and isn't earned. It also implies that he needs to become a totally different person and perpetuates this aversion to introverts that pervades media.
Another issue is the liberal use of time skips. Narratively, it takes place over months but for the reader it happens in a flash. I think drawing it out and making it more gradual would have been an improvement as it currently feels unearned, especially considering his outright criminal behaviour.
Characters: 6/10
of course, all of above doesn't matter too much, as it's the characters are what's really important
Kurosawa is the view point character and we really do get his viewpoint. We see the reason he does the things he does, we are kept in his shoes throughout the whole manga. He's believable written, barring the perversion, the way he behaves is something many of us can relate to. You can feel the subtle changes in his world view, for better and worse, throughout the manga. I don't think he's a super deep character but the manga is short and focused enough that it doesn't matter.
Kitahara a subversion of the typical “perfect victim” who is allowed to do no wrong. It's made clear that she kind of sucks. And despite that, she still deserves sympathy. However, she really is just written to be a foil to Kurosawa. She doesn't really get any development or “screen time” of her own but rather server to hammer home the message of manga, we need human connection. Even her arms-length relationship with Kurosawa is a perverse (literally and metaphorically) way of seeking that connection.
Do you know in manga, lonely boys will have a super nice girl who smashes like a whirlwind into their lives and, with endless patience, they “fix” the character? That's a “Manic Pixie Dream Girl”. Nagaoka is one of those despite being a guy. Yes, he's a nice guy but why does he insist on reaching out to Kurosawa who has shown zero interest in being his friend and never is nice to him? It's ultimately Nagaoka who completes the MC's redemption and I just do not know why, especially after what he admitted doing to Nagaoka girlfriend after trusting him as a friend.
Takigawa is similar her introduction to Kurosawa is more believable but she still just keeps going to him despite the manga implying she was traumatised by what he did. It's a shame because I enjoyed how she brought out the best in him.
Art
The art is rudimentary at times but I think the artist uses it to their advantage, showcasing Kurosawa's isolation visually. The MC and the supporting cast seems at time like they're from different manga entirely (without it being jarring). The jagged, raw character design makes it clear what sort of person Kurosawa is and contrasts with the softer, rounded designs of the supporting cast.
Overall: 6/10
The manga packs a surprising amount of character development in so few chapters along with good writing. It's a shame the manga is let down by the second half and the convenient support cast.
Mixed recommend, read this if your interested in a well written character and and interesting idea. Avoid if you want a well-written story or great cast. I recommend everyone read this really, maybe it's message may resonate with you.
