This really did surprise me, positively. It’s not my kind of story, because it’s a little too fluffy (I’m nore into the rape Madarame-sensei’s so eager about, because then it gets controversial and more adult). But, though comedy's not for me, what got me going was the "drama" bits.
Madarame-sensei's improving a lot, as times goes by. Shouta's the first character from the Akuma series who actually has emotional depth. He's a very complex character, just like in all her other stories besides this series. Also, I know it's sick and as twisted as any of Madarame-sensei's characters, but....I love how Shouta says his short hair and scar are a way to get Hisashi indebted to him.
It seems Hisashi had his internal thinking too even though we didn't get his version of the story - yet, I dare say.
The characters weren’t to my taste either, but the relationship was very believable, too, so it compensated for it. For the first time, Madarame-sensei actually took some time into developing it. Shouta loves Hisashi and I've got no doubts about it. It was clear as day, had a reason and years of background.
Then again, both Hisashi and Sho-chan's personalities are very feminine, on different degrees. I'm not really fond of flamboyant bishies, so... The redeeming point here for me in the area was that, for the first time, Madarame-sensei took seriousness as seriousness. She usually breaks it down with jokes and it totally ruins the touchy moment. This time she at least stuck with it till the end of the scene. The mangaka finally managed to intercalate drama and comedy! The beginning was absolutely hilarious, but then when it got serious, it got SERIOUS, not ending up in some stupid joke, like all the others.
As for the art, it’s the first time I wasn’t mesmerized by it. I don't think Sho-chan's gorgeous. In fact, out of the three brothers, he's the only one who doesn't suit my taste.
And Hisashi is...yeah, kinda cute, but it's weird that he's the uke, because he's too manly and "scary". But with short hair I like him, he looks less of a psycho (and sexier)
This story line is pretty common, but this was very, very well done.
I'm so much more into Fuuta's stereotype, and I even prefer Akiyoshi as the uke too. Even the special stories from the previous volumes had stereotypes that suited my taste better.
Still, this was the best of all the Akuma series, because is had a whole new level of professionalism.
Also, I know we're not supposed to want sexual abstinence since we can't see the smexy scenes, but...it's just so funny how Fuuta manged to turn Shouta's life into hell, hihihiih
The “no sex” thing makes the relationship more meaninful, though I hate to admit it... But it also makes Hisashi such a pain in the ass.
There are only some things I don’t understand: first, about the psycho girl, Hisashi mentioned a letter. What letter? Did I miss that?
PS: I can't wait for Rai-chan’s story!!!! He’s the one I’ve been expecting the most! Will it be with Ogawa? There are rumors...