I can't help it. I just can't help it. I hate this manga. I wanted to like it, I really did--with the title of "mother of shoujo manga" and with the author's tragic death, I really had hope for it. In essence, the plot wasn't too bad and didn't deviate too far from the shoujo cliche.
But I abhor the main characters. Kotoko is some kind of horrid offspring between Bella Swan and the girl from Fushigi Yuugi. I was sure the plot had a massive twist near the end in which Irie would be revealed to be a robot. I could see the author's idea behind it--two polar opposites becoming a couple. But that isn't a good reflection of reality. I don't want to be with someone who's the complete opposite of me--who would?? But let's delve in here:
Kotoko is by far the worst. Dumb, lazy, and so clingy to Irie that she deliberately, disturbingly follows him in whatever path he follows in life. She has no dedication to her convictions in the slightest (unless it adheres to Irie)--one moment she's ready to move out, yet one word from Irie has her moving back in before she's left the lot. The worst trait? Stringing along her high school buddy. Why doesn't she like him? Even though he's completely devoted to her and never even looked at another woman, he's not bishie-robot enough.
But she's just so stupid. It's not endearing, not in the slightest, and like another commenter said, she doesn't even try to improve herself. Temporarily, perhaps, but there is no character development whatsoever, start to finish.
I also hate that it is her goal (though never stated, but so shoved in your face that I don't know how you wouldn't notice) to marry Irie, like it's the be all and end all accomplishment. Work hard, do well, live fulfilled knowing you got as far as you did with your own efforts? No! Just marry that hot smart guy, he'll pay for your life.
Irie, well, can you say abusive? Not to mention ridiculously childish. He has no emotions whatsoever except anger, and he takes it out on Kotoko all the way through. How anyone could like someone with that kind of personality I'll never know. He can't admit that he likes her, either, and just bullies her like a five year old. It's so repetitive and bland, and has the worst plot devices to keep the two living under the same roof.
I wish I could like it, but I just can't. The pros-- I think the art's cute, though old fashioned. It had an okay concept, but like I said, poorly executed.
However I believe myself to be a minority. If shoujo is your one-and-only genre, you'll probably love it!
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