The number one thing I would like to point about in this manga is its realistic, convincing developments. When I first began reading this manga I felt like this was a simple nice comical relief, but boy was I wrong. The comical relief was the basic foundation used to solidify each character's background and a foil for the characters in the later chapters. (I really like this aspect because it's quite rare to find a manga that expresses character depth. PS KUSANAGI Mizuho's works all have deep characters.)
So basically half was through the story (seriously like half way) we finally see the plot moving. At first I supported the Sirix x Selena pair, but as we observe Kei-kun's character development, begining to realize it's time to move on from his painful past life, I changed to Kei-kun x Serizawa. The first flag to my betrayal begins when the author skillfully implements souichi mikage and shauna sakakibara into to the mix. Introducing the dramatic, foreshadowing resolve to overcome their past lives. As a result of this arc, it broaden my stone hard heart for this couple, and I became more lenient as to which route Kei-kun would take. Following from there, we begin to learn the heartbreaking, historical details of their past lives, therefore furthering the foundation of the coming tear jerking climax. The details of their past lives allow the dramatic emotions that Kei-kun feels and expresses realistic, reasonable (and most of all NOT ANNOYING!!!<-quite a hard find for a manga). This arc is also where I begin to root for Loleus (hehehe yes I mean the male Serizawa). You can make a clear comparison to Yumma's andSerizawa's past lives. It is clear that the most static and boring character development would be Selena. (Sorry Selena, Although as much as I love you, you seriously didn't change much.) Furthermore it give Loleus a more deserving reason to have a shot at love (in his next life). Finally the arc which begins the most unbearably addicting morsel I slowly began to yearn throughout the whole series, totally smashed my final flag for Sirix x Selena pair and raised the Kei-kun x Serizawa pair flag up high in the air, Kei-kun scaring development for his feelings for Serizawa. It is implied in this arc that Kei-kun thoughout the story wasn't truly Kei-kun, but a former shadow of Sirix where time has stopped (and that clearly is depressingly not healthy I tell you for anyone). The unbearable truth and tragic reasons as to why he can not let go got me crying a river heavily wished for someone. These painstaking emotions felt horrible to the point I didn't care whoever it was I simply just wanted someone to rescue him. (I was like ANYONE ANYONE!!??!! SAVE KEI-KUN HE DOESN'T DESERVE ANY OF THIS!!!) I was grasping at straws at that point, and the only one I saw could touch Kei-kun deep enough and save him from dispair was Serizawa. When they finally "got together" I was like "yes, yes. This is a good ending. This manga deserves a 10."
And that's why I began rooting for Serizawa/Loleus(, and my explanation as to why it was such a tear jerker).
Recommending to Readers who are:
- alright with slow progression
- tolerant to cliches
- looking for a tear jerker (later chapters)
- looking for comical relief (this comical relief depends on the type of person of course)
Additional Personal Comments:
- I cried every time, a total of 2 times. (How odd.... remembering that I was crying during first read. Which was like maybe 3 years ago or so? Must have left an emotionally scaring impression.)
- pretty drawings
- This manga deserves more praise.