| All of the top reviews criticize Hinako's "lack of character" and I just have to ask: what did you really expect out of a 4-volume-long manga, about a girl dealing with the trauma of rape? Of course, this would be a defining aspect of her character, and of course, considering the length of this manga, this would be the main focus. What more is even needed, anyway? Do we need to know her hobbies? What "career path" she wants to go down? Do we need to know her blood type, her favorite food and TV show? Would that have made her a "better character"? It's just a pretentious criticism all around. We got to know her personality of being meek and timid and afraid of men, yet opening her heart to Daisuke, as well as her conflicted feelings on motherhood... We got to see her laugh and have friendships with other girls, we saw that she was clumsy and would fumble her chopsticks or drop her books. We saw that, despite her clumsiness, she can be prim and proper too and make a nice bento. She's thoughtful and considerate, she has determination and isn't scared to stand up for herself against other women who wish her harm. I mean, this seems like plenty of characterization for 4 volumes to me! If I dare say, it almost seems like a... well, a sexist criticism, to say that she has no characterization because her rape trauma is a large aspect of her. Does being a rape victim automatically relegate a girl to that critique, just because it scarred her and continues to haunt her? This critique is quite gross, frankly... I focused mostly on the rape aspect but there's also the dumb critique that Hinako focuses too much on her love for Daisuke. Well it's almost like the other main focus of this manga is... romance?! And Daisuke longs for Hinako just as much if not even more?! Wow imagine that. |
| It's criticized because, as much as i didnt want to admit this to myself, people don't actually appear to understand the mentality of a victim like this and what kind of reality she is going through. Do people who try to dunk on this manga in this way struggle to emphatize with a character because their life experience is just so foreign to them? Is it about trying to figure out a frequency with which to relate to the character? This isn't a bullying story where we get to read about a girl coming out of her shell after her bad childhood, her life was ruined by all means and the only thing left to do is to pick up the pieces as best as she possibly can. The argument is valid when you're reading something lighter where the character in question isn't a rape victim, but I suppose this nuance is somehow lost on the average reader. |
| Yeah, I thought it was a ridiculous, apathetic complaint as well. I mean, this manga is by all means not perfect, but Hinako's nature was the least of my quibbles. |
More topics from this board
Poll: » Bitter Virgin Chapter 32 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 )Sesshimi - Aug 24, 2008 |
172 |
by reneansun
»»
Oct 16, 2024 2:41 PM |
|
Poll: » Bitter Virgin Chapter 24 Discussionzippy - Feb 20, 2008 |
32 |
by Tr0ntIsntAnOtaku
»»
Nov 21, 2022 4:29 PM |
|
» Bitter Virgin for anime adaptation!!!!!!!joekongg - May 25, 2010 |
8 |
by Haneken2086
»»
Aug 7, 2022 11:33 AM |
|
Poll: » Bitter Virgin Chapter 31 DiscussionTorisunanohokori - Aug 24, 2008 |
25 |
by DeonX
»»
Jul 7, 2021 8:47 AM |
|
Poll: » Bitter Virgin Chapter 30 DiscussionJ-970 - Aug 23, 2008 |
30 |
by DeonX
»»
Jul 7, 2021 7:55 AM |