Have you ever wondered what it looks like for a writer to grow to hate their own work? This may be a great example of this phenomenon.
Let’s back up a bit here.
The story and art are great. The characters were always beautifully drawn and very pleasing to look at. The settings, buildings, nature were all very well drawn and very detailed.
The start of this manga was promising, had a great plot mechanic to work with to create plenty of outrageous and dramatic situations from. However, like all great starts, it’s difficult to keep that momentum going. This manga was no exception. It had some pretty
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serious drawbacks as far as storytelling goes. Some arcs just had no place in it. Not because the idea was bad but, rather, because they simply didn’t add to the story or development of the characters in any meaningful way. At times I found them downright hilarious and had a good laugh about it. Other times.. well. It seemed to be more of a disappointment than anything.
Now, up until about the 268th chapter or so, I was really enjoying where the manga was going. I felt it had solid ground to stand on. It was filled with all sorts of ups and downs. It really felt like it was going wrap things up nicely and ride off into the sunset as a great manga, even with all of its flaws.
However, something strange happened. The author seemed to grow tired of the thought that this manga just might end the way everyone expected it to and pulled the rug out from under everyone’s feet.
** THERE ARE SERIOUS SPOILERS AHEAD **
Natsuo and Rui’s relationship seemed all but certain. They were in love, expecting a baby and engaged to be married. Sure, the baby wasn’t planned but that happens. And the way they both handled it was great. It was going to happen sooner or later, right? Why not seal the deal and make it official? Life is like that sometimes. It’s unexpected and uncertain. But that doesn’t mean it has to be scary or that you have to be afraid of what comes next. Natsuo and Rui both had been through a lot. As did Natsuo and Hina.. but their relationship had pretty much been decided by this point. Natsuo seemed to make up his mind about wanting to be with Rui and Rui decided the same for Natsuo. They even went so far as confess to everyone who didn’t already know about the nature of their relationship. I really felt this was such a classy way to end this manga. Even if it wasn’t perfect and some of the twists and turns felt unnecessary and contrived, it was all coming together nicely.
Then, the last handful of chapters completely made a 180 and gave everyone whiplash.
I think one violent act of revenge was enough in this story. But, to do it twice, and all for the sake of trying to convey an empty notion of fate? If Natsuo and Hina were truly fated to be together, there was a much better way to convey that and write it out.
If nothing else, Hina should have simply died and be left at that. Natsuo and Rui could still have gotten married and even named their daughter after her. That would have been a much more touching and classy way to end it.
But no.. instead Rui breaks off the marriage, encourages Natsuo to love Hina despite being in a coma, waits around for 5 years while raising their daughter together, only for Hina to suddenly wake up and marry Natsuo.
This is what I meant by growing to hate your own work. The author spent years of her life fleshing this story out. Fans from all over have been reading from day one, waiting for a solid conclusion to an otherwise decent story. Instead, they get fate. Because fate matters more than all of the hard work and effort put in by people. Whatever you do in life, fate will find a way to take a huge steamy crap on your efforts. That’s the moral of this story..
Reading this story and seeing people’s reactions feels like getting a participation award. You feel like an ass for getting a reward for losing, and the people who won can’t feel good about it.
I admit, I was actually leaning team Rui right up until they got engaged. Her attitude and actions were a bit irritating throughout the story but I think the author did okay in redeeming much of that. For example, when Rui lost her sense of taste due to stress, she finally realized what a jackass she was for leaving Natsuo during his time of need. When they broke up the first time, I was actually kind of okay if they never got back together. That whole situation rubbed me the wrong way. But I was glad when Rui came to terms with her mistake and properly apologized for being so selfish.
Even though Hina wasn’t involved romantically with Natsuo for much of the story, I always did kind of prefer her character. She was strong, stubborn, caring and incredibly selfless at times. Sure, she did some pretty awful things to Natsuo in the beginning, but again, much of that was forgiven. She took care of Natsuo when Rui wouldn’t. She was there for him through so much. Frankly, if they had ended up together earlier, it would have been fine by me.
But where does that leave everyone? Sure, team Hina won, but at what cost? Can you really call this closure? The whole entire train of thought got derailed right in the last 8 chapters. I more less knew what I was getting into because I had accidentally spoiled the ending for myself before I even read the manga. However, I don’t take reviews at face value and felt I should give it a try. I’m glad I did, it was a great story. But that ending left a really bad taste in my mouth. It seems that way for much of the readers who bothered to finish it.
I do think this was a valuable lesson, though. I’ll be looking at reading stories that generally seem to have more favorable endings. Even if they’re not happy, I’m fine with that. I would’ve been fine with a tragic ending in this manga, too. However, the way it ended was simply far too superfluous.
Anyway, I think I’ve managed to get my point across. At least I hope I did.
In summation; I can’t in good conscience recommend this to anyone. I took a chance and read the entire series, and I really didn’t get much out of it. I can’t say it’s a good thing to be left scratching your head after finishing the last panel wondering “why?”
Read it if you must; it really is a good story overall. The characters are all pretty likable, save for some really questionable decisions. The art is amazing and well received. The ending, for me at least, really did sour my experience with it, though. So take that and do with it what you will, but these are just my honest thoughts.
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