Jan 1, 2016
This is the shoujo to go for if you're sick and tired of silly heroines.
The story isn't all that interesting and new in the beginning, but it does take some little turns and it amps up along the way, I really can't say much for it because it hasn't been completely subbed yet by anybody.
When it comes to art, I like Geroge Asakura's art style, the characters are very doe-eyed and it's very endearing, re-reading it again made me realize that as the characters aged in the manga, they were drawn in a more mature way that was so slight it seemed almost realistic. You
...
don't even really notice it as you read...
I love the romance part of this manga for one reason: It's not your usual shoujo manga "you're-handsome-and-I-love-you!" kind of plot. It's mature and unique. There are always some deep little phrases thrown around and it's just very enjoyable.
All in all, if I could only describe this manga with one word, I think it would be "mature". (not the sexy kind of mature ;_;ohgod) It almost seems like something belonging in the josei category but the characters are young. I really love this manga and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a unique shoujo.
EDIT: 9/3/2021
Wooowww, after so many years I finally was able to read the entire thing. A small update:
Oboreru Knife is beautiful, heartbreaking, and fulfilling all at the same time. I would like to add a trigger warning for rape because it is both mentioned and experienced in many instances of this manga. It can make it very hard to read. Also, a trigger warning for violence if that is sensitive for you too.
I appreciate the way that the author goes into the nuanced feelings of the side characters, although not extremely involved in them, some chapters are dedicated to a specific side character alone. I always find after reading these chapters that I could understand their motivations better, I developed a stronger feeling of importance about them.
This manga depicts a very personal, nuanced, and mature growth into the teenage years. I can definitely appreciate that, it certainly allows this manga to stand apart from many others that I have read. There is a lack of "fluff", air-head quality, and a flowery vibe that fills readers up with positive feelings. But it's done so beautifully, in a way that is heavy on the heart.
I do love this manga, even if some parts are questionable to me or don't sit right with me. I explain briefly below.
(SPOILER BELOW) (my personal feelings on the relationship dynamic)
I don't particularly like certain parts of Oboreru Knife, I find that the way Kou treated Natsume in certain parts was completely unacceptable, but Natsume was very much still obsessed.
I'm definitely not okay with the first time that Natsume and Kou had sex, it just didn't seem very consensual. That bothered me. All other sexual instances just seemed plain sad.
While Kou changed in the ending, I don't think it's enough to justify Natsume's (and quite frankly everyone's) obsession with Kou. I find myself wishing that she stayed with Ootomo, he was very good to her, and while we do not know exactly whether it was Ootomo or Kou that Natsume ended up marrying, I'm going to assume it was Kou. I just don't really feel like he really deserved her.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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