Not trying to justify here, but I'd really like to understand your perspective a bit more. So please let me try summarising your points before I reply. Let me know if I got something wrong.
1. First person perspective is weird because it is vague as to what the author actually stands for. We never know whether a certain thought is of the character or the author
2. Chitose is an unlikable character
3. The story seems plotless, filled with filler, and overall not enjoyable to read. The writing overall is not engaging and doesn't help with the plotless problem
4. The first volume's story is farfetched and breaks your suspension of disbelief. The lack of sophistication surrounding Kenta's mental problems
Let me address them point by point.
To 1., I have to say, in any story told in the first person perspective, I have never considered the possibility of "the author speaking through the main/pov character". I always treat the thoughts in the first person as what the characters think. And this is a strong suit of Chitose in later volumes, the main cast all have unique and sensible takes on the same events, making for some seriously nuanced retrospectives and story-telling.
To 2., I think here your hate for the "light novel" style of story really hurts Chitose here. Persoanlly I like giving novels a bit of a chance before firmly judging it, (I hated Roshidere and still read 3 and a half volumes of it), and I am willing to bet good money that he'll grow on you as a character. But to each their own, I guess.
To 3., this might honestly be a translation problem. I have the official physical volumes of Chitose up to volume 8, and the writing of this series might as well be its highlight. Amazing prose, stellar characterisation, and an captivating dialogue. I agree that the main plot of the story doesn't pick up until volume 3, but it should be pretty obvious what Chiramune is going to explore way before that.
To 4., to be frank, I think this point is quite moot. Let the story set the tone, and then judge it on what's fair game. I can accept the occasional quirky dialogue if that's what the story has established to be acceptable. So what if Chitose speaks like an informercial salesman sometimes? Frankly, stories would be boring like Tsuki ga Kirei , and I'm willing to suspend my disbelieve for more fantastical moments.
So, I'm not saying that Chitose "gets good eventually", I think the first volumes are already good in their own right.
Hey! You should really give Chitose another go if the main issue you have with the novel is his character. A lot of the problems you hold towards him as a character becomes quite intricate and the series is actually very good in terms of character development (not just with Chitose, but other members of his friend group as well). Treat it as a kind of thematic/subtext foreshadowing, if you will: his insecurities and hubris honne, in striking contrast with his confident tatemae, will makes sense in time and soon comes back to haunt him in later volumes. I get it if you don't prefer first-person perspective novels, but I think this is one of the better executed ones compared to other light novels, and hopefully the reasons for this choice will become apparent to you in time.
Give it time till volume 3 finishes. If you still hate it, then its probably not for you.
i see, you did a great job explaining it tho! i also semi-accidentally wandered in your completed list and i gotta say i find your style of writing absolutely hilarious, witty but somewhat analytical commentary with a completely unserious tone lmao nice list
what a great after story review, i'd like to point out though that the recap episode after the "canon" ending implies that tomoya hasn't completely forgot what he experienced during the life that he never lived, so obviously still holds at least some of the development caused by it. and even if you'd want to dismiss that detail, i think the portion of his life that got "reset" by the miracle magical wish making machine still shows what kind of a man he is and conveys the emotions through the screen extremely well, thus having the ability to develop the viewer as well. emotional manipulation at it's most blatant, but worked really well :D
loved your oregairu review, i was wondering why seasons 2 and 3 felt so off putting until i read your review of season 3. it was so well articulated, couldn't have put into words why i didnt really like it even if i tried.
Your Seishun Buta yarou review was really good. Just wanted to say that lol. Personally I liked the banter a bit more (even though Bakemonogatari is better) and the Kaede conclusion hit me harder but overall I agree with your points. Most people only remember Mai from this series anyway lol
All Comments (12) Comments
1. First person perspective is weird because it is vague as to what the author actually stands for. We never know whether a certain thought is of the character or the author
2. Chitose is an unlikable character
3. The story seems plotless, filled with filler, and overall not enjoyable to read. The writing overall is not engaging and doesn't help with the plotless problem
4. The first volume's story is farfetched and breaks your suspension of disbelief. The lack of sophistication surrounding Kenta's mental problems
Let me address them point by point.
To 1., I have to say, in any story told in the first person perspective, I have never considered the possibility of "the author speaking through the main/pov character". I always treat the thoughts in the first person as what the characters think. And this is a strong suit of Chitose in later volumes, the main cast all have unique and sensible takes on the same events, making for some seriously nuanced retrospectives and story-telling.
To 2., I think here your hate for the "light novel" style of story really hurts Chitose here. Persoanlly I like giving novels a bit of a chance before firmly judging it, (I hated Roshidere and still read 3 and a half volumes of it), and I am willing to bet good money that he'll grow on you as a character. But to each their own, I guess.
To 3., this might honestly be a translation problem. I have the official physical volumes of Chitose up to volume 8, and the writing of this series might as well be its highlight. Amazing prose, stellar characterisation, and an captivating dialogue. I agree that the main plot of the story doesn't pick up until volume 3, but it should be pretty obvious what Chiramune is going to explore way before that.
To 4., to be frank, I think this point is quite moot. Let the story set the tone, and then judge it on what's fair game. I can accept the occasional quirky dialogue if that's what the story has established to be acceptable. So what if Chitose speaks like an informercial salesman sometimes? Frankly, stories would be boring like Tsuki ga Kirei , and I'm willing to suspend my disbelieve for more fantastical moments.
So, I'm not saying that Chitose "gets good eventually", I think the first volumes are already good in their own right.
Give it time till volume 3 finishes. If you still hate it, then its probably not for you.
I regret watching Touch.
Also, why would you ever wish bankruptcy on a company? That's a detriment to an economy!