Jul 7, 2021
So... if you're on this page, you probably have some idea of the basic premise of Netsuzou Trap. If not, the first couple sentences of any other review here will fill you in.
And obviously, that premise is just something that a lot of people are NOT here for. This show will focus on cheating with some not inconsequential side doses of physical (and implicit sexual) abuse, blackmail, emotional manipulation... And if you're one of those people who are viscerally disgusted or repulsed by the idea of your main characters indulging in these things with little to no moral comeuppance by the end... plenty of other
...
shows exist, this one is not for you.
Now, if you do know the premise and are okay with a story that deals with these themes, you probably fall into one of two camps: those of you who are into netorare (and especially if you're a yuri fetishist, too) are probably going to be let down. Aside from a couple of brief moments here and there, this show really is quite tame as far as the lewd is concerned (also, the bulk of it is fairly front-loaded; after the first couple episodes, you've basically got maybe two or three stills waiting for you in the rest).
So. Now that we've weeded out 90% of people, to the 10% of you who are left...
Once you get used to the initial trashy presentation, and the show's odd pacing (certainly a side effect of having 9 minute episodes, reduced by a full-length OP and ED), you'll find a surprisingly engaging show. While of the four main characters, two of them are pretty much just archetypes, the other two are... not exactly complex, no, but solid.
Fujiwara, Hotaru's boyfriend is an absolute monster, really only interested in the power he can influence over people. It's simple, but effective for the show's 9-minute per episode runtime, especially with him being the one having the least screentime.
Takeda, Yuna's boyfriend, is just the nicest guy. Interestingly, though, the fact that that is pretty much his only defining character trait does actually make him more interesting for this show than you'd expect - especially considering the alleged netorare bait. Fundamentally, that's just not a fetish he'd really be able to fulfill the intended role for people, because it becomes pretty clear from the moment he starts to notice trouble that A) he has the backbone to actually get out of the relationship before it (to the best of his knowledge) gets toxic, and B) he has enough compassion that he genuinely just wants Yuna to be happy, even if that means not being with him. So sorry, NTR fans, there won't be any jealousy to enjoy by proxy here.
Hotaru is quiet and reserved, and deeply in love with Yuna. From the start, it's clearly the she fully knows and understands what her feelings are, and has for some time, and it's possible that part of her social isolation is due to her knowing she is gay in a deeply homophobic society. Speaking of this homophobic society, this clearly is the precipating factor in why she dates Fujiwara, in spite of his abuse. She seeks to both distract and punish herself for her feelings (and actions) towards Yuna.
And finally, Yuna is a fairly typical, up-beat high school girl. She's going out with a great guy, studying hard for her exams, and cares deeply about her friends. But... she's kind of just following the script she expects to, especially when it comes to her love life. This leads to her working with complete blinders on when it comes to her own feelings, and understanding Hotaru.
Ultimately - and I should preface this by saying that I would be surprised if this were actually the conscious intent of the show's creators, but - Netsuzou Trap is a show that illustrates the kind of emotional and psychological damage that can be inflicted on teens growing up in such a deeply homophobic society. I would argue that it is transparently clear that every "immoral" and "toxic" behaviour that Yuna AND Hotaru undertake would never have happened had they lived in a culture more open and accepting towards homosexuality. [/soapbox]
...Or maybe it's just that I have a (very) soft spot for broken couples...
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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