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3.22 AVERAGE
3.22 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
sadly this didn't really work for me. it reminded me of free web comics i read in high school that were hosted online and usually written by younger people without as much life experience. it's a bit immature in what it's depicting, the characters aren't very fleshed out, and the art doesn't add to any of it. we get very little interiority for any of the characters and this adds to the romance feeling extremely rushed and lackluster. the only way it seemed to know how to add drama to a situation was by someone getting punched, or slapped, or getting a bat to the face. there's no lead up to most of the pivotal scenes, so they felt misplaced and unearned. it all just felt pretty under baked which isn't great for a work that's attempting to tackle some pretty heavy issues.
i can tell the creator is trying to be like the creators he lists as inspiration (inio asano, oshimi shuuzou), but he lacks their willingness to take their time with their characters and stories as well as allow the reader the chance to get to know them and the world they exist in. if this was paced a little slower, if we could get to know the characters better, if every adult wasn't the same kind of bigoted abuser, i think this would have potential! but sadly it leans into some pretty basic tropes and does nothing to elevate them. i also have a bit of an issue for how the facial scarring is depicted for the main character - i understand the style is simplistic, but i wish it was a bit more true to how facial scarring usually appears instead of leaning into a cartoon-y frankenstein look.
i can tell the creator is trying to be like the creators he lists as inspiration (inio asano, oshimi shuuzou), but he lacks their willingness to take their time with their characters and stories as well as allow the reader the chance to get to know them and the world they exist in. if this was paced a little slower, if we could get to know the characters better, if every adult wasn't the same kind of bigoted abuser, i think this would have potential! but sadly it leans into some pretty basic tropes and does nothing to elevate them. i also have a bit of an issue for how the facial scarring is depicted for the main character - i understand the style is simplistic, but i wish it was a bit more true to how facial scarring usually appears instead of leaning into a cartoon-y frankenstein look.
dark
fast-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
This is an emotional roller coaster of a book that would be perfect for readers who want to be drawn in by sympathetic characters. Arias even makes you care about the bully!
🗓 Publish date: Dec 17, 2024
🌈 Representation: MC with facial scar, Trans girl MC
⚠️ CW/TW: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia
This was quite fast-paced and I wish we'd gotten a bit more time with all the characters. Especially since there was a found family vibe, which I think would have hit harder if I'd gotten to know the characters more deeply. However, I did appreciate the story and seeing the characters fight to be themselves.
Trans rep in manga is still somewhat rare, and while this book focused quite a bit on trauma, it still had an ultimately hopeful and uplifting message. It was also cool that this was a non-Japanese manga (the author is Chilean).
Not a new fave, but I think I will pick up Vol. 2 when it gets translated.
🌈 Representation: MC with facial scar, Trans girl MC
⚠️ CW/TW: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia
This was quite fast-paced and I wish we'd gotten a bit more time with all the characters. Especially since there was a found family vibe, which I think would have hit harder if I'd gotten to know the characters more deeply. However, I did appreciate the story and seeing the characters fight to be themselves.
Trans rep in manga is still somewhat rare, and while this book focused quite a bit on trauma, it still had an ultimately hopeful and uplifting message. It was also cool that this was a non-Japanese manga (the author is Chilean).
Not a new fave, but I think I will pick up Vol. 2 when it gets translated.