Lol, if Kamiko didn't deserve Mao, he would allow his brother and the other filthy corrupted hypocrites from the hero's side to use Mao for their own ambitions. But dialogues with Kaname show he's fending them off on top of helping Mao keep up the charade with the demon king's side so that he can continue to be free living the way he wants, which is NOT as a demon king... That's 'good vs evil' deconstruction for you: it's to show how it's impossible for anyone to ALWAYS be good or always be bad, showing how in the end their holier-than-thou attitude ended up corrupting the hero's side from the inside, while the demon king's lackeys are not so bad.
your comment deserves a slow clap! well explained!!! Q w Q <3
I'm surprised how insightful that was for a thread on a yaoi fanatic's manga website LOOL
Interesting theory, but I remain unconvinced.
Even if Kamiko's motives truly revolved around protecting Mao (which I don't really buy), there is no reason for him to be overtly cruel.
Yet even when they are completely alone Kamiko torments Mao as if it's a sport.
If he genuinely cared about Mao, there is simply no way he would behave the way he does.
Kamiko is a loser and Mao could do better.
Well, perhaps what youre missing here is a cultural aspect on how much of an issue Mao's skirting of his "responsibilities" as demon king really is... In an Asian culture that believes so strongly in filial piety and familial obligations not doing what your family expects you to do is considered the epitome of "selfishness" and ungratefulness, especially when you're the only heir and the livelihood of many other people who have served your family for generations depends on the continuation of the family business. In this story, Mao's duties as demon king are the story's equivalent to filial piety, taken to a "supernatural" level: he is the sole heir of the family's "demon king" family "business"... Kamiko, in contrast, fulfills the role expected by his family down to a 't, and Mao's denial of who he is means currently that Kamiko's being forced to fulfill his role twice as hard for the both of them, particularly so in order for the two of them to be able to live together peacefully like they're right now doing, for the reasons we've already explained (Kamiko fending off the hero side's greedy bunch and the demon king side's over-enthusiastic followers).
Living in permanent denial of who they are is not a luxury that both of them can fully indulge in at the same time so Kamiko "torments" Mao mostly as a payback for having to work twice as hard as a result of Mao's "selfishness".
Yeah something about this manga rubs me the wrong way. S type seme isn't my thing, but I don't mind it when it's done well and there are plenty of yaoi I really like where it is. But with these two I just don’t feel the love. There relationship seems so shallow. It’s ten chapters in and they aren't really dating despite having lots of sex, nor have they made any serious declarations of love. I was hoping it'd be made clear early on that Kamiko was really in love with Mao not justing wanting to subjugate him because he's supposed to as the Hero. And well I feel that still hasn't been made clear and I'm not convinced the latter isn't his primary motive for being with Mao.
It's like you read my mind and wrote everything I've been thinking!
Not sure if you're being condescending on purpose, but having a difference of opinion doesn't mean you have to talk down to me.
And I don't think it's a matter of culture, unless treating someone you theoretically care about like garbage even when your alone is part of how people in Japan show affection. Somehow I highly doubt that. It has been my experience that when you love someone you refrain from degrading and demeaning them. I also find most people communicate openly and honestly with people they like, none of which Kamiko has done. He treats Mao like garbage, which is why I find their relationship, such as it is, very unrealistic and generally a bad example. When I write that Mao deserves better it is because I think everyone deserves to be treated with respect by the person they are with; however, I don't think that's a product of my culture. I believe it's part of being a good human being.
Condescending? Er... you do realize that a lot of the people who write comments in this website are not native English speakers, right?
In an ideal world, absolutely...
What point are you trying to make?
Are you implying non-native English speakers are not capable of being condescending?
Or merely unable to grasp the concept?
Because I do not believe either case applies to the vast majority of individuals commenting here.
The third one: when two people don't speak the same first language some things get lost in translation... I wasn't trying to sound condescending. It was the opposite.
I actually get annoyed myself at Kamiko and sometimes pity Mao, but I think this is the story's way of hinting at character development: by showing how Mao needs to grow a backbone, stop with the escapism and the denial and make up his own mind about his relationship with Kamiko on the one hand and his demon king "destiny" on the other. I can relate a lot with Mao's indecisiveness, that's why I think he isn't an innocent victim: he's consenting and also using Kamiko to suit his own purposes. So I rather think they kind of deserve each other.
I'm over this. Mao is obviously the good guy and deserves way better than Kamiko who is no hero and doesn't deserve to be a same and DEFINITELY doesn't deserve Mao.