I agree. Too many of these types of ml in romance. Their personalities are bland. I will forget all abt this manga coz nothing interesting happen.. just repetitive plot. The fl is interesting and as the story progress, she turn into the bashful maiden that 'i can fix him' attitude. She does lots of effort for him. I felt too much 2nd embarrassment. Like, girly, please, what do you mean he is interesting???? YOU & YOUR PAST LIVES ARE INTERESTING. Wish we have more of her past lives journey.
Well, I wouldn't say that the ml is boring but it is indeed that "I can fix him" type of story. We mostly see from her pov so obviously we'd root for her but she's mentioned this time and again that he observes and tries to understand her as well. The short extra stories shed more light on their relationship. Both of them are also the lowkey type, hiding their intentions and playing around each other. I do feel a bit bothered by the fact that she becomes a blushing mess so easily while he's pretty nonchalant, but I guess it's a given considering their upbringing and past experiences. Rishe is upfront while Arnold has always hidden his real self. This story is pretty much gonna be a slow-burn. We'll probably get to see more of Rishe's past lives and how everything and everyone is connected. Arnold is just a part of her experience like everyone else. That's what makes it all interesting.
trying to find a semblance of realistic humanity in manga is a wild goose chase that only happens extremely rarely. It is what it is. I'd say this manga is not even worth the amount of words that you wrote, not worth the analysis at all. It's simply half decent entertainment and nothing more.
But you are definitely so right, rishe is far more interesting than he will ever be. I don't understand why this type of misogyny and always putting men a step above women no matter how amazing they are exists as a common thing in SHOUJO manga of all places but sigh. The world is an ugly place.
Especially in this manga I don't see it as misogyny at all. Even in real life if you love someone you see them in high regard. In the latest chapters Arnold said there was only one person for whom he'd get down on his knees. She's amazing and so is he. But if the author nerfs her down to a damsel in distress (like many stories do) after showing what she's capable then THAT would be misogynistic..
that's the thing, he is amazing why? because he's the male lead and he HAS to be slightly cooler than her. That's just how it is, no other explanation. He so far has not done a single thing that is cool in the manga, yet they keep telling us that he's so amazing and what not, when he simply is infuriating and nothing more. That is just real world misogyny seeping into making decisions about the structure of the story. No matter how amazing she is, she has flaws (which is good, she is a human after all) but he will never have it because, showing weakness is a woman thing and he cannot be like that.
The manga isn't particularly misogynistic, it's okay compared to others. But the general misogynistic vibe that is present in most shoujo is here as well, and that is undeniable.
Who says he's cooler than her?! Who even is comparing??
He doesn't take credit but he keeps his people's benefit in his mind. They're pretty advanced in technological and military might all thanks to him. She admires that. He has responsibilities which he carries pretty much flawlessly albeit coldly. She on the other hand shows that there are other possible ways just like how she showed to her alchemist master. So he admires her as well. Why would he be with her otherwise. A woman doesn't have to be an emperor or whatever to show that she's above others. Her strength lies in her knowledge, optimism, courage, resilience. Whoever said she's any less than him. ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
there's a pretty apparent implication... If you don't see it and it doesn't affect you, good for you. But I can see it, and it bothers me. Simple as that. Like I said earlier, it's little subtle things and choices and little things in the dialogue that exude this vibe and if you don't notice it, again, good for you but you can't tell it's non existent when others have noticed and it bothers them as well. Peace. Let's leave this to rest.
Well, okay (▰˘◡˘▰)
wanted to like this so bad this is the 2nd time i gave this a shot buuuuut. it's just giving too much "i can fix him!" and "i'm the only one that can understand and change him!" and "i have to put in this much effort because he's the prize!", which is a shame because i Really like rishe as a character and i chugged along reading because of her, especially because the scenes where she's not all gung-ho about arnold and we get to know more about her past lives are what kept me going.
also, been trying to find out why i have the ick for the ml and i think i nailed it - the chemistry between the ml and the fl is soooo ass especially when you compare fl's chemistry with the other characters that don't even have half the screentime he does, i.e., her teacher, prince kyle, the merchant, hell even the guy's own lil brother. like i know being all aloof and mysterious is his fucking shtick, whatever, but the interest is sooo one-sided and there's not even enough back-and-forth between them that arnold comes across as boring occasionally. it also does baffle me sometimes the amount of devotion rishe has for this man beyond wanting to stop the war he'll start in 5 years.
i think if it wasn't just a constant barrage of rishe bending over backwards trying to understand and empathize with the guy while arnold is just being an impenetrable wall that passively accepts rishe's antics all the time it would be more enjoyable. feels like they really fail to strike the balance between them, like it's more just rishe trying to get to know arnold while there's barely any effort on arnold's part to get to know her back (he doesn't even deeply question the more questionable aspects of her person, like how does she know how to do all of this shit like making medicine, gardening, fighting, etc as an "ordinary" noble lady), he's just too busy aura farming or putting up a front that doesn't hold.
also it bothers me that they're not really written as equals due to the reasons i mentioned above. like it's as if rishe just Has to put in aaaaaall this effort into getting him because he's So Worth It once she can finally understand him. all the stuff she learnt in her past 6 lives just culminates into a continuous effort to show a Big Grand Gesture of Devotion for arnold, while he just kinda stands there and reaps the benefit of her work, because in the end he's an Impregnable Enigma who's gonna be So Worth It once she finally proves herself Trust Me Guys. like hello? arnold you are not That Guy. you are not the prize troy bolton. quite frankly rishe is a far, FAR more interesting character than you are and i would like to learn more of her adventures and accomplishments across her past 6 lives without having them tied back to you.
anw that's just my thoughts. who knows, maybe their chemistry will pick up and improve in future chapters. idk the disappointment for this one is just more palpable to me because rishe is such a fun character but the main component of her story, her romance and chemistry with the ml, is bogging it down and the contrast i feel betweeen how great everything surrounding rishe is versus how... unsatisfying the romance is so far is always a niggling presence in my mind as i read through this manga.