I know what you're saying. It disturbs me how realistic it probably is for many people who live on the fringes of society. They can only do enough to survive, have to deal with being victimized (probably even routinely), and it becomes such a part of their life that even though they hate it, it's not a horror to them or something to tell the world about. That to me is the saddest part - that Fumi got used to being taken advantage of and never thought to go to police or anything else to save himself or get restitution.
Yeah, the bath was a great scene in the story. The first thought that reached my mind was, how do you tell a complete stranger to go bathe with your toddler daughter, even if you trust someone's goodness as passable this is something that's a matter that weighs seriously on your mind, so that kind of action could come from only a kind of tremendous trust in them.
Yes, it reminds me of Nakata-like characters (Nataka from Kafka On The Shore) that I really, really love. Any story that understand th stretch of humanity of characters like this and tells it right, I'd be very attracted to.
Sazawa san's initial effort, according to my understanding, was to make Fumi aware of his situation and give him perspective on how deep he's in and how he can get out.
I'd have to think to understand what his reluctance in working with Fumi's feelings was about. He did say something along the lines of having gotten the trash on himself, which I think means that he'd thought it best to not spoon-feed or coddle him directly, but he had to give in after understanding the extent of helplessness in Fumi's experience.
It's right that it's not a horror to them or something to tell the world about, that's why Fumi left them.
Meanwhile, it's disturbing and hard to come to terms with the filth even in midst of romanticising the filth to some degree. I don't want anyone stuck in their place in the fringes of society to accept absence of justice in the end, and when Sazawa clearly states that it can't be helped and decides to take no formal action, that disturbs me because it's easy for almost everyone to accept oppression.
I agree -- Sad, but I know so many people who just accept it as part of their lives and don't really get why it's horrifying for others who've never been through it. In a way though I think it's part of the human survival mechanism. So glad that in the end Fumi found a good home.
This is just my typed thought.
The drawing style, story flow, MCs's personality, all's beautiful.
I see Fumi as a simple guy without complicated mind. he has a warm feeling when serving Sazawa, clearly reject the costumer at first, comfortable with a kid's touch, be grateful for the roof over his head.
It's true that there'r something bothering, like the rape, rapist, and Iyo & Fumi bath scene. Rape is no good, but Fumi never talk it out to Sazawa/anybody else, he only said he had dispute, not get raped. we don't know what's on his mind for not talking it out, who knows? just Moto sensei maybe. And yeah Fumi actually hate it for sure and don't want it to happen again. For the bath, i think Sazawa see that Iyo fond of Fumi, and Fumi is harmless (he lost fight, he's more into Sazawa), so he let them take a bath together, this is fine with me.
i judge the content by the cover thumbnail, that's why i always just let this one pass by, and i made mistake.i should have read this long ago.