I totally agree. This was well said.
Thank ya. I usually feel like I don't really get my point across when I go on tangents like this.
Like, I get why the creator went with making this a two part series with the prequel and sequel. Pornographer was supposed to be emotional and deep. It's just a lil heart breaking to see how attached Kido and Kijima were pre-Kusumi. I've also seen that a lot of people are calling what Kijima and Kusumi "fake" or not as deep as what Kido and Kijima had-- but what they fail to see is that they met during a dark time in their lives.
This feeds into the emotional aspect of their relationship. If you took out the angst and their troubles they'd pretty much just be sex buddies if you ask me. It's much like getting really attached to someone who shows you kindness or gives you comfort after going through something really rough. At least that's how I see it.
I somewhat like Kijima and Kusumi's relationship, although it was started from arousement in the end I think they loved each other. Sending letters and calls, keeping in touch despite the miles they'll have to travel. But at the same time when I read about Kido and Kijima I have some hope that they'll end up together. I can see how much Kido deeply cared for Kijima and this bittersweet tinge that the author put on both stories makes them good. In a way I'm happy for all of the characters and Kijima the most because finally he is no longer lonely.
Now that I've realized this is Kijima and Kido from Pornographer I'm really conflicted over reading this or not. I mean, I glanced through the raws and from what I could glean they clearly had a relationship before Kusumi showed up and Kido got married... but it feels like they were together as a way of mending themselves.
Kijima was going through a slump and was pretty much just not wanting to live anymore.
Kido had just been dumped and didn't have a place to stay so he ended up shaking with Kijima.
Do I feel like they ended up developing feelings? Yes.
Do I think it was a healthy scenario for those feelings to develop? No.
Which is probably why it ended up falling apart in the end. Kido now has a family and Kijima has Kusumi. I do feel like they might still have some lingering attachments to one another but I think all in all it was the best outcome for the two of them to go down their separate paths.
That and I really feel like the way they hooked up was out of just desperation and not actual mutual feelings but that's just me taking shots in the dark lol