I totally get what you're coming from. But I think this manga likes to balance play, right between the lines.
They don't provide any solid evidence of how big the gap is. They don't discuss matters of power dynamic that comes with age gaps. In fact, they avoid anything that would make the story an out right no go. But at the same time, plays with the same trope while enabling a vague age gap.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and whomever doesn't like it should just stop reading it.
But I think it's good to consider how this manga is formatted for you to think it's ok. Because the age gap is avoided in a way you can't confront it, but also used in a way that is problematic. There doesn't need to be any non-consenting actions for an age gap to be wrong.
Idk if you see it the same way. But I believe age gaps are problematic when they avoid the issue of power that comes into play. An older person, with a job, and living on their own, has much more power than a highschooler. And this power play can be used to coerce younger people into relationships. [although fiction is fiction. but at the same time, if we don't face the reality fiction can bring then we run the risk of enabling this reality]
Anywayyyyyyy, long post. lol, thanks for reading this far if you did :))
I do agree that if there is a power divide and one has power over the other or if one is dependent of the other it’s not good! Definitely, that’s also why such cases could be criminal. Because you coerce the minor into something or have this power to do so.
But in this manga i honestly don’t see anything indicating that. Those two don’t live together, so he’s not depending on takashis finance etc. Riku is living alone with his brother, so I’d say he is self dependent and definitely stands on equal footing with takashi, even though he might be a high schooler. It’s not as if their status is influencing either of their lifes if you know what I mean.
As far as I know German law means that someone over 15 with a capacity for sexual self-determination can be together with someone that is over 18. I think in rikus case, this is given. He’s self dependent, he’s mature and even though he’s a romantic, it’s not as if he is dumb or dense and manipulated. So and that is the important things it’s legally okay IN THIS SPECIFIC SITUATION IN THE MANGA no matter the age difference. The exact age isn’t given, but I recall riku said he’s a third year in senior high and I googled it and it says people in this grade are between 17-18. So those blurry lines have been clarified I guess.
So what I’m trying to say is, that I say that here in this manga, there honestly isn’t any problem. At least I seem to fail at finding one. But and that’s important, I 100% agree to you saying that this manga probably isn’t very realistic in a lot of factors because honestly I don’t think a lot of people in this age, could be considered to be like riku. So this manga can’t be taken as an example on how adult/minor relationships technically are :)
Thanks for your comment !
I totally agree! It's very up to interpretation. Thanks for having a convo with me ~
I'd LOVE to see you try and tell your friends and family you're dating someone still attending high school while you're 25+. I'd want to see the awkwardness first hand, it'd be hilarious.
I get what you mean. But I think those that can come to terms with dating a high schooler as an adult, is surely surrounded by those who do not see much difference in that view. Now ideally we assume people have better moral standards, but some people go through life thinking these things are ok. It's not about the awkwardness, it's about their personal ethics.
Agreed.
Honestly I agree. And that amongst other factors (for example that people with high age gaps are in other life phases, have other mind sets and interests most times and therefore have a bigger obstacle for good relationship) is the reason why I personally wouldn’t date someone that is older or younger than me. But that doesn’t mean I’m the person who contributes to making this situation awkward if i knew some couple like that.
Also I think I have to say it again since you kinda come off as if you didn’t understand that I don’t support age gaps in general but just don’t Mind them if certain factors are given. And in this manga those factors were given so I didn’t mind it :) but yeah I would totally agree that if a 25+ person would date an „average 17/18 person“ I would find it awkward too and would check whether there are any signs of potential dangers.
For anyone complaining because of the age gap:
First of all, their age gap wasn’t that big. Riku is a high school senior so he’s around 17/18. Secondly, the story didn’t contain any unconsentful plot whatsoever, so everything they did was legal (I’m basing it on German law,because I live in Germany).
3. As long it’s legal you don’t need to complain about age gaps because some people date people in their age, some date people a bit older (which is the case with riku) and some date people that are a lot older.
Me personally, I wouldn’t date someone that is older or younger than me, but that doesn’t mean I automatically judge couples with age gap and especially not if the age gap is that small ( for me personally this age gap is considered huge but in relation to bigger age gaps it’s not, also I’m counting 2 years age difference as no age gap since you technically could go to the same grade).
If you desperately want to complain about age gaps, go to another manga where it is bigger. And if you want to complain about illegal adult - minor relationship, then go to for example a teacher/student manga (because this is illegal because of the power divide and the whole guardian like character etc) :)
But Disclaimer: I’m not judging people not liking age gap either. Since like i said, I’m not liking them either. Also! This whole topic isn’t a problem in THIS SPECIFIC MANGA AND SITUATION. Their situations aren’t typical. Riku isn’t a typical 17 year old. He’s basically being a father for a child, living alone, raising him and taking care of a household. Plus there are other factors too. So of course you can’t simply take their relationship as an example of how a minor/adult or age gap relationship is typically like.
Every situation is individual and especially in relationships with ages like these (17 y/o aka minor and adult over 21) one little factor could change the whole perspective of how to view the relationship and also it’s legal validation. If for example he buys him for money then obviously this relationship is illegal. Etc. Etc.
What I’m trying to say: this manga isn’t problematic but that doesn’t mean a minor/adult couple couldn’t be problematic in real life. Don’t copy things from fiction.