otakulys's manga / #manipulation(28)

The seme has good intentions, but was his personality written to come across as mentally challenged? I mean that sincerely, like I wonder if he's supposed to be kind of slow. Watching someone he cares about get raped, then running off is weird enough, but he lusts after this dude then gets confused when the guy asks him out? But maybe the uke needs a big, dumb guy like that. I guess as long as their happy. There was potential here that was wasted on weird character choices and stuff that was brushed off way too easily. Oh well.

Wow, this is definitely twisted. What a messed up relationship. But I enjoyed the manga, and I really liked the parallels to the fairytale, The Red Shoes. It's a less literal approach to it, though it still maintains that concept of never being able to take the shoes off. In the fairytale, a huntsman has to cut off her feet to save her life, so I guess be happy that wasn't you, Yuriy. Lol Seriously, though, a lot of creepy sexism goes into shoe designs, if you dig into the history and concept. They look pretty on your legs, but they aren't good for you. I've had jobs where I was forced to wear heels, and it's not great. Anyway, Adam, you fucking sociopath. It started out seeming like Yuriy was the one in charge, arogant and confident sort, but that wasn't the case at all. The way Adam smiles all passive and calm, like nothing is happening, wtf. It's his own fault things go the way that they do, but I honestly feel like Adam wasn't punished enough for what he did. The ending came so quickly. I get that it was something major for what he likes to do, but I feel like Yuriy should have been killed. He treated him awfully and he doesn't deserve to have him in the end. That would have really crushed his spirit, and he deserves that. At any rate, the happily ever after doesn't seem fitting to the story, but it's sweet enough. The whole tale is pretty creepy and disturbing, though. Manipulative love to the most unhealthy degree. Also, did I miss something? What was the secret? That Yuriy whored himself out? I wasn't clear on that. I did like the history with the uncle and his rival, though. That was a nice little addition. I love when enemies turn out to have been involved, especially when there's still sexual tension there.

Very sad. Beautiful art, complicated human emotions. Reading the comments made me think I should skip this, but it ended up being painful in a satisfying way, rather than in a way that destroyed me. I actually preferred the complicated, messy story to the first story. I'm not a fan of incest, for one, but it was also just more typical and cliche than the second story. Didn't hate it, though. I haven't read the precursor manga, so I was sort of filling in the blanks as I went, but I appreciated the nature of the character unfurling, these people lashing out, hurting others so that they can feel your own hurt, etc. Definitely sad, and it leaves a little empty feeling in your gut, but... I've seen much worse. At least they're still trying. (Just from this, though, I wish Sato would dump Akira and find someone better. He's the only one who doesn't seem redeemable, but maybe he's featured in the first story?)

Through the first half, this was hands down the most fucked up of the Gintama DJs Harada has done, because he trusted his friends, and they were all happy together, only for them to turn on him and brutally rape him. That scene was so messed up and sad, but that was what I came here for, so I loved it. Once he just sort of gave in and stopped fighting, then went crazy, it lost some of the appeal. I liked the idea of them sharing him evenly, though. The three of them living together. I hope that happens, even though this is messed up. Harada is great with intentionally fucked up relationships. This just ended too abruptly to give it the satisfaction it could have had. They regret what they did, but can't let him go? Are they trying to let him go? I feel like it's just a mind break, and they're going to push him over the edge in the end.

Damn, that took a turn. XD I had guessed the general concept from the start, but it was still pretty jarring to see what that calm, neutral face could actually do. Holy fuck. XD I fully approve. I love things like this where the more you read, the more the story transforms. Very glad I read this.

Typical rape oneshot. Doesn't try to be cute about it, but it's the standard "raped until he enjoys it" type deal, only with a cruel ending page.

Man, this goes so far beyond rape to love. I dunno, maybe it'll miraculously get better, but even though it's just one chapter, it seems pretty clear that it'll be two people abusing him, then one of them will have a mild redemption arc and we'll act like he didn't do something awful. I can't stand this stuff, and it's just so common in yaoi.

Eh.