I didn’t do a 10 chapter test for this one cos at that chapter mark it felt like it was going to end soon (and I was right).
This felt like an inferior manga in the vein of Takopi’s Original Sin (which btw, what’s the hold up on an anime adaptation???). Obviously one main difference is the lack of a supernatural element. Which contributed to the story being very unbelievable. Surely two kids would not be able to travel as far and as long as they did. Surely the adults who did recognise them would not just let them go. It was so unrealistic it broke immersion.
Also unrealistic was how Taishi ended up the replacement victim of bullying when he returned and he seemed to be able to just brush it off. How mentally strong is this kid??? Most adults would not be able to handle being in a similar situation. Even if you can understand the reason behind the bullying, experiencing it is sure to take a mental and emotional toll…
Plus the grandfather seemed weirdly ‘ok’ after accidentally stabbing his daughter? As in I expected he would be more long-term traumatised, whereas it felt more like he felt guilty then got over it, even if it was for Ema’s sake.
The whole child neglect stuff was sad though. With this and Takopi’s Original Sin and Kotaro Lives Alone, it makes me wonder if this is actually quite common in Japan? It’s an aspect of Japanese society that you don’t witness except through media like this, as a non-Japanese person. But if I may be critical again, Takopi at least had a message of hope and Kotaro had one about community, but this didn’t really have one? It was just a hero story for Taishi.
Categories: Manga Plus Simulpub Review
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