To me is so funny that this couple just don't have real development in years; everything feels so forced like EVERYTHING

Fr citrus + is suck a fucking snooze fest

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 1:43AM

I feel like I didn't get all my thoughts out coherently, but realistically what I'm saying is that this relationship is a writing issue, and that makes me sad. Going from one big drama moment to the next is never going to show a relationship in a good light.

No, you did a good job making your point. The scenes are often incomplete, and the writing actively avoids those little moments that tell us “these two are OK,” or that a big drama scene has a positive influence on their daily relationship going forward.

More of those little touches would make it seem less of a “wtf?” moment when Yuzu comes to Mei desperate for emotional reassurance only to get a double smack in the face.

More of those little touches would make it seem less of a “wtf?” moment when Yuzu comes to Mei desperate for emotional reassurance only to get a double smack in the face.

The last time Yuzu did that, Mei actually sat her down, gave her realistic advice on what they might have to face going forward (“There is no right or wrong answer. We only do what we want to do.”), and reassured her that it’s okay for them to love each other.

This all feels like a retread of those chapters, but much less well-put together.

I'm really missing some actions from Mei that shows her love. She speaks boldly at times, but without actions to follow it up it isn't really worth anything.

She was right in saying that Yuzu should trust her, but shower her with some love. Make her feel like she is the only one who matters. I see that the birthday party was mentioned. That was one of the least romantic things I have ever seen in a manga ever.

What we need is a story arc where another girl tries to steal Yuzu from Mei. Let Mei feel some jealousy for once.

typical problem when you try to lengthen a story unnecessarily and fall into unnecessary drama, especially when the reader already knows how it will end. Having said this, I am very afraid that this will end with a bad message. Yuzu does not need to be pushed or pampered, it is time for her to face her insecurities head-on with MEI, and realize that she has value on her own, I want to see a strong yuzu and not so emotionally dependent on MEI, and from MEI I want to see a MEI who values ​​yuzu and her needs, and who understands that a relationship is not just thinking about a future together , Relationships must be taken care of day by day and what is most important is a need to have good communication between the members of the couple, which is lacking in Yuzu and MEI concluded what I want to see is a relationship of equals between yuzu and MEI and not as now "boss" "secretary", what they need is a deep conversation between the two of equals, but I am very afraid that this will be resolved in the dumbest way greetings

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 6:06AM

Ok let's go:
* Almost rape your partner because you're feeling insecure/jealous (second or third time)
* A third party wants to date Mei and asks for Yuzu's help (third time, maybe?)
* Mei and Yuzu talk about it and the drama gets solved as esasily as it began (a million times, it´s Citrus' plot)
* Mei being a kuudere doesn't talk about her troubles, Yuzu misunderstands and starts a drama (a million times, again, it´s Citrus' plot)
* Unnecessary drama of Yuzu and her unscurities about Mei's feelings (i lost count, looks like it's Citrus' plot too)
* Comments argueing if Mei's a toxic or a psyco, when she's just a failure as a kuudere character that never develops (over and over again)

well that´s Citrus for ya! The story that never progresses!
I starting to feel scammed, like i feel that the next arc' plot gonna be something that i already saw, but with new third parties.

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 7:04AM

This is why they don't feel like a couple at all, their relationship is just a string of dramatic scenes with nothing in between.

There’s been plenty of scenes throughout the series where they feel like a genuine couple. All of Volume 5 and 6 especially, Mei trying to convey her feelings to Yuzu in Volume 7, the moments where they were alone together during the trip in Volume 8, the intense and tragic buildup to their breakup in Volume 9, and of course their reunion and Mei’s declaration of love in Volume 10.

Then in Citrus+, we have Mei boldly declaring her relationship with Yuzu to the school board, her trying desperately to say “I love you” again and settling for a kiss goodnight, her crying over losing her couples ring and their subsequent intimacy in that chapter, Mei fussing over Yuzu’s birthday (as poorly as the payoff was handled).

This is literally exactly what I said: a string of dramatic moments, so I dunno why you're treating it like it's an argument against what you quoted.

typical problem when you try to lengthen a story unnecessarily and fall into unnecessary drama, especially when the reader already knows how it will end.

Yes, but if this was an unnecessary lengthening of the plot with actual living as a couple/romance in it, then that would be okay. The trainwreck is really that - as people have said a lot in this thread - that it's just the same plot points as were in the main Citrus story, but they are "a couple" (I say that in quotation marks because I really haven't seen them as a couple in anything but words) and don't seem to have grown as people from the events of the first Citrus at all.

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 8:36AM

This is why they don't feel like a couple at all, their relationship is just a string of dramatic scenes with nothing in between.

There’s been plenty of scenes throughout the series where they feel like a genuine couple. All of Volume 5 and 6 especially, Mei trying to convey her feelings to Yuzu in Volume 7, the moments where they were alone together during the trip in Volume 8, the intense and tragic buildup to their breakup in Volume 9, and of course their reunion and Mei’s declaration of love in Volume 10.

Then in Citrus+, we have Mei boldly declaring her relationship with Yuzu to the school board, her trying desperately to say “I love you” again and settling for a kiss goodnight, her crying over losing her couples ring and their subsequent intimacy in that chapter, Mei fussing over Yuzu’s birthday (as poorly as the payoff was handled).

This is literally exactly what I said: a string of dramatic moments, so I dunno why you're treating it like it's an argument against what you quoted.

Those moments had drama surrounding them, yes. That’s just how Citrus rolls. It’s a J-Drama in manga form. Bearing that in mind, they felt like genuine moments of connection and romantic development. To me at least, clearly it’s just not your thing.

Well, that's it then. I just stopped caring.

At least Citrus gave us a nice anime. It was fun seeing all the locations in Japan. But everything must come to an end.

Finally, someone with the common sense to drop a manga they don’t like.

Citrus+ problems are quite easily fixable IMO. All the story really needs is a little bit of fluff here and there, a few of those '' in between moments'' as someone pointed out. Just enough to give the readers a sense that Mei and Yuzu are happy being around each other. Give me the occasional chapter of them doing coupley things together and I'll be able to live with the rest just fine.

Ok so, is Mei asexual or something? I am serious, being asexual is ok and all that, but I start to wonder if that is the case here, they have very little intimacy, hugs, kisses, etc, is she aromantic? What is going on??

Ace? Probably not, at least not full on, judging from that time... I forgot which chapter of the original Citrus and I'm not gonna bother searching for it. Somewhere mid-way-ish through the anime? When she tried seducing Yuzu that one night and Yuzu seemed like she wanted it but still refused for some reason?

Aro? I kinda doubt it too, though it is certainly more plausible

There could be an arguement for like some sort of aspec/arospec, but a microlabel or few might be better than just aro and/or ace.

Hi, well yes, I just didn't want to be too specific, maybe she's graysexual like me too or something. I just don't understand this relationship very well, or maybe it's been going on too long, they did get married..I seem to recall. This is what happens in the meantime, so I guess some of us wanna see more chu and hugs and stuff. thanks again and good day

typical problem when you try to lengthen a story unnecessarily and fall into unnecessary drama, especially when the reader already knows how it will end.

Yes, but if this was an unnecessary lengthening of the plot with actual living as a couple/romance in it, then that would be okay

Romance? of course, and that's what I and many from citrus+ expected, a romantic dinner with yuzu and MEI over here, a stolen kiss over there, a hug, etc... but all we're getting is Dramas here and there already seen. Citrus+ started well but it was declining, not only because of so much artificial drama, it is because we do not see a real development of the yuzu and MEI couple, if this is what you like We add that the secondary ones have practically not undergone development and their only reason in the story is to be the support for yuzu and MEI, without their own life or any development we have a problem. concluded When citrus+ started there was a lot of expectation and it was noticeable in forums like this and in others where many people commented, that they have literally been disappearing and abandoning this manga, and beware With those who say "if you don't like it, don't read it", be careful (as is my case) because if they abandon this manga they are one of those who pay (let's not forget that it is a manga that is licensed in many countries) It is not going to be that we have an abrupt end or a cancellation. Greetings

Finally, someone with the common sense to drop a manga they don’t like.

I think you're misunderstanding something here, i (and probably most of the people commenting here) love citrus, it was one of the first yuris I've ever read and has a special place in my heart despite how critical I'm about it. Having said that I simply refuse to shower it with praises that simply didn't deserve, i used to love citrus that's why I'm so critical about it, because it pains me to see it's constant declining of quality. if I genuinely didn't liked it I'd just dropped it like I did with so many series
I will never understand the mentality that if you love something you have to turn you brain off and only say good things about it. For me that's extremely condescending and a borderline insult for the author, if I ever created something I'd definitely want people to tell me if I screw up

Finally, someone with the common sense to drop a manga they don’t like.

I think you're misunderstanding something here, i (and probably most of the people commenting here) love citrus, it was one of the first yuris I've ever read and has a special place in my heart despite how critical I'm about it. Having said that I simply refuse to shower it with praises that simply didn't deserve, i used to love citrus that's why I'm so critical about it, because it pains me to see it's constant declining of quality. if I genuinely didn't liked it I'd just dropped it like I did with so many series
I will never understand the mentality that if you love something you have to turn you brain off and only say good things about it. For me that's extremely condescending and a borderline insult for the author, if I ever created something I'd definitely want people to tell me if I screw up

Being critical of something also involves acknowledging the good in tandem with the flaws tho, not just constantly beating it down until there’s no more critiques or even nitpicks to be made.

Yes, this current arc is a slog, but the previous one with Kana and Manami coming back was well-done. Yes, the Yuzu’s birthday arc was anticlimactic af, but the buildup to it with seeing Mei fuss over Yuzu’s present was sweet and gave us a great chapter with her and Matsuri.

It’s not all doom and gloom with this series. Saburouta is far from an A-class writer, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t done anything good with the series recently. Criticism is of course necessary for any series to improve, but no one’s going to listen to your points if all you say is “this sucks, this sucks, this sucks…” If anything, it’ll discourage them from listening to your criticisms because they’ll think you’re just being rude.

As if Saburouta even looks at this forum in the first place lol

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 12:38PM

Y’all may or may not know me as the diehard Citrus fan and defender who comes in here to say something positive about the new chapters now and then cuz I hate seeing people dunk on mah gurls.

And even I gotta say…… yeah this chapter wasn’t it :(

Not only are we back in forced drama territory straight out of Volume 1-3, but Yuzu forcing herself on Mei, aka the thing that gave her trauma and skewed her perception of relationships and intimacy in the first place, didn’t sit right with me at all.

I really hope this arc is amounting to something good, otherwise I just want it to be over at this point.

Hope that i can explain myself correctly. English is not my first language.

Well, since the beginning there was this blurry line about consent in this manga; crossing boundaries and SA were so normalized and painted as romantic back then by the author.

Now if Mei is a survivor and have this trauma. God. Author never cared to explain that to the readers and this manga, and if we deep analize the inuendos and roles in the Mei x Yuzu relationship we end with Yuzu n Mei having a trauma and a very distorted view love and being painted as a healthy and beautiful relationship, and that's a huge problem. The author has deepened about Mei's character and her back story quite a few times, for example now we have a new character about her childhood and her motivations are well explained. The same happened with the daddy issues arc, where it does a good job in explain Mei as a persona and her actions and motivations. Point is that the teacher, I can't even remember his name, never was mentioned again or was showed in some kind representation of trauma. And a trauma have a lot of representation in mangas like flasbacks or explicitly changing face expressions when characters is facing said trauma or more subtle ways like analogies.

Is the authors duty to give that kind of information to have all the context and empathize with the characters, or know the whys of their actions at least. This are just assumptions.

Now theoretically, what Yuzo did in this toxic sick relationship was replicate what Mei did to her aka her first approach to romance aka sexual assault... multiple times and this manga is just straight up afoul.

And please remember that if you have a trauma it doesn't excuse your abusive behavior towards the person you say to love. And that your significant one, while they can be a great pillar to overcome said traumas, they are not therapists and you can hurt them deeply.

Analyzing this, Mei shouldn't be in a relationship to start n Yuzu needs to feel loved.

Sorry for controversy n for the bible guys. :|

Bearing that in mind, they felt like genuine moments of connection and romantic development. To me at least, clearly it’s just not your thing.

That just means you're fine with whatever you want to think, whether it's good or bad writing.
That's fine, you're allowed to enjoy flawed things, but don't pretend this is a masterpiece of writing when it's not.
There are times and places for your "J-Drama" storytelling modes. You'll note this is when they are not an established couple in pretty much every instance of it. And any that would use this storytelling method when there is a couple will - as I said earlier - at least imply that there are moments in between the drama. There is literally nothing implied about their relationship other than the drama we see in scenes. That is why this is written terribly.

You're mistaking a well-narrated story with good character development, with repeated drama and fanservice. Let's put an example: On chapter x, volume whatever, Mei with tears on her eyes tells Yuzu how much she loves her, ok. But something changes from there? Nothing! The next arc Yuzu is troubled about because she don't have trust on herself and Mei's feelings, and Mei even when she really loves Yuzu, still acts coldly to her. As always. Because Mei loving Yuzu and not expressing her feelings is nothing new since a lot of arcs ago. If you have that moment on chapter x, volume whatever, but nothing changes from there, then you just get fanservice. You can even remove that moment and nothing changes.

last edited at Jul 23, 2023 8:12PM

That's fine, you're allowed to enjoy flawed things, but don't pretend this is a masterpiece of writing when it's not.

Literally never said that. I’m fully aware Citrus is far from perfect, and that I enjoy it despite its flaws. Somethings doesn’t have to be a masterpiece for it to be good.

Clearly we see this series in very different ways; you don’t see any of the positives I do and I don’t see most of the negatives you do. Citrus fans debating with haters/critics is the very definition of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

Saburouta wrote 6 more volumes of a manga that has ended 5 years ago lol

I hope that this manga is able to finish without getting axed or rushed or anything

Deliberate pacing isn’t a bad thing, but with the frequency of release it feels glacial

at this point I’m convinced that any big leaps in progress for our main couple isn’t happening until after the wedding and all of the school stuff is resolved

Citrus feels like a circle at this point, it ALWAYS loop back to the same thing: Mei puts the academy above everything else and completely disregard Yuzu's feelings and fears, drama ensue, drama gets resolved (but never thanks to Mei who systematically do everything she can to make things worse), Mei behave like a somewhat normal human being instead of a robot for a very short period of time, then back to square one with Mei putting the academy above everything else.

At this point I just want Saburouta to get to the wedding part as fast as possible and be done with it.

At this point I just want Saburouta to get to the wedding part as fast as possible and be done with it.

not be done with it after the wedding, but rather start a sequel, for example College. With the wedding being in the rear view mirror, the entire future plot can be written freely, even a divorce and cheating! Or 3 volumes of Harumatsu.

Ah, a classic "Mei can't communicate" chapter. Yuzu opened up to her and Mei shut her down by saying things overly harshly. Mei was 100% focused on the content of what she was saying and not the delivery (she didn't even realize how that last line hurt Yuzu).

Most shocking thing about this chapter is that Nene reacted like a human and didn't say "Haruyuzu" at all.

Anyway, I actually like Citrus+. I think it feels (and is) much lower stakes than Citrus. I could barely read Citrus because how tense it was. But in this, both of them are actually trying to look out for each other (hence why each of them goes straight to their friends to ask for advice, though Mei is asking the wrong question). They still sleep in the same room each night even when they're fighting, and they usually resolve things much more efficiently than in Citrus.