Maybe Itsuki ended up with Botan because she loved him for who he was, Tokujira loved him because of his other persona
Basically yes, even if it was Itsuki all along, just his external appearance that changed. But once again, that wasn't addressed, Tokujira was brushed aside to focus on... well, I'm just repeating myself now.
And yes also to your other point that was left out.
I assume you assuming the series will go certain way is influenced by how we are expecting those kind of stories to go.
I'm not entirely convinced about that. To be honest, I accepted Botan's route when Tokujira was crying (I was crying (internally) alongside her, but I have the feeling I was the only one...), so yeah it was a disappointment but not my main grudge.
I'm just nitpicking right now, but I think I should specify that I care more about Tokujira than Itsuki (if that wasn't already obvious). Similarly as in Gamers! where I was rooting for Tendou not because she would be the best for the MC, but because it was what she wanted, I cared more about her and her happiness than what was "the best" for the MC (which was the main argument of the other girl's fans).
So I guess the situation is pretty much the same in here. I was more concerned about what happened to Tokujira, first and foremost, and about Itsuki and what happened between them, Edit This was confusing and kind of wrong, what I was trying to say is that I didn't feel like Itsuki was torn between the two. than about the resolution of the love triangle I didn't think existed in the first place. In the end, the story was resolved for one of the two MCs, but not for my favourite one.
That is why when story doesn't follow it and changes the love interest at some point, we feel betrayed because we are not used to that kind of development. I'm not saying this story done it well, just that it can be factor in feeling cheated.
Fair enough.
(which only works when you bring it down to the simplest of descriptions)
Naturally, I forgot to mention that, thanks for clarifying it.
My issue with most romance story is that they are stall. They don't try to innovate or be original at all. They simply use the same tested formulas that will guarantee them readers.
That is my issue with how they treated Itsuki and Botan's romance in the last chapter. I think it ended way too early and the switch happened way too quickly, but I already wrote plenty about that.
For the second part, I guess originality could come with the settings or from the characters themselves. The crossdressing idea was really a good one, but it wasn't really exploited in the end, sadly. And again, it had to do with Tokujira : her fear of men and her probable homosexuality, the first is barely developed and the second one is almost non-existent.
I guess Itsuki finding somebody who looked past his appearance was a good resolution in itself, but I don't know... Still feels like it's missing a part of the story.
His first impression was that he thought she finally looked right into his eyes without being scared by him. Her being pretty wasn't important. You make it sound like simply because she is pretty it automatically make her worth falling for.
I think Tokujira being pretty helped Itsuki falling in love with her from the start. If she wasn't pretty, I guess he would've still been interested in her because she was the only one who wasn't afraid of him (even Botan was wary of him at first), perhaps he would have fallen for her later on after interacting with her. There is also the possibility she isn't pretty at all for others, but only pretty to him - subjectivity IS important in love.
So the way you approached it with accusing author of simply pandering to fans was pretty unfair.
I think she was essentially pandering to herself, fans reaction to Botan may have helped if she had any knowledge about them. What I accuse her of is to have had that idea mid-story and that she took a 180° turn to follow it. But yes, I can see after thinking about it how it's better for Itsuki in the end, I just didn't feel the love coming from him before chapter 29. But perhaps I was just too much focused on Tokujira's storyline to notice it.
The following part is mostly off-topic and a bit separated from the story. Unconcerned parties should feel free to ignore it. Or the whole message, for that matter.
I guess I'm just tired of stories for kids and want to read something more development. I totally understand that sometimes you want to read something fluffy, but sometimes you want something realistic (like real life) or sometimes straight dramatic/angsty. It all depends on the mood you are in. I'm not saying all the stories have to be write this way. I just want more stories to actually try harder.
I get what you're saying. I'll answer what I answer my friend (who have similar ideas about unoriginal stuff) : not everybody has read as many things as you and the audience is renewing each year. It's normal to only have a few truly original and daring story. I don't think MC going for Botan is what makes this one original, though.
So what? If she was ugly there would be no point trying to see her personality, but because she is pretty it is worth giving a shot?
No at the first part of your question, yes at the second. Love is unfair, pretty people attract more suitors, that doesn't mean pretty people aren't scum (but that doesn't mean they are either). Nor does it mean ugly people automatically have interesting personalities or the other way around
Physical appearance helps the most for the first impression, as a reason to make people want to know you or to get a message across. Of course you have to look past that at some point if you want to have something meaningful, but what could compel you to make a move onto somebody? You need a reason, as shallow as it can be, I think every reasons is good as it get : be it for their tastes, theirs quirks, a phrase they said, a certain behaviour (not being afraid of you) or being cute/pretty/handsome, or anything.
Don't you think it would be pretty ironic if his reason for initially going for her was because she is pretty?
Yes, but I've never said it's the only reason, just that it helps.
I don't believe in love at first sight. I think this love is worthless and never true.
There's nothing to believe, it's a fact. I might add scientific but I don't have any articles to link right now. However, since it happened to me, I'm pretty confident that it exists (at least one-sided ones are a given, both happening at the same time is just a matter of probability). Just to be clear, I'm not talking about a long lasting relationship that happens just because you fell for somebody really quickly. I'm only talking about a strong and powerful attraction towards an individual on first sight, which result in a genuine desire to know more about that person and, if possible, to be with them.
Of course, that doesn't mean that this could lead to a stable and fulfilling relationship, but the emotions are very true at this instant.
I had a similar argument with somebody else, the problem was our (different) ideas of the definition of love. I have the impression it is what is happening somehow right now. But otherwise, I pretty much agree with everything else you said in there.
Sure, here they don't stop at this, but that is why when you are saying "but she is pretty, that is reason enough to fall for her!" it lowers the quality of the story to that lvl for me.
It's just a reason like any other, as I said. Falling in love because she wasn't afraid of him could be seen as equally silly. It's possible that despite not being afraid of him, she would have been a complete pain in the ass to be with and in the end he would have stopped loving her and lost any interest in knowing her (or not, you can love bitches and assholes, it's not something you can really control). But Tokujira is still interesting and kind when you get behind her shells, that's what compelled Itsuki to continue his pursuit, right up until his change of heart.
Spoiler text
I know somebody who thought one of her lovers was ugly af at first ("moche comme un poux" is the original phrasing), but then he managed to seduce her and she found him really handsome and attractive. Beauty is subjective, I wasn't talking about different kind of beauty for nothing.
Of course, personality is the most important thing in the long run, but I was mostly talking about first impressions and attraction. Like, the first pages of the manga.
So I actually 100% feel your frustration and can sympathize with you. I didn't try to criticize you for wanting it to end differently. In fact I see your point.
Apologies then. I don't feel like I should touch another person story, but I can sympathise with the desire to write your own out of disappointment - if you want something done, do it yourself! I always imagined many of them but it takes time to do so.
Anyway, it was mainly to prove a point.
Aaand I wrote too fucking much again when I just wanted to make some sort of conclusion...
last edited at Dec 30, 2017 12:44PM
