*one month later*

"Wait, are we married? We're married, aren't we? Shit."

last edited at Dec 6, 2021 2:19PM

I've been struggling to place what the author was doing with Sulfur for a long time, but now I get it and I'm even more in awe of this story.

So I really like how coming to terms with herself has taken away some of Sulfur's jagged edge. She always seemed scrappy, bad-tempered, and like she was kind of burning herself up just being around. She seemed really distant even from her own team, like their earnestness and good-natured outlook ran up against her. She had so much aggression and anger, and it was just constantly leaking out of her.

Very astute! Thanks for helping my clarify my own feelings wrt Kaoruko's role in the story.

cracks knuckles another day, another trans headcanon

It's rough work, alright, but someone has to do it.

I'm glad there are others here appreciating how good Rei looks in that outfit.

who's to really say how much of it was rape and how much of it was her subconsciously giving into her sexual desires?

I'm losing my fucking mind rereading this line.

There is absolutely nothing gay about the line "[The girl who called out to me was] more clear-blue than the ocean itself."

As tremendously little of a fuck as I give about the dad or his growth arc, I appreciate that the ending radiates big "the queers are thriving" energy.

wait why was Takatou wearing a suit though

Takatou fuckin' sold out. He nows works just twelve hours a week - exclusively on investor calls. Only agrees to film trips with his high-school homie anymore so he can feel "close to the common man".

No but tbh Takatou seems like a real one.

last edited at Jun 12, 2021 9:47PM

I think dismissing the relationship between Utena and Kiwi simply because there's been no high drama between them since their first battle is a fundamentally unhealthy view of the characters. Utena is shown to honestly love basically every girl we've seen so far in some way. Her primary challenge in the Enorme arc was finding something to love about a person she straight-up dislikes.

At this point, her interactions with Kiwi can be described as "cozy domesticity", which is indeed something that someone who's dom can still value. I don't recall her ever showing annoyance or dismissal in response to Kiwi's sappy proclamations. Mostly it seems to be a trait that she understands and rolls with.

Whether Utena x Sayo is certain is something I'm not confident on at this point, but I'll say she basically demonstrates similar interest in "bringing out the best of" each member of Tres Magia. I think what others are saying about Utena not feeling deserving of their affection/love is the real conflict that would have to be overcome for a lasting relationship to form.

Kiwi x Kaoruko is a bad idea and I hope these beach chapters aren't a setup for it without significant development between them. Partners constantly tearing each other down isn't cute; it's mean and nasty.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. Fuck Youko. You can try to fluff it up as much as you want, but at the end of the day she was two-timing, and stringing along both her partners. Of course, since it's a yuri story, the guy is easily cast aside, even though he did nothing wrong and seemed to be a faithful and caring boyfriend. Pretty shitty storytelling IMO.

Right. Get that everyone?—torches and pitchforks at Youko’s house at midnight.

Um, what was that address again?

I pretty much emphatically disagree with the person you're responding to, but implying they shouldn't be feeling that feeling when the story is intentionally evoking themes of infidelity is crass at best.

People can feel however they want, and I need no pious lectures from you about it.

If readers want to approach stories as if they are hanging judges in a moralistic small-claims court, no one is stopping them.

Sure, and it should be understood that LOUDLY side-eyeing others is liable to earn you a response. Lecture or otherwise.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. Fuck Youko. You can try to fluff it up as much as you want, but at the end of the day she was two-timing, and stringing along both her partners. Of course, since it's a yuri story, the guy is easily cast aside, even though he did nothing wrong and seemed to be a faithful and caring boyfriend. Pretty shitty storytelling IMO.

Right. Get that everyone?—torches and pitchforks at Youko’s house at midnight.

Um, what was that address again?

I pretty much emphatically disagree with the person you're responding to, but implying they shouldn't be feeling that feeling when the story is intentionally evoking themes of infidelity is crass at best.

Agh, it's so disappointing to see this get binned this quickly. I'd love to say Canno should keep at these narrative themes, but if the demand isn't there it's hard to expect an artist to jeapordize their livelihood.

(sorry for the long text, i got excited xd)

Hell yeah, get excited for things that bring you joy.

Shimamura is truly Too Powerful as a top.

I'm motherfucking glad they understand how to make a competent CW. You don't shoot for "the average" in social mores, you try to give folks the space to avoid potential trauma triggers that they're vulnerable to.

I literally cannot stop cackling now every time we get Adachi's POV. She is an absolute disaster and I adore her.

And don't forget that she was asking for help to that friend at first, it's makes me feel like she looked for someone of her trust to confess that she's being molested, that doesn't feel like a "tsundere thing".

That's what takes it past "bad genre trappings" for me. Chiharu is signalling from the very start that she's uncomfortable with this girl's advances and wants to create distance via going to a trusted third-party for backup.

I think two appearances by this Kyousuke were enough for me, tbh.

Lolien Vs Predator

Whoever wins, I end up feeling bad about my judgment.

I'm sure it's been mentioned before by folks but I just wanna say that I'm happy to see a yuri manga with a chubby lead (!) who's also presented as desirable (!). I wouldn't even describe her shape as "not average", but it's just soooo rare to see that represented in the medium.

Just go ahead and do your work. <3

Anyone else still getting really mixed messages? I mean, the mixed messages are on purpose, which makes it more confusing. Mikanuji is making it clear that Iori has a drinking problem and is prominently displaying her beers in each panel they show up in (and having characters call it out), but at the same time you have the overlay of her gf talking about how everything is sunshine and rainbows and a relationship that gives her life meaning.

And these tensions aren't really addressed or resolved, just set up and not followed up on. Is Mikanuji portraying this as unhealthy codependency or as a relationship where they can work with their faults to find fulfillment? I'm not really getting a clear indication either way.

I think what Mikanuji is trying to portray is a lighthearted romance that can also veer in whatever direction they feel compelled to take it for a chapter. I've come to the conclusion that the mixed signals are a result of clumsy thematic management rather than a meaningful attempt to add depth to the story. For example, I doubt the problematic elements people are noting in Iori's lifestyle and attitude will ever be confronted on-page and are instead going to continue to be exploited for whatever comedic or dramatic turn the chapter wants.

Anna tbh I don't know if that's okay.

Wowowow she's my dream girl. Hayfever really does just melt your face for a chunk of every year.

I don't give a damn about first or second kisses.

Preach!