Back to yorokobisenpai's Profile yorokobisenpai's Profile

I want to start off by emphasising that this manhwa does, in fact, contain sexual assault. Now, there is a review here that says there is none of that, and I think that is extremely harmful because the user expresses the fact that Kim Dan and Jaekyung had an agreement. Therefore, according to them, everything that precedes that agreement is not sexual assault.

I would like it to be known that the agreement between Kim Dan and Jaekyung was that Kim Dan would engage sexually with Jaekyung as he needed, before his matches. That was the sole agreement. However, we see many instances where Kim ... Dan is extremely uncomfortable. He says stop. He is exposed and humiliated without his knowledge to a third party. The instances are plentiful. There is even a scene where he is crying because he is in pain and extremely distressed and is saying stop, and Jaekyung threatens to physically beat him if he persists.

It's interesting to me that, despite the traumatic nature of what Kim Dan experiences at the hands of Jaekyung, the creator chooses to never actually highlight those experiences as traumatic.

Kim Dan goes through a very difficult time with his own emotions and mental health, but it is not because he is treated so horrifically. It is because he has to come to terms with the fact that he has fallen for someone who he believes will never like him.

I thought that was actually very insightful into the creator themselves because it was so mind boggling to me to see Kim Dan abusing alcohol, having severe trouble with his sleep, and literally falling into depression, not because he was sexually assaulted multiple times, but because he fell for Jaekyung, who he believed he could never be with. Coming to terms with that was just so painful for him.

So for anyone to engage with said content and then not say that it is sexual assault is extremely harmful and, quite frankly, sick. As early as Chapter 2, we are introduced to Jaekyung's character. He physically assaults someone and is immediately shown to not only be arrogant and self-centered, but violent. That introduction sets us up for everything else that follows.

By Chapters 7 and 8, we are already witnessing sexual assault. Kim Dan says "I said stop", which is his right. Kim Dan is also afraid of being beaten because he has already seen Jaekyung assault someone else and knows how easily that violence can be directed towards him.

Within the same story, we have Kim Dan's former coworker, who was the director when they worked together and was the reason Kim Dan initially lost his job because the director was caught forcing himself onto him; then blamed it on Kim Dan. People can easily deem what that man did to be sexual harassment and show him complete disdain because of those actions, but how does he differ from Jaekyung in any meaningful way?

Interestingly enough, Jaekyung himself looks at that man, sees his behaviour, and once Kim Dan shares that this is the man who sexually harassed him and contributed to him losing his job, Jaekyung reflects on his own actions and questions, "How am I any different from the f****** that took advantage of you?" because he knows full well that he abused Kim Dan.

The issue for me as a reader is not the sexual violence and abuse that are shown. The issue for me is that if you are going to write and create a character and intend to redeem them, then make them redeemable.

What the creator has done is make Jaekyung a very unlikeable character and, quite frankly, a monster...which would be fine... Yet the story then tries to force readers to forgive him through scenes and language that, in my opinion, minimise and attempt to erase his behaviour.

My main issue with the story is that it forces readers to accept them being together despite the sheer amount of harm that was done beforehand.

I think the introduction of Heesung was a light of sorts because there was a moment where it looked like maybe Kim Dan would find someone better. Perhaps he would develop romantic feelings for Heesung and find some form of comfort and happiness outside of Jaekyung.

But that never happens.

Heesung serves little to no purpose and is ultimately introduced for no reason other than to decorate the story. I think that was such a sad and poor use of a character because the creator wanted, no matter what, to force Jaekyung and Kim Dan together.

That really took away from the story.

It would have been lovely if the characters had been utilised better and if Kim Dan had been allowed to acknowledge the harm that was done to him and recognise that he deserves better and is worth more.

I liken this story to real life abuse victims and abusers. The way Jaekyung cries, begs, and tells Kim Dan that he can even return the hurt. It reminds me of the way abusers return to their victims making the same promises. Victims see them in that state and think that this time will be different, that this is the last time, that they will change.

It is such a harmful and disgusting thing to romanticise violence simply because a character is good looking.

I think the perfect example of this is the man who sexually harassed Kim Dan. He is essentially turned into a scapegoat for everything negative within the story. Things become so exaggerated that we eventually have this man attempting to take Kim Dan's life. It's as if the creator thought..."hm, what could be worse than sexual assault? oh, murder!"

It feels outrageous to me because the villain of the story had always been Jaekyung.

But as I said, the creator seems determined to redeem him by any means necessary and therefore has to create new villains. That is where we see the increased focus on both the former Director X, as he is referred to in the manhwa, and Jaekyung's supposed childhood friend, Baek, who seemingly appears out of nowhere.

Baek is introduced as an MMA fighter, yet Jaekyung had no knowledge of him as one. Despite that, he has somehow earned a title match against the number one fighter (Jaekyung) . To me, that was very poorly written and honestly felt like an insult to the readers' intelligence.

Some people may argue that I am nitpicking or that it is not that serious, but to me it is. Those little details are precisely the things that differentiate good writing and creativity from bad writing. They are the details that make a story feel believable and well thought out.

In my opinion, the purpose of these characters is to distract readers from Jaekyung's ugliness and project it onto others so they appear worse. Once again, it feels like an attempt to make Jaekyung redeemable by any means necessary. Which is not possible based on how it is attempted.

I was a big fan of the character designs, particularly Jaekyung's character design, because he is a mixed martial arts fighter, which I thought was really cool. He even has the signature cauliflower ear, which I thought was a great detail to incorporate.

A significant portion of the story is focused on how horribly Kim Dan is treated. The rest of the story is spent trying to redeem what is, in my opinion, an unredeemable character. Then, ultimately, it ends with "You're the most precious thing in my life", they get together, and that is the end.

To me personally, that is poor writing.

I want to emphasise once again the inclusion of sexual violence within the story because that is exactly what it is. I also wanted to directly rebut one of the reviews that dismisses, undermines, and misconstrues what consent actually is.

A person can consent to doing something, but a person can also withdraw that consent.

I think a lot of people either need to familiarise themselves with what consent means, or they need to look within themselves and ask why they are comfortable with Jaekyung doing what he does, yet have no issue condemning director X for engaging in similar behaviour.

Where do I even begin? I personally really disliked how the story was structured. The overall flow was off putting, and I was not a fan of how events progressed from one moment to the next. It often felt as though something was missing, as if there were underdeveloped gaps between key moments. As a result, the narrative never felt fully cohesive.

The art is quite stunning. However, I did not like the use of the emotional zoom ins, particularly when focusing on the eyes. I understand that this is often used in manga to emphasise feelings such as fear or shock, but here it felt ... inconsistent and, at times, unnecessary. The reactions being highlighted did not always match the situation, so instead of enhancing the moment, it came across as out of place and distracting.

Aside from the structural issues, what I really disliked most is how certain themes were handled. For example, Haoran is a victim of child sexual exploitation, yet this is never properly addressed for how serious and troubling it is. The way Chihiro responds to it feels dismissive, and it reflects how the mangaka chose to handle this aspect of the story overall. It comes across as though it was included simply to add suffering to Haoran’s character, without offering any meaningful exploration or depth. If it was intended to be shocking, it was poorly executed.

The only character who seems to acknowledge this aspect of Haoran’s past is Kaji, who appears burdened with remorse, possibly for introducing him to Maya. While his concern suggests some awareness, there is still no real discussion or proper acknowledgement of the trauma involved. This is especially frustrating given how sensitive the subject matter is, and even more so when other characters who engage in child abuse, such as Matsuki-san, are presented in a more positive or neutral light. That contrast is deeply uncomfortable and, frankly, difficult to overlook. He is even framed as a kind of saviour who helps , and I did not like that at all. He is not a saviour, he is a predator, and the story does not treat that with the weight it deserves.

Maya, on the other hand, is one of the more complex characters, yet he feels underdeveloped. We do not truly get to know him, but we understand that Haoran fears him because of what he experienced while working under him. There is a clear sense of fear there, and Haoran actively avoids him after turning him in to the police, although the exact reason i may have missed. Maya is introduced as someone to fear, and while he does come across as disturbed, there are hints of deeper complexity that are never properly explored. As quickly as he is introduced and engaged with, he is just as quickly removed from the story, which makes his presence feel abrupt and ultimately underdeveloped.

I would have appreciated it if the mangaka had handled these themes with more care and clarity, acknowledging them for what they are rather than glossing over them. As it stands, it feels careless.

Overall, the story feels underwhelming. It seems like it is trying to achieve something, but I could never fully grasp what that was. There is a clear disconnect, especially towards the end, where events begin to feel repetitive before leading into a sudden time skip. When we see the characters again, they appear physically unchanged despite the passage of time, making it unclear how much time has actually passed. This only adds to the sense of disorientation.

The issue is not just the lack of visible change, but also the pacing. Significant events occur, followed by a time skip, and then the story simply ends. This creates a rushed and disconnected conclusion that does not feel earned. Unfortunately, because of this, I found the story difficult to engage with and ultimately quite disappointing.

This story really frustrated me because I personally was not a fan of the direction it took. The revelation that Hikari is not human did irk me, but not because it is inherently a bad twist. It is more so how it was handled, and what followed after. There was little to no indication of this throughout the story, other than perhaps once or twice when he may have referred to Daiki as human. Outside of that, nothing meaningfully hinted at it. I think it would have been far more effective if the mystery tag had actually been reflected within the narrative, because then the ... reveal would not have felt so abrupt or disconnected.

What makes it worse is that this revelation comes at the very end, and everything that follows is compressed into roughly two chapters. We go from learning that Hikari is not human, to his decision to fail the couple for his own personal reasons, despite them not being unfit. This was built up as a major moment, yet it resolves almost immediately. He then regrets it, realises that he does want them as his family, and wants to return to them. Before anything can properly develop, he is tranquilised, and the story jumps 40 years into the future. We are then told, in a very condensed way, that he has continued being exploited, his memory repeatedly erased, and that the little girl he once knew is now his doctor. She explains that his rights have changed, asks what he remembers, and shortly after, he is told he has visitors, who turn out to be Daiki and his wife decades later. That is essentially the conclusion. It all happens so quickly that it feels anticlimactic and poorly executed, especially considering how much time was spent building up the earlier parts of the story.

What makes this even more frustrating is that so many important elements end up feeling insignificant. Hikari is presented as a child who simply wants to be a child. He longs for love, for family, for play, for a sense of belonging. Throughout the story, we see how mature he is, but that maturity is clearly a result of the environment he has been placed in and the responsibility forced upon him. He is tasked with judging whether adults are fit to become parents, which naturally demands a level of emotional awareness beyond his years. At the same time, it is made clear that his experiences have not all been positive. He has been exposed to abuse, both physical and sexual, and is ultimately a victim of the system that uses him.

As a reader, the initial understanding is that he is a child without guardians who has been taken and used by the government as a tool. Because of that, there is a natural hope that he will eventually be free, that he will find a family, and that he will be allowed to heal and simply exist as a child. We just want Hikari to be happy. We just want him to be a child. That is all. However, the story takes a completely different direction, and it does not meaningfully engage with the weight of what he has experienced. The abuse and exploitation are introduced, but they are not properly addressed. Even earlier in the story, we see signs of this system being harmful, such as when another child is injured after being attacked and is simply taken to the infirmary, as if that resolves everything. The exploitation is there, but it is never fully explored.

Because of that, the revelation that Hikari is not human feels unnecessary. It does not deepen the story or recontextualise his experiences in a meaningful way. If anything, it raises more questions. It almost feels as though it risks minimising what he has gone through, even if that was not the intention. From my perspective, it added nothing. Finding out that he is not human does not enhance the narrative or its themes, and it does not change how I view his suffering. It simply feels like a jarring addition.

There are moments that could be interpreted as subtle hints, such as when he is learning the meaning of certain words, particularly emotions. However, even that did not stand out as unusual to me. Given his upbringing and the role he has been forced into, it made sense that he would lack understanding of basic emotional concepts. That did not suggest that he was not human. It simply reinforced the idea that he had never been given the chance to actually be a child.

In the end, what is most disappointing is that the entire story is undermined by its final chapters. There was so much potential in its premise, in its characters, and in the emotional core it was building towards. To have all of that reduced and rushed in the final two chapters makes it feel like a waste. The foundation was strong, but the conclusion did not do it justice.

Boys love? There is nothing that remotely suggests that this is a boys love.

Initially, I hoped this manga would not feed into particular stereotypes regarding chubby characters in media. However, hindsight is 20/20 and as the story progressed, I did realise that whilst it does reject maybe one stereotype, it does in fact feed into another. Honjirou’s character is essentially, maybe indirectly, centred around his weight. You see moments of self doubt and moments of insecurity because of said weight. It would have been nice if this was not a point that was acknowledged at all. It would have been nice to simply see this ... character exist as they are and experience their world without having it pointed out, because we can already see it. That was definitely disappointing.

Honjirou is extremely agreeable and soft. He is presented almost like a fluffy, harmless, cute character and writing falls back on the idea that a fat character must be timid, self doubting, or defined by how people perceive him. It reinforces the notion that fat people exist at the edge of the story, rarely taken seriously and rarely allowed to have emotional range without it being tied to shame or insecurity. It is as though the story avoids one cliché only to replace it with another. There is something about it that simply does not translate as well as it could have.

I think the side characters were extremely underused and underdeveloped. I was extremely disappointed with the relationship between Yoshimura and Honjirou because initially they seem quite close, and you learn very quickly just how close they are from the little instances that occur. But the more Inari becomes part of the story, the less Yoshimura seems to matter, and he simply takes a back seat, which was very disappointing.

This story does not read as boys love at all. It comes across as two people who are developing a budding friendship and supporting one another in their passions, which is absolutely fine. But now I question why it was labelled boys love when there was nothing remotely romantic suggested. Everything reads as entirely platonic to me as a reader. When I look at the dynamic forming between Honjirou and Inari, I find myself wondering if the tag was applied because their friendship has an emotional layer that some may associate with boys love, rather than allowing it to be presented as a simple platonic relationship. If that is the case, it is extremely disappointing, because as a reader I do not see how this relates to boys love in any shape or form. This could have been a good manga that celebrated and showed friendship between two men, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Overall, the manga is a disappointing read. It is nothing to write home about. Some people will find it decent and some might find it more wholesome and enjoyable. Personally, it could have been better in so many ways. With a little more care in the writing, we could have had more perspective and insight into this male friendship.

Captivating, exciting, beautiful... these are just a few words that I would use to describe this manga. Wandance draws us into the vibrant world of street dance where the art style is striking and powerful, perfectly capturing the expressive nature of dance itself. We are presented with a multitude of styles branching from street dance, and seeing them brought to life through such breathtaking artwork is truly impressive.

We follow the journey of a young boy who experiences the world of dance for the first time, and we travel alongside him through his battles, challenges, growth, and romance. It is a coming-of-age story that is both ... heartfelt and relatable. The representation of disability is handled with care and authenticity, and I think this might be because it is written by someone who is genuinely familiar with the condition being portrayed. That understanding adds realism and depth, making it all the more refreshing.

One of the things that Wandance does exceptionally well is capture the nature and importance of communication in our everyday lives. Having a speech impediment and being unable to fully express a thought or feeling is something many of us rarely have to consider. Most people can voice what they think or feel with ease, so to see a character who cannot do so is striking and deeply human. What makes this portrayal even more powerful is that, despite the character’s speech impediment, many readers will still find themselves relating to him. It reminds us that expressing ourselves is not always easy, even for those without a visible or recognisable condition.

I really appreciate the value that music and dance bring to this manga, because they highlight how many people communicate through different art forms. We see that here through dance. People can convey and communicate entire stories, emotions, and experiences without words. I think the contrast between someone who feels trapped by their inability to express themselves verbally and the freedom they find through movement is both poignant and inspiring. It highlights how art can transcend words, showing us the many ways humans reach out and understand one another beyond language itself.

The characters themselves feel alive and distinctive. There is an energy within this dance culture that draws you in completely, and it is amplified by the way the characters express themselves and exist within this world. It is simply mesmerising. There are quite a few characters, but they are represented in a way that never feels wasteful or unnecessary. None of them exist just for the sake of filling space. Each one appears at the right time and often reappears later in meaningful ways, which works very well. That choice also feels important because the world of dance is inherently diverse. You encounter not only different styles and levels but also a multitude of dancers from various backgrounds. The mangaka captures that diversity beautifully through the way new characters are introduced

It is very easy to oversexualise female dancers or under-represent them, but none of that happens here, which I love. The focus remains on dance culture itself and on what each character brings through their own unique expression, which is done extremely well. Many of the characters also embody a very chic and fresh fashion sense that fits perfectly with the world of dance. It reflects the era we live in.

You do not need to be familiar with the world of street dance to enjoy it, although it may offer extra insight if you are. Even for readers who have never encountered certain terms or styles, the manga remains considerate and educational. It guides you naturally through the culture without ever making you feel lost.

The romantic elements are very cute and feel realistic. They are not forced or made into the central focus; instead, they are woven into the story in a way that makes you feel as though you are growing alongside the characters - both in their dancing and their personal relationships.

To live with a limitation in communication can be profoundly difficult. Yet Kabo is never portrayed as a victim. He is not pitied or defined by his stutter. Instead, he is shown as someone who is thriving in his own way...finding his footing, growing, and overcoming challenges without being consumed by them.

That is what I find so admirable about Wandance. It is powerful, uplifting, and so authentic. I think everyone should give it a read and dive into the world of dance, because there is truly no age limit and no rule for when you can start (dance, that is). Every one of us, at some point, has moved to music simply because we loved a song. This manga captures that universal experience; that human connection through rhythm and expression.

The mangaka has done a tremendous job, not only in presentation but also in research. The insight and authenticity make it engaging for both enthusiasts and complete beginners. It is an amazing piece.

Placebo is a manhwa that follows two stepbrothers who don’t have the best relationship. Woojin is the younger of the two, and he has a dark fascination with his older stepbrother, Wooyeon. We don’t really understand where this obsession comes from, it seems like it may have started as admiration, which then morphed into something twisted.

Wooyeon finds his younger stepbrother annoying and is often irritable towards him, treating him poorly. As a way to get revenge, Woojin comes across a book on hypnosis and suddenly learns how to hypnotise his brother. He uses this to sexually assault him. This continues for quite some time until ... Woojin starts to grow bored or frustrated, realising that it’s no fun when the person doesn’t remember or isn’t really present.

Reading this is extremely unsettling and uncomfortable. We see a character who, in a state where they are not conscious or aware, is being violated repeatedly. It’s disturbing, not attractive...and to think the creator still tries to force a romantic relationship between these two characters in the end is shocking.

There’s another love interest for Wooyeon; someone he genuinely likes and has a big crush on. This character felt like the silver lining in an otherwise twisted and disturbing dynamic. I thought the story would take a healthier direction; Wooyeon would find out what had been happening to him, be understandably traumatised, and possibly find support in this new love interest. But the creator seems intent on destroying any possibility of that, forcing the two stepbrothers to end up together despite the endless abuse, manipulation, and sexual violence between them. Oh, and ignoring the fact that they are step brothers. It doesn't matter to me as a reader that they are not blood-related. The fact is that they were raised as siblings. Therefore, to me, they are siblings. So, this dynamic is quite sickening, and I was willing to look past it if it took a healthy turn, but alas, here we are.

To make this happen, the story ruins the potential love interest in a ridiculous and uncreative way, and introduces other characters who serve very little purpose. All of it seems crafted solely to make the ending with the stepbrothers somehow "work", which is appalling.

The story was horrible...horrible in how it handled its themes, horrible in the creative direction it took, and horrible in the way these acts were portrayed. The fact that someone could write something this disturbing and not present it as disturbing, or fail to acknowledge the harm being done, is not something I can praise or show grace towards.

It reminded me of the recent French case involving a woman who discovered that her husband had been drugging her and allowing men to assault her while she slept. Reading Placebo around the same time made the experience even more horrendous. Both stories hinge on the same violation: someone unconscious and unaware, being used and harmed.

As a reader, I truly hoped that the gravity and immorality of those acts would be addressed. I hoped the story would acknowledge how vile and violating Woojin’s actions were. I remember thinking, There’s no world in which these two can end up together. But the creator forced that ending anyway, leaving behind a horribly written piece of fiction that is neither romantic, nor compelling, nor worth recommending.

Each chapter manages to sicken you more than the last. There’s little to no closure for many characters, and the ending itself feels abrupt and terribly thrown together. It reads as unfinished.

I firmly believe that any theme, no matter how disturbing, can be presented in fiction. But what matters is how it’s handled. You would hope that topics like these would be addressed with care, and portrayed for what they truly are: harmful, disturbing, and immoral. Instead, this manhwa sexualises and normalises these acts for the sake of the plot, and that, to me, is unforgivable.

This is the first review on Muse on Fame that does not recommend it. While the majority of ratings are positive, I find myself among the few who aren’t in agreement, and I want to delve into my perspective.

Myeong is presented as a struggling actress, but that part of her character is short-lived and not very emphasized. She doesn’t seem to struggle for long, and I think most of her struggle is internal and personal. From the way she is introduced, she came across to me as quite bitter, and I feel that this bitterness stays with her throughout the manhwa. It was difficult for ... me to really grasp her perspective or personality, and I think a lot of that had to do with the internal monologue. At times, it wasn’t very insightful or reflective. It leaned more towards bitterness and a kind of darkness that showed someone stuck between wanting to move forward and doubting their ability to do so. Even when she’s placed in situations where she’s experiencing success, she still has that same tone. For some reason, that made it very difficult for me to connect with her. It felt like her internal voice didn’t change no matter what was happening, and that created a sort of emotional flatness.

The art is nice. Visually, it is pleasant to look at, though I did find that a lot of the characters look quite similar. Still, it was one of the more enjoyable aspects of the manhwa.

Story-wise, I think it was poorly done. We’re introduced to this character under unsettling circumstances involving a photographer who has held an exhibition filled entirely with candid photos of her, which she had no idea were ever taken. This premise is extremely jarring, and it sets up what seems like an important mystery. That unsettling feeling carries on for a while and builds tension, but when the truth is finally revealed, it’s extremely anticlimactic. It goes in a different direction entirely, and suddenly the whole situation that was treated as the story’s main thread no longer matters. There’s a new problem at hand now, and the previous one is dropped. That was disappointing.

A large portion of the story is taken up by various relationships, particularly romantic ones. The creator introduces several characters that serve as potential love interests for Myeong, and I honestly found it very overdone, unnecessary, and at times even forced. One specific example stands out. A completely new character is introduced much later in the story, and multiple chapters focus on building him up as a new romantic lead. Myeong expresses clear interest in him. But this comes right after we’ve already spent 30 to 40 chapters following a different love interest who was central to the romance up until that point. Then suddenly, the new character disappears because it turns out he’s already with someone. He fades into the background, and the previous love interest returns. It felt pointless and confusing. I didn’t understand why the creator chose to present it that way. It served no real purpose and left me feeling uncomfortable with the constant shifting of romantic focus.

I think the story would have been better off exploring Myeong’s internal struggles and emotional journey without trying to inject romance into it in that way. The romantic subplots didn’t enhance the story; they diluted it. It felt like the creator was trying to do something meaningful but it just didn’t land. The story didn’t evoke the emotions I think it was trying to, and a lot of moments fell flat because of how they were presented.

One of the most significant examples is the reveal of how the photos came to be. That was the foundation of the story for a while, but when we finally get the answer, it's not tied directly to Myeong at all. Instead, we’re taken back in time and shown another character’s experiences, emotions, and reasons. It turns into a justification of that character’s actions rather than a meaningful resolution of the conflict. I thought that was messy. It completely took the focus off what the story originally set up.

There were also quite a few events that felt heavy in nature but weren’t given the weight or detail they needed. Some things were introduced that could have had real emotional impact, but they were underdeveloped. I often wondered why certain themes or plot points were introduced at all if they weren’t going to be explored again or built upon in a meaningful way.

I didn’t like a lot of things in this story. I think it could have been better in so many ways, and it’s disappointing that this is the version we ended up with. This review may be in the minority, but it reflects my true thoughts,

This manga was a great opportunity for representation, especially for disabled people in the queer space. Unfortunately, it didn’t reach its potential, and I was left disappointed.

I'll start off with the good things. The art is decent and there are elements of romance, which some might find enjoyable. I will commend the scenes for being cute at times.

The manga hints at Subaru's independence but rarely shows it. Instead of focusing on his self-sufficiency, the story presents him in situations that reinforce a narrow view of disability. Personally, I would say it reinforces stereotypes by doing so. It's a missed opportunity to showcase a more empowering ... narrative. The protagonist, Subaru, really just feels like a token piece than a fully developed character. Many aspects of his life are glossed over, and we’re given very little detail into his experience, which makes it hard to connect with him. Some might argue that just because a character is disabled, the story shouldn’t focus solely on that. I agree but there’s still a need to show aspects of his lived experience that shape who he is. That part is largely missing.

When it comes to representation, it is good to show these things, especially for people who don't know what that world looks like. It opens doors for conversations, and it gives insight where some might not have had any but we don't really have that in this, and I think that's unfortunate. I really would have loved to have seen more of this character's experiences and their day-to-day navigation of the real world from their perspective.

Subaru seems mostly defined by his relationship. While he does have a friend and a life outside of it, those parts aren’t explored in a meaningful way. The side characters feel like placeholders. Scenes jump abruptly, and sometimes there's a huge time gap that disrupts the flow. The pacing is inconsistent and often jarring. Aside from that, there are moments in the manga that seem to be introduced as important but aren’t given the development they deserve. That lack of detail takes us out of the story and prevents deeper connection with the characters.

I had high hopes for this manga, but it didn’t deliver. It feels like a generic romance that avoids diving into the things that could have made it unique and impactful.

I wouldn’t personally recommend this, though I know some readers may enjoy it more than I did. It does have a high rating, so perhaps others are more forgiving of how Subaru’s experience is portrayed. If you're just here for the romance, maybe you’ll find something to take away.

My Girlfriend's Child gives us a realistic and in-depth perspective on unexpected teenage pregnancy. It is a reflection of reality and depicted extremely well. This depiction is a stark contrast to what we often see portrayed in other media where teenage pregnancy is usually shown as a warning or a moral failing and the individuals involved are hardly ever humanized. So to have this refreshing and humanistic perspective simply feels good. To top it off, it is a well told and well presented story.

The art in this manga is soft, line-work heavy with minimal shading. I think it has an innocence to it which really ... complements the teenage aspect of the story, like a reminder that these are still children. There’s something quite pure about it.

There’s a deep focus on emotions and thoughts with moments that can speak volumes without always needing words. I really like how the mangaka uses her art to highlight what she’s trying to express. Sometimes it’s not what is said, it’s what we see and how she chooses to present it. Pay attention to how she draws a scene because it often captures the intensity of the moment and I found that there are a lot of visual metaphors. I like the character designs. They feel fresh and present and each character has a necessary and profound presence in the story. They’re not just there, they each serve a purpose. The mangaka does a great job at showing different perspectives around one shared reality which I think was very important in order for this story to be good. At times it’s not nice, it’s ugly, it’s uncomfortable, but that’s what makes it powerful because it feels real.

The young couple at the center of the story are clearly a couple. You can see them blossoming but also battling this difficult situation in their own way. The inclusion of moments of emotional and physical intimacy between them (not sexual) really highlights and strengthens their relationship for the reader. It’s powerful. Given that this manga is centered around pregnancy, I think it would have been incredibly disheartening to see a couple at the center of it who lacked emotional intimacy. These moments remind us that they’re still teenagers, yes, but they’re also a couple facing a life-changing event. It makes the story feel grounded and heartfelt, and it reflects what many people would hope to see in a supportive and emotionally present relationship during such a time. Although, that may not always be the case but you'll have to read and find out.

I would recommend this manga to absolutely anyone regardless of age. There are funny and heartwarming moments and also moments that are hard, maybe even uncomfortable. But that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. This is an experience that affects more than just the teens directly involved. It extends to friends, family and others around them. It’s a life-changing event and the mangaka really brings that out. She doesn’t focus on blame or moralizing. Instead she humanizes the people involved. Teens in these situations are often seen as cautionary tales, not as real individuals going through something deeply emotional. This manga changes that.

What makes this story even more powerful is that teenage pregnancy is something that happens all around the world, yet in many cultures and countries, it isn’t openly discussed. It’s often brushed under the rug or portrayed through a lens of shame. Even adults who go through similar experiences often don't speak about it. You just figure it out when it happens to you. That’s why I believe this manga is meaningful for readers of any age. It allows us to follow a journey that’s real and complex with many possible outcomes.

I’d really like to see more men reading this manga. It would be great for more male readers to experience a story like this, one that actually includes and gives space to the male perspective in situations like this. Often the male voice is minimized or left out entirely, but here the mangaka acknowledges that it took two people for this situation to happen and both of them matter. I think that’s important. Men should see themselves reflected in these kinds of stories too, which is depicted well in this one.

There are moments I laughed out loud or felt the panic and anxiety of a moment because I was reeled in through the intricate depictions and powerful dialogue that felt so real. You might not laugh as I did and you might be more infuriated like some others, but go in with an open mind and bear witness to what love and growth can look like. There are an array of questions that arise through out this story and you might find that you relate or see yourself in this in one of the characters. It has it's charm and this is one of the most honest depictions of teen pregnancy I’ve read.

What makes a “good” person good, and a “bad” person bad?
Good people do bad things, and bad people do good things, so where is the line? Why do we consider someone good when they do bad things to someone we’ve already deemed bad? Can people truly change? And who gets to decide what, or who, is unforgivable? These are just a few of the questions I found myself asking after reading this.

The manga is complex and chaotic, and it may challenge your moral compass. It tackles something I think is very important, something that's much easier to examine in others than to confront within ourselves. ... There are a lot of moral and ethical dilemmas here, and I believe judging the manga based on whether you agree with how those dilemmas are portrayed is unfair. It's like disliking a book simply because a character doesn’t align with your beliefs or morals. When reading this, you have to set that aside and really dissect the complexities and messages being presented.

The art is good, fitting for the story being told. The mangaka captures internal aspects of the characters very well, whether light or dark, even when those feelings are masked. For example, at times, you get the sense a character is wearing a smile they don’t mean, just like you might notice in someone you know. There are moments where the art becomes palpable, where it communicates emotion so visually and effectively. I really commend that.

The story’s flaw, in my opinion, is that it tries to do too much. Some moments are overcomplicated. A twist might land well at first, but then get buried under layers that weren’t necessary. Sometimes simplicity is best but because of this, certain moments lose their punch. The mangaka wants to play with and tease readers, which can be done brilliantly, but here, it doesn’t always land, and it can feel drawn out or anti-climactic. This can deter readers but if you can push through, you'll find a journey worth taking. There's something poignant here that makes you question not only your morals, but yourself.

I think some of the side characters were poorly utilised and moments where perhaps they could have added more depth and been incorporated more were not there. It's fair to say because of how little they were used, there comes a point where the story could have done without them entirely. They offered very little which is a shame as they seem like precious pieces at the start only to morph into very little.

You can follow a character who has done something extremely atrocious, but it is not for us, the readers, to justify, forgive, sympathize, or even empathize. You may feel conflicted if you do but this manga doesn't need that from us. It’s our role to bear witness, to observe, reflect, and take from it what we take, whether we understand it, relate to it, or not.

In life, when we witness abhorrent behavior, it’s not our place to decide whether someone is forgivable. That right belongs to the victim. The same principle applies here. You're exposed not just to crime, but to the internal conflict of someone who committed it. It’s heavy, especially when you consider these things were done by someone very young, who now lives with the burden, shame, guilt, and self-hatred. That lingering question: How could I do that? Why did I do that?

It's rare to follow someone who has done something terrible but is remorseful. Villains exist, but how many do we follow closely as they try to undo the harm they’ve done? This manga gives us that insight, we are lurkers in the shadows. It's easy to dehumanize someone who harms others, but we rarely ask why. Instead, we justify why we’re allowed to harm them. And while the story may leave you conflicted about who to support, or if anyone is even worth supporting, it never forces you to choose. It doesn’t ask for your agreement. It simply walks you through the journey and leaves you with questions only you can answer.

I’m not a fan of how the manga ends, but I understand it. It did what it needed to do. It encapsulates the message of the story, which is open to interpretation. Whatever you take from it is what you take.

I liked the story more often than not. I was able to understand characters who are very different from myself and that’s because of the journey I took with them. The protagonist may or may not be good or bad. That’s up to you. I don’t think a label is necessary. The story is more complex than that. It’s about the journey, the questions that arise along the way, and the person they become through it all.