manga: Kare Kano Vol 18-21 (end)

[meganbmoore]

Ok, first, I must get this off my chest: The proper way to deal with a guy in love with another guy who is in love with someone else? Is not to have Guy A help raise Guy B’s daughter (and apparently even help during the labor) and fall in love with her. Especially when, as soon as he learns she’s in the womb, he declares the fetus must be a girl, and that she’s the one meant for him.

I…I…at least Asaba realized that there was something “OMG NO BAD WRONG!!!” about being in love with a teenager whose diapers you changed when you were already an adult?

But back to the main story, I can’t believe Reiji’s backstory of angst and his revenge took up two and a half volumes! And…it was really boring? Like, there was too much angst to really take it seriously, and it was really over the top (IIRC, I thought Arima’s angsty backstory was the same) but it was played too seriously to really hit the melodrama, and wasn’t insane enough to be interesting. Well, Reiji’s “I will get revenge on you for bearing my child and allowing this cursed bloodline to continue into another generation!” was sufficiently over the top, but I wasn’t really able to do more than “…” at it.

Though I really loved the bits with Arima’s adopted parents in that (I love them so) especially Shizune’s interactions with Reiji, and how Reiji acted like a jealous ex.

But hey, Arima didn’t annoy me these volumes! Progress! But there was far, far too little Yukino in these volumes. I didn’t really get entertained until she thought she discovered Arima’s collection of dirty movies. (I also really wanted more of the non-Arima clan supporting cast, but…)

I think the fact that I’d hate the ending was built up for me enough that that I was annoyed rather than filled with the rabid rage I would have felt if I’d gone in cold. But I’m still really irritated that Yukino’s entire role the last four volumes was “I’m pregnant! Obviously, I can think of nothing else!” At least, though, she did go to college after having the kids, though I’m irritated that the mangaka made sure to point out that she wasn’t very good at it.

Strong beginning, ridiculous and overdone angst wallowing, hero who alternates between nice and creepily possessive, awesome heroine, awesome supporting cast, ending issue laden on every possible level. (Seriously, Masami Tsuda? SERIOUSLY??? That’s your answer to semi-closet bisexuality? REALLY?)