2011-04-11, 23:04 | Link #1 |
simp for Lyria
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Aku no Hana (The Flowers of Evil)
Genre: drama, psychological, romance, school life, shounen Author/Artist: Oshimi Shuuzou Synopsis: The story opens as middle school student Takao Kasuga receives an F on a math test. But he doesn't even seem to notice because he's too engrossed in surreptitiously reading Beaudelaire's The Flowers of Evil. And the day goes downhill from there. In a moment of weakness, he finds and takes home the gym clothes belonging to sweet, pretty Nanako Saeki on whom he has a major crush. Unfortunately for Takao, there's a witness to the theft: Nakamura, who has a huge chip on her shoulder and a sadistic streak. As the saga unfolds, we see Takao struggling to decide whether to confess or cover up his misdeeds at the same time that he tries to win over the girl of his dreams, and avoid the blackmail attempts of Nakamura. Nakamura is an interesting character, I was easily reminded of Onani Master Kurosawa's Kitahara. Very similar with the blackmail scenario, but Nakamura's more enigmatic. It is very interesting to read since you do not know the reasoning behind her motives as she psychologically, verbally, and occasionally physically(though not dangerously) abuses Kasuga. You'll want to continue reading to see what she'll have him do next, what he'll do in reaction to it, and how she will react to his reaction in the end(hope that makes sense ). Normally, I can't stand weak male characters. I've had enough of them for the time being, and at first glance, you get the impression that Kasuga is "weak". Maybe he is, since he does freak out a lot(because of Nakamura), but as I read through the chapters, it felt like he was simply 'young'. Forced into a situation he was afraid of with dire consequences if he didn't do what he was told, I can understand why he acts the way he does. It's very interesting to see how he'll get out of the next situation Nakamura puts him in. Translation might seem off/odd in some areas, not enough to impact the story as a whole, but this was a solo effort, so...y'know... Art is okay; not ugly, but not beautiful to look at except certain moments where they put in the extra bit of details. Spoiler for up to chp 14:
Last edited by frubam; 2013-02-01 at 13:16. |
2011-09-30, 17:16 | Link #7 | |
❤Ichigo 100%❤
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Quote:
How did you know s/he stated that though? reps
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2011-10-08, 12:14 | Link #10 |
Know who you are
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Resides within the depths of Ned infested Glasgow
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So gave this a little look and not sure what to make of it, on one hand it's nothing great or even good I think but on the other it did keep me reading for how many chapters are out so far.
Not greatly fond of the MC, freaking out every chance you get did wear thin pretty quickly. The, what I can only say is a rather troubled and perverted girl didn't quite take my fancy either. While I'm all for crazy girls and all, this one didn't quite hit the mark. However the other girl(the girlfriend) I did quite like, she does seems to have her "issues" as well, altho maybe not as bad as the other 2...unless you want to say the semi-yandere is bad but I don' think it's gone so far for me to say so. She's oddly charming compared to the other 2. Now I won't question the lad's initial action at the start, I've learned to live with that type of stuff happening(even if I want to question it at times, you just can't help yourself sometimes) and I don't think I got the enegry to bother with it. Will I keep reading it? Yea I think I'll give it a few more chapters, just to see if anything or what comes of the realtionship between the lad and his gf cause thats the only thing thats of interest depsite all the other somewhat crazy-ness going on.
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2012-04-11, 17:05 | Link #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
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The kid's clearly not supposed to be liked, at this point he isn't simply a character he's more a representative of a certain type of human psychology, with this story exploring that type. Looking at it from personal likes and dislikes is missing the point.
The isssue is I have no idea what the overall moral and philosophy of this story is even though their blatantly is one, and it isn't exactly being explained very well even if just to provide a rough idea. |
2012-05-08, 17:13 | Link #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Feel free to take this for pure speculation and armchair doctorate garbage but...
The main character is somewhat sociopathic; he adopts his personality based upon the things and people around him. At the beginning of our story he has essentially read tons of books and from them derived that he is somehow different or special from others. He's not necessarily a bad kid at this stage, but very easily manipulated as we see. As the story progresses it is clear that he reaches some mid-stage catharsis on the road when he admits that he is nothing. Of course, the problem in this is that he was pushed toward this by a narcissist that he now feels he absolutely cannot give up in any way. Her happiness becomes absolute to him, especially symbolized in the way that she tears up his book and throws it in his face. He's not a pervert, his only self-inflicted perverted action at this point has been the theft of the gym clothes which might be blamed more on panic than deliberate action. It was only when he started to become manipulated that those gym clothes took on a more symbolic meaning. Now, even when stealing panties he doesn't do it for any self satisfaction at all. He does it purely to make the crazy girl happy. This is best shown, in my opinion, when she drapes a leg over his shoulder but he doesn't try to sneak a peek or blush.. he just gives this almost insane smile straight to her. She has become his whole world and is terrified he's going to be lost without her. Saeki isn't much better of course, she feels that she was nothing and now the boy has become her world in turn. The only saving grace may now be that she is becoming obsessed with saving him from this perceived threat. Which might just as quickly turn nasty. Strangely dark story and I feel going to end tragically. |
2012-05-08, 20:25 | Link #18 |
As I make you stop, think
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Europe - The Netherlands
Age: 34
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This manga is a piece of art!
The artist accurately portrays the awkwardness that comes with being a teenager in a very over exaggerated but suggestive manner. Great portrayal of a teenagers first encounter with true fear, hate, sexuality and love.
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Tags |
drama, psychological, romance, school life, shounen |
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