Shounen no Abyss

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by frubam

Spoiler for 159:

So... I guess Sensei off the deep end. Hard to say if she kidnapped Nagi, or just sheltered her like she did Gen, but given the abruptness of her disappearance, I'd certainly say the former. Seems while he seemed very convincing to Yuri when she delivered that letter about them being together, it seems he now has reservations about doing so. And now that he heard her phone in Sensei's parents' house, he definitely doesn't trust her. But I wonder what exactly can such a passive person like Reiji do in this situation?

Given that Yuri asked why she didn't call for Reiji, Nagi isn't here willingly. But maybe she thinks it's better than doing porn, even knowing she's probably going to get killed. It's not like she values her own life, anyway.

Reiji could solve this easily by just calling the detective. But that's just too logical for this manga

[Chiibi]

I binge-read this series up until now. The art and dialogue just suck you right in and refuse to let go.

I think "Scum's Wish with heavier doses of self-harm" is a perfect description of this manga.

As for the story...
IT'S ALL KINDS OF F**KED UP.

..........more, please.

[Kanon]

Spoiler for 160:

I'm more confident than ever Reiji and Nagi will get a happy ending. Yuri will probably end up in an asylum.

More curious than ever to get Nagi's backstory, and at the same time I'm dreading it.

Originally Posted by Chiibi

I binge-read this series up until now. The art and dialogue just suck you right in and refuse to let go.

I think "Scum's Wish with heavier doses of self-harm" is a perfect description of this manga.

As for the story...
IT'S ALL KINDS OF F**KED UP.

..........more, please.

Welcome to the Abyss.

[frubam]

Originally Posted by Chiibi

I binge-read this series up until now. The art and dialogue just suck you right in and refuse to let go.

Relatable. Same happened to me. Couldn't stop reading it, except at certain points where enough happened that satisfied me so I could reflect at what happened, but those were few and far between, and before I knew it, I'd caught up .

Originally Posted by Kanon

Spoiler for 160:

I'm more confident than ever Reiji and Nagi will get a happy ending. Yuri will probably end up in an asylum.

More curious than ever to get Nagi's backstory, and at the same time I'm dreading it.

Spoiler for 160:

Expect the same about Reiji and Nagi. It looks like they are setting up Yuri as the end boss of sorts. Not exactly what I expected; her actions aren't that devious compared to the machinations done by Yuko, so its a bit disappointing Sensei's the potentially last roadblock between them. I really wanted to see a 100% healthy Yuko and Nagi interact; would have been quite the show I figured, but doesn't look like we'll get that now =0(.

I think I'd expect there to be some kind of closure with Esemori and Yuko. They've been fighting a silent battle with each other for so long, and yet neither of them have ever expressed what(I presume to be) their true feelings for each other. Esemori's definitely going to die, but I wonder how will his last interaction with Yuko will be like, and, if afterwards, Yuko will kill herself?

[frubam]

Well that escalated quickly(as usual)

Spoiler for 161:

Reiji wants to go after Nagi, but he still feels obligated to stay for Gen and Yuko. Meanwhile, Yuko having pleasant dreams about Esemori. The way she looks, if there was any doubt before now, more proof that she loves him. In some ways, I was surprised Reiji would just unleash his repressed rage in that moment, but another part of me is thinking more like it was a matter of time. He still hasn't directly confronted her, so I guess this is what will jolt her out of her condition? I dunno.

[frubam]

Spoiler for up to 167:

Once again, they paint Yuko as a victim. Really she was a woman that went through a lot of hardship; being raped by her father, being prostituted.... even killed a man(Uryu)... being led to believe Akira would somehow relieve her from her circumstances, only to be told by the person you loved more than anything that he hates you. Its no wonder she did what she did to Reiji. That scene of Reiji being taken by his uncle while she ran behind the vehicle in tears makes a hell of a lot of sense now. She really wanted to make sure she would never be left alone again, and everything she experienced led her to believe that what she did to Reiji would practically guarantee that. It certainly doesn't justify what she did, but I can at least sympathize with her better than before.

Speaking of Uryu, that was one wild revelation Saki had! I went back to that chapter(105) and sure enough, looking at it, it would have been impossible for Akira to have the strength to pull Yuko(whom he was barely gripping her wrist with an outstretched hand) and grip to kick Uryu away. Her reasoning for not telling him; so that he can use that faux experience as fuel to become a writer... really brought her down in Reiji's eyes from being a blinding light trying to pull him up to... I dunno how to quite describe it... that feeling that, yeah, she also came from "that town", lol. She's human just like the rest of the people in that town, but at least she was able to show Reiji what a normal family is like.

Well, I didn't think Yuri would be what seems like the final antagonist. She pretty much fell off the deep end for Reiji, if it wasn't already apparent. She did make some good points though; while she did technically kidnapped Nagi, she's not explicitly holding her captive, if what she says is true.

Also, Reiji did coax her when she told him she loved him. She fully went into that thinking there was no hope and that she'll be rejected, yet Reiji accepted her love and told her they'll be together. Now she's all-in, though its arguable if she truly would have stopped even if he rejected her. I think this chapter is the first time she's really been angry at him, but something felt off about it; like she didn't see him in the same lovey-dovey aspect as she has been, and is finally seeing his faults.

Nonetheless, since she had to retreat, he's left alone with Nagi. This is probably the only chance he'll have to somehow get her out of the state she's in. I'm not sure how he'll do that though.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by frubam

Spoiler for up to 167:

Well, I didn't think Yuri would be what seems like the final antagonist. She pretty much fell off the deep end for Reiji, if it wasn't already apparent. She did make some good points though; while she did technically kidnapped Nagi, she's not explicitly holding her captive, if what she says is true.

Also, Reiji did coax her when she told him she loved him. She fully went into that thinking there was no hope and that she'll be rejected, yet Reiji accepted her love and told her they'll be together. Now she's all-in, though its arguable if she truly would have stopped even if he rejected her. I think this chapter is the first time she's really been angry at him, but something felt off about it; like she didn't see him in the same lovey-dovey aspect as she has been, and is finally seeing his faults.

Nonetheless, since she had to retreat, he's left alone with Nagi. This is probably the only chance he'll have to somehow get her out of the state she's in. I'm not sure how he'll do that though.

Yuri has always done that, convincing herself she's a saint who does things to help other people, when she only does it to help herself. It happened with Reiji, Kazu, and now Nagi. She wants to keep Reiji isolated and all to herself. Not that all that different from Yuko.

I very much doubt she cares about Nagi's welfare. She just doesn't want to risk her being around Reiji because she knows she stands no chance against her, so she's feeding her trauma to keep her captive. I'm not sure what her ultimate plans for her would have been, but "rehabilitating" her so she can go back to society? Bullshit. She could have easily just handed her into the care of mental health care professionals. That's what a sane person would have done, but she was afraid Reiji would find out where she was and visit her.

Anyway, I'm excited to see Nagi's flashback. Unlike Yuko who started out as a victim and then turned into a psychopath, I'm sure Nagi is 100% a victim.

[frubam]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Yuri has always done that, convincing herself she's a saint who does things to help other people, when she only does it to help herself. It happened with Reiji, Kazu, and now Nagi. She wants to keep Reiji isolated and all to herself. Not that all that different from Yuko.

I very much doubt she cares about Nagi's welfare. She just doesn't want to risk her being around Reiji because she knows she stands no chance against her, so she's feeding her trauma to keep her captive. I'm not sure what her ultimate plans for her would have been, but "rehabilitating" her so she can go back to society? Bullshit. She could have easily just handed her into the care of mental health care professionals. That's what a sane person would have done, but she was afraid Reiji would find out where she was and visit her.

Now that I think about it, she did the same thing for Gen; pretended to care about him, holding onto the hope that it'll lead Reiji back to her AND give him a positive image of her. But I think Reiji sees the truth now, and there's no going back for him.

Anyway, I'm excited to see Nagi's flashback. Unlike Yuko who started out as a victim and then turned into a psychopath, I'm sure Nagi is 100% a victim.

Oh boi, you might very well be right. Trash uncle being trash already doesn't pose a good start for her. It very well might head down the path of the uncle doing the utmost possible to make her life miserable just because he believes his sister's/her parents' death were her fault. Honestly it feels a bit contrived(i.e. done for drama sake), but I guess this is how it always is in this story. I just hope the reasoning makes sense, at least in the context of this manga.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by frubam

Oh boi, you might very well be right. Trash uncle being trash already doesn't pose a good start for her. It very well might head down the path of the uncle doing the utmost possible to make her life miserable just because he believes his sister's/her parents' death were her fault. Honestly it feels a bit contrived(i.e. done for drama sake), but I guess this is how it always is in this story. I just hope the reasoning makes sense, at least in the context of this manga.

Blaming a child for her parents' death in a natural disaster is very fucked up. Waiting to see where this will go... and what ultimately happened to Mao.

[Kanon]

Spoiler for 173:

Nagi having been abused as a child was always a given but the author somehow managed to make it extremely explicit without actually showing anything.

I was super angry that after everything he had done to make her life a living hell, Mao just abandoned her to pursue his own happiness. I was quite relieved when the latest chapter revealed Reiji intends to track him down and kill him. I know it's not a good thing for Reiji, but if anyone deserves comeuppance in this story, it's Mao. Maybe this way we will also find out why he is so evil.

At this point it feels the only way we'll get a positive ending for Reiji and Nagi is if the detective turns out to be competent and manages to uncover Mao's crimes and convince Reiji he should rot in prison instead. Sadly, he strikes me as caring but not very bright.

Given all the foreshadowing, I'm guessing Reiji got Yuri pregnant, meaning the cycle will continue because she's also a complete nutcase I can't imagine raising a child well.

[frubam]

Spoiler for 173:

Originally Posted by Kanon

Nagi having been abused as a child was always a given but the author somehow managed to make it extremely explicit without actually showing anything.

Indeed, a very impressive way to do it. And instead of wallowing in this pity party of her getting used for x amount of chapters, the way it was depicted has an immediate, potent impact.

I was super angry that after everything he had done to make her life a living hell, Mao just abandoned her to pursue his own happiness. I was quite relieved when the latest chapter revealed Reiji intends to track him down and kill him. I know it's not a good thing for Reiji, but if anyone deserves comeuppance in this story, it's Mao. Maybe this way we will also find out why he is so evil.

But do you think he's worse than Yuko?

Mao definitely deserves to be punished; get a small fraction of the abyss Nagi had to experience by losing everything he currently cares for; again. I can't see Reiji following through with the killing part though. When situations like these, ones where I can't see people doing a certain thing, I try to think about other series where the chars do something similar. Two stories come to mind; My Home Hero, and Crime and Punishment(the manga based on the original book of the same name, though both would fit this motif). Though Reiji isn't quite "normal", still, thinking about how these stories went about "a regular person who doesn't kill, killing someone", I just don't see him having the resolve, or the brain power, to do it, and do it effectively. But we will see.... I wouldn't be surprised if that end is probably just usual Ryou end-of-chapter bait he has used multiple times in this series to keep the engagement up.

At this point it feels the only way we'll get a positive ending for Reiji and Nagi is if the detective turns out to be competent and manages to uncover Mao's crimes and convince Reiji he should rot in prison instead. Sadly, he strikes me as caring but not very bright.

Given all the foreshadowing, I'm guessing Reiji got Yuri pregnant, meaning the cycle will continue because she's also a complete nutcase I can't imagine raising a child well.

I feel that the detective is rather thorough, and yeah he is considerate, but I can't see how the author will get him involved unless Reiji explicitly mentions Mao to him. Even then, such an investigation would take months, if not years. Its not a probable solution, esp if Reiji is going to beeline for this guy.

And Yuri pregnant? I must've missed the foreshadowing; nothing is coming to immediate mind that I can think of that would indicate she was pregnant. Care to elaborate =03?

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by frubam

Spoiler for 173:

But do you think he's worse than Yuko?

Spoiler for 173:

I think that unlike Yuko, who is a victim turned abuser, Mao is just plain evil. Him abandoning Nagi when she became inconvenient for him is what really cemented him as a piece of shit and the ultimate villain of this manga. He is the only antagonist who didn't face some kind of retribution. For now.

And Yuri pregnant? I must've missed the foreshadowing; nothing is coming to immediate mind that I can think of that would indicate she was pregnant. Care to elaborate =03?

When she was staying at Yuko's house, Yuko asked if she was pregnant (she wasn't) and basically told her that she should get pregnant. I have very little doubt it will happen after this chapter.