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Atsushi Ikeda, a compassionate college student, cares for abandoned animals and brings them into his home. One day, he finds an injured high school student with a violin lying at his doorstep. Without hesitation, Atsushi takes in the young man, who introduces himself as Riya Narukawa. Riya has no memory of how he ended up there but brushes it off, claiming that memory lapses are a frequent issue for him.
The next day, while playing the violin for Atsushi, Riya suddenly experiences a severe headache. He then reveals that he ran away from home because he believes his deceased brother's spirit inside him forces him to play the violin. Shocked by this revelation, Atsushi learns that Riya is a prodigious violinist and the only son of a renowned musician. Concerned by the inconsistencies in Riya's story, Atsushi discovers that Riya suffers from multiple personality disorder, causing him to create a fictional younger brother whom he believes inhabits his soul. Burdened by the expectations placed on his talent, Riya struggles to come to terms with his psychological issues, all while discovering what Atsushi means to him.
This is the first manga I feel compelled to review.
The story revolves around a heartwarming romance between two men (yes, it's BL). Ikeda Atsushi, a kind-hearted college student, and Riya Narukawa, a violin prodigy. One day, Ikeda finds Riya unconscious at his doorstep and takes him in. Upon waking up, Riya exhibits a strange personality: he's a sloppy eater and a high schooler without direction. The only clue to his identity is a violin found beside him. Ikeda soon discovers that Riya has a split personality: 'White', who is docile and attached to the violin, and 'Black', who rebels against and despises his alter ego. The story unfolds as Ikeda and Riya confront emotional challenges while Riya tries to overcome his past and conquer his fear of his other self.
Character:
Ikeda comes across as gentlemanly. Initially, he might seem like an ordinary, unlucky college student who stumbles upon a 'stray' at his door. However, as the narrative progresses, we see that Ikeda is far from simple. He is generous, self-sacrificing, and sophisticated, steadfastly supporting Riya regardless of which personality he encounters. Ikeda firmly believes that both personalities make up who Riya is. Even if it means giving up everything with no guarantee of reciprocation, Ikeda chooses to stand by Riya whenever needed.
Riya's character is complex to describe. With two distinct personalities, it feels like the author created two characters within one body. Despite their differences, the author skillfully intertwines both personalities so that they eventually harmonize. Both alters are scared of each other yet depend on each other for validation. If there's one common trait between them, it's their fear of insignificance. This creates a fragile facade of strength, crying out for protection. However, the author avoids making the character overly cliché or annoying, unlike typical ukes.
Art:
The characters are drawn with exquisite detail. Each stroke and line is precise and lifelike, breathing life into them. It feels as though the characters are alive. While reading, I could almost imagine myself inside the book, among the characters. It's been a long time since I felt this tingling sensation from reading. The drawings are absolutely fantastic and couldn't be better.
What else do I have to write? JUST READ THE SERIES AND FIND YOURSELF IMMERSED IN THE TOUCHING LOVE STORY OF THESE TWO BOYS... Absolutely marvelous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is quite an emotional story, one that compelled me to write a review. :)
Perhaps it's because I've grown used to overlooking gender, but to me, this isn't simply a boyxboy or BL story. Instead, it delves into the psychological impact of abuse and the resilience required for healing and personal growth.
While there are several manga out there tackling this issue, I found this one struck a perfect balance between tact and honesty. The characters complemented each other well, and the mangaka allowed readers the space to form their own opinions without forcing themes or biases upon them.
The ending was satisfying, albeit brief—a rarity, considering how many good manga have been marred by poor or unnecessarily drawn-out conclusions.
This manga may not be a masterpiece, but given its content and length, it stands out as uncommonly good. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Having just finished my second reread, I'm certain I'll revisit it again in the future.