In Love with the Strongest Man

3.5 stars so far up to chapter 18: 3 stars currently with a half star for potential. This story presents a unique setup with a first-person uke protagonist who is reviled by everyone due to a curse he’s carried since childhood, making others see him as repulsive. He is also physically scarred and has permanent injuries that are nearly debilitating, leaving him in constant pain. The seme, on the other hand, is an attractive hero who, for some mysterious reason, is immune to the curse and is very attentive and helpful towards the uke.

The story is quite predictable in terms of character relationships and romance. Shuka, the uke, is the typical oblivious type with low self-esteem, partly due to trauma and partly due to genre clichés. He believes Ideal, the seme, is only helping him out of kindness and pity, while the setup (and genre clichés) make it clear from the first chapter that Ideal and Shuka knew each other as children, and Shuka likely saved Ideal in some way, leading Ideal to fall in love with him. For many years, Ideal has been searching for his lost savior-love.

The smut is serviceable but not remarkable if that's what you're here for, and you can probably skip it without much issue. The smut serves as the method by which the hero "treats" Shuka's curse.

While the story is very much like a typical yaoi manga, which might be perfect for fans of the genre, it does have more depth than just the surface-level tropes. There is a plot and some mystery being slowly unraveled, such as the origins of Shuka’s curse and his unusual childhood, as well as the yet-to-be-fully-revealed connection between him and Ideal, Ideal’s background, and his activities beyond being a hero. Many details are mentioned offhandedly or vaguely at first, like Shuka’s curse being a punishment from a cruel master. In many other stories, this would be the extent of the detail, with the big reveal later being something cliché, but this story seems to be setting up a more complex and unusual angle.

, there is more substance beneath the surface tropes, and I’m interested enough to keep reading, tentatively hoping it doesn’t disappoint as it progresses. The translation is also well-done.

A strong 4.5/5 for me. There are predictable plot twists and some convenient resolutions, but I enjoyed every chapter. The characters are all endearing in their own way. Each arc concludes neatly, and the author skillfully plants foreshadowing and clues, which is why the plot twists can seem predictable. It’s a cliché story but executed well.

Personally, I think there should be a yandere tag (it's not there at the time of writing this review) because Ideal and his entire race exhibit yandere traits towards Shuka's race, with Ideal displaying classic yandere behavior (locking Shuka up, hiding the truth, "don't be happy without me"). Yet, somehow, this story remains one of the more wholesome yandere narratives out there.

I really appreciate Shuka's perspective. While he fits the typical mold of a gentle protagonist with a kind heart, his emotions are portrayed vividly. I'm currently worried about him, though. Spoiler: <p>I think he might end up going to a brothel.</p> And you know how usually you'd be frustrated with the MC for not communicating with the love interest? I think, right now, it's totally understandable.

Completed at 185 chapters?

T.T  i just want to cry. Every novel I start reading stops in the middle. WHY WHY WHY ?