thaumx said:
I read this whole series inside a week, I tried to pace myself, in order to pay attention to details. The big attraction for this manga seemed to be simply not knowing what was going to happen with the main plot. (That should have been a clue, now that I think about it.) I wanted to take my time, and follow the different threads of the story, similarly to the way you pay attention to a mystery. Enjoy the suspense, try and figure it out, and delight in the ending.
This manga is definitely memorable. It was definitely interesting to find out what was going to happen from chapter to chapter. The author introduced many events that both built the characters, and left you guessing. Eventually though, the story really seemed to stretch on. The different events that kept you guessing became superfluous, and seemed more and more like a way to drag on the story. Eventually, the author started to add in events that were contradictory or that hurt the plot as a whole. It seems there's pressure to continue a popular, or even successful story as long as possible.
You can easily determine the area of the story where the focus changed from "drag this on, and keep them confused about the outcome" to "conclude the story quickly as popularity is falling" This was prior to the time of the senior year festival. (I'd have to re-read to find out exactly when, but I suspect right after the summer filming trip.)
The problem is, the author dug several holes for herself, and had to bend things to conclude the plot. I strongly suspect that character popularity data could have been involved in the author making her choice, and possibly the urge to make the ending surprising for the readers. If this were a typical manga story, Toujou would have ended up with Manaka. The fact that it was different counts as a surprise. I'm not opposed to this, and think it's refreshing to see a non-typical, or especially more realistic ending. (someone as shy, closed up, and self-sabotaging as Toujou wouldn't get the guy in a real situation, unless the guy was such a loser that he had zero other options.)
The problem I have is that the author sabotaged Nishino, starting early in the plot, in the typical "best seeming girl actually has lots of bad points" style. He did avoid making most of them personality flaws though. Furthermore, while a great character person by the end, it wasn't a realistic choice based on the personality built up for Junpei. (A person who has a hard time deciding on things, a hard time moving his own life forward, and someone with as many self confidence issues as Junpei has, would likely go for the more "sure" option of Satsuki.)
So yeah, the ending surprised me. I admit Aya was who I expected for the ending though not my favorite character. But I really didn't expect a Nishino ending, even after they got back together as BF/GF. (which was really pathetic, the way Manaka basically ended up accepting by default, which turned out to be poor writing, rather than a plot point.) To be clear, I don't mind that it was Nishino in the end, I just thought the writing to do it was poor. The Sabotaging of the Nishino option throughout the story also wasn't properly cleared up. (Just a few examples, breaking her promise to go to the same school, remaining undecided about her feelings (in different ways) for much of the plot, choosing to leave Junpei for France, showing only marginal interest in Junpei's dreams/desires)
at one point, I actually thought that the cram-school girl was a more likely surprise-twist ending than Nishino.
Nishino - Has a reason to love Junpei, because he helped her find her dream, and supported her going after it. She really didn't help him towards his dream, though she occasionally showed an interest or expressed some encouragement. (Mostly due to "keep things interesting" moments the author threw in.) She isn't a childish character, but she also leans towards the selfish side in several cases. She also made it pretty clear that her wants and dreams were more important to her than Junpei. (also... 4 years, and it seemed she didn't visit him? the last scene gave the impression that they hadn't really stayed in touch... wish that had been expounded on.)
Toujou - She loves him because he was the first to recognize her, and to value her, despite her appearance and introversion. He helped her to change and gain friends as well. The supported each others dreams, and actively helped each other. He helped her write, and she helped him film, and they shared a lot of passion where their dreams overlapped. In the end though, she constantly sabotaged herself by giving the impression she didn't like Junpei, and by clamming up and not talking to him when something slightly difficult came along. She went years without confessing. While she might have been written as the "soul mate" character for Junpei, it's perfectly realistic that they didn't end up together. At least Junpei gave her the final push to continue with her dream before abandoning her. She seems to be doing okay though, and she is living her dream.
Satsuki - Probably the most supportive of Junpei. She has one of the less obvious reasons for liking Junpei, but it's pretty easy to attribute it to compatibility and chemistry. She supported Junpei the entire story, in the day to day life matters that are often glossed over in this sort of story. She also helped him towards his dream the best way she could, and encouraged him as well. She's not the smart-talented type that has a lofty dream, but she's pretty clear about making her dream to support Junpei and his dream. She's the only character that was consistently there for him, and the one who showed she cared the most. She understood his weaknesses, and unlike other options, was willing to accept them. In the end though, her lack of a distinct dream other than supporting Junpei seemed to be her downfall. I think using seduction to get a man is probably somewhat taboo in japan, so that didn't help.
Toujou has that soul-mate power that imagination can use to say "they're destined to be together" so a long term relationship could be possible. It seems that the co-mingled dreams are realistically a pretty tenuous connection. Satsuki is the one who Junpei had the best chance of realistically having a long relationship with. She was devoted to him as a person, and the difficulties of life would be survivable. Nishino is great, but it's also very difficult to imagine them having a long happy relationship together, or even get married. They love each other, but their dreams will pull in opposite directions, and neither are really the type to give up their dreams for the other person. It's easy to see the difficulties of real life pulling them apart. I really like her though, It's nice to see a strong female character who puts her dreams, rather than love, first. They just don't match that well.
GAH... I guess this thing got me worked up enough to type a freaking novel... which is it's own sort of greatness... 8/10
That's one of the best wall of text that i've ever read in MAL <3
