Innocent Blue · review
WARNING: SPOILERS!! OK... I made and effort and came on here to add this to my list of already read manga (usually I don't do this, I read ALOT of mangas and only the ones I really like, would I make an effort to add it.) but when I saw the first 2 reviews viewable on the main page, I felt a little sad. So I decided, I should definitely find the time to sit down and write a review for this manga. I personally feel that this manga deserves a 9 or 8.. still can't make up my mind about that yet but let meexplain each section and why, I find this yaoi manga a little different from the other yaoi "rape" mangas.
Story: 8/10
I felt the story is really good because there's a bit of twist and emotions involved when I go through the manga. I went through a bit of an emotional roller-coaster with this manga and for a yaoi manga to do that? Well, it is not very often. There are some out there that's really good and not just all about s*x that most people keep going on about. (Yaoi = Porn well, not always! and this is one of them!) The sex scenes are there as a story, as something to depict emotions. Even though I really didn't like the bit that Aoi ganged up with a bunch of dogey ass guys to rape and film Kana, I still find in me, a hope that Aoi is not that evil. And then there's a point in the manga where I got all teary eyed and sad and when the manga eventually ended, I felt kinda sad. I wanted to know more about the couple. I didn't want the story to just end there!
Art: 8/10
I actually really like the art!! hahaha.. I admit in the beginning, I wanted to see the guy's face more and a few scenes where I didn't understand what's going on till I go over it again. But the drawing grows on me. I really like the flowy or sketchy feel of it. It's like something very fleeting. Kinda matches the story really well. So thumbs up from me to the mangaka still! :) I've seen worst drawing skills than this!!! Kinds that make me wonder if they can produce a manga with that kind of drawing skills, what's stopping me? (probably my laziness.. hahaha)
Character: 9/10
I love the characters! All 3 main characters, I love them all. There is a point where I wasn't happy with Aoi but I'm glad I was in denial till the end. :D FIrstly, Kana, the sweet, innocent, cute uke boy. (just wanna cuddle him!) Well, to those who think Kana is stupid or weak or blind to be able to still love Aoi despite what happened, to me, Kana isn't a weak guy who just loves Aoi blindly like most other yaoi manga characters are, I have read MANY! where in the midst of being raped or constantly being tormented, the uke falls in love. (I agree that that's what most people would call Hentai Logice.. (-_-)) The difference is Kana fell in love with Aoi because of the things they did together, he was truly happy during his time of experiencing freedom and love with Aoi, so naturally, when you love someone very much and have really great memories of the person, you would naturally tend to want to not give up and find out the true feelings of that person. It doesn't mean that Kana is stupid. That's just how life is sometimes. You fall so deeply in love, you can't rationalise and lucky for Kana, Aoi did turn out to be a nice guy. It's just really bad and wrong of him to want to seek revenge on an innocent boy. But hey! if people can still love Uchiha Sasuke for the crap he did just because he has a reason to do revenge, I don't see why Aoi is such a bad character. Naruto didn't give up on Sasuke and they are just friends, what makes Kana, not giving up on Aoi when they have been in a relationship together and done things for the first time to be cherished, such a crappy character?
And Aoi! He's a baddie but deep down inside, he's really nice! He doesn't show it but deep down inside he really cares for Kana. He was just too blinded by wanting to seek revenge. I can understand the pain and anger he feels but I do not agree with him making use of Kana cos Kana is such a sweet little boy. :3 I think Aoi's pretty cool at times.
As for the cousin, there's nothing bad to say about him. He's a true blue nice, kind hearted, caring, gentleman. Kana is so lucky! :)
Enjoyment: 9/10
I gave such a mark because.. well, I've already wrote in the story section, I enjoyed it like like a rollercoaster ride. Not that I like rollercoasters actually but I went through sadness, disappointment, denial, happiness, relief, and in the end, I didn't want the manga to end just yet. That's how much I enjoyed this book.
Overall: 9/10
I tend to give 9/10 and hardly ever 10/10 as I feel 10/10 is only for those I personally feel is perfect all around. I made this review because I didn't want people to just skip this manga based on what others have written. It's not your usual comedy and flowers blooming yaoi manga but it's also not your usual rape and fall in love and have sex every chance possible kinda yaoi manga. :) Give it a shot. Be your own judge. :D