Omoi no Kakera · review
Spoiler warning
This review may discuss plot details.
This manga is fragmented like the title claims: it shifts from time frames and points of view. The art is unconventional when the characters' side profiles are shown but I found it charming. This seems improved upon in later chapters. The main character is very shallow and uninteresting instead of just seeming confident or blunt at first. The side characters really help her with her growth and carry the story. This manga features adults having sex with children. In Japan, the age of consent by law was 13 years old when this was written (now it is 16 years old). Additionally, the main character kisses alove interest while she's asleep without consent. It's revealed she was awake and reciprocated her advances later on. Another chapter features forced intoxication and attempted sexual assault. A weird side story features a girl coerced into sex to "save her friend" (who is dating the boy) which really doesn't make sense. The seriousness of these matters are never expressed. Both scenes and age power dynamics could have created more depth to the story by discussing consent but seemed like shallow plot points.
The manga delves into internalized homophobia and discovering oneself - thankfully through side characters' points of view. They seem to be more introspective and thoughtful which made their narrations more enjoyable. The main character only seemed to develop this more than halfway through the series which is also when the story seemed less rushed and more interesting. The ending is realistic and not idealistic.