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A review by elliott_roi
I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day 1 by Nachi Aono
1.5
I'm very disappointed by this manga, unfortunately. I'm always on the lookout for fantasy GL/BL, so I was excited to request this.
The concept of orphans trained in a magical school for battle with (currently unknown) enemies is very intriguing. This first volume only had time to establish the characters and some of the world, but I imagine future volumes will include more intense plots and twists. I must say, part of me is still curious about what happens next.
Unfortunately, there were some aspects of the story that really ruined it for me. In particular, the character of the school nurse (Ms. Fran) who is referred to as an "old man" and as being "in drag." She is also called a "pervert" by students and honestly acts like one (particularly when she is giggling excitedly about being able to kiss a teen girl in order to heal her). This made me extremely uncomfortable and it's difficult not to interpret this as anything other than a very transphobic portrayal of trans women (using the typical stereotypes transphobes make up in their heads).
And I liked the art, overall, but Ms. Fran was always drawn in a way that's very... Provocative? Also, I had mixed feelings about how the young girls were drawn, often coming across more as objects than people. I know it's supposed to be a dark manga with dark themes (which we saw some of in this volume), so I'm guessing the mangaka is choosing to draw these girls as cute and innocent as a sort of contrast to the killing they are forced to do. But mostly, I just felt uncomfortable every time they kissed because it seemed the audience is supposed to enjoy it?? I honestly don't know, it just felt off to me.
As well, the trope of "oh no, we have to kiss to transfer spiritual energy/mana/magic" is one I've enjoyed in many books, but I didn't enjoy its use among such young girls (and the implication that adults like Ms. Fran are also kissing these kids to heal them). Overall, I was left with an icky feeling from this manga and I doubt I will continue and I can't see myself recommending it to anyone.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts shared in this review are my own.
The concept of orphans trained in a magical school for battle with (currently unknown) enemies is very intriguing. This first volume only had time to establish the characters and some of the world, but I imagine future volumes will include more intense plots and twists. I must say, part of me is still curious about what happens next.
Unfortunately, there were some aspects of the story that really ruined it for me. In particular, the character of the school nurse (Ms. Fran) who is referred to as an "old man" and as being "in drag." She is also called a "pervert" by students and honestly acts like one (particularly when she is giggling excitedly about being able to kiss a teen girl in order to heal her). This made me extremely uncomfortable and it's difficult not to interpret this as anything other than a very transphobic portrayal of trans women (using the typical stereotypes transphobes make up in their heads).
And I liked the art, overall, but Ms. Fran was always drawn in a way that's very... Provocative? Also, I had mixed feelings about how the young girls were drawn, often coming across more as objects than people. I know it's supposed to be a dark manga with dark themes (which we saw some of in this volume), so I'm guessing the mangaka is choosing to draw these girls as cute and innocent as a sort of contrast to the killing they are forced to do. But mostly, I just felt uncomfortable every time they kissed because it seemed the audience is supposed to enjoy it?? I honestly don't know, it just felt off to me.
As well, the trope of "oh no, we have to kiss to transfer spiritual energy/mana/magic" is one I've enjoyed in many books, but I didn't enjoy its use among such young girls (and the implication that adults like Ms. Fran are also kissing these kids to heal them). Overall, I was left with an icky feeling from this manga and I doubt I will continue and I can't see myself recommending it to anyone.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts shared in this review are my own.