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Harco
Harco
13 years ago

Ah, Ai Sugimoto, my favorite little airhead. Thanks for sharing this new chapter, Oliver.

Though it still strikes me as weird to see a girl in the role of the male protagonist, i.e. fucking every guy who presents himself to her (which is normally what the girls do). And nobody in the manga seems to mind! Rather refreshing to read actually, in most other manga the result would be netorare. Then again, most mangaka are male. I believe Miray Ozaki is a woman, right?

Harpy
Harpy
13 years ago
Reply to  Harco

I don't consider it that original though. I mean, I feel like it's pretty much borrowing on Terry Southern's "Candy" which was originally borrowing from Voiltare's novella "Candide". And the story style's been adapted into graphic form before through Playboy with "Little Annie Fanny". But still, it's well drawn here and fun. And that's what really matters…

Harco
Harco
13 years ago
Reply to  Harpy

Well, if originality is measured in things that have never been done before, it would be well-nigh impossible to create something original. Whatever it is you come up with as an artist, whether you draw manga, make music or direct movies, it probably has been done many times before.

Besides, I never called it original, did I? ;) I called it refreshing to read because most manga I see feature a male student who fucks every girl who crosses his path. In this case a girl does it with many different guys, and very casually at that.

Arnel
Arnel
13 years ago

I could be alone here, but if I had to choose between Ai Sugimoto and Utako (When You Let Go of My Hands), I would definitely have the latter.

Yes, Utako is dumb and clumsy, but I know that from the very start. Her unpleasant experiences are consistent with her personality, but she knows whom her heart really belongs. The hero realizes his shortcomings and eventually regains her girl. In the end, he acted like a real man should and didn't care whatever happened to her.

On the other hand we have this cute and lovely girl who also has numerous escapades with random guys, but with better approach to practicing carnality.

But…

I was and would never be comfortable with the types of Ai Sugimoto. To me she's the epitome of a wolf in sheep's clothing: looks angelic from outside but insatiable beast deep inside. She has such contrastaing personalities that I pity her boyfriend. While Utako paid a high price in obtaining true happiness with her partner, Ai Sugimoto is enjoying the free ride so much she may never find what she's looking for.

Indeed, appearances are often deceiving.

Oliver AKA The Admin
Admin
13 years ago
Reply to  Arnel

Old discussion :)

Before I criticize something, I always ask myself if I would issue out the same critics if
– me and the criticized's positions were reversed
– genders were reversed

For this reason, I'm unable to say anything against Ai Sugimoto :)

Harco
Harco
13 years ago
Reply to  Arnel

At first, I didn't like The Great Escape either. Mostly because I sided with the guys. Completely logical, I'm male myself after all. Then I thought: am I really approaching this the right way? Ai Sugimoto is the real heroine of this manga and her behaviour is completely the same as normal male protagonists. Take for instance the guy from Tayu Tayu. He fucks every girl he comes in to contact with, while at the same time he has a girlfriend who truly loves him. I don't take that seriously, so why would I get all worked up about it when a girl does it? Moreover, I don't see the guys in the manga acting too hurt about it either. Makes no sense if I go rage about it then.

Arnel
Arnel
13 years ago

@Oliver, this is more like supplemental to the previous discussion, planned in advance :)

@Harco, I don't hate Great Escape, I just can't like it. I appreciate your well constructed writing, and since I don't have such savvy, care to explain why I love Hana's Holiday?

widowchaser
widowchaser
13 years ago

Like Arnel, I don't hate it… but it doesn't sit well with me, just my gut reaction. I react to Marshmallow Fiancee for the same reasons. I just don't believe the previously mentioned 'reaction' of the guys, supposed to be seriously (one a BF, one a Fiance) involved with either Female Lead. Frankly the guys 'being OK with it' isn't an honest (or even the most likely) reaction from most people… so it loses credibility for that reason. That's why I deduct points in the good storytelling arena.