[Review] [Manga] Loveless
Loveless.
How can we even start on explaining Loveless? It's a fantasy manga created by Yun Kouga for the monthly magazine Montly Comic Zero Sum. It's a story of two boys. It's mild shounen-ai with cat boys. It's every girl's dream!
The story starts off when the ten-year-old protagonist, Ritsuka Aoyagi, enrolls another elementary school. After an eventful day, he meets the mysterious Soubi Agamatsu who claims to be a friend of his deceased dead brother. Thus starts a deep and undeniable relationship between the two boys.
What looks like an average romantic coming-of-age drama is actually a dark and mysterious plot. The distinguishing features of the manga is the existence of kemonomimi or cat ears on the young characters thus proclaiming their innocence. It is later explained that they lose their cat ears when they lose their virginity. This establishes the fact that there are lots of sexual undertones in the story. Another unique aspect of the manga is the existence of Fighters and Sacrifices.
Ritsuka is unceremoniously introduced to this secret world when Soubi claims to be his new Fighter. Just as the fabled myth of the red thread of destiny, Fighters and Sacrifices were bound by invisible ties. Ritsuka is suddenly Soubi's partner and Sacrifice to compensate for the fact that Seimei- Ritsuka's supposedly dead older brother- was his former Sacrifice. Together they must unravel the mystery of Seimei's death, the enigmatic organization Nanatsu no Tsuki and their blossoming relationship.
Spells are cast, battles are fought and the meaning of life is explored. Ritsuka who is Loveless- "one who is not loved"- must discover the reasons of his brother's death, the meaning of his existence and his plans for the future. He couldn't return to his old life now that he knows what is waiting for him. Vague hints of incest, S&M, loli-con and murder is interlaced within the complex and captivating mystery of the story.
But what really draws the audience in is Ritsuka, the reluctant hero. He's only ten but he shows startling maturity for his age. In spite of his normal and ordinary appearance, Ritsuka is as much a victim of life as Soubi was. Although he frequently shows an indifferent attitude and cynical perspective about the world, he displays an endearing naivete and innocence in the face of love. Soubi is a complex character as well. He's full of contradictions and mysteries; he hates butterlifes but draws them. Though a first-time reader's first impression is an older pervert it changes as the story goes on. What seems like a steady development with lots of cute moments for a romantic relationship turns into an actual evolution for a relationship that is stronger: brotherhood.
Other unique and funny characters populate the universe like the quirky Kio, ditzy Yuiko, maternal Shinonome-sensei, the Zero couples and the sadistic Seimei.
The art is very good with its soft and dreamy quality. In fact, I only read the story because I really liked the drawings. The music that accompanies the anime is inventive and refreshing. The anime is well-done as well. There are drama cds available that features the character's adventures that is not included in the manga and/or anime.
So bring on the cat ears, the spells and the fights. Loveless will steal your heart!