castle mango: last take
I got my Cab today <3 So, Castle Mango is officially over, I guess. I have been waiting for this last chapter for quite a while, but now that it's here I wish I could still see some more of Togame and Yorozu. There was just too much angst and not enough cute in the last few (erm, 7) chapters. I found the ending to be more or less satisfying, but it didn't manage to make up for the overbearing amount of melodrama that we had to endure until now.
Summary is under the cut.
In chapter 11 Yorozu bought a good luck charm for Togame. He had heard that Togame has plans to leave the country, so that's why he bought the charm and put it into Togame's letterbox.
Chapter 12 starts with Yorozu, who wants to make sure that Togame got the charm. Upon arriving at Togame's place he sees that the letterbox is empty--and so is Togame's apartment. He moved out already! On his way home Yorozu wonders why Togame moved so suddenly and where he is now. He wants to call him, but he can't--seeing how they aren't dating anymore and Togame pretty clearly told him that he thought of him as annoying.
Upon arriving home his mother is up already and taking care of the reception. Yorozu tells her not to strain herself too much (since she just got out of the hospital), but his mother doesn't want to hear about that--not doing anything would be too boring. She also tells him that the filmcrew came on short notice, and that they should be about to finish filming soon. Yorozu then runs of to catch them, hoping to get some information about Togame's whereabouts. He asks Yoshida why Togame moved out so suddenly...? Yoshida tells him that he was supposed to leave the country for filming. Yorozu knew that already, but he still wonders why apartment was empty. Yoshida explains to him that the filming would take about 1~2 years... Yorozu--despite knowing about the filming overseas--apparently did not know about the timeframe. Yorozu is quite shocked, but Yoshida tells him that there's some things Togame left in his care. So once he came back he'd probably contact him--and Yoshida promises to tell Yorozu then.
Cut to Togame's filmcrew in Africa. Basically it's just a snippet of Togame at the set. And Togame almost being run over by a truck. He manages to avoid the truck, though. One of the crew members comes over worrying about him and we can see that Togame lost Yorozu's charm while dodging the truck. He picks it up and puts it back into his pocket. The crew member than says something along the lines of "Probably divine blessing, huh?" (meaning: that charm protected you). Togame doesn't answer, but his facial expression changes, probably thinking of Yorozu. The scene itself is interrupted by two panels in which we can see Yorozu back in Japan, looking at a book about Africa (probably, what we can see is a map of Arica).
Then the scene goes back to Yorozu (who had been looking at the book in a bookshop and is meeting up with Yoshida. Yoshida hands a piece of paper to Yorozu, that apparently was part of the stuff that Togame gave him to take care of. It's the paper the good luck charm was wrapped in. On his way back home (actually part of the conversation we saw is a flashback while Yorozu was already on his way home) Yorozu is thinking that this means Togame got his charm. He's overpowered by his feelings at the thought. Personally, I think part of him is happy knowing that Togame received his gift. But at the same time this also makes the feelings of how much he's missing him flow over.
Next cut: It's time for Yorozu's entrance exams for University. His mother and brother are more nervous than he is XD When he's taking off he takes a look at the paper he got from Yoshida and then leaves for his examination.
Then there's some small panels showing the flow of time. Yorozu's mother and Satoru, Yoshida and his girlfriend, Nishomiya and his family, Yorozu's friend who got his heart broken...
And then it's one year later, at the airport. Togame is back and he's saying his goodbye to the rest of the crew. The director is thanking him for sticking through until the end, even though he had to reduce the payment inbetween.
Togame is staying at a hotel for the time being and he's calling Yoshida, telling him he's back. They arrange to meet later so that Yoshida can give him back his stuff.
At the meeting point Togame arrives a bit early and when the person he's waiting for arrives it's not Yoshida--but Yorozu (who would have thought? :P). He brought the things with him that Yoshida had taken care of (really? oO Is that supposed to be all of it?). But Yorozu refuses to hand it over just yet. He tells Togame that's his feelings haven't changed. And that he's sure they won't change within the upcoming 8 and a half years either.
Togame seems kind of unaffected by that declaration, saying that Yorozu really is persistent. Yorozu argues that he isn't a child anymore, but Togame just tells him to hand over his stuff. Yorozu says he'll hand it over as soon as he got an answer. Togame sighs and says that Yorozu really is bothersome, after all... which is the point Yorozu is losing it. He's saying that he'd heard how Kenia really isn't a safe place and that Togame being back all safe... he lets the sentence trail off, because it's interrupted by his tears breaking out. Togame is... uh, taken aback by that reaction. Yorozu throws his stuff at him and screams that he wishes Togame would have been eaten by lions in the Savannah. Then he runs off. Togame still is shocked.
This also seems to be the moment in which something in him makes click, because the next thing he does is to rush after Yorozu. When he catches up to him, Yorozu only says "Even though I've been worried all this time..." and Togame is hugging him. Yorozu is trying to kiss him, but Togame is worried about the people around them, thus holding him back. But, uh, Yorozu doesn't exactly care about the people.
Then there's a cut to (I guess) Togame's hotel room. First thing we can see is the floor. And all their clothes being spread on the floor. They're kissing, making out... and when Togame is about to start giving him a blowjob Yorozu pushes him away and tells him to wait for a sec (and his blush is just absolutely adorable). He tells Togame that it's okay to "do it", but to be gentle about it. Because this is his (their) first time. Ha! Togame is a bit perplex.. so what about that first time in the hotel? Yorozu is kind of feeling really bad about his lie from before, but he's telling Togame truthfully that nothing had happened back then. And Togame's reaction is just wonderful. Yorozu apologizes to him and promises that there won't be any more lies. Togame just sighs, hits Yorozu's head a bit and then continues with what they were doing before.
Then there's a cut to after the sex. Yorozu is waking up, seeing Togame wrapped in his arms. Yorozu is thinking how this reminds him of Satoru when he was little. He then continues sleeping. Next one to shortly wake up is Togame. He just looks at Yorozu and goes back to sleep, looking probably the most peaceful we've ever seen him in the entire series T_T
The next scene is Togame and the people from the filmcrew (the one he was in Africa with). They're out drinking, celebrating that their documentary started airing and apparently received good critics upon its premiere. Upon receiving a text message Togame takes his leave, though. We can still read some of the dialogue of the filmcrew after Togame left, they are saying that it seems like Togame stopped smoking.
On his way back Togame meets up with Yoshida and his girlfriend (fiancee, at this point). Yoshida tells him that the day of their wedding has been decided and that Togame definitely has to show his face there. They each go their ways then and we can see a snippet of Yoshida's girlfriend saying that she wants to go to *that* hotel, the hotel that was also used within Yoshida's videos and that had super cute rooms--her finger pointing towards Castle Mango.
Togame arrives at his home--it's some apartment complex (but not looking nearly as run down as the one before). Inside he sees that the meal is all prepared--and Yorozu fell asleep on the bed. Togame is stroking is face, thus waking him up--and Yorozu greets him with a "Welcome home."
The End.
Whew.
I was afraid that they would rush things with only one chapter left. But they managed to make it flow nicely. It *is* a bit rushed, but not too much so... definitely something I can live with. At first I thought that Togame's change was too sudden. But then I thought about it (and re-read the chapter for the purpose of writing the summary) and that confrontation in the rain was really just the last push he needed. There were several instances before where his shell was breaking apart already. Little by little. For instance, the last scene in chapter 11. Or again when was in Kenia and his face when he was thinking about the charm (and thus, thinking about Yorozu).
Also. Yorozu, you're so adorable! And he really took the initiative this time. Good job <3
Somthing else... I think I've said this on several occasions already, but I really don't like Konohara Narise. I don't think she is a bad author or anything. Just, usually I really don't dig her characters. Or rather, I feel unable to connect with them. I don't care about them AT ALL. They could end up without each for all that I care. I think there's just something missing in her writing (for me, personally), it's something in the way she describes them and their feelings, but I can't really put my finger on it.
Anyway, I think that's also why I find her melodrama (oh, and there's lots of it in her novels) so unbearable? Seeing characters you don't really care for go through all kinds of far-fetched difficulties really isn't all that interesting. It's annoying above anything else. And there's not one of her novels that I've read from beginning to end without skipping some parts inbetween >.>;; And some I never finished reading.
Despite all that I actually think that Konohara Narise and Ogura Muku make a great team! This is the first time I found myself invested in characters written by Konohara. And in my opinion that's all thanks to Ogura Muku, who somehow managed to breathe life into characters that I otherwise might have found just as lifeless as all the other characters Konohara has created until now. And thanks to this I actually found myself incredibly enjoying Castle Mango. The first part more so than the second part, though. I'm still not a fan of Konohara-style melodrama... but I realized that I can manage through it as long as I care about the characters. And that I can feel ridiculously happy about their happy end.
Okay, end of my Castle Mango ramblings.
In other news, volume 6 of onBLUE is going to be published tomorrow! And it has the last chapter of Udagawachou de mattete yo in it! I'm really looking forward to that one, seeing how it is my favorite hideyoshico story up to date.
Also also, the story is going to be published as tankoubon on October 25th AND the next issue of onBlue (also published on 10/25) is going to be hideyoshico special. Yay!
And speaking of hideyoshico, with the Cab came an extra paper! It's a short little something about the characters of her story that was first introduced in Ringo ni Hachimitsu and then continued in Kare no Barairo no Jinsei. And it's just so cute. Whee~
Summary is under the cut.
In chapter 11 Yorozu bought a good luck charm for Togame. He had heard that Togame has plans to leave the country, so that's why he bought the charm and put it into Togame's letterbox.
Chapter 12 starts with Yorozu, who wants to make sure that Togame got the charm. Upon arriving at Togame's place he sees that the letterbox is empty--and so is Togame's apartment. He moved out already! On his way home Yorozu wonders why Togame moved so suddenly and where he is now. He wants to call him, but he can't--seeing how they aren't dating anymore and Togame pretty clearly told him that he thought of him as annoying.
Upon arriving home his mother is up already and taking care of the reception. Yorozu tells her not to strain herself too much (since she just got out of the hospital), but his mother doesn't want to hear about that--not doing anything would be too boring. She also tells him that the filmcrew came on short notice, and that they should be about to finish filming soon. Yorozu then runs of to catch them, hoping to get some information about Togame's whereabouts. He asks Yoshida why Togame moved out so suddenly...? Yoshida tells him that he was supposed to leave the country for filming. Yorozu knew that already, but he still wonders why apartment was empty. Yoshida explains to him that the filming would take about 1~2 years... Yorozu--despite knowing about the filming overseas--apparently did not know about the timeframe. Yorozu is quite shocked, but Yoshida tells him that there's some things Togame left in his care. So once he came back he'd probably contact him--and Yoshida promises to tell Yorozu then.
Cut to Togame's filmcrew in Africa. Basically it's just a snippet of Togame at the set. And Togame almost being run over by a truck. He manages to avoid the truck, though. One of the crew members comes over worrying about him and we can see that Togame lost Yorozu's charm while dodging the truck. He picks it up and puts it back into his pocket. The crew member than says something along the lines of "Probably divine blessing, huh?" (meaning: that charm protected you). Togame doesn't answer, but his facial expression changes, probably thinking of Yorozu. The scene itself is interrupted by two panels in which we can see Yorozu back in Japan, looking at a book about Africa (probably, what we can see is a map of Arica).
Then the scene goes back to Yorozu (who had been looking at the book in a bookshop and is meeting up with Yoshida. Yoshida hands a piece of paper to Yorozu, that apparently was part of the stuff that Togame gave him to take care of. It's the paper the good luck charm was wrapped in. On his way back home (actually part of the conversation we saw is a flashback while Yorozu was already on his way home) Yorozu is thinking that this means Togame got his charm. He's overpowered by his feelings at the thought. Personally, I think part of him is happy knowing that Togame received his gift. But at the same time this also makes the feelings of how much he's missing him flow over.
Next cut: It's time for Yorozu's entrance exams for University. His mother and brother are more nervous than he is XD When he's taking off he takes a look at the paper he got from Yoshida and then leaves for his examination.
Then there's some small panels showing the flow of time. Yorozu's mother and Satoru, Yoshida and his girlfriend, Nishomiya and his family, Yorozu's friend who got his heart broken...
And then it's one year later, at the airport. Togame is back and he's saying his goodbye to the rest of the crew. The director is thanking him for sticking through until the end, even though he had to reduce the payment inbetween.
Togame is staying at a hotel for the time being and he's calling Yoshida, telling him he's back. They arrange to meet later so that Yoshida can give him back his stuff.
At the meeting point Togame arrives a bit early and when the person he's waiting for arrives it's not Yoshida--but Yorozu (who would have thought? :P). He brought the things with him that Yoshida had taken care of (really? oO Is that supposed to be all of it?). But Yorozu refuses to hand it over just yet. He tells Togame that's his feelings haven't changed. And that he's sure they won't change within the upcoming 8 and a half years either.
Togame seems kind of unaffected by that declaration, saying that Yorozu really is persistent. Yorozu argues that he isn't a child anymore, but Togame just tells him to hand over his stuff. Yorozu says he'll hand it over as soon as he got an answer. Togame sighs and says that Yorozu really is bothersome, after all... which is the point Yorozu is losing it. He's saying that he'd heard how Kenia really isn't a safe place and that Togame being back all safe... he lets the sentence trail off, because it's interrupted by his tears breaking out. Togame is... uh, taken aback by that reaction. Yorozu throws his stuff at him and screams that he wishes Togame would have been eaten by lions in the Savannah. Then he runs off. Togame still is shocked.
This also seems to be the moment in which something in him makes click, because the next thing he does is to rush after Yorozu. When he catches up to him, Yorozu only says "Even though I've been worried all this time..." and Togame is hugging him. Yorozu is trying to kiss him, but Togame is worried about the people around them, thus holding him back. But, uh, Yorozu doesn't exactly care about the people.
Then there's a cut to (I guess) Togame's hotel room. First thing we can see is the floor. And all their clothes being spread on the floor. They're kissing, making out... and when Togame is about to start giving him a blowjob Yorozu pushes him away and tells him to wait for a sec (and his blush is just absolutely adorable). He tells Togame that it's okay to "do it", but to be gentle about it. Because this is his (their) first time. Ha! Togame is a bit perplex.. so what about that first time in the hotel? Yorozu is kind of feeling really bad about his lie from before, but he's telling Togame truthfully that nothing had happened back then. And Togame's reaction is just wonderful. Yorozu apologizes to him and promises that there won't be any more lies. Togame just sighs, hits Yorozu's head a bit and then continues with what they were doing before.
Then there's a cut to after the sex. Yorozu is waking up, seeing Togame wrapped in his arms. Yorozu is thinking how this reminds him of Satoru when he was little. He then continues sleeping. Next one to shortly wake up is Togame. He just looks at Yorozu and goes back to sleep, looking probably the most peaceful we've ever seen him in the entire series T_T
The next scene is Togame and the people from the filmcrew (the one he was in Africa with). They're out drinking, celebrating that their documentary started airing and apparently received good critics upon its premiere. Upon receiving a text message Togame takes his leave, though. We can still read some of the dialogue of the filmcrew after Togame left, they are saying that it seems like Togame stopped smoking.
On his way back Togame meets up with Yoshida and his girlfriend (fiancee, at this point). Yoshida tells him that the day of their wedding has been decided and that Togame definitely has to show his face there. They each go their ways then and we can see a snippet of Yoshida's girlfriend saying that she wants to go to *that* hotel, the hotel that was also used within Yoshida's videos and that had super cute rooms--her finger pointing towards Castle Mango.
Togame arrives at his home--it's some apartment complex (but not looking nearly as run down as the one before). Inside he sees that the meal is all prepared--and Yorozu fell asleep on the bed. Togame is stroking is face, thus waking him up--and Yorozu greets him with a "Welcome home."
The End.
Whew.
I was afraid that they would rush things with only one chapter left. But they managed to make it flow nicely. It *is* a bit rushed, but not too much so... definitely something I can live with. At first I thought that Togame's change was too sudden. But then I thought about it (and re-read the chapter for the purpose of writing the summary) and that confrontation in the rain was really just the last push he needed. There were several instances before where his shell was breaking apart already. Little by little. For instance, the last scene in chapter 11. Or again when was in Kenia and his face when he was thinking about the charm (and thus, thinking about Yorozu).
Also. Yorozu, you're so adorable! And he really took the initiative this time. Good job <3
Somthing else... I think I've said this on several occasions already, but I really don't like Konohara Narise. I don't think she is a bad author or anything. Just, usually I really don't dig her characters. Or rather, I feel unable to connect with them. I don't care about them AT ALL. They could end up without each for all that I care. I think there's just something missing in her writing (for me, personally), it's something in the way she describes them and their feelings, but I can't really put my finger on it.
Anyway, I think that's also why I find her melodrama (oh, and there's lots of it in her novels) so unbearable? Seeing characters you don't really care for go through all kinds of far-fetched difficulties really isn't all that interesting. It's annoying above anything else. And there's not one of her novels that I've read from beginning to end without skipping some parts inbetween >.>;; And some I never finished reading.
Despite all that I actually think that Konohara Narise and Ogura Muku make a great team! This is the first time I found myself invested in characters written by Konohara. And in my opinion that's all thanks to Ogura Muku, who somehow managed to breathe life into characters that I otherwise might have found just as lifeless as all the other characters Konohara has created until now. And thanks to this I actually found myself incredibly enjoying Castle Mango. The first part more so than the second part, though. I'm still not a fan of Konohara-style melodrama... but I realized that I can manage through it as long as I care about the characters. And that I can feel ridiculously happy about their happy end.
Okay, end of my Castle Mango ramblings.
In other news, volume 6 of onBLUE is going to be published tomorrow! And it has the last chapter of Udagawachou de mattete yo in it! I'm really looking forward to that one, seeing how it is my favorite hideyoshico story up to date.
Also also, the story is going to be published as tankoubon on October 25th AND the next issue of onBlue (also published on 10/25) is going to be hideyoshico special. Yay!
And speaking of hideyoshico, with the Cab came an extra paper! It's a short little something about the characters of her story that was first introduced in Ringo ni Hachimitsu and then continued in Kare no Barairo no Jinsei. And it's just so cute. Whee~
