She uses sex as a weapon
I'm following a new fic: Abstinence Education by madame_manga. It's Blade of the Immortal and Manji/Rin :)
I decided to read it despite the fact that it's lemon because the reccer said it was a vital component of the main plot. I couldn't help but think of Shadow of his Wings and, I have to say, that's not the only thing they have in common.
I had problem with it at first... during the first 18 parts, I think. The thing is that I didn't quite like how the relationship between Manji and Rin changed, I can't say exactly why but I didn't buy it. Everybody knows they feel very deeply for each other, Rin's romantical feelings are not a secret, and it's obvious that Manji feels something more than brotherly affection for her, but Rin offering herself to Manji "for sex education" is OOC, and so it is her sudden interest/obsession with sex in general, or the way Manji finally succumbed or when he treats her violently/forcefuly - Yes, he's violent, rude, etc. etc. but treat Rin like that? Never. Besides, I don't think Manji's feelings toward Rin are focused/driven on sex - I mean, he's a man, of course, but I get the impression that for him the sexual part would not be the focus, not with Rin.
The funny thing is that despite that huge problem, everything else is perfect. If you forget about the twisted situation at the beggining, the characterizations are amazing and after those 18 parts the story starts to trascend itself and become something greater. I know it sounds confusing, I'll try to rephrase it: the dialog in general, the writing, are really good. The characters reactions and feelings (excluding the ones I mentioning before) are believable. Maybe not all of them feel completely canon but they're somehow believable. And I may not like sex scenes but I have to say they follow the logical progression of the story, sure, they're streamy and full of passion and waaaay too many but they also form the heart of the main character' psychological growth somehow.
When you get past those 18 parts the story no longer feels like a twisted but somehow good fanfic and starts to get more and more cannonic. The plot seems natural, everything moves on its own. Makie, Anotsu, Taito, and many original but interesting characters make an appearance... no sex for many many many pages, action, gore, Manji-awesomenes. One of my favorite things about this fic is that you feel you're there, and it's so rich on japanese culture and all things kenshi and samurai... really good.
I decided to read it despite the fact that it's lemon because the reccer said it was a vital component of the main plot. I couldn't help but think of Shadow of his Wings and, I have to say, that's not the only thing they have in common.
I had problem with it at first... during the first 18 parts, I think. The thing is that I didn't quite like how the relationship between Manji and Rin changed, I can't say exactly why but I didn't buy it. Everybody knows they feel very deeply for each other, Rin's romantical feelings are not a secret, and it's obvious that Manji feels something more than brotherly affection for her, but Rin offering herself to Manji "for sex education" is OOC, and so it is her sudden interest/obsession with sex in general, or the way Manji finally succumbed or when he treats her violently/forcefuly - Yes, he's violent, rude, etc. etc. but treat Rin like that? Never. Besides, I don't think Manji's feelings toward Rin are focused/driven on sex - I mean, he's a man, of course, but I get the impression that for him the sexual part would not be the focus, not with Rin.
The funny thing is that despite that huge problem, everything else is perfect. If you forget about the twisted situation at the beggining, the characterizations are amazing and after those 18 parts the story starts to trascend itself and become something greater. I know it sounds confusing, I'll try to rephrase it: the dialog in general, the writing, are really good. The characters reactions and feelings (excluding the ones I mentioning before) are believable. Maybe not all of them feel completely canon but they're somehow believable. And I may not like sex scenes but I have to say they follow the logical progression of the story, sure, they're streamy and full of passion and waaaay too many but they also form the heart of the main character' psychological growth somehow.
When you get past those 18 parts the story no longer feels like a twisted but somehow good fanfic and starts to get more and more cannonic. The plot seems natural, everything moves on its own. Makie, Anotsu, Taito, and many original but interesting characters make an appearance... no sex for many many many pages, action, gore, Manji-awesomenes. One of my favorite things about this fic is that you feel you're there, and it's so rich on japanese culture and all things kenshi and samurai... really good.