Run Away with Me, Girl

Kakeochi girl might be my favourite manga. rather than just being about a cute romance, it's actually quite dark, talking about abuse and lgbt+ acceptance. The characters are far from perfect, they each have their flaws and strengths. In the end, they act in a very human and emotion-driven way which is comforting somehow. The story doesn't tell the reader that victims of abuse are perfect cute little traumatised people, it doesn't tell anyone to endure hardships juste because the person imposing them has lived through a lot themselves. It just paints a picture of multi-dimentional characters with varying degrees of agency and the waythey try to better themselves. The kind of lesbian story you know was written by a lesbian <333

A pretty great romance story that toys with one's expectations. I personally really enjoyed how the initial premise painted Midori as a pretty bad person, but learning to see her perspective helped shift that disdain to sympathy, seeing as ultimately it was a plea for help. The leads are very flawed and I think the series did a pretty great job at unrevealing their trauma and issues to the very core. Even the main antagonistic force is portrayed with a certain degree of sympathy, as what shaped his terrible traits was also a good bit of trauma. While the manga doesn't justify his behavior, it allowsthe reader to see where it call comes from, which I think added an additional layer to appreciating the character. It expertly captures the suffocating struggle of the two leads, such as their issues with heteronormativity, pregnancy, trauma, as well as poor communication. However,it never feels condescending and like it's beating the reader over the head with the moral. The unique artstyle makes each panel come to life with a degree of magic and whimsy that's hard to find in other series. It's pure joy to look at, adding yet another layer to the whole experience. The imagery of fairy tales, princesses and weddings plays wonderfully into the theme of these women gaining agency over their lives, breaking out of the norm of a world that's been planned out for them, without asking for them permission and making it their own — reclaiming the princess aesthetic from an image of a helpless girl that's only supposed to do what she's told. While in some places it can feel a bit "happy go lucky", with how things just work out for the two leads, I think it adds that certain degree of hope to their otherwise gloom world. It's an extremely rewarding experience to see the Midori and Maki fall in love once again, but this time with a lot more courage to try and be happy together, in spite of everything around them.

Heartbreaking. Because of how intimately each character and their relationships are realized, anyone could read this and feel deeply. This goes beyond the main couple as motives are clearly defined for the supporting cast. We're given flashbacks and moments alone with everyone. Provided to our understanding of the world of Kakeochi Girl are the beautifully nuanced illustrations and pacing. Hesitation through vacant compositions, a contrasting black sky in a dreamlike moment. Much is said without words. Wowowow. And there's that sparkly shoujo flare without the vanity. Midori shines. This does hit conventions that I've seen in thematically similar works. While there is a unique maturity, Tazune'srole is too well-equipped to sweeten our main couple's inevitable sneaking around. while it isn't important, this moment of my life feels comparable to the situation Kakeochi Girl presents. I feel spoken to... and other queer people might too. Maybe it'll be ok.