Kokoro Connect

Kokoro connect is....weird. Extremely weird. This manga feels empty but at the same time it's full of very interesting topics that could have sparked nice dialogues. But instead it all falls into a very bland and generic plot that leaves the reader with nothing. It's weird because while reading it, you feel split between a very well managed supernatural dynamic and a very poorly managed character growth, so much that it feels like many different authors worked on this. Everything that occours in the course of the manga, while justified nicely on the supernatural layer, also feels extremely childish and not worthy of all thedrama that stems from it. It all seems...pointless? The characters, that should be the peak of the plot, that carry on their shoulders all the work, are very boring and bland. Well, more than boring, it feels like you get the chance to really get to know two characters at best out of the five (only counting the main ones) that are the main core of the story. Taichi has simply no personality other than being the Emiya Shirou of kokoro connect, the hero always ready to help the lady in need. This also leaves no room to the other male character to shine, and, to be completely honest, the other boy matters so little that he could as well not exist, because we wouldn't notice. The author focuses on the three girls the most, but their personal growth just feels plain and empty. It’s difficult to relate to them when they feel like they come straight out of a textbook. Lastly i should mention the fact that this manga seems unfinished, cutting short on the plot and leaving the story without a proper closure. Many issues are left open and it simply feels wrong. It this regard I must say that the anime feels like a proper completed show, so if this might bother you i suggest checking out the anime or the light novel (which I didn't read so I can't give you my opinion on that). Overall, I do not think it's a bad manga, it just doesn't hold up to expectations. It tries so hard to talk about very complicated topics (such as the human mind and dicovering oneself) but it fails to give any depth to it, like the author just decided to throw in whatever seemed sad, tragic and difficult enough. I strongly recommend watching the anime instead.