Current mood:

disappointed

LIFE (vols 1 & 2) - Keiko Suenobu
Initially I was drawn to this manga because of its subject matter of real life issues, such as self-harm, rape, blackmail etc, but after reading the first two volumes, I'm disappointed. The story is simply one depressing thing after another, and the main character has little depth to her. I find it hard to sympathise with her because I just keep wondering why she lets other people influence her so much.

I can't imagine this manga interesting anybody other than those who just want to fuel their own depression. Each volume includes a postscript from a clinical psychologist advising anyone who feels similar urges to self-harm should seek help immediately; it would've been nice to see the protagonist follow the same advice and at least try and help herself. It may be more realistic this way, but it leaves me wondering what the point of the story is other than to deal with dark, controversial themes.

Having said that, I'd have been disappointed if this book had simply been a thinly-disguised education book for teenagers. A little bit of that would've been a good thing though, as it is this manga is just hopelessly depressing. I don't think I'll be continuing with this series.