Equipoise - Reviews

If you're looking for a cute high school BL with kinda lot of drama, Equipoise is the ONE to read.

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There's literally no words to describe how much I love this BL. The relationship between Shin and Joy is so so so so cute. The art is amazing and I can't wait till the next chapter. Also, I love the fact that the childhood girl friend (Yuu Jin) is so supportive and it is really adorable and sweet. I won't say to much to not spoil anything but I can at least say to go read it. :)

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Good Reading!

It is a good story. But there are something's that make me feel off. But first let me compliment the art. 

Even though the art has limitations, like the lack of vivid settings and background, the coloring and the shades are very unique. It honestly has a mood to it. Both dreary and vibrant. Even though the art changes later in the story and loses a bit of its uniqueness, it still feels nice. 

Now the story is on a very sensitive topic of domestic abuse. Though I was intrigued by the premise and was curious of the solution, I think the issue was handled poorly. In the beginning I found Shinji's emotions to be transference onto Joy. Like a baby chick imprinting on its savior. I was hopeful that he'd grow out of that before the romance began but he didn't. It was emphasized even more that Joy was his savior.

And when it comes to Joy, he is unbearably aggressive. I find his emotions for Shinji possessive and obsessive. It was only a bit uncomfortable but tolerable until his behavior seemed controlling toward Shinji, and was reminiscent of Shinji's father's controlling behavior. I found it a bit triggering. Joy seemed like a walking red flag when he bulldozes through Shinji's sensitive situation. It is both reckless and concerning that it happened more than once putting Shinji in danger. It's upsettingt because Joy didn't learn from it but became more aggressive. 

This honestly put me off on any romance forming between them. Realistically it's unhealthy. But this is my second time reading it and I realitively enjoyed it. Because the art is very enjoyable and Shinji is lovable. But I can't read it again. Wishing Shinji the happiness and good mental health is hard with his relationship with Joy.

The concepts that are shown in this story are truly heartbreaking and after every update, it feels like I've just been punched in the stomach. I haven't experienced physical abuse but some of the other subjects hit really close to home. They had hit hard enough for me to start crying in the middle of a chapter. The art is a little rough around the edges but overall is good. It is a softer touch than others. The characters and their backstory is really good. I consider a good chartacter if they are able to make you feel an emotion enough to make you forget about some things happening in your real life. To make an impact in how you feel and think. I can't wait to read the next chapter and I can't wait to see what happenes to the 2 main leads.

***Contains light spoilers: ***

! (Spoiler free review at the end)

The character Joy raises his siblings on its own, because his parents have to work in another city/state idk,

he haves a kind and caring personality, but he can get really angry and dominant when his friend (he haves a crush on him) gets injured.

He doesn't like it when Shinji hides stuff from him or lies. He wants to help Shinji to get out of the situation but he cant do anything.

Shinji (the crush/friend) from Joy gets abused from his father, and because of that he haves a really hard life, he isn't happy anymore but when he meets Joy he get a little happier, the terrible father doesn't want Shinji to have friends, and he threats Shinji he'd hurt Joy, Shinji haves a really hard time because of this, when he starts feeling "weird" when Joy touches him, it gets even harder for him.

There is also a childhood friend from Joy, shes really supportive and badass. I love her.

This story contains abuse, suicidal themes. (and slight bullying)

btw fuck the dad!

*SPOILERS*

***Joys parents are really supportive, when Joy tells them he likes Shinji and they want to help Shinji too.

Joy haves a minor trauma because when he was "watching" his sick sister, he played video games instead and his sister had to go to the hospital.

Shinji doesn't like it when Joy cares although he actually likes it, because he can't give Joy anything n return (Joy doesn't care at all.) ***


Review:

This Webcomic is really cute, I love the relationship between the two main characters. (They aren't lovers yet.)

I really love the two main characters, and how the author shows how they strengthen their connection and grow closer, the story is made pretty realistic and the characters are well written.

But I wish they (the author) would go a bit in detail abt the personal feelings and thoughts from the outsiders (parents, friend) so we can view the story from a different pov.

The art style is ok, for me, but I am a spoiled girl with other manhwas (like "the wilting light,"Heaven officials blessing" etc.) , so I don't really know if my opinion counts here.

Art style is really Important to me, so, yeah...

Sorry, my English is pretty bad, its not my first language!
< If you want to help with errors you can write a comment, thank you <3