Triggers featured in this manga: INCEST, R*PE, ABDUCTION, ABUSE, AND GENERAL VIOLENCE
If this doesnt turn you off, please continue, I will be Spoiling.
Going into this manga, I wasnt expecting a story with a canon incest relationship, just saw it was from Akabeko and was sold. Upon finishing it and coming on here I saw the one review wasnt really elaborating on the story which made me sad because this is actually good!
The story centers around Ai & Makoto, two half-brothers in the Yakuza. Makoto was neglected by his mother and upon her death got more and more violent. Ai, feeling guilty for "taking away" their mothers attention, and feeling a semblance of pity for his older brother, has vowed to stay by his side and join him in his Yakuza persuit. Along the way Makoto finds "Betty", a young man who fails to kill him, and uses him as a replacement for his mother because of his similar appearence to her. In the first chapter a puppy-like youth named Yu sees "Betty" walking around naked with only a fur coat on him and decides to run away with him from the police, thus thrusting him into their world while hoping to drag "Betty" out with him into the light. Throughout the three volumes we learn more about the history between the brothers, "Betty", and other members as things get more and more dangerous.
Characters:
Ai: Younger of the two siblings, completely lets Makoto do whatever he wants, usually stands by but will interfere sometimes, protects Yu a lot in the story but has limits, Bottom of the two, straightfaced
Makoto: Oldest of the two siblings, tendency for violence, desperate for companionship/love, Mommy issues, Tops Ai & "Betty", cruel, quick to anger, Acts & thinks later
Yu: Puppy-dog, most innocent of the four, young, hopeful, desperate to save "Betty", powerless, lucky, Bottom's for ***
"Betty": Hides emotions, desperate to survive, pawn, powerless, fearful, enjoys comforting, acts like he doesnt care, Bottoms for Makoto & a few mobs
The characters are pretty complex, from Ai's reasonings for letting Makoto do what he wants to Makoto's attachments to "betty". It was really fun to see how everything unravelled as the story continued. My favorite aspect was seeing Yu interact with each character, while not the main star of the show, he definitely was my go to when things were going too dark. His relationship with "Betty" is the "purest" aspect of this manga, especially because he's just someone in over his head wanting to help. On the other hand we have a tale of two brothers and they are incredibly messy, while Yu is willing to get hit for "Betty", Makoto punches Ai himself. They are not pure, it's all rough and sour with splotches of sweetness mixed in with resentment.
Conclusion:
I one hundred percent recommend this manga. Yes, it's dark, taboo, and has an atmosphere of tension that doesnt leave until the very end but that's what makes it interesting. Among the dark material hides a story with codependent and broken characters that deperately want to be saved while doing whatever possible to keep someone besides them. I actually applaud Akabeko for creating such a story, it was so much more different from their other mangas, it really felt akin to Aiko Nobara's "A stray dog in the night". As to whether the ending is happy or not, yes it is a happy ending for all characters, technically. At the end of the day, I don't know what someone's limits is in terms of tropes or dynamics so, if the triggers/spoilers above dont turn you away, please give it a try! I didn't regret it, loved reading about Yu & "Betty"
