kikidarko

I love Yamamoto Kotetsuko, but Bokura no Negai didn't meet my expectations.

Story

The beginning set up something really interesting, with two big tragedies in a row and 4 brothers left to fend for themselves. But aside from seeming to happen too quickly, there didn't seem to be any lingering memory of the tragedy. They just moved on with their lives. Rather than shaping them as people, they seemed to serve as simply an excuse to get the brothers to live alone.

Still, although it could have been done better, the story was pretty good and kept me interested. 7/10

Art

Again, I like Yamamoto Kotetsuko a lot, especially with regards to art style. I do have one complaint, and that is that there were two characters I had trouble telling apart at times, their only distinguishing feature being their height. 8/10

Characters

I wanted to love the characters a lot more. In the beginning I did, but by the end I didn't. First of all, their crushes took over their lives. Which can happen, don't get me wrong, but it could have been done in a way that wasn't just "I wasted two years of my life liking this person". I don't know, it just didn't work well and I wanted there to be more development beyond getting the guy.

Also, there wasn't any chemistry between them! I mean, none. It frustrated me because it seemed like, when they got together, it was forced and not genuine.

And in the other couple, while there was slightly more chemistry, they didn't have enough screen time so it wasn't developed as much as it should have been.

I'm just really disappointed in the characters. Bonus points for all the gay couples I guess, and there were moments of clarity where they actually sat and stopped for a sec to think about everything that was going on, but it could have been done a lot better. 4/10

Overall

Bokura no Negai didn't live up to my expectations, but I'm sure some can enjoy it. Like most mediocre manga, it has potential, but doesn't follow through.

I would redirect you to Honto Yajuu or even Ashita wa Docchi da! to see Yamamoto Kotetsuko's better work.

6/10