Manga Review: Despotic Lover by Mayu Shinjo

Title: Despotic Lover

Original Title: 覇王♥愛人

Author: Mayu Shinjo

Artist: Mayu Shinjo

Year of Release: 2004

Genres: Action, Drama, Harem, Mature, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Smut, Tragedy

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 50

Volumes & Chapters: 9 Volumes

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5              Volume 4 Chapters 17-22                    Volume 7 Chapters 36-40
Volume 2 Chapters 6-10            Volume 5 Chapters 23-29                     Volume 8 Chapters 41-45
Volume 3 Chapters 11-16          Volume 6 Chapters 30-35                     Volume 9 Chapters 46-50

MangaHere – Goodreads

Summary

One day while walking home from her job, Kurumi Akino finds a wounded young man, and saves his life. He mysteriously dissapears after that, and leaves only the name Hakuron�. Next thing she knows she's been kidnapped from her school, and is on a private jet with that man, heading to China. It turns out she saved the life of the most infamous mobster in Hong Kong, and he wants her to stay with him. 

You can find A Tale of Happier Times (v06 extra) in the anthology Motto Oshiete. 

WARNING: This series contains strong "consensual rape" situations, strong language, scenes of graphic sex, rape, violence, murder, suicide, glorifies the mafia and black market. It is recommended that you be the legal age of consent in your country to view this story. 

My Thoughts

Review covers 50 chapters 

Hi, guys and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! I’m continuing with my obsession with Mayu Shinjo’s works. However, there are not much left. There definitely be two more reviews, but at that I won’t be able to review all of her works, and truly I only review the ones that I found interesting enough to read a second time. But let me get back to the review as talking about my future projects is sometimes boring

Please bear in mind that from all of the author’s work this is the cruelest. Wait, can I say cruel? Let me elaborate. It’s twisted. The story is about love, but Hakuron’s (that’s the main character and the leader of Hong Kong mafia) idea of love is twisted. The story has lots of murder and also rape, which is why I say that his idea of love is twisted. But what is most interesting is that he truly does love Kurumi, and that love makes him do stupid things. Like what? Heh, If I told you I would have spoiled a major event and to say the truth I would have spoiled the whole story. Because before he does anything there are characters to appear and make Kurumi’s life hell and take her love from her.

Why do I love this story if it’s mostly murder and twisted love? I believe because of the characters. No matter what cruelty Hakuron does, even if he infuriates me to the point of hating him, I still like him as a character. He truly encompassed the role of a heartless, cruel beast that unfortunately falls in love. Why unfortunately? That is my opinion, but if he didn’t he would have been alive and wouldn’t have wounded Kurumi, but at the same time the love that he felt towards Kurumi made him a better man in some aspects. Kurumi is a great character. Her strength and her love amaze me every time I read this story. You might think of her as strange. She should have run when she had a chance, but she stayed. She loved Hakuron too much.

I mean if we look at the ending, and it’s something that I didn’t expect. The cover of the 9^th volume is Kurumi and Hakuron in wedding attire, you could never guess that the wedding will be a tragedy. Involuntarily I remember Hakuron’s words:

His death is very powerful. The last dialogue between him and Kurumi s fantastic and makes you cry.  You do want to hold hope that he lived, but the words that Foron says 3 years later shatter your heart. I’m writing and my eyes are teary again. But what I loved is that in the end the author makes you smile, how? No, there’s nothing about Kurumi’s future, I do believe she’ll either stay single or will marry Foron and absolutely random guy. But I’m more for her staying single, she won't be able to love anyone like she did Hakuron. The only thing left from him is a cat. I did think that she would have a baby, but the author thought not to do it.

Are you ready to start this story of love and hatred? Get ready to not see rose-colored love all the time. This love is hard and is cruel in its way. Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga. Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

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