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Loveless #2
Loveless, Volume 02
As Ritsuka continues to mourn the loss of his brother Seimei, he endures abuse at home, bullying at school, and the threat of new assassins on his tracks. Can he sort through it all and unlock the secret behind Seimei's death?
200 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2002
18 people are currently reading
726 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 7, 2016
When in doubt about an adult character's sex in Lovelesss, wait for a profile image and look for breasts. Apparently, I'm not the only one who had question marks about this, so I'm offering this hint for anyone else who's confused.
Aaanyway. art-confusion aside, Loveless is a series for which Your Mileage May Vary by a lot. As far as I can tell, it's a mix of cuteness, boy's love, schoolboy fighting, Level 100 Fucked Up-edness, weird messed up psychology, pedophile undertones and what the hell is up with spells creating cuffs and chains are you seriously throwing BDSM imagery into this omg AND IS HIS MOTHER SERIOUSLY THAT DERANGED THAT SHE'S TRYING TO STAB HER OWN KID.
The butterflies are a lie. The cuteness is a lie. There's nothing okay with this. "I love you" sounds creepy as hell because it's probably some sort of weird compulsion.
In other words, it's right up my deranged alley (I have several alleys, some of which aren't deranged). The only real problem I have with this series so far is that nothing about the premise is explained - what is the deal with all the fighting, why are all these people running around trying to get a little kid, is the author making this up as she goes along and is that why the guy who knows everything won't *say* anything?
Aaanyway. art-confusion aside, Loveless is a series for which Your Mileage May Vary by a lot. As far as I can tell, it's a mix of cuteness, boy's love, schoolboy fighting, Level 100 Fucked Up-edness, weird messed up psychology, pedophile undertones and what the hell is up with spells creating cuffs and chains are you seriously throwing BDSM imagery into this omg AND IS HIS MOTHER SERIOUSLY THAT DERANGED THAT SHE'S TRYING TO STAB HER OWN KID.
The butterflies are a lie. The cuteness is a lie. There's nothing okay with this. "I love you" sounds creepy as hell because it's probably some sort of weird compulsion.
In other words, it's right up my deranged alley (I have several alleys, some of which aren't deranged). The only real problem I have with this series so far is that nothing about the premise is explained - what is the deal with all the fighting, why are all these people running around trying to get a little kid, is the author making this up as she goes along and is that why the guy who knows everything won't *say* anything?
July 12, 2014
Loveless- great story but I'm uncomfortable with the relationship age gap. He's 11 and the other one is 20. The middle schooler is kissing him, but it not like sex, perhaps a power thing ? but the older one says things like now I'm getting hard...... I really have this cringe thing going on when I got the ages. I know it's a Manga, not real but ... well I'll move on the rest of the series before I put my judgmental Judy cap on and slam the hammer down. I've only seen glimpses and there could be a lot more to it.
The art work is wonderful, the characters interesting and the mystery engaging
The art work is wonderful, the characters interesting and the mystery engaging
April 30, 2011
This Shonen-ai is amazing!
Loving it so far! And can't quit now! I want to keep reading it, FOREVER!
I think Soubi said to Ritsuka "I love you" already (more or less) 100 times...
This manga is wonderful and Ritsuka ears are sooooo cute!
I don't want to keep reading... nope I NEED to keep reading this serie.
5 stars
Loving it so far! And can't quit now! I want to keep reading it, FOREVER!
I think Soubi said to Ritsuka "I love you" already (more or less) 100 times...
This manga is wonderful and Ritsuka ears are sooooo cute!
I don't want to keep reading... nope I NEED to keep reading this serie.
5 stars
February 28, 2023
The story keeps progressing in an interesting direction, but I'm still uncomfortable with the main couple (and that probably won't change any time soon).
March 24, 2014
One of my friends lent this to me because I thought the art was pretty, in an omnibus edition, but I didn't expect to be as put off by this as I was! After the first volume, I pressed on to the second one, thinking I'd taken something the wrong way, but after that, I was pretty sure that I hadn't misconstrued things.
I'm okay with the odd, possibly metaphorical fighting, since in manga-world, students throw their book bags in the ditch and have bloody smack-downs at the drop of a hat, and the gender of the people in the relationships doesn't bother me, but the age difference here definitely does. I know that the author does a lovely job of going, "No, no, it's not like that! Ritsuka has two potential same age love interests, and don't you want to see Soubi hook up with his art studio friend?" but I could not get past it. The character I most identified with was the confused and slightly terrified homeroom teacher, which may not be a good sign. For some people, Loveless may be okay, but the sixth grader/college student flirtation here, which includes what is undoubtedly the sassiest manga ear piercing I've ever seen, is not at all to my taste.
I'm okay with the odd, possibly metaphorical fighting, since in manga-world, students throw their book bags in the ditch and have bloody smack-downs at the drop of a hat, and the gender of the people in the relationships doesn't bother me, but the age difference here definitely does. I know that the author does a lovely job of going, "No, no, it's not like that! Ritsuka has two potential same age love interests, and don't you want to see Soubi hook up with his art studio friend?" but I could not get past it. The character I most identified with was the confused and slightly terrified homeroom teacher, which may not be a good sign. For some people, Loveless may be okay, but the sixth grader/college student flirtation here, which includes what is undoubtedly the sassiest manga ear piercing I've ever seen, is not at all to my taste.
September 30, 2011
The drawing and sequencing of the panels greatly improved. The writing also progressed nicely, and finally plot points are starting to be explain. I still do not know way there are fighters to begin with? why do they even exist? Why use a video game to communicate?
January 11, 2019
I had gotten this book combined with the first volume and honestly, I like the story and in the volume two aspect, it seems to focus more on relationships than in volume one not that its an issue. The relationships adds more heart to it and makes you feel more with characters and understand them more, as it shows more of the people's character. Soubi and Ritsuka´s relationship. At first, the relationshp between them to me was very concerning. Yet, as the story goes on I don´t know you learn to deal with it and at various points, it even made me fangirl to see the over-caring side of Soubi with Ritsuka.
There is also more friendship moments between, Yukino (Who obviously has a crush on out little boy Ritsuka) and Ritsuka and towards the end Yayoi. Which shows that Ritsuka is finally gaining more people to care about when he didn´t really have anyone before (at least after Seimei)
The book also goes more in depth and address with mental and physical abuse that Ritsuka goes there, which is not an easy topic to discuss and I don't really want to talk much on it since I don´t know much about it. Still, I am glad that this topic is brought up. The series is really good and I hope as I continue I will not be disappointed.
There is also more friendship moments between, Yukino (Who obviously has a crush on out little boy Ritsuka) and Ritsuka and towards the end Yayoi. Which shows that Ritsuka is finally gaining more people to care about when he didn´t really have anyone before (at least after Seimei)
The book also goes more in depth and address with mental and physical abuse that Ritsuka goes there, which is not an easy topic to discuss and I don't really want to talk much on it since I don´t know much about it. Still, I am glad that this topic is brought up. The series is really good and I hope as I continue I will not be disappointed.
July 16, 2018
This series has the makings of something fun, but sometimes the story just drags on and on.
The cat ears and tail things is an interesting twist on knowing who is a virgin and whose not. And of course, oh Japan with our relationship here. But it's weird because sometimes Kouga-san will draw Ritsuka so he looks so much older and then other times she draws him to look younger (but still not 11-12 - he looks 16/17 even when he looks young).
I'll keep reading. I'm not entirely invested now, but I like the art style and I really do love Ritsuka as a character. Hopefully it'll get more interesting
The cat ears and tail things is an interesting twist on knowing who is a virgin and whose not. And of course, oh Japan with our relationship here. But it's weird because sometimes Kouga-san will draw Ritsuka so he looks so much older and then other times she draws him to look younger (but still not 11-12 - he looks 16/17 even when he looks young).
I'll keep reading. I'm not entirely invested now, but I like the art style and I really do love Ritsuka as a character. Hopefully it'll get more interesting
August 9, 2020
TW: older man kissing a child, child abuse, violence
The art is really solid and descriptive, and it manages to hold my attention even though the principle relationship seems to be between an 11 year old and an adult, which is honestly saying something.
The art is really solid and descriptive, and it manages to hold my attention even though the principle relationship seems to be between an 11 year old and an adult, which is honestly saying something.
October 21, 2020
Part 2 of the great Loveless reread! I can't help but feel like not much of significance happened in this volume, though the foreshadowing of Soubi's past with Ritsu was interesting.
Edit: we meet the Zero boys in this volume! I forgot what hell children they are.
Edit: we meet the Zero boys in this volume! I forgot what hell children they are.
December 30, 2018
Te uszy są trochę zbyt bezpośrednie heh
December 4, 2018
This was amazing!
December 30, 2019
So Ritauka is such a deep character with so much more happening beneath the surface I am obsessed with this.. I need to order the next volumes immediately 🙌
August 8, 2021
catboys really get into sadism
August 24, 2023
My guilty pleasure series frfr
January 9, 2024
Still digging this series! Maybe it's just me revisiting nostalgia, but I still adore this series even after all this time. Looking forward to the next volume.
January 13, 2024
Not that great
January 14, 2024
Depresyjne pokemony
February 3, 2024
The story continues without giving us any more answers. This book seems to be more battling than storytelling. I'm continuing on with the series though, in the hopes that it gets better!
August 23, 2024
fucked up, deranged and full of abuse and trauma- but i can’t stop reading this, even though i’m on the verge of crying everytime ritsuka says he doesn’t trust soubi and soubi tries to manipulate him
November 20, 2024
Sorry but can someone do something about the mother!? / this people go around wanting to die for someone so badly, so easily / do not underestimate the power of being devoid of something
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2021
Il y a du mieux avec ce deuxième tome même si je n'arrive pas à m'ôter de la tête que Yun Koga nous livre une sorte de fantasme avec son histoire. C'est assez étrange. le côté pervers est pour moi toujours aussi présent et dérangeant, surtout qu'on n'arrive pas à donner un âge aux personnages, mais il s'atténue et donne plus de place à l'histoire.
La psychologie des personnages et surtout le mystère autour de Seimei vont sûrement me faire continuer. Il y a un vrai travail de réflexion sur le premier point. Ritsuka en tant que personnage soulève pas mal de points très intéressants. Son attitude est le fruit de beaucoup de choses qui se mélangent et dont on prend conscience petit à petit. Sa relation avec sa mère est de loin ce qui est le plus ancré en lui. Je ne comprends d'ailleurs pas pourquoi elle n'a pas été internée… Elle bat son enfin et semble être dans un délire psychotique. Mais personne ne fait rien, c'est son fils qui doit aller à l'hôpital et voir une psychologue. Tout va bien… et l'on ne parle même pas de son père qui ne fait rien pour arrêter sa femme. À se demander comment notre jeune héros peut être encore stable.
Sa relation aux autres est bien entendu affectée par cela. On comprend autant sa froideur que son besoin de se lier. Les contradictions que l'on découvre n'en sont pas réellement au final. Il veut être aimé, mais ne le supporte pas non plus. La perte de sa mémoire, de son grand frère, le comportement de sa mère… Cela fait beaucoup à gérer. Sobi est un peu comme une bouée de sauvetage. Je n'approuve pas la relation, mais on comprend cet attachement ambigu. Surtout avec cette histoire de combattants.
D'ailleurs, plus on en apprend sur eux, plus tout semble n'avoir aucun sens. Les duos suivent des ordres, mais quand ils n'en ont pas, ils abandonnent la mission. D'autres prennent la relève sans plus de succès. Ritsuka semble important pour les Sept lunes, mais clairement s'ils voulaient vraiment l'avoir, ils le pourraient. On se retrouve donc avec une intrigue un peu bancale à mon goût dans sa conception. Trop de faux semblants, et d'étrangetés. Même Seimei semble être trop parfait pour être vrai. Et puis qui sont et que veulent les Sept lunes ? On ne voit pour l'instant rien de leur point de vue, et l'on a l'impression qu'ils ne cherchent qu'à avoir Ritsuka… mais clairement pour une société secrète c'est léger comme ambition. Que faisaient-ils avant d'ailleurs ?
Bref, on nage dans le flou total. Les combats à répétition ou les scènes de la vie quotidienne des enfants vont vite devenir lassants si Yun Koga ne nous met pas quelque chose sous la dent.
La psychologie des personnages et surtout le mystère autour de Seimei vont sûrement me faire continuer. Il y a un vrai travail de réflexion sur le premier point. Ritsuka en tant que personnage soulève pas mal de points très intéressants. Son attitude est le fruit de beaucoup de choses qui se mélangent et dont on prend conscience petit à petit. Sa relation avec sa mère est de loin ce qui est le plus ancré en lui. Je ne comprends d'ailleurs pas pourquoi elle n'a pas été internée… Elle bat son enfin et semble être dans un délire psychotique. Mais personne ne fait rien, c'est son fils qui doit aller à l'hôpital et voir une psychologue. Tout va bien… et l'on ne parle même pas de son père qui ne fait rien pour arrêter sa femme. À se demander comment notre jeune héros peut être encore stable.
Sa relation aux autres est bien entendu affectée par cela. On comprend autant sa froideur que son besoin de se lier. Les contradictions que l'on découvre n'en sont pas réellement au final. Il veut être aimé, mais ne le supporte pas non plus. La perte de sa mémoire, de son grand frère, le comportement de sa mère… Cela fait beaucoup à gérer. Sobi est un peu comme une bouée de sauvetage. Je n'approuve pas la relation, mais on comprend cet attachement ambigu. Surtout avec cette histoire de combattants.
D'ailleurs, plus on en apprend sur eux, plus tout semble n'avoir aucun sens. Les duos suivent des ordres, mais quand ils n'en ont pas, ils abandonnent la mission. D'autres prennent la relève sans plus de succès. Ritsuka semble important pour les Sept lunes, mais clairement s'ils voulaient vraiment l'avoir, ils le pourraient. On se retrouve donc avec une intrigue un peu bancale à mon goût dans sa conception. Trop de faux semblants, et d'étrangetés. Même Seimei semble être trop parfait pour être vrai. Et puis qui sont et que veulent les Sept lunes ? On ne voit pour l'instant rien de leur point de vue, et l'on a l'impression qu'ils ne cherchent qu'à avoir Ritsuka… mais clairement pour une société secrète c'est léger comme ambition. Que faisaient-ils avant d'ailleurs ?
Bref, on nage dans le flou total. Les combats à répétition ou les scènes de la vie quotidienne des enfants vont vite devenir lassants si Yun Koga ne nous met pas quelque chose sous la dent.
April 1, 2020
This story is so messed up.
I need to read more to know how I feel.
While I’m not sure how nefarious the main relationship between Ritauka and Soubi is, nothing in this story is good. Except, maybe, Yuiko, but she clearly has some issues too.
When I first read this manga over a decade ago, I missed a lot of the more nuanced messed-up scenes.
Trigger warning: child abuse and manipulation, bulling, and talk of rape
I need to read more to know how I feel.
While I’m not sure how nefarious the main relationship between Ritauka and Soubi is, nothing in this story is good. Except, maybe, Yuiko, but she clearly has some issues too.
When I first read this manga over a decade ago, I missed a lot of the more nuanced messed-up scenes.
Trigger warning: child abuse and manipulation, bulling, and talk of rape
Read
June 1, 2015I love Loveless! Action, drama, fluff, comedy, its all there! It's actually one of the first BL manga I've read where there are both male and female love interests for the main character, so that's interesting to me. Nevertheless, anyone who gets between Ritsuka and Soubi is going to have to answer to me - they're so cute and complicated! Poor Ritsuka, what a terrible home life he has. I keep wondering if Ritsuka's lost personality is a metaphor, like the ears (and ear piercings), or just an aspect of the plot that hasn't been revealed yet. I think it's magnificent that Soubi's scars bleed every time he fights for Ritsuka - so darkly poetic! The most adorable thing was when Ritsuka's emal to Soubi - 'chu'! As much as I'm enjoying all the fluffy drama, I hope we get to some real action and intrigue in the coming books - I want to know who Septimal Moon is, why they killed Seimei and why they want to kidnap Ritsuka!
August 10, 2022
This is another series that I've been told is good. I looked at it a few months ago but was weirded out by the cat ears on the characters. But I decided to read in a few pages just to check and once the ears were explained, I actually kind of liked the idea. :) So I decided to give it a try. It was not what I was expecting. From what I can get out of the story, it's unique and interesting, but the problem is that it's too confusing. I can hardly make any sense out of it. I feel like I'm accidentally skipping pages or parts of the dialogue as I read. I even compared online scanlations to the book my sister has on her bookshelf and while the US book's expressions made a little more sense, I was still confused by what's happening in the story. I might just not be getting it, but the more I read, the more I get frustrated. So I've decided to stop and move on to something else, rather than struggle through it. :( Maybe I'll try again in a few years and see if I can get more out of it.
November 6, 2015
More similarities with Kuroshituji, I can't help it! Soubi only smiles when he gets hurt, just like Sebastian. And he wants to hear Ritsuka's command to proceed with his battles or whatever. He even says 'Yes, master'!! Waaaaaaa, I miss 'Yes, my lord'. Besides, Soubi sounds like Sebby :S
Anyway, this volume presents more disturbing characters. Like the Doctor (she? or he?) looks like is in love or has a crush on Ritsuka. Aaaaand, these 2 kids Zero (a girl and a boy? 2 boys?) were about to rape Ritsuka's teacher!!! WTH!
And poor Ritsuka, his mother is such a bitch! He is so abused at home; at least he protects Yuiko from the bullies.
I think I am starting to understand their way of fighting, at least half of it. The artwork is nice, it is similar to Clamp's, only that the gender of characters is very confusing; I am not sure who is male and who is female.
Anyway, this volume presents more disturbing characters. Like the Doctor (she? or he?) looks like is in love or has a crush on Ritsuka. Aaaaand, these 2 kids Zero (a girl and a boy? 2 boys?) were about to rape Ritsuka's teacher!!! WTH!
And poor Ritsuka, his mother is such a bitch! He is so abused at home; at least he protects Yuiko from the bullies.
I think I am starting to understand their way of fighting, at least half of it. The artwork is nice, it is similar to Clamp's, only that the gender of characters is very confusing; I am not sure who is male and who is female.
November 16, 2014
I just didn't get it, the story line was too confusing to keep track of.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
June 17, 2008
When I reviewed the first volume of this series, I mentioned that I found the layout a little confusing. Loveless vol 2 has none of this confusion, and is much more adequately laid out, in my opinion.
I also found this volume more exciting, and a lot seemed to happen in a short amount of time. I particularly enjoyed the growing relationships between all of the main characters, and found the fight scenes much less strange. Once you get used to the 'fighting with words' idea, it really starts to work and becomes quite enthralling.
I'm definitely sticking with this series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on volume 3!
I also found this volume more exciting, and a lot seemed to happen in a short amount of time. I particularly enjoyed the growing relationships between all of the main characters, and found the fight scenes much less strange. Once you get used to the 'fighting with words' idea, it really starts to work and becomes quite enthralling.
I'm definitely sticking with this series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on volume 3!
April 15, 2010
Yun Kouga, Loveless, vol. 2 (Tokyopop, 2003)
Now things are starting to get where they need to be with this series, I think. The original team stalking Ritsuka and Soubi has been pulled off the case, and a new team, the Zeros, have been tasked with their destruction. That's more of a subplot here, though, as much of the volume focuses on Ritsuka's relationships with adults (his teacher and his psychologist), with a little of the deepening of the relationship between Soubi and Kio. The series is getting a little more grounded, and that's a good thing. ***
Now things are starting to get where they need to be with this series, I think. The original team stalking Ritsuka and Soubi has been pulled off the case, and a new team, the Zeros, have been tasked with their destruction. That's more of a subplot here, though, as much of the volume focuses on Ritsuka's relationships with adults (his teacher and his psychologist), with a little of the deepening of the relationship between Soubi and Kio. The series is getting a little more grounded, and that's a good thing. ***
April 16, 2016
Another great volume, fun psychological adventure with twists and turns.
I must say that Ritsuka is quite mature for his age, as I said in my review of volume one.
We also get a slight hint at Soubi's past, some parts of which he still isn't willing to talk about. His love for Ritsuka is cite and pure and I love it.
I hope to read more online soon, but I would love to own the rest of this in the physical volumes. (I own volumes one and two.)
I must say that Ritsuka is quite mature for his age, as I said in my review of volume one.
We also get a slight hint at Soubi's past, some parts of which he still isn't willing to talk about. His love for Ritsuka is cite and pure and I love it.
I hope to read more online soon, but I would love to own the rest of this in the physical volumes. (I own volumes one and two.)
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