Dame Ningen no Aishikata - Vol. 6 Ch. 29 - The Girl Before She Met the Loser

[unrikopan]

It's funny because it looks like her mother and father were the same as them but they are just completely different because she doesn't neglect him at all and doesn't feel like she would and he is just not a fucking asshole that would leave her out of nowhere.

 

[TNT261]

Yeah, this confirms what we were all thinking; the mom is an absolute piece of shit for trying to put the blame on Hizumi. Both the parents were ass in the end, and left Hizumi with a shit sandwich called trauma that's clearly damaged all her relationships (with her friend and future romances). Living alone was unfortunately the best choice the end. Dear God. The days of one page Twitter girlfriend posts are so far away. The author has really made such a great romance Manga. One of the greats that START with them dating and has a lot of conflict and growth through overcoming conflict as well as existing layers and meanings. It's been clear from the start that Hizumi is carrying her own pain. This chapter sucked, but being able to see that was great. I had assumed it was an ex (and it kinda was), but the fact that the breakdown of her family caused her to be a kinda toxic overbearing & apologetic girlfriend is a lot more impactful. It's honestly not that unreasonable to want to break up with someone like that. People don't want to be with someone overly controlling and who actively tells them to not grow as a person. Even as of this Manga, IRL it wouldn't be unexpected to break up with someone that constantly called you a loser and struggled with your success. But Shinba has continued to remain by Hizumi's side, noticed her feelings for him, and tried to improve in a way that focuses on her in his life. And to her credit Hizumi hasn't made the mistakes her mother did and completely pushed him away or worse. Though of course it also helps that Shinba's boss is her bestie and Hizumi has now successfully tamed the actress Shinba might've had an affair with. So that's good.

On to the parents, yeah, I knew where that was going instantly. Granted it was a flashback so we all knew how it ended. It really reminded me of something that has been added to the Fantastic Four (main universe Marvel comics) origin: Sue told Ben & Johnny they had to go with Reed after the other pilots dropped out because she thought if Reed went alone then he wouldn't come back (to his friends & family). Izami let the dad step into a whole new world by himself, and that world in particular was one that eats men with insecurities alive and spit them back out as mustache twirling monocle wearing Disney villians. Again when push comes to shove, no one wants to be with someone that openly calls them a loser and wants them NOT to succeed in life and to always be at a lower stature than them waiting at home. That's not a romantic partner. And when someone in that situation steps into another world where they feel like they're a success then no they aren't coming back home where they feel like a failure. Actually the FF isn't that great of ah example because Reed was loved and respected by his family from their start. Izami was objectively a horrible partner. Maybe she did love him in her own way, but she didn't support or even really communicate with him. She certainly didn't act like respect was in the relationship. That said the father is objectively a horrible person as well for not acknowledging that Hizumi 100% did love & respect him. He left her on the side of the road like roadkill. It was only because of Hizumi's support that the dad was even able to find success. She shouldn't have been punished for that. Divorce doesn't mean abandoning your children. It means ending a bad relationship in the hopes that both parties can move forward. The dad could have left Izami, felt bitter toward Izami for not supporting him, and still been present in Hizumi's life and loving toward her. Could isn't the word there. Should. Even having an affair doesn't mean you have to abandon your daughter. Really that's not how you handle being an adult. It sounds like he took the first chance to be an irresponsible asshole that psychologically abuses others. The turnaround is almost comical.

Anyway, the unexpected victor of this chapter for me is Miyabi. It makes her relationship with Hizumi and Shinba the cutest. Hizumi tamed the actress Shinba could've had an affair with. That's awesome. I also can't help but wonder how angry Miyabi would get if Hizumi told her her story. Miyabi probably has a way to contact & meet the Dad too. Oh man, three chapters. No matter what I'm going to be so sad it's over and have to re read the whole series.

 

[Matthew-Miguel]

wow 1 min ago!!! only 3 chapters left 😭

wait what???? it is ending?

 

[JoeKerr]

Usually, when manga authors try their hand at serious drama, it often feels forced, hamfisted and reliant on tropes to do the work of proper narrative.

Not this time.

This didn't come out of nowhere, We've been getting hints since the start. It took time to properly show us how things developed, that it wasn't just one thing, but many things over time until the final straw broke the camel's back. It avoids moral absolutes, we see that neither side is without blame, it's not black or white.
It also doesn't rely on established tropes to convey its message. And I'm thankful for that because when they do, it completely breaks the immersion.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: BRAVO AUTHOR!
And: Dear God, Hizumi has ISSUES!

 

[Holmes15]

Nooo she's used goods. Too bad

 

[yamigosaya]

Author's twitter is being bombarded by JP comments not liking this chapter.

https://x.com/iwabajunki06/status/2096163479535436076

key complaints seems to be

• A large portion of readers feel that the heroine's relationship with the current male lead has been retroactively cheapened.
• Some readers interpret the current male lead as essentially a "substitute" for the ex.
• heroine has been reduced to a woman who will accept almost any man because she needs a substitute for someone else.

theres chiense comments here that was specially blunt about it lol
- the heroine has gone from being portrayed as a devoted, virtuous woman into someone who casually gives her most precious emotional/romantic experiences to the ex while leaving the current male lead with the leftovers. in the context of giving her "Firsts" in ch 26

 

[MesaOracle]

This sums up all their birthdays:

 

[WANgue]

wow 1 min ago!!! only 3 chapters left 😭

Oh? The raws already said so?

Edit: never mind. Saw calmy’s notes translating the mangaka’s twitter entry…yeah, it’s a heck of a ride. Guess I should probably buy the series when it comes out.

 

[JoeKerr]

Author's twitter is being bombarded by JP comments not liking this chapter.

https://x.com/iwabajunki06/status/2096163479535436076

That's surprising, I thought it was excellent.
Wait, it's xitter.
That is self explanatory really.

 

[slyss]

Author's twitter is being bombarded by JP comments not liking this chapter.

https://x.com/iwabajunki06/status/2096163479535436076

Oh man, that's serious. Let's check the replies who are.... wait, why is their Japanese so unnatural? Let's check their Twitter accou- USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong, Spain, Thailand, "East Asia", "Europe", Taiwan, Vietnam, Switzerland, etc etc

Foreigners, especially Chinese, who are like 50% of the comments, aren't beating the allegations that they're incapable of reading a fictional story without projecting themselves into it, because in a chapter full of traumatic events, the only thing they care about and are angry about is “Muh virginity”

Funny enough, some of the actual Japanese comments, like this, or this, are more pissed at the first BF than anything else.

 

[vinostrife]

Author's twitter is being bombarded by JP comments not liking this chapter.

https://x.com/iwabajunki06/status/2096163479535436076

key complaints seems to be

• A large portion of readers feel that the heroine's relationship with the current male lead has been retroactively cheapened.
• Some readers interpret the current male lead as essentially a "substitute" for the ex.
• heroine has been reduced to a woman who will accept almost any man because she needs a substitute for someone else.

theres chiense comments here that was specially blunt about it lol
- the heroine has gone from being portrayed as a devoted, virtuous woman into someone who casually gives her most precious emotional/romantic experiences to the ex while leaving the current male lead with the leftovers. in the context of giving her "Firsts" in ch 26

Yuuuup called it
The moment when the reader know she is not virgin and will do anything include "that" to her partner (sadge mc didn't take her first lmao)
Welp not surprised at all

 

[NoAbsoluteCinemaHere]

Wow. Just wow. By far the best chapter in the manga imo. This chapter was a rollercoaster of emotions and by the end of it I was left speechless. There's so much I wanted to say, but I will be here all day rambling on about this one chapter. I was so engaged that I didn't realize it was only 43 pages. AND OFC it ending in 3 chapters when I am completely hook now. Idk how it will end, but all I can ask for like I always do when comes to manga, is just a satisfying ending. I would like to THINK this author could pull it off.

 

[Fuza]

What a beautiful and depressing chapter oh my god

 

[dcdfvr]

Wow her parents are terrible. If they just sat down and talked things out it could have all been prevented

 

[Volcanicz]

3 CHAPTER LEFT?? FUCK

THIS IS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE MANGA OF ALL TIME, WHY?!?!

 

[JoeKerr]

Oh man, that's serious. Let's check the replies who are.... wait, why is their Japanese so unnatural? Let's check their Twitter accou- USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong, Spain, Thailand, "East Asia", "Europe", Taiwan, Vietnam, Switzerland, etc etc

Foreigners, especially Chinese, who are like 50% of the comments, aren't beating the allegations that they're incapable of reading a fictional story without projecting themselves into it, because in a chapter full of traumatic events, the only thing they care about and are angry about is “Muh virginity”

Funny enough, some of the actual Japanese comments, like this, or this, are more pissed at the first BF than anything else.

So its just your typical incel, knee jerk reaction towards used goods?
Like I said, it's xitter.
Completely expected.

 

[JoeKerr]

Success brings the absolute WORST out of people with insecurities. This unfortunately is a very common story. He either became a drug addict or a well known slimeball that's still super successful or both.

I agree with the first part. They also tend to blame their situation prior to being successful on everyone else around them.
The second part. I think you're overreaching.

 

[yamigosaya]

Oh man, that's serious. Let's check the replies who are.... wait, why is their Japanese so unnatural? Let's check their Twitter accou- USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong, Spain, Thailand, "East Asia", "Europe", Taiwan, Vietnam, Switzerland, etc etc

Foreigners, especially Chinese, who are like 50% of the comments, aren't beating the allegations that they're incapable of reading a fictional story without projecting themselves into it, because in a chapter full of traumatic events, the only thing they care about and are angry about is “Muh virginity”

Funny enough, some of the actual Japanese comments, like this, or this, are more pissed at the first BF than anything else.

to be fair, they probably just translated it to JP to express their words better, im not one to disregard an opinion because they live in another country.

also digressing for a bit, lets not pretend that our heroine is a good person lol, while she is a result of having terrible parents, she has actively tried to prevent her boyfriend from improving himself by talking shit, but fortunately he isnt the kind to back down from it.

 

[Magno94]

to be fair, they probably just translated it to JP to express their words better, im not one to disregard an opinion because they live in another country.

also digressing for a bit, lets not pretend that our heroine is a good person lol, while she is a result of having terrible parents, she has actively tried to prevent her boyfriend from improving himself by talking shit about, but fortunately he isnt the kind to back down from it.

I agree. I don't understand why some people try to discredit comments just because they come from foreigners. I mean, if you state your opinion respectfully, what's the problem? Obviously, anyone with a shred of common sense should condemn the insults.

On the other hand, the author isn't stupid; she knew that image of Hizumi would stir up a lot of controversy. Some claim that the comments regarding virginity come from incels, but the author herself is the one who has wanted to address the topic on several occasions (Chapter 26 and now Chapter 29).

The author has already confirmed that there will be an intimate scene between Shinba and Hizumi, so after that, there won't be any room for doubt xD.

 

[slyss]

im not one to disregard an opinion because they live in another country.

Sure, but here the idea of an "opinion" for a good chunk of those foreigners commenting is barking like retards going from wishing shit on the mangaka's family to acting like absolute manchildren screaming "She's used good now!" and variations of it. It's hilarious that you have people saying that the mangaka is mentally ill while acting this way.

And if you peep at some of their accounts you'll quickly see this is all they've been doing for years. Going after mangakas and artists to throw shit at them. An absolutely sad existence.