Unironically. We aren't doing the same thing just because we're both complaining. I'm at least neutral about reading this, but regular detractors are now at chapter 299 of a weekly series that they supposedly hate but is consistent in what it is.
People don't normally faithfully engage with media they hate.
The most charitable conclusion is that they're tsundere for Miyajima's writing. The netural conclusion is that their brains broke around chapter 218 and they've since been unable to help themselves.
I suppose for myself, apart from rarely dropping series, I'm driven by my incurable desire for answers and wondering if this work is redeemable from what its become. Is it bad? Hmm... Too subjective to call. Has it become overly drawn out, stale and repetitive? Certainly. I'd like to say the author has the ABILITY to turn it around and return to the fantastic work it once was, but I find myself seriously questioning whether or not they have the will to. Or maybe I'm overestimating Miyajima, its not about chapter count, and they really are at a loss of how to "write a way forward", that would be surprising, and disappointing. Personally I wouldn't find writing the same scenario (essentially) over and over again enjoyable. There's so much opportunity just beyond, even the annoying lurking Umi trap (which I still believe is being held in reserve as yet ANOTHER disruption to real story progression, though I think it'd be more compelling to deal with it AFTER)
Speaking of irony, I haven't perused the anime yet, but the "rave reviews" don't surprise me. Comparatively, I'm assuming it's plot hasn't reached the point where its begun the 40 year desert hike.
