Abandoned Omega Adopts Orphaned Alpha
Sections:
About
Tags
Warnings
Synopsis
Review
Results
About:
Author(s)
Artist(s)
Platform(s)/Publisher(s)
Media Type(s) Available:
Length:
Color(s) of Comic:
Work Type:
Tags:
Tropes
Genres
Relationships
Jobs/Professions
Settings
Unique Character Types
Specific Acts
Explicitness
Warning:
This review will contain spoilers for the manga and anime series How to Raise an Alpha You Love. While the manga may vary slightly from all other forms of media, it may have similar story elements and could be considered spoilers.
Content Warning: There may be references to pseudo-incest (raising my lover trope), sexism, prejudice, death, mentions of drunk driving, gossiping, being orphaned, child abandonment, child neglect, adoption, and dubcon, as they appear in the manga.
Synopsis:
Nio Kamimura hails from a prestigious family whose main claim to fame is its ability to maintain its all-alpha bloodline. Unfortunately, this is disrupted by Nio himself, who turns out to be an omega. This immediately draws the ire of his family, particularly his mother, who sees Nio as a failure for something he had no control over. As soon as possible, Nio leaves his home, leaving behind his brother, as well, who is thankfully an alpha. Over time, Nio finds his own happiness, far, far away from his family. He’s pulled back in, though, when his brother and his partner suddenly die.
Nio is forced to face the cold and cruel life he left behind. As much as he wants to mourn his brother, he’s ready to leave as soon as possible, but then he sees his brother’s children. Their youngest child, an alpha, is clearly being favored, while the eldest, the stepson of his brother, is being neglected. People are gossiping about how no one wants to take in a stranger -someone who isn’t blood-related to the family. Knowing exactly how that neglect and cruelty can feel, Nio is determined not to let the cycle repeat.
So, he adopts Suou. Nio comes to enjoy having someone else to live with who depends on him, but when Suou turns out to be an alpha and grows into a college student, the reality of their living situation becomes clear. Nio might have helped raise Suou, but Suou is an unrelated alpha, and that is dangerous. So, Nio intends to date and get married, hoping this will encourage Suou to look elsewhere for a partner. But all Nio does is stoke the flames of his possessive young alpha.
Review:
I adore this art style. I particularly love Nio’s design with the choppy, squared-off hairstyle – it feels very modern and different, which I love. Especially when paired with Suou, whose design isn’t ugly by any means but also isn’t very unique, Nio stands out. Overall, though, this is a clean art style, and that is always a win in my book. So, for my fellow picky-art folks out there, this is a win on that front. Nothing outstanding, but very clean and consistent.
Now, into the meat and potatoes of this thing: the story. Unfortunately, while the art is very clean, the story’s pacing is a bit weird. Namely, it is one particular section, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but in a story that is only one volume in length, every panel counts. There is a moment where Suou comes home, and Noi is in heat. Needless to say, sexual things happen. But right when things are getting good, it cuts to Noi waking up. I thought it was going to go the route of Noi, thinking it was all a dream, but it doesn’t. Noi recognizes it really happened, but the cut is so stark from the oral to Noi waking up and moving on that it feels like pages are missing. I had to double-check both the initial read and the second read-through at that exact spot because it feels so random and abrupt.
I also have to admit that I’m not a fan of the central trope. The raising my lover trope has never been my favorite for the same reason pseudo-incest is hit-or-miss for me. Depending on the closeness of the relationship and the age gap between the characters, it can make me uncomfortable. I am not personally a shotacon, but I’m not here to police 2D men on a page. So, if that is your thing, go off, but for me it is just uncomfy. Unfortunately, this started when Suou was a very little boy, and the relationship began very much like a father-and-child one, though it feels more like brothers as time goes on. Thankfully, the actual romance and such don’t start until he is in college, and it is all initiated from Suou’s side, but it still isn’t my favorite thing in the world.
Though the content itself isn’t my favorite, this is a rather light-hearted read. Despite the awkward “jump-cuts,” it’s a straightforward plot that ends in sweetness. Don’t expect anything too deep or revolutionary; otherwise, you’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment. But, if you want a morsel of an omegaverse story with minimal toxicity, this isn’t a bad choice. However, if, like me, your favorite aspects of the omegaverse include the toxicity, mpreg, and intense smut, you may want to skip this one. There is little toxicity, zero mpreg, and there are only two smut scenes, one of which is cut off before the fun really starts – so, I guess, degenerates beware.
Results:
This was very middle-of-the-road for me. Granted, the fact that it is omegaverse might actually be working against it, since I just expect so much more from my favorite setting of all time. It isn’t terrible by any means, and the art is actually really nice. But there is very little substance here, and that makes it hard to recommend. Need a palate cleanser but want to stick in the omegaverse realm? Look no further. But for my hardcore omegaverse lovers, this might ultimately be a disappointment.
Have you read How to Raise an Alpha You Love? If so, what do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Do you not? Let me know, and comment below!
