Old Man Tries to Keep His Younger Pursuer at Bay
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Warning:
This review will contain spoilers for the manga and anime series KOH-BOKU. 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 sexism (mentions of traditional gender expectations), overwork, gossiping, chronic health issues, possible homomisia (not outright present, but there are some comments that could apply), theft, politics, nepotism, mentions of death, spying, strained familial relationships, and mentions of adoption, as they appear in the manga.
Synopsis:
Imamiya and Kashiwagi work at the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. They are public servants, determined to help Japan at large, and they sacrifice their home lives to do so. It isn’t uncommon for them to come in at seven in the morning only to still be in the office at the wee hours of the next morning, assuming they ever got a chance to go home at all. Imamiya, as the department head, works the hardest. Unfortunately, it is detrimental to his health. His heart isn’t as strong as it used to be, but he’s willing to give it all up if it means helping his country.
On the other hand, Imamiya’s subordinate, Kashiwagi, though he is a public servant as well, is devoted less to the people of Japan and more to one person in particular. Every day, alongside his other duties, he makes sure Imamiya is well-fed and rested. He is often referred to as a wife, specifically Imamiya’s wife. Imamiya is aware that his subordinate feels more for him than he might admit out loud, and though Imamiya wants Kashiwagi to have a fulfilling life outside of him, he can’t deny how much he enjoys all of Kashiwagi’s doting. Can Imamiya find the strength to finally push Kashiwagi away?
Or will he finally be willing to share his love with Kashiwagi?
Review:
I have to admit, this style is not for me. It is very light-handed linework alongside some of the sketchiest and most inconsistent art out there. If not for some of the key elements in the character designs, I don’t know that the same character could be recognized from panel to panel. I will say, I do like that the older men do actually look old. When this artist adds wrinkles and smile lines, they go in, and I appreciate that. But this manga is not easy to read visually, which is unfortunate.
But let’s move on from the art to the story. This is a very quiet manga. A lot of the action between our main characters as they transition from very close coworkers to lovers is super subtle. You will never see a dramatic confession or an intense display of romance. Everything takes place in what isn’t said more than what is, and that is what makes it so powerful. There is clearly something more between these two, as Kashiwagi spends most of his time caring for Imamiya while Imamiya works. There is a clear difference in priorities between these two, as Imamiya longs to actually make a difference in his position, while Kashiwagi views his position as a way to support Imamiya, both in his goals, but also as a lover, too.
There’s a guilt in Imamiya. Not only does he feel guilty for taking up so much of Kashiwagi’s time, and, in turn, the life he thinks he should have, but there’s a lingering guilt in his work. He relies heavily on Kashiwagi and eventually is tamed by him. It is to the point that he doesn’t feel he can continue working without Kashiwagi, which creates a devotion to his subordinate that, deep down, he feels should be exclusive to his job. Imamiya’s worth is in his work, but he starts to want to find worth in his relationship with Kashiwagi, and that creates a powerful dissonance between what he thinks he should devote himself to and what he wants to. This culminates in his finally deciding to devote more of his time to enjoying life with Kashiwagi, rather than literally giving his life to his work. It is a bittersweet moment, as it is clear Imamiya loves both his work and Kashiwagi, but he recognizes one is more important to him than the other.
I will say, sometimes the subtlety can be a bit confusing. This does swap the point of view between Kashiwagi and Imamiya, and there were moments I didn’t realize the switch had even occurred. There are also times when it is near impossible to determine who is saying what, but I would attribute that more to the art and design of the speech bubbles (or lack thereof) than anything else. There just isn’t a lot going on in this, romantic or otherwise, and I imagine a lot of people might get lost in what the purpose of everything is. I implore you, if you do give this one a go, take your time. I think it is important to go at the pace of the romance itself, slow and intentional, rather than just try to devour it all in one bite.
Results:
This isn’t just a story about two men gradually accepting their feelings for one another, but about a man realizing life can and should be more than work. This is very much a coming-of-age story, with a much older man coming to terms with the limitations of his body and his devotion. It is very powerful. Admittedly, if the art were better, I think this had potential to be a favorite, but I just dislike the style so much that it dampens my feelings about the narrative. If you aren’t as picky as I am and want a powerful yet soft read, I can’t recommend this one enough. It isn’t a loud, whirlwind romance, but rather a relationship built and sustained by two men who have chosen to devote their lives to everyone.
Have you read KOH-BOKU? If so, what do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Do you not? Let me know, and comment below!
