Everyone's Getting Married Vol. 9by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 3 Wow. I didn't realize we were at the final volume. Sadly, this series does many awkward things that don't work with the characters or story thus fan in order to give the challenging couple a happy ending.In the first two chapters, Asuka still thinks about Ryu despite being content with her decision to break up. She and Akito have a moment, and I was so sure the manga-ka was actually going to have her embrace him and the fulfillment of her dream he offers so sincerely. Unfortunately, it gets really awkward instead. Really, really awkward. I'm disappointed but also confused. I understand her doing an initial push-away because she's still getting over her previous relationship, but to completely end any chance with him ... it doesn't fit. Especially with their uber-formal agreement hot on the heels of an emotional moment. The manga-ka does acknowledge that many readers of this series had written in expressing their preference for Akito, and he certainly is the logical choice (I shipped them from the start). Then, randomly, three years passes. Three years during which Asuka and Ryu both throw themselves into their work. Asuka becomes more resolved to quit work when she marries, but she's also not entertaining relationships or marriage during this time. She seems to have moved on ... until Ryu is standing before her, and holding her. I do admire her choice to take a year off rather than quitting outright, but that clearly doesn't work (for reasons I talk about below). During those three years, Ryu seems to have decided he wants marriage, but since the three years pass instantly for us, we don't get to see the growth or reasoning for this change of perspective. Rio and Hiroki get married, but their marriage makes more sense. They've been in a stable relationship, non-stop, without all the angst and secrecy (and long-distance) that is an unhealthy aspect of Asuka and Ryu's relationship. And even though Rio didn't want to get married at first, there's a natural progression to her accepting that as part of their relationship. Of course, their wedding is used as a way to further manipulate Asuka and Ryu towards their own. The romantic scene after their friends' wedding, seems so out of place. Ryu, especially, seems out of character, so it's hard for me to feel connected to or moved by this scene. It just seems odd and forced. What really infuriates me is how Ryu doesn't tell Asuka he's moved back to Japan, and announces his marriage the day before it on live TV! What the hell!? He's done lots of planning behind her back. And then ... it just magically works? It's just suddenly okay? Asuka just goes along with it? The one exchange they had after their friends' wedding swept away all her concerns? It's way too forced. To make things even more outrageously weird, the volume ends with Asuka and Ryu having kids! It's even insinuated that she got pregnant the night before their wedding! The leap from him accepting marriage happens far too quick anyway, but the kids aspect does not mesh with them at all! Either of them, really, especially with Asuka's shift in perspective regarding work. They are a cute and happy family, but I can't wrap my brain around how they got there. Up until this volume began, there was no way this was even a possibility! So, after reading eight volumes, the manga-ka decides to abruptly force things to resolve and marry the main characters, even though it goes against much of what was building through this series. Things were going in a direction that was continually and consistently driving the couple apart, so this ending is annoying and frustrating to say the least. Written: April 23, 2019
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