Femme Fatale: Unmei no Onna

The basic plot summary of Femme Fatale might seem typical at first: couple in a committed relationship, another boy falls for the girl, the girl becomes attracted to the outsider boy and must now make a choice.

The difference is that Femme Fatale is told entirely from the perspective of the outsider boy. We hardly see the central couple interacting at all, and only when all three are together. The key developments in that relationship happen off camera.

Instead, you get a case study in unrequited (?) love. The main character has fallen hard for this girl; he knows it, he knows that he can't do anything about it, he knows that she is dating someone else, and he doesn't really want to break her up with him if doing so will make her sad. So, he fixates on her, revels in whatever interactions with her he can get, and slowly becomes closer with her. And as she discovers his attraction and their relationship starts to develop, he is just as unsure what to do about it as she is.

There are a few downsides. One scene at the beginning of Vol 2 felt pretty uncharacteristic for the MC. There is a lot of dense text, a lot of names, and a lot of characters that just get thrown at the reader, so it's easy to get lost, especially at the beginning. The boyfriend seems to veer wildly between being a jerk and being a nice guy, with no rhyme or reason. The art is solid, but unspectacular.

Still, it's a fascinating manga about fascinating people. Also, great ending, so, no complaints there.

So if you are looking for a little bit different take on an adult (seinen, not hentai) romance manga, try this one out.