Cross Account review

Melanie_Morales5
Apr 07, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this work, but I generally found it to be suspenseful and enjoyable. I've heard a lot of people call it generic or say that it was only a matter of time before it devolved into a harem, but I think they were completely missing the point of the story. It's more than just another silly love triangle where the protagonist has to choose between two appealing girls. There is some interesting depth at play here.

There is actually some character growth in this story - they don't just stagnate and repeat the same antics throughout the whole story during silly circumstances and misunderstandings.

The protagonist starts out as a bitter incel, blaming everyone else for his own problems, but eventually grows into a man who can be honest with himself and others, making hard decisions in a way that is fair to all parties. For many readers, it's easy to ship the characters and say "Just get with the childhood friend, that way there won't be any complications"; they get frustrated and question his manhood. This is actually a story of romance, however, so the characters' feelings are important. The protagonist steadies his heart so that he only has one girl on his mind before making a decision, and I can respect that. He doesn't lead them on and toy with their hearts, and he absolutely does not show any signs of trying to lowkey seduce other girls.

The two girls in the story also have some interesting traits, as well. One is the picture of femininity on the surface, but secretly acts in a way that's considered boyish and unrefined; she strives to end the charade and just be accepted for who she is. The other is the complete opposite - more aggressive, athletic, and rude while secretly wishing to be seen more as a girl, so she tries to become more ladylike. So, the main character has to choose between a girl that he can relate to 100% vs. a girl who is trying to change herself to win his affection. To make matters more complicated, he's forbidden from dating the girl he relates to. Also, he doesn't even know that he's so compatible with that girl, he's just drawn to her and somehow feels there's more to her than meets the eye.
It gives the reader some interesting points to ponder. Should you put everything on the line and go for the longshot of a relationship if it will be more fulfilling, or should you be content with just having a girl that likes you? Is it admirable for him to try and be with the girl he really likes when he's capable of detecting the slightest bit of unhappiness in her life as it is, even if he doesn't know how much they have in common? Or does he have no basis to try and get close to her?

THE GOOD:
-Main character isn't as dense as people think. He is aware of the childhood's friends feelings and does his best to make a mature decision.
-Interesting premise. I like that he's a loser in real life, but he chats and makes friends online. The internet is a place where you can express yourself more freely without being physically harassed or psychologically abused (depending on how anonymous you are). I think they expressed this decently.
-Good character development, interesting how the girls each strive to be more like the other.

THE BAD:
-Gratuitous panty shots occasionally. Confuses the readers about the intent of the story - is it romance or is it just some silly fanservice story where female characters exist as sex objects?
-Probably got axed because it was in Jump. This manga's appeal seems to be more on the shoujo side of things. The shoujo aspect is good, it's just too bad the story couldn't run its course. The ending is weak.
-The entire basis of the childhood friend falling in love with him seems kinda flimsy. Lazy writing to use a near rape scene as a character's foundation (because how could she feel anything besides extreme gratitude to be saved from that?).

If you can look past the flaws a bit, the story is pretty interesting and suspenseful.
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Cross Account
Cross Account
Auteur Date, Tsunehiro
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