Usually I like to give a piece of media some cool down time to let it all sink in before I start writing a review. I just think its nicer to reflect a little bit more before ultimately deciding on the least overhyped opinion possible. However sometimes I just have some strong opinions I really have to share. Thats exactly the case for A Devil and Her Love Song. I literally just finished reading the last chapter a few seconds ago and I have so many thoughts to share about it. Even before I started reading the last volume I was already plotting this review in my head because this series was such a rollercoaster of mixed feelings and questionable twists. First of all Im left with the feeling that what I got in the end isnt what I signed up for. For the first few volumes we are promised a story about the baddass brutally honest protagonist Kawai Maria who brings out the worst in people by revealing their true nature. This earns her the nickname devil Maria as most people arent happy with confronting the very thing theyve been trying to desperately hidetheir true selves. Some of them put on a mask in order to protect themselves from the world whereas others use it as a means of manipulation. However later on the whole premise changes to the tragic story of Kawai Marias dark past and while that couldve made the story even more interesting it was very poorly executed. First of all it feels like the focus of the story suddenly changes and many characters and situations that in my opinion couldve been better explored never get full closure in order to make room for the new arc. This new arc completely clashes with the Kawai Maria we were initially introduced to showcasing a much more vulnerable and needy side of this once cool and independent main character. Theres nothing wrong with showing vulnerability of course but in this case it feels like it overshadowed the characteristics that made her such a unique protagonist to start with which was one of the strongest points of the manga. Also the way her tragic backstory situation was resolved is... problematic to say the least. Since I dont want to spoil too much lets just say some inexcusable actions were excused without any reasoning at all. Two characters specifically are EXTREMELY unlikeable. Yet theyre never properly held accountable for their innapropriate behavior to say the least and at times they were even portrayed as victims. Overall while the few last volumes were VERY disappointing I have to say the first ones were worth it. If you dont want to go through the disappointment that the later chapters are I recommend you read up until the choral competition part or the very moment Marias dark past first gets revealed youll know it when you see it or just stop right before they become 2nd year students. Also Yuusuke absolutely slayed the best character of this entire series and the only consistently likeable one lol.
60
/100