But like, then you read and learn more about Andy and it’s like. Oh. Yeah, the manga starts off with a naked dude chasing after an 18 year old girl and trying to fondle her tits. But then you learn about his history and it like oh.

Andy didn’t care.

He like, really, didn’t care about anything other than himself in the beginning.

Or rather, more accurately, he cared MORE about himself than what some random brat would want.

He has spent hundreds of years all alone, always watching his friends and their family live their lives, have kids, achieve dreams, grow old, and die. And he is always left behind, never able to join them.

He’s suicidal. He’s depressed. He does not give a shit. He’s just chasing for feeling SOMETHING by trying to die in different ways, and if he can get that by touching some girl, then heck yeah, he’s gonna do exactly that.

Like, he has standards and calms down about touching her after a while, but in the beginning? He didn’t care, and it sucks because it’s clear that he does care. He cares a lot and when you see his history, you KNOW the dude wasn’t always like this. But he is just so tired of being alive. He doesn’t have anyone. He’s alone, he has no hope for his future. Victor had Juiz for all those billions of years, but Andy had no one, and that’s a big difference between the two. Victor always had Juiz from day one, but Andy didn’t meet Fuuko until like 200 years later, and it’s like.

Yeah, ha ha, okay, whatever, obligatory ecchi scenes out of the way, but also. That is a man who got tired of caring about anything other than himself. That’s a man who lost hope and was in despair.

And now he’s regaining the energy to love and care again and it’s just!!!!

okay…this series was one of the series that prompted me to make this blog because i wanted to talk about how… interesting it is—namely, how it starts vs how it’s going because holy shit, does it feel so much more different than the first handful of chapters.

(spoiler-free review!)

This series is offering the best Shounen Jump has to offer. But twigger warning for SA in the first few chapters!

• At #1 is Andy and Fuuko’s relationship. They have to be the healthiest and most entertaining couple I’ve ever read in a manga. Who would’ve thought something so lovely could come from such an “uncomfortable” beginning. Both of them inspire the other, they’re both confident and risk takers, both showed each other how good life can be. Andy was bored of living but through being with Fuuko he’s had tons of new experiences. And similarly Fuuko got to have new experiences with Andy living out her shoujo dreams and traveling and eating new foods. Fuuko’s trust in Andy, and Andy’s in her is one of my favorite aspects of their relationship.

• Fuuko. One of the best written and utilized female characters in shounen. It’s easy to empathize with her, and feel inspired by her growth. Her being a shut-in gave her a zest for life rather than Turing her into a wallflower. She’s confident and kind in a genuine way that comes from her own unlucky past.

• The writing is tight! One of the major reasons shounen can be such a slog to get through is the pacing and lack of focus (here’s looking at you JJK). But UxU sticks to its themes on death, ephemerality, and the power of personal beliefs. Not one fight is wasted, not even the shortest confrontations for ex the pop idol and Fuuko’s brief interaction on the stairs was used to highlight her love for Andy and how much Rip loves Latla.

Often times when a problem/obstacle is introduced it is quickly addressed within the next few chapters or pages. During the fight against Victor Fuuko realizes she doesn’t know much about Andy. Then during the Autumn arc she spends years with him in a fake past and becomes closer. Even her getting chubby is then addressed by her getting stronger and fitter.

• Andy. He’s the complete package. I thought he was going to be a bit dumb or simple, but he’s complex while still being fun and hopeful. He has maturity fitting his years lived while still being excited for new experiences.

• While the secondary cast is just okay imo, I’m just grateful that I don’t find any of them annoying. Their fights are usually interesting to read as well.