Kimi Shiruya - Dost Thou Know?

I purchased Dost Thou Know? simply because my Mom was with me at the time, and it was the only manga tame enough to buy with her there. Usually, I stay away from anything below 18+, but I had seen it advertised online and was intrigued by the cover art.

Unfortunately, I was highly let down. At the beginning, the art is unappealing and sloppy-looking. One thing that allows me to connect with a storyline is the appearance of the characters (however shallow that sounds), and these boys just did not draw me in at all. Everything from their hairstyles to their expressions left much to be desired -- literally. There were no angsty or at the very least emotional expressions as an individual character or as a reaction to another characters actions, unless it was about kendo. I found myself wanting more about their romantic relationship, not just their kendo rivalry.

The storyline is drab and uninteresting. It tells of two boys, Tsurugi and Katsuomi, both with younger brothers (who almost seem like miniature versions of themselves), who become kendo rivals and eventually attracted to each other. Katsuomi seems to suddenly and out of nowhere fall for Tsurugi. I found myself confused and wondering, "What just happened?" It seemed unnatural, strained, and not a believable turn of events. Katsuomi barely talked with Tsurugi before deciding that he was in love with him. The rest of the story seems to revolve around an ambiguous relationship, that leaves you wondering if the two boys like eachother or not -- Tsurugi seems constantly uninterested. There are only a handful of slightly intimate scenes, and neither leave a lasting impression.

There is enormous change in the art towards the end, the style becomes much more appealing. But, it still wasn't enough to save this manga for me. For myself, I would have rathered not purchase it and I would not recommend it.