Movies of War

The concept of sadomasochism is usually implemented for titillation and, in general, sensualism. In Iwaba’s manga “How to Love a Loser”, however, it is employed as the vehicle for the development of a relationship between Shinba, a man who is a total loser and never succeeds even in the smallest detail, and Hizumi, a girl who seems to have it all yet chooses to be with him precisely because he is useless. Expectedly, questions regarding her motivation arise from the very first page of the opening volume. Buy This Titleby clicking on the image below The dynamics between the two are quite evident. Hizumi is gorgeous, well dressed, intelligent and capable in anything she undertakes. In contrast, Shinba is unemployed, poor, clueless about fashion or social conduct, and constantly fails at whatever he attempts, including his interactions with Hizumi. The twist, however, lies in the fact that she genuinely enjoys watching him mess up, as this is what she finds most appealing about him. Furthermore, her complete lack of hesitation in telling him both that she considers him a loser and that she likes him for it becomes the central driving force of the narrative. Moreover, her sentiments appear sincere. The way she takes care of him when he is sick, helps him choose clothes, never turns down his invitations for dates, and even initiates outings herself, lends an unexpected sense of authenticity to the relationship despite its inherent strangeness. Consequently, the bond between them feels oddly genuine within its unconventional framework. The story unfolds in an episodic manner along this trajectory, with the pair spending time at a game parlor, karaoke, shopping, and even an amusement park. Throughout these encounters, the dynamic remains consistent, as Shinba continues to fail while Hizumi takes pleasure in his shortcomings. At one point, her refusal to take a photo with him introduces an additional layer of intrigue regarding her psychology, although this element gradually softens as the volume progresses. Unfortunately, the first volume does not delve deeply into the reasons behind her behavior, suggesting that Iwaba is reserving further exploration for subsequent installments. Nevertheless, a slight twist toward the end hints at the emergence of an additional romantic interest, which promises to complicate matters in what has thus far been largely a two person story. The character design is quite strong, with Iwaba portraying the stark contrast between the two protagonists in meticulous detail, while also incorporating subtle sensual elements into Hizumi’s appearance. The backgrounds are richly detailed as are her clothes, and the larger panels are particularly well executed. Additionally, the edition includes contributions from several guest mangaka in the end of the book, a welcome feature that enhances the overall value of the first volume. All in all, as a distinctly unconventional romantic story, “How to Love a Loser” proves intriguing, not least because it raises considerable curiosity about how the relationship and its underlying motivations will evolve in the volumes to come. Tags:How to Love a LoserIwaba