A manga that deserves its own tag. xD Not because it has all the trigger warnings possible like Killing Stalking, but because its story has all the best truths that comes with science-abusing dystopias wrapped in spiritual fantasy (Elyurias is a forest god in the form of a wasp, think Princess Mononoke) with a dash of LGBT (Shion's def gay and Inukashi has trans/agender/genderfluid vibes). There's a lot packed in this story and the novel has a LOOOOT more to it, so please read it here: http://9th-ave.blogspot.com/p/no-6.html
I read this years ago and this manga has a special place in my heart. Not really because of the BL--but as an enby pancake (get it getit geddit), having the main characters lie on a sexuality/gender spectrum rather than binary means a lot to me--but because of the dystopian setting. It's not just a regular dystopia either, since it masquerades as a utopia, as captured perfectly by Shion's words: "Here, you can gain everything but have nothing."
These are one of the stories in which I don't want to give too much away, but one thing to mention: while there are BL elements in this story, it is not a BL story. The BL is part of the story, to remind us that there is more to Inukashi, Karan, Shion, Nezumi, and Safu (heck, even Rikiga) than just the tragedies in their realities.
As for Shion and Nezumi's relationship, what they have is much more intangible and complex than attraction and affection. Shion is able to experience personal growth through his connection with Nezumi and Nezumi's world expands just beyond his deep-rooted perceptions due to the hope Shion gives him. Their individual abilities coming together is what drives the story forward, but their love for each other--whatever form it takes--is the reason why the story exists in the first place.
And this story doesn't have a purely happy ending, as is appropriate to the message that Asano-sensei wants to impart. She created this story in response to her experiences with people who survived poverty and WW2. The most she can give us are open bittersweet endings, where the loose ends of the past are tied, only to make room for the loose ends of the present and future.
No. 6