Ten Count is flawed, soiled, overhyped to death, yet still a gift, which I don't accept its entirety, but can't not appreciate as an idea. I cannot in good faith advice completing it either, but I recommend making acquaintance for the curious inclined readers.
I'm so sad that the series is over, omg, I love this couple so much! Shirotani was finally able to get his germophobia and OCD under control while learning that his sexual desires aren't something that makes him dirty or unworthy of love. Kurose finally found someone who won't abandon him and who inspires him to further his career in order to help more people in the future. I know this story is a little unrealistic and I understand the concerns that people had about making it seem as if curing mental illness through sex is a thing but we need to keep in mind that this is just a story... its for entertainment purposes only. And within the universe of this story Kurose understood Shirotani more than we did. In the end Shirotani stated that he likes being pushed out of his comfort zone, he likes being controlled, and he likes being petted and praised. This is why beginning in book 2 the creator started commenting on the roll of Doms and subs. Within the confines of this story everything that happened turned out to be okay.
A few things concerning this final volume
☆ I loved the way Kurose handled Ueda. I already didn't like her for how she treated Shirotani when he was a little boy but seeing her try to manipulate Kurose by dropping her keys and trying to grab his hand at the restaurant made me want to puke.
☆ Shirotani and Kurose's first kiss was so freaking hot. I love how intense Kurose gets when he's turned on.
☆ It was interesting seeing how much Nishigaki and Kurose affected each other's life trajectory. They were only in each other's life for a short period but look at how much they affected each other. Nishigaki's book The Boy of Dark Light was obviously about him and I have to wonder what would have happened if Kurose identified who he was to him. If he wasn't with Shirotani would he have done it? I think Nishigaki realized who he was after he walked out the bookstore. Nishigaki's second book was called A midnight Banquet with the words "Come with me out into the night." I swear if this isn't the setup to some MM romance I don't know what is! Lol.
☆ My biggest complaint was the ending. It was totally underwhelming. They are together now so that's good but other than the declaration of that fact it doesn't seem like much has changed. They are still living their separate lives and meeting up occasionally to go out or have sex.
Okay, okay... so I guess that isn't too bad... but I needed at least one more volume of them happily being together and working on that second list Shirotani started. I would have liked to see them in their newly accepted roles as lovers in love. We never got to see that. Oh well.
This is the first story I've read from Rihito Takarai and I was thoroughly impressed. I'd definitely recommend this story to yaoi lovers. Sure, not everyone is going to like it but I think its still worth checking out. It helps if you think of it as just a story (which it is!) and not a guide for how one must handle themselves in that particular situation (🙄). I wish there were more interesting stories like this available.
After parallel encounters with individuals linked to traumas in their childhoods, Kurose and Shirotani are finally able to have a relatively open and honest talk about their feelings. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but if you've read the preceding five volumes and know how dishonest they are (with each other and themselves) and how screwed up they seemed, this reflects a lot of progress.
This one wasn't as cringey as some of the previous volumes, but it still wasn't great. However, I seem to really be addicted to this story for some reason? I just wish it didn't take so long for the new volumes to be released because I tend to forget what happened previously...
No entiendo qué ha pasado aquí... Soy una absoluta fan de Kurose y Shirotani (por eso no lo dejo en 1 estrella), pero lo que la magaka ha hecho con ellos es una verdadera injusticia, qué manera de desgraciar una historia que iba por un muy buen camino T.T En fin, que como no saque un omake, un extra u otro tomo con algo más y lo apañe, creo que no se lo voy a perdonar jamás.
This is still one of the most disappointing series for me. I loved volume one so much, but for whatever reason it didn’t develop the way I had thought it would. Part of it was its popularity, I think - I can’t be certain but I suspect it was dragged out a bit at times. Ten Count fits with the publisher‘s other manga, which is to say it has more suggested depth than actual depth, and it is possible I forgot that. I also think that the direction it went might have been something I would have loved in my mid-twenties or when I started reading manga. As it is, it was a disappointment.
Hmmm... okay. Now that the series has come to an end, I understand what kind of story Takarai-sensei wanted to tell. I guess it's a combination of factors that lead to the mixed feelings I have about this series but mostly it's the false expectations I had about it. My expectations were too high in the beginning because the first volume felt promising to me. Maybe I interpreted it wrong and therefore wished for a development of the story that was never going to happen, and/or the the way the story was told in the beginning was misleading. I knew she's able to tell sensitive stories and I thought she'd handle the topic of OCD differently. There's two (or even more) ways the story could've developed, and unfortunately (for me) she chose a direction that I didn't feel comfortable with most of the time. I can accept and even see how this could be a possible outcome to this kind of story though, so in part, I'm okay with how this ended even though it's not what I wanted to read in the first place. I can see myself re-reading the whole series now that I know what she had in mind from the beginning.
« I thought that if my mysophobia was never cured…that if I never list my soft item…then you’d stay by my side ».
Bueno, la verdad es que la historia me ha entretenido pero nada más allá del otro mundo. Creo que no ha sido lo que se considera “my cup of tea”. Las portadas no hacen justicia a la historia, no me gustan nada. Eso sí, ha habido algunas partes que me han parecido tiernas, pero otras me daban unas sensaciones muy fuertes de toxicidad, y, la verdad es que me ponían mala. Yo creo que sí lo recomendaría, pero tampoco considero que sea el mejor Boys Lovers que haya leído ni leeré.
« But just because it’s hard to breathe, it doesn’t mean I’ll die from suffocation. If I don’t want to touch it I dont have to. In order to keep on living, I can’t be stopped by anything”.
7/10/22 Still mad we didn't get 10 volumes for this series. I mean, come on. It's in the name: 1o. However I do love it. This remains one of my BL manga. It's so good.
2/1/19 Do I wish we got more-at least 4 more books? Yes, yes I do. Do I think there are still loose strings I wanna see tied? Yes, yes there are. Did I still enjoy the book and thought it was a good finaL? You bet your ass I did. I love it. I seriously do
Original review: 12/30/18 I feel like this has to be my favorite of the series so far. I love these two so damn much
I’m not really sure what to rate this, but I’m gonna go with 4🌟 🤷🏻♀️
I think this last volume in this series could have done more, but I don’t think it came as a surprise that it ended the way it did.
If anything, I just wanted at least one more volume so a couple of things could have been fleshed out more. For example, that evil witch from Shirotani’s childhood comes back and tries to start shit, but she’s dealt with very easily. I know this is meant to reflect how Shirotani has grown so much, but it didn’t feel earned.
Regardless, I’m glad both of them admitted their feelings for each other and just started authentically being themselves. They started being more honest with each other, and I love that for them.
Plus, I was glad to see Shirotani finally be able to do more of the things on his list and just look more happy 🥺💖
Shirotani and Kurose are my everything what the fuckity fuck. Shirotani is confronted by the person who played a very large part in his childhood trauma (by the way, fuck that bitch; I was thrilled when Kurose told her off), and instead of letting it trigger him? "I've made progress, even if it's just a little, and I'm not going back." YES SHIROTANI. FUCKING YES. I literally cheered out loud alone in my room like a nutjob.
And then when Shirotani tells Kurose that he loves him and Kurose, love-starved-flat-affect Kurose, fucking cries!? Bitch. I lost my shit. I am so deeply obsessed with these two. I've reached the point of no return in which, if someone asks me what I think about this series? Can no words - just blubbering and strange animal sounds.
Ten Count is one of those really controversial yet popular BL manga (that's why I avoided it for so long) but now that I've read it... I don't know why it gets such a bad reputation! I mean, it's nowhere near as bad as a lot of popular manhwas nowadays lol...
Anyway, I personally really loved this. Yes, it's NOT perfect. Sometimes, smut takes the place of proper communication. I feel like we should have also dived deeper into both characters' backstories since a lot of things were left open-ended. And many readers will be understandably turned off by the dubcon scenes. But I was really drawn into Shirotani and Kurose's story ;w;
I really loved the exploration of Shirotani's OCD and his journey to recovery. I was genuinely invested in him throughout six volumes. Kurose might be sleazy and brusque at times, but he genuinely has Shirotani's best interests at heart and I loved how he constantly took care of Shirotani. The vibe of the manga was serious and a little angsty but it ended on a beautifully hopeful note about recovery and the power of love. What I appreciated most of all was how "safe" the people around Shirotani felt. Despite being heavily traumatized and suffering from debilitating OCD, his boss and coworker/friend were very understanding and took good care of him. It wasn't just his love interest who treated him well. Most importantly, I had a really good time reading it. I actually didn't care about the smut LOL I just wanted more romantic scenes of them together! This series reminded me why I love BL manga so much... No wonder it's a beloved classic!!
Cuando arranqué a leer テンカウント 1 Ten Count 1 , por alguna razón tenía en mi mente la idea de que la historia era básicamente porno gay, y la verdad es que no estuve tan far off. Si bien por momentos la cosa se puso turbia (principalmente en lo relacionado con el pasado de los protagonistas), y de que no sentí que al final esos traumas se resolvieran (uno llama al papá, y el otro mágicamente se lo encuentra a su interés amoroso de cuando era chico, pero eso fue todo), la historia me gustó. No es lo mejor que leí en mi vida ni nada por el estilo, pero sirvió para pasar el rato.
I am sure it ended with the applause and extras but I still feel like there are some pages missing 😭
I love this series so much.
The characters are just too fragile yet strong. They found strength in each other.
What a way of distracting someone with OCD!
I find the character of Koruse very comforting and understanding. Yes, sometimes he gets crazy being in love (it's a BL manga. Expect it. Expect more 😁).
This is a stand in review for the whole series, as I ended up binging it in essentially 1 day - apart from the last instalment, which I left for breakfast the following day - as you do.
Anyway, the Series had me at the beginning (I actually remember reading the first 4 (?) books way back in the day on a dodgy read mangas for free website because I could not afford the physical copies lol), then it takes a rather dubious turn with book two, but is able to redeem itself in the next two volumes, and then ends on a high note.
I can see how this Series will inevitably not be for everyone, as it has a few instances of dub-con (especially in vol. 2), but it has a rather interesting exploration of severe trauma and it's effects on sexuality and intimacy (which are not an inaccurate portrayal).
Había empezado a leer este manga en cuanto se había publicado porque la premisa y luego los personajes me parecieron de lo más interesante: Un hombre con misofobia conoce casualmente a un terapeuta que al interesarse en él decide ayudarlo...
Desde ahí todo fue creando grandes expectativas para mí. Espere alrededor de cuatro años para este final y cómo puedes adivinar fue completamente anti climático. Creo que en parte es mi culpa, pero aún así me alegro de lo que hicieron con los personajes y posibilidades de futuro que la autora les da. ❤️
Der Abschlussband. Es wurden ein paar Vorkommnisse aufgearbeitet und durch die Liste mit den 10 Punkten wurde am Ende ein Kreis geschlossen. Mit sechs Bänden hatte die Reihe eine für die Geschichte passende Länge.
WHAT?? NO WHY ISNT THIS SERIES LONGER 😭😭 YOURE TELLING ME SHIROTANI IS GOING TO MAKE A LIST OF TEN THINGS HE WANTS KUROSE TO DO TO HIM AND WE DONT GET TOSEE IT???? LOSING MYY MIND RN FRFR 😭😭😭
Esse foi é um desfecho ótimo para uma série incrível. A profundidade emocional e o desenvolvimento dos personagens proporcionam uma conclusão satisfatória e tocante. A série é concluída de maneira poderosa, trazendo à tona toda a complexidade emocional e o crescimento dos personagens que acompanhei com tanto interesse desde o início. Não é um final perfeito, mas acredito que cumpre o papel de fechar essa história.
This finale was pretty solid. I'm happy Takarai was able to wrap up most of the series' loose ends and also highlighted aspects to the leads' backstories I didn't think she would hit (especially with Shirotani's father).
Meeting Ueda in the present went just as well as I expected it to. She felt very one-dimensional and like the traditional female character trope that I see a lot in BL. They're a "bitch" and a "slut" to the readers because it seems her main goal is to try and drive the main couple apart. The writer might not have intended this to happen, but from an analytical standpoint, that's what we ended up with. Even Kurose calls her an "easy bitch." Woo.
The main issue I had with this volume is that there still isn't full consent in regards to some of the sex (despite a growth in it), and Shirotani continues to refer to himself as being damaged and undeserving of another's affection. This is still annoying because while I didn't expect it to be cured outright, part of his growth would have been stronger had he realized he was capable of being loved and that he wasn't "dirty."
Regardless, I'm excited to have read my first BL series and would definitely like to get the opportunity to try out more. Ten Count wasn't the best, but at least it had a good story underneath the bad relationship dynamic and some weak characterization.
P.S. The art shift wasn't too bad here. I was able to get used to it over time.
Ein schöner Abschluss, auch wenn das Ende etwas offen ist und es von mir aus gerne hätte weiter gehen können. Ich verstehe aber auch, wieso hier ein Cut gezogen wurde
Mir hat auch der letzte Band sehr gefallen. Hier weiß man nun alle Hintergründe zu Kurose und Shirotani, sodass man beide gut verstehen kann und auch ihr handeln. Ich mochte die beiden sehr zusammen und habe gerne gelesen oder her gesehen^^ wie Shirotani sich immer mehr öffnet und ihm immer mehr Dinge möglich sind. Eine schöne Entwicklung, ich fand ihn in manchen Szenen einfach sehr süß, mit seiner manchmal etwas kindlichen und schüchternen Art.
Die Zeichnungen waren auch hier wieder Top und es gab ein paar heiße Szenen für Erwachsene. Ich würde mir natürlich wünschen, dass es vielleicht doch noch weiter geht mit den beiden, möglich wäre es auf jeden Fall.
Was this series more f*cked up than life itself?... Yes, yes it was. But that's the reality of life right? We are dealt a hand of cards, sometimes more than we can deal with. These characters are flawed, damaged, broken, liars, and just borderline disturbing. However, I think that's the point of this manga series in a way.
I do think we are left hanging on a cliff at the end and the whole reason behind Shiro's OCD/Germophobic disorder was kind of left on the hinge. Here he is finally facing the cause of his disorder and it was wrapped up within a page. It was like it became insignificant. I feel like we could have had multiple more books - one to just focus on Kurose's disturbing past and then to develop the relationship between Kurose and Shirotani.
So why did I rate it 5/5, who knows. Probably because I loved it. It was addicting and messed up - just how life is supposed to be.
A note on Shiro's and Kurose's relationship. After reading this series and looking at the relationship, I would definitely classify it as very abusive. You have Kurose who pretty much has told Shiro - throughout the series - that "no one will love you as I do, no one will accept you for your issues as I will". Most abusive partners, who want to keep the person they are abusing, will say exactly this. So, personally, their relationship is messed up. And it isn't just Kurose it is definitely Shirotani as well. The man who seems to have found a very dark part of himself. Do I still think they are a cute couple, absolutely. However, in the future when I do re-read this series, I will go in knowing that there relationship is not a healthy one.
I am also glad it came to light that OCD/ Germophobia can not be cured. It can become manageable but it doesn't ever go away 100%. Thank you to the author for acknowledging that...just really late into the series is all.