What do you think?
Rate this book
LOVELESS #5
Loveless, Volume 05
When 12-year-old Ritsuka discovers a message from his brother Seimei that he was murdered, Ritsuka joins forces with Soubi to find Seimei's killer and uncover the truth.
191 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
9 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 9, 2017
I still have some trouble telling characters apart sometimes. And the story still feels very random - but that's what drew me to the series in the first place: that it's a random, insane, disturbing thing. With kids!
Interestingly enough, the plot moves forward a bit and some of Seimei's insane machinations are starting to show up, messing with Ritsuka's mother's already messed up brain.
Interestingly enough, the plot moves forward a bit and some of Seimei's insane machinations are starting to show up, messing with Ritsuka's mother's already messed up brain.
February 25, 2020
I'm not sure I read this when I was younger. I remember some of it but mostly not... at the very least I didn't own this one so I didn't reread it like the others which I assume is why I don't remember much. But honestly I really don't know if I read it before.
The child that was introduced I really didn't care for and I hope it doesn't show up again later BUT besides that I think this installment was really good. We furthered the plot, learned more backstory, and twists were revealed. Very juicy indeed.
The child that was introduced I really didn't care for and I hope it doesn't show up again later BUT besides that I think this installment was really good. We furthered the plot, learned more backstory, and twists were revealed. Very juicy indeed.
August 11, 2020
TW: child abuse, nonconsensual kissing (underage)
This volume of Loveless is more focused on the child abuse angle of Loveless, which is decidedly a stronger angle than you'd expect of a series that seems to be on the surface to be about child soldiers fighting into psuedo-arenas through poetry (or whatever it is that they're doing).
The kissing in this volume isn't between Soubi and Ritsuka (the adult and his child Sacrifice) but instead between two more age appropriate figures, but it's definitely done without the consent of one of the parties. There's very little in this series that has to do with legitimate affection that isn't somehow colored with consent issues or coercion.
The art and worldbuilding continues to prevail.
This volume of Loveless is more focused on the child abuse angle of Loveless, which is decidedly a stronger angle than you'd expect of a series that seems to be on the surface to be about child soldiers fighting into psuedo-arenas through poetry (or whatever it is that they're doing).
The kissing in this volume isn't between Soubi and Ritsuka (the adult and his child Sacrifice) but instead between two more age appropriate figures, but it's definitely done without the consent of one of the parties. There's very little in this series that has to do with legitimate affection that isn't somehow colored with consent issues or coercion.
The art and worldbuilding continues to prevail.
January 17, 2016
The plot thickens.
This volume was just as good as the last one, if not better. I love the finality between Ritsuka and Soubi - he trusts him completely, despite new evidence from Septimal Moon. I also love the entrance of Nisei - he feels like an opposite to Soubi and Seimei, a wonderful juxtaposition. If anything, this volume succeeds in creating so many more questions...
This volume was just as good as the last one, if not better. I love the finality between Ritsuka and Soubi - he trusts him completely, despite new evidence from Septimal Moon. I also love the entrance of Nisei - he feels like an opposite to Soubi and Seimei, a wonderful juxtaposition. If anything, this volume succeeds in creating so many more questions...
January 10, 2019
I really don't care enough for this manga to continue reading it, but I'm also so very curious to know what happens. What is this dual feeling?
August 11, 2025
August 11, 2025
It's the least bad so far, but it's still awful. The artist appears to be allergic to making unique characters because I still can't tell any of them apart.
The plot can't decide whether Seimei is alive or not because he's dead—no, his apparent killers think he isn't—no, Soubi says he is—no, Seimei calls and comes home—wait, he drugs his mother and then calls other people and it might have been a different person pretending to be Seimei. The constant flip-flopping isn't intriguing; it's aggravating.
Yoji drops an F-bomb out of absolutely nowhere, which felt very out-of-place considering that this story's protagonist is a young child, and also kisses Ritsuka on the lips and moves in a suspicious manner to take off his jacket. I have no idea why that's in the story or what purpose it serves at all.
Also, this one random chick says something with which I agree wholeheartedly:
It's the least bad so far, but it's still awful. The artist appears to be allergic to making unique characters because I still can't tell any of them apart.
The plot can't decide whether Seimei is alive or not because he's dead—no, his apparent killers think he isn't—no, Soubi says he is—no, Seimei calls and comes home—wait, he drugs his mother and then calls other people and it might have been a different person pretending to be Seimei. The constant flip-flopping isn't intriguing; it's aggravating.
Yoji drops an F-bomb out of absolutely nowhere, which felt very out-of-place considering that this story's protagonist is a young child, and also kisses Ritsuka on the lips and moves in a suspicious manner to take off his jacket. I have no idea why that's in the story or what purpose it serves at all.
Also, this one random chick says something with which I agree wholeheartedly:
I hate everything about Soubi!! I hate his big face and his stupid voice and just hearing his name makes me want to punch something!!Best character in the book. Fight me.
April 8, 2020
i feel like smth bad is about to happen very soon and I just... i don't want Ritska to suffer anymore
also, Sobi, can you fucking made up your mind already! (meaning, forget about Seimei and be on Ritska's side wholeheartedly)
yes, I do know it's just wishful thinking on my part, at least at this point in the story
also, Sobi, can you fucking made up your mind already! (meaning, forget about Seimei and be on Ritska's side wholeheartedly)
yes, I do know it's just wishful thinking on my part, at least at this point in the story
October 22, 2020
This is, I think, the volume where Loveless' plot starts to actually come together, and you realise that it isn't actually the murder mystery it was presented as.
Something that I have consistently forgotten in my memory of this series is how utterly fucked up Natsuo and Youji are. Someone get those boys some therapy.
Something that I have consistently forgotten in my memory of this series is how utterly fucked up Natsuo and Youji are. Someone get those boys some therapy.
October 23, 2024
Some slight explanations but still more questions than answers. I love the art style but some of the characters seem inconsistent which adds to the confusion when there's so many constantly being introduced.
At the end of this manga it mentions there's an anime version. I may try that to see if it's less confusing.
At the end of this manga it mentions there's an anime version. I may try that to see if it's less confusing.
November 21, 2024
“Scream with pleasure every night” hahahaha I love Soubi / Knew that bad boy was maybe still alive… sometimes I think not even Soubi knew him, maybe no one / Ritsuka is too good, srly / the birthday story was cute
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2022
I wanted to say that the story was getting better because the plot was moving along but then it just kind of got creepier and I'm still not feeling it.
January 12, 2024
I'm thrilled the plot seems to be moving forward!
May 20, 2024
This volume was a bit more jumbled in the storytelling sense, but the thrilling aspect was enjoyable and so was the character development! Cant wait for the next few volumes !!
August 22, 2019
One of the finest novels in the English language, but unputdownable.
June 24, 2022
2.5 stars.
The story is proceeding, but there are still problems:
All characters are underdeveloped even at this point, and their actions seem irrational, like they're truly messed up in the head (and many of them are, for sure). Part of this is Japanese psychology, of course, but the rest is just hasty writing without focusing on smaller details that might bring some balance into the chaos the volumes are suffering from. This makes everyone seem more or less annoying.
It's an okay read, but nothing I can say I'm truly enjoying, or would read again.
The story is proceeding, but there are still problems:
All characters are underdeveloped even at this point, and their actions seem irrational, like they're truly messed up in the head (and many of them are, for sure). Part of this is Japanese psychology, of course, but the rest is just hasty writing without focusing on smaller details that might bring some balance into the chaos the volumes are suffering from. This makes everyone seem more or less annoying.
It's an okay read, but nothing I can say I'm truly enjoying, or would read again.
December 21, 2012
Kouga's talent knows no bounds. She always keeps her mind on progression of the storyline without ever once sacrificing character depth and conflict, as well as subplots and illustrations. I can sense a minor shift in style in this volume along with a glance into some new characters' lives as well as a token glimpse into the most conflicted character of all's head, Ritsuka's mother. As always, spellbinding and awing.
May 12, 2017
Oh goodness... it's been a while. I owned this series in middle school and read them over and over again so much the binding nearly desintigrated. I scraped and saved every penny to buy a new volume. Might be time for a reread soon, for nostalgia's sake.
February 26, 2020
I read the first 5 volumes back when this came out. If memory serves, the storyline was an interesting one, at least I really liked it. With manga, you really have to suspend your belief when it comes to some of the content, such as age difference.
August 10, 2022
The plot is thickening, and the artwork is still slightly above average. I'm still not hooked though. Interested enough to most likely continue reading (I'm half way done anyways) but the rating may not go up. But you never know. Maybe when a new arc starts it will be better than this arc.
October 9, 2007
Got it in the mail and finished it the same day... I'm very interested to know what happens next!
Read
September 28, 2007this book has awesome art in some places and it an be funny in the whole book if you think with a careless mind.
September 30, 2007
OMG!!!!! he's back holy crap!!
February 8, 2009
Beautiful art and interesting story.
May 7, 2009
Bah. Despite the hype surrounding this manga/anime, I had a really hard time getting into it. It didn't hold my attention at all.
January 31, 2010
The Seimei mystery is getting cleared up.
Read
October 29, 2010F KOU loveless v.5
April 13, 2011
Yay! More developments in the storyline, especially about Seimei. Ooooh.
December 9, 2011
I love the art. I admire Yun Kouga. Anyone who loves manga like me should definitely read this book.
November 6, 2015
Seimei is a jerk! He finally has a scene. And I cannot like Soubi... he hides too much. Is he a traitor or not? And Ritsuka trusting him... so naiive...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews