Review of No Control!, perfect edition: hand games, divine games

No Control! sees the enfant terrible of horror manga, Lynn Okamoto (Elfen Lied, Brynhildr in the darkness), join forces with the talented Mengo Yokoyari. This unlikely duo delivers a zany and extreme romance, where modesty has no place!

The story

Previously inseparable childhood friends, Subaru Kawana and Akira Saito were separated following Subaru's departure for a posh pension. Despite their social differences, Akira never despaired of one day seeing the girl he had always been in love with. So the teenager worked hard to get a scholarship and join the same institution as her. But Subaru, which has become as popular as it is untouchable, ignores it completely! After hearing a rumor about a "god of counterpart", Akira makes a wish. And if it happens, the price will be very high!

Under the spell?

No Control! immediately installs a sulphurous atmosphere. The cover of this perfect edition catches the eye with its red details on a black background. If Delcourt-Tonkam 's "Borderline" collection is rather accustomed to violent and horrific titles (see our review of Survivor's Club), Lynn Okamoto 's fourth work earns its place by a total absence of modesty! Because eroticism is present from the start, since, following Akira's wish, Subaru loses all self-control… and let his libido explode! The author of Elfen Lied then has fun flirting between ecchi and hentai, justifying the mention "for informed readers". However, this does not prevent the mangaka from taking the opportunity to highlight current themes. First, Subaru's supernatural charm raises the question of consent. Indeed, if the young woman loses all self-control, is she still aware of her actions? Akira also asks himself the question and does everything not to exceed the limits. Which does not prevent him from some slippages despite everything… Thus, like this boy in the end quite blue flower and romantic, the reader can find himself lost in the face of Subaru's paradoxical behavior. What is his true personality? This idea joins the notion originally Japanese but ultimately very contemporary and global, of the opposition between honne and tatemae. Just as Dr. Jekyll hid Mr. Hyde, Subaru reveals different facets of itself. While she shows a cold and selfless character, her real reason for being is her immoderate love for her childhood friend, Akira. The young woman then takes more substance and goes beyond her role as a sex addict to reveal a romantic, even naïve, rather touching side. For his part, Akira remains equal to himself, sometimes a little flat. It will, fortunately, have its hour of glory in the last chapters.

No Control! : the story of adolescent torment

Thus, behind a tantalizing style, Lynn Okamoto creates an ode to the vivacity and fury of adolescent feelings. The round and full line of Mengo Yokoyari underlines this impression. Already at work alongside Aka Akasaka for the very good Oshi no ko (available at Kurokawa), and soon on the poster of Scum's Wish (to be published in June 2022 by Noeve), the designer renders well the expression of these tormented feelings. Doubt, importance of the gaze of others in the construction of oneself, pride, desire… No Control! Delivers the portrait of two transis lovers who find themselves through a divine whim. It is indeed thanks to their mutual wish that Subaru and Akira get closer. The "God of counterpart", as he presents himself to them, first appears as a pretext triggering erotic scenes. However, we can also wonder if it is not his presence as such that allows Subaru and Akira to be free in their relationship. Under the guise of this divine intervention, perhaps they feel entitled to fully reveal their feelings. Thus, if we look beyond the erotic-fantastic tale, No Control! becomes a touching story by the sincerity of its characters. This is all the more important in the last part of the story. The idea of an arranged marriage hovering since the beginning of the work takes a terribly concrete turn here. In this way, sincere love and the love behind which we hide to preserve a social façade are confronted. Which one will win? It's up to you to find out! In conclusion, behind enticing finery and seemingly caricatured characters, No Control! is intended to be a destabilizing work. Playing with limits, Lynn Okamoto and Mengo Yokoyari seem to want to send us a message. That of not restraining our feelings, of being true to ourselves and to those we love, ignoring the eyes of others. If the whole lacks a little depth, we are nevertheless easily carried away alongside endearing characters, for whom the divine misadventure will become an opportunity to grow.