[MAYBE SPOILERS] Aku no Hana / Flowers of Evil

Aku no Hana, or Flowers of Evil, is such a fascinating, life-changing, impactful manga series, as well as a piece of anime; it's hard to put into words how much this piece of art means to me.

Flowers of Evil is a completed manga series that carries psychological themes, coming of age, finding your place in society, and fitting in. But the story isn't about trying to be part of society. It is, in fact, about the opposite thing: it's about realizing that society is rotten, has no substance, and being trapped within it.

Now, I read this piece in middle school, and my mental understanding of the world has changed drastically since then. I don't see everyone as miserable pieces of shit anymore. I've grown. But to say that this manga series had an impact on me is to say nothing. Absolutely nothing. This manga is something truly extraordinary - it carries sexual messaging, scenes of abuse, and has implications of nudity. But the goal of the manga is not to bring sexual arousal to the reader. In fact, the main characters are disgusted by the thought of sex, and see it as something primitive and low.

This manga is meant to disturb. This manga is meant to change the way you look at the world. It's a bit similar to "Goodnight, Punpun" - it has sexual imagery and implications, but is never meant to arouse the reader. The main characters rebel against their small city, shedding their skin of normalcy, embracing what they call "perversion".

I just wanted to yap about this manga and not spoil anything. Also, when I first saw the anime, I hated the art style. I thought, "Ew, this is nothing like the manga". But I missed the point of the manga's message that day. Looks don't matter; looks don't have substance. Humans only care about looks and popularity. What's important is the substance. And this is also why I love the manga - it challenges you. It makes you feel like, even after reading it, you understand the characters. You may even feel like you relate to them. But, in reality, you don't. You just read a piece of abstract media and think you understand. Just like one of the characters- Kasuga- who reads French poetry and thinks highly of himself, looking down at anyone in his classroom because they aren't at the "same level of intelligence" as himself. Except Saeki. His crush. He calls her his muse. He is actually idolizing her in a really creepy way.

You should watch the anime or read the manga. I don't understand why it's not popular, like Punpun. It's so deep and challenging; I love it so much, READREADREAD IT!!

Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk