Desperate March for Love is a girls’ love manga told through the perspective of Rei, a high school student who confesses to her classmate. She’s pleasantly surprised that Ami not only accepts the confession but even asks her to be her girlfriend. However, the excitement soon fades when Rei discovers that being together with Ami isn’t what she expected.
As it turns out, Ami is juggling at least one other relationship aside from the one she has with Rei. In fact, it turns out to be with multiple other women. The most significant of her lovers is her biology teacher, who is herself engaged and eventually married to a man. Though the manga is silent about the power imbalances at work in this affair, it nevertheless still paints the relationship as a mistake. It later becomes an eye-opener to Ami on how to do better as a partner.
Ami’s shortcomings throughout the manga align well with her complicated backstory. One example is her neglectful mother, which caused Ami to grow up quickly and care for herself on her own. Getting a glimpse of her childhood gives context as to why she keeps Rei at arm’s length and her flippant attitude towards dating and commitment. Though it posed many questions that are left unanswered, such as when and why exactly the mother shifted from caring to absent, this reveal is still effective as a redemption arc for Ami.
Although we get to know more about Ami’s history, the same cannot be said about Rei. Aside from seeing her mother, there is little to nothing provided about the main character. Not even in relation to how her feelings for Ami develop. Yet, despite the lack of attachment to Rei, it’s easy to root for her and the romance between the two. The portrayal of a hopeful lovestruck teen frustrated by disappointment after disappointment is deeply relatable, especially for a young reader. Nonetheless, it would have been greatly improved with a more fleshed out backstory for Rei similar to the manga’s treatment of Ami.
Inconsistent pacing seems to be an issue throughout the manga, with its slow start that only quickened towards the end. What made the build-up noticeable are the repeated confrontations where Rei brings up Ami’s aloofness again and again. These conflicts are typically remedied by Ami through some form of physical affection. However, when tensions between the two rise and their relationship is tested one final time, we experience an emotional yet understanding resolution. It also includes a nice switch in dynamic compared to their previous arguments. While it is nonetheless satisfying, one still can’t help but wish this story had drawn out its plot more for suspense and believability.
All in all, Desperate March for Love, is a visually beautiful manga with complex characters. They don’t just fall in love, but truly put the work into keeping their love strong despite negative experiences and traumatic histories. If you are looking for something bittersweet with a happy ending, this is the read for you.
Desperate March for Love is available for pre-order now via Amazon.
Title: Desperate March For Love
Media Type: Manga
Publisher: Yen Press
Story & Art: Michika Tomizawa
Translation: Avery Hutley
Lettering: Dietrich Premier
