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Second Time's the Crime - By Nagare Ebi (7.5/10)

This is an intense and gory horror story featuring two very different obsessive men, but it loses points because the romance isn't very believable. You know who the endgame love interest is right away, and it's the boring one. The "heroic" yandere doesn't get enough character development. The psychological pain and real violence on display makes the romance feel like background noise.

Shiki is a poor little victim in the beginning. A wealthy but abused wife. It LOOKS like her 35 year old husband pounced on her when she was 19 because he needed a convenient bride. It LOOKS like he married her to cover up his debauched lifestyle.

It's...too much?

It's suspicious from chapter two. Kaoru is a handsome older man who didn't need to get married at all. He abuses his young wife. He cheats on her. He makes her eat a raw egg in one of his first scenes, but he's loving to her before he goes to work.

It's almost like he's performing for an audience, but there's nobody there. Just him and his terrified wife.

It's almost like....torturing her is his hobby?

It was a fairytale romance. Her parents were over the moon. She didn’t have money. He's got lots. He was mature and romantic and he dated her seriously before they got hitched.

He started abusing her days after the wedding....with joy in his eyes???

Shiki doesn't bother with the details. She obviously assumes he's just a lying pervert that wanted a submissive wife.

That's what it LOOKS like.

The pain she goes through changes her. She figures out that he's a cheater. Of course he is. He owns a fashion magazine. He works with models every day.

....when he sleeps with those models he calls them by her name...

Why would she know little details like that?

All she knows is the pain, and the desire for it to end.

She wants to die, but someone else has been watching her. She goes to the movie theater alone alot, and she has an admirer there.

It's a man who thinks she should kill her husband. Saku comes from a broken family. His mother died after years of abuse, and his father was never prosecuted. He's also very in love with Shiki. He's willing to help her kill her husband, because she's beautiful and he wants to see her happy.

They actually have a pretty good relationship, because the story goes nuts.

Saku doesn't whisk Shiki away and protect her.

He can't. Shiki has to protect him too.

Kaoru is willing to kill for Shiki too. There's a tracker in her phone. He removed all of her friends from her life too, so when Saku tries to run away with her Kaoru hunts them down. He's a little too prepared. He catches her every time like he's a one man military group.

It becomes clear that this isn't some average "abusive husband" story.

Of course the main characters make it clear that Kaoru is an abuser. He doesn't deserve to be forgiven and Shiki should divorce him. She just can't, because Kaoru will kill her, her allies and possibly himself if she runs.

He's not a normal man.

He really does love her. Just not in a sane way. Shiki will never understand him, and she shouldn't. He absolutely hid his unstable side from her to lure her in, and he doesn’t deserve any pity.

Shiki soon realizes her husband is serious. He almost kills Saku more than once.....so she returns to him because she's worried for Saku. Shiki starts to develop way more than Saku. By the end of the story Saku is just a hostage. A pawn in Kaoru and Shiki's psychological battle. It was unexpected, and very cool.

Shiki isn't nobly sacrificing herself. Oh no. She protects Saku and she decides to kill her husband on her own. She doesn't want to involve the innocent man she's falling for.

Kaoru shocks her when he installs security cameras inside. He brings out a leg restraint, and he says they will be happy together...forever.

She pulls a knife on him, and it ends up in her stomach.

Kaoru is unnaturally prepared, and experienced with violence. As a reader I started to question his family business. Kaoru can't be some spoiled model agency heir. He's just too good at fighting...

Shiki doesn't stop trying, no matter how crazy the battle gets. If Kaoru won't divorce her she'll kill him. The issue is he doesn't care at all. If she doesn’t love him he'll earn her love back. Saku is just an obstacle that will fall before him, because he always gets his way. This is his love. He will spend the rest of his life showing his wife how much he loves her....through violence.

That's how his family raised him, so it has to be real love.

Right?

Shiki and Saku get dragged into Kaoru's forest mansion. The apartment he owns with Shiki is just their love nest. His real playground is huge, and it's staffed by criminals. People who accept his orders because nobody else hires criminals.

Shiki convinces the butler and the head maid.

Violent love will never be enough.

Kaoru will kill her if they don't help her.

The butler seems to believe love will prevent her death, but Shiki convinces him to see reason. Eventually, all of the wounds will catch up to her. Head trauma. Infections. His torturous love will end her eventually, after years of total agony.

The butler sees sense first. Then the maid. Even still Kaoru is ridiculously strong, smart and scary. He's not easy to beat, even with allies.

There's a second wedding, and the mansion goes up in flames AND HE STILL DOESN'T DIE!

He starts to beg for Shiki's love, after he finally notices he lost her to Saku. Somehow the violence escalates even more.

Shiki starts to pity her broken husband.

I think he might end up in a mental hospital, with pictures of Shiki and occasional visits from her or something? Then we'll see her enjoying life with Saku.

I do want Kaoru to die, but like ten chapters were dedicated to his sad backstory sooooooo....

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One Husband Is Enough - By Go Seon-young (8/10)

What would it be like to have a charm level of 999? Everybody loves you. You just have to look your victim in the eye to have their love. Lust is seconds away from you at every moment. You have multiple stalkers. Wait. Being popular is starting to sound awful...

An everyday office worker accidentally curses her new body. She decided to max out her Charm stat, which completely destroyed the game story the second she reincarnated.

The maids, butlers, and men at the ball were all supposed to ignore Crochetta. She's just an illegitimate daughter. Her father, The Count, was just keeping her pretty face around to marry off. She's supposed to be the butt of every joke, but after she wakes up with Charm....men stalk her around the ballroom in packs. They fight over the right to sniff her dropped handkerchief.

It's horrible. Everyone who spends a minute alone with her turns into a pervert. An animal with only one thought in mind. Crochetta isn't exactly "Charming". That game stat measures how attractive the protagonist is to other characters. At level 999....well she's in danger all the time.

It works like this.

Minor characters like maids and butlers can't even resist for a second.

Other noble ladies will chat with her for a minute, before they randomly try to kiss her.

The men behave like monsters and they blame her for seducing them.

The plot twist is the three male leads ARE affected by her Charm, but to a lesser degree. They do "fall for her", but they notice how unnatural her Charm is. Which makes for an interesting story.

Crochetta's old fiance went mad the same day she acquired "Charm". He became overwhelmed with joy and jealousy. He was in heaven. He had the right to marry the most attractive woman in the land. When the maids dared to fawn over his bride...he went on a rampage. The walls of the Counts mansion turned red.

The family tried to cover up the incident.

The Count did it because he's obsessed with his daughter now. Now, Crochetta must find a husband that can protect her. Her father is no longer interested in marrying her off.

He wants to lock her away in the tower, and keep her Charm a secret.

His secret.

*vomits*

Crown Prince Ethian believes she is the ultimate weapon. A woman that can be used to make the political world his slave. If every man loves his Queen fanatically revolution and true power will be in his grasp!!!

That's his story, but he seems pretty obsessed.

The issue is Charm doesn't guarantee loyalty or sweet love. The Prince is incredibly lustful, and it's obvious he would have multiple lovers with Crochetta as his main squeeze and prize.

The Duke reacts more violently. Arnold believes Crochetta has poisoned him. His one obsession is money. He actually hates women. His immediate lust for Crochetta is literally foreign to him. He runs from her like a scared animal, but not before he pushes her around. She kind of deserves it. Crochetta is looking for a marriage of convenience. A man who can protect her.

Her intentions are not pure.

The Knight, Rosen, is a very chaste man.

He saves Crochetta from a gang of admirers, and he seems completely unaffected.

She kisses him on the cheek to test him, and even then he seems fine.

Then, her carriage rolls away and he drops to his knees.

The Prince proposes.

He says he will kill her if she refuses.

If another man marries her he will gain a massive amount of influence. A bride powerful allies will serve and die for.

Also, it looks like he is affected by her Charm. He's just not stupid about it.

He offers her what she needs, but he's too cunning to let her control him.

If she wants his protection she'll have to let him have....everything.

She visits the Duke out of desperation, because the Prince is terrifying.

He runs like a coward. Deep in his heart he knows the lust in him is wrong.

Crochetta also knows that chasing him is wrong, but the Prince is too damn scary.

Their relationship develops a little bit, but the Duke continues to resist her Charm.

Rosen hasn't appeared again yet.

I have no idea who the winner will be. Crochetta will have a heavy fate. There's no escape from the obsession around her.

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me and the dead boy i pulled by killing him

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I think some people forget that some literature and some media is meant to be deeply uncomfortable and unsettling. It's meant to make you have a very visceral reaction to it. If you genuinely can't handle these stories then you are under no obligation to consume them but acting as if they have no purpose or as if people don't have a right to tell these stories, stories that often relate to the darkest or most disturbing parts of life, then you should do some introspection.

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Boss, Bxtch, Baby! - By Ichibu Saki (8/10)

Would you let someone lock you up for half a million dollars? You're not getting it for free. You have to follow extremely strict rules, and you have to stay inside a mansion allll day. For months on end. Hey! Put that pen down! Don't sign without reading the fine print! Being a pet isn't an easy job!

Hojin is a man who has given up. Family bonds are too complicated. He can't keep a man no matter how hard he tries. He's deep in debt because his brother betrayed him. He's a sweet and giving person.....because he's afraid of being alone.

The loan sharks find him. He thinks he'll die with nothing in life, but then a group of men in suits appears out of nowhere.

The group claims a VIP wants him, and said VIP is willing to pay off his debts.

Being rich and gay in Korea sucks. Especially when your family is mostly comprised of sociopaths. Yooseong had a very good time with Hojin, but he can't date right now. Inheriting the family business is his main priority, and the head of the family is scared of gay people.

He needs a pet lover. Someone literally willing to hide in a bunker and wait for him.

Yooseong totally doesn't have issues and he definitely doesn't get violent and possessive when he likes someone! Don't misunderstand! He just has to lock up Hojin to keep his family off his tail.

Hojin says no.

Yooseong snaps his fingers.

The suits hold Hojin down until he signs the paperwork.

One year. Debt clear. Total obedience.

Yooseong is way too controlling he is literally insane, but we gradually see why the heck he is the way he is.

Yooseong and Hojin are both deeply insecure in different ways.

Hojin falls in love first.

Yooseong was obsessed from the beginning, but Hojin is the first one to admit that living together with a stud kinda rocks.

Shocker Hojin has toxic attachment issues....but they're a different breed.

His father abused his mother, but he won her back with money. Then his mother regretted returning to her abusive husband. She left once more, and Hojin left with her.

Hojin learned that only kind people deserve love, and some mistakes can't be forgiven.

He's had many lovers, but they all leave him eventually.

He's a clingy people-pleaser who falls in love out of desperation...not love.

Yooseong doesn't trust him, but Hojin is so messed up that he doesn't understand how shallow his doting love is.

Yooseong enjoys it. They fall into twisted pleasure together.

Yooseong's annoying little brother is annoying because he's straight.

He was going to inherit the company, even though he's a moron, just because he's straight. Yooseong was passed over entirely because he was gay.

Lil bro does mess up on purpose so Yooseong can have the position he deserves but he's still a messy loser annoying short guy.

Yooseong's massive ego makes his family relationships....cold af.

Yooseong is insane so he beats up Hojins brother. The same brother that saddled him with debt.

Hojin never finds out because Yooseong learns that Hojin hates violent declarations of love, and he loves his horrible brother too much to ever see him again.

He wants to keep the good memories, but he can't interact with the man who sold him away.

Yooseong becomes even more unreasonable though, and he starts to become really unlikable as a person. He's a GREAT controlling yandere but Hojin is a nice guy with no family and not much to live for. It's hard not to feel bad for him when Yooseong treats him like an object.

This one is a mixed bag, but it's very tense and it can be funny.

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im a blorbo apologist but also they did every bad thing they did and i will get mad if u ignore that. complexities

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I Can't Escape The Shadow King's Love - By あいゆうき (8/10)

A yandere that says sorry. That's already a plus, but he really means it too. The magical Shadow King is weak as a kitten when it comes to love. The happy ending takes time though. The beginning is more stereotypical.

Our two leads are kinda charmingly dumb.

A crybaby yandere, and a nervous office worker.

Zone pretends to be a cool kidnapper...because he knows Noel reads alot of dirty novels pffff...

His acting is his way of showing affection, because he was originally Noel's "shadow". Their friendship as children is what gave him his powers, and his male form.

He even does the cringe "my princess" lines. it does get funny. Eventually you notice there is no "Shadow Kingdom". The castle is just floating in a shadowy void.

It's kind of like a dream world. It's not an actual country. He's not a real king. He's just acting that way because she wanted to become a princess as a child.

He knows about her lonely desires.

She's in shock for a while because...Noel is a nice girl and all but she is really boring.

Even wearing a sexy outfit is too much for her.

She eventually remembers the only friend she had when she was at her loneliest.

Eventually the King roleplay starts to piss her off and she gets mad at him.

He immediately starts crying.

They have an honest conversation about what they want.

Zone decides to live as a human, because Noel likes him. She doesn't need to play princess. She just wants to enjoy life with the best friend (now lover) that she missed so dearly.

They kiss and start dating for real, because Zone doesn't need to use his shadow magic to convince her. They really did get along well as kids.

Noel regrets forgetting someone so precious, and she promises to cherish him.

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Do you have any 10/10 recommendations? I’m curious about what a full 10 has to have

Your suspicions are correct! There is no perfect 10/10! That's what makes reading fun! A story with no flaws is a snorefest! Abide in the Wind is my all-time yandere favorite, but even I have to admit the art is a bit dated, and tragic separation arcs aren't for everyone! A 9.5/10 has near-universal appeal despite being a yandere story. A core theme people can empathize with. A romance with believable progress. A good setting. Side characters that aren't static, and a satisfying ending. My all-time favorite probably scores an 8.5/10 based on my own criteria.

I tend to grade works with yandere themes very harshly. Old-timey sexism and overly "innocent" heroines are my bitter enemies!

My goal is to provide accurate summaries with as little spoilers as possible! I think yandere horror has endless potential on the horror side of things, but the romance part is super subjective and sometimes actively unappealing! Finding good examples is always exciting for me!

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C**t Licking Ghost Guy Is My Lover From A Previous Life - by Have fun at lunch (7/10)

A cute ghost story with a happy ending??? It's simple and sweet and they talk about consent?? Plus he reincarnates and they live happily??? For real no plot twist???

Mami is overworked.

She thinks she's having dirty dreams because she's stressed.

It's a ghost!!!

He's stalking her!!!

She sees signs.

She hears a ghostly voice.

OoooooOoooo

Scary!

He kisses her in her dreams and they have a chat about love. It's honest and pure.

He knows her name???

Renosuke arrives at work!!!

He's the perfect guy!!!

He's so boyfriend material!!!!

Mami died with him 500 years ago. A rich guy hit them with his carriage.

His spirit has been searching for her for all those years.

It's even implied that he reincarnated without any messed up stuff. He didn't posses another man. Seeing her, finally, gave him the power to create his own body!!!

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booktok videos should be categorized as some sort of threat to public health

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He's so normal about Laios

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energy fr

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Doku wo Kurawaba Sara Made - By Tobari Sawa (8/10)

Our protagonist is a father who will do whatever it takes to save his daughter, and himself, from complete ruin. He's trapped inside an Otome Game, so fate will never favor him. As the father of the Villainess he has nothing, so he throws away his pride and he uses seduction. It works too well.

The Kingdom of Parsemis is magically blessed. There is a barbaric tradition.

A holy maiden MUST be sacrificed to the nations patron Dragon every ten years.

It's a political thing.

Andrim realizes he is s fool when he watches his only daughter lose. He treated her like a pawn. A convenient daughter from a dead woman.

He realizes she never had a chance.

He never had a chance.

He's not even the main villain.

He, and his daughter, are both prolouge villains.

The ultimate insult.

The Villainess will be executed!!! Is such a trite ending. Here it's more horrible.

In this scenario Natasha, the protagonist, was destined to be eaten by the dragon.

Julietta, the Villainess, was supposed to wed the prince.

The Prince uses his authority to remove Julietta from power and get rid of her in one fell swoop.

Why is this possible?

Natasha is the destined holy maiden, but Julietta is from a special sage bloodline...so conveniently she can be sacrificed as well.

A loving father would have kept Julietta far away from the Prince.

Natasha, of course, realized she could seduce the Prince and save herself.

Andrim was a total fool.

If he had just protected his daughter a little bit both of them would have survived.

Andrim remains calm. He thinks about what he can do. His daughter is doomed and the Prince clearly wants him gone too.

He tries to use his memories of the game to escape his fate, with his daughter.

He accepts the new engagement, and his daughters new position as sacrifice....gladly.

Yes, he is a dutiful Prime Minister.

He understands that a special girl must be sacrificed for prosperity. He carries her away and he says he will prepare her for that fateful day.

In the original plot he raved like a madman and demanded Natasha's death instead. Even though the Prince had declared otherwise.

He backs away, because he cannot win without power.

He joins hands with a corrupt priest and the ACTUAL DRAGON!

He promises to entertain Karis, the Dragon, because only he knows the special lore.

The Dragon is bored.

Andrim is able to tempt the Dragon with a new kind of entertainment. It's bored of eating women.

Andrim must commit evil to live.

He goes waaaayyyy too far.

The Dragon is not the love interest.

It's Jorga the Commander. The adult figure supporting the youthful otome group.

Andrim uses him completely. Not sure how yet but Jorga commits absolute atrocities for Andrim. He betrays the royal family for Andrim, and the palace is filled with torture.

Jorga is the most useful card on the field, and Andrim uses his beauty to "get" him.

Is it genuine love? No, but Jorga is all about loving acts of service.

The plan rolls into an avalanche slowly.

Andrim gives up his position as Prime Minister. This earns him plenty of sympathy points. He also appoints a young genius on purpose. The boy is not fit to run the government. He uses politics to force the boy into a position he can't handle.

This makes him even more pitiful.

The capable Prime Minister had to abdicate for his daughter, and his replacement is trash...

How awful...

His poor daughter. In the end its not her fault that the Prince's eyes wandered...

Natasha is a cruel moron and that helps. Her otome team constantly has to cover her ass.

She's going to be a terrible Queen.

Julietta would have been perfect.

Andrim plans to take advantage of that.

Julietta is sweet but empty.

Andrim vows to make her happier.....after his dirty deeds bear fruit.

Julietta stays in the palace...with Andrim. He uses an old tradition to stay, where he can garner the most sympathy.

Apparently, the story turns into extremely sadistic revenge porn. If you like obsessive dogs with no morals this is your lucky day!

Andrim is not a merciful man. Even with his Japanese memories his ruthless side always prevails.