About:
Warning:
This review will contain spoilers for the manga and anime series Delinquent Omega Belongs to the Beast King!. While the manga may vary slightly from all other forms of media, it may have similar story elements and could be considered spoilers.
Trigger Warning: There may be references to violence, kidnapping, confinement, theft, enslavement, sexual assault, blood, bullying, dubious consent, and mental illness, as it appears in the manga.
Synopsis:
Rintaro is a delinquent in a city that is steadily being overrun by crime. He has a unique sense of justice, trying to clean up his home even while being on the wrong side of the tracks himself. While fighting off some muggers going after a fortune teller, Rintaro picks up a strange mirror reflecting the image of a fantasy kingdom he's never seen before. Just as he's about to ask the fortune teller what he's seeing, the mirror sucks him inside, transporting him to the very fantasy land that it depicted.
Once there, he's faced with a scenario not all that different from the one he left behind. A man is bound and being robbed while two criminals shake him down for all he's worth. Rintaro isn't going to just let this slide, so he does what he always does: dispensing justice with his fists. He has no problem doing so until his body suddenly revolts against him. As it turns out, in this new world, there are different genders: alphas and omegas, and Rintaro happens to be an omega. Before the criminals take him, the man bound on the ground frees himself and picks up where Rintaro left off, saving Rintaro.
Rintaro is beyond thankful for the man, but it's hard to be thankful for long when Varuna, the man in question, turns out to be the lord of the land, and he believes Rintaro is his fated mate. Rintaro's new body is all too happy to go along with Varuna's stimulation, but Rintaro's mind isn't ready to accept it just yet. Can Rintaro learn to accept his new role in this world, or will he run away to try and forge a new path?
Review:
The cover art pulled me. It's absolutely alluring. Add in that it is an omegaverse, and the top has long hair. I was sold. Unfortunately, the art in the series doesn't reflect the cover art all that well. It's still nice, don't get me wrong, but they are pretty different in style. It was rather disappointing, especially since our top's silky hair isn't all that silky in the series. It's very chunky and textured, which I am totally fine with, but it's just very different than what is presented on the cover. There are also some hilariously awkward panels that are meant to be serious and romantic but are so stiff and unrealistic that they end up being humorous. Admittedly, I hate a lot of the faces in most panels. The art within the series isn't my favorite, but there's no doubt that the cover art is stunning, and the series has a very clean style overall.
This really shines in the relationship between Rintaro and Varuna, specifically how Varuna accepts Rintaro as he is. Varuna is very affectionate and loving even though Rintaro is more rough around the edges, less affectionate, and very rough and tumble most of the time. I love that Rintaro doesn't immediately fall into the stereotypical feminine and soft omega we usually see. He maintains his crass way of speaking, is still very much a meathead, and enjoys sparring with Varuna. While they aren't on equal footing in the sense of their status, they feel equal in how they treat and respect each other. It's so romantic how they can enjoy each other's company beyond the sex (though that is a huge part of it), and Varuna encourages Rintaro's authentic self rather than trying to shape him into a perfect partner. It feels like real love in that sense.
I would be remiss if I didn't bring up the corniness of the fights and the “declarations.” The battles are theatrical and shonen-esque, which adds a layer of corn to everything. An example is when Dolga, a neighboring country's prince, decides to fight Varuna for Rintaro. To initiate the duel, Dolga throws his glove at Varuna's feet and says, “I challenge you to a duel! For the right to Rintaro's heart!” It feels very soap opera in that way. Of course, Varuna follows it up by dramatically holding out the glove and accepting the duel. I imagine some people really love this drama and the intensity of it, but it's just not my cup of tea. I like fantasy fights and relationship drama as much as the next gal, but I prefer subtlety over the loud variety.
Unfortunately, this omegaverse has no mpreg or child-rearing, one of my favorite parts of this setting. As much as they have sex, I figured we'd get at least a scare, but none to be found here. Some people don't like omegaverse for the potential of children, though, so if you're looking for an omegaverse without the element of children, look no further. Since we don't have to worry about pregnancy, the focus is on building the relationship, the political struggles, and a bit of world-building. As with most short-form fantasies, I really wish it had been longer to build out more of the fantasy world, but what we do see is very pretty and interesting. That, though, almost makes it more disappointing since we don't see much more of it.
Results:
This is very mid to me. It just doesn't tick as many boxes as I typically like in omegaverse or BL. I do think some would really enjoy this, especially with how absolutely in love Varuna and Rintaro are, but it had a lot to be desired for me. There is lots of sex, but with some of the faces they make, it's hard to enjoy it. It's a good way to pass the time, but not much more than that.
Have you read Delinquent Omega Belongs to the Beast King!? If so, what do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Do you not? Let me know, and comment below!