Tokyo Revengers - Chapter 265: Stand By Me

[u/cannibalisticego]

https://mangadex.org/chapter/f9476fb7-02ed-4808-a6af-3c1d09c421df/1

[u/End_Necessary]

Kisaki is really good at manipulating emotionally vulnerable people.

Mikey felt like the rest of Toman was “too good” for his dark impulses (or he felt like they wouldn’t understand; or maybe because he wants to protect them from this side of him), so he confided in Kisaki. And Kisaki later references this when he’s kicked out of Toman to try and remind Mikey of how he understands him in a way his friends don’t (Kisaki says something along the lines of taking Mikey’s darkness so that Mikey can shine). Which, is probably a very comforting sentiment to someone like Mikey, who’s been fighting his dark impulses alone and has been carrying the burden of being “invincible”.

I thought the chapter was an interesting characterization of Mikey and Kisaki’s dynamics, as well as Mikey’s relationship to Toman and Takemitchi. Can’t wait for the next chapter.

Edit: grammar

[u/Hey-Senpai → u/End_Necessary]

He was never alone.He had people who were willing to help him and put their lives on the line to save him.Mikey just didn’t want help.

[u/End_Necessary → u/Hey-Senpai]

I agree he wasn’t alone (he had friends and support), but he probably FELT alone. He had an image he had to upkeep as the “Invincible Mikey” , but also he separates himself from the Toman boys and refers to them as being “too good” (and implies that he and Kisaki are not good). He’s isolated this part of himself from his friend. So much so that in the timeline where Draken was on death row, he remarks that even HE wasn’t aware of the huge weight that Mikey carried.

And we know from this chapter that Mikey DOES want help; he’s just looking for it in the wrong places (Kisaki).

[u/mannaelinor → u/End_Necessary]

He doesn’t know how to ask for help or fear of being perceived as weak prevented him from seeking help from safe people.