Webtoon Spotlight

Spotlight#182: Revealtions of Eros

Have you ever wanted to just ... let it all out? If so, then you've come to the right place. I know it's been a while (sorry), so for this new era, complete with a brand new cover, we're back with one of the most significant clusters of spotlights yet! First up is Revelations of Eros by AkumaYoru and E.A!

Summary

Based on a true story, we follow Eros, a young man who's been hardened by a harsh life in the streets of Mexico. Years later, after being saved on the streets by someone he considered a brother, Eros, he could attend college in the States. The original plan was to lie low and get his diploma. Until "they" came along. Whether it was fate or luck, Eros crossed paths with people who wouldn't leave his side. Friends who'll help reveal aspects of himself he never knew he had.

Eros: Our titular character, Eros, is a troubled young man who suffers from depression and self-loathing ever since losing his family at a young age. He developed a strong commitment to the Christian faith to cope. Eros is irritable, antisocial, and wistful 9 out of 10 times. After meeting Galen, though, his walls start to break down to reveal the sentimental man inside.

Emmet: Eros' roommate, Emmet, is often a happy-go-lucky jokester with a tendency to flirt (like the bisexual king he is). However, behind his faux smile is a man with many deep regrets. Regrets fill him with the same self-loathing Eros has.

Galen: The second "friend" Eros makes, Galen serves as his polar opposite. His history in homeschooling and rich background have made Galen, at times, a naive pushover who is too nice for his own good. He's always eager to find ways to help others and make people feel included. Both can make up for the other's shortcomings through his interactions with Eros.

Tori: A certified tomboy, Tori is, as described by Eros at times, a "little shit." She's incredibly protective and forgiving of those who she considers friends. While her friend Naliah, after meeting Eros, tends to break through his emotional walls.

Naliah: The most emotionally resonant person in the group, Nailiah is a very kind and humble soul who is wise beyond her years. She's the type to know exactly what the way is and can sometimes use tricks or simple questions to help people through their problems.

Summary

So, unlike most spotlights, ROE was recommended to me by a friend, and to that person, if they read this, I say thank you. After absorbing much of the paranormal and high sci-fi, returning to a slice of life was refreshing. And what a refreshing dive back into this was.

Unlike most of the webtoons I cover, though, this is mainly based on E.A.'s experiences and the anecdotes he gets from people. Thus, if a character or two you feel doesn't get touched upon for chapters at a time, you know why. This is aided by the impressive evolution of AkumaYoru's art over time.

The guy sells himself a little short in the author's note at the end of most chapters, but ROE has a lot of style. Characters often have personal colored speech bubbles with black and glitchy text all over them to show off their inner turmoil, and subtitles for characters speaking in different languages are nice touches. The series also isn't afraid to change its usual art style sometimes if it's in service of more introspective stories or just a funny meme. Either way, there's lots of creative direction here.

This doesn't mention the beautiful cover pages, patron requests, or ending skits. There is a lot packed into the pages. The cramped nature isn't reflected in the story, though. Each "chapter" of the story is packed into three-part assignments detailing a scene some characters go through. Speaking of that ... man, does everyone in this series need a big, long hug?

Through inklings of each character backstories ROE covers some serious subjects. Themes of survivor's guilt, anxiety, depression, and internalized hatred for all of them are all given time to breathe and get tackled. Eros is the most significant mark of this, starting secluded in his cloud of darkness before getting his perspective brightened by the other people in his life.

While every character here has something to work out about themselves (maybe even a revelation), this series shows the importance of having that unconditional support system. I've come to cherish that experience since I was in college, far away from my home.

Epilogue

Overall, if you want to read the digital version of a big warm hug, I highly recommend reading ROE. Life's been super hard lately, and while I'm still going through it, this series at least comforted me. It could do the same for you, alongside the other webtoons we intend to cover. In the meantime, you'll have to see where the spotlight takes us next.