I have to agree. But the problem with the plot is much worse than just forumlatic writing, but also vast amounts of unfortunate implications.
Firstly, how the series treats female characters. Lilith, Gloira, and Yvette are written more as obstacles to the yaoi hookups rather than actual people, and are considered to be bitches by either the story or the fans for having the entirely reasonable desire for the men in their lives to treat them with some respect. I honestly feel sorry for all of them, because if the offical couples end up happening, they're all going to get screwed over.
Secondly, the main couple of Linneus and Atros is worse than just a Bastard Boyfriend/Uke relationship; it is an honest-to-god abusive relationship. Atros treats Linneus with such cold-hearted contempt that no amount of 'my daddy beat me' can possibly redeem the character, and Linneus just takes all the abuse like a wounded puppy. Like Twilight, if this was written straight-up it could have been deeply tragic, but we're supposed to find it romantic and we know that they're going to end up together. I can forsee no way for the writers to undo the immense damage they've already inflicted on their OFFICIAL couple in order to make it work without ignoring the abusive undertones.
(Not to mention that half the cast are essentially slaves, which brings obvious problems in terms of consent and power-imbalance. I doubt the story will ever address these.)
Somehow, this is a romance comic that makes me hope that NONE of the supported couples ever happen, because all that will do is hurt good people and benefit horrible people.
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Outstanding Art, Unremarkable Plot
Teahouse exists in two formats: the M-rated webcomics and the X-rated printed version that features generous amounts of explicit sex scenes. And, let's be honest, it is mostly notable for the incredible quality of the artwork. The amount of details put in each scene is just amazing... and that's pretty much the best thing about this series all in all.
Despite being perfectly designed, the characters are pretty generic: an aloof Bastard Boyfriend who Cannot Spit It Out; a dainty, awkward,extremely effeminate Love Martyr/Unlucky Childhood Friend supposed to elicit woobiness; a brassy Tsundere; a blue-haired Deadpan Snarker who is royalty; a Naive Newcomer; the bitch that keeps the main couple apart; a non-threatening Dojikko... Also, a mere Gender Flip alone isn't enough to make an interesting character: Argent is clearly a stoic, protective male character inside a female character's body and Linneus is a clumsy, shy and fragile teenage girl in the body of a boy. A terribly classic trick used by writers to ward off accusations of sexism towards the controlling Xanthe if Linneus was female, so that the audience can still fantasize about a Bastard Boyfriend without feeling guilt over it. Too blatant.
As for the plot itself, the writers/artists (known as Emirain and CC) have unveiled the ending of the main plot (ie the Linneus/Atros relationship) in one of their livestream conferences... Sloppy move. If there ARE a few brilliant plot twists and some humor, the whole thing is highly soap-opera-ish (the Atros/Linneus/Gilder Love Triangle in particular), unrealistic (whorehouses were hardly that pristine), contains many Teen Drama elements (the setting could very much be High School) and, as such, comes across as very unimaginative and formulaic. A Love Dodecahedron alone doesn't make a great plot. Aside from the aforementioned Love Triangle and its UST, there is no conflict of note aside from tangled relationships and sex-related problems.
In conclusion, Teahouse is remarkable for the quality of the artwork but the plot is too formulaic to keep us hanging on for real. It's still enjoyable but hardly unforgettable.