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そらいろフラッター [Sorairo Flutter] #1
That Blue Sky Feeling, Vol. 1
First love may not be exactly what you expect.
When Noshiro transfers to a new school, he meets Sanada, a loner who doesn't seem to have friends--or want any. The other kids whisper that Sanada keeps to himself because he's secretly gay. But rather than scare Noshiro away, the rumor only makes him more interested. He sets out on a campaign to win over the surly Sanada, embarking on a surprising friendship.
When Noshiro transfers to a new school, he meets Sanada, a loner who doesn't seem to have friends--or want any. The other kids whisper that Sanada keeps to himself because he's secretly gay. But rather than scare Noshiro away, the rumor only makes him more interested. He sets out on a campaign to win over the surly Sanada, embarking on a surprising friendship.
258 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2017
23 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
October 23, 2020
I feel incredibly conflicted about this book. On one hand, the way it deals with casual homophobia is both realistic and surprisingly nuanced. All of the high school characters feel like real characters, even the unusually boisterous main character. And then Sanada's 26 year old ex-boyfriend shows up. It would be one thing if he only had the initial scene, but he just keeps showing up, and he displays a creepy amount of interest in the relationships between two high school students. I would love for there to be an older gay role model in this book, but did it have to be somebody who dates teenagers? It left a bad taste in my mouth. I want to continue the series, because the rest of it is so good, but I'm really uneasy about the role this much older character is going to end up having.
November 3, 2021
Age gap
The (albeit past)relationship between he 26 year old and the 16 year old should not be glorified at all. It came off as creepy and predatory in a book that’d have been fine otherwise
The (albeit past)relationship between he 26 year old and the 16 year old should not be glorified at all. It came off as creepy and predatory in a book that’d have been fine otherwise
July 13, 2018
I picked this up from Edelweiss (thanks Viz Media for giving me access) to determine if it was something I should order for the library. It is cute and sweet (not sweet as in "Cool" but sweet as in heart touching) and both main characters are likable. Even if someone does not like reading about gay love, it's pretty innocent, not too preachy and still something relatable. I think I'll be ordering for my library.
2018 challenge: a book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
2018 challenge: a book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
September 23, 2020
I get that some manga go with the teenage fantasy of hot for teacher or a teenager dating a thousand year old fantasy character, and that stuff doesn't bother me so much because it's clearly unrealistic wish fulfillment, but when you are writing a realistic slice of life that is constantly trying to deconstruct harmful tropes and then you put a pedophilic mentor in it it and say "yeah this is fine" sends a clear message that you legitimately want to portray this behavior as fine and that. is. GROSS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2019
I..... don't know how I feel about this. I am very conflicted. I need to sit a bit. Art is good.
Update after finishing 3rd vol: this series is not for me.
Update after finishing 3rd vol: this series is not for me.
December 21, 2018
Super freaking adorable!
August 3, 2018
This is a truly beautiful, thoughtful story about coming to understand yourself. The moment when Hide tells Noshiro that he's not weird, that he's a good person and has nothing to be ashamed of just because he has a crush on another boy is one of the most affirming statements I've read in YA literature, all the more so because it has no frills on it. That's a good descriptor for this whole book, really - it's a no-frills look at someone learning who they are and that whoever that turns out to be is okay.
Full review eventually appearing on ANN.
Full review eventually appearing on ANN.
January 18, 2023
pretty hard to rate
On one hand, it's a short series (3 volumes) dealing with being gay, getting over your prejudices and lack of knowledge, friendship, and discovering your sexuality. It's pretty well done.
On the other side, you have a 16-year-old who had a relationship with a man 10 years older than him and the ex is quite an important character in the series. Sadly, it's quite common to have a huge age gap in mangas. It's probably coming from the minimum age of sexual consent (13 years) and probably enjo-kōsai (guys paying girls, mostly teenagers, to go on dates with them, not necessarily for sex but it can be child prostitution in some cases yeah - I'm not an expert, but I've seen the trope in various stories). So yeah, from what I gathered, it's actually not that shocking to date a 26-year-old adult when you are not even 18 in Japan. Still, pretty uncomfortable to read, even though the guy is nice and helps the two protagonists a lot, he still likes them young so — creepy
anyway thanks for coming to my ted talk
On one hand, it's a short series (3 volumes) dealing with being gay, getting over your prejudices and lack of knowledge, friendship, and discovering your sexuality. It's pretty well done.
On the other side, you have a 16-year-old who had a relationship with a man 10 years older than him and the ex is quite an important character in the series. Sadly, it's quite common to have a huge age gap in mangas. It's probably coming from the minimum age of sexual consent (13 years) and probably enjo-kōsai (guys paying girls, mostly teenagers, to go on dates with them, not necessarily for sex but it can be child prostitution in some cases yeah - I'm not an expert, but I've seen the trope in various stories). So yeah, from what I gathered, it's actually not that shocking to date a 26-year-old adult when you are not even 18 in Japan. Still, pretty uncomfortable to read, even though the guy is nice and helps the two protagonists a lot, he still likes them young so — creepy
anyway thanks for coming to my ted talk
April 9, 2021
This was so cute! I picked it up because seeing a fatter character on cover intrigued me, and this is so precious. I love the friendship and will definitely be picking up the rest of the series ASAP!
Reread: this book brings me so much joy, okay?!! I love that Noshiro has Hide and the way he’s kinda helping Noshiro feel comfortable and secure. It’s a great example of an older gay man being mentor to young man figuring out his sexuality and figuring out his feelings for Sanada. I also just love the friendship between Noshiro and Sanada, and the way things are developing between them. This is truly such a sweet manga and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Reread: this book brings me so much joy, okay?!! I love that Noshiro has Hide and the way he’s kinda helping Noshiro feel comfortable and secure. It’s a great example of an older gay man being mentor to young man figuring out his sexuality and figuring out his feelings for Sanada. I also just love the friendship between Noshiro and Sanada, and the way things are developing between them. This is truly such a sweet manga and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
January 5, 2019
Really super cute m/m slow burn romance thing happening here.
Noshiro's an adorable, puppy-like hufflepuff who loves people and tries really hard to make everyone feel welcome and included, because he's changed school's a lot and knows how it feels to be on the outside. His exuberance is charming, but, like a big dog, sometimes he accidentally knocks people and things over. He becomes determined to be friends with the class loner, Sanada, who is rumored to be gay.
Much as I enjoy Noshiro, I really love Sanada. He's super withdrawn, and I felt so much for his situation. He wants to be left alone, to be allowed to be himself, but everyone constantly speculates and judges him because of those rumors. They're true, of course, but that shouldn't change the way anyone interacts with him. Even Noshiro does some really sketchy, homophobic stuff, although he takes criticism and immediately tries to improve his behavior. He's a sweet little introverted grump, and I adore him. Though I am a bit curious about his back story, because there's clearly some weird shit going on there since his ex-boyfriend is 26. (I like Hide but omg why are you so old, Hide?!?!)
Trigger warning for homosexual slurs. It was rather a lot, I felt, and, though it may be accurate for Japan idk, it felt a bit outdated to me now. However, it's all about that arc, going from unintended homophobia to true tolerance.
I'm totally on board this ship, and I wish all of the volumes were out because I don't want to waiiiiit.
Noshiro's an adorable, puppy-like hufflepuff who loves people and tries really hard to make everyone feel welcome and included, because he's changed school's a lot and knows how it feels to be on the outside. His exuberance is charming, but, like a big dog, sometimes he accidentally knocks people and things over. He becomes determined to be friends with the class loner, Sanada, who is rumored to be gay.
Much as I enjoy Noshiro, I really love Sanada. He's super withdrawn, and I felt so much for his situation. He wants to be left alone, to be allowed to be himself, but everyone constantly speculates and judges him because of those rumors. They're true, of course, but that shouldn't change the way anyone interacts with him. Even Noshiro does some really sketchy, homophobic stuff, although he takes criticism and immediately tries to improve his behavior. He's a sweet little introverted grump, and I adore him. Though I am a bit curious about his back story, because there's clearly some weird shit going on there since his ex-boyfriend is 26. (I like Hide but omg why are you so old, Hide?!?!)
Trigger warning for homosexual slurs. It was rather a lot, I felt, and, though it may be accurate for Japan idk, it felt a bit outdated to me now. However, it's all about that arc, going from unintended homophobia to true tolerance.
I'm totally on board this ship, and I wish all of the volumes were out because I don't want to waiiiiit.
June 24, 2019
First read: October 2018
Second read: June 2019
My only issue is that I don’t understand why it is such a common trope in manga where gay characters have these inappropriate relationships with adult characters (other than here, I’ve seen it in Aoi Hana/Sweet Blue Flowers and Classmates: Doukyusei). It’s just very squicky to me, as if these young characters having feelings for same-sex adults leads to a grooming-esque scenario from the adults in question. I just don’t like it.
But other than that I really do like this manga and look forward to seeing how the next two volumes go.
Second read: June 2019
My only issue is that I don’t understand why it is such a common trope in manga where gay characters have these inappropriate relationships with adult characters (other than here, I’ve seen it in Aoi Hana/Sweet Blue Flowers and Classmates: Doukyusei). It’s just very squicky to me, as if these young characters having feelings for same-sex adults leads to a grooming-esque scenario from the adults in question. I just don’t like it.
But other than that I really do like this manga and look forward to seeing how the next two volumes go.
November 21, 2020
TRÈS déçue. Cela aurait pu être un titre tout mignon coup de cœur mais la relation d'un ado avec un adulte est normalisé et même l'adulte se mêle de leurs histoires en donnant des conseils etc etc. Alors ok cet adulte de ~26ans est très gentil et sympa etc mais il n'empêche que je trouve dangereux le message qu'un adulte peut trouver des lycéens mignons, sortir avec, etc. S'il n'y avait pas eu cette relation passée et qu'il ai été là qu'en terme d'ami/mentor j'aurais moins été gênée
June 7, 2023
Creepy ass 26 year old grooming and messing around with 16 year olds and it's seen in a positive light. Yuck. Had I known this book had that shit I wouldn't have picked it up.
December 29, 2022
read in french, will be reviewed in french.
c'était une superbe lecture ! on y suit dai un jeune lycéen bien intégré dans son école qui rencontre un nouveau camarade, kô, harcelé parce que gay.
dai en apprend un peu plus sur les sentiments et surtout sur l'homosexualité grâce à sa rencontre avec kô. les a priori et l'homophobie sont discutés et dai se 'reconstruit'.
vraiment une lecture très sympathique. j'ai beaucoup aimé et j'ai hâte de lire la suite en passer plus de temps avec ce trio adorable !
c'était une superbe lecture ! on y suit dai un jeune lycéen bien intégré dans son école qui rencontre un nouveau camarade, kô, harcelé parce que gay.
dai en apprend un peu plus sur les sentiments et surtout sur l'homosexualité grâce à sa rencontre avec kô. les a priori et l'homophobie sont discutés et dai se 'reconstruit'.
vraiment une lecture très sympathique. j'ai beaucoup aimé et j'ai hâte de lire la suite en passer plus de temps avec ce trio adorable !
September 24, 2018
This was a super cute introduction to a story about acceptance and self discovery. I really enjoy the message this book is trying to spread and I can't wait to continue on with this series. I'm so gald I decided to pick up the first volume on a whim!
June 7, 2022
The sweetest, most awkward story of two young boys coming to terms with their own sexuality and the meaning of friendship. How they deal with rumors and thoughts of attraction would be relatable to manga readers, regardless of sexual orientation. A wonderful take on the slice of life storyline. So soft and wonderful.
-Reviewed by Kris H.
-Reviewed by Kris H.
August 7, 2021
More like 2 1/2 stars
It took me forever to get into this story. I didn't actually start enjoying it until it was almost over. The way the main character, Noshiro, forced himself (or his opinion) into situations that either didn't concern him or that he didn't fully understand annoyed me to no end. I know he always meant well but that still didn't make it right.
That older dude, Hide, was hella creepy. Was he just hanging around the school waiting for class to let out the first time he talked to Noshiro? The way he came out of nowhere and the actual questions he was asking him didn't feel right. And just why was he so concerned about what was going on between two high school kids anyway? Did he not have adult friends he could hang out with? And don't even get me started on how he tricked Noshiro into coming over to his house that night. The whole evening was weird and creepy and even though he did make Noshiro feel better it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
The art style kind was cute but it threw me off a few times. I know these are high school students but they looked more like they were in middle school. Also, it would have been better if they just talked normally. I get that the translator was trying to make the characters sound like teenagers but it was too much. Saying stuff like "like" and "you know" all the time gets incredibly distracting after a while.
Overall, it was a less than vanilla, supposedly funny, slow burn BL story that isn't necessarily my cup of tea, but not so bad that I refuse to read the next volume. I still want to see what develops between Noshiro and Sanada since, clearly, something will.
It took me forever to get into this story. I didn't actually start enjoying it until it was almost over. The way the main character, Noshiro, forced himself (or his opinion) into situations that either didn't concern him or that he didn't fully understand annoyed me to no end. I know he always meant well but that still didn't make it right.
That older dude, Hide, was hella creepy. Was he just hanging around the school waiting for class to let out the first time he talked to Noshiro? The way he came out of nowhere and the actual questions he was asking him didn't feel right. And just why was he so concerned about what was going on between two high school kids anyway? Did he not have adult friends he could hang out with? And don't even get me started on how he tricked Noshiro into coming over to his house that night. The whole evening was weird and creepy and even though he did make Noshiro feel better it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
The art style kind was cute but it threw me off a few times. I know these are high school students but they looked more like they were in middle school. Also, it would have been better if they just talked normally. I get that the translator was trying to make the characters sound like teenagers but it was too much. Saying stuff like "like" and "you know" all the time gets incredibly distracting after a while.
Overall, it was a less than vanilla, supposedly funny, slow burn BL story that isn't necessarily my cup of tea, but not so bad that I refuse to read the next volume. I still want to see what develops between Noshiro and Sanada since, clearly, something will.
September 4, 2021
A generally cute book up until the reveal that Kou (the 11th grader gay boy) used to be in a relationship with a 26 year old man.
What’s worse is that ever since he’s introduced, he meddles into these teenager’s lives, even going so far as to trick the main character into going to his apartment. Nothing bad happened, and he just took him over to talk in private, but he lied to the protagonist to get him that far. That’s creepy?? He even gives his phone number to the boys and talk back and forth with them. This creepy age gap is completely normalised as what gay people do, which is incredibly harmful.
I read this book fresh off of Shimanami Tasogare, so while I’m at it, Noshiro is exceptionally rude to Kou. Asking invasive questions, ignoring Kou’s requests to leave him alone, and hugging/tackling/touching Kou without his consent. His perky “I just want to get to know him” attitude is so belittling.
This book has been touted for “not being fatphobic” but there’s a couple of fatphobic comments in this volume.
I want to keep reading for the blossoming relationship between the two main boys, but the creepy 26 year old butting into their lives thing just ruined everything about this.
Read Shimanami Tasogare or at the very least, My Brother’s Husband instead.
What’s worse is that ever since he’s introduced, he meddles into these teenager’s lives, even going so far as to trick the main character into going to his apartment. Nothing bad happened, and he just took him over to talk in private, but he lied to the protagonist to get him that far. That’s creepy?? He even gives his phone number to the boys and talk back and forth with them. This creepy age gap is completely normalised as what gay people do, which is incredibly harmful.
I read this book fresh off of Shimanami Tasogare, so while I’m at it, Noshiro is exceptionally rude to Kou. Asking invasive questions, ignoring Kou’s requests to leave him alone, and hugging/tackling/touching Kou without his consent. His perky “I just want to get to know him” attitude is so belittling.
This book has been touted for “not being fatphobic” but there’s a couple of fatphobic comments in this volume.
I want to keep reading for the blossoming relationship between the two main boys, but the creepy 26 year old butting into their lives thing just ruined everything about this.
Read Shimanami Tasogare or at the very least, My Brother’s Husband instead.
December 17, 2023
Este primer volumen fue todo lo que 青のフラッグ 1 Ao no Flag 1 y 10th - Drei Freunde, eine Liebe 01 quisieron ser, pero no pudieron. La historia promete una banda y no puedo esperar a que salga el segundo volumen para leer cómo continúa la historia.
4 de 5 estrellas.
4 de 5 estrellas.
November 15, 2020
Not sure how I feel about this quite yet, but I think I like the way the story is going. I also like that the main character looks different than the typical pretty boy look. I love the pretty ones, but it's nice to get a change. Although, I wish all the characters didn't look so much younger than they are, but that's just the art style.
May 9, 2019
Ehhh. It gets better as the book continues.
August 7, 2021
Tried reading it twice but felt the story wasn’t for me….
April 15, 2021
I really LOVED this.
It’s funny, sweet and while there is (possibly a romance) developing, I love that it focuses on friendship. I’m very excited to read volume two!
It’s funny, sweet and while there is (possibly a romance) developing, I love that it focuses on friendship. I’m very excited to read volume two!
September 23, 2019
It's not unusual to see a younger (teen) and an older (adult) guy as a couple (well, ex-couple in this case) in manga and sometimes, while it's still questionable, it works and sometimes it's just creepy. In this case, it's creepy.
I don't know what it is exactly but the story doesn't quite work for me... I already read volume 2 and I'm still not sure about it. But I will read volume 3 to see how the story ends.
I don't know what it is exactly but the story doesn't quite work for me... I already read volume 2 and I'm still not sure about it. But I will read volume 3 to see how the story ends.
June 13, 2021
I read this in one sitting and was ready to dnf it. The characters did have any development. Yamamoto was literally existing to develop Kou and Noshiro. Hide was thankfully nice but his character concept was weird; he felt like that older-aged, questionable character that seemed too invested with the kids. The manga also felt like it was trying to have meaningful representation but it didn't execute it well. In every way, the manga felt shallow.
April 13, 2022
I would have liked this more but the character of Hide made me uncomfortable. He is a 26 y/o man who dated a teenager (the main characters are in 11th grade and he was an ex-boyfriend). He also starts to take them under his wing, bring them home, and I just felt like the character and relationships are completely inappropriate. Since they made Hide pretty prominent it kind of ruined the whole book for me.
May 23, 2018
This is so good. I loved it and cannot wait to get the next volume.
October 13, 2018
The decade older ex-boyfriend was on the creepy side for me....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews