A sweet shojo manga series first volume, the tone set: The title reveals the achey, unrequited love foundation, with four mcs all achingly and mutely A sweet shojo manga series first volume, the tone set: The title reveals the achey, unrequited love foundation, with four mcs all achingly and mutely wanting and not knowing how to get. Lovely dreamily watercolored cover. So hard to speak one's barely articulated desires! I like the spare sweet drawing, the slice-of-life feel to the characters, not goofy or silly or mean, but nice; you want at least some of these arrows to strike their mark! Or do you? Is the best part of romance the ache, the miss, or the bullseye consummation?...more
The surprisingly abrupt but nevertheless satisfying conclusion of this four volume series set in a neighborhood drop-in center that seems to attract gThe surprisingly abrupt but nevertheless satisfying conclusion of this four volume series set in a neighborhood drop-in center that seems to attract glbtq kids. But it's run by an older gay guy, Tchaiko, who reveals the story of his partner, which has some sadness and also celebration in it. The first three volumes emphasize and encourage acceptance of identity fluidity and questioning and not knowing, but in this one you get some comfort in knowing that long term relationships can grow and prosper and provide much joy and beauty. One couple gets inspired to marry from the story.
In the third volume we had our hero Tasuku get conflicting messages from his crush Tsubaki. In this fourth volume he reveals to him that he is gay and gets support from him for this, but Tsubaki just doesn't yet know who he is. It's a process! One central character seems to be asexual, completely fluid, who in the end is flying, flying, riding on a cloud. Sweet and useful series!...more
An entertaining volume, especially if you are on the Komi-Tadano Romance Watch. The Komi family goes to an adventure resort and hey! the Tadano familyAn entertaining volume, especially if you are on the Komi-Tadano Romance Watch. The Komi family goes to an adventure resort and hey! the Tadano family is there too! When a storm has Kodano (Komi and Tadano!) in a cold and deserted cabin and just one blanket, how will they stay warm? And then there is a word game where the word kiss comes up. . . but don't get your hopes up.
So many new characters, as Komi needs to get to 100 friends. Manbagi (of the weird fashion and makeup choices) has a crush on Tadano, and as with so many in this series, can’t talk to him. A new character, Ase, has social anxiety because she sweats a lot, but will not become a fave character. Creepy Yanai returns, stalking Komi, speaking of non-fave characters. There’s a very funny flashback story on how Komi’s parents came to meet. Overall, a fun volume. ...more
Year two of high school and Komi's goal of 100 friends, a challenge as she has a communication disorder. That issue is well done here because, while iYear two of high school and Komi's goal of 100 friends, a challenge as she has a communication disorder. That issue is well done here because, while it is clear this is real for her, and others, there is a continuum of related characters in the series who also have trouble communicating due to shyness, being "wallflowers," and so on. Some are seen as tough but are actually social anxious, and so on.
In this one there is a fitness test in which Komi does very well, but it is not what happens so much as who: Rumiko Manbagi happens, who has a wild taste in fashion and wears weird makeup and talks in slang. She is new to the school so needs friends, and Komi steps in, even accepts a sleepover invite from her, her first ever!
But the big issue here is that Tadano helps Rumiko and so she likes him for this; will this become a romantic comedy?!
Komi bowling in a cat costume reveals some social progress, too.
The story with Tadano’s younger sister and Komi’s younger brother is fun.
So, this is an expected volume as we slow-burn our way to a possible romance (or disaster? nah. . ) between Komi and Tadano. Valentine's Day/White DaySo, this is an expected volume as we slow-burn our way to a possible romance (or disaster? nah. . ) between Komi and Tadano. Valentine's Day/White Day. So you might expect some actual clear romantic moves, but no, a chocolate can mean so. many. things, especially in ths series where so many people can't communicate. So we get anguish instead, though Komi is actually starting to talk more, developing a few more friendships (73 to go get to 100) to help her.
Katai is an interesting character who actually makes a connection with Tadano. Yamai's continuing crush on Komi is supposed to be adorably cute, but it seems a little creepy to me.
But what we all want to know: Will Komi actually be able to give her best hand-made chocolates to Tadano? We have to wait a long time to find out, but that is part of the humor and charm of the series. And then, what does it MEAN to get these chocolates??! Oh, she just thinks of me as a friend, ha ha. At this pace we can maybe expect one episode of hand-holding in volume 16 and a single kiss in volume 27. . .
A kind of slow and pretty uninteresting volume compared to others, but the world being built here is nevertheless over all very worthwhile reading. ItA kind of slow and pretty uninteresting volume compared to others, but the world being built here is nevertheless over all very worthwhile reading. It's a world where Komi, a girl with a communication disorder, is the central character; she has a goal, supported by her shy crush, Tadano, to make 100 friends (15 is the current count, so this is going to be a long one). The over all point seems to be social anxiety as a cultural phenomenon, generally played for laughs, but it is nevertheless a very real social problem. How do you communicate if you don't use your words?
The joke is that Komi can't speak to anyone yet; she is seen as the prettiest girl in the school, and is revered as a kind of aloof Queen. Why she doesn't seem to be making any progress with communication with those she is becoming better friends with is a mystery. It's beginning to feel like something I associate with the autistic spectrum; not necessarily, of course. In contrast, Najimi is a kind of manic catalyst for Komi's social life, but she also seems to "like" Komi and can't tell her. Communication issue.
Then there's Katai, also a funny kind of tough guy who seems to scare everyone, but he also has social anxiety and no one seems to know this. He has in the past expressed his social anxiety in anti-social, thuggish behavior, apparently. He wants to make friends, too, and is as anxious as Komi to do so, and almost as much challenged in figuring out how to do so.
Then there's new and not yet interesting characters, including Naruse the Narcissist, who has another communication problem, that he talks and doesn't listen!
Oh, yeah, the volume focuses on the class trip to Kyoto, which is. . . you know, a class trip, okay! Pretty standard class trip fun, but not that memorable to me....more
Last volume was Thanksgiving, so this one is Christmas and New Year's. The catalyst for action is always the energetic (manic?) Najime, who announces Last volume was Thanksgiving, so this one is Christmas and New Year's. The catalyst for action is always the energetic (manic?) Najime, who announces a Christmas party AT Komi's house, which also happens to coincide with Komi's birthday! But for someone with social anxiety disorder, to host a group at her house! Yikes!
So she has to buy a gift, and requires her (also quiet, shy) brother to go along to the mall, which is, as with her quiet Dad, a comical and sweet occasion. How to accomplish life with as little talking as possible?! There's a family gathering, playing cards with Grandma, snowman building, snowball fights, ice skating. And new shy guy Katai tries to work his way into friendship with Komi and Tadano....more
I liked this volume more than the previous two. So the culture festival is over, so they all go out to karaoke, perfect for someone like Komi with a cI liked this volume more than the previous two. So the culture festival is over, so they all go out to karaoke, perfect for someone like Komi with a communication disorder, and her wallflower friend Tadano! What can go wrong. This volume also introduces us to a new "bad boy" character, Makoto Katai, nothing like Tadano and Komi, on the surface, but it turns out he also has social anxiety. When the three of them are together (not) talking, it's pretty funny. So this new situation is intriguing.
And Tadano and Komi get some time together, though neither will talk to each other, really, so how can a possible romance advance??!
Two great scenes: The cat cafe! And (communication disordered) Komi's Dad goes shopping with Komi. Very funny.
Volume five about Komi, who has a communication disorder, and her quest to make 100 friends as she is nearly mute. About her friendship with Tadano, hVolume five about Komi, who has a communication disorder, and her quest to make 100 friends as she is nearly mute. About her friendship with Tadano, her chief advocate who defends her against the charge of being aloof. She’s neurodiverse, and we get some insights throughout about how it is she might be suffering from social anxiety.
We take a close look at that anxiety in action at the shoujo-mandatory culture festival, where Komi’s class gets to perform a (French) “maid cafe” (which is also a common culture-festival choice). Trans character Najime asks the question of the hour with a wink to readers: “Don't you want to see Komi dressed up as a maid?!” So we’re implicated in this performance as voyeurs! And then, a girl becomes obsessed about wanting to see Komi’s underpants. Nadano dresses as a maid, too, so there are cross-dressing hijinks involving checking out Tadano’s constructed “breasts.” His classmates think that Tadano makes the cutest maid, and a new girl seems to want to befriend him, creating a little jealousy from Komi. So, there’s discomfort for Komi, and maybe another kind of discomfort for readers? Or not, I see, as dozens of readers love this volume and see it as just light-hearted fun. And much of it is!
Not much advancement on the friends goal, and we’d like to see more of Tadano and Komi alone (as they get outed by someone for being an “item,” to their embarrassment), but there's a lot to like here in Komi and Tadano and the focus on neurodiversity....more
The fourth volume about Komi, who is both sort of popular and also suffers a pretty disabling communication disorder. This volume features hijinks witThe fourth volume about Komi, who is both sort of popular and also suffers a pretty disabling communication disorder. This volume features hijinks with respect to a sports festival, eh. Komi's goal is to make friends with 100 fellow students but makes no new friends in this volume, so things slow down as we kinda (not too deeply) get to know some of the characters and as Oda tries out more of his comedic chops. It's a good series!...more
I dunno. Maybe this is really a 3 star book, there's not much here that distinguishes itself from other shoujo manga, school-based-stories, but it's mI dunno. Maybe this is really a 3 star book, there's not much here that distinguishes itself from other shoujo manga, school-based-stories, but it's my party, I'll laugh if I want to.
Komi Can't Communicate, Volume 3 is about a girl who social anxiety who has made a goal of making 100 friends. We have, predictably, final exams, summer vacation, beach scene, festival. Komi and Tadano meet outside of school but they share some awkwardness in sometimes seeing each other and not speaking. Relatable, for the thousands of people who have trouble communicating, sometimes to the point of paralysis.
I like that we get to meet Komi's family, especially loved the scene where she goes out with her Dad for shaved ice. You can see that some of what we assume are psychological tendencies may also be hard-wired, genetic, even neurological issues. But I like the peculiar mom and the grandparents, too. You see that kids who are socially shy with peers can be very verbal and relaxed and fun with family....more
Well, after eight volumes almost completely focused on the quiet interactions between Teacher and Shiva, they have now been significantly separated thWell, after eight volumes almost completely focused on the quiet interactions between Teacher and Shiva, they have now been significantly separated thanks to the self-less act of Teacher and Shiva's being captured. I am trying hard to write this without significant spoilers, but it was clear at the end of volume eight that Teacher might never be the same and that Shiva is in grave danger.
Shiva is captured by The Church and imprisoned while we receive a kind of overwhelming amount of information about how the Outsiders came to be; there's an assumption here that what is necessary to right the cosmic ship is to sacrifice the very soul of the little girl Shiva (that's right: The plan is to kill her; I won't say if that happens, but take a look and confirm that two volumes remain. . .).
There may be keys to this manga in the subtitle, "Siúil a Rún," the Irish/Gaelic song, which is to say that Nagabe thinks of her series as a kind of manga adaptation of that song. The title might be translated as "Go, my love," or "Walk, my love."
This is a translation of the chorus:
Come, come, come, O love/Quickly come to me, softly move/Come to the door, and away we’ll flee/And safe for aye may my darling be!
Well, there's been a lot of walking by Teacher and Shiva to flee the Bad Guys in this series. There're also verses such as:
I wish I was on yonder hill Tis there I’d sit and cry my fill Till every tear would turn a mill Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan. (translation: And may you go safely, my darling)
And then there's this verse:
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain, I wish I had my heart again, And vainly think I’d not complain And may you go safely, my darling
Here's a link to an analysis of the song, if you want to follow me down that particular rabbit hole:
As to getting all the backstory all in one volume, it's all a little startling. We have gone eight slow burn volumes with, a la fantasy, mostly mystery, mostly beautiful still drawings, as we get hints as to what is going on, but very few words as neither of them are big talkers. Then while we don't see Teacher in volume nine and Shiva is imprisoned we get all this talking from Men in the Church, explaining, in info dump fashion, and not for me all that clearly, how it is this world came to be and why they chased her down and captured her. I have to say I didn't like it much, because I couldn't still repeat the gist of what I read in less than two hundred words.
But the end features the biggest cliff-hanger of the entire series (so far), and it is very interesting. I do think I know what is happening and now we have to wait until late spring 2021 to find out. The drama! So, it wasn't a 5 star volume but it was remarkable in all the words and info and the cliffhanger, and you love that Shiva. ...more
Just sampling some manga based on Rod Brown's and Lauren's reviews. This is manga for girls, shoujo, based on a story of three friends, one of them boJust sampling some manga based on Rod Brown's and Lauren's reviews. This is manga for girls, shoujo, based on a story of three friends, one of them boy-crazy, and one of them (gulp) who seems to have a crush on the third girl but she doesn't want to mess up the great friendship they all have together! Ach!! Besides, what if my feelings for her are not reciprocated?! Cute, kind of manga manic. Passed on to middle school girl in this house....more
I hereby return to a series I started reading and liked a couple years ago. Non-binary writer/artist Yuhki Kamatani’s glbtq coming-out-and-growing-up I hereby return to a series I started reading and liked a couple years ago. Non-binary writer/artist Yuhki Kamatani’s glbtq coming-out-and-growing-up manga series, volume three, focused on Tasuku, who gets support from a neighborhood drop-in center, and when working with a house rehab group called Cat Clutter, meets his secret crush, who clearly likes him though says sometimes homophobic things, which of course complicates his feelings for said crush.
Well, we can pretty much guess how Mr. Crush may change his views over time, but what I really like about this series is the q-ness that (non-binary) Kamatani emphasizes, especially for young folks who just may not be sure who they are or what they feel or what the heck desire itself may itself be for them. Folks that drop into this center sometimes are pretty sure that they are gay and want to figure how to come out in, under uncertain family and social circumstances, but some folks are all over the place across a changing continuum.
This is the gift for some youth that is maybe less true of older (or younger) ages: the joy and anguish of gender/sexual identity. This series captures this flux so well. There's a favorite image that permeates the series, the idea of flying, leaving the deck of the neighborhood center and diving off the cliff and either soaring into joy or.... despair. Great series I'll try to catch up with. ...more
This is the thirteenth volume of this gorgeously rendered—in lush period costumes--alternative history set in the Edo period of Japan, wherein a largeThis is the thirteenth volume of this gorgeously rendered—in lush period costumes--alternative history set in the Edo period of Japan, wherein a large percentage of the male population had died out from the Red Pox, creating a huge shift in gender/power relations. At the conclusion of volume twelve Admirable Perry was arriving in Japan, signaling a huge shift in Japanese history, but at the outset of volume 13 we head back again to take a closer look at key events seventeen years earlier, as the cure for the Red Pox has been found, the male population is returning, and gender/power relations are also returning back to what they were, in some respects, to what had been the case before a roughly two century interruption.
There are things that bug me about this volume and the series: The translation that attempts to mimic medieval English and feels stilted; there are many pages in which the words drown out the images and many characters—and there are also SO many characters--are hard to distinguish from each other (thus requiring the guide to characters that opens the volume).
But on the whole, this truly is brilliant, a 5-star series, one of the greatest ever. With amazing art, sometimes jaw-dropping brutality and sexual politics. Not a kiddie manga, certainly. The series takes Japanese history and makes one teensy-weensy change and asks what impact that would make in Japanese society and history: What if women ruled the world? Her answers in the series are really interesting, and complex and entertaining.
This particular volume focuses on Sachiko, the daughter of the Shogun and heir to the shogunate. But she is also the victim of incest with the most powerful man in the region. The machinations to protect Sachiko that have her also emerge as an international power—and no longer be isolationist--is fascinating, and sometimes moving. There is also more sexual activity in this volume than we have seen for some time, some focused on Kagema—male prostitutes—some of whom dress as women. Who occupies the harem/brothel in a time of power? How does the population of those occupations shift as power relations shift? Another example:
“. . . and so it is today, the female courtesans of Yoshiwara are entertaining men wearing robes worn by male prostitutes servicing women--women copying men who were pretending to be women!”
“I see! You made that very easy to understand!”
But would things go back completely to patriarchy, after some of the good things (and bad things) Japan experienced with women in power for centuries? The story of Sachiko is one answer to this question. Ooku is one of the best examples of manga as an art form, period....more
Why in this time we are living in not read--when I personally am reading the late novels of Philip Roth on death and dying--a relatively short--13 volWhy in this time we are living in not read--when I personally am reading the late novels of Philip Roth on death and dying--a relatively short--13 volumes, which in manga-reading-time could mean a few short hours--a feel-good series emphasizing the virtues of love and friendship? Kawahara and Aruko's series is about an unlikely super large but so respectful and thoughtful guy--Takeo Goda--in love with Rinko Yamato, who thanks him for fending off a subway groper by baking him some sweets. Takeo assumes when he approaches her that he will fail to notice him--that would be typical--and instead see his bff and stereotypically gorgeous Sunakawa, but no! In this one nice people prevail.
Too cynical to read this sappy tripe, you say? I challenge you to check it out. This would be the one, if you want to try a happy contemporary manga shoujo series (typically read by girls, focused on romance). And (almost maddeningly) chaste! I read it with two of my middle school kids (who love it and rush to share it with me--Ooh, you have to read volume 12 right now, you'll be surprised!) and my summer YA graphic novels and comics class with a focus on kick-ass girls, the latter of which you may not generally find in romance. The shy Yamato is not Lara Croft or Ms. Marvel--she bakes!--but when it comes to asserting her own desires, she is not passive. And finally, neither is the shy Takeo.
The series ends a bit too abruptly--we could easily have lingered, in manga-time, two or three volumes, maybe more, in the process to the expected end--but it is a satisfying end, the end we expected and wanted. Maybe the real strength of the series is the close and enduring friendship maintained throughout between Takeo and Suna, though. Sweet! I'm serious! ...more
I very much like this John Wayne-style tribute cover, which follows other similar covers echoing western pop stars. I did not particularly care for thI very much like this John Wayne-style tribute cover, which follows other similar covers echoing western pop stars. I did not particularly care for the shallow Tanaka episode, where Tanaka wants to be friends with Suna just because he's handsome and could help him with popularity via social media. What I like about this volume is a surprising plot turn that I won't reveal, because it is a Big Deal, but I'll say the set up for the 13th and final volume is pretty dramatic. Gotta go! Have the 13th right here, and. . ....more
A rather slow entry in the series, where Yamato and Takeo continue their struggle with physical attraction while on separate but probably too long intA rather slow entry in the series, where Yamato and Takeo continue their struggle with physical attraction while on separate but probably too long intersecting field trips. Nothing much intimate actually happens, but I think the story could help younger readers reflect on what "liking" someone might come to mean. The reflections seem pretty honest and real as Takeo continues to struggle with how to be respectful to Yamato while also expressing his intensifying feelings. Yamato is flattered by this intensification, and actually hope for more. I like how they agonize how to talk about these things.
The second part of the volume deals with Suna hanging out with a new transfer student, which makes Takeo clarify to Suna that they are bff. The new guy is also cute, but probably as untrustworthy a friend as the the baker Ichinose was for Yamato. ...more
Three things happen in volume ten, finally. Ichinose the baker who sees Rinko as his "muse" wins his contest, makes a play for her again, and this "jeThree things happen in volume ten, finally. Ichinose the baker who sees Rinko as his "muse" wins his contest, makes a play for her again, and this "jealousy" arc is resolved, predictably. The third event is a bro-convo between Takeo and Suna, where Takeo, having resolved to be less dependent on Suna for decision-making, also becomes isolated from him. Thus Suna is a bit lonely! So they figure this out and commit to being bff, whew!
Third, maybe the most interesting issue, is Takeo's urge to touch Yamato! We are in volume ten, after all! Maybe a little touching might be appropriate?! Suna doesn't know how to advise his friend on this issue, but Takeo is resolved not to be a typical groping pervert. Rinko, however, would like to be touched a little, we find out. So what can we expect in volume 11?! Overall, this continues at a high level of cuteness/sweetness....more
I am not sure exactly who the cover art is alluding to; Sylvester Stallone in Rambo? Something like that, as he main conflict in this volume is betweeI am not sure exactly who the cover art is alluding to; Sylvester Stallone in Rambo? Something like that, as he main conflict in this volume is between Takeo and Ichinose, the pastry chef introduced in the last volume, who sees Yamato as his muse. Takeo just wants her to be happy, he says, but finally, he takes a stand (see cover art for hint at what stand this be for the gentle giant).
We saw in a couple earlier volumes how naive Takeo is when another girl is interested in him: He just doesn't see it happening though everyone around him does. Yamato here is similarly dense, Takeo observes.
I have one observation/query to reveal my ignorance: After several volumes, Takeo discovers his girlfriend's first name is actually Rinko. Is this a cultural issue or about their shyness? Takeo at the end of this volume still cannot utter her first name?!...more