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Girl Friends [ガールフレンズ] #3.5-5
Girl Friends: The Complete Collection 2
Super-cute and popular high school girl Ohashi Akko has transformed her new friend Mariko in more ways than one. Not only has she inducted Mariko into a circle of new friends and helped her overcome her shyness and sense of isolation, but both girls have awakened feelings they never knew they had.
In the course of their evolving relationship, Akko and Mariko have struggled against every emotional hurdle one would expect from a burgeoning romance between high school girls. One big question remains: are they ready to face the world as a couple?
In the course of their evolving relationship, Akko and Mariko have struggled against every emotional hurdle one would expect from a burgeoning romance between high school girls. One big question remains: are they ready to face the world as a couple?
496 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2008
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482 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 27, 2013
I think I'd seen a oneshot by Milk Morinaga once, and like the other oneshots in that anthology it was basically a bunch of silly reasons to show two girls randomly getting intimate. I never got into yuri because most of the times I'd tried picking something up, it seemed like it was that.
I ran across the complete collection of this series (volumes 1 and 2) at a bookstore and decided to give it a try. I'm really glad I did. I picked up the first collection earlier today, planning to just read a little and set it down, and instead I sat there reading through the whole series at once because I couldn't find a good place where I wanted to stop.
This is a series that does a really good job of showing friends falling in love with each other, including the hesitation, embarrassment, confusion, and uncertainty along the way. Even more so because they're both girls. It's made me want to read more yuri, because the slow love stories are honestly my favorite thing to read in manga. I'm so used to BL, where it's a rarity to find this sort of love story (since so often it jumps straight to sex or rape-is-love), so I enjoyed being able to read something that was closer to the way I felt when I was coming to grips with my own orientation.
I actually really liked all the characters in this series, and wanted them all to have happy endings. Tama-min, who's super otaku and unashamed about it, is particularly hilarious because she's always doing all these random things and is so gung-ho about it. There are some short little omake comics at the end of the second collection and for the most part they're really cute. (Although there's a super random one about one of them turning tiny, what in the world lol) There is also a male character who shows up at one point and he's such a sweetheart-- I felt bad for him going into it, because I thought there was no way it could end any way but badly for him, but overall I like the way everything was handled.
Akko and Mari, the two main characters, are both really cute and they're particularly cute together. There are some times of miscommunication between them but for the most part, the things that happened actually made sense and weren't super over-dramatic reactions to something that was stupid in the first place.
They also are really good for each other. As an example of something that was cute and funny,
Overall, I thought the series was really well done for the story it wanted to tell.
There's a lot of talk about makeup and clothing and diets, etc, which was on the border of something that might have bothered me a lot and sometimes is a pet peeve of mine. Not EVERY female on the planet talks about these things endlessly, after all.
But in the end it didn't bother me that much in this series. It didn't seem atypical for them to be so preoccupied by it given their personalities and the fact that some of them were single girls in an all girl high school, trying to figure out how to get a boyfriend or whether they needed one. Mari for the most part wasn't that way so that's probably a large reason why it didn't bother me; it was all stuff that was in the background with her largely oblivious.
That's pretty much how I was in high school, too, so it was another reason I appreciated her as a character. I mean, I even remember how I used to wear the things my mom got me and I'd never put any thought into wearing cuter clothes until I saw friends who wore whatever they wanted and looked great, then I had a period of time where I thought only they would look good in it and I would look terrible, and then I opened up to the idea of trying to copy them because I didn't know what else to do, and from there I eventually found my own style and have been happier since. Amusingly, now people say "Oh, I could never wear that" about me, and I tell them I once thought the same thing. It's a minor subplot but it was interesting because I'd forgotten about all of that until I read Mari going through the same thing, and it reminded me of when I came out of my own shell, too.
These might be further reasons why I gave this a high rating, because any time something can even somewhat accurately represent the way I have been at some point in my life, I really appreciate it since so often I feel like characters in series don't represent me at all.
I ran across the complete collection of this series (volumes 1 and 2) at a bookstore and decided to give it a try. I'm really glad I did. I picked up the first collection earlier today, planning to just read a little and set it down, and instead I sat there reading through the whole series at once because I couldn't find a good place where I wanted to stop.
This is a series that does a really good job of showing friends falling in love with each other, including the hesitation, embarrassment, confusion, and uncertainty along the way. Even more so because they're both girls. It's made me want to read more yuri, because the slow love stories are honestly my favorite thing to read in manga. I'm so used to BL, where it's a rarity to find this sort of love story (since so often it jumps straight to sex or rape-is-love), so I enjoyed being able to read something that was closer to the way I felt when I was coming to grips with my own orientation.
I actually really liked all the characters in this series, and wanted them all to have happy endings. Tama-min, who's super otaku and unashamed about it, is particularly hilarious because she's always doing all these random things and is so gung-ho about it. There are some short little omake comics at the end of the second collection and for the most part they're really cute. (Although there's a super random one about one of them turning tiny, what in the world lol) There is also a male character who shows up at one point and he's such a sweetheart-- I felt bad for him going into it, because I thought there was no way it could end any way but badly for him, but overall I like the way everything was handled.
Akko and Mari, the two main characters, are both really cute and they're particularly cute together. There are some times of miscommunication between them but for the most part, the things that happened actually made sense and weren't super over-dramatic reactions to something that was stupid in the first place.
They also are really good for each other. As an example of something that was cute and funny,
Overall, I thought the series was really well done for the story it wanted to tell.
There's a lot of talk about makeup and clothing and diets, etc, which was on the border of something that might have bothered me a lot and sometimes is a pet peeve of mine. Not EVERY female on the planet talks about these things endlessly, after all.
But in the end it didn't bother me that much in this series. It didn't seem atypical for them to be so preoccupied by it given their personalities and the fact that some of them were single girls in an all girl high school, trying to figure out how to get a boyfriend or whether they needed one. Mari for the most part wasn't that way so that's probably a large reason why it didn't bother me; it was all stuff that was in the background with her largely oblivious.
That's pretty much how I was in high school, too, so it was another reason I appreciated her as a character. I mean, I even remember how I used to wear the things my mom got me and I'd never put any thought into wearing cuter clothes until I saw friends who wore whatever they wanted and looked great, then I had a period of time where I thought only they would look good in it and I would look terrible, and then I opened up to the idea of trying to copy them because I didn't know what else to do, and from there I eventually found my own style and have been happier since. Amusingly, now people say "Oh, I could never wear that" about me, and I tell them I once thought the same thing. It's a minor subplot but it was interesting because I'd forgotten about all of that until I read Mari going through the same thing, and it reminded me of when I came out of my own shell, too.
These might be further reasons why I gave this a high rating, because any time something can even somewhat accurately represent the way I have been at some point in my life, I really appreciate it since so often I feel like characters in series don't represent me at all.
April 2, 2021
This was the first Shoujo ai manga, i have ever read. Just told the life of some highschool friends, i could never guess that it was so much fun to see how highschool girls hang out and what they talk about. lol It was a nice change of phase after all the manly man stuff, i'm usually into actually. It started out like highschool girls' lifes pretty much, like a slice of life series but later on, one of the female protogenists discovered her blossoming feeling towards her new best friend and we saw how they handled the stuation. It seemed her feelings were not just one sided. It was so sweet to read. There were no pervy stuff like fan service or fetish in the manga and i really appreciate that cause i didn't want to end up feeling like a creepy middle aged man who looked at panties of highschool girls... lol I was afraid that there would be some fan service because a friend of mine said to me shoujo ai and yuri were for men but there wasn't any fan service, YAY ! lol
To the defence of the manga; Mari and Akko taking nude photos at bath was so cute and fun they made silly poses and everything i don't consider that fan service. And yeah, they were at their undies at shopping at some point but it wasn't lascivious, i mean it was as lascivious as Tama min's sun burn because of her silly bikini... lol It wasn't sexy, it didn't certainly feel that way. No lewd vibe or anything. It wasn't like even every sex scene in films was to turn you on. It was just something people did so it was in the film or in this case in the manga as a slice of life stuation. I didn't consider them as fan service at all.
To the defence of the manga; Mari and Akko taking nude photos at bath was so cute and fun they made silly poses and everything i don't consider that fan service. And yeah, they were at their undies at shopping at some point but it wasn't lascivious, i mean it was as lascivious as Tama min's sun burn because of her silly bikini... lol It wasn't sexy, it didn't certainly feel that way. No lewd vibe or anything. It wasn't like even every sex scene in films was to turn you on. It was just something people did so it was in the film or in this case in the manga as a slice of life stuation. I didn't consider them as fan service at all.
August 6, 2017
This is so cute! Completely addicting. I liked the second volume a lot more than the first--there's less internalized homophobia in this, I think.
April 13, 2024
A pleasant teen romance -- a little more sex-positive than some -- wraps up with a quick run through some typical tropes: festivals, holidays, class trip, miscommunication, college decisions, etc. There's nothing surprising or innovative here, but it makes for a nice escape with some amusing moments.
FOR REFERENCE:
Omnibus edition containing the second half of Girl Friends Vol. 3, and all of Vols. 4 and 5.
Contents: Chapters 19-34 -- Final Chapter -- Extras [Extra Manga 1-9 -- Afterword for Vol. 3]
FOR REFERENCE:
Omnibus edition containing the second half of Girl Friends Vol. 3, and all of Vols. 4 and 5.
Contents: Chapters 19-34 -- Final Chapter -- Extras [Extra Manga 1-9 -- Afterword for Vol. 3]
July 28, 2017
omg
what a good ending
here, let me tell you a thing
about halfway through this volume the girls confess their mutual love to each other
and i froze on that page because there was a lot of pages left! please don't let the rest be contrived problems to fill up the space! HOW ABOUT ADORABLE DATING SHENANIGANS INSTEAD
guess what?
it was :D
4.5 stars
what a good ending
here, let me tell you a thing
about halfway through this volume the girls confess their mutual love to each other
and i froze on that page because there was a lot of pages left! please don't let the rest be contrived problems to fill up the space! HOW ABOUT ADORABLE DATING SHENANIGANS INSTEAD
guess what?
it was :D
4.5 stars
December 23, 2015
SO MUCH CUTE, I'M DYING FROM THE SWEET.
October 12, 2015
This series is just so sweet. They are the cutest, and how they become friends and girlfriends is just adorable.
I was so involved haha and that's a good thing!
I also loved that this collection (parts 4 and 5) are in Akko's POV, while the previous collection was in Mari's. I think that gives a really interesting twist on a love story.
One thing that was a little erroneous for me was the fact that the girls were so preoccupied with their weight at times. Not all girls are like this, and really, it's unhealthy. 16 year old girls should not be dieting and starving themselves. I think that perhaps the author should have turned that around and maybe talked about in the story. I asked my boyfriend, and he said that maybe it's just the Japanese culture where weight is an issue?
That is a theory at least.
I was so involved haha and that's a good thing!
I also loved that this collection (parts 4 and 5) are in Akko's POV, while the previous collection was in Mari's. I think that gives a really interesting twist on a love story.
One thing that was a little erroneous for me was the fact that the girls were so preoccupied with their weight at times. Not all girls are like this, and really, it's unhealthy. 16 year old girls should not be dieting and starving themselves. I think that perhaps the author should have turned that around and maybe talked about in the story. I asked my boyfriend, and he said that maybe it's just the Japanese culture where weight is an issue?
That is a theory at least.
March 30, 2015
The BEST YURI EVER! Everybody should read it! People that don't read it lose! And for the people that read it and loved: you should read more works of morinaga milk like Kuchibiru Tameiki Sakurairo, chocolate kiss kiss, wishing on the moon and Kuchibiru Tameiki Sakurairo 2 (if you read them read them in this order) they mostly tell about Nana and Hitomi (they are super similar to Akko and Mari :)) but there are also a few one shots about another couples!
January 23, 2015
This was a really sweet series and a wonderful ending. Everything felt true to the characters and right for their ages. I'm really happy that Seven Seas gave western audiences a chance to experience this story.
December 18, 2014
Even better than the first collection.
June 2, 2018
Cute cute cute is all I can say. I seriously loved this manga series. It was so adorable
September 26, 2017
This review is for both volumes.
The orginal five volumes have been published in the west in two omnibusses by Seven Seas Entertainment (who are doing a great job bringing manga to the west!), and I had as much fun reading them in print as when I read them online. Mangaka Morinaga Milk manages to combine adorable art with an in-depth story of two girls falling in love with each other.
Kumakura Mariko (Mari) is a shy, silent student who is at the top of her class, but has to do a make-up test because she was sick at the day of the first test. To her surprise, Ohashi Akiko (call me Akko) asks her if they can go home together. It turns out that Akko wanted to talk to Mari for a while, but never had the courage to approach her.
Mari agrees, and soon after, the two girls are inseparable best friends, and together with Akko’s friends Sugi-san and Tamamin (and later Tagushi and Kuno-san) they transform Mari to a fashionable, cute girl. Thus starts a journey through high-school, that will transform their lives.
The first two volumes focus on Mari, who delights in having friends, and a very close friend in Akko. She’s happy, but why does she get anxious about the upcoming class changes and the very real possibility of her and Akko ending up in different classes? And why does it bring her to tears when she imagines Akko getting a boyfriend? Mari is very confused about these strange feelings, but no matter how hard she tries to dismiss them, those feelings grow stronger and it culminates into doing something that changes her entire life.
Mari’s and Akko’s story is a long one, and in places it can slow down a bit, but the range of topics that the girls go through is quite extensive. Friendship, first love, career choices and what it means to be ‘Girl Friends’ (especially in Japanese society) are all seamlessly interwoven into the story. I think Girl Friends is a tribute to friendship, highschool and first love, and a must-read if you are considering trying out Yuri manga.
If I were to have one complaint, it would be that their third year as highschool students is squashed into a single (final chapter). There’s a hint of ‘where are they now’ but not nearly enough, in my opinion. The mangaka kind of acknowledges this, saying she had many more topics and characters she wanted to explore. But, a 5-volume yuri manga is something of an achievement in of itself, so I can be OK with it.
Although the series began in 2006, the art and the story are holding up pretty good. The only thing that gives away its age, are the flip phones.
Definitely recommended.
The orginal five volumes have been published in the west in two omnibusses by Seven Seas Entertainment (who are doing a great job bringing manga to the west!), and I had as much fun reading them in print as when I read them online. Mangaka Morinaga Milk manages to combine adorable art with an in-depth story of two girls falling in love with each other.
Kumakura Mariko (Mari) is a shy, silent student who is at the top of her class, but has to do a make-up test because she was sick at the day of the first test. To her surprise, Ohashi Akiko (call me Akko) asks her if they can go home together. It turns out that Akko wanted to talk to Mari for a while, but never had the courage to approach her.
Mari agrees, and soon after, the two girls are inseparable best friends, and together with Akko’s friends Sugi-san and Tamamin (and later Tagushi and Kuno-san) they transform Mari to a fashionable, cute girl. Thus starts a journey through high-school, that will transform their lives.
The first two volumes focus on Mari, who delights in having friends, and a very close friend in Akko. She’s happy, but why does she get anxious about the upcoming class changes and the very real possibility of her and Akko ending up in different classes? And why does it bring her to tears when she imagines Akko getting a boyfriend? Mari is very confused about these strange feelings, but no matter how hard she tries to dismiss them, those feelings grow stronger and it culminates into doing something that changes her entire life.
Mari’s and Akko’s story is a long one, and in places it can slow down a bit, but the range of topics that the girls go through is quite extensive. Friendship, first love, career choices and what it means to be ‘Girl Friends’ (especially in Japanese society) are all seamlessly interwoven into the story. I think Girl Friends is a tribute to friendship, highschool and first love, and a must-read if you are considering trying out Yuri manga.
If I were to have one complaint, it would be that their third year as highschool students is squashed into a single (final chapter). There’s a hint of ‘where are they now’ but not nearly enough, in my opinion. The mangaka kind of acknowledges this, saying she had many more topics and characters she wanted to explore. But, a 5-volume yuri manga is something of an achievement in of itself, so I can be OK with it.
Although the series began in 2006, the art and the story are holding up pretty good. The only thing that gives away its age, are the flip phones.
Definitely recommended.
June 2, 2013
I absolutely adore everything about this short series. Girl Friends is a sweet lovely story of two girls who start as friends but slowly discover what they feel is more than friendship.
Outgoing Akko has been eying shy bookish Maki eat lunch alone all semester and when she makes an offer of friendship Maki is a little surprised but happy. Akko helps Maki transform from a wallflower into a cutie and before long the two girls are best friends. As time passes and Maki finds her feelings for Akko changing and growing, it's so sweetly handled. She get's jealous when she thinks about Akko's past boyfriends and feels sad when they're apart, just like when you first begin to fall in love.
When they finally come together it's magic-it feels right. A young love full of yearning, tenderness, uncertainty, it's all so new and fragile. How can your heart not race when Akko makes her declaration of love to Maki?
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It needs to be said that this story is not for everyone as it has adult themes and a same sex relationship but if you are looking for something salacious you will not find it here. There are some sexual scenes but they are lovingly and beautifully done.
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There was so much to love about this series-from the art to the sweet and tender story. I will be saving my pennies to purchase copies for my own personal library and that's saying something because I buy very few manga and this series is a keeper!
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Buy this title at Powells Books.
Outgoing Akko has been eying shy bookish Maki eat lunch alone all semester and when she makes an offer of friendship Maki is a little surprised but happy. Akko helps Maki transform from a wallflower into a cutie and before long the two girls are best friends. As time passes and Maki finds her feelings for Akko changing and growing, it's so sweetly handled. She get's jealous when she thinks about Akko's past boyfriends and feels sad when they're apart, just like when you first begin to fall in love.
When they finally come together it's magic-it feels right. A young love full of yearning, tenderness, uncertainty, it's all so new and fragile. How can your heart not race when Akko makes her declaration of love to Maki?
[image error]
It needs to be said that this story is not for everyone as it has adult themes and a same sex relationship but if you are looking for something salacious you will not find it here. There are some sexual scenes but they are lovingly and beautifully done.
[image error]
There was so much to love about this series-from the art to the sweet and tender story. I will be saving my pennies to purchase copies for my own personal library and that's saying something because I buy very few manga and this series is a keeper!
[image error]
Buy this title at Powells Books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2016
**4.5**
This series perfectly captures the awkwardness, confusion, excitement, and apprehensions of falling in love with your best friend. All the characters are distinct and fun, and just like the first collection, I read this second collection in one day. I enjoyed the second collection a small notch less than the first collection (hence the 4.5), but more so because I was anxious to see them finally talk it out, not because there was any less quality in this second half of the series. I loved the pacing, and the story progresses so simply and naturally. There are no ridiculous drama scenes that complicate the progression. The complexity of the growing relationship itself is the only thing that really causes conflict, and I really appreciated that. The ending was absolutely perfect, and the art is really fantastic in the whole series!
This series perfectly captures the awkwardness, confusion, excitement, and apprehensions of falling in love with your best friend. All the characters are distinct and fun, and just like the first collection, I read this second collection in one day. I enjoyed the second collection a small notch less than the first collection (hence the 4.5), but more so because I was anxious to see them finally talk it out, not because there was any less quality in this second half of the series. I loved the pacing, and the story progresses so simply and naturally. There are no ridiculous drama scenes that complicate the progression. The complexity of the growing relationship itself is the only thing that really causes conflict, and I really appreciated that. The ending was absolutely perfect, and the art is really fantastic in the whole series!
April 11, 2016
A solid 3 stars for this one. I enjoyed watching Akko's angst about what was happening and it was lovely when they finally got themselves sorted out.
The only thing that disappointed me was the end. Maybe confused is a better word. One minute they were starting 3rd year then I turn the page and they are graduating... I am a little sad that the photo of the Akko and Mari is hidden in the back of her phone.
The only thing that disappointed me was the end. Maybe confused is a better word. One minute they were starting 3rd year then I turn the page and they are graduating... I am a little sad that the photo of the Akko and Mari is hidden in the back of her phone.
May 15, 2017
I so loved this series. I'm so sad that I finished it. I really wanted more from these two. Totally sweet story and love happy endings :3
June 17, 2017
Ahhh, it's so cute~~!! I love how Morinaga tells her stories. They're always so good and cute and deal with so many feelings.
July 8, 2018
Love this book just for the conversation between Mari chan and teacher. A very heartfelt conversation about love and the effort it takes to keep it living.
March 20, 2019
This book is very love.
December 19, 2024
"... I hope everyone finds happiness."
Haha, not me crying openly.
One of my favorite comfort reads. Everything I said about the first volume goes for the second. I shouldn't love it at all, and yet I love it so much: the sweetness, Morinaga-sensei being an otaku perv in the extras (drawing everyone in cosplay or slightly fetish-y outfits, giving Akko the mini treatment), everything.
There's even a message in there, about never knowing where the future can take you, and only knowing who or what you want to commit to. That even if it isn't easy, you're willing to work hard.
It's all encapsulated, for me, in that penultimate shot of
That's probably the scene that garners this series the "queer as in fuck you" tag. Yuri can be just as much escapism as BL and danmei, which don't usually get that tag. But Girl Friends is not just delightfully ordinary about life, save the queer romance, but honest: there will probably be struggles, as a result of their choices. It doesn't mean there isn't also incredible happiness.
And in that way, it insists, it is a very ordinary love story, after all.
Haha, not me crying openly.
One of my favorite comfort reads. Everything I said about the first volume goes for the second. I shouldn't love it at all, and yet I love it so much: the sweetness, Morinaga-sensei being an otaku perv in the extras (drawing everyone in cosplay or slightly fetish-y outfits, giving Akko the mini treatment), everything.
There's even a message in there, about never knowing where the future can take you, and only knowing who or what you want to commit to. That even if it isn't easy, you're willing to work hard.
It's all encapsulated, for me, in that penultimate shot of
That's probably the scene that garners this series the "queer as in fuck you" tag. Yuri can be just as much escapism as BL and danmei, which don't usually get that tag. But Girl Friends is not just delightfully ordinary about life, save the queer romance, but honest: there will probably be struggles, as a result of their choices. It doesn't mean there isn't also incredible happiness.
And in that way, it insists, it is a very ordinary love story, after all.
January 6, 2022
"Even if her smile isn't for me. Her sadness hurts more than my own pain."
While most of volume 1 was from Mari's perspective, since the kissing incident, the perspective's changed to Akko.
I like this approach. It first told of Mari's journey & growth until she developed and recognised her romantic feelings for her BFF, as well as her struggles. Post-kiss, we see Akko's own struggles reconciling everything, letting go of a bit of internalised heteronormativity, and waking up to her own feelings. Jealousy and distance help see that this happiness she feels just with Mari's presence is much more than platonic love.
The typical miscommunication ensues, especially with Mari believing she must suppress her feelings for Akko's comfort and their friendship, but HEA guaranteed! Their love is so pure, and they're ever growing. Lovely coming of age romantic comedy manga!
The side characters get into their typical shenanigans and provide plenty of comic relief.
CW: Acephobia
March 2, 2019
The first half of this book made me go “AHHH!!!” while the second half made me go “Awwww”.
Devoured this in one sitting...however their story for us (the reader) ends at graduation. I’d love to have at least had an entire chapter dedicated to the “girl friends” post high school lives. Especially Mari and Akko!
The concluding thoughts spoken by Mari about her future with Akko and her friends and hopes for everyone to find happiness totally made me 😢 (*tearing up just thinking about it*). Pretty much every line of dialogue spoken by Mari and Akko about how each other feels towards the other made me tear up...especially towards the end.
The author’s afterword was very sweet as well. Will definitely be reading more of Milk Morinaga’s work!
Devoured this in one sitting...however their story for us (the reader) ends at graduation. I’d love to have at least had an entire chapter dedicated to the “girl friends” post high school lives. Especially Mari and Akko!
The concluding thoughts spoken by Mari about her future with Akko and her friends and hopes for everyone to find happiness totally made me 😢 (*tearing up just thinking about it*). Pretty much every line of dialogue spoken by Mari and Akko about how each other feels towards the other made me tear up...especially towards the end.
The author’s afterword was very sweet as well. Will definitely be reading more of Milk Morinaga’s work!
July 29, 2021
This was SO CUTE! I loved seeing Mari and Akko’s relationship progress and they had so many cute moments ahhh
It was nice seeing both of their perspectives and dealing with internal conflicts such as not wanting to ruin their existing friendship or dealing with their internalized homophobia. At the same time, I feel that some of the topics that were touched on (internalized homophobia, jealousy/trust, finding acceptance, labels, Akko’s strained relationship with her mom, etc.) weren’t really explored in depth which was a little disappointing. I also didn’t really like seeing the topic of body image brought up so much especially when these girls were already drawn to be thin.
But overall, this was a really sweet romance series!
It was nice seeing both of their perspectives and dealing with internal conflicts such as not wanting to ruin their existing friendship or dealing with their internalized homophobia. At the same time, I feel that some of the topics that were touched on (internalized homophobia, jealousy/trust, finding acceptance, labels, Akko’s strained relationship with her mom, etc.) weren’t really explored in depth which was a little disappointing. I also didn’t really like seeing the topic of body image brought up so much especially when these girls were already drawn to be thin.
But overall, this was a really sweet romance series!
June 4, 2023
4.00
I read this a few weeks ago so I can’t super remember my thoughts about it, but I think, like most romance series, that I liked this one more than the first complete collection. I remember there still being some negative discussions about the characters’ weights without a warning or anything, plus this one had more miscommunication than the last one. I liked Akko’s perspective but liked Mari less in this one. But somehow I liked it more I think? It doesn’t sound like I did but at the time I liked it more. Oh, and I was surprised that I liked hearing the side character with the long dark hair’s story. That was interesting. And I love the mcs being happy together.
용?
I read this a few weeks ago so I can’t super remember my thoughts about it, but I think, like most romance series, that I liked this one more than the first complete collection. I remember there still being some negative discussions about the characters’ weights without a warning or anything, plus this one had more miscommunication than the last one. I liked Akko’s perspective but liked Mari less in this one. But somehow I liked it more I think? It doesn’t sound like I did but at the time I liked it more. Oh, and I was surprised that I liked hearing the side character with the long dark hair’s story. That was interesting. And I love the mcs being happy together.
용?
October 8, 2024
truly a product of its time. my favorite part of this series was the emotional exploration that both girls have, individually and with one another, and watching them navigate feom being friends to being lovers. unfortunately, the inclusion of so many other things made this hard to stomach at times. from mariko kissing (assaulting) akko when she’s asleep to tama telling sugi that getting groped on a train is karma (??!!! what a dangerous idea to promote….) to the overall fatphobic content, this series had too many bad tropes to outweigh the generally good and enjoyable dyanamic and relationship between akko and mariko. maybe some people could overlook it, but i just couldn’t.
May 3, 2020
The sweetest collection (including collection 1, which I read before this) I’ve ever read?! 😭
I absolutely adore all of the characters and their differences, from their different personalities, hobbies, physical appearance, etc. The friendships feel so realistic and it made me wish I’d had a better experience in high school (although college was a great time so, I’ll shush).
It was nice to find a wlw media that I couldn’t 100% relate to, because it let me love it in a different way. Will definitely be buying my own copies of these!
I absolutely adore all of the characters and their differences, from their different personalities, hobbies, physical appearance, etc. The friendships feel so realistic and it made me wish I’d had a better experience in high school (although college was a great time so, I’ll shush).
It was nice to find a wlw media that I couldn’t 100% relate to, because it let me love it in a different way. Will definitely be buying my own copies of these!
April 15, 2023
A friend recommended this manga to me years ago, and I re-read it every now and then. Every few years, I give it a re-read, and I fall in love with it every time. Does it have flaws? Absolutely. Does some of the content age well? Not really. Do I still love it? Hell yes. I love that two friends fall in love and question their sexuality but, in the end, don't care cause they have each other. And though they kept their relationship a secret, it's implied their friends would be cool with them, and I love that for them. Love is love, after all.
March 5, 2018
A big flip in perspective in the second half of the story! How is Akko dealing with her new feelings? Do they get together? Both these questions and more are addressed in this volume, and I am sure that everyone will be satisfied by the ending!
It is filled with a lot of tropes, but they take on a new twist in this story. It's also pretty predictable, but the funny and heartwarming moments really make this an enjoyable read!
4☆
It is filled with a lot of tropes, but they take on a new twist in this story. It's also pretty predictable, but the funny and heartwarming moments really make this an enjoyable read!
4☆
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