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かぐや様は告らせたい ～天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦～[Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen] #15
Kaguya-sama: Love is War T15
Kaguya Shinomiya et Miyuki Shirogane n’arrivent plus à s’approcher l’un de l’autre depuis le final inopinément romantique du festival. Déclarer son amour n’était que l’épreuve la plus facile de la romance, finalement… Alors que le reste du monde profite de l’ambiance de Noël, les deux adolescents essaient de construire les bases de leur nouvelle relation. Hélas, le réveil de la Kaguya glaciale va perturber leurs plans…
228 pages, Pocket Book
First published July 19, 2019
50 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Aka Akasaka
96 books240 followersAKASAKA Aka
Name (in native language): 赤坂アカ
Zodiac: Virgo
Blood Type: O
Name (in native language): 赤坂アカ
Zodiac: Virgo
Blood Type: O
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 22, 2020
This volume wasn't as funny as previous volumes, yet made up for that for being emotionally strong and giving vital character growth to Shirogane and Shinomiya.
What I appreciated most about this volume was the messages of accepting yourself for all of your flaws and revealing your true self to someone, even if it's difficult. The first message seems cliched and overdone, but the fact is it's something that everyone struggles with, even adults. What was great about the way the messaged is delivered here, though, is that what you're accepting is not just that you have flaws, but you'll ALWAYS have flaws. There seems to be this notion (I blame popular media) that in order to "rise from your flaws," you're supposed to get rid of them entirely. Not only is this simply untrue, but it's also impossible. As Shinomiya acknowledges, those ugly parts of her personality will always be there, nothing can be done about that. What CAN be done, though, is try to become a better person to COMPENSATE for those flaws and try to learn from them. While the scene where she recognizes this may be trying to excuse her actions by explaining more of her upbringing, but for me what keeps it shy of doing so is her acknowledging that she WANTS to do better and SHOWING us how she still has work to do, but she's improving. It was a truly heartfelt scene that speaks to me personally and hopefully speaks to others as well.
The second message is more on the nose but not less important. Everyone puts on a mask to hide their "true" selves (or more accurately the "less appropriate" selves) and it's hard to remove that mask for fear of rejection. What I appreciate is that even though Shinomiya is willing to remove hers, Shirogane ISN'T until the end of the volume. And that is SO FUCKING REALISTIC. Not everyone, even lovers, are going to be willing to drop their guard even if it's for the one they love. I loved how one side was still struggling because both characters have been deeply scarred by problems in the past and it makes sense that one or both would be hesitant. It was made the scene where he did feel more triumphant and impactful because you still go to see him struggle and watch him finally overcome his fears. It was really well-done and I loved it.
I know some people would complain that it's taken so long for them to become a couple, but to me it's been well worth the ride. This series will definitely not be for everyone, but if you've made it this far I hope it's been as enjoyable for as it's been for me. Can't wait for volume 16!
What I appreciated most about this volume was the messages of accepting yourself for all of your flaws and revealing your true self to someone, even if it's difficult. The first message seems cliched and overdone, but the fact is it's something that everyone struggles with, even adults. What was great about the way the messaged is delivered here, though, is that what you're accepting is not just that you have flaws, but you'll ALWAYS have flaws. There seems to be this notion (I blame popular media) that in order to "rise from your flaws," you're supposed to get rid of them entirely. Not only is this simply untrue, but it's also impossible. As Shinomiya acknowledges, those ugly parts of her personality will always be there, nothing can be done about that. What CAN be done, though, is try to become a better person to COMPENSATE for those flaws and try to learn from them. While the scene where she recognizes this may be trying to excuse her actions by explaining more of her upbringing, but for me what keeps it shy of doing so is her acknowledging that she WANTS to do better and SHOWING us how she still has work to do, but she's improving. It was a truly heartfelt scene that speaks to me personally and hopefully speaks to others as well.
The second message is more on the nose but not less important. Everyone puts on a mask to hide their "true" selves (or more accurately the "less appropriate" selves) and it's hard to remove that mask for fear of rejection. What I appreciate is that even though Shinomiya is willing to remove hers, Shirogane ISN'T until the end of the volume. And that is SO FUCKING REALISTIC. Not everyone, even lovers, are going to be willing to drop their guard even if it's for the one they love. I loved how one side was still struggling because both characters have been deeply scarred by problems in the past and it makes sense that one or both would be hesitant. It was made the scene where he did feel more triumphant and impactful because you still go to see him struggle and watch him finally overcome his fears. It was really well-done and I loved it.
I know some people would complain that it's taken so long for them to become a couple, but to me it's been well worth the ride. This series will definitely not be for everyone, but if you've made it this far I hope it's been as enjoyable for as it's been for me. Can't wait for volume 16!
August 18, 2020
Kaguya is the vice president of their prestigious academy’s student council and she's in love with, Miyuki, the president, and he with her! BUT both are well aware that in love there is always a winner... and neither wants to be the "loser!" As both are geniuses and quite proud they spend each day laying in wait for an opportunity to get the other to confess without losing face... only Chika, their secretary and Ishigami, their treasurer, seem ready to innocently mess up their careful machinations.
In this volume of Kaguya-sama: Love is War vol 15 Kaguya is totally freaking out. Her personality is at war with itself. And Miyuki isn’t willing to break through his own shell to risk it all. I loved seeing the more vulnerable sides of our “too smart to be happy” students. Understanding their motivations is something we weren’t really allowed (other than the typical pride).
And in the end I really enjoyed what a milestone this turned out to be. Also the mangaka used a boy’s natural cluelessness to such good effect. The way gender roles define our couple but also keep the characters fresh at the same time is quite intriguing. And, of course, it makes for a hilarious volume.
The art wasn’t really my thing when I first started this series but I really like it now. It gives the entire series a certain style that suits it. While this is written for a man’s taste there is a lot a women reader would enjoy too without being heavy on romance.
A high school series unlike most high school manga! A must read series.
In this volume of Kaguya-sama: Love is War vol 15 Kaguya is totally freaking out. Her personality is at war with itself. And Miyuki isn’t willing to break through his own shell to risk it all. I loved seeing the more vulnerable sides of our “too smart to be happy” students. Understanding their motivations is something we weren’t really allowed (other than the typical pride).
And in the end I really enjoyed what a milestone this turned out to be. Also the mangaka used a boy’s natural cluelessness to such good effect. The way gender roles define our couple but also keep the characters fresh at the same time is quite intriguing. And, of course, it makes for a hilarious volume.
The art wasn’t really my thing when I first started this series but I really like it now. It gives the entire series a certain style that suits it. While this is written for a man’s taste there is a lot a women reader would enjoy too without being heavy on romance.
A high school series unlike most high school manga! A must read series.
February 8, 2024
Sobbing 🥹😭 this volume was everything that I wanted out of the Love Is War series. I loved how chapters 146 & 147 were like a deep dive into the psyches of Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane - even though it was a lot that we already knew about the characters and their personality traits, it was an emotional read to have them admit to their flaws that have been holding them back from admitting their love for one another.
August 5, 2020
The theme and romance plot of this volume remind me a lot of Kare Kano, a shoujo manga series from over 20 years ago. (One can only hope this series doesn't devolve the way KareKano did after .) The execution's mildly clunky, in places; for example, our narrator tells us that , which I don't think you'd need to be long-term manga reader to understand without that extra explanation. On the other hand the "Christmas eve romance" trope is upended with a twist that surprised a genuine laugh out of me. When this story is funny, it's very funny indeed. :)
The main plot of this series was leading up to this point (or actively avoiding it for some time), so I'm curious where it'll go from here. More drama surrounding plans for college is coming, I expect.
The main plot of this series was leading up to this point (or actively avoiding it for some time), so I'm curious where it'll go from here. More drama surrounding plans for college is coming, I expect.
May 6, 2024
-4 stars-
Chapter-wise breakdown and detailed review of Volume 15 :
Chapter 142: Regarding Kaguya Shinomiya, Part 4 - Kaguya, the ice-queen version, is out to play and I'm on the edge of my seat with nervous excitement!
Chapter 143: Kaguya Wants to be Noticed (Ice) - Haha this was a funny one. Perfume to get his attention? Really Kaguya? You adorable queen!
Chapter 144: Kaguya Wants to Confide (Ice) - The two clueless lovers talk to other people to make sense of their budding romances rather than talking to each other like normal rational people. But of course, love has drained them of any normalcy or rationality. Agh.
Chapter 145: Kaguya Wants to Eat (Ice) - Ahh this chapter brought back so many memories from the beginning of this manga and the story of these two. Shirogane's lunch box is really something though.
Chapter 146: Our Personas (Kaguya, Part 1) - Sitting next to Shirogane's hospital bed, our queen of woe-is-me does some soul searching and I don't know how I feel about the way this story seems to be progressing.
Chapter 147: Our Personas (Shirogane, Part 1) - Shirogane and his insecurities! I swear I don't see why this boy does not already know how perfect and awesome he is!!!!
Chapter 148: Kaguya Wants to Confess (Ice) - The two finally understand a bit about why the other is as troubled as they are and hopefully, things will progress in the right direction or I swear I would feel I wasted my time with FIFTEEN VOLUMES of this stuff!
Chapter 149: Kaguya Thinks It's Fine - Christmas at Fujiwara's house! Christmas and gift-giving! Yay!
Chapter 150: A Normal Romance - Shirogane and Kaguya in a park! On Christmas eve! Together! Just the two of them! My heart! Myheartmyheartmyheaaaaarrrrrtttttttt!
Chapter 151: The First Kiss Never Ends - I loved the ending of this volume! I did! It's as if the writer knows that my obsession with these two is dwindling (kidding, that could never happen) or that my patience is running thin (yep, that surely happens) and I finally get some much needed crumbs where Kaguya and Shirogane behave like two newly dating teens should. All cute and shy and adorable! I love it!
Chapter-wise breakdown and detailed review of Volume 15 :
Chapter 142: Regarding Kaguya Shinomiya, Part 4 - Kaguya, the ice-queen version, is out to play and I'm on the edge of my seat with nervous excitement!
Chapter 143: Kaguya Wants to be Noticed (Ice) - Haha this was a funny one. Perfume to get his attention? Really Kaguya? You adorable queen!
Chapter 144: Kaguya Wants to Confide (Ice) - The two clueless lovers talk to other people to make sense of their budding romances rather than talking to each other like normal rational people. But of course, love has drained them of any normalcy or rationality. Agh.
Chapter 145: Kaguya Wants to Eat (Ice) - Ahh this chapter brought back so many memories from the beginning of this manga and the story of these two. Shirogane's lunch box is really something though.
Chapter 146: Our Personas (Kaguya, Part 1) - Sitting next to Shirogane's hospital bed, our queen of woe-is-me does some soul searching and I don't know how I feel about the way this story seems to be progressing.
Chapter 147: Our Personas (Shirogane, Part 1) - Shirogane and his insecurities! I swear I don't see why this boy does not already know how perfect and awesome he is!!!!
Chapter 148: Kaguya Wants to Confess (Ice) - The two finally understand a bit about why the other is as troubled as they are and hopefully, things will progress in the right direction or I swear I would feel I wasted my time with FIFTEEN VOLUMES of this stuff!
Chapter 149: Kaguya Thinks It's Fine - Christmas at Fujiwara's house! Christmas and gift-giving! Yay!
Chapter 150: A Normal Romance - Shirogane and Kaguya in a park! On Christmas eve! Together! Just the two of them! My heart! Myheartmyheartmyheaaaaarrrrrtttttttt!
Chapter 151: The First Kiss Never Ends - I loved the ending of this volume! I did! It's as if the writer knows that my obsession with these two is dwindling (kidding, that could never happen) or that my patience is running thin (yep, that surely happens) and I finally get some much needed crumbs where Kaguya and Shirogane behave like two newly dating teens should. All cute and shy and adorable! I love it!
August 28, 2019
I've gone through the available 159 chapters. Although I've read plenty of Japanese series these last couple of years (not to mention in my entire life), this one hit the hardest. I ended up caring a lot for these flawed, confused, silly kids; quite the accomplishment for this weary old man.
This series started as a sort of parody of "Death Note"'s general vibe: an impossibly clever, superior high schooler involved in intricate, overblown machinations to fulfill some solitary goal with life and death stakes. What if there were two Light Yagamis, one being a girl, and each other's goal was to extract a love confession from the other? The main couple, kaichou Miyuki Shirogane and vice kaichou Kaguya Shinomiya, were interesting enough before we learned more about them, but it's at this point, many dozens of chapters later, when you get to know them as deeply flawed, understandable human beings striving to get some happiness and do some good in their limited ways.
Big spoilers for the series: .
On the other side of this equation, kaichou Shirogane .
In any case, Kaguya finds her own reason for having reverted into .
Shirogane, my boy, you face the quintessential trap in an intimate relationship between men and women. At some point a woman who cares for you will convince herself that she truly wants to see you as you are, and believes that she will accept you as such. However, laying yourself bare and still being accepted is a privilege exclusive to women. Men cannot get by on their beauty like some spring flower; to counterbalance the beastly faces, hairiness, unpleasant smells and dick driven impulses, a man needs to build a fortress based on his skills, resourcefulness, sheer strength and occasional brutality. Without those, a man is a child. Baring your weaknesses means pushing into the woman's mind that behind your vile front you are still a child, and to her dismay she will find herself falling out of love. A woman won't want to date a child unless she is a pedophile. So stay strong, Shirogane. Stay number one. You'll get time to sleep when you are dead. Keeping your beloved entrapped in a fantasy is forever.
Beyond those two, the secretary Fujiwara grows more irrational by the day, and fatter thanks to her unhealthy addiction to ramen and sugary drinks. The most interesting stuff happened to our old boy Ishigami, the pessimistic treasurer lacking in confidence. He had managed to fall in love with an older, naturally cheerful and optimistic senpai he really had no business dating. He also had managed to confess to her and ask her out without realizing. As she's figuring out her response, or so she tells herself, she invites him .
This one is over for now, and now I gotta find a new series that will save me momentarily from the harshness of this barren, hopeless world. Why did I have to be born? Anyway, good times. Nice knowing you guys.
This series started as a sort of parody of "Death Note"'s general vibe: an impossibly clever, superior high schooler involved in intricate, overblown machinations to fulfill some solitary goal with life and death stakes. What if there were two Light Yagamis, one being a girl, and each other's goal was to extract a love confession from the other? The main couple, kaichou Miyuki Shirogane and vice kaichou Kaguya Shinomiya, were interesting enough before we learned more about them, but it's at this point, many dozens of chapters later, when you get to know them as deeply flawed, understandable human beings striving to get some happiness and do some good in their limited ways.
Big spoilers for the series: .
On the other side of this equation, kaichou Shirogane .
In any case, Kaguya finds her own reason for having reverted into .
Shirogane, my boy, you face the quintessential trap in an intimate relationship between men and women. At some point a woman who cares for you will convince herself that she truly wants to see you as you are, and believes that she will accept you as such. However, laying yourself bare and still being accepted is a privilege exclusive to women. Men cannot get by on their beauty like some spring flower; to counterbalance the beastly faces, hairiness, unpleasant smells and dick driven impulses, a man needs to build a fortress based on his skills, resourcefulness, sheer strength and occasional brutality. Without those, a man is a child. Baring your weaknesses means pushing into the woman's mind that behind your vile front you are still a child, and to her dismay she will find herself falling out of love. A woman won't want to date a child unless she is a pedophile. So stay strong, Shirogane. Stay number one. You'll get time to sleep when you are dead. Keeping your beloved entrapped in a fantasy is forever.
Beyond those two, the secretary Fujiwara grows more irrational by the day, and fatter thanks to her unhealthy addiction to ramen and sugary drinks. The most interesting stuff happened to our old boy Ishigami, the pessimistic treasurer lacking in confidence. He had managed to fall in love with an older, naturally cheerful and optimistic senpai he really had no business dating. He also had managed to confess to her and ask her out without realizing. As she's figuring out her response, or so she tells herself, she invites him .
This one is over for now, and now I gotta find a new series that will save me momentarily from the harshness of this barren, hopeless world. Why did I have to be born? Anyway, good times. Nice knowing you guys.
August 3, 2021
kiss kiss fall in love
February 17, 2022
Sin comentarios. 10/10
Peak Fiction comedia romántica/romance
Peak Fiction comedia romántica/romance
December 4, 2022
Who knew that crippling anxiety brought on by family trauma could harm your love life?
April 21, 2020
This volume is arguably the most well-written one in the entire series. It takes what we know about the two main characters and completely breaks then down (quite literally in the mental sense). It explores a question based very much in real life: is it really possible to love someone for who they are?
After the events of the previous volume, Kaguya has completely broken down and reverted to the Kaguya she was before: cold, uncaring. For all intents and purposes, let's refer to this Kaguya as Iceguya. The volume begins with the premise of Kaguya and Miyuki trying to figure out what their relationship is after the confession scene in volume 14. A good chunk of this volume is Iceguya coldly brushing off Miyuki and Miyuki wondering what he did wrong as he struggles to comprehend this version of Kaguya.
We get this really insightful conversation that Kaguya has with herself. It's pretty much a debate between the different sides of her personality about which of them truly loves Miyuki, and it leads to Iceguya confessing that she had always loved Miyuki but she thought that Miyuki could never love her if he knew who she truly was. So in a way, this was sort of a test for Miyuki.
Meanwhile, on Miyuki's side of the situation, he is getting more and more overwhelmed with what's going on, and he doesn't know what to do. He's trying to present himself as this perfect hardworking student, and he, too, believes that Kaguya could never love him if he let himself be vulnerable and imperfect. Eventually, this overload causes Miyuki to end up in the hospital, where he has this back-and-forth with the doctor about why he acts the way he does. Basically, he used to get very poor grades and his mother abandoned him because of it, and that's why he worked so hard to be this perfect student, in the hopes that one day, his mother would come back for him. So it makes sense why he wouldn't want to let down his walls in front of Kaguya: he wants Kaguya to love him, but if his own mother didn't love him for who he truly was, how could Kaguya?
Kaguya overhears this, which leads her to indirectly confess to Miyuki that she wants a normal relationship with him. She then pushes him to open up to her so that she can see his flaws after showing him hers.
The volume ends with the two of them accepting each other for who they are and entering into a normal romantic relationship. This idea of letting yourself be vulnerable and flawed in front of your partner/love interest is not often explored so deeply in manga as it is here, and it's something I'm sure many people can relate to. The overarching message is that a healthy relationship is based on honesty and acceptance.
I didn't expect this manga to go in that direction, but I'm glad that this is how the Kaguya x Miyuki relationship was settled.
After the events of the previous volume, Kaguya has completely broken down and reverted to the Kaguya she was before: cold, uncaring. For all intents and purposes, let's refer to this Kaguya as Iceguya. The volume begins with the premise of Kaguya and Miyuki trying to figure out what their relationship is after the confession scene in volume 14. A good chunk of this volume is Iceguya coldly brushing off Miyuki and Miyuki wondering what he did wrong as he struggles to comprehend this version of Kaguya.
We get this really insightful conversation that Kaguya has with herself. It's pretty much a debate between the different sides of her personality about which of them truly loves Miyuki, and it leads to Iceguya confessing that she had always loved Miyuki but she thought that Miyuki could never love her if he knew who she truly was. So in a way, this was sort of a test for Miyuki.
Meanwhile, on Miyuki's side of the situation, he is getting more and more overwhelmed with what's going on, and he doesn't know what to do. He's trying to present himself as this perfect hardworking student, and he, too, believes that Kaguya could never love him if he let himself be vulnerable and imperfect. Eventually, this overload causes Miyuki to end up in the hospital, where he has this back-and-forth with the doctor about why he acts the way he does. Basically, he used to get very poor grades and his mother abandoned him because of it, and that's why he worked so hard to be this perfect student, in the hopes that one day, his mother would come back for him. So it makes sense why he wouldn't want to let down his walls in front of Kaguya: he wants Kaguya to love him, but if his own mother didn't love him for who he truly was, how could Kaguya?
Kaguya overhears this, which leads her to indirectly confess to Miyuki that she wants a normal relationship with him. She then pushes him to open up to her so that she can see his flaws after showing him hers.
The volume ends with the two of them accepting each other for who they are and entering into a normal romantic relationship. This idea of letting yourself be vulnerable and flawed in front of your partner/love interest is not often explored so deeply in manga as it is here, and it's something I'm sure many people can relate to. The overarching message is that a healthy relationship is based on honesty and acceptance.
I didn't expect this manga to go in that direction, but I'm glad that this is how the Kaguya x Miyuki relationship was settled.
July 9, 2020
This was a bit of a swerve for the series that I didn’t particularly love. Although I praised the series as recently as last volume for doing drama well, it turns out that was a bit of a monkey’s paw moment since this volume leans waaaaay into the fallout from the end of the school festival.
It’s got Kaguya and Miyuki being very overwrought about their next steps and the warring aspects of Kaguya (her ice side is not particularly fun to spend time with, though I do get what they were going for) and not much else. I appreciate the need to explore these two as individuals to show where they both are right now in the aftermath of everything, but it’s interesting reading rather than amazing.
There are a couple of fun parts - the return of the doctor from a few volumes ago is a cute touch (his nurse is even better) and the ridiculous nature of the Fujiwara family’s holiday celebrations is easily the funniest part of the book.
It’s just not as fun without the brinksmanship between Kaguya and Miyuki. I think the series can do fine without it (and the ending does imply that we’ll be getting something new next time around), but what we get here might be a bit much for a series that is typically a lot goofier.
It’s fine drama, but for me it pivots far too hard from the major draws of the series. I’m not going to write the series off or anything, but I do hope we reverse course next time out.
It’s got Kaguya and Miyuki being very overwrought about their next steps and the warring aspects of Kaguya (her ice side is not particularly fun to spend time with, though I do get what they were going for) and not much else. I appreciate the need to explore these two as individuals to show where they both are right now in the aftermath of everything, but it’s interesting reading rather than amazing.
There are a couple of fun parts - the return of the doctor from a few volumes ago is a cute touch (his nurse is even better) and the ridiculous nature of the Fujiwara family’s holiday celebrations is easily the funniest part of the book.
It’s just not as fun without the brinksmanship between Kaguya and Miyuki. I think the series can do fine without it (and the ending does imply that we’ll be getting something new next time around), but what we get here might be a bit much for a series that is typically a lot goofier.
It’s fine drama, but for me it pivots far too hard from the major draws of the series. I’m not going to write the series off or anything, but I do hope we reverse course next time out.
August 10, 2020
20200811 2nd read
--
20200209 1st read
赤坂很擅長在超爆笑的劇情裡放重大又嚴肅的劇情轉折耶
不過更多是看起來很嚴肅，但是最後一頁回馬槍讓人笑破肚子
C洽說東立的電子書是BW代製的
不知道真假，這會是東立電子書都出超慢的原因嗎?
--
20200209 1st read
赤坂很擅長在超爆笑的劇情裡放重大又嚴肅的劇情轉折耶
不過更多是看起來很嚴肅，但是最後一頁回馬槍讓人笑破肚子
C洽說東立的電子書是BW代製的
不知道真假，這會是東立電子書都出超慢的原因嗎?
January 16, 2024
Y no hace más que mejorar la historia... Sigo llorando de la emoción.
July 19, 2021
150 capítulos después y ¡por fin! Ya empezó este romance de lleno y solo puedo dar un shoutout a Kaguya por tan hermosas palabras sobre los que es estar en una relación.
Read
September 7, 2022Volume 15, or 'The First Kiss Never Ends' arc, is not what I expected. Or rather, it is, but it is so much heavier than I thought possible. Riding off the high of the 'Dual Confessions' storyline, Akasaka plunges his story into - and I'm not exaggerating when I say this - absolute misery. Shirogane and Kaguya never schemed a scheme even comparable to the self-destruction they possess here, with the latter retreating to a truly uncomfortable 'Ice Princess' persona, whilst our monster virgin stresses himself into the hospital trying to figure out where things are going wrong. It is easily the most ambitious storytelling in the series yet, and solidifies my confidence in Akasaka once-and-for-all. This is not an author to take the easy way out - this is someone who is deeply reflective and thoughtful about the work he creates, and I'll happily follow him through to the final chapter come hell or high water.
I'm also not entirely sure - at least, not yet - that it's a total success. Oh, it certainly works on the whole, but you can feel that there's a discomfort at play, as this once fluffy story ties itself in knots justifying and re-justifying some pretty heavy psychological issues. It's quite unwieldy, and some of the nuance gets complicated by the manga's elastic need to bounce back to comedy (Kaguya physically hitting and kicking Shirogane is a bit too harsh). It's part of the reason I was never totally convinced by the 'Sick Visit' chapters, which had to deliver on romance and comedy in the middle of a story that ran into the unavoidable topic of unconscious consent - a subject matter that's perhaps a bit too real for this story, even though I think the character's responses are interesting for how flawed they are made out to be. 'The First Kiss Never Ends' arc is much more successful - this series has accrued enough characterisation at this point that it can handle denser material - but seeing Shirogane suffer as he does at the beginning hurts in a way that I don't think is intended, and genuinely stressed me out.
That being said, the maturity of the insights are breathtaking, and it is gratifying to see Akasaka clear the deck of deep psychological hurdles before we begin the relationship proper (thank you to this reddit post for elaborating on this). God, I had no idea this series was going to go this hard.
I'm also not entirely sure - at least, not yet - that it's a total success. Oh, it certainly works on the whole, but you can feel that there's a discomfort at play, as this once fluffy story ties itself in knots justifying and re-justifying some pretty heavy psychological issues. It's quite unwieldy, and some of the nuance gets complicated by the manga's elastic need to bounce back to comedy (Kaguya physically hitting and kicking Shirogane is a bit too harsh). It's part of the reason I was never totally convinced by the 'Sick Visit' chapters, which had to deliver on romance and comedy in the middle of a story that ran into the unavoidable topic of unconscious consent - a subject matter that's perhaps a bit too real for this story, even though I think the character's responses are interesting for how flawed they are made out to be. 'The First Kiss Never Ends' arc is much more successful - this series has accrued enough characterisation at this point that it can handle denser material - but seeing Shirogane suffer as he does at the beginning hurts in a way that I don't think is intended, and genuinely stressed me out.
That being said, the maturity of the insights are breathtaking, and it is gratifying to see Akasaka clear the deck of deep psychological hurdles before we begin the relationship proper (thank you to this reddit post for elaborating on this). God, I had no idea this series was going to go this hard.
May 23, 2020
From the stress of her basically-a-confession and agreeing to go with Miyuki to college, Kaguya sort of broke down and we see the emergence of Ice Kaguya - who is, well, cold and calculating, while also very conflicted about her feelings for Miyuki. And poor Miyuki - he can't figure out what is going on with her, and why is she playing mind games with him (more openly, than the subtle ones they had before), denying that their kiss meant anything but also wanting him to kiss her. In this book, we get to explore Kaguya's and Miyuki's pasts and how it shaped them, their stakes in this relationship, and their reasons for their decisions going forth now.
For Kaguya's part, we see her much younger version, who has friends because their parents are close to her parents, but herself not knowing how to deal with human emotions because they have been trained out of her. Only knowing how to be perfect at everything, and evaluate people, she causes a lot of hurt to her friends, which makes her retreat into her icy persona, to keep from hurting more people. Now, when she has real friends, she is once again afraid of inadvertently hurting them. Miyuki, meanwhile, has a complex about appearing strong and a winner - so much so, that his whole personality as the student council president is a persona he wears (which we knew, but now we know why); as we have seen before, and see again in this book, he hates it being known how hard he works to look accomplished. Even now, with Kaguya, he doesn't want to look too earnest and too hard-working, like it should come easy to him because he is supposed to be a genius, but she is also asking him to be vulnerable to her.
While there were a problematic statement or two during this whole mess, I feel that expanding upon their relationship and what love would mean for them, as well as what 'healthy' means in their context was a nice arc for this book. Besides these, there were also Christmas parties! We get to see how the party is at Chika's house - a weird mix of Japanese and Western elements that confuses the heck out of the Shiroganes and Kaguya. Overall: it was quite different from the regular battles the two have, but I loved the more serious nature of this book; it really felt it was due for some.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.
For Kaguya's part, we see her much younger version, who has friends because their parents are close to her parents, but herself not knowing how to deal with human emotions because they have been trained out of her. Only knowing how to be perfect at everything, and evaluate people, she causes a lot of hurt to her friends, which makes her retreat into her icy persona, to keep from hurting more people. Now, when she has real friends, she is once again afraid of inadvertently hurting them. Miyuki, meanwhile, has a complex about appearing strong and a winner - so much so, that his whole personality as the student council president is a persona he wears (which we knew, but now we know why); as we have seen before, and see again in this book, he hates it being known how hard he works to look accomplished. Even now, with Kaguya, he doesn't want to look too earnest and too hard-working, like it should come easy to him because he is supposed to be a genius, but she is also asking him to be vulnerable to her.
While there were a problematic statement or two during this whole mess, I feel that expanding upon their relationship and what love would mean for them, as well as what 'healthy' means in their context was a nice arc for this book. Besides these, there were also Christmas parties! We get to see how the party is at Chika's house - a weird mix of Japanese and Western elements that confuses the heck out of the Shiroganes and Kaguya. Overall: it was quite different from the regular battles the two have, but I loved the more serious nature of this book; it really felt it was due for some.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.
May 6, 2021
Right off the bat, I loved this volume! It is very specifically focusing on Kaguya and Shirogane’s relationship with not as much attention given to the side characters, but for good reason! I feel like I am constantly being impressed by the mangaka.
Be aware! This review will have spoilers for previous volumes. You have been warned…
If you do not know anything about Kaguya-sama: Love is War, here is a quick summary: This series follows our two genius protagonists, Kaguya and Shirogane, as they try to get the other to confess their love. In addition, there are side characters with their own romance struggles and goals. It's a sweet romcom manga that I think is able to play with traditional tropes while also subverting them. It's very good.
Okay. So, let’s get into it.
Volume 14 covers the Ice Kaguya arc. I have always heard the reddit peeps saying this is one of the best arcs of the series, and I gotta say that I totally see that. It is also a really good follow up to the culture festival arc. In this volume we see that there is something going on with Kaguya. She has seemingly regressed to her previous personality nicknamed Ice Kaguya. Shirogane has no idea how to approach her, what their relationship status is, or what she wants. However, there is a reason for Ice Kaguya’s reappearance that will push the couple relationship further and make it stronger.
In the beginning, Ice Kaguya felt very jarring because I did not know what she was trying to accomplish. I was right there with Shirogane in confusion. However, as the volume goes on, we begin to see Kaguya’s inner thoughts which really helped clear things up. The central issue or theme here is all about revealing one’s true self. Kaguya and Shirogane have to different ideas about it. One wants to reveal so the two parties can accept one another, flaws and all. But, the other one is insistent on maintain a façade because they are scared their true self will only cause the other to be uninterested. Seeing how this gets resolved in the volume was really nice and developed. Plus, it felt very shojo manga-esque and cute.
Overall, I am really happy to see the progress Kaguya and Shirogane are making with one another. I gave this volume a rating of 4.1.
January 10, 2023
Book: Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, Vol. 15
Author: Aka Akasama
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I do find it entertaining that I read another Christmas setting and it’s not that far from the Christmas season. I do have issues with actually reading Christmas books at Christmas. Now, this does not mean that Christmas is the sole focus of these chapters. They just happen to be set during the Christmas season.
In this one, we follow Kaguya and Miyuki, who have now moved into the awkward stage of their relationship. They are in the early stages of trying to figure out what it means to be in a relationship. It's cute and reminds me of early love. I love the Christmas gift exchange the best and getting to see that first gift as a couple. I love how these two characters are supposed to be at the top of their game, but, yet, whenever it comes to being in a relationship and going through the normal teenage relationship aspects. I do like that it is messy and this makes our characters feel all that much real.
This is done, again, through the artwork. The author shows us this through the facial expressions and their actions. While we do have inner monologue, I find that it is the artwork that tells the stories. I like getting to see the facial expressions and how the characters react in certain situations. I think it makes this the manga.
Overall, I am still having such a great time with this series.
Author: Aka Akasama
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I do find it entertaining that I read another Christmas setting and it’s not that far from the Christmas season. I do have issues with actually reading Christmas books at Christmas. Now, this does not mean that Christmas is the sole focus of these chapters. They just happen to be set during the Christmas season.
In this one, we follow Kaguya and Miyuki, who have now moved into the awkward stage of their relationship. They are in the early stages of trying to figure out what it means to be in a relationship. It's cute and reminds me of early love. I love the Christmas gift exchange the best and getting to see that first gift as a couple. I love how these two characters are supposed to be at the top of their game, but, yet, whenever it comes to being in a relationship and going through the normal teenage relationship aspects. I do like that it is messy and this makes our characters feel all that much real.
This is done, again, through the artwork. The author shows us this through the facial expressions and their actions. While we do have inner monologue, I find that it is the artwork that tells the stories. I like getting to see the facial expressions and how the characters react in certain situations. I think it makes this the manga.
Overall, I am still having such a great time with this series.
February 25, 2023
Es básicamente volver a leer lo que vi en la película, pero me gusta poder apreciarlo con calma una vez más.
Luego de la confesión en el arco anterior, parecería que todo debe ser perfecto y marchar sobre ruedas. Pero no es así, porque las máscaras de ambos no se han caído, están tan bien pegadas que ni ellos (ni yo misma) se dieron cuenta al momento de la confesión. Y me encanta.
Se me hizo muy realista de parte de la mangaka el abordar el tema de la confianza en el otro y en ellos mismos. La auto aceptación que Kaguya y Miyuki tenían que procesar antes de poder estar juntos. Ambos participaron activamente en el desarrollo del otro, aunque hubieron errores de parte de ambos, pudieron superarlos.
Kaguya haciendo las paces consigo misma, Miyuki buscando entenderla y no huir del problema. Kaguya no permitiéndole que huya de enfrentarse a si mismo. Cómo ambos se aman por quién el otro realmente es, cómo fueron capaces de ver a través de la máscara del otro, es precioso.
Y todo sin perder el lado cómico del asunto. Me encanta. Ya quiero leer lo que sigue y saber QUE RAYOS PASÓ CON ISHIGAMI E IINO
Luego de la confesión en el arco anterior, parecería que todo debe ser perfecto y marchar sobre ruedas. Pero no es así, porque las máscaras de ambos no se han caído, están tan bien pegadas que ni ellos (ni yo misma) se dieron cuenta al momento de la confesión. Y me encanta.
Se me hizo muy realista de parte de la mangaka el abordar el tema de la confianza en el otro y en ellos mismos. La auto aceptación que Kaguya y Miyuki tenían que procesar antes de poder estar juntos. Ambos participaron activamente en el desarrollo del otro, aunque hubieron errores de parte de ambos, pudieron superarlos.
Kaguya haciendo las paces consigo misma, Miyuki buscando entenderla y no huir del problema. Kaguya no permitiéndole que huya de enfrentarse a si mismo. Cómo ambos se aman por quién el otro realmente es, cómo fueron capaces de ver a través de la máscara del otro, es precioso.
Y todo sin perder el lado cómico del asunto. Me encanta. Ya quiero leer lo que sigue y saber QUE RAYOS PASÓ CON ISHIGAMI E IINO
July 18, 2023
Volumes like this are the reason why Kaguya is better than most romantic-comedy manga. While others might be “funnier” or more “wholesome”, the emotional depth and complexity the writer brings to the characters makes them much more relatable. The way he takes chapters (at the expense of progression) just to explore the inner-minds of the characters to such a realistic degree is something this genre never usually has, or at least, never written as well as this. They aren’t just in love: the end, roll credits. They have their flaws that haven’t suddenly been dropped because “love conquers all.” Their issues are still there. And they still have to work on them. Yes, they’re together now (finally!), but it’s far from over. That’s how real life works. And that’s the genius of this volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2025
I was unsure how the story would lead after the recent revelations within this series, but I really enjoyed this volume. I think my 3-star review is rather harsh…but I believe that this is due to all the big happenings in volume 13 and 14. Anything after that feels like a slight or big drop off. I think the cool thing this book does is it didn’t end at the part I was expecting and the part most American TV shows end. The journey to be in a relationship is one part. Now being in a relationship is another. Learning how to operate in that is both interesting and entertaining with the right personalities. Aka Akasaka does an excellent job of really allowing you to see the toughness and the vulnerability of the cast.
March 7, 2020
This has got to be some of the strongest character writing I've ever encountered, in any medium. I am honestly so impressed at how Kaguya and Shirogane's characters were explored in these ten chapters, I want to go back and reread these chapters again. It is SO well written and the way their relationship progressed is also very wholesome and so well handled.
This was fantastic. These ten chapters or so were easily the best drama in any manga/anime I've read. Absolutely fantastic. 5/5 is nearly not enough to express how much I love these chapters.
This was fantastic. These ten chapters or so were easily the best drama in any manga/anime I've read. Absolutely fantastic. 5/5 is nearly not enough to express how much I love these chapters.
December 24, 2021
Es increíble, es doloroso, es triste pero también bello y hermoso todo lo que pasa en este volumen.
Los sentimientos que transmiten, tanto la personalidad fría de Kaguya el odio que alguien puede llegar a tener hacia si mismo, el deseo de alienación y de sentir no merecer amor, aún si es algo que deseamos.
Así mismo en con traste la Kaguya tonta que es lo opuesto, el deseo verdadero y la "valentía" de admitir y desear cosas que creemos no ser capaces de admitir
En resumen está historia es hermosa y que todos deberían leer al menos una vez
Los sentimientos que transmiten, tanto la personalidad fría de Kaguya el odio que alguien puede llegar a tener hacia si mismo, el deseo de alienación y de sentir no merecer amor, aún si es algo que deseamos.
Así mismo en con traste la Kaguya tonta que es lo opuesto, el deseo verdadero y la "valentía" de admitir y desear cosas que creemos no ser capaces de admitir
En resumen está historia es hermosa y que todos deberían leer al menos una vez
July 29, 2019
I can't believe I like this manga so much... It's really good though. Gives a lot of depth to Kaguya and Shirogane's characters and makes you realise how much they've grown over just one year. Love it. I'm just worried it'll end once Shirogane goes to Stanford... I wonder if they'll continue the series even then??? Cant wait to see the direction the show takes now. Also I love Ishigami's character so much!! His love triangle is hilarious
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2022
En el volumen 14 no estaba muy convencida de como se había dado la declaración de Shirogane y Kaguya, pero en este volumen me dejó sorprendida y con ganas de más, ya que sentí mucha más profundidad a sus personajes y a sus sentimientos, siento que con este tomo se está abriendo un nuevo paso a nuevos desafíos y me siento intrigada por lo que viene.
Sin duda Kaguya siempre es una buena lectura que convina el romance con la comedia a la perfección
Sin duda Kaguya siempre es una buena lectura que convina el romance con la comedia a la perfección
August 30, 2021
4 stars.
I really love seeing more of the characters' inner turmoils and why they are the way they are. It was rough seeing Kaguya being so mean and rough with Shirogane though. And seeing Shirogane being so down on himself, plus the reveal of his room.... dude. Their second kiss was very sweet and I like that they are a couple (even though technically neither of them confessed their feelings)
I really love seeing more of the characters' inner turmoils and why they are the way they are. It was rough seeing Kaguya being so mean and rough with Shirogane though. And seeing Shirogane being so down on himself, plus the reveal of his room.... dude. Their second kiss was very sweet and I like that they are a couple (even though technically neither of them confessed their feelings)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2022
Si al tomo anterior le nombré la Biblia del amor, ¿Cómo llamo a esta maravilla? Nunca pensé llorar con esta obra, pero hasta eso ha conseguido. Este tomo justifica TODO, incluido el comportamiento de ambos a lo largo de la obra, está todo super bien atado y pensado. Son el uno para el otro, les adoro con todo mi corazón ♥️
May 29, 2022
เล่มนี้เป็นเหตุการณ์หลังจากงานโรงเรียนจบลง ซึ่งเราจะได้เห็นการเติบโตของตัวละครพระ-นาง รวมไปถึงคว��มสัมพันธ์ที่พัฒนาไปอีกนิดนึง (มั้ง) kaguya Sama: Love is war นี่เป็นมังงะ Slow burn romance ชั้นเยี่ยมเรื่องหนึ่งเลย แต่ใครที่ชอบเรื่องที่ความรักของคู่พระ-นางพัฒนาแบบรวดเร็วอาจจะไม่ชอบเรื่องนี้เท่าไร อาจจะอ่านแล้วหงุดหงิดด้วยซ้ำ แต่ผมชอบนะ อ่านแล้วเพลิดเพลินมาก ถึงบางฉากจะค่อนข้างกาวก็เถอะ
June 29, 2022
By far, this one’s my fave volume. Akasaka-sensei, great job on making the story more interesting. I’m so drawn to parts where characters show their vulnerable sides. Romance isn’t all about the butterflies. It all the good, the bad, and the ugly.
October 3, 2022
I really think this manga is so lovely and funny. I was pleasantly surprise by this volume where I think we get to know Kaguya and Shirogame, their true selfs. I feel that the story is evolving to something deeper than just a teenagers romcom.
I'm quite excited for the next volume.
I'm quite excited for the next volume.
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