A Sign of Affection Omnibus 1

ゆびさきと恋々 [Yubisaki to Renren] #1-3

by Suu Morishita

The best-selling shojo romance manga from the creator of Shortcake Cake gets a new, large-sized omnibus edition! Yuki is a typical college student--it's just that she can't hear. A chance encounter on a train leads to a serious crush...but will he give her a chance?

Catch up on the manga before watching the anime! Includes Vol. 1-3.

Yuki, who's always been deaf, is used to communicating with sign language and her phone. But she's not used to English, so when a tourist from overseas asks for directions, she nearly panics...until a handsome stranger steps in to help. His name is Itsuomi, and it turns out he's a friend of a friend. A charismatic globetrotter, Itsuomi speaks three languages, but he's never had a deaf friend. The two feel drawn to each other and plan a date on a romantic winter's night, but Yuki's friend is afraid that she might be setting herself up to get hurt. Could this be something real? Or will these feelings melt away with the snow?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Slice Of Life, Young Adult, Contemporary, Comics, Graphic Novels

496 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

MORISHITA Suu
Name (in native language): 森下ｓｕｕ

Blood type: A
Zodiac: Taurus

Mangaka duo: Story: Makiro (マキロ）, Illustration: Nachiyan (なちやん）

Favourite food: chicken nanban

Assistant: Aizawa Yuki-mei

Reviews

[ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

itsuomi is not a green flag, hes actually the whole forest

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh it’s so cute!! And we really get to see every single super adorable moment between this couple. THE YEARNING ON BOTH SIDES TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER IS SO LOVELY.

This series makes my heart warm.

[carolina ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

your honor i love them 🥹
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

[Sammy Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may or may not have immediately started googling where to buy the next volume. I understand Yuki. I too would be a mess around this man.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this manga a long time ago and it’s sat on my shelf. I sadly can’t remember if I picked it up on recommendation or because the cover caught my attention. I love the art style and the premise is heartwarming. The omnibus contains the first 3 volumes and I think, for me, this just was a sweet story with not enough actual plot to keep me interested in continuing.

Yuki has been deaf her whole life and is now a college student making her way in the world. Itsuomi is a free spirited world traveler who saves her from a foreigner on a train. They both fall into each other’s orbit and slowly make room in their very different lives for one another.

The idea of the authors depicting Japanese sign language in the manga and their challenges with that was very interesting to me. I also liked the idea that the author’s mentioned in the interview section about their inspiration about writing the love story of a deaf girl: that manga expresses more than just words, that it encompasses the whole panel including emotions and surroundings and how that plays into the world of a deaf person well as they have to focus on more than just the words someone speaks. Overall I think this is a really innovative story. It’s sweet, innocent and cute. I enjoyed the 3 volumes I read, but for me, I enjoy my manga with a little more adventure, drama or magic to it. I think that’s just on me for picking something sweet and fluffy, but I would definitely recommend this to people looking for something sweet and romantic.

“It’s like everybody starts off as a see-through container. But then the container gets scratched, and dirty, and polished, because of the influence of other people. I want to have an influence on Yuki.”

[Anne (ReadEatGameRepeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this - I think there are a few things that frustrated me a little (some of which I do think were intentional) but nothing too major. I'm excited to keep reading the romance is really heart-warming.

[Kay Doss · Rating 5 out of 5]

First ever manga I’ve read. It took a minute to get used to the whole reading right to left but once I started I couldn’t stop. After seeing tidbits of the anime on TikTok, I was really interested in this romance because it looks super cute and sweet and I’ve never been interested in this kind of thing before but I like that the story is a little bit different in the sense that she is deaf Because I feel like it’s a little bit more realistic and real world friendly versus some other manga/anime things that I have seen that kinda gets a little otherworldly which there’s nothing wrong with that but it’s just not my taste.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter borrowed this from the library. Her oldest sister recommended it and when I noticed that it has a Deaf female main character (FMC), I wanted to read just a bit of it before returning it. I was open to reading the whole thing, or at least volume 1 within this omnibus, but decided not to. I have read two manga series (Nodame and Fruits Baskets) years ago and enjoyed them thoroughly. However, I didn't want to commit to the constant page-turning that a manga would require, and I felt impatient about relying so heavily on properly interpreting the images with no text. Ironically, manga appeals to reluctant readers because of the easier vocabulary and because the reader doesn't need to interpret text to visualize events and the setting.

The Deaf FMC is on a subway and a hearing foreigner asks her for assistance. She's stunned and doesn't know what to do. The MMC, a hearing trilingual student that goes to her school, steps in to answer the man's questions. The Deaf FMC is very appreciative, and they get to know each other. I could not recognize the signs shown on page because I don't know how to sign in Japanese. Had it been images of ASL, I probably would've read a bit longer (or even read the full book) out of curiosity as to whether the images were clear and recognizable to an ASL user.

The Deaf FMC does wear hearing aids and does read lips and the book is realistic in its depiction of how much she can understand with her hearing aids and lip-reading. She uses texting to communicate.

I was recently at a graduation party and absolutely could not understand a word. I asked my table companion to text me when he needed to communicate something more complicated than could be expressed through gestures. I did that for a while and then afterwards, did not want to even try to join a group conversation, so I meandered out into the hallway and found another hearing aid user, though he does not sign. However, in the quiet hallway, we could understand each other's voices. What a reprieve!

Well done to the author. Even though I only read a bit, I'm giving it 5 stars for what seems to me to be a well done depiction of a Deaf character in a manga, addressing multiple issues properly within just a couple of chapters. Hats off to you.

[♡⊹.* gabriella ┆★ ˙ᵕ˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely do not have anything bad to say about this manga! I have already read volume 1 some time ago, and at the point of reading, I have already watched Season 1 of the anime adaptation too. It is safe to say despite those points, I still whole heartedly enjoyed reading this!

As like the author interview right at the end, Yuki is a very sweet main character and we get a little insight into what her every day life is like. Its toutoi (too pure and to be treasured), for real. ♡

Rin and Yuki's friendship is so sweet. I love seeing them text one another and just hang out as girls together.

Itsuomi is an awfully cool character. He looks awesome, his adventures sound like so much fun and he has a very outward crush on Yuki. He also acts so quickly, not fully taking in all of Yuki but he is learning.

I absolutely love the adoration and love that Yuki expresses. To know the feeling of wanting a man to hold you tightly with those strong hands... girl I feel you! Its our dreaaaammmm for realsies now. ⭐️

Kyouya seems like a lovely character, and I cannot wait for his love story with Rin to pick up. Did somebody say double-dates?!

Oushi-kun is definitely interesting. Personally I love his character design! Wish there was more explained about him, but I guess that is how the cookie crumbles and how we are kept drawn in as readers haha.

[Kat Attack. · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the sweetest, most wholesome manga I’ve read in awhile. I refuse to accept anyone can read this without kicking their feet, giggling and just having the warm fuzzy feelings.

Yuki and Itsuomi are both college kids, she’s deaf and he’s a multi-lingual world traveller. They meet by chance when they’re on the metro, a tourist asks Yuki for directions and she can’t communicate with the tourist. Itsuomi to the rescue to translate and get the tourist the directions he needs. Itsuomi is keen to learn new languages and about other ways of life, so naturally he is drawn to Yuki and wants to learn Japanese sign language and more importantly learn about her.

Not only does Itsuomi want to learn sign language to be able to communicate with Yuki, he also doesn’t infantilize her for being deaf and needing him to swoop in control her life.

This manga is over the top sweet and does have some slow moments (hey, it’s real life material some days are dull) but overall a very cute opening set and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. A lovely slice of life read when you just want everyone to be happy and in love.

[Gin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is very cute. The characters are well rounded. I find very interesting the representation of Japanese sign language and how the characters communicate with Yuki. However, the love story felt a bit hot and cold, at times. I may continue reading this manga in the future.

The managakas did a great job researching and portraying sign language. I could tell they cared a lot.

[Silvia de Jesus Matos Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it 😀 yay Yuki is such a cute girl but she's deaf and she falls in love ❤️ a sign of affection is such a good manga and I'm happy to read the volume 1 . I'm ready for volume 2 . I totally recommend this manga it's a brilliant cute story 😍.

[Nyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched the anime version of this first and was a little put off by the fact that it seemed like insta love to me. But I decided to read the manga and it felt a bit more like a slow burn compared to the series which I liked. Overall I thought it was a cool story and Yuki and Itsuomi are cute together.

[Katie]

I adore this! I can't recommend it enough; it's so refreshing seeing disability representation, as well as healthy romantic relationships.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like 3.5 but it's sweet and a little fluffy and I like it

[Mage M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was adorable

[India (IndiaReadsALot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ughhhh I love love!!!!!! I also love great disability representation.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

giggling and kicking my feet

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nah these guys are so cute I love them so much.

I'm back on my manga reading time and thank god my bf had this omnibus at home so I could binge.

[Ariana Gannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So FREAKING CUTE! Gotta watch the anime now

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

dont even talk to me
THIS IS WAS THE CUTEST SHIT I HAVE EVER READDDD
Itsuomi🥹🥹🥹 Yuki🥹🥹🥹
i cant wait to read the rest!!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You used sign language the first time I met you. It felt like my entire world was suddenly turned on its head. I used to live overseas. So I naturally got interested in languages and cultures. I guess they became my driving force. But I was always so busy staring off into the distance, I didn't realize they could be so close, too."

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute; they are so cute! I giggled the entire time, basically. Can't wait to read the next!

[❤️My Dog is my Best Friend❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO CUTE.

I would have been kicking my legs and freaking out more if I hadn't read this at work but I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s so cute and he’s so perfect - this is the sweetest romance rver

[xmazcarroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ sometimes the sign language can be hard to follow, especially since the pictures are JSL and this is an english translation. i think it kind of adds to the experience though - every time i wonder about a sign i feel connected to a character who’s surrounded by communication she doesn’t always understand. great start to a series and i’m definitely looking forward to continuing this one

tropes: deaf, contemporary romance manga, college romance, white haired mmc, slice of life

0🌶️ this was closed door thus far, but i’m hoping for a bit of action in later volumes since the mcs are all in college!

(edited review on a reread to reflect my current review style and formatting)

[Ashley Kwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sparkling romance, new to someone’s world. This world is Yuki’s world, one that has been silent ever since she had been born. This manga series is called Yubisaki to Renren (A Sign of Affection) written and illustrated by Suu Morishita. Its genres include romance, shoujo, drama, and slice-of-life. In case you may not know, the shoujo genre typically targets the young female audience from ages 10-18 and the slice-of-life genre focuses on realistic, day-to-day lives of the characters. A Sign of Affection is a delightful manga to read because it gives insight into the type of life that people with hearing loss must endure and showcases the beautiful human relationships, especially the romantic one between Yuki and Itsuomi.

In A Sign of Affection, we follow Yuki Itose, a nineteen year old Japanese woman with congenital hearing loss through her life without sound. She meets Itsuomo Nagi, a 22 year old Japanese man, for the first time on a train who helped give a foreigner directions. Almost as if it was love at first sight, Yuki develops A Sign of Affection for him. She often frequents a bar with her female Japanese friend, Rin Fujishiro, to see Itsuomi. Rin, on the other hand, goes there to see Itsuomi’s cousin, Kyouya Nagi, who she has a crush on. Through more interactions with Itsuomi, Yuki is able to converse with him and sees her efforts come to fruition.


The manga did amazing in illustrating the emotions of all of the characters. I felt butterflies and the thrill of the swing in emotions that you feel while reading an entertaining romance book. I also enjoyed the intriguing detail of the usage of sign language in the book. It’s not a common occurrence amongst books in general which is why it caught my attention. The book could have been improved upon the portrayal of Yuki’s 20 year old male Japanese childhood friend, Oushi Ashioki. In A Sign of Affection Omnibus 1 (Vol. 1-3), containing the combined volumes 1-3 of A Sign of Affection in one huge manga, Oushi is one of the many characters that is introduced to the readers. He is portrayed as a somewhat childish and straightforward person yet also was jealous of Yuki spending time with Itsuomi. This personality shocked me since most of the other characters seemed to be more nuanced than him. It felt a little odd to make him less nuanced than other characters since his actions are a bit hard to understand at first.

A Sign of Affection by Suu Morishita is especially important today because it shows some of the experiences that people with hearing loss may face. Although it may be rare to encounter younger people with hearing loss, it shows a respectful example of what one should do to respect them. This book’s intended audience are people that are interested in the potential life of someone who lives with congenital hearing loss and want to see a beautiful romance story unfold. The author definitely achieved their purpose of making the readers enjoy the manga and embark on the emotional rollercoaster that Yuki faces during her relationships between the hearing and silent world. I give the book a rating of 5 stars and recommend the book to people that want to feel the thrilling feelings that romance can bring, along with the eventful observance of Yuki’s new relationships with other people.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because many people report this to be the pinnacle of modern shoujo, so I gave it a shot. I’ve attempted to read it before and haven’t followed through, and now I remember why 😬😬😬😬

The art is beautiful, but I feel like I don’t really understand the romance or even their characters beyond the fact that he’s big and tall and worldly and she’s small and tiny and innocent (and deaf). (How does his school let him leave and travel so much and he doesn’t get in trouble???)

I found it odd that her parents never learned sign language but sent her to an all deaf school? Even her childhood friend that she barely seems to have a relationship with (he doesn’t even know her phone number) knows pretty fluent sign language.

I don’t understand the purpose of introducing the “rivals”, since there’s almost no conflict. What is the purpose of introducing Emma if the ML has no interest in her at all, and it doesn’t even cause drama with the FL? Same with her childhood friend rival. She obviously has no interest in him at all and he hasn’t even confessed yet, and she’s already dating ML. What’s the purpose if we already know nothing is going to happen? The ML has already met the CF and is not intimidated in the slightest.

The part I really liked the least was that the ML told a friend that he was interested in the FL because he thought she had never heard foul language and was so innocent and pure and he wanted to have an impact on her life. I feel like this is kind of dismissive of the deaf experience……. And weirdly selfish. I’m not sure if this is a flaw of his that will be expanded on, but the friend just took it as a sign that the ML was super in love with the FL. 😬😬😬

They didn’t really introduce any other deaf characters yet so I’m not sure if this will change, but I feel like it’s saying less than this deaf character is innocent and pure and more that all deaf people are innocent and pure because they are having a “lesser” experience by not being able to hear the “evils” of the world.

I didn’t completely hate it so I will probably continue reading it, but I don’t think it’s something I’d recommend.

[Christine]

This book is rated for 16+ and I wanted to find out why since reviewers have said it's an okay fit for middle school because the content is tame.

This is a quintessential shojo manga with over-the-top feelings and emotions. I went back and forth on whether Yuki's feelings for Itsuomi are red flags or just normal stuff 18-year-olds feel.

For example: "These hands that are holding me. Those eyes gazing into mine. They're going to discover yet another world. I don't want him to think I can only see him up close. So I would never admit this, but I'm even in love with the angle I have to tilt my head at to look up at him. Every expression that he points my way rains down on me like a shower of light." (p. 409-410)

Ooooookayyyyy....

So while Yuki is caught up with her feelings over Itsuomi (who is 22 years old) meanwhile her old friend from her childhood is clearly into her and she doesn't know it. The set up for a love triangle is definitely there.

So, is this okay for middle schoolers?

I'm torn. We have very little profanity/swearing here: 2 uses of hell, 1 use of bullshit, and 1 use of taking the Lord's name in vain. On the other hand, we have someone who is drunk and alcohol is consumed frequently. On the other other hand, they are all of age so it's not like they are breaking the law here.

There is one scene where a girl from Itsuomi's past has a key to his apartment and spends the night there but they aren't involved "like that". But were they? We aren't sure.

I can see why this is labeled 16+ because everyone is in university and the interest level would skew towards high school. But I also have 6th graders reading Colleen Hoover and Sarah J Maas so...

[Sofia Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweetest, most wholesome thing I've ever read (maybe it's hyperbolic but damn, it was good). I've always been a fan of the fluff romance more than anything, with some drama but where the love and pinning and care for one another is the main point and A Sign of Affection fullfils my romantic soul so much that my heart will explode.

Even when the main characters are the focus (of course), I liked the side characters. They are charming and have enough space to make me intrigued about them too. And of course, we can't not mention the deaf representation in this manga. I'm not a deaf person, so take it with a grain of salt (I've learned the basic of my country's sign language and during my classes, my deaf professors told us about their experience of being deaf in a hearing world), but I loved how Yuki's life was depicted and how speaking in sign language is seen by Itsuomi as her own language, while also honoring the disability and how it can make Yuki's life challenging.

I see how things can be lost in translation, which is why I always appreciate the inclusion of translation notes by the end, but I'll say that I LOVE the idea of moving letters around to show how Yuki struggles even with her hearing aids. It was very creative and it helped with the immersion.

Finally, the art. THE. ART. My shoujo heart is screaming because I love this style so much. 10/10, no notes. I'll be waiting for the second onmibus to be released later, so I can continue with this lovely story.