Hana-Kimi, Vol. 7: American Girl

花ざかりの君たちへ [Hanazakari no Kimitachi e] #7

by Hisaya Nakajo

The Prettiest Boy In School...Isn't A Boy! Japanese-American track-and-field star Mizuki has transferred to a high school in Japan...but not just any school! To be close to her idol, high jumper Izumi Sano, she's going to an all-guys' high school...and disguising herself as a boy! But as fate would have it, they're more than classmates...they're roommates! Now, Mizuki must keep her secret in the classroom, the locker room, and her own bedroom. And her classmates--and the school nurse--must cope with a new transfer student who may make them question their own orientation...

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Genderqueer, Fiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 1999

About the author

Hisaya Nakajo (中条比紗也) was a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She also used the names Peco Fujiya and Ryou Fumizuki for doujinshi with her circle, Daisanteikoku.

Reviews

[Steph Sinclair]

Goddamn these FEELS.

But looks like Umeda had an awesome time in this one. Heh.

[Zaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very complete volume where we're starting to learn things about Sano. Shin wasn't at his best in this volume, but I was pleased to be introduced to him again. The relationship between Julia and Nakatsu was fun, Sano was really sweet, the bath scene was a killer and Mizuki was totally oblivious as usual.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julia has a proclamation and the schools go on a school trip!

This was a really fun volume, though I wasn’t always happy with things. Like how Ashiya really never understands that she has to be careful, she just went into the hot springs without carefully checking if anyone was there (just looking around quickly and a bit of shouting is not going to be enough). Again, it is magical that Sano is there (as always) but who knows, it could have been someone else.. sighs

I loved seeing the places they visited, loved learning more about Sano, loved seeing this group of friends do all sorts of fun things together and see the pictures they made along the way, I so want to visit a hot spring, the food looks good. I had a laugh over our teacher who is always looking dashing and flirting with guys left and right (and had a bigger laugh when Ashiya stumbled upon him and his newest flirt in the baths).

I do love seeing Sano and Ashiya together and I do hope that Sano confesses for once, because it is just getting superridiculous in my eyes. He clearly likes her, we see that with everything he does, but also due to the POV from himself. And I get this is shoujo, so I know what I signed up for, but come on, 7 volumes later, I want it.

Julia’s planning to get Ashiya and Sano together was cute, I hope she may have more luck with Sano confessing to Ashiya.

I wasn’t happy with Julia and Nakatsu constantly bickering, or well, he being pretty much an asshole and Julia is not a girl who let’s that shit be thrown at her. But yeah, it got annoying real fast and I just wanted to throw Nakatsu out, but then again, I have been wanting to do that with each volume so far, it is just getting worse with each of it.

I had a laugh at Minami trying hard to woo Julia, though I would think he should just give up or try another tactic, at times it was just NOPE or cringe.

The art was fun and cute!

On to the next volume soon. I still got 2 volumes of this one left on my shelves, after that I will either have to get the rest of the physical volumes… if I can find them. Or get them digitally.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A school trip is an easy way to get characters to let their hair down and get themselves into situations they wouldn't in school.

As often happens, Japan might as well be the size of a single city block. Julia and Rio are there because their school trip just happens to be to Hokkaido, at exactly the same time as Osaka High's. Nanba's there, even though he's a senior, because why not? Sano comes across his younger brother not once, but twice as the group wanders around town.

Some situations are a little too implausible. These kids have parents who would want to be confident their kids are being properly chaperoned, or so I'd hope. But Umeda's off to find a sex partner, and the students are taking an evening stroll in the red light district? Julia and Rio come visit Mizuki's group in the hotel (yes, both schools' groups are in the same hotel) and we see not a single adult corraling the girls.

I'm starting to warm to this series a bit more, although I still don't think it's exceptional. The characters are fairly likeable, their interactions are amusing, and the art and story are decent. My prediction is that I'll run through it once and then it'll go into the box for the used bookstore.

[Shayshkers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better! The relationships are really starting to pick up.

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Volume 7, the school is basically a sitcom set. Every time something romantic might happen, the plot throws in a distraction—sports festivals, eccentric classmates, or just pure bad timing. Nakatsu continues his glorious meltdown, while Mizuki somehow keeps her cover intact. Four stars for perfectly timed comedy and just enough romance to keep you hooked.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contains Chapters 31 - 36: This volume was great! I really liked Mizuki's friend Julia, especially the way her and Nakatsu were always fighting and how they were able to argue despite not speaking the same language or understanding what the other was saying.

[Adrya Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ai como eu amo o Nakatsu...
Que nervoso que eles não se declaram!! Quero. isso. muito.
Ahahah
Acho que a Julia já está ligada em Sano sabendo das coisas...

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars.
This series is so addicting, I plan on reading more of it today!

[Alise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really don't like Julia's character.

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ohsaka Gakuen mengadakan study tour ke Hokkaido. Nakatsu sudah senang karena itu berarti dia bisa lebih banyak menghabiskan waktu dengan Mizuki. Tapi ternyata sekolah Julia juga mengadakan study tour di Hokkaido. Mereka bahkan sehotel. Hahaha. Langsung bete dah Nakatsu. Di sini Julia bertanya-tanya apakah Sano sebenarnya sudah tahu kalau Mizuki itu cewek.

Sebenarnya rumah Sano ada di Hokkaido. Tapi dia tak mau pulang karena berkonflik dengan ayahnya. Mizuki gelisah karena ingin tahu apa masalah keluarga Sano. Tapi dia memutuskan untuk menunggu sampai Sano siap berbagi cerita.

Ketika sedang keliling kota bersama teman-temannya, Sano melihat adiknya, Shin, bertengkar dengan yakuza. Sano langsung meminta maaf pada yakuza, tapi Shin malah mengejek dan bilang sudah terlambat buat Sano untuk bersikap seperti seorang kakak.

Rupanya ayah Sano dan Shin dulu juga atlet loncat indah. Namun, saat istrinya meninggal dalam kecelakaan mobil yang disetirinya. Ayahnya langsung berhenti jadi atlet dan menyalahkan dirinya terus serta tenggelam dalam pekerjaan yang membuatnya terus meninggalkan rumah hingga mengabaikan Sano dan Shin.

[Vivian Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 The school trip is a favorite of mine. I love the Hokkaido setting. I love Sano opening up to Mizuki and learning more about Sano and his family. I love Julia and Nakatsu bickering. Doctor Umeda is hilarious in this and so is our masochist RA. Lol! There’s so much subtle BL action and it’s all in grand fun. : ))

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sano is starting to open up about personal things, and he accidentally meets Mizuki in a hot water spring. That's all that really happens in this volume. Also, not really liking Julia - she's too much of a distraction!

[Venus Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s see, what can I say about this volume?
I’m just really glad, that Sano knows how’s he really feels toward Mizuki.

[Ananya Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banter b/w Julia and Nakatsu.....hahahahah!

[Aya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read: October 2013
Second read: October 2019

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot springs school trip.

[scarlettraces · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Ah, Sano

[Madison Kozeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a solid volume! This series is definitely a slow burn, but we finally get a glimpse into Sano’s past that helps propel the narrative forward.

[Emi えみ Takami 鷹見 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been forever since I read the previous volumes... so I had no idea what was going on at first. Finally got reacclimated after reading some summaries on the internet.

[Piper Pringle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I'm glad we get to have more of Sano's backstory!!! He's definitely one of my favorite characters!!!!!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julia is in Japan! And she throws a wrench into the relationship! She wants to make things more smooth for Mizuki.The school trip storyline is really good too. :)

[Mestopa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Futari no Musuko ni Nerawareteimasu

[Phoebe · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick, good read for all writers. You will feel buoyed and validated in Goldberg’s hands.

[Rogoal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a fantastic.

[Cecilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nakatsu is sooo hilarious.... So ok, they have a class trip and of course the girls' school went to the same place as they did. Both schools even stayed at the same hotel... Love Nakatsu's operation "Getting Intimate with Mizuki". Am looking forward to the time Nakatsu will realize or know that Mizuki is actually a girl. So Mizuki does have 2 strong contenders for her heart right? Nakatsu and Sano, but then she already really like Sano. Love the close scenes between them. Very sweet and touching.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god!!!1! I loooove this seriesss!! It's my favorite shoujo series and my second favorite manga series of ALL TIME! I just love everything about it!! I would totally do what Mizuki did.. though I don't think I could get away with it.... especially not in a Japanese school... -_- WELL! That's just not fair. Anyway, It's sooooo funny! AH! It's all so great! I can't contain the fan-girl in me! :O I even loved the TV series! (Especially the Taiwanese one! Ella and Jiro were hilarious!)

[Dexter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, tons of fun! I feel like that's all I ever say about Hana-Kimi, but it's true. It's just so much FUN. We're now getting some Sano backstory, which I'm actually interested in. I just really like Sano's and Mizuki's characters, and they go so well together. It's getting interestingly complicated with Nakatsu, Julia, Nanba, and Nakao, and it generally results in hilarity. Normally these kinds of things bug me, but the reactions of Mizuki and Sano just make it all okay.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I binge read all of Hana Kimi. It's easy to see why that is so easy once you get into the second chapter of the series. Hana Kimi is filled with complex character moments, tension, and fun. All the characters come to life and its hard to put the story down. I've read my fair share of manga over the years and will continue to. I have the feeling that Hana Kimi will remain one of my favorites. I can't wait to get in a reread.