Cinderella Closet Vol. 6

Cinderella Closet #6

by Wakana Yanai

LOVE KNOWS NO LABELS

Haruka’s confidence is boosted by Hikaru’s magic, and after overcoming her heartbreak over Kurotaki, she and Hikaru are finally an item! But right after sharing their first kiss, Haruka's mom suddenly appears! What will she think of her daughter’s cross-dressing sweetheart? Meanwhile, Hikaru begins to consider his dreams as life brings them both to a new stage...

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Comics, Queer, Japan, Slice Of Life

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2021

About the author

Associated Names:
柳井若菜

Name (in native language): 柳井わかな

Reviews

[marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 4 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 5 ★★★☆☆

My favorite volume yet, especially those first two chapters. For a while now, it's been obvious that Hikaru has self-esteem issues and doesn't think he can be loved just the way he is. However, Haruka has been nothing but supportive and constantly easing his worries. It's very sweet. I do feel like this series has been sticking more to the classic shoujo formula than it previously has, but I still enjoy it for what it is.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haruka’s mother was so sweet! I loved how welcoming and accepting she was.

I’m not sure why the series gives Hikaru and Haruka so much angst after they’ve been dating for a matter of hours. However, I’m curious how they swing being together with career scheduling issues.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hikaru and Haruka are about to get somewhere when Haruka’s mom appears. As they deal with her appearance, Hikaru takes his shot as his dream job, but his relentless new schedule and beautiful boss may portend trouble on the horizon…

Oh, I thought this might have fully and absolutely recaptured that first volume magic and it comes close during the storyline with Haruka’s mother. Actually, no, it fully does and without a shocking revelation.

Not that it’s bereft of revelations, mind you. Taking the opposite tact of making a big deal about Hikaru’s love of presenting as a female, it instead gets treated with a real welcome ‘so what’ when all is said and done.

Haruka’s mother is actually pretty hilarious - her visit coincides with a k-pop concert at Tokyo Dome and that is not a coincidence. She’s wonderfully fun and progressive and watching Hikaru sweat all this and have it be no big is a much more enjoyable tweak to the expected conflict.

Even better, Haruka asks him point blank why he doesn’t present as his female self as often any more and I was pleased to see that not only was that not just my imagination, but there was an actual narrative reason why.

That’s good writing - changing a criticism I had into something to be dealt with and the outcome is pretty much what I was hoping for. The rest of the volume doesn’t hold up as well, sadly, but this is spot on.

The rest of the story is a lot of two adults trying to find time for one another and not always being able to. Hikaru gets a crazy job offer with a woman who looks set to drive Haruka mad with jealousy, but that’s got an outcome that also really worked for me.

The problem is that this ‘no time ever’ thing basically bogs down a lot of the volume. There’s only so many times that Hikaru can cancel on Haruka or fall asleep before it becomes a case of ‘we get it already’ and this just pummels that button.

It’s a good way to bring Mio back a few more times and it also shows Haruka working hard to both stand by Hikaru as an equal but also to learn what life has in store for her if he pursues this path. It just overstays its welcome.

Genuinely, some of the writing of the moment to moment stuff isn’t suffused with chemistry. These two are a decent pair, but not a great one. Their moments together with one another are a lot of talking about their commitment rather than experiencing it and it’s a little thinly written.

As a romance, it’s fine. As an exploration of gender identity and expression it fares far better and the early focus on that aspect gives it a lift that carries through the entire volume. It’s a welcome return to its strengths.

4 stars - a real comeback volume and, man, those first 60 pages or so are absolute dynamite. The remainder may only manage to get up to a sparkler or a sprinkle of gunpowder, but it’s still an upgrade from last time.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two - it's nice that we actually get to see them be together and not just have the build up, and it deals with more adult themes like entering the workforce and the often limited time couples get to spend together.

[Loveleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two have my complete heart honestly

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Even her mom is cute.

[tatterpunk · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not a bad series. I'm just officially bored. Hikaru is in boy clothes almost always: either because they know it's appealing to Haruka or they say "it's a lot of preparation" to put on girl-ness before going to the workplace, which... the subtext is that gender fluidity is for the time of your life before adult responsibilities and relationships. And we only get one kiss between them while Hikaru is dressed as a girl, which feels like a pittance thrown at our feet.

The thing is, truly wonderful amazing compelling heterosexual romances exist in manga, even slice-of-life manga like this one, but Cinderella Closet's initial appeal lay in something different. And don't tell me I'm using lesbian goggles -- I am, always, but also: the mangaka is very open about the fact she only had initial chapters for this story down, and no real idea of where it was going. It IS an established thing for an artist to launch an experimental, somewhat risque or challenging premise, and then when it gets as popular and lucrative as this one does, to be talked into finishing in a much more conventional way by either the editors or the audience.

anyway Hikaru confirmed as completely inspired by that one episode of Run BTS where Yoongi Marry Me dressed up as a bitchy schoolgirl. WAKANA YANAI, IS THIS BASICALLY YOUR SELF-INSERT ROMANCE WITH FEM!SUGA because if so, I'll allow it. no, I'll allow it, that's so goddamn valid. he pulled that shit off.

also it goes a long way to explaining why Hikaru goes almost entirely into boy mode once they're dating if this was really about idol worship

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this volume. Parts were really good and some were tedious. Most of what I said in volume 5's review still stands. We don't get to see Hikaru-Chan as much as Hikaru-Kun. Yes Haruka asks about it, but I think that's an excuse. Later, another character also asks why he's not presenting as his other self, and he offhandedly says that it takes too long and too much effort. Another excuse. I'm not sure if the author is getting shoehorned into the traditional shojo recipe box and this is a way of staying true to what was started, or if it's genuinely going to tie into the story and let us see Hikaru fully embrace his identity after a tribulation of some sort.

Still love the series, but it's reading closer to traditional shojo now.

[elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk if the problem is with me or with this book rn coz i was LOVING ITTTTT in the first volumes when they were still #friends but now that theyre together i wasnt as hyped as i was before (maybe it’s a me thing) idk this volume feels like the same shoujo formula… nothing special (well i still like the majn characters ofc!!! hahahaha)

3.25/5

[Elea. Noor. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'm just childish, idealistic, or I know nothing about Japan's work culture but... Hikaru you got yourself into a toxic environment man. Why on earth would you go pick up your boss' child at school and walk them home? This is so weird😭

Anyway, Haruka and Hikaru are overly cute together. I love them.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
I just love their relationship and the way they support each other! The way Haruka’s mother reacted was also so great, I loved it! Nothing is better than accepting someone the way they are :)

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of this volume was perfection, Haruka's mother, the fact that Haruka did not try to hide Hikaru's gender expression and talked about how she likes both of their expressions of self. How supportive they are of each other achieving their dreams.

I like all of this so much!

[Say · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story has a big difference from the live action. And I wished they had followed this but I guess since its only a few episodes (and 20 mins per episode) they had to cut some of it. But really enjoying this and glad I read it after watching the live action last year.

[nza · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

[T.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This series is a little too ridiculous for me, to be honest. Even the mom comes across as ridiculous. "You're too good for my daughter." Who says that?

[Iman Qadri · Rating 3 out of 5]

the pacing was very choppy compared to previous ones but the volume was still cute!

[siren ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

haruka’s mom wins mom of the year and hikaru wins best christmas gift ever

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two are so precious as they work towards their dreams and goals.

[Shauna Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

Cute, wholesome and fun, I am looking forward to finishing the last 2 volumes when they arrive

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think I’m actually enjoying this anymore, and while it seems a bit lame to duck out 2 volumes from the end of the series… perhaps I should……

[TP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hikaru is losing himself in his work. This just breaks my heart. I hope his identity, sense of style, AND his valuable relationship with Haruka can weather this storm.

[♡ zuly ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This couple makes so much more sense to me than the original one presented.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couple goals

[Maz Castillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

me gusta, pero a veces me quedo 🤨 (creo que le tengo poca fe, pero luego no está mal jaja)

[Anna Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite series. This was a perfect one. Eeeeeee so cute

[mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad the gender aspect returned 😮‍💨 It was lovely. Her mom being a K-pop fan was amazing.