Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 30

古見さんは、コミュ症です。 [Komi-san wa, Komyushō Desu.] #30

by Tomohito Oda

Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve. Luckily she meets Tadano, a timid wallflower who decides to step out of his comfort zone in order to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends.

Kawai isn’t used to defeat, but by the end of the study camp it’s clear that Komi has her beat in the one subject that really matters—Tadano’s affections! While Komi is happy that Tadano’s heart wasn’t actually up for grabs, her victory is bittersweet when she sees how lost Kawai seems now that their battle is over. Can Komi turn a failed love rival into a true friend?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Contemporary, Slice Of Life, Young Adult, Humor, Fiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2023

About the author

ODA Tomohito
Name (in native language): 小田智仁
Associated Names: オダトモヒト

Tomohito Oda won the grand prize for World Worst One in the 70th Shogakukan New Comic Artist Awards in 2012. Oda’s series Digicon, about a tough high school girl who finds herself in control of an alien with plans for world domination, ran from 2014 to 2015.

Reviews

[Kayla Brunson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Komi and Tadano moments were cute. Everything else was a bit boring.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series has settled into an Archie-like status quo, with high school teens bopping around and having fun, interacting with or ceding the spotlight to the large supporting cast, but nothing really important happening.

It's all very pleasant, but obviously treading water until graduation or reaching the now very anticlimactic 100th friend.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kawai isn’t done with Tadano and Komi yet, as she brews up a new plan of (Mor)monumental proportions. Najimi creates chaos by creating a game again, people I don’t remember reappear, and we turn the corner on that whole thing with Manbagi.

Well, this is officially the manga I’ve read the most volumes of that wasn’t Case Closed. I run pretty hot and cold on Komi, admittedly more the latter as we come towards the ending, but it has at least held my attention.

After Kawai got schooled at the trivia contest last time, she ultimately goes full-on weirdo and decides that, rather than cutting Komi out of the equation, she’ll just insert herself into your regular relationship, already in progress.

She makes her pitch via a funny sudden appearance plus a very ludicrous video presentation that has to be seen to be believed, but also drags in her new old friends (who touchingly recognize her as a kook) to play Komi and Tadano.

It’s a level of cringe that actually works pretty well, go figure, and it’s a lot more humour than I ever expected from Kawai, even if she implodes spectacularly in her attempt. It’s definitely more enjoyable than most of the volume.

Najimi manages to remain the most useful tool in the character arsenal as their ridiculous nonsense frequently gives a shot in the arm to whatever is going on. Such as when a dirty magazine hunt turns into such a complicated “death” game that’s so needlessly complicated you’d be forgiven for just giving up on the rules.

Next, the story drags back its English-speaking character for some really boring misunderstandings and a subsequent chapter of make-believe that isn’t terribly interesting. This is where it starts sliding for me and doesn’t really recover.

As much as Manbagi is probably my favourite character in the series, her would-be partner, the guy who can’t talk to girls is absolutely annoying. He’s way, way more annoying, in fact, than Komi ever got and they have essentially the same gag.

There’s also the unsatisfying feeling of a character who got screwed by the narrative being thrown a bone by the creator. It’s not the first time that’s been done, but it doesn’t feel any more interesting or earned.

The festival section here does have its moments though, particularly when sex appeal is used to drum up business, but not the way these things typically go in this story. The rest of it is pretty whatever.

It’s not like this series doesn’t have anything new to say; there are some unique and amusing bits to this volume. No, the problem is that it doesn’t have enough new to say and when there’s more to wade through than enjoy I tend to remind myself that it’s ending soon so I can tough it out.

3 stars - like I said, it’s the longest manga I’ve stayed with that wasn’t Case Closed, but this sure isn’t Case Closed.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite volume. There were some really cute and sweet parts, but most felt like flat filler. Nothing substantial happened.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max : 10

Art : 7
Writing : 7
Storyline : 7

Slight change of pace as Kawai's story resolution is shown...kind of a bit more serious but Kawai's ultimate realisation of who she is..is hilarious.

[Lovelymisanthrope · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 Stars*
I picked this up as part of my continuation in the series.
“Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 30” continues to follow Komi and her friends on their interesting adventures. In this volume Komi is happy to learn that Tadano’s heart was never really on the line. However, she still feels bad for Kawai, and Komi wants to see if the two can become friends.
This was one of my least favorite volumes in the series. This felt so melodramatic and over-the-top, that I found myself laughing because of how ridiculous it is. Kawai comes to Komi’s house and proposes to her. Not only does this seem completely ludicrous, but it felt so icky. Komi clearly did not want for this to happen, and she did not want to say yes, but Kawai took her non-answer as a yes. I really do not like the plot point that because Komi does not speak up verbally, people tend to take advantage of her.
I will probably continue in this series down the line, but right now I need a break.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Staying cute enough, but getting a bit repetitive. I do love all we get of secondary characters though!

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Sheepy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable as always!!

[daniella ❦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

- komi thinking kawai is walking into the sea same girlie
- omg tadano would pull up right when kawai confesses her love kjdfkjsdhf
- 🤺🤺🤺🤺 stay back tadano i'll protect u from that freak who's tryna marry u and komi
- the death game was weird but i like how najimi showed up disguised but then gave up on the disguise
- "i have a girlfriend so i don't need this stuff" same tadano
- the going into a stairwell to get a head pat and a hug and the "yeah i'm yours komi-san" IM WALKING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC
- emoyama "noticed emotional vibes and hid in the tool room" same
- MANBAGI AND WAKAI RAHHHH the bangs cutting was so cute and he asked her to the festival djkhfsdkhfd jkdfhskfjh the confession over the fireworks MY FAVEEE

[Emma (littledollreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

me durring most of this book - *bangs head against desk as the only expression of so many varied emotions interpret at your own discression*

Chapters 400 and 401 - oh, that was good, I liked that.

[Domenico Auriemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw

[ky · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am loving seeing other actual plot lines be developed instead of random filler!!!

[Mersi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

It's a book I read

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

They need to just....ugh! Love it

[Ken Yuen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't love the Kawai/Komi/Tadano stuff. In general, I'm a bigger fan of the weird friend of the week than any of this romance stuff, but the Manbagi/Wakai stuff is pretty cute

[Zuli · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5✨

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

glad the gyaru girl gets to find happiness

[Tsuki Pop · Rating 4 out of 5]

no shosuke, not even in background. i would marry shosuke.

[Mariána K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually boring

I feel like the story is not progressing in any capacity anymore. Maybe one chapters worth of content related to the story. All the other chapters are slice of life shorts. A lot of them aren't even about Komi. It used to feel like this was a story about a shy girl overcoming her problems and working towards a goal and now it feels more like filler that's just trying to spend money. I think I might be done reading these...

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to wait until October 8th for volume 31 now 😭

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how I have missed this series! I can see how some might feel this volume slows the action down a bit after the first part and starts to be more everyday high school life...but I think if you had not gotten any Komi Can't Communicate in 2 to 3 months...this is a much-needed fun romp. From the dirty mag game to the festival. I might have rated this volume a 3 -star if I had just read the previous one, but it got me back into the fun world that Tomohito Oda created that I so enjoy! This is definitely not my typical manga, but I am addicted and set to read this until the series concludes. There is something about the innocence and the daily lives of these characters that just makes you smile. The big part of this is the beginning story and the cover really is as appropriate as it gets.... nothing short of perfect!

[Kim Novice · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was bold to close the main romance quite early in the series, and instead focus on the side characters in the remaining volumes for the most part, and I appreciate them developing Tadano and Komi's relationship further. I do still feel like the series lacks a lot of focus now though, outside of the occasional story arc. With only a fifth of the series left, it's just waiting for Komi to fill out the last quarter of her friend list now. Still, I'm in it to the end now, and the charming characters and great comedic chops is still as good as ever.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding as to be expected at this point. You start to lose track of some characters but for the most part the story is still at the focus and easy to follow. There were a few parts, I question if they are actually needed for the story, but I can see how no side plots would really make this story super boring. I am so happy Tadano and Komi are still solid and enjoying their blossoming love. I am excited to see what happens next.

[Des Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's pretty impressive how Kawai only just showed up, meant to be a pretty substantial threat to Tadano and Komi, and has already had her whole arc. But that's not really a complaint, because Oda does such a great job at filling out their characters, it's incredible. She's become so sweet and interesting, an instant favorite, and a great example of how great and colorful Oda's characters are. This was a great volume.

[Nicolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Komi, Tadano, and their friends may have settled into a routine, and certainly, the series feels like it's in a rut lately. This volume feels like more filler.

Although Rumiko used to be one of my favorite characters, her arc with Wakai is just filler. Recent chapters of the manga feels like it is approaching its endgame, and that felt more substantial than this one.

At the very least, I have something to look forward in the next volume.

[Kethyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eu acho que estou sendo generosa dando 2 estrelas... Mas só porque o final salvou um pouquinho.

Acho que esse foi o pior volume até o momento.

Teve uma parte com um jogo lá que eu literalmente pulei porque todo o conceito era tão desinteressante. A parte da Kawai também...

A Rumiko com o Wakai entretanto foi fofo e salvou um pouco, apesar da tragedia que aconteceu com o cabelo do Wakai.

Só espero que depois de 30 volumes a história não comece a desandar :(

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover makes it clear that this volume picks up right after the last one, the defeat of Kawaii at the hands of Komi over the affections of The Boy. So Komi feels bad for her, naturally, but Kawaii nevertheless tries again via a video summarizing her gifts. Result: Spectacular Fail. The rest of the issue was for me pretty forgettable but pleasant enough.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wakai and Manbagi are so so cute! I enjoyed this volume so much, it was fun and light, it didn’t have a lot of drama. Tadano and Komi are still figuring out what it means to date, they had an accident at school, which was really funny. I think that Manbagi is starting to notice Wakai, and maybe after the last scene, she might notice him more.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5
This continues to be one of my favorite rom-com manga. The developing relationships between the characters plus the hilarious situations makes this such an enjoyable read. This volume includes more interesting moments with Kawai as well as a wonderful mini arc at the summer festival with Manbagi. I love when we get to spend time with the side characters and develop them further.

[Lori CucVig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Komi ha una nuova amica o forse qualcosa di più... molto comico anche questo sviluppo, un po' mi dispiace per Komi e Tadano XD Anche per Manbagi forse le cose cambieranno, Wakai sta affrontando i suoi problemi comunicativi. Molto divertente questo volume.