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Last Quarter - Bunkoban Edition [下弦の月 /Kagen no Tsuki]
Last Quarter, Vol. 1
Two star-crossed lovers transcend time in this supernatural mystery from the creator of Nana!
Struggling to adapt to life with a new mother and sister after her father's remarriage, Mizuki meets a blue-eyed man playing guitar on the street in Shibuya and is powerfully drawn to him. How far will she go to see him again?
After a brush with death, young Hotaru meets Mizuki for the first time in a dream. The next day, Hotaru wanders into an abandoned mansion and comes face-to-face with the girl she met in her dream...
Struggling to adapt to life with a new mother and sister after her father's remarriage, Mizuki meets a blue-eyed man playing guitar on the street in Shibuya and is powerfully drawn to him. How far will she go to see him again?
After a brush with death, young Hotaru meets Mizuki for the first time in a dream. The next day, Hotaru wanders into an abandoned mansion and comes face-to-face with the girl she met in her dream...
270 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2013
19 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Ai Yazawa
298 books3,187 followersAi Yazawa (Japanese: 矢沢あい, Yazawa Ai) is a Japanese manga author and illustrator. Her pen name comes from singer Eikichi Yazawa, of whom she is a fan.
Yazawa started her comics career in 1985. She specialises in shojo manga (girls' comics). Most of her works have been serialised in the magazines 'Ribon', 'Cookie' and 'Zipper'.
Yazawa's stories focus on young, often rebellious women and their relationships. The characters are always very stylish, and Yazawa herself is known for her sense of fashion. (She even attended a fashion school for some time after high school.)
Among her most famous manga are Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I'm No Angel, 1992–1995), Neighborhood Story (1995-1998), Paradise Kiss (1999-2004), and Nana (2000-2009), the latter awarded a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2003. Some of these works have been adapted into anime and live action movies.
Yazawa started her comics career in 1985. She specialises in shojo manga (girls' comics). Most of her works have been serialised in the magazines 'Ribon', 'Cookie' and 'Zipper'.
Yazawa's stories focus on young, often rebellious women and their relationships. The characters are always very stylish, and Yazawa herself is known for her sense of fashion. (She even attended a fashion school for some time after high school.)
Among her most famous manga are Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I'm No Angel, 1992–1995), Neighborhood Story (1995-1998), Paradise Kiss (1999-2004), and Nana (2000-2009), the latter awarded a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2003. Some of these works have been adapted into anime and live action movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 28, 2025
This was a lot different than I was I typically expect from Ai Yazawa. I liked the various elements and I'm excited to see how the story unfolds.
July 12, 2025
“I found myself here somehow. I can’t take a single step outside. Maybe…I’ll never be able to leave this place…”
That first California 49er who spotted tiny nuggets of gold swishing around at the bottom of his pan during the Rush could not have experienced more excitement than I did last night. The deeper I got into this first volume of Ai Yazawa’s Last Quarter, the more excited I became. This is a fabulous story in both conception and execution, and now I can’t wait to continue with the concluding volume tonight.
Last Quarter is multi-layered and there’s a mystery, but at its core Last Quarter is about the connection between a girl in her late teens named Mizuki, and an elementary school-age girl named Hotaru. That connection may lie in the fence separating the netherworld with this one.
The first volume opens up by telling readers Mizuki’s story. Mizuki is nice, and pretty, but like a lot of girls her age she is lost at home due to the vagaries of life within her family dynamic. Amidst the sadness and disquiet, Mizuki meets a true rock star by happenstance, and latches onto him as a vessel in which to pour out her loneliness, and satiate her need for love. He of course is a hedonistic druggie with violent tendencies, but she has fallen hard, and is willing to follow this self-serving man-child anywhere; even if it means abandoning her sister and running away from home.
While this may sound rather tawdry when spelled out in black and white — and it is — it rings true, and is handled well enough that despite one rather disturbing scene, it never goes too far — I would say PG as a rating, for context. But then something happens, a moment in time — one tragic, one more hopeful — when the paths of Mizuka and Hotaru cross, when Hotaru is desperately searching for her adored cat. At this juncture, that’s as far as I’m willing to go without spoiling anything, because this is a mystery.
Since Yazawa is friends with Courtney Love, and they have collaborated before, it is certainly easy to speculate on Yazawa’s inspiration for the male drug-addicted rock star, even if it is only sketchy.
Many have given the impression that the juxtaposition from that story-line, briefly given at the outset, to the kids is rather stark, and too much of a shift in tone, but I could not more strongly disagree. In fact, Last Quarter is all one story with different facets. There is a very logical and important reason for the transition to Hotaru and her friends. The transition from Mizuki to Hotaru is beautifully and logically handled, flowing within the narrative as simply another tentacle to Mizuki’s story. Hotaru has had a brush with tragedy herself, but come out the other side. But the connection between Mizuki and Hotaru has been made, and cannot be unmade.
The story is told gradually, with Hotaru discovering the old mansion, then returning with her best friend because of Mizuki, whom she has found there. What Hotaru doesn’t realize when she brings her best friend back is that it is only she who can see and converse with Mizuki; Hotaru will also eventually wear a ring given to her by Mizuka that only she can see.
While this sounds scary, it is more mysterious than frightening — again, a light PG. Once the two boys from school enter the picture and attempt to help Hotaru, and the girl they name Eve — Mizuki can’t recall her own name, only that of her rock star obsession, Adam — the story becomes that of these kids trying to solve the mystery of who Mizuki is and why she’s trapped in that house.
Ai Yazawa does a wonderful job of giving the kids very distinct personalities, slowly revealing they backstories, and their feelings for one another as they interact. Together they form a tight and endearing little group with a secret, and a real mystery to solve. It is charming and involving, and filled with humor. The narrative flows faster than you can turn the pages; I read all 270 pages of the first volume in one gulp last night.
Ai Yazawa’s artwork is delicious to look at, and the story is wildly compelling, even fun. Despite how the premise sounds when written out, there is almost a wholesome kind of feel to this story at this juncture, with lovable characters easy to root for, and a girl at the center we want better for than perhaps she wanted for herself. In other words, Ai Yazawa has made us care about all the characters, and anxious about how it will all turn out.
I can’t wait to continue this story tonight. Though I’m unsure of the ending, Yazawa has done more than enough in volume one to earn my trust as a reader. Though this author is famous for other works, those weren’t — at least on the surface — of real interest to me. I’m certainly glad I took a chance on Last Quarter however, as I’m finding it so extraordinarily enjoyable that I’m sure after some time passes, I’ll come back to it again; the highest compliment you can bestow upon a manga or graphic novel. Fabulous stuff, highly recommended!
That first California 49er who spotted tiny nuggets of gold swishing around at the bottom of his pan during the Rush could not have experienced more excitement than I did last night. The deeper I got into this first volume of Ai Yazawa’s Last Quarter, the more excited I became. This is a fabulous story in both conception and execution, and now I can’t wait to continue with the concluding volume tonight.
Last Quarter is multi-layered and there’s a mystery, but at its core Last Quarter is about the connection between a girl in her late teens named Mizuki, and an elementary school-age girl named Hotaru. That connection may lie in the fence separating the netherworld with this one.
The first volume opens up by telling readers Mizuki’s story. Mizuki is nice, and pretty, but like a lot of girls her age she is lost at home due to the vagaries of life within her family dynamic. Amidst the sadness and disquiet, Mizuki meets a true rock star by happenstance, and latches onto him as a vessel in which to pour out her loneliness, and satiate her need for love. He of course is a hedonistic druggie with violent tendencies, but she has fallen hard, and is willing to follow this self-serving man-child anywhere; even if it means abandoning her sister and running away from home.
While this may sound rather tawdry when spelled out in black and white — and it is — it rings true, and is handled well enough that despite one rather disturbing scene, it never goes too far — I would say PG as a rating, for context. But then something happens, a moment in time — one tragic, one more hopeful — when the paths of Mizuka and Hotaru cross, when Hotaru is desperately searching for her adored cat. At this juncture, that’s as far as I’m willing to go without spoiling anything, because this is a mystery.
Since Yazawa is friends with Courtney Love, and they have collaborated before, it is certainly easy to speculate on Yazawa’s inspiration for the male drug-addicted rock star, even if it is only sketchy.
Many have given the impression that the juxtaposition from that story-line, briefly given at the outset, to the kids is rather stark, and too much of a shift in tone, but I could not more strongly disagree. In fact, Last Quarter is all one story with different facets. There is a very logical and important reason for the transition to Hotaru and her friends. The transition from Mizuki to Hotaru is beautifully and logically handled, flowing within the narrative as simply another tentacle to Mizuki’s story. Hotaru has had a brush with tragedy herself, but come out the other side. But the connection between Mizuki and Hotaru has been made, and cannot be unmade.
The story is told gradually, with Hotaru discovering the old mansion, then returning with her best friend because of Mizuki, whom she has found there. What Hotaru doesn’t realize when she brings her best friend back is that it is only she who can see and converse with Mizuki; Hotaru will also eventually wear a ring given to her by Mizuka that only she can see.
While this sounds scary, it is more mysterious than frightening — again, a light PG. Once the two boys from school enter the picture and attempt to help Hotaru, and the girl they name Eve — Mizuki can’t recall her own name, only that of her rock star obsession, Adam — the story becomes that of these kids trying to solve the mystery of who Mizuki is and why she’s trapped in that house.
Ai Yazawa does a wonderful job of giving the kids very distinct personalities, slowly revealing they backstories, and their feelings for one another as they interact. Together they form a tight and endearing little group with a secret, and a real mystery to solve. It is charming and involving, and filled with humor. The narrative flows faster than you can turn the pages; I read all 270 pages of the first volume in one gulp last night.
Ai Yazawa’s artwork is delicious to look at, and the story is wildly compelling, even fun. Despite how the premise sounds when written out, there is almost a wholesome kind of feel to this story at this juncture, with lovable characters easy to root for, and a girl at the center we want better for than perhaps she wanted for herself. In other words, Ai Yazawa has made us care about all the characters, and anxious about how it will all turn out.
I can’t wait to continue this story tonight. Though I’m unsure of the ending, Yazawa has done more than enough in volume one to earn my trust as a reader. Though this author is famous for other works, those weren’t — at least on the surface — of real interest to me. I’m certainly glad I took a chance on Last Quarter however, as I’m finding it so extraordinarily enjoyable that I’m sure after some time passes, I’ll come back to it again; the highest compliment you can bestow upon a manga or graphic novel. Fabulous stuff, highly recommended!
December 19, 2025
YOUTUBE VIDEO REVIEW: https://youtu.be/tNomvK5-YEA
"How can I prove whether it's a ghost or a hallucination?"
I would not say this is my favorite read of this year, but this is for sure one of the most engaging and surprising reads of 2025!
I'm not even quite sure what to say because I remember trying the first chapter a while back and really not liking it. I was scared for Mizuki and her getting wrapped up in this stranger that she declared was her lover. Everything about the situation screamed "danger" to me, but then the second chapter followed a completely different character who was so different from Mizuki that I didn't even know what to think! It felt like she was actually even the "real" female lad!
Honestly, from the start of this new character's introduction, the story ended up being a story of unraveling what appears to be a supernatural mystery. In fact, I think the quote I shared above really captures my own struggles of what the characters are going through because I had no idea whether what was happening was real or not.
But then you get near the end, and it's like everything you have learned alongside these characters has flipped everything upside down! I have no idea what is to come or if this series will even end on a happy note! I don't even know what a happy ending would look like, honestly! Is Mizuki seeing Adam really going to solve everything? Does he feel the same way about her that she feels about him? Has he moved on? Is he really alive? What has he been doing all this time?
I feel I have SO many questions (and these are just ones I think are spoiler-free!) because the story is amping up and I'm eager to read more and get answers!
"How can I prove whether it's a ghost or a hallucination?"
I would not say this is my favorite read of this year, but this is for sure one of the most engaging and surprising reads of 2025!
I'm not even quite sure what to say because I remember trying the first chapter a while back and really not liking it. I was scared for Mizuki and her getting wrapped up in this stranger that she declared was her lover. Everything about the situation screamed "danger" to me, but then the second chapter followed a completely different character who was so different from Mizuki that I didn't even know what to think! It felt like she was actually even the "real" female lad!
Honestly, from the start of this new character's introduction, the story ended up being a story of unraveling what appears to be a supernatural mystery. In fact, I think the quote I shared above really captures my own struggles of what the characters are going through because I had no idea whether what was happening was real or not.
But then you get near the end, and it's like everything you have learned alongside these characters has flipped everything upside down! I have no idea what is to come or if this series will even end on a happy note! I don't even know what a happy ending would look like, honestly! Is Mizuki seeing Adam really going to solve everything? Does he feel the same way about her that she feels about him? Has he moved on? Is he really alive? What has he been doing all this time?
I feel I have SO many questions (and these are just ones I think are spoiler-free!) because the story is amping up and I'm eager to read more and get answers!
May 2, 2025
An overwrought teen romance suddenly veers across lanes to become an elementary school haunted house mystery.
The story doesn't really play to Ai Yazawa's strengths in drawing fashionable and sexy characters, but I still enjoyed following along as the little group of fifth graders carried out their investigation into the supernatural.
I have the concluding volume ready to go from the library, so I should finish this series tomorrow.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Illustration Gallery -- Act 1. Mizuki -- Act 2. Border -- Act 3. Cross -- Act 4. Ring -- Act 5. Eve -- Act 6. Key -- Act 7. Stay -- Act 8. Life
The story doesn't really play to Ai Yazawa's strengths in drawing fashionable and sexy characters, but I still enjoyed following along as the little group of fifth graders carried out their investigation into the supernatural.
I have the concluding volume ready to go from the library, so I should finish this series tomorrow.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Illustration Gallery -- Act 1. Mizuki -- Act 2. Border -- Act 3. Cross -- Act 4. Ring -- Act 5. Eve -- Act 6. Key -- Act 7. Stay -- Act 8. Life
June 20, 2025
Something different for today, love the art work 🙈
December 8, 2024
4.25
This took me a minute to really get into but once I did, wow I got hooked!
This is so different from anything I've ever read from this author and that took me by surprise. It's sad, haunting, mysterious and yet at the same time amusing and cute. I can't wait to read the next volume and find out what happens next.
This took me a minute to really get into but once I did, wow I got hooked!
This is so different from anything I've ever read from this author and that took me by surprise. It's sad, haunting, mysterious and yet at the same time amusing and cute. I can't wait to read the next volume and find out what happens next.
October 6, 2024
The whole time I read this book I was somewhat confused by what was going on, so that book wasn’t really for me.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
September 8, 2024
I will say there are many moments where the first volume dips in quality for me, the first chapter was very slow paced and then the shocking thing at the end of it happens. Then we immediately follow a group of children…and they’re the main characters…don’t get me wrong the premise has potential, they could get some sad moments here but to have this switch is kind of odd. Also it’s kind of predictable what will happen if you pay attention, like the ex walking into the hospital room was so obvious. I will say I want to know more about Adam cause I feel like he’s gonna wind up being horrible and not even showing up. There’s so much more story they could’ve told before she got into the accident.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2025
i’ll forever be an ai yazawa girl. this was hauntingly beautiful and so distinct from the rest of her work. the artwork is absolutely breathtaking too.
February 14, 2025
Last Quarter is a supernatural mystery manga series by Ai Yazawa, and its title draws from the final phase of the lunar cycle, where the moon fades into a shadowy, uncertain state before disappearing into darkness. The first volume was quite confusing, and I didn’t know what to expect. But now I have already read all the volumes, and going back to reading this first one, everything does make sense.
Last Quarter is a story unlike anything Ai Yazawa has conjured up but still manages to retain the style she is renowned for. The story offers a blend of mystery and supernatural intrigue, wrapped in deep emotional layers. It revolves around Mizuki Mochizuki, a high school girl who meets Adam, a mysterious, blue-eyed guitarist. Mizuki becomes infatuated with him, and as the narrative unfolds, we shift focus to a group of four kids who discover the spirit of a girl in an abandoned mansion—this girl is revealed to be Mizuki’s ghost, with no memory except for her wish to meet “Adam.”
However, several mysteries surround this young girl that leave more puzzles in her memories. The unmatched initial name on her ring, the boyfriend that seems mostly just her imagination, and the parents that she never knew before and why she can’t leave the mansion?
“Grief is the price we pay for love”. This quote perfectly describes the story. I always love Ai Yazawa’s art style and her storytelling. While some parts of her stories are questionable, you can’t deny that she is a master of blending romance with deep emotional layers. The grief was well portrayed and explored; it was devastating. I ugly cried toward the ending, the story was well written. The poetic monologue, the yearning for lost love is so painful that I don’t think I can get over it.
Overall, the story still has its flaws, not perfect (because there’s a certain part that I wish Ai Yazawa could have left out), but still, I didn’t expect to love and enjoy this series that much. Solid 4 ⭐️
Last Quarter is a story unlike anything Ai Yazawa has conjured up but still manages to retain the style she is renowned for. The story offers a blend of mystery and supernatural intrigue, wrapped in deep emotional layers. It revolves around Mizuki Mochizuki, a high school girl who meets Adam, a mysterious, blue-eyed guitarist. Mizuki becomes infatuated with him, and as the narrative unfolds, we shift focus to a group of four kids who discover the spirit of a girl in an abandoned mansion—this girl is revealed to be Mizuki’s ghost, with no memory except for her wish to meet “Adam.”
However, several mysteries surround this young girl that leave more puzzles in her memories. The unmatched initial name on her ring, the boyfriend that seems mostly just her imagination, and the parents that she never knew before and why she can’t leave the mansion?
“Grief is the price we pay for love”. This quote perfectly describes the story. I always love Ai Yazawa’s art style and her storytelling. While some parts of her stories are questionable, you can’t deny that she is a master of blending romance with deep emotional layers. The grief was well portrayed and explored; it was devastating. I ugly cried toward the ending, the story was well written. The poetic monologue, the yearning for lost love is so painful that I don’t think I can get over it.
Overall, the story still has its flaws, not perfect (because there’s a certain part that I wish Ai Yazawa could have left out), but still, I didn’t expect to love and enjoy this series that much. Solid 4 ⭐️
October 25, 2024
I'm not gonna lie, this one has me a bit confused...
The story is promoted as 'a supernatural mystery of two star-crossed lovers from the creator of Nana!', but this is not quite what one will find here. Most of the plot actually revolves around a group of young school children (I think they are 13) trying to solve the mystery of the ghost that only one of them can see... but is she a ghost or not?
And so the volume actually has a lot of cute and silly moments, with some typical young crush behavior, but it also gives a very dark vibe at times, especially when it comes to the mysterious character that is Adam, and everything that revolves around that ring with the wrong initials. I do actually think I know what's happening/going to happen here, and believe me, it's not pretty...
Over all, an enjoyable story, quite intriguing, but it needs to decide what it wants to be to actually be more engaging. Curious to see how volume two follows up...
3.5
The story is promoted as 'a supernatural mystery of two star-crossed lovers from the creator of Nana!', but this is not quite what one will find here. Most of the plot actually revolves around a group of young school children (I think they are 13) trying to solve the mystery of the ghost that only one of them can see... but is she a ghost or not?
And so the volume actually has a lot of cute and silly moments, with some typical young crush behavior, but it also gives a very dark vibe at times, especially when it comes to the mysterious character that is Adam, and everything that revolves around that ring with the wrong initials. I do actually think I know what's happening/going to happen here, and believe me, it's not pretty...
Over all, an enjoyable story, quite intriguing, but it needs to decide what it wants to be to actually be more engaging. Curious to see how volume two follows up...
3.5
August 26, 2025
This is Ai Yazawas least known manga series and it’s definitely more unique to her others, stepping into the supernatural and also having much younger subjects as her main characters. But it works so so well, she keeps the dark undertones and serious messaging; like mental health, drug addiction and broken families, but also manages to have some lovely comedic and heartwarming moments through her art style (also seen in paradise kiss and Nana).
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this series but I am so so excited to read the next volume
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this series but I am so so excited to read the next volume
November 10, 2024
ai yazawa, your art style forever remains iconic, and your plots forever remain depressing 💗
this was an interesting first volume, although the first chapter was wildly confusing to me. of course, for me, ai yazawa’s unique art style saved the shakey first chapter.
this was an interesting first volume, although the first chapter was wildly confusing to me. of course, for me, ai yazawa’s unique art style saved the shakey first chapter.
August 29, 2024
this had so much potential but sadly was a let down. ai yazawa im in mourning 💔💔💔
September 15, 2024
These sweet kids are trying to help this young woman… I just have a feeling that it’s not going to end well… !!! I don’t wanna cryyyy
November 2, 2024
I'm curious to see how this will be solved.
July 4, 2025
A new to me ai yazawa is such a treat in 2025! Even if her character designs and mannerisms are similar throughout her titles, idc!
August 27, 2024
I think this is my favorite Ai Yazawa story that I've read so far. Love watching the characters trying to figure out the mystery of what is going on!
October 6, 2024
Another one of Ai Yazawa's manga which is living in the shadow of Nana, but is so much better
December 25, 2024
star crossed lovers is a stretch lol. The mystery solving kids angle is fun.
December 11, 2024
3.25/5 quite confusing in the beginnin but intriguin by the end
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2024
i enjoyed this one a lot! very different vibe than aizawa's other works but probably one of my favourites so far.
September 18, 2024
This is a good story. Not what I would expect from Ai Yazawa from what I have read of her stuff. Excited to get the next volume and see how the story ends.
June 19, 2024
I’ve read Nana, Paradise Kiss, and I think one other and this is the only one I haven’t liked though the first act had potential. This looks very much like AI’s funky 90s art, a blond hippier version of Nana. Big Bratz boots, glam boho guitarist guys w/ rings. Even though Mizuki is sad, she’s got great drive to runaway w/ the optimism she’ll get a job straightaway and have cash to acquire more than the clothes in her back. Def set around that era because of the kawaii beepers.
Mizuki semi-shacks up w/ that musician Adam who seems to be a couch surfer even though she catches his songs on the radio. I hope it’s an off translation but either way her blurting he must be the reason his ex she knows nothing about is dead is very crazy. Yeah, it seems he has track marks but is she even that involved w/ him to be that rude? Things seem to be moving super quickly off the pg then?
Wait, then there’s choking after the ILY and crying?? Yeah, this story needed to breathe and a clearer progression plotted before it was put on paper. Beautiful cinematic city art and long hair but it’s like we jumped into a romance that not really there. It’s confirming my suspicions this is just put out to be a soft similarity for English audiences in how Nana would’ve gone if the author ever continued it: latching on to drug sick lonely band members. The guy w/ the dreads looks and acts just like the barkeep friend from Nana.
Any moment with lil kids does get me tearfully sentimental. The limbo scene is good but I am sick of every manga having parents die of a vague illness in a hospital and there to be the most convenient hit and runs. But I don’t like this following around li’l kids in school, it’s boring even though the Siamese cats and secret jewelry bits are cute. As for the ghost part? Those are usually cliche so I won’t be continuing the series I was hoping to be more mature. The end is exactly what I figured halfway or sooner through.
Mizuki semi-shacks up w/ that musician Adam who seems to be a couch surfer even though she catches his songs on the radio. I hope it’s an off translation but either way her blurting he must be the reason his ex she knows nothing about is dead is very crazy. Yeah, it seems he has track marks but is she even that involved w/ him to be that rude? Things seem to be moving super quickly off the pg then?
Wait, then there’s choking after the ILY and crying?? Yeah, this story needed to breathe and a clearer progression plotted before it was put on paper. Beautiful cinematic city art and long hair but it’s like we jumped into a romance that not really there. It’s confirming my suspicions this is just put out to be a soft similarity for English audiences in how Nana would’ve gone if the author ever continued it: latching on to drug sick lonely band members. The guy w/ the dreads looks and acts just like the barkeep friend from Nana.
Any moment with lil kids does get me tearfully sentimental. The limbo scene is good but I am sick of every manga having parents die of a vague illness in a hospital and there to be the most convenient hit and runs. But I don’t like this following around li’l kids in school, it’s boring even though the Siamese cats and secret jewelry bits are cute. As for the ghost part? Those are usually cliche so I won’t be continuing the series I was hoping to be more mature. The end is exactly what I figured halfway or sooner through.
June 23, 2024
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
This is probably not what you would expect from Yazawa: a supernatural piece with elementary school kids solving a Scoobie Doo mystery about a young woman ghost. Yes, the fantastic styles are all there but everything is still a bit muted and there aren't enough quirky side characters to really make this roll. That said, it's not a terrible read either.Story: Miserable at home, 17 year old Mizuki falls in love with a guitarists she meets randomly at a park - and then runs away to be with him. At the same time, elementary school student Hotaru is out looking for her missing cat when she is involved in an accident. Before she awakens, she meets a ghostly figure named Mizuki. Together with her best friends, Hotaru will try to solve the mystery of who Mizuki is and what happened to her.
The story of Mizuki and Hotaru are interwoven throughout the book. For the most part, we follow Hotaru as she first has to convince others that Mizuki isn't a dream and then work together to track down information about her. Hotaru feels a connection to her and wants to help her. The mystery of who Mizuki is contrasts with the mystery of why Hotaru can see her. We do get quite a few (obvious) answers to both questions by the end of this first volume.
In all, it was a fun read but also quite sad since the boyfriend seems to be melancholy and abusive while Mizuki looks to have developed a codependant relationship. This plays against the innocence of the kids. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
November 6, 2025
I think it would have been more interesting if we didn’t know anything about Mizuki - if the story started with the accident itself and we only discover her past with the story progression. I say this because her character felt very flat, her only concern being Adam feels very immature (well she’s only 17 but still). I feel like it would have been better for us readers, and more fulfilling for the character, if Adam was not only the thing she remembers from her past, but also all that we know of her character. At the same time I understand why Ai Yazawa did it the way she did, start a story just like any normal romance would to then twisted it for the public with the accident and the supernatural stuff, the surprise element.
I still don’t know if Adam was actually there or if Mizuki just imagined him as a way to deal with her life problems. Like she saw him on MTV one day and next she imagines him on the streets singing, no one paying attention to him, an english man speaking perfect japanese, living in an abandoned mansion alone. Feels weird. I think a lot of plot twist will happen in the following chapters.
Well I’m intrigued now, more than I expected to be when I first started reading, so I can’t wait to start the next volume.
I love how we have four kids solving a (supernatural) mystery. My favorite type of narratives, seriously.
I still don’t know if Adam was actually there or if Mizuki just imagined him as a way to deal with her life problems. Like she saw him on MTV one day and next she imagines him on the streets singing, no one paying attention to him, an english man speaking perfect japanese, living in an abandoned mansion alone. Feels weird. I think a lot of plot twist will happen in the following chapters.
Well I’m intrigued now, more than I expected to be when I first started reading, so I can’t wait to start the next volume.
I love how we have four kids solving a (supernatural) mystery. My favorite type of narratives, seriously.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
I love, love Ai Yazawa’s style of writing. Even though I don’t particularly like romance, the way she makes it almost philosophical and lets me think is amazing. She’s the only author who manages to do this for me without making it corny.
This book in particular (at least the first volume) isn’t very heavy on the romance, but it still has it as an underlying main theme. I don’t want to spoil it too much, but the little adventures that happen in it are very heartwarming, and I love guessing what will happen next. I like the thing they’ve done in the beginning, and the way the story is handled overall.
I have taken one point off though because, and this is the only spoiler I will give, the age gap between the two main characters is quite insane for me. Mizuki turns 17 at one point while shes together with the male love interest, Adam, which meant that she was 16 when she met him. Adam is 20. And the book implies that they both liked each other since they’ve first met, so… that’s definitely creepy and kinda off putting, but when you get past that, the book is very wholesome. I was honestly thinking about taking more points off just for that, but maybe in the second or third volume Mizuki will realize how creepy this all was lol (I’m still hopeful)
This book in particular (at least the first volume) isn’t very heavy on the romance, but it still has it as an underlying main theme. I don’t want to spoil it too much, but the little adventures that happen in it are very heartwarming, and I love guessing what will happen next. I like the thing they’ve done in the beginning, and the way the story is handled overall.
I have taken one point off though because, and this is the only spoiler I will give, the age gap between the two main characters is quite insane for me. Mizuki turns 17 at one point while shes together with the male love interest, Adam, which meant that she was 16 when she met him. Adam is 20. And the book implies that they both liked each other since they’ve first met, so… that’s definitely creepy and kinda off putting, but when you get past that, the book is very wholesome. I was honestly thinking about taking more points off just for that, but maybe in the second or third volume Mizuki will realize how creepy this all was lol (I’m still hopeful)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
2025 Eisner Award finalist - Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
This book was originally published in 1998 and was adapted for the screen in 2004, but it's new to me. The first chapter of this book is an over the top teen romance that segues into a somewhat lighthearted haunted house mystery starring a bunch of fifth graders in the the remaining chapters. I really didn't like the angsty romance in the first chapter and was ready to stop reading, but I persevered and finished. From the second chapter on it became more interesting, although still not really in my wheelhouse. I am not the target audience for this book. The artwork is very good, probably more realistic and detailed than typical manga. I don't anticipate reading future volumes, but appreciate having my literary experience expanded just a bit.
This book was originally published in 1998 and was adapted for the screen in 2004, but it's new to me. The first chapter of this book is an over the top teen romance that segues into a somewhat lighthearted haunted house mystery starring a bunch of fifth graders in the the remaining chapters. I really didn't like the angsty romance in the first chapter and was ready to stop reading, but I persevered and finished. From the second chapter on it became more interesting, although still not really in my wheelhouse. I am not the target audience for this book. The artwork is very good, probably more realistic and detailed than typical manga. I don't anticipate reading future volumes, but appreciate having my literary experience expanded just a bit.
January 2, 2025
Thank you so much NetGalley and Viz Media for this arc!!
5/5 stars!
I can't tell you how happy I am this is finally being translated into English!! I've loved Ai Yazawa since I first read Nana in the early 2000s, and getting to read more of her works is such a treat. Now, the start of this one felt really rushed and didn't seem like her usual storytelling ability, but it was just the prologue as the rest of this is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! I can already tell this will be one of my favourite manga series (honestly like all of her work though let's be real lol). I love how Hotaru and her friends are so into solving the mystery around Eve/Mizuki. Their dynamics together are so sweet and real, they all instantly captured my heart. I'm really looking forward to the next volume!
5/5 stars!
I can't tell you how happy I am this is finally being translated into English!! I've loved Ai Yazawa since I first read Nana in the early 2000s, and getting to read more of her works is such a treat. Now, the start of this one felt really rushed and didn't seem like her usual storytelling ability, but it was just the prologue as the rest of this is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! I can already tell this will be one of my favourite manga series (honestly like all of her work though let's be real lol). I love how Hotaru and her friends are so into solving the mystery around Eve/Mizuki. Their dynamics together are so sweet and real, they all instantly captured my heart. I'm really looking forward to the next volume!
September 2, 2024
I went into this blind but kind of expecting a romance. It is a supernatural mystery with four adorable kids trying to solve it. It’s about how two lives are intertwined at the moment of an accident and the mystical nature of where one could go while deeply unconscious. A ghost story of sorts…
It wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but it still was very compelling and you can already tell how sincere the children are in helping this lost soul. I can only imagine it will get better as we learn more about Adam and Mizuki.
Special thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media|VIZ Media LLC for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.
It wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but it still was very compelling and you can already tell how sincere the children are in helping this lost soul. I can only imagine it will get better as we learn more about Adam and Mizuki.
Special thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media|VIZ Media LLC for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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