One day while having lunch in the Literature Club room, Kanon learns about a surprising club tradition from Miura-sensei. Every year, club members spend summer break writing something for the school's literature contest. Miura-sensei surprises Kanon even further by complimenting her writing and encouraging her to enter something for that year's contest. Though Kanon is initially reluctant, she later finds herself mulling over everything that's happened since she lost her hearing and met Saki. Could there be a story in there somewhere? Meanwhile, Saki gets roped into playing piano for the upcoming choir contest. Now she just has to find the perfect song...and hope her classmates can accept Kanon in the choir.
Kanon and Ayano used to be the best of friends; then they weren’t. Saki is now finding out the whys of it all from Ayano, but can she really fix anything between them?
A tale of two mangas, this time out. One part of this story is strictly okay, the other part is absolutely dynamite. Hence they will meet in the middle, score-wise, but let’s get into it.
Ayano’s story is great. This is how you do a flashback, by showing how it feeds into the present and affects things there. Ayano was a staunch friend and helper to Kanon, but she paid a price that she didn’t even realize she was paying.
Her homelife being an absolute disaster, Ayano exists in a silent struggle compared to the much more obvious struggles of Kanon. Even she doesn’t think to put herself ahead of Kanon, until it’s far, far too late and the strain of it all plus the knowledge of what she’s missing out on with school come crashing down.
Being ignored in her struggles, even though nobody else knows about them, leads Ayano to lash out hard at Kanon and push their friendship into the trash. And then, later, after Kanon’s had it even worse, to stomp the trash down even further.
It’s so, so good (uh, drama-wise) and just makes total sense, plus gives the perspective of somebody seen as just an aid to a disabled person and nothing else. Saki has largely avoided that by treating Kanon like a person first and a disability second, which is why the two have become so close.
This section ends with Ayano having a bit of a tsundere moment amidst Saki’s rather astute (if innocent) observations that leads to the potential, at least, for a reconciliation, even if nothing gets promised right out of the gate.
The next part is also really solid, as we see the effect that Saki and Kanon are having on one another. Saki is working harder than ever at the piano - the subtle shift in the art style is so well done - and Kanon is finding that she wants to have a goal again (which also paves the way for a VERY funny joke at Saki’s expense).
It’s the back half that doesn’t really engage me too much, bringing in a choir contest for the school festival, and that sets Saki up to play the piano and Tomita, one of the girls who hates Kanon, as her conductor.
Tomita knew Kanon and is carrying around an incredible amount of chips on her shoulder, as she aims to teach Kanon a little humility for the latter’s supposed aloof behaviour, though a lot of that stems from how people have always treated her.
Where this hits the skids is when Saki and Tomita get saddled with picking the song themselves and Saki ends up picking, of all things, Ebony and Ivory. Which is reasonable, provided you have never heard the song before.
Time has not been kind to that song and, from my perspective, with good reason. It’s a massive simplification of a complicated problem and they treat it here with a reverence that I can’t help but feel is unearned. Again, if you only know what you’re given here, it’s fine. Sadly, I do not.
There’s a veneer of schmaltz over this whole thing, from Kanon getting her mother’s opinion on her singing to the big explanation of the choice of song. I mean, it fits a choir song, but it’s pretty underwhelming compared to the Ayako stuff. I do appreciate the teacher pointing out how successful Stevie Wonder has been despite being blind, that was a good use of the material.
I have hopes that this will right itself - there’s a weirdly vague subplot with Tomita that I think might turn into something and it conveniently lets Kanon step in to conduct. That lets her sneak around all the issues with her trying to sing or lip sync, which is not a great way to solve a narrative problem, but does let her spend more time with Saki.
Yuri content is minute this time around, speaking of, but there are lots of little details that are worth picking up on, like how Saki thinks of Kanon and vice-versa, and how incredibly close they get during some moments of happiness. It’s indirect, but still there. The couch moment is just left there perfectly.
4 stars - I think the choir stuff is going to leave me cold, but there are some embers there that might make it turn out at least tolerable. The real draw for this volume is the first chunk with Ayako, which is as good as last volume and worth the price of admission.
The backstory of Kanon and Ayano has now been fully revealed. Her first appearance made it seem like she's just a mean bitch, but her story was actually quite heavy. Which doesn't really "justify" the way she acted in chapter 3, but makes it more understanding.
Truly amazing how optimistic Saki is and how she sees the good in everyone & everything.
With the festival coming up, Saki's and Kanon's class choir is planning to perform, which brings back bad memories of Kanon's last performance in middle school. She wants to participate, but also doesn't want to cause trouble for everyone. A previous antagonist unintentionally helps her with that, which was great but also sus. Not gonna spoiler, but I hope the situation will be cleared up in the next volume! It was quite sudden after all.
I also love the song choice for the choir, especially the thought the author put in. I didn't even know the background and message of that song!
A meandering volume. All the tension that has been building up until this point goes right out the window. There's just not much going on. The only satisfying moment in the volume is seeing Kanon step out of her comfort zone again.
odio que sean tan cortoooooos me encanta como hablan de las relaciones humanas, como varían y, en cuanto a oikawa, como los afecta. se siente que todo gira al rededor de las personas que rodean a oikawa pero después te muestran su perspectiva, lo que te hace conectar con todos los personajes. en ningún momento culpas a ninguno, lo que no significa que te tenga que caer bien, es simplemente que todos son muy humanos y actúan en base a situaciones de su vida privada que no podemos juzgar. desde siempre ame el slow born y siento que este no va a ser una excepción. los sentimientos de saki parecieran ya haberse establecido aunque se ve el como van mutando y creciendo. por ahora pareciera poder estar bien pero me da miedo que en algún momento eso cambie. en cuanto a oikawa, por ahora no pareciera haber generado sentimientos diferentes a amistad con saki pero se ve el cuánto la ama y quiere estar con ella. la verdad es que me hubiera gustado ver más del profesor, aunque dudo que vaya a aparecer mucho más. LAS ESTOY AMANDODOOOOO
This volume was quite intriguing. As we learn more about Kanon’s past and her share of struggles, we progressively come to the understanding that she has had to deal with a lot more than we initially suspected. I am once again super curious as to how her relationship with Saki will evolve: will they remain friends? Just friends? All the thoughts the both of them try to forget seem to hint that friendship is slowly but surely getting off the table. The question is thus… When will it happen, and how? I am still very invested in the storyline, but I am starting to worry that the ending will end up being rushed, due to how long it takes to set up Kanon’s background. I hope I’m wrong.
Qué bien está esta serie, de verdad. El romance es muy secundario y muy slow burn pero realmente me gusta y no me importa porque me encanta lo bien hecho que está el desarrollo de ambas protagonistas y la discapacidad de Kanon y su superación personal.
This series continues to be extremely good, and to my limited experience at least a very good portrayal of the difficulties deaf and heard of hearing people experience in their day to day life. It's also very gay.
**REVIEW** Not as tense as the previous chapters but I'm kinda glad. The majority of this volume was a nice breather/filler after that incredible opening chapter.
# CH 13 AYANO: [thinking] ‘If I was born into a normal family…’
1. God I feel bad for Ayano.. :(
AYANO: [thinking] ‘Not a single person cares about my troubles.’
1. <:[
AYANO: ‘You’re treated so special just because your ears don’t work.’
1. OH GOOD GRIEF—NAH. AYANO
SAKI: ‘If you were a truly bad person, you would’ve completely forgotten about Kanon and gone on enjoying your life. And say you that did remember. You probably would’ve gone on thinking “It wasn’t my fault” or “What I did was right.”’
1. I don’t entirely agree with the existence of good and bad people in this situation but it’s proof Ayano does care. She isn’t a sociopath. Man, this makes me think about so many things in my life
2. I love the comedy in this manga. Saki making a frenemy in Ayano is so silly I love it!!
3. DUDE that took such a bittersweet and surprisingly wholesome ending?! I was anticipating this chapter for a LONG TIME and it was near PERFECT. They nailed almost everything I wanted from it—I wish it made me cry but anyway, I’m elated
# CH 14 TANABE: ‘AHHH! I GOTTA PUT OUT MORE CHAPTERS!’ KANON: ‘Still… that means there are five total strangers that like your short story, right? Isn’t that pretty amazing?’ TANABE: [smiling] ‘Aww, you’re making me blush.’
1. Aww, Kanon’s so genuine TuT She wants to achieve something, too
2. Also, this manga being SO character-focused is AMAZING. I am BAFFLED by how good it is
KANON: [thinking] ‘I wish I could have it once more… something I can devote myself to and strive for.’
1. Man, I need to surround myself around creative and ambitious people again. I’m surrounded by peolle who just study and consume atm help T-T
2. Omg Kanon writer arc?!
SAKI: ‘So you don’t want to do it?’ KANON: ‘…That’s not the issue.’
1. And she’s talking to Saki about it :)
2. Aw, and Saki inspired her TuT
KANON: ‘If the me that had just lost her hearing and had fallen to despair… If she had the chance to read this I have a feelingit may have been able to save her…’
1. Omg T-T
KANON: ‘I wonder what this feeling is. I no longer feel as depressed as before.’
1. Aw, yay <:] That’s such a well observed detail. If you’ve been depressed for so long, you forget what it’s like before that feeling omg <3
# CH 15 TOMITA: ‘It’s as if she’s looking down on everyone else. She hasn’t changed at all…’
1. Oh, Tomita knew Kanon before high school?! Shit…
TOMITA: [to SAKI] ‘Hey.’
1. What the HECK do you want?!
TOMITA: ‘Where do you think you’re going?’
1. Oh, right, choir
SAKI: ‘After I read that and listened to the song, to tell you the truth, I started crying alone in the classroom.’
1. AW REAL!!!
2. ALSO SAKI NOT RACIST CONFIRMED WHOO!!
KANON: ‘There you have it! That’s what I was thinking about! That’s all!’
1. LMAO honest communication but the way she and her father say things sometimes is hilarious
C'est après deux yuri à la lecture plus que moyenne que celui-ci prend toute sa saveur par sa profondeur et sa beauté. Vraiment Kuzushiro écrit magnifiquement sur le handicap.
Depuis cette année, j'ai une ancienne sourde dans ma classe et grâce à une formation, j'ai pris plus conscience de ce que notre monde signifiait pour elle et je trouve cela très bien rendu ici. Je suis ainsi d'autant plus touchée par cette belle et douce lecture.
Dans ce tome, j'ai apprécié de découvrir l'histoire de l'ancienne amie de Kanon, qui a complètement craqué à force de voir qu'on se préoccupait beaucoup de Kanon grâce à son handicap connu de tous, mais pas d'elle alors qu'elle avait des difficultés tout aussi grandes dans sa vie même si différente. Cela a sonné juste. Il n'y a pas qu'un type de personne qui peut être en détresse, tout le monde peut l'être et il n'y pas de gradation, de plus important que d'autre, c'est important et difficile pour tout le monde. J'ai aimé ce discours.
De la même façon, j'ai apprécié de continuer à voir se développer la relation entre Kanon et Saki. Chacune se tire vers le haut et c'est vraiment touchant. Elles sont belles. Aucune ne se limite. Aucune ne limite l'autre. Ainsi chacune mène ses combats et elles se réunissent ensuite, en discutent, échangent et se rapprochent entre et toujours. C'est beau.
J'ai pris un vif plaisir à voir Kanon évoluer ici, que ce soit dans ses relations amicales au lycée, dans l'entreprise où elle se lance en voulant écrire son histoire pour celle qu'elle était autrefois, ou en osant chanter devant sa mère et prendre une grande responsabilité avec la chorale. Elle avance à nouveau et affronte ses peurs, ça fait plaisir à voir ! Saki n'est pas en reste et elle aussi prend le taureau par les cornes et affronte Tomita qui lui faisait si peur. Elle montre que la gentillesse est une force pas une faiblesse et qu'on peut affronter sans faillir ceux qui nous font peur. J'ai été touchée par sa force et son courage.
Nous avons donc ici une série des plus émouvantes où l'autrice en plus d'avoir parfaitement cernée les implications d'un handicap tel que celui de Kanon, ne définit pas celle-ci et ceux qui l'entourent à l'aune de cela. Au contraire, elle propose un discours tout sauf validiste et offre à chacun l'occasion de s'appuyer sur ses forces pour dépasser ses faiblesses, ce qui est extrêmement positif et touchant à voir. J'adore !
4.25 stars Wieder ein wirklich schöner Band. Saki erfährt von Ayano mehr über Kanon und ihre Vergangenheit und zieht daraus für sich neue Schlüsse. Nun stehen die beiden nämlich vor einer neuen Hürde: dem Chorsingen der Klasse. Kanon sucht gleichzeitig nach einem neuen Traum oder Ziel, dass sie nun verfolgen kann. Ihre Freundschaft vertieft sich und sie finden gemeinsam neue Wege. Was es mit Tomita auf sich hat, interessiert mich sehr. Habe auch meine Vermutungen, warum sie fehlt, aber vielleicht erfahren wir mehr im nächsten Band. Das einzige, was ich nicht gut finde, hat nichts mit der Geschichte zu tun. Aber warum hat Egmont diese Reihe - und das so ziemlich als einzige im ganzen Programm - einfach nen Euro teurer gemacht ab diesem Jahr? Sasaki & Miyano zB nicht, und die Bände sind genauso dünn wie diese Reihe …
Ayano's encounter early in the manga in the mall scene and choosing to ignore Kanon by glaring and walking away isn't really justified even with her backstory revealed but as Saiki (who's a little too optimistic), was still kind to still seat her down and provide exposition and feeling regret, that I agree with. There's an undertone of aspiration within this volume and it's something I resonate with, Saiki with her goal for the piano, Tanabe with her writing, that one girl who's friends with Saiki with her ping pong (I can't seem to recall her name) and with Kanon still grasping with exactly what to do. I don't like Tomita and the setup for the choir contest is neat. By far my favourite volume.
I'm glad we met Kanon's backstory friend and heard her side of their story. I'm glad Kanon's seems to have found a new art. I'm worried Saki is going to end up losing herself in Kanon like the previous friend did.
There was a brief scene of Kanon being passively bullied, which I didn't like. Kanon having the confidence to step in to volunteer with conducting the school festival choir provided balance to those bad vibes.
The juxtaposition of these two stories in this volume was like a push and pull. I'm glad the volume ended on a high notes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A transitional book in the series. In other words, it's awkward without any resolution or big steps forward. On the positive side, it looked there there was going to be some manufactured drama in order to advance the plot but the creator nicely dodges that pitfall and keeps our two heroes Saki and Kanon firmly on the same team. Still, having big drama over a school musical performance feels a tad overdone.
Whole lotta nothing happened in this one. Felt like a filler chapter with some plot seedlings that may or may not grow.
I think I might give up on this series after the next volume if nothing “exciting” happens. The first three books were fun, but I’m not here to waste time on a series that keeps building and building with no relief anytime soon.
4.5 stars. This series just gets better and better. I like that the girls are working on the school’s choir contest together. Also, it looks like Kanon might be catching feelings for Saki! There was some great self reflection from her in this one. Another wonderful volume to this lovely series.
As the scope of the story widens to include more characters with beef against Kanon and more plot threads are revealed, I'm feeling a little worried that the story beats aren't hitting as hard as they did in the previous volumes.
I feel like this volume got quite deep and I really enjoyed seeing more of Kanon’s backstory as well as her starting to choose to move forward and get back some of the passion, hope, stubbornness, and desire to engage that she’d lost. Looking forward to the next volume!
Mira no había guardado este porque no tengo claro qué capítulos son de qué volumen, pero ya está leído y el último capítulo antes de lo que sé son el vol 5 lo leí en marzo xd
(Aviso: lectura hecha en ejemplar en español, publicado en México. La presente nota se modificará cuando se dé de alta en GR la edición correspondiente).