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稲妻とロマンス [Inazuma to Romance] #1
Scar and Romance T01
Sumire wants to experience romance... but will she get the chance, when her new seat-mate is a 20-year-old with swirling rumors surrounding him? A dangerous new romance from the author of Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight, Kira-kun Today, and Love's Reach!
192 pages
First published June 11, 2021
15 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Rin Mikimoto
53 books88 followers• Associated name: Mikimoto凛
• Name in native language: みきもと凛
• Blood Type: AB
• Zodiac: Taurus
5月18日生まれ。おうし座。AB型。『SHE'S ALL THAT』で第18回BF新人まんが 大賞佳作を受賞してデビュー。代表作は、『近キョリ恋愛』。
Rough Google translation:
Debut was awarded the 18th BF rookie comics Award Honorable Mention in the "SHE'S ALL THAT". Masterpiece is, "Close Range Love"(Kinkyori Renai).
• Name in native language: みきもと凛
• Blood Type: AB
• Zodiac: Taurus
5月18日生まれ。おうし座。AB型。『SHE'S ALL THAT』で第18回BF新人まんが 大賞佳作を受賞してデビュー。代表作は、『近キョリ恋愛』。
Rough Google translation:
Debut was awarded the 18th BF rookie comics Award Honorable Mention in the "SHE'S ALL THAT". Masterpiece is, "Close Range Love"(Kinkyori Renai).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
September 2, 2025
(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC copy in exchange for a review)
Does two stars seem harsh? Probably, but hear me out. It's not like this manga isn't good although I have to say I'm a bit weirded out by having a twenty years old boy in my high school as my potential lovers. Still and all, this novel do have an interesting premise to offer.
Lightning and Romance follows Sumire, who despite having an overprotective father, will to experience new things in her life — including a life-changing romance. However, that might happen sooner than expected when the mysterious troublemaker, Leo Ninomiya becomes her deskmate.
Firstly, I love the illustrations and the outfits drew in the manga. It's simply amazing since I always paid attention to it and it was nice to see them dressing up. I also love Sumire's character who's bold and consenting.
However, I'm a bit bummed by Leo who wasn't given the nuts and bolts, though it may be intentional. I just feel like the mangaka was too focused on making him mysterious that we barely get anything of his character. I believe this will be laid out more in the next volume, but the first volume itself was a bit convoluted. Every scene or chapter sometimes does not connect to the next. I was also a bit disappointed when I find that nothing really happened in this volume, even though the romance was developed naturally. I just wished there's a bit more to it.
As a whole, it's hard to say if I wanted to continue with the next volume since I didn't find myself interested enough to stay for this one. It's the kind of book that I'll read if my friends lend it to me but not one I'll spend on, myself 🌚
Does two stars seem harsh? Probably, but hear me out. It's not like this manga isn't good although I have to say I'm a bit weirded out by having a twenty years old boy in my high school as my potential lovers. Still and all, this novel do have an interesting premise to offer.
Lightning and Romance follows Sumire, who despite having an overprotective father, will to experience new things in her life — including a life-changing romance. However, that might happen sooner than expected when the mysterious troublemaker, Leo Ninomiya becomes her deskmate.
Firstly, I love the illustrations and the outfits drew in the manga. It's simply amazing since I always paid attention to it and it was nice to see them dressing up. I also love Sumire's character who's bold and consenting.
However, I'm a bit bummed by Leo who wasn't given the nuts and bolts, though it may be intentional. I just feel like the mangaka was too focused on making him mysterious that we barely get anything of his character. I believe this will be laid out more in the next volume, but the first volume itself was a bit convoluted. Every scene or chapter sometimes does not connect to the next. I was also a bit disappointed when I find that nothing really happened in this volume, even though the romance was developed naturally. I just wished there's a bit more to it.
As a whole, it's hard to say if I wanted to continue with the next volume since I didn't find myself interested enough to stay for this one. It's the kind of book that I'll read if my friends lend it to me but not one I'll spend on, myself 🌚
October 11, 2024
Ci son cascata di nuovo.
March 25, 2022
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*
A solid first instalment in a new manga series. The translation was some of the best I’d seen. Somehow the translator managed to infuse the dialogue with a noticeably American tone through little phrases and terms of endearment and, whilst it struck me as odd for a manga, it was a standout feature of this vol.
The protagonist Sumire and the love interest Reo had great chemistry which was certainly helped by Sumire’s gutsiness and Reno’s smooth charm. However, there were some problematic aspects to it due to the age difference—Sumire being 16 and Reo being 20—as well as the fact that Reo was technically an adult even though he was in high school whilst Sumire was still underage. Nothing inappropriate happened between them but any premature declarations of love were succeeded by mental reminders of the large age gap.
The plot was relatively short given that this vol was just introducing the characters and setting up the whole story. Unexpectedly, the mystery and intrigue created by certain suggestive comments halfway through were what really made this manga seem like more than your average shojo romance. However, the pacing was off because the ending was far too abrupt. There was no excuse for the sudden ending because the author even had pages to spare to add a little bonus story for her previous manga series at the end so it wasn’t as though she was tight for pages. If it had been a cliffhanger ending that would have made some sense, but in this case the vol ended in the middle of a conversation and that was the main issue that held this back from receiving 5 stars.
A solid first instalment in a new manga series. The translation was some of the best I’d seen. Somehow the translator managed to infuse the dialogue with a noticeably American tone through little phrases and terms of endearment and, whilst it struck me as odd for a manga, it was a standout feature of this vol.
The protagonist Sumire and the love interest Reo had great chemistry which was certainly helped by Sumire’s gutsiness and Reno’s smooth charm. However, there were some problematic aspects to it due to the age difference—Sumire being 16 and Reo being 20—as well as the fact that Reo was technically an adult even though he was in high school whilst Sumire was still underage. Nothing inappropriate happened between them but any premature declarations of love were succeeded by mental reminders of the large age gap.
The plot was relatively short given that this vol was just introducing the characters and setting up the whole story. Unexpectedly, the mystery and intrigue created by certain suggestive comments halfway through were what really made this manga seem like more than your average shojo romance. However, the pacing was off because the ending was far too abrupt. There was no excuse for the sudden ending because the author even had pages to spare to add a little bonus story for her previous manga series at the end so it wasn’t as though she was tight for pages. If it had been a cliffhanger ending that would have made some sense, but in this case the vol ended in the middle of a conversation and that was the main issue that held this back from receiving 5 stars.
February 4, 2022
Absolutely obsessed! Brooding bad boy (but maybe not so bad?) love interest and innocent never fallen in love before protagonist and a beautiful art style are a recipe for a perfect reading experience. I absolutely loved this manga and will definitely be continuing the series. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for review purposes.
March 19, 2022
If you've been reading Rin Mikimoto's previously translated works, you may have figured out that she has a thing for the age-gap romance - all of her works but Kira-kun Today fall under that heading. This time she's trying something new in the field - rather than having her heroine fall in love with a teacher (Love's Reach) or a famous, slightly older celebrity (Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight), the older man Sumire falls for is in her high school class...but he's twenty years old.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with going back at a nontraditional age and finishing your education, so although it's odd, it's not bad that Reo is sitting in a second-year high school classroom. He also is much more fervent in his attempts to fend Sumire off than some of Mikimoto's other heroes, so he knows that this is maybe not an awesome relationship to be embarking on. But Sumire comes from the Chutzpah School of Romance Heroines, and she's not about to let him dictate her feelings - especially not when he's kind of bad at hiding that he may like her, too.
The text hints that he and Sumire knew each other in the past, and that perhaps she's inadvertently behind his switch from his bad boy ways to where he is now. That's intriguing, but it need development in volume two or it will cease to be a mitigating factor in their budding romance's inappropriateness. There's also a bit of an insta-love feel to Sumire falling for him, and coupled with the fact that she's more than ready for romance, he does feel a bit more like "convenient love" than "true love." But there's still enough here to make this worth following, especially if you've enjoyed Mikimoto's work before.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with going back at a nontraditional age and finishing your education, so although it's odd, it's not bad that Reo is sitting in a second-year high school classroom. He also is much more fervent in his attempts to fend Sumire off than some of Mikimoto's other heroes, so he knows that this is maybe not an awesome relationship to be embarking on. But Sumire comes from the Chutzpah School of Romance Heroines, and she's not about to let him dictate her feelings - especially not when he's kind of bad at hiding that he may like her, too.
The text hints that he and Sumire knew each other in the past, and that perhaps she's inadvertently behind his switch from his bad boy ways to where he is now. That's intriguing, but it need development in volume two or it will cease to be a mitigating factor in their budding romance's inappropriateness. There's also a bit of an insta-love feel to Sumire falling for him, and coupled with the fact that she's more than ready for romance, he does feel a bit more like "convenient love" than "true love." But there's still enough here to make this worth following, especially if you've enjoyed Mikimoto's work before.
October 28, 2024
I'm intrigued! I wasn't much of a fan of this author's Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight series, so I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. The illustrations are amazing and the plot has a mystery element that makes me want to know how Reo knew her before meeting in class. I'm going to pick up the next volume for sure!
February 6, 2022
Sumire is starting her second year of high school and ready for love. What she may be slightly less ready for is the school’s roving rumour, Ninomiya, who ends up sitting next to her. Will love blossom between a young girl and a… twenty-year-old bartender who still goes to high school?
From the Sumire to the ridiculous is but a step. I wouldn’t call this an especially brilliant bit of manga, but I do like it. And, notably, it felt a lot more interesting than Kiss Me At the Stroke of Midnight, the mangaka’s previous series, which I never bothered to finish.
The reason this series works can be traced almost entirely to Sumire, who leans heavily toward the gutsier side of shojo heroines, which is a trend I will never tire of. She’s decisive and forthright without sacrificing her girlier side (not that women can’t balance both, obviously, but manga doesn’t typically go for it).
She’s absolutely charming and her confession(s) in this volume just kill it (I love how she surprises herself). It doesn’t hurt that Mikimoto’s “ugly-cute” art style has gotten a lot better and fits Sumire to a tee. Strong personality and no fear is a brilliant combination.
The plot of this is incredibly silly. Cramming a 20-year-old into high school is certainly one way to throw these two together, but, while there is clearly more to this story, Ninomiya is an odd blend of the attempted gruff with a hilariously not-so-hidden cute side.
Clearly the sensitive side is his true nature because shojo, but it really makes the gruff parts much more laughable. Like, this guy goes between alley brawls and applying nail polish. He comes off like a sack full of kittens armed with razor blades. I expect the more we dive into his backstory, the sillier it will get, especially with the implied past connection to Sumire.
The writing does some things okay - when Ninomiya gets caught out blushing after Sumire has already been rejected it’s a really cute moment - but the plot dynamics are super nonsense. Sumire bellying up to the bar, the false accusation against Ninomiya at school, the ‘struck by Lightning’ line (it refers to Ninomiya’s nickname and I scowl every time I think about it)? It’s got its problems.
Finally, as somebody with a purebred ragdoll cat of his own, who has spent the last ten years watching it pee all over my furniture, I cannot get behind this manga’s depiction of Sumire’s as cuddly and perfect.
3.5 stars - I do not have much excitement for the story, but dang is Sumire ever great. I won’t round up because I don’t think we’ll do anything but get sillier from here, but as long as Sumire stays this strong as a character, I’m more than happy to stick with her for a while.
From the Sumire to the ridiculous is but a step. I wouldn’t call this an especially brilliant bit of manga, but I do like it. And, notably, it felt a lot more interesting than Kiss Me At the Stroke of Midnight, the mangaka’s previous series, which I never bothered to finish.
The reason this series works can be traced almost entirely to Sumire, who leans heavily toward the gutsier side of shojo heroines, which is a trend I will never tire of. She’s decisive and forthright without sacrificing her girlier side (not that women can’t balance both, obviously, but manga doesn’t typically go for it).
She’s absolutely charming and her confession(s) in this volume just kill it (I love how she surprises herself). It doesn’t hurt that Mikimoto’s “ugly-cute” art style has gotten a lot better and fits Sumire to a tee. Strong personality and no fear is a brilliant combination.
The plot of this is incredibly silly. Cramming a 20-year-old into high school is certainly one way to throw these two together, but, while there is clearly more to this story, Ninomiya is an odd blend of the attempted gruff with a hilariously not-so-hidden cute side.
Clearly the sensitive side is his true nature because shojo, but it really makes the gruff parts much more laughable. Like, this guy goes between alley brawls and applying nail polish. He comes off like a sack full of kittens armed with razor blades. I expect the more we dive into his backstory, the sillier it will get, especially with the implied past connection to Sumire.
The writing does some things okay - when Ninomiya gets caught out blushing after Sumire has already been rejected it’s a really cute moment - but the plot dynamics are super nonsense. Sumire bellying up to the bar, the false accusation against Ninomiya at school, the ‘struck by Lightning’ line (it refers to Ninomiya’s nickname and I scowl every time I think about it)? It’s got its problems.
Finally, as somebody with a purebred ragdoll cat of his own, who has spent the last ten years watching it pee all over my furniture, I cannot get behind this manga’s depiction of Sumire’s as cuddly and perfect.
3.5 stars - I do not have much excitement for the story, but dang is Sumire ever great. I won’t round up because I don’t think we’ll do anything but get sillier from here, but as long as Sumire stays this strong as a character, I’m more than happy to stick with her for a while.
February 3, 2022
It’s the beginning of Sumire’s second year of high school. Who will be her new seat mate? Ok so, it turns out the person sitting next to her is a 20 year old man? Everyone is afraid of Reo Ninomiya because of rumors of a violent past. Sumire is a gutsy girl so she helps him out a couple of times and things take off from there.
This volume opens up some mysteries, like why is Ninomiya in high school at age 20? It looks like his grandfather is the president of a company but Ninomiya is a bartender after school, so I guess we’ll find out about his family history at some point. And most intriguing of all, what is Ninomiya’s past connection to Sumire?
I thought this was just ok. I’m not invested in the main couple in anyway at this point, but I’m curious enough to pick up the next volume.
Thanks NetGalley and Kodansha for an advanced digital copy to read and review.
This volume opens up some mysteries, like why is Ninomiya in high school at age 20? It looks like his grandfather is the president of a company but Ninomiya is a bartender after school, so I guess we’ll find out about his family history at some point. And most intriguing of all, what is Ninomiya’s past connection to Sumire?
I thought this was just ok. I’m not invested in the main couple in anyway at this point, but I’m curious enough to pick up the next volume.
Thanks NetGalley and Kodansha for an advanced digital copy to read and review.
February 25, 2022
Lightning & Romance ❤️
Art style:- 5/5⭐️
Plot:- 4/5⭐️
Characters:- 5/5⭐️
Romance:- 4/5⭐️
"I want to experience a love that can change my world too."
Thank you to Netgalley & Kodansha for this e-Arc. I am so in love with this Shoujo manga. I love how pretty the art style, the plot development & the character development too. As we go in deeper, we learn something about Ninomiya-san that really represent "Don't judge a book by its cover" I also how gutsy the female lead is, Sumire action is so unpredictable & there is something mysterious about her that I find intriguing. As for the romance I think it is quite early to judge it but so far I like it!
Art style:- 5/5⭐️
Plot:- 4/5⭐️
Characters:- 5/5⭐️
Romance:- 4/5⭐️
"I want to experience a love that can change my world too."
Thank you to Netgalley & Kodansha for this e-Arc. I am so in love with this Shoujo manga. I love how pretty the art style, the plot development & the character development too. As we go in deeper, we learn something about Ninomiya-san that really represent "Don't judge a book by its cover" I also how gutsy the female lead is, Sumire action is so unpredictable & there is something mysterious about her that I find intriguing. As for the romance I think it is quite early to judge it but so far I like it!
April 7, 2025
Un inizio che conquista — 5 stelle
Cinque stelle meritatissime per Inazuma & Romance!
Mi ha colpita subito: i disegni sono davvero splendidi, curatissimi e pieni di espressività. Ma non è solo questione di stile, anche la storia mi ha subito presa.
C’è qualcosa in questo primo volume che fa pensare: questa serie ha davvero del potenziale.
Romantico, leggero, ma con quel tocco che ti fa venir voglia di leggere subito il prossimo. Promette bene, e io ci credo!
Cinque stelle meritatissime per Inazuma & Romance!
Mi ha colpita subito: i disegni sono davvero splendidi, curatissimi e pieni di espressività. Ma non è solo questione di stile, anche la storia mi ha subito presa.
C’è qualcosa in questo primo volume che fa pensare: questa serie ha davvero del potenziale.
Romantico, leggero, ma con quel tocco che ti fa venir voglia di leggere subito il prossimo. Promette bene, e io ci credo!
February 26, 2022
✨3.5 stars✨
The plot is pretty cliché: Ninomiya (H) is a 20-year old yakuza in high school, seated besides Sumire (h), not a typical snowflake teenager. Despite his beautiful appearance, H's a bit of an airhead and softy. h falls in love and confesses to him. It's obvious he likes her too but trying to maintain a distance for some reason (unsuccessfully).
We love clichés here. So I liked the story. The characters are cute. I love the weird comic scenes. The first volume is only 4 chapters. I hope we see more depth in their relationship in the later volumes.
I do think the art is sloppy in some panels though.
The plot is pretty cliché: Ninomiya (H) is a 20-year old yakuza in high school, seated besides Sumire (h), not a typical snowflake teenager. Despite his beautiful appearance, H's a bit of an airhead and softy. h falls in love and confesses to him. It's obvious he likes her too but trying to maintain a distance for some reason (unsuccessfully).
We love clichés here. So I liked the story. The characters are cute. I love the weird comic scenes. The first volume is only 4 chapters. I hope we see more depth in their relationship in the later volumes.
I do think the art is sloppy in some panels though.
October 5, 2025
C'est ridiculement médiocre et en même temps, j'ai envie de lire la suite... comme un téléfilm romantique à la noix qui passe l'après-midi à la télé.
February 11, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha comics for letting me review this book.
First things first, the art and cover is really beautiful and I THOUGHT THEY WERE THE SAME AGE.
Anyway, the age gap really did made me skeptical and uncomfortable to be honest because once again, I really did thought they were at the same age.
Aside from that, I like Sumire. I think she's very striking character and also her friend which I'm also interested about.
As for how the story did goes, I'm really intrigued in what Ninomiya's friend meant on that particular panel so I think that information will really be important as to why Ninomiya's in school.
Overall, this one is a good read minus the age gap romance that will probably played out soon.
First things first, the art and cover is really beautiful and I THOUGHT THEY WERE THE SAME AGE.
Anyway, the age gap really did made me skeptical and uncomfortable to be honest because once again, I really did thought they were at the same age.
Aside from that, I like Sumire. I think she's very striking character and also her friend which I'm also interested about.
As for how the story did goes, I'm really intrigued in what Ninomiya's friend meant on that particular panel so I think that information will really be important as to why Ninomiya's in school.
Overall, this one is a good read minus the age gap romance that will probably played out soon.
July 13, 2024
Ho iniziato questa nuova serie di quest'autrice visto che avevo già letto altro di lei e mi era piaciuto quello che avevo letto, e devo dire che non mi sono pentita di averlo fatto: ho trovato questo primo volume di serie molto intrigante e piacevole ora aspetto il prossimo volume con trepidazione.
February 14, 2022
Reo Ninomiya is the enigmatic 20 year old high school student feared by the students around him. Stoic and scarred, he of course is whispered about among the class. Sumire Yoshizawa, our quiet heroine who sits at the perfect back corner of the classroom next to the window discovers she has been seated her senior year next to our dangerously dark hero.
It isn't until she rescues him on her way to meet up with her best friend, that discovers he works as a bartender, and loses an earring given to her by her father that she starts to want to understand, when he offers to replace her earrings with a set of violet earrings--the flower she is named after.
"Protecting someone even though it puts you in danger, or standing up for them... not many people can do that in the heat of the moment."
It's obvious that Reo simply lives his life for him and it isn't until Sumire forces herself (curiously) upon him that things begin to take a different path. Sumire is properly curious and her reactions to Reo are quite natural given what her character is expected to be. As with most HS romance manga this is a very trope-y selection so far. But I am intrigued enough to wonder how Mikimoto intends to tell the story.
"Would you mind if I fell in love with you?"
Had I been given only the first chapter, I don't think I would be as interested as I am now. The first chapter is almost entirely in Sumire's POV with only a momentary first page in our hero's. However, by the last chapter it is obvious that our hero is charmed. Interesting heroines are abundant, it is how I feel their interested heroes respond that I find the most satisfaction.
"After all, she's your whole world"
This is a Fated Mates story, full stop. With a stubbornly possessive hero who doesn't *want* to be. So if that's your jam, then I highly suggest you pick this up and expect to stay around.
I look forward to Sumire and Reo's romance, and to the integration and growth of so many characteristic supporting players. Eagle eyed readers will narrow in on a possible love interest halfway through.
-As with most published manga, there a number of references to famous people in Japan, as well as words that remain untranslated due to the lack of formal English translation. I would suggest that the translators include asterisked references to explain these as any reader not up-to-date on current Japanese trends might miss the importance or narrative weight of said reference or non-translation.
-Visually, the art is some of the most beautiful I've seen in manga. However, there is an obvious digital rendering of the tones that make everything a bit flat, which is generally not what you want to do with shading. This is the future of manga publishing however, so it's best my old eyes get used to it
***Disclaimer: I received this volume an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It isn't until she rescues him on her way to meet up with her best friend, that discovers he works as a bartender, and loses an earring given to her by her father that she starts to want to understand, when he offers to replace her earrings with a set of violet earrings--the flower she is named after.
"Protecting someone even though it puts you in danger, or standing up for them... not many people can do that in the heat of the moment."
It's obvious that Reo simply lives his life for him and it isn't until Sumire forces herself (curiously) upon him that things begin to take a different path. Sumire is properly curious and her reactions to Reo are quite natural given what her character is expected to be. As with most HS romance manga this is a very trope-y selection so far. But I am intrigued enough to wonder how Mikimoto intends to tell the story.
"Would you mind if I fell in love with you?"
Had I been given only the first chapter, I don't think I would be as interested as I am now. The first chapter is almost entirely in Sumire's POV with only a momentary first page in our hero's. However, by the last chapter it is obvious that our hero is charmed. Interesting heroines are abundant, it is how I feel their interested heroes respond that I find the most satisfaction.
"After all, she's your whole world"
This is a Fated Mates story, full stop. With a stubbornly possessive hero who doesn't *want* to be. So if that's your jam, then I highly suggest you pick this up and expect to stay around.
I look forward to Sumire and Reo's romance, and to the integration and growth of so many characteristic supporting players. Eagle eyed readers will narrow in on a possible love interest halfway through.
-As with most published manga, there a number of references to famous people in Japan, as well as words that remain untranslated due to the lack of formal English translation. I would suggest that the translators include asterisked references to explain these as any reader not up-to-date on current Japanese trends might miss the importance or narrative weight of said reference or non-translation.
-Visually, the art is some of the most beautiful I've seen in manga. However, there is an obvious digital rendering of the tones that make everything a bit flat, which is generally not what you want to do with shading. This is the future of manga publishing however, so it's best my old eyes get used to it
***Disclaimer: I received this volume an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2022
I was provided a ARC for this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"But in that instant, it felt like I was struck by lightning"
First of all the artwork in this is gorgeous. Each page is a pleasure to look at from the design of each character to the details added, it was truly captivating to look at each drawing on the pages of this book.
On to the characters, we have Reo who it is noted he is too old to be at school but for some reason he is still attending it. He is the bad boy character where there are crazy rumours going around school about him, everyone thinks he is scary looking especially with scars on his face and the first day back at school his uniform is covered in blood. I had more questions then answers about this character by the end of the book, but I love the intrigue and mystery surrounding him.
Then we have Sumire, the good girl who doesn't think she is pretty, desperate to find love, she is a tough girl and even when she is afraid of Reo there is still a pull for her where she wants to find out more about him.
I found the beginning of this book started off slowly, it wasn't until about 60/70 pages in were the pace picked up and started to pull me in. By the end of the book we got more of a look into Reo and who he is, which left me wanting to know more and with how book 1 was left I know I will have to pick up book 2 to see where this story and couple go. I definitely think this book took a while to set up the scene, but I think it has the potential to be a really good story the further the series goes on.
"But in that instant, it felt like I was struck by lightning"
First of all the artwork in this is gorgeous. Each page is a pleasure to look at from the design of each character to the details added, it was truly captivating to look at each drawing on the pages of this book.
On to the characters, we have Reo who it is noted he is too old to be at school but for some reason he is still attending it. He is the bad boy character where there are crazy rumours going around school about him, everyone thinks he is scary looking especially with scars on his face and the first day back at school his uniform is covered in blood. I had more questions then answers about this character by the end of the book, but I love the intrigue and mystery surrounding him.
Then we have Sumire, the good girl who doesn't think she is pretty, desperate to find love, she is a tough girl and even when she is afraid of Reo there is still a pull for her where she wants to find out more about him.
I found the beginning of this book started off slowly, it wasn't until about 60/70 pages in were the pace picked up and started to pull me in. By the end of the book we got more of a look into Reo and who he is, which left me wanting to know more and with how book 1 was left I know I will have to pick up book 2 to see where this story and couple go. I definitely think this book took a while to set up the scene, but I think it has the potential to be a really good story the further the series goes on.
March 26, 2022
My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
Ok, the artwork is absolutely STUNNING.
BUT.
The MC H is a 20 year old male, still attending high school and he has a thing for a HS girl, who also seems to have a thing for him.
There DOES seem to be a reason for him to be attending the HS as a 20 year old male and he somehow knows this girl in a way that she has no clue over BUT.
MANGA WRITERS STOP WITH THE GROSS AGE DISCREPANCIES WHERE THE GIRL IS STILL IN HS AND THE MALE LOVE INTEREST IS A GROWN MAN.
One could argue that 20 isn't that old and he's still almost a teenager and a three-four year age difference isn't that big a deal once one gets older, but that doesn't change the fact that she is still a teenager and that age difference is predatory.
So. I will actually give this 2 stars, since it is hinted that there is more to the story than what we see in this volume and I'm trusting that is true.
The artwork is also absolutely stunning, but it doesn't save the age gap in this one.
Ok, the artwork is absolutely STUNNING.
BUT.
The MC H is a 20 year old male, still attending high school and he has a thing for a HS girl, who also seems to have a thing for him.
There DOES seem to be a reason for him to be attending the HS as a 20 year old male and he somehow knows this girl in a way that she has no clue over BUT.
MANGA WRITERS STOP WITH THE GROSS AGE DISCREPANCIES WHERE THE GIRL IS STILL IN HS AND THE MALE LOVE INTEREST IS A GROWN MAN.
One could argue that 20 isn't that old and he's still almost a teenager and a three-four year age difference isn't that big a deal once one gets older, but that doesn't change the fact that she is still a teenager and that age difference is predatory.
So. I will actually give this 2 stars, since it is hinted that there is more to the story than what we see in this volume and I'm trusting that is true.
The artwork is also absolutely stunning, but it doesn't save the age gap in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2022
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I used to really like high school romance stories, the innocence of first loves. This shojo manga definitely ticked the boxes with a very handsome male lead and cute female lead. But i have one problem - that is the age gaps. If i was still a teenager with my immature mind, I probably wont bat an eye to this and only thought how sweet it is but i have grown and learned so much to realize that is not okay for an adult to date a minor. It was inappropriate in many sense. Even if the story was really cute although there are just hints of loves here and there, it still get to me since she is still 16 years old. I really hope the manga explained why the male lead is still in high school when he is already 20 years old because i need to know.
Overall, still an enjoyable read despite the questionable age gap.
3.8 stars
I used to really like high school romance stories, the innocence of first loves. This shojo manga definitely ticked the boxes with a very handsome male lead and cute female lead. But i have one problem - that is the age gaps. If i was still a teenager with my immature mind, I probably wont bat an eye to this and only thought how sweet it is but i have grown and learned so much to realize that is not okay for an adult to date a minor. It was inappropriate in many sense. Even if the story was really cute although there are just hints of loves here and there, it still get to me since she is still 16 years old. I really hope the manga explained why the male lead is still in high school when he is already 20 years old because i need to know.
Overall, still an enjoyable read despite the questionable age gap.
3.8 stars
October 10, 2024
I’d downloaded this whole series ages ago on libby and the loan is about to expire, so I must binge!
So far, I’m ambivalent.
FMC is brave and bold, a breath of fresh air. She’s not afraid to help out or speak out in defense of others.
MMC is…there. Not much to be said for him other than he’s a reformed bad boy who’s 20 and still in high school. Story hints at him knowing her from another context. He also blushes in chapter three and everyone knows how I feel about blushing boys 😈
RECAP: intro, she’s seated next to him in class, she runs into him in public and breaks an earring helping him. He gets her new earrings and puts them on her. She follows him at lunch and he lets her wish on Sakura. She speaks up when a classmate tries to open his locker when a wallet is missing. Ends with her wanting to date him and him turning her down before saving her from a relentless guy.
So far, I’m ambivalent.
FMC is brave and bold, a breath of fresh air. She’s not afraid to help out or speak out in defense of others.
MMC is…there. Not much to be said for him other than he’s a reformed bad boy who’s 20 and still in high school. Story hints at him knowing her from another context. He also blushes in chapter three and everyone knows how I feel about blushing boys 😈
RECAP: intro, she’s seated next to him in class, she runs into him in public and breaks an earring helping him. He gets her new earrings and puts them on her. She follows him at lunch and he lets her wish on Sakura. She speaks up when a classmate tries to open his locker when a wallet is missing. Ends with her wanting to date him and him turning her down before saving her from a relentless guy.
February 17, 2022
Rating: 3.75 leaves out of 5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Story: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Comedy/Shoujo/Romance
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yeah
First want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review! I will be honest a 20 year old being into a 16 year old is very... uhm... reddish area. I know Japan has its own set of rules there but besides the age gap the story is cute and fluffy. A typical bad boy with a soft side and a girl who sees past the rumors. I did enjoy the story, I do want to know more on the mystery side of things and what was hinted at. It is kinda giving me My Love Monster meets Say I Love You.
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Story: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Comedy/Shoujo/Romance
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yeah
First want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review! I will be honest a 20 year old being into a 16 year old is very... uhm... reddish area. I know Japan has its own set of rules there but besides the age gap the story is cute and fluffy. A typical bad boy with a soft side and a girl who sees past the rumors. I did enjoy the story, I do want to know more on the mystery side of things and what was hinted at. It is kinda giving me My Love Monster meets Say I Love You.
March 2, 2022
I received a copy of this manga through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit that before reading this manga I was quite prejudiced. Looking at a cover depicting characters with creepy eyes did not help. First few pages had the same big watery insane eyes…Spooky s**t 👀
And yet I actually enjoyed this story a lot. I like my love stories sweet and innocent. And I think I have always had a thing with the trope of a high school girl and slightly older guy. Not in a bad weird kind of way but I have never thought anything bad about 3-5 years of age gap, if the girl is nearly adult (16-17) and the guy is nice. I can still remember being 20 (😂) and not a lot of people are actually grown-ups at that age. I am pretty sure I had fantasies about older guys in my teen years as well. So if a story gives some outlet to that fantasy for some young girls (and is sweet and respectful) then why the hell not?😉
Sumire was a great manga heroine, with a kind and brave disposition. I liked that she was gutsy and knew what she wanted and went after it. Her love interest the 20-year-old highschooler is yet a mystery but so far has been a nice and hunky enough of a character to make me intrigued!😃
I have to admit that before reading this manga I was quite prejudiced. Looking at a cover depicting characters with creepy eyes did not help. First few pages had the same big watery insane eyes…Spooky s**t 👀
And yet I actually enjoyed this story a lot. I like my love stories sweet and innocent. And I think I have always had a thing with the trope of a high school girl and slightly older guy. Not in a bad weird kind of way but I have never thought anything bad about 3-5 years of age gap, if the girl is nearly adult (16-17) and the guy is nice. I can still remember being 20 (😂) and not a lot of people are actually grown-ups at that age. I am pretty sure I had fantasies about older guys in my teen years as well. So if a story gives some outlet to that fantasy for some young girls (and is sweet and respectful) then why the hell not?😉
Sumire was a great manga heroine, with a kind and brave disposition. I liked that she was gutsy and knew what she wanted and went after it. Her love interest the 20-year-old highschooler is yet a mystery but so far has been a nice and hunky enough of a character to make me intrigued!😃
April 7, 2025
Non ho letto il libro. Non lo leggerò. Non perché abbia qualcosa contro l’autore o la narrativa romantica sotto la pioggia, ma perché non leggo. Inoltre la copertina ha già fatto tutto il necessario per scoraggiarmi con garbo.
C’è un lampo. C’è una figura malinconica. C’è un senso di urgenza emotiva che sembra uscito da un sogno fatto con troppi filtri Instagram e una playlist lo-fi in sottofondo.
Il titolo mescola parole potenti come “Inazuma” – che evoca energia, elettricità, qualcosa di improvviso – con “Romance”, che promette esattamente il contrario: lenti brividi e attese infinite. Il risultato? Una copertina che grida “intensità” ma che visivamente sembra una pubblicità di profumo pensata da un adolescente in tempesta ormonale.
Do due stelle perché non voglio sembrare cattivo. Ma questa copertina non mi ha invitato a leggere. Mi ha fatto venire voglia di aprire Netflix, non un libro.
C’è un lampo. C’è una figura malinconica. C’è un senso di urgenza emotiva che sembra uscito da un sogno fatto con troppi filtri Instagram e una playlist lo-fi in sottofondo.
Il titolo mescola parole potenti come “Inazuma” – che evoca energia, elettricità, qualcosa di improvviso – con “Romance”, che promette esattamente il contrario: lenti brividi e attese infinite. Il risultato? Una copertina che grida “intensità” ma che visivamente sembra una pubblicità di profumo pensata da un adolescente in tempesta ormonale.
Do due stelle perché non voglio sembrare cattivo. Ma questa copertina non mi ha invitato a leggere. Mi ha fatto venire voglia di aprire Netflix, non un libro.
February 25, 2022
**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**
Lightning and Romance 1 by Rin Mikimoto is an age gap romance manga about a high school girl and and 20-year old ex-yakuza type man. Think a bit of reverse "Honey, So Sweet" vibes. Mikimoto's manga volumes have been okay for me so far (her art style is a little heavy handed for my taste), but I did enjoy the main character's trait of having "guts", it was pretty unique, and I wouldn't mind continuing the series for now to see what happens given the opportunity.
Lightning and Romance 1 by Rin Mikimoto is an age gap romance manga about a high school girl and and 20-year old ex-yakuza type man. Think a bit of reverse "Honey, So Sweet" vibes. Mikimoto's manga volumes have been okay for me so far (her art style is a little heavy handed for my taste), but I did enjoy the main character's trait of having "guts", it was pretty unique, and I wouldn't mind continuing the series for now to see what happens given the opportunity.
March 19, 2022
Rating: 4.25 🌟
First and foremost, I'd like to express my gratitude to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an e-ARC of this manga.
This manga was without a doubt one of my personal favorites among the school romance manga I'd read here so far. I HATE EVERYONE EXCEPT YOU or GRUMPY AND SUNSHINE TROPE seem to be more fitting tropes for this manga. He brought you snacks, like Miss Girl !!!
August 17, 2024
Тази манга се оказа, че очаква ревюто ми от един сайт, където съм помолила за томчето и... така и не съм го прочела...
Е, оказа се доста деведесетарска като усещане. Не нещо непременно лошо, но пък и не нещо наистина уау. Класическо шоуджо. Доста класическо при това. Не си спомням добре какво привлече интереса ми, може би преди две години, когато съм помолила за нея, е имало други обстоятелства. Може би леко ми е заприличала на Yubisaki to Renren, но двете нямат общо, освен, че са съвсем леко подобни по арт, но бегло.
Е, оказа се доста деведесетарска като усещане. Не нещо непременно лошо, но пък и не нещо наистина уау. Класическо шоуджо. Доста класическо при това. Не си спомням добре какво привлече интереса ми, може би преди две години, когато съм помолила за нея, е имало други обстоятелства. Може би леко ми е заприличала на Yubisaki to Renren, но двете нямат общо, освен, че са съвсем леко подобни по арт, но бегло.
February 3, 2022
I really liked Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight, so I was excited to see another series by the author.
However, this volume took me a minute to get into. I didn't warm up to the ML right away.
Anyway, I am in now and really want more. More romance and more backstory.
Also, I checked my review for Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight volume 1 and apparently I didn't love that ML right away either, which gives me even more reason to think I will enjoy further volumes of Lightning and Romance.
However, this volume took me a minute to get into. I didn't warm up to the ML right away.
Anyway, I am in now and really want more. More romance and more backstory.
Also, I checked my review for Kiss Me at the Stroke of Midnight volume 1 and apparently I didn't love that ML right away either, which gives me even more reason to think I will enjoy further volumes of Lightning and Romance.
May 7, 2022
I am curious about why do they know her? and I know he is older then why he is still going to HS? The MC is sweet and needs to move forward I enjoy seeing them follow the story and how they will strike the friendship and OMG he is kinda cute for taking care of his nephew can't wait to see the next volume
October 11, 2022
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this manga. This manga was a pleasant surprise. I love the artstyle, the fashion, and the age gap is interesting?? I think what I am most intrigued by is the mystery of it all whether it is going to be supernatural, yakuza, I am not sure. But! I think if you love a bad boy good girl romance dynamic, you should read this manga. Because of these points, I have to give this manga a 4 out of 5 stars
July 19, 2024
3'5 sería su nota.
No está mal, esta bien por el momento, me ha recordado un poco a Mars (creo que especialmente por el diseño de su protagonista masculino), es la historia de el chico malo que nunca se ha enamorado, la chica buena que está harta de su vida y tampoco nunca se ha enamorado... Parece que ahí entre medias hay un misterio, un secreto que él guarda, tiene un por qué de estar ahí y está relacionado con la chica pero... No sé, sin más por el momento. Quizás luego lo avanzo y digo "es el shojo de mi vida" pero por el momento, sin más
No está mal, esta bien por el momento, me ha recordado un poco a Mars (creo que especialmente por el diseño de su protagonista masculino), es la historia de el chico malo que nunca se ha enamorado, la chica buena que está harta de su vida y tampoco nunca se ha enamorado... Parece que ahí entre medias hay un misterio, un secreto que él guarda, tiene un por qué de estar ahí y está relacionado con la chica pero... No sé, sin más por el momento. Quizás luego lo avanzo y digo "es el shojo de mi vida" pero por el momento, sin más
February 14, 2022
In Lightning and Romance vol. 1 by Rin Mikimoto, you have Sumire who is a high school good girl that has a gutsy brave side to her. Her new seatmate is Reo who is a 20 year old deemed “bad boy”. Within the first few chapters of the story, they get to know each other a little bit more and its very apparent Sumire has developed feelings for Reo, which feels very “insta-love” to me. It also appears that there is a plot twist that is unknown to the readers right now, so I am curious how that pans out for the storyline.
I like the characters, however, I am not a big fan of a romance between a 20 year old and a high school student.
Thank you Kodansha and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I like the characters, however, I am not a big fan of a romance between a 20 year old and a high school student.
Thank you Kodansha and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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