As the summer heat rolls on, that’s nothing compared to… oh, wait, no, Kanon and Saki are the same as ever. Always in one another’s orbit, but now with the choir competition to prepare for and Saki’s feelings churning away inside her. No problems there, of course. Tick… tick… tick…
Mostly unspectacular, but consistently strong and well done, is how I would describe this story. It’s not my favourite yuri, but it is a lot better than many titles I’ve read and I’m glad it’s had enough volumes that it had time to breathe.
The majority of this volume is all breathing, covering a summer vacation that feels like a weeks-long training camp as Kanon and Saki are glued to the piano and to one another. There’s precious little movement on the romance side, although what we do get is choice.
Instead, it’s the more subtle affection of just how patient and caring Saki is with Kanon and how her relationship with the latter has truly changed Kanon’s entire outlook. It’s a different side than the more passionate loves we tend to see and I’m not mad at it.
We may even see the rare summer vacation that doesn’t end up at the beach (this might be the first manga in ages to violate the guaranteed bikini rule). Don’t worry, there are maid outfits at least, so some things never change. But it’s mainly a lot of great friend energy.
Another part of this I really liked was Kanon’s mom interviewing a new student who is connected to our story already and how that goes about strengthening the relationship between Kanon and her mother. This isn’t a flashy book, mostly, but it gets the quiet parts really right.
This is a reliably strong little story with lots of excellent research and a pretty winning cast. My inherent bias towards yuri aside, for my money this still mops the floor with the similarly themed A Sign of Affection in terms of depicting hearing difficulties, frankly.
Then, finally, the secret of Tomita and her absences from class stands revealed. And the ultimate reason for her dislike of Kanon. Unfortunately this comprises two separate things and that first part, those absences, is actually really good and deliciously ironic.
The second part is rooted in the past and is already more than this part of the story needs - the first revelation has it covered and then some - plus it drags the story over into more melodrama than it really ever needs (the fallout from one single action is so unlikely that it might as well have caused a hurricane in Australia).
It IS a good use of Tomita, if I’m honest, since it ditches that potential revenge and bullying plotline brewing, which seemed rather trite, for something more interesting. Plus, the way Kanon handles the situation shows again just how much she’s changed by hanging out with Saki. It’s a pretty solid chapter.
To say nothing of the end of the volume, when that time bomb of repression finally goes off with a wonderfully drawn look that’s up there with the best of them and really leaves a lasting impression. That’s going to make next volume pretty interesting.
4 stars - consistently quite good, usually with a flaw or two, but nothing that drags it too far down. It lacks the brilliance of the best manga, but being great is nothing to sneeze at and I love how it treats both Kanon’s condition and her and Saki’s journey.
Back on track after a weak 4th installment. I just like spending time with these characters as they figure out who they are. It's a trifle, sure, but the drama is realistic and the characters all good people. In this one, an enemy from earlier books becomes a friend after a significant life change.
It's hard to review series. But if you've read the earlier ones, know that this one is just as strong. Still wholesome but one of the characters has finally acknowledged that it's not just friendship she feels. It's all so sweet but, for me, it's a nice — but still smart — break from all the really heavy stuff I read.
The ending of this makes me want volume 6 so bad! Do these girls finally get some romantic development!! They are so cute and wholesome it's sweet watching them navigate different struggles together as friends and hopefully into something beyond friends. The rival thing kinda got me. I love what it did for Kanon, but me personally, I really don't like the coincidence stuff when it overlaps too much; it starts to feel forced. But Kanon has come so far, and Saki has been by her side to help show her that, so I'm excited to see where they go & grow!
En plenas vacaciones de verano, Saki y Kanon están más unidas y juntas que nunca. Entre los preparativos del festival cultural y el coro, ambas se ven cada día. La casualidad hace que ambas se encuentren con Tomita y descubran qué le pasa.
It tackles like three different topics and various storylines simultaneously? Which is cool! It makes it feel more true to life but I miss the strong thematic focus that the precious chapters had. I feel like this whole chapter even pretended to be from Kanon’s POV before it reverts to Saki’s POV again and rarely emphasises Kanon’s frustration with Summer in the past or her newfound enjoyment of it in the present.
So, overall, kinda weak but it was hella funny!
6/10
# NOTES 1. Kanon POV chapter :)
KANON: ‘Ever since I became deaf, I’ve hated Summer. … That was once filled with sounds, of bugs, fireworks, the wind, and livrly voices was nothing but silence. The silence was all I could think about. I hated it.’
2. <:[
KANON’S MUM: ‘But I have one condition. **You must let me watch.**’ KANON: ‘Ugh, please, don’t…’
3. HELP XD
RINNE: [leaning on the doorway, arms crossed, grinning] ‘He he he …’ [looks up, left hand on her hip, right thumb pointing at herself, smiling] ‘You didn’t forget about me, did you? I’m here to save the day!’
4. WHY SO OVER THE TOP LMAO
KANON: ‘IT’S JUST A CULTURAL FESTIVAL! THIS IS WAY TOO FANCY!’ [hands on temples] ‘WITH A BATON THIS EXPENSIVE, HE MIGHT EVEN BE PLANNING TO COME WATCH US!!’ SAKI: [holding baton, sweating and looking at it nervously] ‘Yeah… chances are he will…’ KANON: [sweating nervously] ‘Don’t say that.’
5. This mangaka’s sense of humour XD
6. Of course Tanabe is wearing a big dorky print shirt lmao
7. Kanon getting overwhelmed by new places is so real
8. Not this chapter being a comedy XD
9. Okay this last third of the chapter focused on Kanon’s potential hurdles with working and it’s breaking my heart and making me hopeful for the future T-T
10. Bro is Kanon flirting intentionally or not I can not tell anymore. Saki gets so red too. Kanon has to know, surely
KANON: ‘I guess this isn’t really the time to be hating Summer.’
11. <:]
# CH 18 REVIEW Good grief I cried. This chapter had the tight thematic focus I remember. It kept surprising me, too. What a chapter.
9/10
# NOTES 1. Evil cover page
SAKI: ‘Miura-sensei’s daughter… is coming *here* for lessons?!’
2. OH WOW
KANON: ‘I feel like she’s been enjoying teaching more since she took you on. Just the other day, she was saying it might be nice to have more students again. Who knows? This could be a good thing!’
3. AW THATS SO SWERT WHAT? TuT
4. The fact Kanon’s mum knows her website is trash, insults it, but she keeps it up anyway XD
5. This child is so realistic lmao
MIURA-SENSEI: ‘God, I’m so embarrassed.’
6. My GOAT, you’re lovely
7. STOP WHY WAS PIANO THE MUM’S IDEA. STOP THIS. SCREW YOU AUTHOR
MIURA-SENSEI: ‘I’d told myself I would love Haruka twice as much to make up for her mother being gone…’
8. WHAT THE FUCK. NO T-T
KANON’S MUM: ‘You can’t expect to get everything right when you’re shouldering all that.’
9. YEAH!! YOU TELL HIM!! <:]
MIURA-SENSEI: ‘Thank you for saying that. But… …I’m still a poor replacement at best.’
10. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS IM TEARING UP
11. Jeez, I’m glad she snapped him out of it but I worry he might take it the wrong way with a bit of shame <:[
12. Aw Haruka and Saki reunited (please grow up as friends/sisters) <:]
13. Kanon’s mum and Miura are ao nice wtf
MIURA-SENSEI: ‘I can hardly remember… …the last time I saw her smile like that.’
14. Miura please T-T
KANON’S MUM: ‘I kept thinking the same thing over and over. “It should have been me.”’
15. THIS CHAPTER WHAT
16. Damn parent therapy session T-T
KANON’S MUM: ‘But at the same time… …she’s made friends… …found joy… …and grown every day.’
17. Aw <:]
KANON’S MUM: ‘Am I a good mother? Had anything I’ve done actually helped her? I don’t know for sure, and I never will. But when you see you’re children smiling… All those worries seem to fade away, don’t they?’
18. AW THE MESSAGE OF THE CHAPTER—WOW WE ARE SO BACK
KANON: ‘I remembered when you used to put me on your lap… And play along with me.’ KANON’S MUM: [worried] ‘Did I do that? I feel like you picked it up on your own.’ KANON: [angry] ‘YES YOU DID!’ KANON’S MUM: [looks down contemplatively] ‘No! Am I that old? My memory’s going…’
19. THIS MANGA’S COMEDY LMAO 20. Dude, best chapter in AGES
# CH 19 REVIEW THESE LAST COUPLE CHAPTERS GOD DAMNNN
SO PROUD OF KANON. THE GOATTT!!!
9/10
# NOTES SAKI: ‘We’ve been hanging out pretty much—no, literally—every day.’
1. AW YAYY
SAKI: ‘I was worried you might be getting sick of… well, of me.’
2. Oh Saki I forgot you are full of anxiety T-T
KANON: [serious expression, blushing] ‘I’d never get sick of you. No way.’
3. AW
KANON: [now with cat ears, KANON slumps] ‘But if you’d rather not, Saki…’
4. THE COMEDY XD
5. OH TOMITA IS LOSING HER HEARING <:[
6. I didn’t expect the Tomita storyline to continue now because I completely forgot about her lol
TOMITA: ‘Do you have a second? Like, right now?!’
7. No way we get an enemies to friends arc omg
8. Not Saki being awkward cause she knows Tomita trashtalks Kanon behind her back T-T
9. Oh, Saki is slow af I forgot
TOMITA: ‘I’ve totally lost my hearing… …in my right ear.’
10. Dude how can I stop at that cliffhanger wtf
# CHAPTER 20 REVIEW ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER?! MY JAW DROPPED (but don’t worry, they resolved the previous cliffhanger’s storyline. It ain’t teasing and then not delivering). DID KUZUSHIRO LOCK IN?!
Perfect balance of comedy and drama. And the representation is so beautiful. Everyone should read this manga!!
9/10
# NOTES ~!TOMITA: ‘It feels like I’m trapped. Like I��m in a fish bowl by myself, and I can’t get out.’
1. We stan when mangaka use metaphors and draw them too <33
TOMITA: ‘I’m in the pop music club.’
2. Oh, yikes
TOMITA: ‘The dizziness… When I thought I might have to live like that forever… …I was terrified.’
3. Oh my gosh. I’ve had some bad vertigo before and it was honestly hell. I couldn’t get up to drink eat or do anything! I can’t imagine experiencing that while fearing you might lose your hearing or have vertigo for the rest of your life?! Good grief
TOMITA: ‘Walking was tricky at best.’
4. <:[
KANON: [smiling] ‘I know *I* sure did once!’
5. Aw Kanon TuT
KANON: ‘Anyway, if that’s what you want, I’m happy to listen.’ TOMITA: [stares and bites her lip in distress. She boes her head and closes her eyes, sweat trickling down her face] ‘You mean it?’
6. KANON <333
7. I just realised this is the logical progression of Kanon’s arc. From outsider to participant. And now, a participant to leader! She’s helping Tomita <:]
KANON: ‘I might not be able to hear it, but… HAH!’ [TOMITA AND SAKI STARE, JAWS AGAPE] KANON: [smiling] ‘Ba-dum psshhh! Hee hee…’
8. KANON LMAOOO
TOMITA: ‘A… Am I supposed to laugh? Is that okay?’ KANON: [worried expression] ‘UH, YEAH! IT WAS A JOKE! SAKI! LAUGH!’
9. BAHAHAHA
TOMITA: ‘More and more students started dropping my mum’s lessons… …and switching to your mum’s place.’
10. Oh, OH… DANG
11. Omg the ensuing comedy
KANON: ‘Are you gonna stop by my place? No, wait… You *have* to stop by my place! We didn’t get to talk about the movie!’
12. LMAO KANON IS SO RELATABLE
KANON: ‘So… …does that mean you’re not nice to anyone else? Just to me?’
13. Ah, here we go again. Jeez Kanon
KANON: ‘Heck, you might as well come out and say you’re in love with me.’
14. OH. NO. SAKI IS STUN LOCKED. HER FACE IS REVEALING EVERYTHING
15. HOW COULD KUZUSHIRO PUT A CLIFFHANGER LAST CHAPTER AND *THEN* PUT ANOTHER ONE?! WHAT THE HELL?! DID THEY LOCK IN?!
16. This volume went from mid to AMAZING *SO* QUICK!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I can't get over the amount of care and consideration put into this manga, especially when it comes to the subject of hearing loss. You can tell a lot of research has gone into it but it's all integrated into the story in such a natural way, I'm so impressed by it! Also the romance is such a slow burn, we're really spending a lot of time getting to know the characters individually rather than the romance being the main focus from the beginning and I appreciate that 🩵
Between conducting and helping her teacher's kid gain confidence about piano, it feels like Kanon is involved in music again. I was excited about her joining a writing competition, but that subplot has taken a back seat.
Kanon also feels like she might find a passion with teaching, between the new kid and helping her previous bully with her own hearing loss. This volume really showed how Kanon's compassion has grown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Estoy cada vez más enamorada de este manga, pienso que me falta solo un tomo para ponerme al día y sufro. Los plottwist de este tomo, por favor, y no se sienten para nada forzados. Con cada nuevo volumen, me voy enamorando más de Saki y de Kanon, es de esos mangas que no quiero que terminen nunca. Además, algo que resalto un montón en la manera en la que explican las cosas -por ejemplo, la escena de los audífonos-. Nada, enamorada de este manga.
Every volume I read, the more I fall in love with this series. This one in particular moved a lot of things in my heart; it has a lot of emotional intelligence dialogs and very hard conversations that are managed in a very subtle and healthy way. I still stand by the fact that this is my confort read, loving it so far! <3
This is hands down one of my favorite manga! I would love to see them make this into an anime once they feel there’s enough material. In the meantime, I’ll keep buying these the day they come out! Totally worth a read!
No suelo comentar ni poner los mangas que leo en goodreads pero tras 5 meses esperando a que saliese el tomo 5 en España tenía q hacerlo porque me encanta muchísimo. Una obra que todo el mundo debería de leer💚💚💚
(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).