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ブレス [Bless] #5
ブレス 5 [Bless 5]
ミラーでの「発売前のコスメでメイクビジュアルを提案する」という課題で使用する色が被ってしまったアイアと中野。課題に対してなかなか調子が上がらないアイアはミラーに居づらい気持ちを察してくれたMMに自宅に招待される。自分の中に焦りを感じていたアイアがMMがメイクを志すきっかけをたずねると、そこには自分を「脇役」だと思って生きていた男の物語があった――。
- GenresManga
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2024
4 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 30, 2025
The slathering of make-up in deference to the gods of fashion and the models of, uh, modelling, continues as usual with this volume of Bless. For the most part, this remains very consistent in terms of its quality, to good and ill.
No matter how hard the series tries, I feel that it’s missing that spark or consistency that would truly take it to the next level. Every transformation still feels rooted in a mundanity that doesn’t befit something that has occasion to go really wild.
I don’t often ask for manga to be expressly more manga, but here we are. Even Jun’s big moment this volume, which is to Aia’s detriment, isn’t presented with enough oomph to make it come alive.
Jun and Aia is a double act that the story hasn’t done enough with, including addressing the fact that Aia’s work is only at its best when Jun is involved. It’s a remarkable handicap that gets downplayed in favour of… flashbacks! All the flashbacks!
The first involves the oldest make-up student at Mirror and how he came to be there and it’s… a story. Neither exceptional, nor especially interesting, even if he does have the gumption to give up a good job in pursuit of his dream.
However, the second one, concerning Aia’s current rival, Nakano, and his transition from volleyball to make-up, absolutely nails it. I really loved this one, honestly, and it was a very heartfelt and downright sweet story about friendship and acceptance.
I’m a big sucker for people being allowed to live as themselves and this ticks all the boxes in a satisfying way. Sure, it might be an idealized version of what we want to see happen when people reveal a side of themselves they are scared to reveal, but that’s the point of fiction sometimes.
Everything else feels either quite thin or just a bit lacking, but it’s not like Bless is bad, just quintessentially mediocre. It neither goes hard enough or factual enough to be entertaining or educational at a level that would make it stand out.
It’s also intensely earnest about these kiddos making it in the world with their dreams and everybody is going to do just so great and oh the rivalry yet the respect and… again, means well, not so much on the execution. It feels a bit too chummy for something where you’re competing for clients.
3.5 stars - full extra half for that backstory on Nakano; it really saved my interest in this one. The rest is just fine; nothing to turn up your carefully powdered nose at, but nothing you should feel compelled to seek out either.
No matter how hard the series tries, I feel that it’s missing that spark or consistency that would truly take it to the next level. Every transformation still feels rooted in a mundanity that doesn’t befit something that has occasion to go really wild.
I don’t often ask for manga to be expressly more manga, but here we are. Even Jun’s big moment this volume, which is to Aia’s detriment, isn’t presented with enough oomph to make it come alive.
Jun and Aia is a double act that the story hasn’t done enough with, including addressing the fact that Aia’s work is only at its best when Jun is involved. It’s a remarkable handicap that gets downplayed in favour of… flashbacks! All the flashbacks!
The first involves the oldest make-up student at Mirror and how he came to be there and it’s… a story. Neither exceptional, nor especially interesting, even if he does have the gumption to give up a good job in pursuit of his dream.
However, the second one, concerning Aia’s current rival, Nakano, and his transition from volleyball to make-up, absolutely nails it. I really loved this one, honestly, and it was a very heartfelt and downright sweet story about friendship and acceptance.
I’m a big sucker for people being allowed to live as themselves and this ticks all the boxes in a satisfying way. Sure, it might be an idealized version of what we want to see happen when people reveal a side of themselves they are scared to reveal, but that’s the point of fiction sometimes.
Everything else feels either quite thin or just a bit lacking, but it’s not like Bless is bad, just quintessentially mediocre. It neither goes hard enough or factual enough to be entertaining or educational at a level that would make it stand out.
It’s also intensely earnest about these kiddos making it in the world with their dreams and everybody is going to do just so great and oh the rivalry yet the respect and… again, means well, not so much on the execution. It feels a bit too chummy for something where you’re competing for clients.
3.5 stars - full extra half for that backstory on Nakano; it really saved my interest in this one. The rest is just fine; nothing to turn up your carefully powdered nose at, but nothing you should feel compelled to seek out either.
November 12, 2025
Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★☆☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★☆☆☆
Vol. 4 ★★☆☆☆
Jun has already been relegated to a supporting character and now Aia is getting sidelined too. This isn't a sports manga where they're playing in a team and the supporting cast is integral to the story. Why am I learning about MM's wife or Nakano's volleyball teammate? They feel like detours to stall for time as the mangaka scrambles to figure out what to do with Aia.
Vol. 2 ★★☆☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★☆☆☆
Vol. 4 ★★☆☆☆
Jun has already been relegated to a supporting character and now Aia is getting sidelined too. This isn't a sports manga where they're playing in a team and the supporting cast is integral to the story. Why am I learning about MM's wife or Nakano's volleyball teammate? They feel like detours to stall for time as the mangaka scrambles to figure out what to do with Aia.
March 1, 2025
This book was really exciting. We learn about the romantic and purposeful backgrounds of MM. We also learn about Nakano's role as a volley player and about his friend who loved to dress like a girl. I really like Jun's personality. I didn't like Aia as much, but maybe that's because he still hasn't figured out what he wants to be.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews