The snail pacing is starting to bog the story down. I still love how the couple is growing together, and I love the focus on Saki and her feelings this chapter, but dang. Just as we get the tiniest step forward with Kanon realizing there might be something else to this friendship, we switch gears completely and start a new storyline with Rinne. It almost feels like it is being intentionally pushed off at this point, and it's starting to lose me.
This is a very good volume, with a couple of caveats. There’s lots going on, but at the same time there’s a lot of what feels like heel dragging to avoid resolving the pending feels between Kanon and Saki. This burn can get so slow it’s like somebody set molasses on fire.
The first chapter, where Saki is having literal gay panic over her actions at the end of last volume, has that lovely sentiment of having possibly, maybe completely ruined things between you and your friend with pesky love getting in the way.
It’s a good way to bring back Akira, the older woman who told her own lesbian history to Saki last time under the guise of ‘a friend’s story’. Saki returns the favour and I loved Akira poking holes in that obvious lie, while validating Saki’s sexual preference. I’m always down for a ‘love is love’ message, directly delivered.
I’m unsure if the story needed a deaf cat, but it’s dang cute, so I’ll allow it. It also blows Saki and Kanon’s plan to live together up into more public knowledge and that forces Kanon to look at her own feelings and her concerns about being dependent on Saki.
As it whiles away the days getting to the romance bit, it adroitly fills all that extra time, almost too much so, if I’m honest. We also hear from Kanon’s ex-friend, Ayano, and check back in with Tomita, who finally returns to class.
And as things loom ever larger in the aftermath of a really charming fireworks date that Saki arranges with full consideration of Kanon’s anxieties (just in case you were wondering how great they are together) …we pull away for a big focus on Rinne, Kanon’s sister.
I’m of two minds here. This section isn’t bad; Rinne has grown on me as the overprotective little sister and this is clearly showing how Saki and Kanon’s own relationship have changed her thinking as it relates to a new student.
However, this is almost too much like the main storyline to the point of distraction. I’m not really sure that we needed to start looking at hyperhydrosis in addition to the deafness. I like this section, paradoxically, but it feels like padding to a certain extent.
I mean, that’s the thing. This is a slow, thoughtful story that slows down even more with a couple of story beats that I’m not sure need to exist. They work, so I’m not mad at them, and they’re well written, but it does feel like we’re spinning our wheels just a bit this volume, even with so much going on.
Still, I would rather hang out with something done well than put up with something stretched out I didn’t enjoy and this is really good, but it could be a little less blatant about how slow it’s going.
We reach such a crucial moment in the manga, both girls are aware that there is something boiling but no progress yet, a true slow burn! The characters are lovely and the fireworks scene OMG so beautiful. The way these two will be once they confess their feelings… so much chemistry, so much love and care for the other. I absolutely adore them
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
**REVIEW** The slow pace is a little frustrating but it kinda makes sense. Kanon hasn't really pondered her feelings toward Saki that deeply so her grappling with that as her next conflict makes total sense to me. Plus, that Rinne storyline was really freaking good. Like really good. I don't know, I love a good 'redemption arc'. Compared to before, I actually really like Rinne now.
**CHAPTER REVIEWS & NOTES** # CHAPTER 21 REVIEW Hilarious but maybe a bit too hilarious. Still, Kuzoshiro does comedy so so well!
Also THE ENDING?! SAKI!! AAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
8/10
NOTES
1. Poor Saki <:[
2. Saki really cant tell the other friends? Nahhh
SAKI: ‘OH MY GOSH, KILL ME…’
3. THE CRASH OUT AHAHA
4. Jeez that was intense
5. A KITTEN?! HELP
6. This was the comedy chapter wtf XD
KANON: ‘I’n gonna… …live with Saki… …so we’ll take care of it together!’
7. THIS IS HAPPENING?! OMG
8. Rinne stare if concern??
# CHAPTER 22 REVIEW THIS SHIT'S CRAZY!!
8/10
NOTES RINNE: ‘I just feel like… she’s always… …holding something in. Just like the other day.’
1. RINNE’S GAYDAR LMAOOOOO
SAKI: ‘A festival…’ SAKI’S MUM: ‘You should go with Kanon-chan!’ SAKI: [sweating] ‘WHAT?!’
2. BAHAHAHA SAKI’S MUM UNINTENTIONALLY THE NUMBER ONE SHIPPER XD
3. AW SAKI’S MUM WANTS TO HOST A PARTY FOR THEM <33
SAKI: [thinking] ‘Our mum’s seem even more excited than we are.’
4. PFFTTT LOVE THIS TROPE
5. Oh god, wait no, something’s gonna happen. It’s all been drama free for a while now…
KANON: ‘Hey, Saki… Remember how you sort of… …dashed off… …the last time we went to the movies?’
6. Fuck
KANON: ‘Was it… …something I said?’
7. FUCK THIS MAN. GET ME OUTTA HERE
8. Oh, man, Kanon thinks she’s been making Saki be too sensitive toward her :(
9. And Saki reassures her and distracts her, hmm
10. OMG. Oh I thought they kissed, they didn’t. Altho, I’m glad because it wouldn’t have been consensual. But still, good GRIEF
11. That was still a shift in the status quo, tho. And that is interesting
# CHAPTER 23 REVIEW Man, Kuzoshiro cooked. My fear that they ran out of material was so SO wrong. It was all just filler/mid set up before. These past several chapters have been GREAT!
9/10
NOTES 1. Man, Tomita <:[
2. Aw, her friends supporting her <:]
KANON: ‘I realised I don’t know… how I feel about Saki.’
3. DANGG
4. Miura is such an awesome teacher omg
AYANO: ‘Having you in her life… …helped change Kanon.’
5. YO
AYANO: ‘I could never… make her smile like that. I guess…’ [leans forward and grins] ‘…I’m a little jealous!’
6. So relatable XD
AYANO: ‘I don’t know if it’s my place to say this… …but I’m really glad she met you. I mean that.’
7. AW
SAKI: ‘AYANO-SAN! THE CHOIR PERFORMANCE! COME SEE IT, OKAY?!’
8. AWWW
SAKI: [thinking] ‘I get it, though… Being true… …to your own feelings… …is the hardest thing in the world.’
9. GOD DAMN IT KUZOSHIRO IS GOOD AT MAKING THEIR SUBPLOTS THEMATICALLY TIED TO THE MAIN PLOT WHAT THE HELL. IT CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO SAKI AND KANON’S ARCS
10. The Tanabe bit at the end haha. I love the extra doodles at the end—they’re always so iconic
# CHAPTER 24 REVIEW Somebody give Kuzoshiro all the awards now I’m dead serious.
9/10
NOTES RINNE: ‘Gossip’s not my thing.’
1. Real
RINNE: [thinking] ‘I’m not getting involved. Everyone has something they’re dealing with. And I’m not arrogant enough to assume I know what that something is.’
2. REAL RINNE! ALSO RINNE POV!!
RINNE: [thinking] ‘Anyway, I never understood… …Why everyone’s always eager to get close to people. … It’s rubber-necking, is all it is.’
3. Interesting
RINNE: [thinking] ‘Don’t get involved, don’t get involved.’
4. Oo Rinne is getting curious about the transfer student?
5. We really got a Rinne detective mystery chapter lol
RINNE: ‘We all have different stuff we’re dealing with… And I’m not some genius who knows everything about everybody. … But… …I also know… That opening up to people… …and letting them open up to you… …can make things easier sometimes…’
6. Get Kuzoshiro an award right now I’m dead serious
CHIYAMA: ‘I have hyper hydrosis.’
7. Oh… She sweats too much <:[
CHIYAMA: ‘I *want* to go to school like everyone else!’ KANON: ‘… I *want* to go to school!’
8. HOLY SHIT RINNE CHARACTER ARC AND CHIYAMA CHARACTER ARC AAAAA
RINNE: ‘It’s not much, but I can listen if you ever need someone to talk to! And I can be there… …to hold your hand.’
9. I’M TEARING UP WHAT STOP I STAN RINNE NOW OMG
10. The ending doodle haha
11. 9/10 again wtf
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4.5 stars Liebe diesen Band. Saki ist nach den Ereignissen am Ende des letzten Bandes verunsichert, versucht aber trotzdem weiterhin ihr bestes, Kanon eine gute Freundin zu sein. Beim Feuerwerk kommen die beiden sich aber endlich zum ersten Mal näher, was nun Kanons Welt und Gefühle durcheinander bringt. Ich bin gespannt, wie sie sich entscheidet, wo sie ihre eigenen Gefühle erstmal ordnen muss. Ich finde es auch gut, dass Tomita nun gut mit ihrer neuen Situation klar kommt und offen damit umgeht. Mag auch Kanons Literaturklublehrer - er hat wahrscheinlich gerade einen besseren Einblick als Kanon selbst haha. Und dann haben wir da Rinne, von der man im letzten Kapitel nun auch mehr erfährt. Ich finde es gut, dass sie durch ihre eigenen Erfahrungen niemanden vorschnell verurteilt oder auf Gerüchte hört. Und wie sie mit der Geschichte ihrer neuen Freundin umgeht, ist auch sehr reif, vor allem, wo Rinne sonst ja doch ein kleiner Wildfang ist. Bin sehr gespannt, wie es auch mit diesem Handlungsstrang weitergeht. Ich freue mich schon sehr auf den nächsten Band und bin gespannt, wie es zwischen den beiden Protagonistinnen weitergeht.
Finally, two-thirds of the way into the 6th volume Saki and Kanon kiss. Up until then, these two girls have been friends who slowly realize they like hanging out together more than with anyone else. Nothing earth-shattering, no fake drama where the artist pushes them into weird situations. Just natural, blossoming love that's has the compelling vibe of young people finding their path. It's mostly perfect.
And then, rather than deal with this, the volume's next two chapters involve Kanon's little sister befriending a classmate who sweats a lot (it's actually very sweet) and then one-page outtakes of mini-scenes with the characters that didn't fit in anywhere else.
That's more of a letdown at this particular time because the next two volumes haven't been published in English yet.
Lo que chillé con este tomo, por favorrrrrrr, aunque ahora estoy sufriendo porque, aunque dicen que el próximo va a salir en diciembre, andá a saber. Me encanta cómo las distintas historias se van entrelazando y cómo nos siguen enseñando cosas nuevas. Me quedé con ganas de ver más de Saki y Kanon con eso de que incluyeron un capítulo de Rinne, pero también fue bueno el cambio de aire y el nuevo personaje me pareció re interesante; espero que no quede solo en eso.
Vueltita a la lectura con mis niñas, no suelo añadir nada de los mangas que leo pero estos como los estoy comprando y al ser unos mangas confort necesito apuntarlos por aquí.
Creo q están en un momento muy importante, las dos se van dando cuenta de cosas, una quiere dar el paso pero se retiene, mientras kanon no comprende lo que siente.
“being true to your own feelings is the hardest thing in the world” - felt
Hands down my fav manga series, I can’t wait for the anime to come out and I will definitely be collecting this series from now on cause there’s no way I’m waiting till my library gets a copy of the next vol in October.
Como siempre, este manga se toma su tiempo en desarrollar cada tema. Ya sea sobre tu primer amor, explorar tu sexualidad, navegar el mundo con una discapacidad, la amistad y sus complejidades, entre otros.
They kissed and are now trying to figure out their feelings.
Although the storyline with Renne felt too much like the main storyline, and I'm not sure how I'll like that. Hopefully it's just a one and done type of thing.
Ooooh Kanon’s starting to be *slightly* less oblivious! 😂 I really enjoyed the detour into Rinne’s school and getting to see a bit more of her personality, and ofc a yukata and fireworks scene is always beautiful, so all round a very sweet volume.
(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).
This is one of the best Yuri mangas I have read?? Like...ugh, the story isn't too complicated, but it's not too simple. I love the slow burn, and I ADORE the art style!! <3