Okay, I was wrong about the addition of Chiyama and her hyperhydrosis being a bit too much for the series. The way the mangaka uses this in the first chapter of this volume is pretty exceptional.
Because, more than Rinne becoming friends with Chiyama (plus how hilariously overbearing everybody else is), it’s an examination of Rinne’s struggle to allow herself to want anything.
Pushing her entire being down to accommodate Kanon has seen Rinne give up her hobbies and friends and everything else. This has taught her how to relate to somebody who’s got stuff going on, but she’s gone too far and forgotten self-care.
Chiyama becomes a lot more than a simple plot point here and I love how she embraces Rinne’s friendship, yet demands to be an equal part of said friendship. Rinne’s reaction really sells how important that is to her. It keeps the whole thing from feeling like Kanon’s story, but with sweat.
Kanon and Saki, meanwhile, are preparing for the big choir event and the school festival. There’s a lot going on in this section too and it’s all very good. The way the manga has examined Kanon’s hearing loss is exemplary.
Notably, the group comes up with a number of ways to enable Kanon to take orders at the class maid cafe. Ways that Kanon partially rejects because she is determined to be independent.
This provides an excellent lesson in how being independent doesn’t mean you completely reject the help you’re offered or that accepting it makes you weaker. It both rattles Kanon’s confidence and then, once she’s learned, restores it wonderfully.
Intermingled with this are some pleasant reconciliations and a couple of brief moments of our leads getting a bit closer. I wish the romance got a bit further along this time, but you can’t fault what we do get. Yes, it’s hand holding, mostly, but it sure isn’t mere hand holding (okay, and that OTHER moment).
Finally we get the choir competition and I think it does a reasonably good job in terms of presentation and being maybe a little narratively convenient rather than realistic in how it presents the denouement. It was never my favourite part of the manga, but it’s handled well.
There are a couple things I wish were done better. The taunting Rinne receives over Kana’s hearing loss is a bit too nebulous. This wouldn’t be worth noting, but it’s a fairly major component of Rinne’s story, so it should hit harder. I’m a pretty sarcastic guy and even my brain couldn’t figure out what ‘and worse’ meant in that context (asking somebody when they’re doing to go deaf also feels like a weaksauce jab).
And, while the parts we get are indeed awesome, the romance here is burning slower than a wet log. There’s a lot of good things in this volume, but not much of it involves Kanon and Saki moving the needle. Yes, I mention it twice, this is ostensibly a romance after all.
4.5 stars - I wish the love story was moving a pace quicker, but otherwise I genuinely have little bad to say about this volume. Great use of some things I wasn’t expecting much from.
After what has felt like an eternity I finally have in my hands a new volume for this series and I really liked it. I didn’t think I’d care about the focus on Rinne but it was really well done and made a great point of what happens when you sacrifice everything for the sake of others. I really enjoyed the parts with the cafe and the choir show as well. This series is one of my favorite GLs for a reason. I would really like to give it 5 stars but I can’t because I feel like the love part of this GL is moving at a ridiculously slow pace. I don’t mind slow burn but this is like a snail burn.
**REVIEW** First two were so fluffy and good but then CHAPTER 27?! DAMN. I'M SO SAD IT'LL LIKELY NEVER BE ADAPTED INTO THE ANIME BUT DAMN AM I GLAD I READ IT. It's so good. This series is so good, girlie. No, it's not perfect. It's flawed just like people. Just like these characters. And I love it
**CHAPTER REVIEWS & NOTES** # CHAPTER 25 REVIEW Altho the storytelling was a bit weak, I love this new duo
7.5/10
NOTES 1. Rinne gave up bringing friends over for Kanon’s sake? DAWG
2. Chiyama is gonna make me cry, please…
3. Saki just smiling through it all in the background is so silly
KANON’S MUM: ‘I thought she was really nice.’
4. Bisexual??
CHIYAMA: [thinking] ‘Now I’ve done it. … I think I touched on a sensitive topic… why am I like this…’
5. She’s so Charlie Brown coded lmao. Poor Chiyama
6. Chiyama POV ayo
RINNE: ‘WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!’
7. RINNE AND KANON’S FACES LMAOOOOOOOOOO
KANON: ‘Saki-chaaan, sorry about that.’ SAKI: ‘You’re not forgiven!’ KANON: ‘What?!’
8. Saki pretending to not forgive Kanon for leaving her alone for too long XD
CHIYAMA: ‘Next time, I want to do your favourite thing.’ RINNE: [taken aback, RINNE stares at CHIYAMA] ‘No, don’t mind me.’ CHIYAMA: ‘I WANT TO DO THAT!! Aren’t friends supposed to respect each other on equal standing? …That’s why… AAH of course, I won’t force you… or anything…’ RINNE: [looks down and looks away] ‘A concert. I want to see a concert.’ CHIYAMA: ‘… Let’s go!!’ RINNE: ‘I want to go bowling …’ CHIYAMA: ‘For sure!!’ RINNE: ‘… And play darts.’ CHIYAMA: ‘Got it!!’ RINNE: ‘Eat a really big parfait.’ CHIYAMA: ‘Let’s eat it!!’
9. Rinne’s smile <:]
10. Man, I love this subplot what the heck
# CHAPTER 26 REVIEW I think a queer coded this...
7/10
NOTES 1. Aint no way Tomita’s friends are defending Tanabe XD
2. Aw the menu idea :) Muranaka is goated, too
3. Saki calming Kanon’s anxiety :)
4. AYO KANON BLUSHING?
KANON: ‘I’ve always thought this but… Saki, you’re really cool.
5. Saki has looked so menacing this chapter lmao
KANON: ‘Honestly, if she let me hold onto her hand forever, I’d like that.’
6. THE SHIP IS SHIPPING GANGG
# CHAPTER 27 It's messed up how this chapter will probably never be adapted into the anime.
Anyway! First 10/10 that broke one of my criteria for a 10/10. It didn’t make me cry or anything. It’s just perfect, dramatic, and it made me really really happy. So many unexpected yet inevitable pay-offs and an amazing character study of two amazing characters. This manga is amazing
10/10
NOTES TOMITA: ‘I’ve said this before. I think it’s important for people to know…’ KANON: [smiles] ‘…You’re right.’
1. Aw Tomita gave Kanon a hard of hearing badge <:]
2. Kanon doesn’t know if she wants to wear it tho :0
3. I’m glad this is a topic covered in this manga. It’s mostly been Kanon’s POV so I’m glad they’re showing different people have varying levels of comfort letting strangers know they’re hard of hearing. Goes for any invisible minority group, really
KANON: ‘Sorry, Tomita. What you’re doing is rightbut this time, … I want to get through this without anymore “consideration” just like everyone else…’
4. Ah, valid!!
UNKNOWN: [pats KANON’S head] ‘Seriously… you weren’t in your classroom. And when I finally find you …’ [cut to reveal UNKNOWN is:] AYANO: ‘Why do you have such a disheartened look on your mug?’
5. ICONIC AYANO OMG!!
6. Aw, the Kanon and Ayano healing session <:]
7. And when they realised they were talking over each other and started laughing together oh my gosh I need this anime adaptation to get Skip and Loafer popular so we can get all these chapters adapted I know it’s unlikely but I’m still putting it out into the universe T-T
KANON: ‘IT’S NOT PRIDE! I WANTED TO TAKE A STEP TOWARD INDEPENDENCE!’ AYANO: ‘WRONG IT’S PRIDE!! TO BE BLUNT…’
8. Not everyone looking over at them bickering XD
AYANO: ‘Recently I’ve been getting help. When I… …asked for for advice around me. People were kind enough to help lift my burden.’
9. Genius chapter
AYANO: ‘I know you said you want to be independent but… is that doing everything on your own?’
10. Ayano the GOAT
AYANO: ‘People rely on you, too. You must’ve done that before. …When that happens have you ever thought theybwere irresponsible?’ KANON: ‘… I haven’t…’
11. AYAGOATTTTT
AYANO: ‘I’ll get helped, while helping others. Doesn’t it run like that? Society, I mean.’
12. WWWWW
KANON: ‘I feel like she’s always holding my hand.’ AYANO: ‘Ha ha ha! Why not keep it that way?’ KANON: ‘WHAT?!’ AYANO: [stands up] ‘If she ever finds herself in a tough spot, make sure you can be there to help her.’
13. AYO AYANO BE SPITTING BARS
14. AND SHE LEAVES WOW
# CHAPTER 28 REVIEW Obviously couldn't compare to the previous chapter but it didn't have to. Great resolution and reminds me why I love comedies so much. Comedies are about lonely people who find community in each other :)
8/10
NOTES 1. Kanon’s wearing Tomita’s badge :)
KANON: [thinking] ‘But… I guess… I can get out of this space… through my own choice.’
este tomo en especial me tocó el corazón. saki y kanon son personajes demasiado entrañables, la relación está tan bien escrita, cada capítulo se pone mejor!!! me encanta observar cómo se desenvuelve su vínculo y cómo crece kanon individualmente, es hermosa la manera en la que ella está realizando sus sentimientos hacia saki 🤧🩷 que belleza
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Después de que una nueva alumna llegara a la clase de Rinne, la hermana pequeña de Kanon, y descubriera que hay muchas más personas con problemas de lo que puedes llegar a imaginar, decide salir de la burbuja de protección en la que se había metido para no meterse en los asuntos ajenos para entrar en la órbita de Chiyama, la nueva, la cual tiene una enfermedad que hace que le suden las manos más de lo que es habitual, algo que le impide hacer una vida normal y que la hizo cambiar de instituto para alejarse de los rumores y los comentarios malintencionados sobre ella. Con miedo de acercarse a nadie y de que descubran su enfermedad, Chiyama deja entrar a Rinne y la joven siente una fuerte conexión con esta chica a la que no le asquea cogerla de las manos sudorosas y pegajosas.
Por su parte, Kanon y su madre están extasiadas ante la noticia de que Rinne lleve a una amiga a casa, algo que no pasaba desde que Kanon se volvió sorda. Este acontecimiento tiene a la familia revolucionada y pronto conocemos los motivos y los cambios que es para una familia el que uno de sus miembros tenga una discapacidad, máxime cuando este es un niño o un adolescente. No solamente Kanon y sus padres tuvieron que adaptarse, sino que Rinne hizo un esfuerzo máximo que coartó su libre albedrío y su libertad en pos de la felicidad de su hermana para protegerla de todo lo malo que pudiera pasarle. Y si bien la obra ya nos había introducido partes de los cambios y sacrificios de Rinne, en este tomo se nos introducen nuevos y, también, el cómo esto sigue afectando a las relaciones y aciones de Rinne, la cual comenzará a reflexionar sobre ello gracias a su nueva amiga.
Por otra parte, Saki, Kanon y el resto de las chicas de su clase están ultimando los preparativos para el festival cultural y el concurso de coros, decorando la clase y ultimando sus outfits para lo primero y realizando los últimos ensayos para lo segundo. Aunque las cosas no empezaron bien cuando la tutora les habló del concurso de coros, las compañeras se están tomando las cosas en serio y el que Tomita y sus amigas hayan cambiado con respecto a Kanon después de que la propia Tomita haya perdido la completa audición de un oído, es de gran ayuda, ya que son una fuente de apoyo muy grande, sobre todo Tomita, con la cual Kanon puede compartir experiencias. Aunque hay algo que está ensombreciendo el ánimo de Kanon y es el no ser capaz de dar la talla como la directora del coro, a pesar de todo lo que se ha estado esforzando durante el verano con la ayuda de Saki y su familia. Y es que, para la joven, esta es una prueba vital, algo que podría determinar si será capaz de desenvolverse sola en el mundo de los adultos.
Prosiguiendo con el desarrollo de sus personajes y el crecimiento de sus psicologías, Kazushiro continúa con el aprendizaje de sus dos protagonistas en un sétimo volumen que será clave para Kanon en muchos sentidos, y en el que se dará cuenta de algo en lo que no había reparado antes: no es malo apoyarse en los demás, no estamos solas.
Creo que ya terminó el volumen 7 en los capítulos de manganato, nos centramos un poco en la hermana de Kanon y fue interesante. Retomamos la situación con su ex amiga y cada vez más dispuesta a vivir la vida (cosa preciosa).
Me gustó que en el capítulo, que asumo, es el final del volumen vemos como Kanon empieza a superar uno de sus conflictos principales y eso deja espacio a que se plantee realmente lo que la hace sentir Saki y haga el esfuerzo por conocerla más, ponerle más atención y AAAHHH Saki lo que se te viene fljhflqhgjq si ya habían gay panics con cada pequeña cosa, imagínate ahora. MENCANTAAAA.
Oooft, going more into Rinne’s perspective and the impact of being the well sibling hit HARD. The theme of this one in general seemed to be the whole ‘hey you’re allowed needs, and asking for help is ok’ thing, and seeing the growth of multiple different characters starting to realise that was just gorgeous. And of course that was all delivered wrapped up in a super cute cat maid cafe and our usual Saki/Kanon antics and it’s JUST. SO. ADORABLE.
kanon is so cute holy shit 💔 AND RINNE MADE A NEW FRIEND YAYYYYY. it's insane just how much she WILLINGLY gave up for kanon, it breaks my heart. ayano being proud of kanon makes us realise just how far she's come, i'm so happy for her 😭🫶🏻 THE HUG AT THE END AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
(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).