Daydream Darling, Vol. 1

ユメかウツツか [Yume ka Utsutsu ka] #1

by Io Sakisaka

人見知りで口下手な“宝生（ほうしょう）いろは”高校1年生。不機嫌に見られてしまいがちで、ひとりぼっちの日々だけど唯一、心を許せる「先輩」がいる。“阿久津想（あくつそう）”……　いつも笑顔で、いろはが欲しい言葉をくれるカレ。クラスに居場所がなくても先輩がいれば平気！　しかしある時同級生（クラスメイト）に、先輩といろはが抱える秘密がバレてしまう…。　まぼろしに、恋をした――　恋に夢見るドリーミング・ストーリー

Genres: Manga, Romance, Young Adult, Shojo

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2025

About the author

Io Sakisaka (咲坂伊緒) is a Japanese manga artist. She also designed the characters for the anime movie HAL. Her works are:

-Call My Name (2001)
-Watashi no Koibito (2002)
-Bye-Bye, Little (2002)
-Blue (2006)
-Mascara Blues (2007)
-Strobe Edge (2007)
-Ao Haru Ride (2011)
-Sono Omokage o Shitteru (2013) (oneshot)
-Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare (2015)
-Otome no Itari (2020) (oneshot)
-Sakura, Saku (2021)

Reviews

[Laiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! Hooked already tbh. Interested to see where this goes. Always love this author’s style

[Kristin ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely missed that Io Sakisaka, the queen of shojo manga if you will, was back with another series? especially since the Sakura, Saku chapters have not all come out in the west yet.

But what a treat to get to read multiple chapters in one go, and this did not miss. Finally we have a story that does just a little bit more, have been a little repetitive lately so it's nice to have something a little different. Main guy seems to be carrying some secrets and pain, was a little worried in the beginning that he actually wasn't real, but happy that he is.

interesting to see where this will go, feeling hooked right off the bat.

[Jade✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Inizio non male! Spero non si perda andando avanti perché il finale mi ha preoccupato. Trovato un pochino affrettato.
Con questa autrice ho un rapporto complicato perché oltre Ao Haru Ride (che ho amato) per il resto ho droppato tutte le sue serie ma ogni volta spero di apprezzare le sue nuove opere e quindi ci riprovo.
Un primo volume chi mi ha sorpreso, si parla di salute mentale e non me l’aspettavo proprio. La protagonista fatica nel parlare con gli altri, va totalmente in panico e trova poi speranza e aiuto nel protagonista maschile. Questa tematica l’ho apprezzata tanto, in realtà mi sono anche rivista perché in adolescenza ero così anche se in modo più lieve e tuttora a volte ho qualche difficoltà. Onestamente è la prima volta che leggo un manga di questo genere con una tematica di questo tipo quindi l’ho trovato originale! L’unica cosa che non mi ha convinto totalmente è il suo rapporto con il protagonista, spero diventi più interessante e meno affrettato…da una parte mi piace che lui la vuole aiutare e ci sta ma certe dinamiche non mi hanno convinto appieno, poco verosimile. Ci sono secondo me tutte le carte in tavola per poter creare una storia carina e con spunti originali, spero che l’autrice non si perda nel banale!

[Ashley Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute. I loved Au Haru ride so I’m sure I’ll love this one too. Waiting for the volume that’ll rip my heart out like the other one did because I know it’s coming. Can’t wait for the next volume <3

[shre ♡]

oh ao haru ride mangaka....

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

As expected with a Sakisaka title, there are a lot of pathos and sweet moments in this new series. The illustration work is clean and easy to follow, the story emotion-driven and layered.

Story: Iroha had bad experiences with fellow students in junior high school, causing her to withdraw into a painful shyness. When she meets an older boy at the library, she finds someone she can communicate with easily. So she studies hard to get into his high school. There, she is seen as aloof and unpleasant by her fellow students, causing her more pain. But the boy from the library, Akatsu, is there during breaks as her confidant. The problem is, is he real?

So what we have here is a bit of an unreliable narrator as she fluctuates between fantasy and reality. I liked that the students at her school weren't overly mean, just put off by her seeming indifference to them. Most of the first volume was Akatsu gently encouraging Iroha to talk to her classmates.

Both Iroha and Akatsu clearly have heartbreaking backstories so it will be interesting to see where the author takes the story. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Jack Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so, so cute!

Such a fun and unique story. I think all of us at one point or another have spoken to someone then had a version of them in our heads. What we think they’re like, how they would talk and act, and how they would interact with us. Sometimes it’s a fictional character or an actor and sometimes it could just be a person you randomly encountered while you were out studying. But how do you reconcile your imaginary version of someone with the person they really are? What if you don’t like that person, but what if you do? I can’t wait to see where this goes.

Another case of gorgeous artwork and another beautiful use of halftones. I love the way they look so much. All of these manga that are using them lately are making me want to try the halftone sheets so bad, but I don’t know if I have the patience for all that cutting and placing. The art is very expressive and soft. It definitely gives off a cozy, romantic vibe.

I think this will appeal to people who enjoy books like Komi Can’t Communicate and Akira Failing in Love, though this one has a slightly more serious tone than Akira.

Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for the DRC!!

[Chiara · Rating 2 out of 5]

"...gelato??? No, no, fermi! Non ho capito il gioco!!" (cit. di cultura)

Sono una grandissima fan di Io Sakisaka quindi vedo il suo nome e compro automaticamente. L'incipit di questa nuova serie... non l'ho capito. All'inizio quando si pensa che "il lui" sia solo nella sua immaginazione mi sono detta: "beh, interessante... anzi, originale! Magari grazie a questa sorta di angelo custode la nostra protagonista riuscirà a risolvere i suoi problemi di timidezza e magari avvicinarsi all'altro suo compagno di classe che sembra interessato a lei"...ma lui invece esiste davvero. Quindi lei parla sia con quello vero che con quello immaginario. Ma che senso ha allora? A parte sensibilizzare il lettore sulle malattie mentali (ironico). Andrò avanti ancora con qualche numero ma questo primo è, a malincuore, bocciato. Non ci ho trovato nulla di interessante e anzi se togliamo quel piccolissimo colpo di scena iniziale (che tanto non serve a niente ai fini della storia) la trama è di una banalità unica. Ma VOGLIO cambiare idea coi prossimi numeri. *ti prego*

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slice of life romance between Iroha who is a shy girl who finds talking with her classmates extremely uncomfortable yet there's something about this boy, who she calls senpai and then ends up calling much more than at when she meets him in the library and befriends him and realizes that he can be the secret to getting her to learn to talk to her classmates and others. He's going to be especially helpful because she wants to get into the school that he goes to. Both have a few secrets they keep but when they're together there's no denying the energy between them that kickstarts this sweet romance similar to Our Aimless Nights, Volume 1.

[blackcatbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I'd like to thank the publisher for a digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This has the potential to be my favorite Io Sakisaka series. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy her other works too. But her last two series left me a little disappointed. As far as DD, I really like both the characters, their interactions and the good communication that happens in the very first volume! 👏👏👏 I can relate the FL struggle to express herself to others and her social anxiety. I did face palm with a couple of things she said when they came out wrong 🤦‍♀️ But I think we've all done that. I already have the first two volumes pre-ordered now and look forward to adding them to my collection!

[Vivienne Beloved · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sono una fan della Sakisaka. Non importa cosa scriva, io la devo leggere!
Si, spesso i protagonisti fisicamente si assomigliano tra loro, ma non è l'unica mangaka ad avere questo "difetto", quindi che importa? Adoro il suo tratto dolce e pulito.
Questa nuova serie inizia con qualcosa di inusuale. La protagonista femminile ha un'amico immaginario con cui parla e allo stesso tempo fa amicizia con il ragazzo reale di suddetta fantasia. Cosa ne verrà fuori?
Visto che conosco la mangaka, si prospettano incomprensioni, un pg maschile frustrante, triangoli esasperanti e momenti da batticuore. Sono pronta!

[♡ zuly ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read quite a few of Io Sakisaka's work before, so I was excited to start this. While this didn't disappoint, it definitely did surprise me! The main character is a painfully shy girl who struggles to make conversation with her classmates. She meets a boy at the library that attends the high school she's aiming to get accepted into, and is able to form a bond with him despite her shyness. In the current day, he is the only friend she has in school, or that is what we're led to believe! I think this is definitely worth the read for shoujo fans, so I won't give away any more than that! Thank you to Viz and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Viz Media for the digital ARC!

I'm so excited that Io Sakisaka is back with another work. She's a mangaka that I instantly buy from. The premise for Daydream Darling is cute. At first I really thought that Akutsu was not actually real. But it was nice that he was. I also love Iroha's awkwardness. It's cute seeing her internal reactions vs what others see. As the story progressed, I really enjoyed seeing that Iroha was making some progress with getting over her fear of speaking to others. Also, the backstory to why she's like that was nice to see. It made me sympathize with her. Safe to say I'm continuing this series!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to the e-ARC for review.

This one was quite adorable. I really liked how Akutsu didn’t judge Iroha and let her continue to speak to the imaginary version of him. He wasn’t weirded out by it and didn’t shame her. He also tries really hard to understand her and I really appreciate that.

This was overall a simple and cute little book with not a whole lot going on. If you want something relaxing with not much to keep up with, but not boring, this is for you.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another series from Io Sakisaka and the art is beautiful, as expected! I really like this mangaka’s art style, it works well with the daydream plot.

The plot was so interesting and drew me in right away. I really liked Sou and loved that he was supportive of Iroha still talking to her imaginary version of him. I cannot wait to see Iroha come out of her shell and find out more about Sou’s backstory.

I did not care for who I’m guessing will be the second ML, but by the end he was a little more likable.

I will absolutely be reading the next volume of this series!

[Kait W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute, easy to follow shoujo. This first volume was a quick read, and I did enjoy the four characters we've gotten to know so far. I did predict the twist quickly and it was revealed very early, I'm casually interested in seeing how they continue to utilize that premise or if they leave it behind. I didn't feel particularly captivated by the story though or like I absolutely wanted to need the second book. I think if someone is looking for a light read with a romantic vibe then this would be a good option to recommend.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of a super sweet story. As a shy person, I really appreciate Iroha's difficulty with talking to others. The reader is shown that this wasn't always the case, but that it was something she learned from the responses of other kids. I would give this to my niece and nephew, who are also super shy. I love how the characters are all trying to be kind.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one does it like Io Sakisaka, and this is another good example of why. Iroha's understandably painful shyness has her somewhat literally living inside her head, and as someone who's been there, it's very well done, with plenty of potential for a variety of developments down the road.

[Shatiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spero davvero tanto che non mi riservi un'altra delusione come "Amarsi, lasciarsi", perchè mi piacciono i manga della Sakisaka...

....però le vibes che mi trasmette questo manga mi portano solo ad immaginare un finale tragico.

Ti prego! NIENTE FINALE TRAGICO, OK????

[Valeria NM]

Here we go again ʕʘ‿ʘʔ
(I’m v v nervous to read Sakisaka sensei’s works every time)

[Jules Vandemberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A main character with MDD? I love it 😭

[Rei · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

OKAY. INTERESTING...!

[scarliz ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

𐙚 ̊3.5
ookay, that's very interesting. and I totally understand Iroha, unfortunately.

[Leila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forse potrebbe piacermi più di altre opere della Sakisaka.

[Itspetitemoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sakisaka io nunca decepciona.

[stardust · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh i wish of i did read this earlier i feel so much butterflies and i feel like this gonna be my favorite romance manga this year