Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Vol. 2

かぐや様は告らせたい ～天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦～[Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen] #2

by Aka Akasaka

Two high school geniuses scheme to get the other to confess their love first.

Two geniuses. Two brains. Two hearts. One battle. Who will confess their love first…?!

Will a mysterious love letter to Kaguya make Miyuki jealous? Is drinking from a coffee cup with Kaguya’s lipstick on the rim a virtual kiss? How will Miyuki react when Kaguya says she’s “done it” before?

Then, Miyuki’s phobia is revealed, the VP of Shuchiin Academy’s sister school in France displays epic Gallic rudeness and the student council tries on some costumes…

Nobody can resist cat ears.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Humor, Young Adult, Comedy, Seinen, Fiction

228 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2016

About the author

AKASAKA Aka
Name (in native language): 赤坂アカ

Zodiac: Virgo

Blood Type: O

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am still not loving this series, but I will say that in the 2nd book everything is a little better. The art has improved slightly, it's a little funnier, and the characters seem a little more likable, especially Kaguya, who actually does seem to care about other other people, in her stilted way.

My favorite bits were when both MC wear cats ears and are struggling not to let their feelings about the other's cuteness show, and the party where Kaguya defends her rival against slurs from visiting French students (she hasn't realized he doesn't understand French).



My least liked aspect was the gender differences that everyone seems to assume/accept and how Kaguya because she is a "nice girl from a good family" hasn't had even basic sex ed.

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more manga and graphic novel reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

Kaguya is the vice president of their prestigious academy’s student council and she's in love with, Miyuki, the president, and he with her! BUT both are well aware that in love there is always a winner... and neither wants to be the "loser!" As both are geniuses and quite proud they spend each day laying in wait for an opportunity to get the other to confess without losing face... only Chika, their secretary seems ready to innocently mess up their careful machinations.

In volume 2 I was even more delighted by these two! My rating rose (YAY!) but I'm sticking with the 4 stars for now because I know even better things are to come...

Yes, the art is still magnificently different from your typical characters, with the facial expressions they make freaking out causing me to giggle and their awkward dysfunction to shine.

Yes, Kaguya and Miyuki are still too smart for their own good! Kaguya's naivete was super cute as the "rich girl" stereotype gets some personality! Chika makes an even better foil for them this volume as we get to know her better.

Yes, there is still a battle formula in play... but in this volume there is tons more creativity to make them different and the explore aspects of school life in Japan. Many of these situations made me roll on the floor giggling! I kid you not...

I think I was a lot more comfortable in this volume though... I laughed more and didn't think so much about the plot... I was eager to get into each new battle! I think that was because of how well I was hooked in volume 1!! So please read my review of volume 1 if you want to understand better...

I wanted to share some of the spontaneous feelings I had while reading this volume... so you can understand the happy fangirling that this series has inspired...

"Hahahahaha I just find this so funny. I love their freaked out art... and she is so long range... he just barely keeps ahead of her. They are so alike it’s scary at times, lol..."

"These two... but Chika really adds a ton! But I LOVE Miyuki's reactions most of all... though Kaguya has the best plans!"

GAH I so relate to Miyuki! I hate bugs too... of course she tries to get him to confess that way and Chika ends up saving the day!"

"Awww Kaguya melts so genuinely when she allows it... and Chika is so damn funny!"

"Oh wow... the cat ears thing is so cute..."

"The forbidden word game is too perfect!"

"The characters, the characters!! They make you giggle and snort and just take plain delight in their little war..." Yes! I am still quoting myself... because this line says it best... I love these two and how perfect they are for each other but how their best qualities keeps them from having each other. Right now. Because their battles are slowly but surely changing them... I so, so ship these two! May the battles continue!

As this is a multi-volume series my opinion is also influenced by the previous volumes... And there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of volume 1...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⋆⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art

BOTTOM LINE: May these pride filled love birds battle it out... until they realize they want to ship themselves like I do!

This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 |2 |3 |4 |5


Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews in a special feature called Saturday Morning Cartoons...

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about how the mind and heart chase each other in circles.

Love Is War. Kaguya and Miyuki believe that ”in relationships, the one who confesses love first is the loser.
So they are going to use all the intelligence and skill they can muster to get the other one to show interest/profess their love first!
This is a battle of love and wits; a struggle of the heart with dignity on the line. Each of our main characters here are as stubborn and rigidly-minded as each other. There are so many comedic moments as they skirt around each other finding out the truth - they are hopelessly in love with one another!

Chika Fujiwara is best girl !! She is sapphic and in love with Kaguya for sure !! 🥹💖

[Elizabeth (Elzburg) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what I was so sour about when I reviewed the first volume. This is so funny and silly and such an enjoyable read. The art isn't even bad, like shut up past me. As soon as I finished the last chapter I said outloud to myself, "Ten out of ten." Though obviously that miiiiight be a bit of a stretch. I mean, this is pretty funny, but it still ain't no Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan, ya nam sayin'? (By the way that is the single most HILARIOUS piece of media I've ever consumed in my entire existence. Out of all books, comics, manga, movies, you name it. Actual 10/10 gold. The anime at least. I haven't read the manga.)

Of course the source of the hilarity is still in how fricken INTENSE these characters get about situations! Seemingly ordinary or everyday scenarios get misconstrued to be ten times more complicated than they need to be because of this weird battle of the tsunderes that this series focuses on. So good.

I still do feel like it has not yet reached 5/5 star status though. But at the same time it's so good... I am stuck! Uugggghh. I think I'm just going to go with 4/5 stars, and I'll see what happens in the next volume, whether that'll finally be enough to get the series to 5/5 or not. Because if it doesn't, then it just means it's not meant to be... I'm just being dramatic. ;]


Please consider giving this review a "Like", it helps me out a lot! And follow me if you want more!

Click to read all of my Kaguya-sama: Love is War Reviews:
Volumes: 1 | 2* | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

*Current review

[Anushka Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love letter. The coffee cup with her lipstick mark. His phobia of bugs.

And cat ears!
Whoever would've thought cat ears could look so irresistible?!

[Chantaal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute, but my god there's So Much happening ALL THE TIME on every page - there's no room to breathe. At least in this I can see that the anime is a very faithful adaptation. Glad I tried this, but I don't think I'll be reading more.

[Jessica ❀ · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s cute, but I did end up getting bored in this one. I get it’s a rom com and the whole premise is them liking each other but not admitting it, but it is getting a tad bit repetitive. I’ll still check out the next volume and see if my feelings change.

[Yaiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Está entretenido pero sin más

[Justine from Novels and Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it silly and cute, such a breather to read. I wish I could've discovered it sooner.

[Alice4170 🌙 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️

[Pożeraczka książek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten tom podobał mi się bardziej niż pierwszy 😄

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaguya has a big forehead and Miyuki is scared of bugs. They're both so cute!

The art got a little better this volume, the eyes and facial expressions in particular.

[library ghost (farheen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

cuter and funnier than the first vol

like how cute was kaguya coming for that french student's neck in defense of miyuki

also the cover is soo cute and seriously chika is like grown up anya. where do i adopt her💗

my one problem is miyuki always trying to be the "manliest man" lol. like bro relax


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[Sarawat · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There's no way he's waiting in this weather," and then it shows him waiting for her while it's storming and flooding with a broken umbrella. And then when he gets her message canceling, he says it's worth it because he got his first text from her?! Love is war, and Miyuki Shirogane lost a long time ago (well, they both lost a long time ago)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[chuli⸙ೃ୫ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se ve que va a aparecer en algún momento otro personaje masculino y a mi ya me invadió la curiosidad o.o

ENNN FINN
este manga no para de sacarme sonrisas me encanta 💕

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The war for love rages on. Hijinks happen such as who will call who first or text. How will one get the others number I'm their phone. Will they admit they like each other with a little push or is it too soon.

[Ala · Rating 5 out of 5]

かわいいいいいいいいい😍😍😍😍😍😍

[Lulai · Rating 5 out of 5]

C'est mignon et fun :)

[ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
That final chapter really won me over.

HOW ARE THEY SO CUTE!

[igna ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

capitulo 17 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[♡ gabi ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

dupy nie urywa

[Oliwka Mik · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5

[LALa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying the direction this is going and the interactions of all the characters, looking forward to being introduced to more and additional plot points. Looking to be one of my favorite series, but we will see. Still like the expressions and humor, as well as a couple of throwbacks.

[Riccardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mio parere è andato pian piano a perdersi, peccato!!

[Facundo Mosquera · Rating 4 out of 5]

opino exactamente lo mismo que en el tomo anterior: una versión inferior a la animada pero con más contenido. Aún así fue más divertido que el primer tomo

[SummeroftheSeasons]

Reading this manga series is bringing me so much joy, it's hilarious.

[Bea Insta bookscatsandcoffeeuy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarante :)

[Afifahcookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read.

I loved the parallelism! We saw Shirogane biting his tongue trying to keep calm despite facing off a cockroach in front of Shinomiya. Then we saw Shinomiya biting her tongue trying to keep a straight face because she found Shirogane too cute with his cat ears.

My favourite chapter was the night before the shopping trip where Shinomiya and Shirogane had their first call & text message.

Onto the next volume!

[Of Butterflies & Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it was possible, but I think I laughed, even more, reading this volume than I did the first one. All I can say if I wasn't completely sold on this series before, which I was, I am now.