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そらいろフラッター [Sorairo Flutter] #3
That Blue Sky Feeling, Vol. 3
"Happily ever after" isn't the same for everybody.
Self-discovery is not always awesome, as Noshiro, Ayumi and Makoto are all finding out the hard way. Even the self-assured Sanada seems to be struggling. The final volume of this complicated love story proves that hanging on to that blue sky feeling of youthful love is an elusive and unpredictable task.
Self-discovery is not always awesome, as Noshiro, Ayumi and Makoto are all finding out the hard way. Even the self-assured Sanada seems to be struggling. The final volume of this complicated love story proves that hanging on to that blue sky feeling of youthful love is an elusive and unpredictable task.
248 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2018
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249 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
May 9, 2021
I cannot bring myself to understand why Hide needed to be 26 years old.
September 21, 2019
An adorable ending to an adorable Manga.
January 28, 2022
4.5 stars
Gawww this book is so wholesome. I have loved this story from it's very first volume. I enjoyed the fact that the key element of this manga is the growth of the characters as they go through certain ordeals, aka although romance amd feelings are a big part of the storyline, it's not a romance story. For example the development with Noshiro questioning whether Sanada is a special person to him and for Ayumi confessing her feelings for Sanada and working through those feelings. The story shows amazing character growth and maturity with is clear through the character arcs. I like the fact that the third volume has development and doesn't just jump straight into Sanada and Noshiro getting together, although it did drag a bit let me tell you, but I more so enjoyed the fact that you could authentically see the characters as they worked through their own emotions and conflicting feelings.
The artwork is sublime and so cute. The writing and character building is phenomenal and the story is done impeccably well. It is certainly one of my favourite mangas hence forth.
Gawww this book is so wholesome. I have loved this story from it's very first volume. I enjoyed the fact that the key element of this manga is the growth of the characters as they go through certain ordeals, aka although romance amd feelings are a big part of the storyline, it's not a romance story. For example the development with Noshiro questioning whether Sanada is a special person to him and for Ayumi confessing her feelings for Sanada and working through those feelings. The story shows amazing character growth and maturity with is clear through the character arcs. I like the fact that the third volume has development and doesn't just jump straight into Sanada and Noshiro getting together, although it did drag a bit let me tell you, but I more so enjoyed the fact that you could authentically see the characters as they worked through their own emotions and conflicting feelings.
The artwork is sublime and so cute. The writing and character building is phenomenal and the story is done impeccably well. It is certainly one of my favourite mangas hence forth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2019
I like the story and its themes, but man was it skeevy about Hide’s character. Besides that, I like how the characters by the end are still trying to figure things out because they are still growing up.
November 22, 2020
What a beautiful story about self discovery and growth. I was on the edge towards the end, because I didn't feel like there were enough pages to wrap it up, but it ended beautifully. It wasn't a definite answer or anything, it was more open, but that really suited the story. I like the way the author handled the characters and their relationships with each other, dealing with sexuality, and what it means to like somebody. It was all just so well done. And the story made me so fluttery. I really did love it.
August 21, 2022
First of all, Hide gives me the creeps. Why is a 26 year old dating a kid in the 11th grade. And then he invites high school kids for a sleepover and keeps making inappropriate jokes about his previous relationship with said 11th grade student in his presence. Noshiro and Sanada don’t really have any chemistry and the ending is totally lame.
January 18, 2023
the older ex is still here and he is clearly in a position of power over those kids, this is getting too much, even for you Japan.
thank god it was the last one and the kids are happily in a relationship. Or not. Unclear. They are just happy to be together.
thank god it was the last one and the kids are happily in a relationship. Or not. Unclear. They are just happy to be together.
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March 1, 2020
I can't explain it but I felt so... uneasy while reading it. Hiro's role played a huge part in this but the overall atmosphere of the story's just awkward.
January 1, 2023
I just remembered I read this garbage and that I wrote a whole rant about it so I want to bestow it upon everyone on goodreads lol:
Okay so first I’m gonna go character by character and then talk about the plot
Sanada: so fricking unlikable (this will be a common comment). He’s so stand-offish which is fine but it gets to the point where no natural character growth can happen? Like I get it’s a front he puts up so people don’t get that close to him, but even when like the other mc Noshiro kinda does he’s still like that? Like theres literally no character arc where we as the audience end up seeing who Sanada really is. Like seriously, by the end of the series we have learned nothing about his true personality because it flip flops between us he actually this reserved, stand offish guy in general or is he actually the more friendly and likeable guy we see every so often? I just don’t know. Plus we literally learn nothing about him besides the fact he’s gay. It’s not even the dumb line of “omg he makes being gay his whole personality” because majority of the book he’s closeted to everyone except some of the mcs. But we never learn his interests aside from what kind of guy he’s into, what subject he’s bad at, and the fact he doesn’t like to stand out. Like how fucking bland is that? I’m sorry but this is such boring character writing. Half the time i don’t get how he even has people wanting to hangout with him because wtf do they even talk about? Ugh, I just really don’t like this character. There were moments where he seemed to actually be showing a genuine side to him and if that could have stayed consistent and the more he let his guard down, the more we got to learn about his interest, I would have been down for that! But nope 😐
Noshiro: he’s what I would call the main narrator of the story. At first I was thinking I was really gonna like him! He’s bubbly, extroverted, charismatic. But ofc that charm wore off real quick. Once again he suffers from being really bland with no specific interests aside from liking food and doing judo, which ig is more than sanada has going for him. But still, he’s so painfully boring as well. He has a lot of potential with figuring out his sexuality, but I felt that that internal conflict was only surface level? Idk I’ll talk more about this in the plot section. As for his personality, he got annoying so fast. He was incredibly pushy towards Sanada to be his friend and hangout when it was obvious that Sanada didn’t want to at face value, like read the room? And idk it felt unrealistic, at least for me, to keep pestering someone to be my friend when they don’t seem to be taking the advances kindly? Like take a hint dude. Plus there’s like multiple times he pushes Sanada’s boundaries which is a big big nono for me. The biggest offense imo is Noshiro has picked up on the fact that Sanada never laughs or anything when he’s with Noshiro. So he makes it his goal to make Sanada laugh. Okay that’s fine. But then he tries to make him laugh by tickling him and Sanada very clearly tells him “do not touch me!” A boundary which he breaks a few scenes later 😐 like idc if deep down Sanada actually liked being tickled by him or whatever, you still can’t do that when someone has EXPLICITLY told you not to touch them ffs. He also is like really pushy to get Sanada to talk about certain things (can’t remember what specifically), and even when Sanada clearly expresses either with words or body language that he doesn’t wanna talk about whatever, Noshiro STILL pushes him like omg I hate this kid
Yamamoto: best character ever!! Girl deserves a hug after Sanada has been kinda a shit friend to here, at least in the present. She has like a crush on Sanada (not knowing he’s gay) and when he rejects her, she still is the bigger person and sets her feelings aside to be a good friend to him. She literally does nothing wrong in this story and 🥲💕 Also Sanada literally tells her he’s gay like last out of his friends which made me feel so bad for her because bestie deserved to know sooner even though Ik coming out can be a really hard thing to do. Because when she first confessed feelings to Sanada, he didn’t tell her he was gay so then she was still kinda feeling like maybe there was a chance and idk I just felt bad (again I don’t wanna sound like I’m invalidating Sanada’s struggle with coming out, but I think I’m just biased because I like Yamamoto more than him). But she’s great even though she also suffers from being a bit bland, but since she’s a side character I didn’t mind
Makoto: annoying ass kid who has a crush on Noshiro, that’s literally all I can say about him. He doesn’t really do anything wrong, he’s just loud and annoying 🤷♀️
Hide: creepy ass 26 year old ex of Sanada that was waaay too prevalent and felt like a perv (which I feel bad for saying because I’m a homophobic stereotype is thinking all gay people are predators, but this man literally is and you can’t tell me otherwise 😭) he also hangs out with the underage cast waaay too much
Story issues: since this is a mostly character driven story, I’ve already covered most of my issues. But plot wise idk, it just feels boring. Like it’s such a cookie cutter romance plot with the transfer student (Noshiro) coming and changing the loner boys life forever and then there’s conflict and then there’s forced conflict with having not one but TWO people have a crush on Noshiro (Makoto and some random girl that isn’t worth mentioning) and more conflict because of poor communication until it all comes down to an “emotional” climax of then confessing their feelings in the last ten pages of the book.So it’s a really basic plot, which could have worked! If the characters were interesting and dynamic...which they’re not. Another issue I have plot wise is at the beginning it’s mentioned multiple times how Sanada had been kinda outcasted and bullied once this “rumor” of him being gay started to spread. And like that could have been a really great topic to dive into about homophobia and people not being accepting but nah ig that’s too much to ask for because about halfway through the story it’s barely brought up. Like it’s not like his classmates ever have some eureka moment where they learn acceptance. And I’m not saying all the homophobic background characters should have learned a lesson because that’s unrealistic, but for this plot line to be seemingly dropped halfway through the story was disappointing. Idk. Another problem I have plot/character wise is Sanada having dated a literal predator is painted and normalized as “omg he’s so experienced and mature” and it’s just so so gross, I was so disgusted that they not only normalized a 26 year old with a 16-17 YEAR OLD but also had the audacity to then paint Sanada as some crazy experience guy who couldn’t want to be with someone as inexperienced as Noshiro right? So gross. Lastly, the romance just had so little chemistry. Like the story was telling us that these two characters like one another but...I just kept asking myself why do they? Noshiro is so pushy towards Sanada and Sanada through half of the book seems annoyed towards Noshiro half the time. So when they confessed feelings at the end, it just didn’t feel earned? Idk 😭 one thing I can say I liked was that they didn’t like 100% get together in the end? They know they’re special to one another but they don’t immediately rush into some romance, which was cool.
Final Thoughts: 2/10 that 2 is only for Yamamoto though. It was beyond bad and the last time I randomly pick up something from the library. Maybe there was a reason the full series was there and not partially checked out. I went into this thinking it was just gonna be a straight guy befriending a gay guy and like a little slice of life with interesting characters and conflicts surrounding homophobia, internalized homophobia, coming out, etc but no...had to be a poorly written story about two characters that shouldn’t have even ended up as friends. The end 🤷♀️
Okay so first I’m gonna go character by character and then talk about the plot
Sanada: so fricking unlikable (this will be a common comment). He’s so stand-offish which is fine but it gets to the point where no natural character growth can happen? Like I get it’s a front he puts up so people don’t get that close to him, but even when like the other mc Noshiro kinda does he’s still like that? Like theres literally no character arc where we as the audience end up seeing who Sanada really is. Like seriously, by the end of the series we have learned nothing about his true personality because it flip flops between us he actually this reserved, stand offish guy in general or is he actually the more friendly and likeable guy we see every so often? I just don’t know. Plus we literally learn nothing about him besides the fact he’s gay. It’s not even the dumb line of “omg he makes being gay his whole personality” because majority of the book he’s closeted to everyone except some of the mcs. But we never learn his interests aside from what kind of guy he’s into, what subject he’s bad at, and the fact he doesn’t like to stand out. Like how fucking bland is that? I’m sorry but this is such boring character writing. Half the time i don’t get how he even has people wanting to hangout with him because wtf do they even talk about? Ugh, I just really don’t like this character. There were moments where he seemed to actually be showing a genuine side to him and if that could have stayed consistent and the more he let his guard down, the more we got to learn about his interest, I would have been down for that! But nope 😐
Noshiro: he’s what I would call the main narrator of the story. At first I was thinking I was really gonna like him! He’s bubbly, extroverted, charismatic. But ofc that charm wore off real quick. Once again he suffers from being really bland with no specific interests aside from liking food and doing judo, which ig is more than sanada has going for him. But still, he’s so painfully boring as well. He has a lot of potential with figuring out his sexuality, but I felt that that internal conflict was only surface level? Idk I’ll talk more about this in the plot section. As for his personality, he got annoying so fast. He was incredibly pushy towards Sanada to be his friend and hangout when it was obvious that Sanada didn’t want to at face value, like read the room? And idk it felt unrealistic, at least for me, to keep pestering someone to be my friend when they don’t seem to be taking the advances kindly? Like take a hint dude. Plus there’s like multiple times he pushes Sanada’s boundaries which is a big big nono for me. The biggest offense imo is Noshiro has picked up on the fact that Sanada never laughs or anything when he’s with Noshiro. So he makes it his goal to make Sanada laugh. Okay that’s fine. But then he tries to make him laugh by tickling him and Sanada very clearly tells him “do not touch me!” A boundary which he breaks a few scenes later 😐 like idc if deep down Sanada actually liked being tickled by him or whatever, you still can’t do that when someone has EXPLICITLY told you not to touch them ffs. He also is like really pushy to get Sanada to talk about certain things (can’t remember what specifically), and even when Sanada clearly expresses either with words or body language that he doesn’t wanna talk about whatever, Noshiro STILL pushes him like omg I hate this kid
Yamamoto: best character ever!! Girl deserves a hug after Sanada has been kinda a shit friend to here, at least in the present. She has like a crush on Sanada (not knowing he’s gay) and when he rejects her, she still is the bigger person and sets her feelings aside to be a good friend to him. She literally does nothing wrong in this story and 🥲💕 Also Sanada literally tells her he’s gay like last out of his friends which made me feel so bad for her because bestie deserved to know sooner even though Ik coming out can be a really hard thing to do. Because when she first confessed feelings to Sanada, he didn’t tell her he was gay so then she was still kinda feeling like maybe there was a chance and idk I just felt bad (again I don’t wanna sound like I’m invalidating Sanada’s struggle with coming out, but I think I’m just biased because I like Yamamoto more than him). But she’s great even though she also suffers from being a bit bland, but since she’s a side character I didn’t mind
Makoto: annoying ass kid who has a crush on Noshiro, that’s literally all I can say about him. He doesn’t really do anything wrong, he’s just loud and annoying 🤷♀️
Hide: creepy ass 26 year old ex of Sanada that was waaay too prevalent and felt like a perv (which I feel bad for saying because I’m a homophobic stereotype is thinking all gay people are predators, but this man literally is and you can’t tell me otherwise 😭) he also hangs out with the underage cast waaay too much
Story issues: since this is a mostly character driven story, I’ve already covered most of my issues. But plot wise idk, it just feels boring. Like it’s such a cookie cutter romance plot with the transfer student (Noshiro) coming and changing the loner boys life forever and then there’s conflict and then there’s forced conflict with having not one but TWO people have a crush on Noshiro (Makoto and some random girl that isn’t worth mentioning) and more conflict because of poor communication until it all comes down to an “emotional” climax of then confessing their feelings in the last ten pages of the book.So it’s a really basic plot, which could have worked! If the characters were interesting and dynamic...which they’re not. Another issue I have plot wise is at the beginning it’s mentioned multiple times how Sanada had been kinda outcasted and bullied once this “rumor” of him being gay started to spread. And like that could have been a really great topic to dive into about homophobia and people not being accepting but nah ig that’s too much to ask for because about halfway through the story it’s barely brought up. Like it’s not like his classmates ever have some eureka moment where they learn acceptance. And I’m not saying all the homophobic background characters should have learned a lesson because that’s unrealistic, but for this plot line to be seemingly dropped halfway through the story was disappointing. Idk. Another problem I have plot/character wise is Sanada having dated a literal predator is painted and normalized as “omg he’s so experienced and mature” and it’s just so so gross, I was so disgusted that they not only normalized a 26 year old with a 16-17 YEAR OLD but also had the audacity to then paint Sanada as some crazy experience guy who couldn’t want to be with someone as inexperienced as Noshiro right? So gross. Lastly, the romance just had so little chemistry. Like the story was telling us that these two characters like one another but...I just kept asking myself why do they? Noshiro is so pushy towards Sanada and Sanada through half of the book seems annoyed towards Noshiro half the time. So when they confessed feelings at the end, it just didn’t feel earned? Idk 😭 one thing I can say I liked was that they didn’t like 100% get together in the end? They know they’re special to one another but they don’t immediately rush into some romance, which was cool.
Final Thoughts: 2/10 that 2 is only for Yamamoto though. It was beyond bad and the last time I randomly pick up something from the library. Maybe there was a reason the full series was there and not partially checked out. I went into this thinking it was just gonna be a straight guy befriending a gay guy and like a little slice of life with interesting characters and conflicts surrounding homophobia, internalized homophobia, coming out, etc but no...had to be a poorly written story about two characters that shouldn’t have even ended up as friends. The end 🤷♀️
May 13, 2024
No hermano todo bien pero ese final fue una reverenda mierda.
1.5 de 5 estrellas.
1.5 de 5 estrellas.
April 24, 2021
Et bien voilà, c'était la petite boule de douceur que j'attendais. Un manga joliment dessiné, ultra positif, touchant au possible, doté d'un très chouette récit autour de la découverte de la sexualité, des premiers émois amoureux, de l'amitié, de la découverte de soi et de l'empathie à l'autre.
La romance entre les deux garçons est super bien menée, offrant une belle réflexion sur le sentiment amoureux et sa découverte.
Le manga n'aborde pas le sujet de l'homophobie, plutôt celui de l'ignorance, la curiosité déplacée, mais sans que ce ne soit forcément sous un regard uniquement négatif. Il montre comment tout cela contribue à la mise en écart et à l'impossible compréhension de l'autre, qui pourtant est si bénéfique à tous.
Au contraire, l'ingénuité excessive de Noshiro permet de traiter le sujet en douceur. Il ne connaît rien au sentiment amoureux, quel qu'il soit, et n'a donc que les clichés superficiels sur le sujet en tête.
Il trébuche donc dès le début en enchaînant les maladresses, fruits des préjugés ingurgités sur l'homosexualité. Puis finit vite par comprendre que c'est son ignorance qui blesse Sanada et décide donc de tout faire pour arriver à le connaître mieux et surtout le comprendre.
Sanada lui s'est isolé des autres dès le début, par crainte de leurs réactions, avant même de voir comment ils auraient réagi autrement. Il utilise tout d'abord son amie de collège comme couverture. Mais on comprend aussi que ses réactions défensives sont aussi liées à sa propre quête de découverte de soi.
Leur rencontre, ainsi qu'avec d'autres personnages, vont les aider dans cette quête de compréhension de leurs sentiments et d'eux mêmes.
Des personnages bien construits, un dessin aussi doux que son récit, une histoire qui inspire, réconforte, enrichie ses lecteur.ices.
Un très beau manga à offrir.
La romance entre les deux garçons est super bien menée, offrant une belle réflexion sur le sentiment amoureux et sa découverte.
Le manga n'aborde pas le sujet de l'homophobie, plutôt celui de l'ignorance, la curiosité déplacée, mais sans que ce ne soit forcément sous un regard uniquement négatif. Il montre comment tout cela contribue à la mise en écart et à l'impossible compréhension de l'autre, qui pourtant est si bénéfique à tous.
Au contraire, l'ingénuité excessive de Noshiro permet de traiter le sujet en douceur. Il ne connaît rien au sentiment amoureux, quel qu'il soit, et n'a donc que les clichés superficiels sur le sujet en tête.
Il trébuche donc dès le début en enchaînant les maladresses, fruits des préjugés ingurgités sur l'homosexualité. Puis finit vite par comprendre que c'est son ignorance qui blesse Sanada et décide donc de tout faire pour arriver à le connaître mieux et surtout le comprendre.
Sanada lui s'est isolé des autres dès le début, par crainte de leurs réactions, avant même de voir comment ils auraient réagi autrement. Il utilise tout d'abord son amie de collège comme couverture. Mais on comprend aussi que ses réactions défensives sont aussi liées à sa propre quête de découverte de soi.
Leur rencontre, ainsi qu'avec d'autres personnages, vont les aider dans cette quête de compréhension de leurs sentiments et d'eux mêmes.
Des personnages bien construits, un dessin aussi doux que son récit, une histoire qui inspire, réconforte, enrichie ses lecteur.ices.
Un très beau manga à offrir.
October 21, 2019
That Blue Sky Feeling is a refreshing look at being gay in Japan. Refreshing because it is more nuanced and less fetishizing than a lot that is out there.
Our story follows Noshiro, a guy who hates bullying and exclusion, and Sanada, a guy who has been bullied and excluded over rumors that he is gay. As Noshiro tries to mend the relationships Sanada has with his classmates, Sanada tells him that the rumors are true. Not to be deterred, Noshiro makes an effort to understand Sanada more and more, but, when people question his motivation, Noshiro isn't so sure himself.
Overall, this series is light-hearted while still talking about hard, complex topics. I feel like some things are treated too lightheartedly with Sanada's ex who is like 10 years older than them all! I recognize that there is more cultural acceptance of age gaps like that, but, with the high school characters being drawn pretty young-looking, it is pretty hard to accept for me. Other than that, the series is fantastic. It would be an easy 5☆ without that.
I will say that, other than good, complex characters and good discussions, the story sinks when it tries to be tropey. That was especially true for this last volume, but parts in the middle and the very end was relatively strong. The end was a really realistic place to end things, considering where we ended.
I liked this series, but the ex really dunked this series for me. I'm still rating it relatively high, but yeah...
Volume: 4
Series: 4
Warnings for adult-minor (past) relationship/pedophilia, homophobia, bullying
Our story follows Noshiro, a guy who hates bullying and exclusion, and Sanada, a guy who has been bullied and excluded over rumors that he is gay. As Noshiro tries to mend the relationships Sanada has with his classmates, Sanada tells him that the rumors are true. Not to be deterred, Noshiro makes an effort to understand Sanada more and more, but, when people question his motivation, Noshiro isn't so sure himself.
Overall, this series is light-hearted while still talking about hard, complex topics. I feel like some things are treated too lightheartedly with Sanada's ex who is like 10 years older than them all! I recognize that there is more cultural acceptance of age gaps like that, but, with the high school characters being drawn pretty young-looking, it is pretty hard to accept for me. Other than that, the series is fantastic. It would be an easy 5☆ without that.
I will say that, other than good, complex characters and good discussions, the story sinks when it tries to be tropey. That was especially true for this last volume, but parts in the middle and the very end was relatively strong. The end was a really realistic place to end things, considering where we ended.
I liked this series, but the ex really dunked this series for me. I'm still rating it relatively high, but yeah...
Volume: 4
Series: 4
Warnings for adult-minor (past) relationship/pedophilia, homophobia, bullying
November 30, 2021
This is my personal opinion but when I got to the final chapter, I found myself dissatisfied with the ending and the labels the characters had applied to them. One straight, one gay. If you have made it this far then you know that part of this story focuses on Dai Noshiro's understanding of relationships. By the end of the story, it felt like he was finally open to not applying a label to himself so when the book applied "straight" it felt flat. I think questioning or asexual would have been more fitting, since by the end of the story he seems to only have "special" feelings for one person and they aren't necessarily sexual. He just wants to be with his "special" person and I agree that doesn't make him gay so that label doesn't fit but by the end of the story neither does straight.
Besides that one point, this series was very well written and in fact seems to be a great series about getting to understand oneself and how you connect with the people around you. I enjoyed the story as a whole and will be recommending it to others.
Besides that one point, this series was very well written and in fact seems to be a great series about getting to understand oneself and how you connect with the people around you. I enjoyed the story as a whole and will be recommending it to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2020
This series was almost great. It felt realistic in a lot of ways, especially the incredibly slow burn relationship between Noshiro and Sanada. Some readers will be disappointed that Noshiro ends the series still figuring out the exact nature of his relationship with Sanada and his sexuality, but that's also realistic, and it's kind of nice to see a character questioning without angst. But the entire thing is all but spoiled by the character of Hide. This is a 26 year old man who dates teenagers and seems to spend a lot of his free time trying to play matchmaker between two teen boys, one of whom he once dated. This is literally never remarked on even once in the entire series. I get the impulse to have an older gay character who's settled and confident, but it didn't need to be a 26 year old who dates teens.
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November 10, 2019This is a huge spoiler, so if you haven't finished the series, don't read this - it'll ruin everything!
Anyway, I love that this ends on an open-ended note! As I was getting to the last few pages, I was thinking, this is a little unbelievable, I don't feel like Noshiro would suddenly- And then he didn't! The story ended with him not sure if he's gay or straight or what he wants, and saying that's ok- because it is! Identity isn't something easy to figure out, or set in stone, or easily defined, and I love that this series captured the ambiguity and uncertainty of it all.
Anyway, I love that this ends on an open-ended note! As I was getting to the last few pages, I was thinking, this is a little unbelievable, I don't feel like Noshiro would suddenly- And then he didn't! The story ended with him not sure if he's gay or straight or what he wants, and saying that's ok- because it is! Identity isn't something easy to figure out, or set in stone, or easily defined, and I love that this series captured the ambiguity and uncertainty of it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2021
Ah, I love how messy this is! It feels so true to high school and figuring out feelings and complicated friendships. Such a wonderful manga and I love it so much!
July 19, 2021
3 is my overall rating for the entire series--it would have been closer to a 4 or 4.5 without the Hide character.
January 17, 2022
protect them at all costs!
April 20, 2024
Désolée, mais j’ai du mal à comprendre pourquoi l’ex d’un des lycéens devait être majeur et bien installé dans sa vie et un bear et … Bref, ça m’a tellement mise mal à l’aise que j’ai eu du mal à m’ôter cette image de prédateur des yeux alors que le tout était censé être wholesome. Tout est incroyablement exagéré dans ce manga, que ce soit les relations, les caractères, les tailles, les âges, les sentiments, que j’ai au final passé mon temps à grincer des dents. J’admets qu’avoir une représentation pour des jeunes queer est important, mais pourquoi y a-t-il constamment des relations avec grande différence d’âge (surtout quand un des persos est mineur), les personnages avoir l’air constamment gênés par la situation (ok pour genre : je (me) découvre et co, mais vraiment chaque instant a l’air d’être une souffrance) et avec des personnages flamboyants dans le rôle de queer assumés ? Il y a d’autres mangas / œuvres dessinées qui abordent mieux ce genre de thème (genre Eclat(s) d’âme ou Blue Flag).
June 17, 2025
For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle
3.5 stars
I have really loved this series, but I'm conflicted on the last volume.
There are so many wonderful characters in this series and I have really enjoyed getting to know them and watching them grow. The ending was so sweet. I love how things wrap up imperfectly perfect.
Great artwork.
And then there's the whole Hide plotline, which has always kind of marred the series. We learn a bit more about Hide and Sanada's past relationship and yeah, Hide still gives me the creeps. Hide plays a bigger role in this volume. I like the idea of him being a mentor for the teens but that role is always going to be a bit tainted since he is known to date high schoolers.
The original webcomic started in 2009 when Japan’s age of consent was 13, so fair enough. The print manga came out in 2017 and the age of consent wasn't increased to 16 until 2023. So it all checks out, but it's good to know that context when going into the series. It definitely comes across as creepy in a modern context and that taints some of the moments in this volume.
Still, I have loved watching Sanada and Noshiro figure things out. They have really come into themselves. There are also so many great side characters. Ayumi Yamamoto will always be my favorite.
There are some big steps in this volume from dating to intense self-reflection to some tough conversations.
Loved the trajectory of this volume and the series as a whole, but the Hide storyline just didn't age well.
3.5 stars
I have really loved this series, but I'm conflicted on the last volume.
There are so many wonderful characters in this series and I have really enjoyed getting to know them and watching them grow. The ending was so sweet. I love how things wrap up imperfectly perfect.
Great artwork.
And then there's the whole Hide plotline, which has always kind of marred the series. We learn a bit more about Hide and Sanada's past relationship and yeah, Hide still gives me the creeps. Hide plays a bigger role in this volume. I like the idea of him being a mentor for the teens but that role is always going to be a bit tainted since he is known to date high schoolers.
The original webcomic started in 2009 when Japan’s age of consent was 13, so fair enough. The print manga came out in 2017 and the age of consent wasn't increased to 16 until 2023. So it all checks out, but it's good to know that context when going into the series. It definitely comes across as creepy in a modern context and that taints some of the moments in this volume.
Still, I have loved watching Sanada and Noshiro figure things out. They have really come into themselves. There are also so many great side characters. Ayumi Yamamoto will always be my favorite.
There are some big steps in this volume from dating to intense self-reflection to some tough conversations.
Loved the trajectory of this volume and the series as a whole, but the Hide storyline just didn't age well.
January 26, 2020
So beautiful. Honest. My heart feels all warm and fuzzy. Since they’re all so young and in school I guess they don’t need labels since they see each other everyday. But what happens at uni, in adult life when you don’t see each other as often? Ahhh, it ends here but I wish them all the best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2023
The second was the best actually. But this was a nice ending to the series
January 2, 2024
Una gran lectura para empezar El año. Me he quedado con ganas de más
August 24, 2024
A kind of unsatisfying ending.
I get what Okura was going for with this series, but I think he waffled too much on which direction to take it - romance or friendship - and left it dangling too much on both ends. And yeah, in high school, you don't necessarily know what all your feelings are or how to define them or what to do with them in the future. That's probably the meaning behind Noshiro's "Future Luck" fortune - that he'll figure himself and his life out further down the line, once he's grown up more and experienced more things. So this series is really meant as a snapshot of youth and those initial confusing feels. But it didn't end up working all that well for me.
Hide was back in this volume, and I don't exactly get why he rubs me the wrong way, but I think it's part of that same "unable to choose one direction or the other" issue with the writing. If you're going to make Sanada an experienced guy with a variety of ex-boyfriends/hookups (for instance, that date Noshiro saw him on that never got mentioned again), then run with that. It should be more of the plot and part of his character. Or if you're going to keep it soft and innocent then what are these dudes doing hanging around? Pick one!
Hide, as both Sanada's flirty ex and a Kind Older Gay Mentor figure, muddies which aspect he's supposed to be portraying, and ends up coming across as kind of a creep as a result. So that sleepover at his house with Noshiro, Sanada, and Makoto was more uncomfortable than anything. I would find someone like Hide obnoxious and meddlesome in real life, and I kind of hate that there's no one around to tell him off in this story. Sanada's right! Why isn't he hanging out with his coworkers or other friends from his age group? Why does he keep inviting Noshiro places and trying to mess with his ex's life? They could get there on their own.
And honestly, as much as I like the romance angle, with the slow discovery of feelings and the realization that sexuality isn't as cut-and-dry as one might think, the ending sours the original intent of the story to some extent. Wasn't this, as Okura said, a wistful look back at what high school could've been like with a solid, supportive friend who'd tried to understand him? Then isn't it cheapened a bit by it turning into a whole love triangle/rectangle (with poor Ayumi) situation?
Plus the part where Sanada suddenly decided he could try dating Ayumi, and she fortunately slammed her bag into his stomach and told him off for being a jerk. I sort of get his mindset in that scene, but it also went against a lot of their dynamic and things they'd built up to this point.
So yeah, I Think Our Son Is Gay seems like a second and superior crack at some similar ideas. This series has its good points and is overall very sweet and good-hearted, but it's not a favorite. Not much for me to revisit or draw more from, I think.
I get what Okura was going for with this series, but I think he waffled too much on which direction to take it - romance or friendship - and left it dangling too much on both ends. And yeah, in high school, you don't necessarily know what all your feelings are or how to define them or what to do with them in the future. That's probably the meaning behind Noshiro's "Future Luck" fortune - that he'll figure himself and his life out further down the line, once he's grown up more and experienced more things. So this series is really meant as a snapshot of youth and those initial confusing feels. But it didn't end up working all that well for me.
Hide was back in this volume, and I don't exactly get why he rubs me the wrong way, but I think it's part of that same "unable to choose one direction or the other" issue with the writing. If you're going to make Sanada an experienced guy with a variety of ex-boyfriends/hookups (for instance, that date Noshiro saw him on that never got mentioned again), then run with that. It should be more of the plot and part of his character. Or if you're going to keep it soft and innocent then what are these dudes doing hanging around? Pick one!
Hide, as both Sanada's flirty ex and a Kind Older Gay Mentor figure, muddies which aspect he's supposed to be portraying, and ends up coming across as kind of a creep as a result. So that sleepover at his house with Noshiro, Sanada, and Makoto was more uncomfortable than anything. I would find someone like Hide obnoxious and meddlesome in real life, and I kind of hate that there's no one around to tell him off in this story. Sanada's right! Why isn't he hanging out with his coworkers or other friends from his age group? Why does he keep inviting Noshiro places and trying to mess with his ex's life? They could get there on their own.
And honestly, as much as I like the romance angle, with the slow discovery of feelings and the realization that sexuality isn't as cut-and-dry as one might think, the ending sours the original intent of the story to some extent. Wasn't this, as Okura said, a wistful look back at what high school could've been like with a solid, supportive friend who'd tried to understand him? Then isn't it cheapened a bit by it turning into a whole love triangle/rectangle (with poor Ayumi) situation?
Plus the part where Sanada suddenly decided he could try dating Ayumi, and she fortunately slammed her bag into his stomach and told him off for being a jerk. I sort of get his mindset in that scene, but it also went against a lot of their dynamic and things they'd built up to this point.
So yeah, I Think Our Son Is Gay seems like a second and superior crack at some similar ideas. This series has its good points and is overall very sweet and good-hearted, but it's not a favorite. Not much for me to revisit or draw more from, I think.
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July 16, 2021Overall the series was alright. It followed some teens navigating friendship and sexuality. I wasn't super connected with the characters to fully like this series.
One thing I appreciated was the ending. It's alright not to have everything figured out or have a label to resonate with. It's part of growing up and knowing yourself better/ exploring. And considering Noshiro didn't think about relationship things before and feeling like a late-bloomer, it's okay to take your time and pave your own way that may not look like everyone else's.
I think there is one aspect that drives me up the wall and it's that Sanada's ex is . Noshiro missteps a couple times since he's trying to be understanding and begins analyzing his own feelings. What I'm not super sold on near the end is why he likes Sanada. He's understandably had to repress some of himself since he's not out and also not allowing himself to acknowledge his feelings for someone he thinks is straight. And bc of some of that he can come off as reserved and angry. Noshiro says it himself that Sanada always seems annoyed with him. So how that liking was reciprocated I'm not super sure, but I guess he must have had glimpses of a happy Sanada to want to be with him, which I can understand.
spoiler notes for me:
One thing I appreciated was the ending. It's alright not to have everything figured out or have a label to resonate with. It's part of growing up and knowing yourself better/ exploring. And considering Noshiro didn't think about relationship things before and feeling like a late-bloomer, it's okay to take your time and pave your own way that may not look like everyone else's.
I think there is one aspect that drives me up the wall and it's that Sanada's ex is . Noshiro missteps a couple times since he's trying to be understanding and begins analyzing his own feelings. What I'm not super sold on near the end is why he likes Sanada. He's understandably had to repress some of himself since he's not out and also not allowing himself to acknowledge his feelings for someone he thinks is straight. And bc of some of that he can come off as reserved and angry. Noshiro says it himself that Sanada always seems annoyed with him. So how that liking was reciprocated I'm not super sure, but I guess he must have had glimpses of a happy Sanada to want to be with him, which I can understand.
spoiler notes for me:
December 27, 2019
A quick talk about the art...
It's passable but god, it's rushed. Backgrounds are gone... Hide's digital striped sweater is an eyesore (at the end). I mean, not awful in comparison to other manga or anything, anatomy is fine... just boring to look at.
For all that build-up, that last chapter felt very disappointing. It both wanted to explore this relationship, and then immediately backed away. Is there a sequel? I love me some UST (and resolution) but something didn't hit right.
Either way, it's a cute BL manga that explores what being queer actually means and has good characters. At 3 volumes, it's quick to digest and very cute. Not the best, not the worse.
It's passable but god, it's rushed. Backgrounds are gone... Hide's digital striped sweater is an eyesore (at the end). I mean, not awful in comparison to other manga or anything, anatomy is fine... just boring to look at.
For all that build-up, that last chapter felt very disappointing. It both wanted to explore this relationship, and then immediately backed away. Is there a sequel? I love me some UST (and resolution) but something didn't hit right.
Either way, it's a cute BL manga that explores what being queer actually means and has good characters. At 3 volumes, it's quick to digest and very cute. Not the best, not the worse.
July 6, 2021
A short series about inner growth and finding yourself, and realizing that sometimes you may not have all the answers but that’s totally okay! I love how the mangaka handled the topic of sexuality and how complex it is, which is why .
September 3, 2021
Ending to the series was pretty nice, but overall I didn't like this volume.
I like Sanada and Yamamoto a lot.
Makoto chilled out (or I got used to him) in this volume and he was even kind of likeable.
But Noshiro totally lost me.
Didn't care for the plot much either. I was bored reading.
What especially ruined the volume and the series for me was Hide. Why does he exist? -__-'
I like Sanada and Yamamoto a lot.
Makoto chilled out (or I got used to him) in this volume and he was even kind of likeable.
But Noshiro totally lost me.
Didn't care for the plot much either. I was bored reading.
What especially ruined the volume and the series for me was Hide. Why does he exist? -__-'
June 20, 2022
I can't understand how people can put five stars to this book, knowing that there's a normalised relationship between a teenage boy and a grown-up adult man. Like how could you possibly imagine this to be ok ? In this one, they even say that they have taken baths together. Does it feel right to you ?
October 7, 2020
Cute but somewhat anticlimactic ending to this m/m romance manga series. I wanted more build from their relationship than I got, but, aside from a few problematic elements, the series is sweet throughout.
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