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たとえとどかぬ糸だとしても / If I Could Reach You #3
If I Could Reach You, Vol. 3
In this heartwrenching new yuri manga, a teenage girl comes to terms with her own sexuality through her crush on her brother's wife.
Hopelessly in love, high schooler Uta must navigate living with her brother and Kaoru, her crush... and sister-in-law. Desperate to get over her unrequited feelings, Uta pulls away, but when the cracks in her brother's marriage begin to show, Kaoru begins to confide in her new teenage sister, which just makes matters worse!
Hopelessly in love, high schooler Uta must navigate living with her brother and Kaoru, her crush... and sister-in-law. Desperate to get over her unrequited feelings, Uta pulls away, but when the cracks in her brother's marriage begin to show, Kaoru begins to confide in her new teenage sister, which just makes matters worse!
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2018
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157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 10, 2022
I must admit that I did end up enjoying this volume a little better than the second volume. It picks up with Kaoru waking up in the hospital after having an accident. As I've stated before, the issues that occur between Kaoru and her husband are relatively convenient and work in Uta's favor. One of the strongest aspects of this story is definitely the character development. While Kaoru is confident in her relationship to Rei in the first two volumes, it's clear by this third volume that she doesn't truly know nor understand the man she's considered her best friend. It leads to Uta and Kaoru having some more time together over the holidays which ultimately leads to a confession that readers don't get to see on page. By the end of the volume, we're left with another cliff hanger with Kaoru possibly knowing and trying to cope with the fact that Uta loves her. The pacing of this manga is extremely slow, but for some reason I'm really interested in seeing how the relationship (if any relationship occurs at all) will progress between Uta and Kaoru. I definitely could see any opening for them to take things to the next level; however, I think that tMnR is going to make it more complicated than that for readers. Overall, a solid entry into the series with art that I'm really enjoying. I'm looking forward to picking up the next volume.
September 12, 2021
The more we dig into Kaoru’s story, the more I feel sorry for her. She’s clearly realizing she made a mistake marrying Rei when she knew so little about him, but he keeps avoiding her whenever she tries to get to know him better. It’s giving me bad vibes, tbh.
This volume built up to a big moment where it looked like Uta confessed when feelings to Kaoru, but we don’t actually get to see it, so it’s just hanging over their heads for now.
This volume built up to a big moment where it looked like Uta confessed when feelings to Kaoru, but we don’t actually get to see it, so it’s just hanging over their heads for now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2020
3/5 ⭐️
Finally! Maaaaybeee it’ll get better now? Just maybe.
Finally! Maaaaybeee it’ll get better now? Just maybe.
January 14, 2020
2020 Read #75
I have mixed feelings about this manga: sometimes I find it really thought-provoking in some ways, but other times I just find it silly and a bit self-important. What keeps drawing me back are the volume endings, which somehow always close on a cliffhanger. AGH. But I am interested in seeing how the two main characters continue to develop.
I have mixed feelings about this manga: sometimes I find it really thought-provoking in some ways, but other times I just find it silly and a bit self-important. What keeps drawing me back are the volume endings, which somehow always close on a cliffhanger. AGH. But I am interested in seeing how the two main characters continue to develop.
April 29, 2023
This Volume was a little different from the previous ones, while the first few were more Uta focused in this one we also spend a little more time with Kaoru after the events that unfolded at the end of Vol 2. When I finished volume 2 I thought i knew where this story was going to go but now im just not so sure anymore. I hope I can get to the next volumes in this soon because its one of those reads that just tugs at my heartstrings relentlessly.
January 16, 2020
لما كاورو قالت:
'I'm the one who's put that distance between myself and others. So I end up not really knowing even the ones I love the most. Can't get them to talk to me. Don't know what's deep inside them...'
واجد حسيت فيها ومعاناتها هذا الفول احس كامل عبارة عن كاورو ليش تسوي كذا بنفسك تستاهلي أحسن بس بعد فاهمة بالضبط كل شي تسويه، طبعًا بطيء نفس اللي قبله بس عادي الشخصيات حلوة أريد أخذ وقتي معهم. خايفة من النهاية لكن، بليز بليز ما أريده يصير بيدوفيلي أريد الشخصيات تتطور وتطلع من الدوائر اللي محاطين فيها حاليًا وكلهم يتصالحوا مع نفسهم فالنهاية
'I'm the one who's put that distance between myself and others. So I end up not really knowing even the ones I love the most. Can't get them to talk to me. Don't know what's deep inside them...'
واجد حسيت فيها ومعاناتها هذا الفول احس كامل عبارة عن كاورو ليش تسوي كذا بنفسك تستاهلي أحسن بس بعد فاهمة بالضبط كل شي تسويه، طبعًا بطيء نفس اللي قبله بس عادي الشخصيات حلوة أريد أخذ وقتي معهم. خايفة من النهاية لكن، بليز بليز ما أريده يصير بيدوفيلي أريد الشخصيات تتطور وتطلع من الدوائر اللي محاطين فيها حاليًا وكلهم يتصالحوا مع نفسهم فالنهاية
June 26, 2022
This volume pulls up the reins on last volume's cliffhanger and lets the characters soak in the ramifications rather than deal with them. Uta's crush on her sister-in-law is still in place, while Kaoru's marriage to her brother may be in trouble, and we tread water -- but, y'know, in a pleasing enough way -- through Christmas and New Year's.
March 27, 2020
This manga series continues ever onward in the realm of "just okay."
The characters are fun but lack motivation, and the possibility of dramatic irony, though simmering, feels less and less actionable the further along the narrative goes. In short, IF I COULD REACH YOU #3 is more of the same. This manga is occasionally funny and occasionally heartfelt, but it consistently lacks the temerity required to make this story as persuasive as it needs to be.
Uta-chan's affection for her sister-in-law becomes the least of the family's worries when the specter of infidelity creeps in. When Kaoru spots Reiichi on an evening stroll with Risako, a brilliant businesswoman and friend of the family, the housewife has a panic attack and falls down a flight of stairs. Now, laid up with a broken ankle and a mild concussion, Kaoru is beset with anxiety and uncertainty. The woman is terrified as to whether she and her husband are as legitimately honest with one another as newlyweds are supposed to.
Much of IF I COULD REACH YOU #3 pivots around Kaoru's inability to confront her husband over his long hours at work and tendency to refuse face-to-face chit-chat. The two are drifting apart, it seems, despite the hand-holding and tender caresses. Reiichi appears frustrated, but readers are never gifted a glimpse into what's going on in the guy's head. The only resource at readers' disposal are Kaoru's distress and Uta's natural instinct to fear the worst when it comes to the one she loves. Kaoru says she's lonely . . . but when life turns sour, who is going to help keep her upright?
It's an interesting dilemma, but the manga's vanilla approach to drama leaves readers shrugging their shoulders. Regrettably, the independent and worldly version of Kaoru from the previous volume -- the woman who started her own business, among other things -- is completely absent.
There's a lot that could be happening in this comic that isn't. Uta's prepping for college but discussions surrounding her departure are muted. Kaoru registers she may not love her husband as much as she says but she refuses to act on her suspicions. Kuro-chan's fledgling relationship with Miyabi, which featured prominently previously, floats on an intermittent breeze and is forgotten.
The characters are fun but lack motivation, and the possibility of dramatic irony, though simmering, feels less and less actionable the further along the narrative goes. In short, IF I COULD REACH YOU #3 is more of the same. This manga is occasionally funny and occasionally heartfelt, but it consistently lacks the temerity required to make this story as persuasive as it needs to be.
Uta-chan's affection for her sister-in-law becomes the least of the family's worries when the specter of infidelity creeps in. When Kaoru spots Reiichi on an evening stroll with Risako, a brilliant businesswoman and friend of the family, the housewife has a panic attack and falls down a flight of stairs. Now, laid up with a broken ankle and a mild concussion, Kaoru is beset with anxiety and uncertainty. The woman is terrified as to whether she and her husband are as legitimately honest with one another as newlyweds are supposed to.
Much of IF I COULD REACH YOU #3 pivots around Kaoru's inability to confront her husband over his long hours at work and tendency to refuse face-to-face chit-chat. The two are drifting apart, it seems, despite the hand-holding and tender caresses. Reiichi appears frustrated, but readers are never gifted a glimpse into what's going on in the guy's head. The only resource at readers' disposal are Kaoru's distress and Uta's natural instinct to fear the worst when it comes to the one she loves. Kaoru says she's lonely . . . but when life turns sour, who is going to help keep her upright?
It's an interesting dilemma, but the manga's vanilla approach to drama leaves readers shrugging their shoulders. Regrettably, the independent and worldly version of Kaoru from the previous volume -- the woman who started her own business, among other things -- is completely absent.
There's a lot that could be happening in this comic that isn't. Uta's prepping for college but discussions surrounding her departure are muted. Kaoru registers she may not love her husband as much as she says but she refuses to act on her suspicions. Kuro-chan's fledgling relationship with Miyabi, which featured prominently previously, floats on an intermittent breeze and is forgotten.
January 15, 2020
The focus is firmly back on the main storyline this volume... so why the hell is it still so slow!? Calling the pace glacial is disparaging to glaciers.
Joking aside, it doesn’t feel like much of anything happens this volume - this series lives and dies in its cliffhangers and then idles along with the fallout in subsequent chapters. There should have been a massive throw down at least twice here that never happens. Some cute bits with the couple from last chapter at least inject a little to the proceedings.
I question calling this a romance; it is unquestionably a yuri story, but where this is going right now I cannot say. That’s a testament to the writing and also a knock against it. With one character actively suppressing themselves and the other oblivious, not a lot can happen (some fun moments here and there keep things afloat).
What saves this series is those damn cliffhangers though - I was ho-hum on this one (2.5-ish stars), but that ending nearly took it up a full notch with how well done and unexpected it was. I settled on 3, but it really looks like something might happen soon... maybe... it’s enough to have me waiting for the next time.
Joking aside, it doesn’t feel like much of anything happens this volume - this series lives and dies in its cliffhangers and then idles along with the fallout in subsequent chapters. There should have been a massive throw down at least twice here that never happens. Some cute bits with the couple from last chapter at least inject a little to the proceedings.
I question calling this a romance; it is unquestionably a yuri story, but where this is going right now I cannot say. That’s a testament to the writing and also a knock against it. With one character actively suppressing themselves and the other oblivious, not a lot can happen (some fun moments here and there keep things afloat).
What saves this series is those damn cliffhangers though - I was ho-hum on this one (2.5-ish stars), but that ending nearly took it up a full notch with how well done and unexpected it was. I settled on 3, but it really looks like something might happen soon... maybe... it’s enough to have me waiting for the next time.
December 27, 2022
Wait, what?? She knows??
I hope that ending was just a random thought of her... then again, might speed things up if she already knows.
I hate that Kaoru-san and her husband (what's his name again?) didn't talk about it yet. I get that she's afraid, but you can't sit it out any longer... I for sure am hoping they break up or something. There's no way she's gonna forgive him. Although I have a feeling she will, but I'm not gonna like it.
Also, the way he told her she's not part of the family, even though they're literally married??? Red flag.
I did like the trip with Uta and Kaoru, although it does seem a bit strange, that she knew Uta since she was a baby... Wouldn't that mean they know each other since at least 16 years already?? Bc the relationship between the married couple doesn't seem like that at all.
I hope that ending was just a random thought of her... then again, might speed things up if she already knows.
I hate that Kaoru-san and her husband (what's his name again?) didn't talk about it yet. I get that she's afraid, but you can't sit it out any longer... I for sure am hoping they break up or something. There's no way she's gonna forgive him. Although I have a feeling she will, but I'm not gonna like it.
Also, the way he told her she's not part of the family, even though they're literally married??? Red flag.
I did like the trip with Uta and Kaoru, although it does seem a bit strange, that she knew Uta since she was a baby... Wouldn't that mean they know each other since at least 16 years already?? Bc the relationship between the married couple doesn't seem like that at all.
February 17, 2022
Another great volume with a big surprising development at the end. I'm impressed with the author's ability to keep things moving in a genre which revels in it's notoriously slow pace. Uta is dynamic and so is her relationship with Kaoru. Has me hooked for the next volume, and Chloe and Miyabe are a wonderful b-plot which has me smiling and empathizing strongly with Kuro's outsider status and perspective. It's a jam, gonna scoop up the rest of these and catch up.
November 19, 2023
Now I'm beginning to enjoy this series. The first two books were mostly annoying, but this one has more intersting themes, and quite a lot about Japanese traditions. The story moves soo-ooo slowly, but we got some new info on Uta's family, and as it is said in the story, Uta seems more grown up now. Strangely, Kaoru's business is not mentioned anymore. Maybe she quit while winning?
July 12, 2022
Uta confessed to feelings, but didn't say who they were about. Kaoru's husband and friend are... The husband, Rei, is so nonchalant and evasive, which Kaoru used to believe was just him being lazy and forgetful. The plot thickens... 3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2020
Still going good in my opinion, with vol3.
March 16, 2021
Manga experimentation.
August 1, 2021
I don’t like that Kaoru can’t speak up for herself to her own damn husband!!!!
July 17, 2022
NOSJJSJS WHY DID IT HAVE TO END LIKE THAT i might wait a while to continue it cause i wanna have physical copies of the entire series but... i dont think i have the patience to do that :sob:
April 16, 2023
I enjoyed this volume and continue to enjoy this series.
September 25, 2024
The first two volumes were pretty slow. Now it feels like we are starting to get deeper into the cracks of existing relationships. Here's hoping 4 picks up more.
March 16, 2025
I think this series is just underrated.
March 23, 2025
3,75
I still wonder exactly how big the age gap here is
I still wonder exactly how big the age gap here is
April 2, 2021
I'm officially done with this series it got dull very fast
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews