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ひだまりが聴こえる [Hidamari ga Kikoeru] #4
I Hear the Sunspot: Limit, Volume 2
Kohei is a college student who, because of his hearing loss, tends to distance himself from others. His attitude starts to change after he crosses paths with an ever-optimistic classmate named Taichi. And over time, the two begin to develop feelings for each other. As the story continues, the pair tries to balance their budding relationship alongside Taichi’s inspiring new career and Kohei’s continued studies at school. But the harder they try to make things work, the more misunderstandings they seem to encounter.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2018
63 people are currently reading
1544 people want to read
About the author
Yuki Fumino
11 books272 followersYuki Fumino ( 文乃ゆき) is a Japanese manga artist.
She also writes under the name Yuki Akaneda (茜田 千).
She also writes under the name Yuki Akaneda (茜田 千).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
September 24, 2019
For the love of god - TALK TO EACH OTHER!!
May 22, 2025
*Original Review 09/12/2019*
UMMMM EX-FUCKING-SCUSE ME??? How are they just going to end it like that?? I just- I don't know why I thought this was the last volume, but it is absolutely not allowed to be the last volume and I NEED MORE, so y'all need to go out and support this series so I can get more chapters I'm LIVID. My boys don't deserve this. I JUST WANT THEM TO LOVE EACH OTHER. I'm so FRUSTRATED.
*Reread 08/30/2021*
*Reread 12/22/2021*
Lol I didn't write a review my last reread so I assumed I didn't reread this volume only to see that I did back in August. But a refresh before finally picking up the last volume was needed. This volume hurts though. Kohei feels like he's a burden to those around him and he does things that he thinks are helping, but it's making Taichi feel like he doesn't need him at all. It's such a back and forth and they just need to talk to each other, but they don't have the time. They're both just in their own heads too that they don't even think about telling each other certain things and UGH. I hope everything works out in the next volume. Although I had someone tell me that they didn't really like the way it ended, so maybe I've been putting this off for so long because I'm afraid of it.
UMMMM EX-FUCKING-SCUSE ME??? How are they just going to end it like that?? I just- I don't know why I thought this was the last volume, but it is absolutely not allowed to be the last volume and I NEED MORE, so y'all need to go out and support this series so I can get more chapters I'm LIVID. My boys don't deserve this. I JUST WANT THEM TO LOVE EACH OTHER. I'm so FRUSTRATED.
*Reread 08/30/2021*
*Reread 12/22/2021*
Lol I didn't write a review my last reread so I assumed I didn't reread this volume only to see that I did back in August. But a refresh before finally picking up the last volume was needed. This volume hurts though. Kohei feels like he's a burden to those around him and he does things that he thinks are helping, but it's making Taichi feel like he doesn't need him at all. It's such a back and forth and they just need to talk to each other, but they don't have the time. They're both just in their own heads too that they don't even think about telling each other certain things and UGH. I hope everything works out in the next volume. Although I had someone tell me that they didn't really like the way it ended, so maybe I've been putting this off for so long because I'm afraid of it.
January 28, 2019
no puedo MÁS con el angst
August 16, 2021
This is the fourth instalment in the ひだまりが聴こえる series.
Kohei is still a college student whilst Taichi is still finding the ropes in his first full-time job. The two still long for their friendship and relationship to continuing growing but it seems that new experiences, activities, and individuals are determined to keep tearing them apart.
My love for these characters has only continued to grow with each series instalment, but so too has my frustration over their lack of communication with each other! This frustration, by this point, has strangely become part of the enjoyment of this series though. I think I'm more invested in their happy ever after than they seem to be!
Kohei is still a college student whilst Taichi is still finding the ropes in his first full-time job. The two still long for their friendship and relationship to continuing growing but it seems that new experiences, activities, and individuals are determined to keep tearing them apart.
My love for these characters has only continued to grow with each series instalment, but so too has my frustration over their lack of communication with each other! This frustration, by this point, has strangely become part of the enjoyment of this series though. I think I'm more invested in their happy ever after than they seem to be!
October 20, 2019
The latest addition to Yuki Fumino's Hidamari ga Kikoeru - I Hear the Sunspot is at the same time lovely and a bit frustrating.
Taichi and Kohei seem to have really major problems at communicating with each other - and not simply because of the obvious and practical issues connected to Kohei's hearing loss - and the volume ends on a cliffhanger that left me wishing for a very quick release of the series' next volume.
Still, the characters continue their journey of discovery and their social networks become more complex through the increased focus on Taichi's coworkers and Kohei's new friend/s and it is fascinating to watch them adapt to unexpected challenges and situations.
The art is still very evocative, although I find this particular volume not as beautifully drawn and laid-out as the previous ones.
Despite this, I'm really loving this series for its sensitive and intelligent treatment of disability and prejudice, for its lovely characters and for a story that still promises unexpected and exciting developments.
A 3.5-star rounded up to 4.
Taichi and Kohei seem to have really major problems at communicating with each other - and not simply because of the obvious and practical issues connected to Kohei's hearing loss - and the volume ends on a cliffhanger that left me wishing for a very quick release of the series' next volume.
Still, the characters continue their journey of discovery and their social networks become more complex through the increased focus on Taichi's coworkers and Kohei's new friend/s and it is fascinating to watch them adapt to unexpected challenges and situations.
The art is still very evocative, although I find this particular volume not as beautifully drawn and laid-out as the previous ones.
Despite this, I'm really loving this series for its sensitive and intelligent treatment of disability and prejudice, for its lovely characters and for a story that still promises unexpected and exciting developments.
A 3.5-star rounded up to 4.
January 22, 2020
Reviewing the whole series here:
I HEAR THE SUNSPOT [series] by Yuki Fumino, translated by Stephen Kohler. Published by One Peace Books.
The story centers on two college students, Taichi and Kohei. Kohei has progressive hearing loss and is depressed. School work has become a challenge, and he doesn't want to accept his Hard of Hearing diagnosis. Taichi, a fun-loving, free-wheeling kind of guy brings Kohei out of his shell when they start sharing class notes and eating lunch together. Their friendship grows into much more.
This story offers a larger view of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Japan. Illuminating also in its societal look at impairment and dis/ability, and communication styles between main and secondary characters. There are a few silly plot devices, some angst, and stereotypes common to any #romcom, but I would not qualify this series as a romance per se - while it's there, it's much broader than that, closer to slice-of-life or coming-of-age.
Volumes 1 and 2 set the scene well. 3 and 4 (curiously titled Limit 1 and Limit 2, but indeed are the continuation after v2... Confusing!) open things up considerably. I am not sure if there will be more in the series, but if Fumino continues, I'll definitely pick them up!
I HEAR THE SUNSPOT [series] by Yuki Fumino, translated by Stephen Kohler. Published by One Peace Books.
The story centers on two college students, Taichi and Kohei. Kohei has progressive hearing loss and is depressed. School work has become a challenge, and he doesn't want to accept his Hard of Hearing diagnosis. Taichi, a fun-loving, free-wheeling kind of guy brings Kohei out of his shell when they start sharing class notes and eating lunch together. Their friendship grows into much more.
This story offers a larger view of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Japan. Illuminating also in its societal look at impairment and dis/ability, and communication styles between main and secondary characters. There are a few silly plot devices, some angst, and stereotypes common to any #romcom, but I would not qualify this series as a romance per se - while it's there, it's much broader than that, closer to slice-of-life or coming-of-age.
Volumes 1 and 2 set the scene well. 3 and 4 (curiously titled Limit 1 and Limit 2, but indeed are the continuation after v2... Confusing!) open things up considerably. I am not sure if there will be more in the series, but if Fumino continues, I'll definitely pick them up!
April 11, 2022
How dare Ms Fumino end on a cliffhanger? Ugh my heart. Please, I just want Kohei and Taichi to be happy ;__;
Rep: mlm hard of hearing main character, mlm main character, deaf/hard of hearing secondary characters
Rep: mlm hard of hearing main character, mlm main character, deaf/hard of hearing secondary characters
January 14, 2020
Kohei is a college student who tends to keep his distance due to his hearing loss. He finds himself opening up to Taichi, a classmate who’s abundant optimism and extrovertness pierce through Kohei’s shyness. The two start a tentative relationship, but when Taichi drops out of college to pursue a career, things take a turn. The two find it increasingly difficult to see one another and when they do, they can’t seem to understand one another.
Fumino’s LGBTQ manga continues to be a compelling romantic drama, but I hit a bit of a breaking point in this volume with the two main leads Kohei and Taichi. Romance manga is notorious for characters misunderstanding each other from simple lack of communication and this is the case here as well. The problem is is that this has been an ongoing issue with this couple since the first volume and it’s starting to be a bit wearing now. No more contrived drama please!
Otherwise, there’s a lot to enjoy here. I can’t speak to the representation (I’m not deaf/Deaf or HOH) but from I know and have read elsewhere, this feels like a respectful depiction of characters with varying levels of hearing loss. Disability of any kind is rarely explored in manga, so it’s lovely to see it here (in the center of a LGBTQ romance to boot!)
I look forward to future volumes, but I really hope Fumino does away with contrived drama -- she doesn’t need to resort to that to give readers an interesting story.
Fumino’s LGBTQ manga continues to be a compelling romantic drama, but I hit a bit of a breaking point in this volume with the two main leads Kohei and Taichi. Romance manga is notorious for characters misunderstanding each other from simple lack of communication and this is the case here as well. The problem is is that this has been an ongoing issue with this couple since the first volume and it’s starting to be a bit wearing now. No more contrived drama please!
Otherwise, there’s a lot to enjoy here. I can’t speak to the representation (I’m not deaf/Deaf or HOH) but from I know and have read elsewhere, this feels like a respectful depiction of characters with varying levels of hearing loss. Disability of any kind is rarely explored in manga, so it’s lovely to see it here (in the center of a LGBTQ romance to boot!)
I look forward to future volumes, but I really hope Fumino does away with contrived drama -- she doesn’t need to resort to that to give readers an interesting story.
February 24, 2020
>:( I'm big upsetti!! Just when I think they're finally learning to communicate and understand one another's true feelings and intentions but also own their impact -- nothing gets communicated... AGAIN!!! The communication in this series gets worse and worse and there's less and less wholesome moments I just want GAY FLUFFY SHIT WITHOUT UNNECESSARY DRAMA IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK FOR T___T
May 9, 2022
Miscommunication/insecurity isn't my fav but I still love them
March 28, 2024
no no no no what no no excuse me what the fuck no absolutely not no no no what do you mean you're gonna end it like that? NO
November 5, 2024
Taichi and Kohei's relationship is in trouble as the young men get deep in their own heads, feeding anxiety and making assumptions about each other's needs and wants. Some of the angst is driven by the friction between Deaf and hearing cultures, but mostly they're just having trouble communicating on any level.
I have the final volume of this sub-series on hand for tomorrow, and the first two volumes of the next sub-series are ready to be picked up at the library, so I've committed to spending the week with these guys.
I have the final volume of this sub-series on hand for tomorrow, and the first two volumes of the next sub-series are ready to be picked up at the library, so I've committed to spending the week with these guys.
April 19, 2024
3.5
WHY CANT THESE MEN COMMUNICATE??? YOU ARE ALL FREAKING ADULTS FFS
either way i absolutely love ryu and im really excited to see more of him in future volumes!! he's so interesting! i hope we get more of his storyline!!
WHY CANT THESE MEN COMMUNICATE??? YOU ARE ALL FREAKING ADULTS FFS
either way i absolutely love ryu and im really excited to see more of him in future volumes!! he's so interesting! i hope we get more of his storyline!!
January 7, 2023
cw - validisme interiorisé
mon cœur.. la pls. le mal, je suis dans le MAL.
mon cœur.. la pls. le mal, je suis dans le MAL.
October 14, 2024
My heart 💔
The last volume ended in a way that made it obvious where this one was going to go. As with a lot of real life relationships, Taichi starts his job and stops being able to see Kohei every day at school. So they start to feel a disconnect. Kohei is jealous of Chiba san getting to spend so much time with Taichi. Taichi is jealous that Kohei shares his personal life and worries with Ryu, and not him. This volume worked to show how Taichi was an outsider amongst a group of deaf people with them actually signing insults about him knowing Taichi couldn't understand them.
Interestingly enough, Kohei storms off really upset about it, without Taichi knowing what they were saying and earlier that day, Taichi took offense to a talent agent saying Kohei didn't stand a chance of success because he's HoH. I don't know if it was intentional but the difference was that Kohei didn't let Taichi know he was being made fun of and in the other situation, Kohei was well aware of why Taichi was upset.
I felt like there were threads of Ryu coming to understand that Kohei's relationship with Taichi meant he might have been too hasty cutting his brother off out of fear he'd be a "burden" to him. I'm not sure if this series is building to an end that says, ultimately, there's no way for Taichi and Kohei to make it work or if they're going to be the exception to the rule because there's other relationships that ended because that bridge between worlds couldn't be built. I hope it's the former because I really love Taichi and Kohei's relationship.
Anyway, I'm still really loving the hidden depth to Chiba san and how protective he's become over Taichi. I have to read the next volume ASAP!
The last volume ended in a way that made it obvious where this one was going to go. As with a lot of real life relationships, Taichi starts his job and stops being able to see Kohei every day at school. So they start to feel a disconnect. Kohei is jealous of Chiba san getting to spend so much time with Taichi. Taichi is jealous that Kohei shares his personal life and worries with Ryu, and not him. This volume worked to show how Taichi was an outsider amongst a group of deaf people with them actually signing insults about him knowing Taichi couldn't understand them.
Interestingly enough, Kohei storms off really upset about it, without Taichi knowing what they were saying and earlier that day, Taichi took offense to a talent agent saying Kohei didn't stand a chance of success because he's HoH. I don't know if it was intentional but the difference was that Kohei didn't let Taichi know he was being made fun of and in the other situation, Kohei was well aware of why Taichi was upset.
I felt like there were threads of Ryu coming to understand that Kohei's relationship with Taichi meant he might have been too hasty cutting his brother off out of fear he'd be a "burden" to him. I'm not sure if this series is building to an end that says, ultimately, there's no way for Taichi and Kohei to make it work or if they're going to be the exception to the rule because there's other relationships that ended because that bridge between worlds couldn't be built. I hope it's the former because I really love Taichi and Kohei's relationship.
Anyway, I'm still really loving the hidden depth to Chiba san and how protective he's become over Taichi. I have to read the next volume ASAP!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2020
Turns out I have read this volume as well. My review is the same like previous volume.
✨🌟 9 stars out of 10 ⭐✨
The quality of the story is getting better and the story expanded, introducing us more to Deaf community. There are some cliche/ common tropes but those didn't disturb my enjoyment of reading. I'm not really sure about the representations though. As someone outside Deaf and hearing difficulty community, I don't know whether the representations are good or not. That aside, I'm still looking forward to read the next book!
Keywords: manga, romance, slice of life, shounen ai/ LGBT (gay), hearind impairment, Deaf community
✨🌟 9 stars out of 10 ⭐✨
The quality of the story is getting better and the story expanded, introducing us more to Deaf community. There are some cliche/ common tropes but those didn't disturb my enjoyment of reading. I'm not really sure about the representations though. As someone outside Deaf and hearing difficulty community, I don't know whether the representations are good or not. That aside, I'm still looking forward to read the next book!
Keywords: manga, romance, slice of life, shounen ai/ LGBT (gay), hearind impairment, Deaf community
May 2, 2021
I love this series but I'm a little disappointed in this volume. The characters hardly spend time together and when they do they have a argument or misunderstanding. And after that they don't see each other for days or weeks. This has been going on since the first or second volume and I want them to talk it out with each other already. I love the drama and angst but I wanna see this relationship develop already.
5/1/21 Re-Read: I also love that the focus is on the disability and what deaf people go through and how it can affect their relationships.
5/1/21 Re-Read: I also love that the focus is on the disability and what deaf people go through and how it can affect their relationships.
September 20, 2019
This is one of my favorite series. Like some other reviewers I thought this was the last book and I'm so happy it's not. The cliff hanger was a surprise but made sense. The series has been building to this and I'm eager to see it resolved in the next book.
December 2, 2022
IS SIMPLE COMMUNICATION TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR JESUS H. CHRIST YOU CANT DO THIS TO ME
July 15, 2020
"Living with a disability is an exercise in learning to cope with loneliness."
QUI MI VOGLIONO MORTA
QUI MI VOGLIONO MORTA
May 13, 2023
The miscommunication is cute for ONLY SO LONG
June 1, 2024
Sadness is making me want to read the next book. 😭
December 23, 2022
More miscommunication. Talk to each other, ffs!
April 17, 2023
[ Re-read in 2023. ]
Ryuu, Kouhei’s new friend, whose completely deaf, is always aggressive towards people who are not hearing-impaired because he sees the world as black or white, which is an absolute toxic trait. Yet, he’s making Kouhei insecure about his relationship with Taichi, since they haven’t spent time together and he’s trying to, low key, break them apart. “They belong to different worlds” he says and Kouhei is starting to believe him.
But, turns out, Ryuu is Chiba’s younger brother. Now, Chiba is actually Taichi’s superior, so he’s been couching him in their current projects. And somehow, they all get involved in an awkward situation where nobody is right or wrong but simply, they have different perspectives of the world.
Unfortunately, Kouhei’s insecurities take the best of him and Taichi feels confused about their relationship. How can he get him to smile again? How can he erase those barriers he feels whenever he talks to other people? How can he show Kouhei that he really cares about him?
In a few words: things are getting complicated due to a bit of miscommunication and third parties but I hope they can talk things through, eventually.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3
Ryuu, Kouhei’s new friend, whose completely deaf, is always aggressive towards people who are not hearing-impaired because he sees the world as black or white, which is an absolute toxic trait. Yet, he’s making Kouhei insecure about his relationship with Taichi, since they haven’t spent time together and he’s trying to, low key, break them apart. “They belong to different worlds” he says and Kouhei is starting to believe him.
But, turns out, Ryuu is Chiba’s younger brother. Now, Chiba is actually Taichi’s superior, so he’s been couching him in their current projects. And somehow, they all get involved in an awkward situation where nobody is right or wrong but simply, they have different perspectives of the world.
Unfortunately, Kouhei’s insecurities take the best of him and Taichi feels confused about their relationship. How can he get him to smile again? How can he erase those barriers he feels whenever he talks to other people? How can he show Kouhei that he really cares about him?
In a few words: things are getting complicated due to a bit of miscommunication and third parties but I hope they can talk things through, eventually.
PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3
January 10, 2021
What a rollercoaster
September 28, 2019
I was wondering through Forbidden Planet on payday and it was pure luck that I saw it and bought it. I was really happy to find the next volume and now I know that I need to keep an eye out every now and then for the next book in the series. It must be super popular because I know there will be a sequel to this one!
I did enjoy the plot of this volume but I did find it to be a bit slow. It seems to be the build up to a either good climax or a bad climax. The main plotlines and problems within the relationship is getting repetitive and therefore boring too. I am invested in the story so I will continue to the end.
Overall, I would recommend this series. I do love it and I am in love with the characters. I hope for a happy ending but I do worry that one may not be given to us.
I did enjoy the plot of this volume but I did find it to be a bit slow. It seems to be the build up to a either good climax or a bad climax. The main plotlines and problems within the relationship is getting repetitive and therefore boring too. I am invested in the story so I will continue to the end.
Overall, I would recommend this series. I do love it and I am in love with the characters. I hope for a happy ending but I do worry that one may not be given to us.
January 13, 2022
Fumino is really putting us through the emotional wringer with all the complex social relationships, conversations about disability, and general drama before we get to the fluffy gay shit, but it's a journey worth taking.
February 24, 2023
Do I hate miscommunication? Yes. Are they so cute I can look past it? Also yes. I’m in agony 😭
Read
July 24, 2019Mi dispiace dirlo ma credo proprio che non continuerò più questa serie. Già il primo volume di Limit mi aveva profondamente delusa e questo seguito ha confermato le mie perplessità. Nonostante sia passato del tempo da Hidamari ga Kikoeru, i personaggi sono sempre allo stesso punto. Non vedo alcuno sviluppo, si fa un passo in avanti e due indietro. Mi sembra di leggere sempre la stessa cosa
November 26, 2024
Not the stupid fucking third act breakup (it's vol.4 whatever)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews