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

Will Ai leave her post as Kaguya’s personal assistant and confidant?! Meanwhile, Kaguya and Yu go to great lengths to prevent their not-so-dark secrets from getting out. A sports tournament provides yet another opportunity for the gang to desperately attempt to impress each other with their athletic prowess—or coaching skills. And then it’s finally time for an educational school trip! Of course all the students view this as just an opportunity to hang out with or spy on the objects of their attraction…

Wet hair is better than a wet T-shirt.

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2020

45 people are currently reading
354 people want to read

About the author

Aka Akasaka

89 books249 followers
AKASAKA Aka
Name (in native language): 赤坂アカ

Zodiac: Virgo

Blood Type: O

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5 stars
646 (56%)
4 stars
385 (33%)
3 stars
94 (8%)
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11 (<1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer.
1,512 reviews5 followers
February 22, 2021
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 and Ishigami, their treasurer, seem ready to innocently mess up their careful machinations.

I really enjoyed the advancement of the overall story in this one. Ai has been Kaguya’s rock behind the scenes for what feels like forever. But we know she has more to her Han meets the eye. And now we’ve gotten more of a sense f what’s going on. We’ve been needing a new twist in this series and this setup one for us. I won’t ruin in but it makes sense considering who Kaguya is and that she’s a chip off the old block.

The gags are funny and while they follow a format we get new twists on them all the time. I enjoy being at the point in the series where we really know the characters and can see some of the gags coming but then the twist based on what’s come earlier in the series. It’s just fun and why you stay invested in this funny story.
Profile Image for rads.
407 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2020
iino and ishigami is my ship and I will sink with it if that's what it comes to
Profile Image for chelsea.
175 reviews28 followers
July 9, 2024
the very last panel freaked me out ngl, especially before going to sleep
Profile Image for Rereader.
1,445 reviews209 followers
February 18, 2021
Holy SHIT, this was one rollercoaster of a volume! Seriously, we went from cute and funny, to just funny, to heartbreaking, to ohhhhh shit something's going down soon.

I don't want to discuss too much because of spoilers, but there are two specific chapters I want to talk about: the volleyball chapter and Hayasaka's chapter. What I loved about the volleyball chapter is how it once again proves that you can keep a running gag going for a long time as long as you keep it fresh. There were more twists and turns in this one chapter than in most thriller novels and it was entertaining from start to finish. The Hayasaka chapter just fucking destroyed me. Seriously, this was a heartbreaking chapter purely because readers finally have a full grasp on the burden she's been carrying for 10 years. Part of Hayasaka's arc has been her getting through to Kaguya how much of a burden working for her has been, and now that we as the readers have a clear picture of her life, it's devastating seeing her struggle to maintain her cool demeanor when she's harboring so much pain. On top of that, there's obviously something going on in the background and that cliffhanger ending makes me very uncomfortable and I DON'T LIKE IT.

That's all I want to say for now, but this was another stellar volume in this series. I am so scared yet excited to see what happens next, I can only hope and pray my babies will be okay!!
Profile Image for Mark.
2,816 reviews274 followers
February 3, 2021
The student council remains a hotbed of activity - from the usual nonsense like tying cherry stems in a knot to planning school trips. In between we get some forward progress on Ino and Ishigami (or do we?), Shirogane and Kaguya acting cute, and a couple of bombshells, plus... fan service!?

Let there be no mistake - I am so into this series right now because I want to see Ishigami and Ino get together. The biggest stumbling block is that Ino still doesn’t know what Ishigami did for her back in the day, but the series none too subtly (and ridiculously) hints that a reckoning is coming.

Not before we see Ishigami learning to play volleyball and trying to finally get a date with Tsubame though. This is one of the funniest parts of the book, as it’s used to ruthlessly mock the ‘Fujiwara teaches Shirogane’ stories and absolutely nails the conclusion.

There’s a crazy follow-up to the above story featuring Hayasaka, who sources most of this volume’s higher plot aspirations. This follow-up story is a gem though, as Ishigami inadvertently slams Hayasaka and pays a price for it (not that his ideas are any better - Kaguya correctly nails his plans to the wall).

Still, once we see how punishing Hayasaka’s day to day is and how the book ends on that cliffhanger, oh my... Suffice to say, I don’t know that this series will upend its status quo that hard, but it might and it’s worth tagging along to find out.

The fan service chapter (which is nothing of the sort) is not as good as it could be - the first page or so is all about Ishigami and Ino talking about what typical hot springs behaviour in manga is like and it’s pure gold. The two are so in synch that it quietly reinforces how good they are together, but it also shreds the morality of most series’ antics.

After that the chapter just kind of gets weird, but that start is brilliant. Kaguya and Shirogane don’t get a ton of time here, but we have so many characters that it’s perfectly fine. The cherry stem chapter has a hilariously protracted payoff. The one where Kaguya is basically starving for attention is very sweet and goofy.

I like what they’re attempting with the first chapter, but I felt it wasn’t a strong enough start to set the rest of the book up for success. It just kind of fizzles out, even if it has a semi-sweet moral and resolution (and vicious look at Kaguya’s messed up thought process).

All told, a very solid outing for this book. I think it’s a strong 3.5, but I know this series can do more consistent work so I don’t quite feel like it earned the 4 this time. It’s really close though - when it hits high it seriously hits high. Definitely ahead of last volume.
Profile Image for Deji.
163 reviews3 followers
April 19, 2023
Rei me ha dejado una buena impresión, igual que a Kaguya. No había visto tanto de ella, pero que proteja a mi niña es ganarme de una. Me dio una ternura lo aliviada que estaba por no tener que desconfiar de ninguna amiga, ahora sería mil veces peor reponerse que antes.
¡Que risa lo del rabito! Esa Kaguya es toda una loquilla, bien habían dicho que si le enseñaban, iba a ser buena 😏 Y bien por Miyuki, el siempre persevera y alcanza xD
Ahora, que ese capítulo entre Miko e Ishigami... Se ve, SE SIENTE LA SHIP NACIENTE. Siempre han tenido un montón en común, solo que la distorsión de la personalidad del otro impide que se den cuenta del todo, sobre todo del lado de Miko. Pero ambos terminaron todos felices y sonrojaditos, vamos por buen camino 🥰 Los sentimientos ya están ahí (sobre todo del lado de Miko X2) solo hace falta que se den cuenta.
Y por fin Miko pudo ver de una vez por todas como es Fujiwara realmente jejeje aunque perdona rápido, eso que ni qué.

Ahora sí... EL 175 CASI HACE QUE ME DE ALGO. Kaguya intentando por todos los medios posibles que Miyuki le haga caso cuando él está ocupado, siendo tan cariñosa con él... Y cuando por fin puede hacerle caso, le regresa todo lo que le hizo sufrir. Cómo me encanta el poder verlos en parejita, luego de tanto que pasamos para que pudieran demostrarse lo que sienten abiertamente. Es precioso. (Aunque ahora que lo pienso, más delante dicen que hay cámaras en el consejo... ¿Será que así es como los van a descubrir? XD)

La relación de Ishigami y Kaguya es tan linda como siempre. Ella es como la Fujiwara de Ishigami en cuanto a entrenarlo se requiere y él por fin consiguió una cita con Tsubame. Lo cual hace que requiera más ayuda, para planear la cita. Jamás pensé que Hayazaka fuera tan guiada por la fantasía o que ocupara en eso su poco tiempo libre, pero la entiendo. Me sentí identificada al 100. Pero, ¿cómo que ya se va a ir? ¿Que hizo?

Al ver su rutina, además de ver lo cansado que es, algo esconde, ¿Kaguya sabrá que sus movimientos son reportados todos los días? ¿Que tanto le dice? ¿Sabrán de Miyuki? Solo se sabe que la está consumiendo por dentro. Que alguien salve a mi niña

Volviendo a Ishigami y Tsubame. Aunque ella tiene su propia opinión de Ishigami, ese rumor le va a causar problemas y Miyuki se dio cuenta. Se me hizo tierno el ver qué Fujiwara estuviera tan molesta de ver la injusticia que le hicieron a Ishigami. A pesar de como se llevan, lo aprecia. A pesar de lo que quiere Ishigami, el presidente se quería sacrificar y hacer pública la verdad, pero alguien se les adelantó y le dijo a Tsubame la verdad (se nota el por qué Miko está triste pero su momento con Miyuki se me hace tierno)

Ya al final empieza el viaje a Kioto, dónde el pobre Miyuki no puede estar con Kaguya porque ✨apariencias✨ y sus amigos no se le despegan. Pero aún así se da cuenta que Kaguya está pasando por un mal rato con solo verla de lejos... Y si, porque por más que intenta convencer a Hayazaka que se quede, ésta se ve decidida a irse. Algo tiene que ver la familia de Kaguya y espero nos expliquen en el próximo volumen

PD: Miyuki celoso y cuidando de Kaguyita??? 10/10, efectivamente es cine. FUE HERMOSO, LO NECESITABA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alyson Stone.
Author 4 books71 followers
January 31, 2023
Book: Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, Volume 18
Author: Aka Akasama
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

Here we are at volume eighteen!

I can sense that drama is coming very soon. With an ending like the one we just had, something is going to go down. I can feel it. I’m kind of excited about it too because I think if it goes the way I think it is, it is going to add so many layers to our story. Plus, it’s been a while since we’ve had any serious drama.

We are still in the early stages of the relationship, but we are slowly moving from that awkward stage into something more. The characters are also on the school trip and things are happening. It’s an overnight trip. Miyuki is hanging out with his friends, which is something I had forgotten about. I don’t know if anyone else has done this. I am so used to seeing him with only the student council and I had forgotten how popular he is. They get to talk about things, as boys do. These friends put ideas into his head, which then makes him worry about Kaguya. It’s just super entertaining to see him get worked up like that.

I think that is why I am still having such a great time with this series. We have these characters who started super serious and now moving into something more. We get to see that they are still high schoolers, who are dealing with high school drama. Now, their stakes may be a little bit higher because of where they go to school and their families. However, they are still dealing with school trips and events, dating, and friendships. These little things are making the series for me. It’s not like I want to go back to high school, but seeing this in books, makes it all that much more real. It allows us to have something to relate to and latch onto.

Again, I am still in love with the artwork. The way that the author draws everything adds so much to the story. The more I read of ga, the more I am going to enjoy the simple artwork over the super flashy things. The simpler style pulls me more into a story than something that is over the top.

Overall, I am still having such a great time with this series. While it may not go down as my new favourite manga, it will for sure be in the top five as of now.
Profile Image for Elly.
331 reviews8 followers
May 11, 2021

One more volume to go and I will finally be caught up to the physical releases. Anyways, I feel like I don’t have much to say about this volume. There are hijinks and shenanigans that make this a very fun read with the comedy that is thrown in. Broadly, I will say that the mangaka is does very well in illustrating how relationships and dynamics are subject to change depending on circumstances and individual’s changing emotions. The characters and their relationships with each other has gone through a somewhat drastic evolution, but it still is believable and organic. In that aspect, I think Aka is able to capture a bit of reality while also making a fun romcom.

In case you do not know, this series follows the members of the student council at an elite school. President Shirogane and Vice-President Kaguya like one another, but neither want to be the one to confess their love first. So, the battle of the brains begins as they try to make the other person confess. Very funny, cute, and at times, moving.

There are two and a half major subplots that are beginning to play themselves out. There is the Ishigami and Tsubame subplot with Ishigami continuing his efforts to win over Tsubame. The half of a subplot is in reference to Iino because her relationship with Ishigami is developing and it is obvious something is going to happen or shift down the line. However, as someone who read this digitally, the major points are yet to come. Rather this is another volume that is teasing out what is to come or not to come.

The second subplot has to do with Hayasaka, Kaguya’s assistant and confidant. She has been relegated to being a side character for the most part, but she gets more focus here. In particular, her relationship with Kaguya begins to change and shift because of a certain decision being made. I’m excited to read this arc because it will have development for Kaguya and Hayasaka’s relationship.

Overall, I gave this a 3.9, so rounding up to 4 stars!

Profile Image for Adam.
211 reviews1 follower
Read
October 6, 2022
Looks like Akasaka is getting restless. From the fourth-wall breaking admission that Ishigami and Ino's scenes are becoming predictable, to a bizarre meta-commentary on fan-service, to the final swerve into thriller territory(?), Volume 18 paints a picture of a writer that can't let things settle. And that's good! It makes sense that Love is War would settle back into low-key episodic mode now that the two leads are together, but I'm glad that Akasaka isn't letting his series' newfound ambition go to waste. I have *no* idea whether corporate scheming is the most obvious route to go down, but I have to assume that things won't be that simple. I think its telling that the series took the time to paint a picture of how harsh Hayasaka's days are before turning up the narrative heat - hopefully, Akasaka keeps the needs of his core cast at the centre of the action.
Profile Image for Stephen.
1,504 reviews3 followers
June 6, 2025
This volume is another solid volume full of entertainment and further relationship developments! Aka Akasaka continues this series with great developments each and every volume. I honestly thought the series was nearing its end, but now I feel that it's just about reaching the halfway point. It comes as a total surprise to me, because I felt like the story was going to stop at a certain point which it has already passed. This volume really does work well with the balance of the entire student body council and their relationships as they progress. I am hooked and feel like reading a volume every day or so is required, like I am catching up with a friend. I believe that is the magic of this series. There is a direction. There is growth. There is change. This is great stuff.
Profile Image for Kayla.
1,080 reviews
October 15, 2021
4 stars.

This was really cute. I love seeing more of Hayasaka and how being constantly at the Shinomiya's beck and call has taken a toll on her. Honestly, I'm happy that she quit and I hope she gets to enjoy her life and live for herself. I'm nervous to learn about Kaguya's brother and his role in everything. I also don't want Hayasaka and Kaguya to be on bad terms. I really liked the first chapter of the volume where Kaguya realizes that maybe she can be more trusting with others.

Shirogane and Kaguya are really cute with each other. I liked seeing Kaguya try to get his attention when he was working.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ade Fraser.
556 reviews
September 18, 2022
Es increíble lo mucho que adoro este manga y cómo cada tomo mantiene el nivel o es incluso mejor que el anterior. Durante este tomo suceden muchas cosas!!

Miko e Ishigami parece que se van llevando mejor y algo me dice que Miko empieza a verle con otros ojos aunque Ishigami tenga sus puestos en otra persona...

Respecto a nuestra pareja favorita...NO PUEDO ADORARLES MÁS!! EL CAPÍTULO 175 ME HA ENCANTADO 😍 Y luego, Miyuki haciendo referencia sin darse cuenta a la primera vez que la vio🥺

Parece que comienza un arco centrado en Hayasaka, qué ganas de seguir con la historia 👀
Profile Image for Larisa.
239 reviews29 followers
December 10, 2021
another really good volume! reading kaguya always makes me laugh. there were also a lot of cute moments between the characters and i was totally Not Squealing when i read them. i really really like iino and ishigami's relationship dynamic and i am fully on board with this ship. i also liked the focus on hayasaka! the last chapter though...i wonder what is going to happen in the next volume.
Profile Image for Mithun Sarker.
358 reviews3 followers
March 4, 2025
Man, Ishigami is such a chad, loved the interactions between Iino and Yu, and is also excited for Tsubane to learn about Ishigami's backstory. I gotta be excited about that. That being said, our main leads are having fun. The Ai, plot was sudden but you could see that from a few chapters ago, that would be an exciting plot certainly.
6 reviews
October 27, 2021
High rating to support the mangaka

At it's heart, it's a good story. The official translation itself is as imperfect as ever, and some nuance is lost. Some conversations lose track of what is being said. Always use guya.moe for the best translation.
Profile Image for Sarah Salisbury.
Author 4 books9 followers
January 19, 2022
Kaguya’s family drama lends the story camp and weight at the same time and I’m here for it. And I was glad to see her reach an understanding with Ai! Now if only Ishigami and Iino would see the light…
Profile Image for Anthony Wendel.
Author 3 books20 followers
May 21, 2024
This volume contains comedy antics leading to drama. The drama really kicks off once the focus goes to Ai. From looking at her daily routine to her desire to grow as a person, Ai's motivations are on full display. It feels like Ai is going to get the growth she has deserved for a long time.
Profile Image for kerrycat.
1,918 reviews
February 4, 2021
well, that was a rather ominous ending - not like any of us like Kaguya's family, but this does not bode well for her.
Profile Image for Rachel S..
88 reviews
May 6, 2021
I love this series. Its really starting to get good.
Profile Image for chia.
16 reviews10 followers
May 11, 2021
if ino and ishigami don't end up together i'm suing
Profile Image for Sheepy .
2,648 reviews13 followers
June 17, 2021
What's going to happen next!!!!

I didnt expect the twist that came through half way into the volume but I really want to know how it will develop, especially with that ending!!!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Núñez.
148 reviews
July 23, 2021
Me rompe el corazón que Hayasaka ya llegó al punto de quiebre, mis capítulos favoritos fueron el 175 y el 181.
Profile Image for Pao Moncada.
360 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2022
Creo que este es uno de mis tomos favoritos, me reí demasiado y quiero saber qué pasa con Ai :c
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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