Mami me abofeteó dos veces. La primera por suponer cosas de ella sin realmente conocerla y la segunda con todo el diálogo que surge a raíz de sus verdaderas intenciones.
Cuando le eché el primer vistazo a este manga lo admito, también me dejé llevar por esas primeras impresiones. Vamos, lo típico de siempre: prejuicios y estereotipos dañinos. Cuando conocí a Mami creía que sería ese personaje femenino que solo entraría a la historia para hacerle la vida imposible a los protas y frustrar las relaciones que entre ellos se darían. Pero no, gracias al cielo Mami fue mucho más que eso y me sorprendió para bien. Amé que se haya incluido un personaje como ella porque deja varias cosas muy puntuales sobre la mesa.
Primero, ¿por qué parece haber instaurado en la mentalidad de todos que un chico y una chica no pueden ser amigos? ¿Por qué siempre tienen que creer que debe haber intenciones románticas o sexuales por el sexo opuesto? Lo he vivido de primera mano y me sentí más que identificado. Ahora, ¿por qué cuando un chico se acerca a una chica nunca es juzgado por la sociedad pero si una chica lo hace inmediatamente se pone en el ojo del huracán? Es que sí, arriba Mami, hay que valorarla muchísimo. Es tremenda.
No hay que ser mago para descubrir que en medio de su discurso hay abiertamente dardos brincando hacia la misoginia, el machismo, el patriarcado y temas como los estereotipos, los prejuicios, la expresión de género y quizás cosas como la identidad de género alcanzo a vislumbrar oculta allí implícitamente. Aunque no afirmo esto último porque capaz esté flasheando y solo sea cortina de humo.
P. D.: Y sí, definitivamente lloré con la backstory de Mami y es de mis protegidas. ¡Qué bien es encontrarse personajes como ella!
I feel like I’m being generous by giving this one three stars, it was a pretty boring volume, and also nearly the entire story revolves around Mami? A side character that I didn’t really care about, I was wanting more story about the main four characters we’ve been following this entire series, I didn’t even know who Mami was at the beginning of this story, and I don’t like how most of this volume feels like high school relationship drama. I could definitely relate to Mami at times with what she was going through about just wanting to be friends with guys and not be seen as trying to steal their girlfriends. I related a lot to that because I have soooo many guy friends who I’m close to and have girlfriends and I’m asexual and have absolutely no intention of ever being with them, so I really related to her struggles with that. But I also don’t care enough about her as a character to basically read an entire volume about her and her relationship drama. I’m hoping the next volume gets back on track with the main four characters who I do care about 😅
I could praise Blue Flag endlessly; I’ve never read such an authentic depiction of the high school experience in manga. Despite volume 5 being my least favourite so far, that doesn’t say much considering this has quickly become my favourite manga series ever.
The partial shift in focus towards Mami’s story was something I never would’ve guessed I’d enjoy. I definitely misjudged her character previously, but learning about her refreshing outlook on life—as well as her heartwarming friendship with Shingo—made me immediately fond of her. The parts involving Taichi and Futaba’s new relationship weren’t as interesting as Mami’s bits, but I’m eager to see them find rhythm together in the future.
Kaito’s art never fails to catch my eye. Every time I come back to this series, I pause on certain panels to admire the illustrations. This was another wonderful installment in an amazing series!!
I'm confused. Mami is all over the map in this volume. She has been the thorn in everyone's side for 4 volumes now and all of a sudden she has some deep story arch? But the arch doesn't make sense or coincide with her previous behavior. She is giving these incredibly long speeches about how she just wants to be friends with boys and not have it be weird and seen as romantic but the world isn't designed for that. Okay, I feel her on that for sure. But then why is she literally THROWING herself at Toma? She goes from being pissed at the world for treating her like romance is the only thing she should want but then acts like she will literally die if Toma doesn't date her. Like....I'm getting a lot of mixed signals here. Especially with how she keeps claiming she became friends with Tai because she just wanted to and why does it have to have a deeper meaning? But, of course, Masumi ain't no fool and knows there's an ulterior motive. After like 20 pages of her denying it and saying "how dare you think that I would use my charismatic personality to lure someone into being friends with me for any other reason than I like their personality as well" she finally admits that she was just being self serving and trying to get closer to Toma through Tai. Like, Mami, girl. I don't understand how we're supposed to feel about her. I wish that this was all because she was asexual and was only going after Toma because she knew he would turn her down and she just wants to be seen as lusting after someone so know one is the wiser to her asexuality. But I really doubt that's the case at this point.
Anyway, this volume was fine but I didn't love it or like it the way I have all the rest.
This volume was shocking because we learned so much more about Mami, and I’m honestly really starting to like her. She is the girl who has really liked Toma and would get possessive in trying to get his attention. But now she wants to try get Toma by becoming his friend first, and to do that she tries to get help from Taichi. The book is mainly in her perspective, which really surprised me, but was overall really good because she holds a different outlook on life. We get to see what friendship means for her with Shingo, and it is so sweet. Especially since we got to see a lot of their friendship when it was only starting. Because this book focused so much on her, it made other parts like Taichi and Futaba’s relationship wasn’t as interesting. But I’m also not sure how I feel about their relationship and if they are a good fit. But something that has been consistently good other than the character development are the bonus stories. All the bonus stories have been great, but this volume has my favorite. Overall, I didn’t expect this volume to change focus but I really enjoyed it.
This series continues to gut me emotionally. It is so interesting to watch these teens learn more about their romantic preferences as they explore their crushes and relationships. It feels so raw and organic that I can't help but root for their happiness! So ready for the next volume!
The artwork is nice and the ending definitely was someone tense where Toma might actually have to admit his feelings for Taiichi. Also it’s interesting to see one of the background characters actually get some real time to shine and you get her perspective into her life and her emotions that she’s struggling with I thought that was really interesting part of this too
I've been really enjoying this series but for some reason, my intrigue has waned in this one and I'm just not having as good a time as I previously was. I'm still going to finish the series, but yeah, it went downhill in this one a little bit.
A volume focused on Mami, whom we assume because she is pretty and energetic that she is a flirt/mean girl/manipulative. In short, we haven't liked her especially in her pursuit of Toma, but then manga-ka Kaito turns our and her classmates' views around as we learn of Mami's backstory and real intentions. So it's essentially a volume about sexism, questioning stereotypical gender roles, and assumptions people make about whether boys and girls can actually be friends. It's the whole continuum of liking, of fluidity of feelings and shifting sensations and not being able to communicate about it, even to yourself.
Taichi and Futaba announce that they are dating, but they still don't quite know how to do this without awkwardness. Toma is supportive, though, and at the end it is clear he has a secret about himself he is not willing to reveal. A volume--again--filled with emotional complications that seem very realistic.
EVERYBODY SHUT UP! THIS VOLUME CHANGES THE GAME! Kaito is playing a much longer game than I ever suspected and for a series that was already emotionally intelligent, this jumps up a level. #JUSTICEFORMAMI I don't know what's next, but Futaba and Ichinose were somehow both the forefront AND the background of this volume. Toma is about to have to have a very real conversation and Mami is incredible?! Maybe?!
This is really one of the best series I think I've ever read in terms of how much it does with so little. Every read this. All of you. Go read this.
Drama! It appears that a boy can't talk to a girl without it instantly becoming a love-scandal as perceived by the girls. My high school days weren't like this at all! (haha)
No significant character advancements in this volume. The guesses and innuendos implied have complicated who REALLY likes who. Onward to another volume to try to get this sorted out.
3.5* per this moving too slowly for me. I'll round to 4, but I need to see actual relationship developments asap. You don't see any lgbtq action per the tightly closeted characters.
It was fine. Mami’s storyline came out of left field and doesn’t match everything we’ve seen of her so far. I’m also not sure why the whole volume was focused on her.
Hoping she’s integrated more evenly and makes more sense moving forward.
I liked this volume, but I do feel like we added some plots and took some detours. I liked Mami's development, but I just wanted more main squad content lol
Taichi and Futuba have slowly taken their relationship to the next level by going out. Whereas, Mami suddenly becomes friendly towards Taichi which may be due to some ulterior motives. I am eager to explore more in the next volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m not really sure why but this volume feels like it’s all over the place. On the first half, we get to see Futaba and Taichi trying to work in their newly relationship since they’re both quite shy to begin with. In addition, the author focuses on what is the meaning of male/female friendships and how they can get troublesome to say the least.
To be honest, I don’t really like Mami, not even after she explained her share of drama. Also I don’t think Futaba and Taichi can really work as a couple but that’s just based on my personal taste of ships.
Unfortunately, this volume was the least favorite for me. Hopefully the next one is better.
Not my favorite volume, but there’s still SO much to love here!
This volume was primarily focused on Mami inserting herself into Taichi’s friend group and everyone assuming she has ulterior motives. Admittedly, I thought she was just trying to find a way to get close to Toma and this volume does a lot to discuss the double standards for female friendship.
Maims frustration over being incapable of just being friends with a boy because either he falls for her and gets mad when he’s rejected, or he ditches her when he starts dating a girl because she assumes Mami is a threat. It’s still a bit odd to me that she thought it’d just be easier to be friends with Taichi, but the conversation in the restaurant with Taichi, Kuze, Masumi and Mami is really good. You fell bad for her because there’s literally a conversation after with Toma and Her guy friends and it just confirms how right she is. It’s the “friend zone” BS all over again. I’m glad she has Shingo because she deserves so much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ah and now enters another person to the crew to shake things up.
This starts similar to other volumes but right away Taichi tells Toma that him and Futaba are dating which changes the dynamic. But it isn't until Mami comes into the picture things start coming apart. Mami seems to get close to Taichi fast but in a lesser romance manga it would be for all the wrong reasons. Jealously, hate, revenge would be the first thing come to mind but infact it is something very different.
And that's why I enjoyed the wrench thrown into the dynamic so much. Even if Mami can get a bit too annoying at points and talk TOO much, and says Totes far too much for my liking but her reasoning for doing things is 100% justifiable and makes good points.
Another very enjoyable volume that'll no doubt lead to heartbreak eventually. A 4 out of 5.