Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 15

古見さんは、コミュ症です。 [Komi-san wa, Komyushō Desu.] #15

by Tomohito Oda

Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve. Luckily she meets Tadano, a timid wallflower who decides to step out of his comfort zone in order to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends.

It’s election season at Itan High, and one of Komi’s classmates is running for school president! But according to school rules, Kiyoko Isagi needs to select a campaign representative, and the chilly perfectionist doesn’t have anyone she feels comfortable asking. Luckily, Komi and friends have some good ideas for solving her problem!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Young Adult, Slice Of Life, Contemporary, Fiction, Humor

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2019

About the author

ODA Tomohito
Name (in native language): 小田智仁
Associated Names: オダトモヒト

Tomohito Oda won the grand prize for World Worst One in the 70th Shogakukan New Comic Artist Awards in 2012. Oda’s series Digicon, about a tough high school girl who finds herself in control of an alien with plans for world domination, ran from 2014 to 2015.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The school election volume, where Komi supports an unlikely--and basically unfriendly--Kiyoko Isagi, who doesn’t exactly have a communication disorder, but she has kept people at arm’s length because of her OCD focus on cleanliness. So it’s an unlikely basis for a popularity campaign, and she’s an unlikely person for sweet Komi to support, but, you know, she’s working on that 100 friend goal, so she rallies the troops for Isagi, and Najimi helps, too.

A dinner date is the occasion for Twister, but it is also the occasion for Yamai to lust for Komi, eh. While Manbagi crushes on Tadano (if you are looking for Tadano and Komi to get together, you must continue to hold your breath. . .). The energy and fun level is high, and it’s a fine resolution--guess who wins the election??

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time for a new friend for Komi! Kiyoki Isagi is a neat freak and germophobe who is running for student council president even though she has effectively shut herself off from interacting with her classmates. She's so strict in her principles, she refuses Komi's help on the campaign so as to avoid the perception that she is using Komi's popularity for votes.

But Komi's gravity well cannot be escaped, and Isagi is drawn in, revealing the person beneath all the quirks and a connection to Shibuki Ase, the classmate who is self-conscious about her sweat and body odor. Isagi proves interesting, but I'm not sure she deserves a full book at the expense of the main characters, as no real progress is made with Komi and Tadano, though they have a nice moment in the closing pages.

In many ways, the younger siblings of Komi and Tadano are slowly taking over the book with their comedic B-plot shenanigans, getting more screen time directly interacting than the main characters, including a double date this time.

Still a good time, and I have two more volumes on hand from the library. On to the next!

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume introduced a classmate and friend who is ever more socially inept than Komi is, and she wants to run for student council president! Unfortunately, that arc seemed to drag on too long for me, but at least I was rewarded with a couple of gems.

First one is a Manbagi story that moves forward the overarching story for this school year. It's a short and cute story about Rumiko processing her feelings.

Second one is the Komi family having a small dinner party for Komi and Shoko's friends. It has lots of story threads coming together for a short story. It's always fun when stories like this reward to the long time Komi reader.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s school election time and Komi’s classmate Isagi has pledged to clean up the school. She’s certainly got the right mindset, as her passion for cleanliness is textbook OCD. Can Komi and friends win her over? Elsewhere, dinner dates happen and I’ve never hated Twister so much in my life.

You are eating salmon and bite down on a bone. You are walking in a beautiful forest and a rotting deer carcass is on the side of the road. You are enjoying something and a fork is jammed into your ear. These all describe how I feel every time Yamai shows up.

Yamai’s horny-for-Komi attitude and ecchi leanings are so out of step with everything else that it utterly kills the book when she appears. She’s in this for just a side story, but, for me, it’s enough to poison the well. The rest of the manga basically fights against it (and this scheme of hers is particularly icky, involving Twister and groin shots).

And it nearly manages - Isagi being a clean freak is not the most novel of characteristics, but it’s pretty funny (her modesty is amusingly nothing in the face of staying clean). Having been there, I don’t necessarily love her OCD being the point of the joke, but there’s more to this than meets the eye.

Isagi’s story is wrapped up in that of Ase, the girl who sweats, and Isagi takes an irrational amount of responsibility for Ase being as withdrawn as she is. Isagi’s also got a lot of self-recognition that I think makes her easier to relate to than might otherwise be the case. And, you know, she might have thought to talk to Ase before now…

This whole student council thing turns out to be a bonanza, allowing for an object lesson in never meeting your heroes while providing lots and lots of nonsense and fun. Najimi is on fire throughout, but they really come through with the hilarious campaign poster and the smile ranking system that brings back the judging panel.

There are a couple of notable new characters - the one guy in Komi’s brother’s class who thinks everybody is into him, even though nobody can get his name right (this joke starts off dumb, but is repeated and escalated SO much that it’s an absolute riot by the end).

They also introduce a tsundere character for a whole panel, but the introduction is one of my favourite parts of the book as it shreds the fourth wall to good effect. Yes, this series knows how to properly use that to augment its jokes and this is one of the few places I’ll allow it.

We get a brutally funny set of chapters with Manbagi swooning hard over Tadano, going to crazy teenage extremes even as she’s incredibly adorable about it. I like how other people are slowly putting the pieces together on this crush.

Then there’s a dinner party that rages out of control thanks to Komi’s mother (her being fed up with her family of non-communicators and resulting impact on her age is great) and the very, very sweet ending to the student election that brings the heart and brings it really well. It’s a very solid volume, even after all these entries - big cheer to this series still going strong.

3 stars - seriously, give this 4 if you aren’t a grumpy old reviewer who hates Yamai with a passion and can look past her appearances. It’s another great volume of Komi, with the usual anchor attached to it to drag it down.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment in this series. Though this volume didn't address the story that I was hoping it would, Komi made another new friend, and it was lovely to get to know her! Can't wait to see how things go in the next volume.

[Rereader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing the trend of "one or two volumes are stellar, then the next one is average," this was a perfectly average volume. Yes, Isagi's backstory and personality quirk was interesting from a character standpoint, but as a person she was pretty boring. I also didn't care much for the student council election, but meeting the current student council president was fun. Anytime Najimi was front and center my heart swelled because I love them, and the chapters with Manbagi thinking about Tadano were super cute. Also, I'm not really engaged with Hitomi's and Shousuke's plotlines, so whenever it cuts to them my eyes kind of glaze over.

All that being said, with all of my gripes and moments of enjoyment put together, I can safely say this was a good volume. Not great, but good. And that's all I can ask for at this point.

[Kate♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5stars

Probably my least fave volume so far, didn't really like the newest character who was introduced

[akacya ❦]

2023 reads: 149/350

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get a rather interesting story as we see Komi reluctantly help icy student Isagi with her campaign for school president. It immediately becomes a wild ride as others will help her fit into the perfect candidate and the unanimous decision is a huge surprise. A- (91%/Excellent)

[valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm eating up all of the sprinkles of romance fr

[Dayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there were some cute and fun moments at the end of this manga, I didn’t really care a good chunk of it. The election chapters were boring and I just wanted them to end.

This is probably my least favourite volume of the series so far 😅

But onto the next one!

Happy reading!

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoooo I’m starting to fall in love with Tadano too 😭😭😭 he’s so ordinary lollll but also a gentleman 😫😭

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was fun as always. However, I did think that some moments attempted to be heartfelt, but ended up being just a little awkward. I'll give this three stars.

[Munsaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomohito don't you dare give us a miscommunication trope and don't mess up Rumiko and Komi's friendships 😭😭Komi and Tadano are end game.
Highlight of this volume is Tadano being finally taller than Komi

[Estibaliz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume mainly introduces a new character/Komi's friend: Kiyoko Isagi, a very fastidious girl, who I didn't find particularly interesting or alluring as a character. And same goes for the whole Election thing.

Therefore, I can't say #15 is a much bigger improvement compared to #14, but at least the last part takes us back to the main story and Sanjurokuro is quite a fun character... or if not him, his name and its circumstances.

[Ken Yuen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to compare since I saw the drama version soon after, but this was fun still. Still way better than the drama

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main storyline of the election is good in concept but a bit odd in execution. But all our favorite characters are still around and they can't keep avoiding their decision forever.

[DonutKnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how original and steadfast Isagi is, though it is sometimes borderline rude… 😅😅

[Renanda Yovita · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 ⭐

[Zuli · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5✨

[Rachel E. Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the storyline of this one. It was quite cute. Not enough Tadano, though. Also, Yami is still a creep.

[Tsuki Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Shosuke.

[Izzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Umairah (Sereadipity)]

I wish I knew someone like Najimi when I was in high school :(

I liked the Isagi election and friendship with Ase story it was cute and Ase's speech was so funny

[Mel's Reading Rook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Communication 197: We're already off to a bad start. I hate Yamai's inclusion so much. I don't mind the representation of girls having crushes on other girls, but she is a horrible depiction of it. Rigging a game to exploit Komi sexually? That is absolutely disgusting.

On the other hand, the student council president election arc was amazing. Why can't we get more of that??? Komi was really showing her growth, and is starting to become more comfortable reaching out to people.

[Reese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, the character that this volume focuses on is boring and generally unlikable. Furthermore, it's not important for the main plot/love triangle. Didn’t enjoy this volume very much.

[Jeremy Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

kind of boring

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE #15 introduces another character whose insecurities and anxiety under pressure tends to shape her interactions with others. Kiyoko Isagi is a girl whose misophobia (fear of germs and contamination) permeates every facet of her life. She wipes down lecterns before speaking. She vacuums chairs before sitting down. She washes her clothes in-between class periods if she sustains more than any manner of physical touch deemed necessary. Isagi is, to a point, obsessive. Which makes her longtime friendship with Shibuki Ase, the super sweaty girl, all the more unusual.

This volume runs a clever little balancing act of teenage anguish and genuine shame. Isagi dreads being unclean, but fears she may have offended her close friend and so tries to keep her distance to keep from doing or saying worse. Fortunately, friendships of youth are quite durable. All the more so when it's time to vote for Itan High's student council.

It's a bit unusual for one story to dominate a whole volume the way the student council elections do here, but for the sake of developing the relationship between Isagi and Ase, it's probably worth the effort. The manga devotes several chapters to going beyond Isagi's nervous ticks and tendencies to show why she's "super-fastidious," "a kind soul," and "picky" all at once. She's an observant, fragile idealist who fears going it alone because she can't quite get a handle on everything at once. Isagi is a flawed and underdeveloped person, as all teenagers are, and it takes a good deal time and humility to place that character identity into perspective. For Isagi, her childhood friend Ase, mumbling yet tenacious, is always there to pick up the slack.

And lastly, the reintroduction of first-year student Sanjurokuro Yamada could become one of the manga's finest running gags. The poor boy suffers from averageness, not unlike Tadano or Kometani (commentator guy), but he also has a given name that's difficult to pronounce. The joke that nobody can say his name correctly, except for Tadano, of course, is equally strange and hilarious. Nobody in the manga is consistently referred to by their first name, except for Osana (as Najimi), which is an awkward enough exception as it is. The fact that everyone totally screws up Sanjurokuro's name feels like a high-level deliberate slight, which is probably the point. All told, a character who is only memorable enough for other characters to sort-of recall who the heck he is, pretty well sums up the dynamics of high-school life.

[Calvin Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manga Review: Komi Can’t Communicate Volume 15 by Tomohito Oda

This is my first Komi Can’t Communicate manga, and now I want to collect them all! I originally watched the anime and fell in love with how wholesome and hilarious it was—and the manga? Just as fun like the anime!

In Volume 15, Komi meets a new friend, Isagi Kiyoko. She’s extremely neat, hates anything dirty, and follows rules to the letter. She’s also running for student council president, but of course, nothing is ever simple in Komi Can’t Communicate. Isagi has her own struggles, and somehow, Komi gets pulled into her world.

The dynamic between Komi, Tadano, and their classmates is peak comedy. Najimi, as always, brings the energy, while Tadano remains the ultimate soft boy, supporting Komi in the most subtle yet meaningful ways. And then there’s the lingering tension—will Komi and Tadano finally acknowledge what’s been simmering between them? The slow burn is real.

What I love most about this volume is how it captures the beauty of small moments—gestures, glances, and unspoken words that mean so much. Komi’s world is expanding, and it’s a joy to witness. If you’ve come this far in the series, you’re already invested, and this volume will only make you love these characters more.

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Review Manga: Komi Can’t Communicate Volume 15 oleh Tomohito Oda

Ini manga Komi Can’t Communicate pertama yang aku punya, dan sekarang aku jadi pingin punya semuanya! Awalnya aku nonton animenya dan aku langsung jatuh cinta karena ceritanya yang wholesome dan lucuu—dan versi manganya? Sama lucunya kayak animenya!

Di Volume 15, Komi ketemu teman baru, Isagi Kiyoko. Dia sangat bersih, benci banget sama hal yang kotor, dan selalu mengikuti aturan dengan ketat. Selain itu, dia juga sedang mencalonkan diri sebagai ketua OSIS. Tapi tentu saja, di dunia Komi Can’t Communicate, nggak ada yang berjalan dengan mudah. Isagi punya masalahnya sendiri, dan entah bagaimana, Komi terseret ke dalam dunianya.

Interaksi antara Komi, Tadano, dan teman-teman mereka benar-benar puncak komedi. Najimi tetap jadi pembawa kekacauan, sementara Tadano masih menjadi soft boy terbaik, selalu mendukung Komi dengan cara yang halus tapi berarti. Dan yang paling bikin geregetan? Komi dan Tadano—kapan mereka sadar ada sesuatu di antara mereka? Slow burn banget!

Yang paling aku suka dari volume ini adalah bagaimana manga ini menangkap keindahan dari momen-momen kecil—gerakan, tatapan, dan kata-kata yang tak terucap tapi punya makna besar. Dunia Komi semakin luas, dan rasanya menyenangkan bisa melihat perjalanannya. Kalau kamu sudah sampai sejauh ini dalam seri ini, kamu pasti sudah terikat dengan karakternya—dan volume ini bakal bikin kamu makin jatuh cinta!

[Sarah Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

13/14/15

Since the series came out, it has felt so relatable. I have gotten so much better in social situations on my own, they are still draining, they will always be, but Komi has Tadano to speak for her, or support her. He like, reads her mind and gets her back! It is so impressive for a person who is shy himself! Just an opinion, but the writers didn't need to make it a love triangle now. I understand to many reviewers it is something really sexy, but it is not. If you see, young little girls also read this, and they will develop an idea that yeah, you must fight for a guy's attention and a place in his life while he has other options. That makes you nothing but an option, yeah? They'd think that always staying unsure about someone's feelings for you is how it works. Romanticizing being an option and always struggling to work hard to stay in someone's life, is not ok. Does anyone ever wonder if the situation was reversed, would a boy/guy/man/the writer himself ever like to be an option? Instead, teach girls/women, that they'd never have to doubt about their place in someone's life, or second guess, if their person really cared. If me/you/anyone, has a conscience, values and integrity, we put ourselves in the other persons place and see how it'd feel. Instead, teach girls it is ok to step back from the places you don't belong, or feel unwelcomed. Likewise for the other side.


Not 100 friends, Tadano was all that Komi needed to be ok <3