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同級生 / Classmates #6-7
Classmates Vol. 6: blanc
A COMPLICATED KIND OF LOVE
Sajo is in his final year of university and trying to figure out what to do after graduation. As the pressure mounts, he suggests to Kusakabe that they take a break from each other. Kusakabe naturally takes this hard and throws himself into his music in an attempt to put their relationship behind him. When a family emergency brings Sajo back to town, can the two young men sort out their feelings and what they need from each other?
Contains blanc volumes one, two, and booklet zero.
Sajo is in his final year of university and trying to figure out what to do after graduation. As the pressure mounts, he suggests to Kusakabe that they take a break from each other. Kusakabe naturally takes this hard and throws himself into his music in an attempt to put their relationship behind him. When a family emergency brings Sajo back to town, can the two young men sort out their feelings and what they need from each other?
Contains blanc volumes one, two, and booklet zero.
410 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2022
16 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Asumiko Nakamura
81 books388 followersAsumiko NAKAMURA (中村明日美子) is a Japanese manga artist.
Born in 1979, she is one of Japan's hidden gems. The artist has penned a lot of titles since 2002 and has reached critical acclaim for her sensitive protrayals of romantic narratives featuring a wide range of characters - men and women, young and old. Nakamura has worked in a range of genres for an equally broad range of audinces winning recognition in every category.
Born in 1979, she is one of Japan's hidden gems. The artist has penned a lot of titles since 2002 and has reached critical acclaim for her sensitive protrayals of romantic narratives featuring a wide range of characters - men and women, young and old. Nakamura has worked in a range of genres for an equally broad range of audinces winning recognition in every category.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 10, 2023
It feels like the end of an era. Classmates was the first manga I read (scanlations of the first 4 volumes during my uni summer break), so this is very nostalgic and bittersweet for me.
I thought it would be just a simple conclusion, Kusakabe and Rihito's wedding. Oh, how wrong I was! There was so much heartbreak and grief and all kinds of other complicated feelings. The ending was so beautiful, though. Truly the best this series could have.
I thought it would be just a simple conclusion, Kusakabe and Rihito's wedding. Oh, how wrong I was! There was so much heartbreak and grief and all kinds of other complicated feelings. The ending was so beautiful, though. Truly the best this series could have.
July 25, 2023
i don’t think i can explain how I feel rn. this was one of the best series i’ve ever read. i don’t want to let go of this book rn. i don’t want to move on from these characters. the amount of times i smiled and laughed as well as teared up during the two hours i spent reading this. my life is complete
August 29, 2023
They are the blueprint for gay dweeb I hate everyone but you behavior. Arguably the greatest love story every told. I cannot say enough.
This is also a really important reminder that even if you have objectively the greatest hair in the world, some days you’re still gonna want to cut it off. And that’s okay. Your boyfriend will still marry you.
This is also a really important reminder that even if you have objectively the greatest hair in the world, some days you’re still gonna want to cut it off. And that’s okay. Your boyfriend will still marry you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2022
Time to cry
February 21, 2024
When I tell you that this series has tested me, girl... I mean it. But I'm glad I stuck with it to the end.
Blanc is such a beautiful, emotional, yet hopeful and happy end of story for Sajo and Kusakabe. They went through some shit, but eventually got up, dusted themselves off and found each other once again. This time more in love, appreciative of each other and stronger together
If only the rest of the volumes had as much heart (and as little to no pedo presence) like this one. The series would have for sure been one of my all time favourites
Blanc is such a beautiful, emotional, yet hopeful and happy end of story for Sajo and Kusakabe. They went through some shit, but eventually got up, dusted themselves off and found each other once again. This time more in love, appreciative of each other and stronger together
If only the rest of the volumes had as much heart (and as little to no pedo presence) like this one. The series would have for sure been one of my all time favourites
January 9, 2023
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
September 8, 2025
Debated really giving this 5 stars, but it was just so enjoyable and gratifying to read, and a great conclusion to what had gone on in previous installments that I give up. 5 Stars.
Made me nearly cry in both sadness, and in joy. I had trouble slowing down the reading, to not complete it in two days, to try and savor the emotions and art. The art is more of the same, but the writing I feel has improved. Or, maybe by now I'm so invested in these two, it just works. Or we are not jumping between cast members as much, it's very much focused on these two boys we met and followed in vol. 1.
As always with Nakamura's earlier "Classmate" volumes, the drama never seems dragged out. There is a theme of the parents, for both(!), and varying degrees of acceptance or no. Some new friends and some old show up, and a reminder that lessons sometimes need relearning.
This edition also included a prequel two-shot that was originally published elsewhere as a standalone. Was cute and glad it was included here.
Made me nearly cry in both sadness, and in joy. I had trouble slowing down the reading, to not complete it in two days, to try and savor the emotions and art. The art is more of the same, but the writing I feel has improved. Or, maybe by now I'm so invested in these two, it just works. Or we are not jumping between cast members as much, it's very much focused on these two boys we met and followed in vol. 1.
As always with Nakamura's earlier "Classmate" volumes, the drama never seems dragged out. There is a theme of the parents, for both(!), and varying degrees of acceptance or no. Some new friends and some old show up, and a reminder that lessons sometimes need relearning.
This edition also included a prequel two-shot that was originally published elsewhere as a standalone. Was cute and glad it was included here.
January 15, 2024
I LOVED IT SO FREAKING MUCH OML!!!! THIS WAS MY FAVORITE VOLUME!! It was just sooo good! I really enjoyed being able to see these boys go from teenagers in highschool to adults getting married 🤭 it was just so cute and adorable. They literally deserve the world and happiness they went through so much throughout the series. I really loved how this series ended!! Thank you Asumiko Nakamura for making such an amazing story I loved it very much and will definitely reread this in the future!!!
October 8, 2023
Ahh, that was such a good read. So much emotions and they all felt so real. My fave volume for this series. It was honestly just so good. ♥️
December 28, 2024
Hasta ahora ha sido mi tomo favorito porque es donde se ha visto más desarrollo y crecimiento de Rihito y Kusakabe como pareja y como personas individuales 🤌 me dolió mucho toda la situación de ambos, sus diferencias y el punto hasta donde llegaron, pero el final fue tan satisfactorio y hermoso que me hizo llorar brillitos🥹💖 amé demasiado✨
October 16, 2023
Es ese tipo de Manga que leería una y otra vez. Deja sentimientos tan bonitos 💕
August 14, 2025
If there's such a thing as a perfect ending, this is it.
August 16, 2025
desde la primer página del blanc 1 hasta la última del 3 me la pasé llorando. realmente no puedo explicar el vacío existencial que siento en este momento
October 18, 2025
Надявам се всичко добро и щастливо да е достигнало до познатите на авторката, чиято сватба е вдъхновила написването на тази част от историята. Един горчив в определени количества, но и изключително сладък и нежен край, който светът заслужава... пък! Накамура твърди, че е щяла да съжалява, ако не ни беше подарила този край, а и феновете ѝ може би също щяхме да съжаляваме, макар че почти нямаше да подозираме, че е имало възможност за него - така де, искам да кажа, че само авторът си знае какво никога няма да сподели с публиката си и дали съжалява или не за него. Най-важното е, че blanc е вълнуваща реалност в изключително насищащ емоциите обем. И не разочарова с абсолютно нищо сред страниците си.
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May 20, 2023i am not immune to fujoshism
December 12, 2022
I love them so much! This volume made me extremely emotional. It focuses entirely on Hikaru and Rihito unlike OB. The timelines were kind of weird to me because when the heck did Hikaru's friend get married and have a preschooler within the 3 years they graduated from high school??
There were a ton of heartbreaking and difficult moments. I mean you usually want to see characters and couples you love be happy. I still really loved this and the happy moments made it worth the heartbreak. The author's note made me cry too because you can tell how much she cares about these characters. I like how she said she didn't know if she wanted to write this story because of how difficult it would be, but it was necessary to get them to where they are. They both grew a lot in this volume and I'm happy we can see more of their happy, married life in Home. Please no more pain.
There were a ton of heartbreaking and difficult moments. I mean you usually want to see characters and couples you love be happy. I still really loved this and the happy moments made it worth the heartbreak. The author's note made me cry too because you can tell how much she cares about these characters. I like how she said she didn't know if she wanted to write this story because of how difficult it would be, but it was necessary to get them to where they are. They both grew a lot in this volume and I'm happy we can see more of their happy, married life in Home. Please no more pain.
January 14, 2023
I'm being spoiled by all these good books this year. I don't think I've cried this much in awhile, it was cathartic, therapeutic, it is exactly what my heart and soul needed.
January 21, 2025
I did not realize this was the last of this series (released in the US) until after I’d finished it. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I may have savored it more if I’d known, or I may have put it off indefinitely because I didn’t want it to end. I can easily see myself doing both.
It was fantastic. A strong follow up to the previous work. It started off by breaking our hearts when our couple struggled with the long distance relationship and miscommunications. And then when things were looking up, we were dealt a brutal blow. And then there was love with a side dose of the bittersweet. I don’t know what to say and not spoil things.
All I can say is that it was amazing. I worried. I cried. I laughed and giggled. I cried some more. And then I had my heart healed. And we ended on just the cutest note. This is a great series and I love Sajo and Kusakabe. They are relationship goals.
I know there’s a continuation (Home) in Japan, and I sincerely hope it makes it over to the US soon.
It was fantastic. A strong follow up to the previous work. It started off by breaking our hearts when our couple struggled with the long distance relationship and miscommunications. And then when things were looking up, we were dealt a brutal blow. And then there was love with a side dose of the bittersweet. I don’t know what to say and not spoil things.
All I can say is that it was amazing. I worried. I cried. I laughed and giggled. I cried some more. And then I had my heart healed. And we ended on just the cutest note. This is a great series and I love Sajo and Kusakabe. They are relationship goals.
I know there’s a continuation (Home) in Japan, and I sincerely hope it makes it over to the US soon.
March 25, 2024
This is the final chapter, as far as I know, of Classmates about two Japanese classmates that feel in love in school. This volume is huge; over 400 pages long. After the mess of vol. 5, we get back to our main characters and what's going on with them. A few make characters from Vol. 5 do show up in this one.
Kusakabe is still working as a musician in Tokyo. He doesn't see Sajo as much who is still in University Sajo's mom is still in the hospital. Sajo asks Kusakabe to look after his mom for a time. Sajo has a melt-down and he doubts himself. He pushes Kusakabe away for a time. There is a whole lot of drama around this middle of the novel.
The volume is all about the wedding. I think it's the first wedding I've read in Manga at this time. It really is a beautiful day and setting. It is such a beautiful ceremony with the two. I love the little crown a kid gives them both to wear. It's perfect.
One hanging thread - maybe I missed it- but Kusakabe writes a new song and they want to make a video out of it. I didn't see anything else about it in the story. Did his video not get made?? He tells the representative he didn't want a girlfriend in the video, it was about his boyfriend. Maybe, they just dropped the video after that. I'm not sure. It was good to see Kusakabe get some musical success.
I hope these two can find happiness together. I hope they can care for each other and spend time together. I hope Sajo is going to finish school. It was a great series.
Kusakabe is still working as a musician in Tokyo. He doesn't see Sajo as much who is still in University Sajo's mom is still in the hospital. Sajo asks Kusakabe to look after his mom for a time. Sajo has a melt-down and he doubts himself. He pushes Kusakabe away for a time. There is a whole lot of drama around this middle of the novel.
The volume is all about the wedding. I think it's the first wedding I've read in Manga at this time. It really is a beautiful day and setting. It is such a beautiful ceremony with the two. I love the little crown a kid gives them both to wear. It's perfect.
One hanging thread - maybe I missed it- but Kusakabe writes a new song and they want to make a video out of it. I didn't see anything else about it in the story. Did his video not get made?? He tells the representative he didn't want a girlfriend in the video, it was about his boyfriend. Maybe, they just dropped the video after that. I'm not sure. It was good to see Kusakabe get some musical success.
I hope these two can find happiness together. I hope they can care for each other and spend time together. I hope Sajo is going to finish school. It was a great series.
January 10, 2024
Doukyuusei is my first dip in the Yaoi Pond. I used to have reservations for the genre, due to how fujoshis made it to be. I always thought they were malicious. They barely reflect the truth that gay men have to live with. They inaccurately portray gay relationships. The characters are heavily sexualized to feed into the desire that readers have.
But with this manga series, I was wrong. Doukyuusei is earnest. It is well-done. It is a marvellous work of art. The love story of two boys who were classmates. It all culminated with Blanc, and honestly what a lovely conclusion this is. The knots are tied in a gorgeous golden yellow bow, and we could never have it any other way better than this.
I feel fulfilled with how we got a happy ending for these two precious boys. I personally feel more attached to Sajou's character. How, growing up, I also grappled with my sexuality. I also struggled in speaking up for myself and chasing after what I wanted. I always thought the good things will end and there is nothing I can do but take it. But looking at it all back now, I am glad I am able to unlearn it. Though I didn't end up with a lovely relationship, I emerged as my own solid person. I learned myself better through those experiences.
I get to experience what it feels to be in love again with this book series, and I hope I do soon.
But with this manga series, I was wrong. Doukyuusei is earnest. It is well-done. It is a marvellous work of art. The love story of two boys who were classmates. It all culminated with Blanc, and honestly what a lovely conclusion this is. The knots are tied in a gorgeous golden yellow bow, and we could never have it any other way better than this.
I feel fulfilled with how we got a happy ending for these two precious boys. I personally feel more attached to Sajou's character. How, growing up, I also grappled with my sexuality. I also struggled in speaking up for myself and chasing after what I wanted. I always thought the good things will end and there is nothing I can do but take it. But looking at it all back now, I am glad I am able to unlearn it. Though I didn't end up with a lovely relationship, I emerged as my own solid person. I learned myself better through those experiences.
I get to experience what it feels to be in love again with this book series, and I hope I do soon.
December 15, 2024
i thought it was very funny because they break up at least once in every volume, or atleast it feels like it. its repetitive but not annoying. i love their dynamic so much, its hard to tell whos the uke and seme, but i think its better that way. i love the way they are both able ot sacrifice their own needs for eachother and put their pride aside, especially for the funeral. when kusakabe shaved his head i screamed, why would you do that.. id rather die for someone than shave my head for them!! especially if i had gorgeous hair like kusakabe!! still, i remember seeing this BL soo long ago, never really gotten into it despite my interest, but finishing the anime and the manga!! i definitely recommend to all my fellow fujo's, or even casual readers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2023
I consider this the true 4th and final volume in the Classmates series. I just love Sajou and Kusakabe. Their relationship is so pure and tumultuous and true. This volume is simultaneously heart-wrenching and soul-replenishing. The angst is devouring and worrisome, but by the end, there's nothing but pure joy. I'm so happy for these characters and I can only imagine happy times ahead for them. A beautiful ending/beginning for a sweet and lovely couple. Side note: My heart cried for Kusakabe's hair and I'm in love with the flower veils.
March 11, 2023
Such a beautiful ending to this story I almost cried happy tears. The connection of Sajo and Kusakabe is so sweet and wholesome and being highschool sweethearts is just too cute to handle. It was sad seeing then apart because they still loved each other very much but they had things they had to figure out on their own. This is one of my favorite series of all times now such a good read and story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2023
This volume was absolutely lovely. It’s nice to get back to focusing on Sajo and Kusakabe, because they really are the heart of this series. There was some drama due to lack of communication, but these two love each other so much that they are inevitable. This was such a nice end to a really strong series.
September 10, 2023
it's almost 5am. for+8 hours now i have been reading all of the volumes other than the first and second after i watched the anime (based on only the first volume tho)
my brain is fried idk how it is only that i read it i know how it end i got closure and now i can go to sleep
edit: im being unfair. it was very cute. especially the whole CD exchange and the wedding
my brain is fried idk how it is only that i read it i know how it end i got closure and now i can go to sleep
edit: im being unfair. it was very cute. especially the whole CD exchange and the wedding
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2023
doukyuusei is one of my favourite movies, which I’ve watched like three or four times already. i havent read anything past the first volume of the manga, but read everything from start to finish today
and !!! i have such a bittersweet feeling now that ive finished it. blanc itself was really bittersweet, but i liked it a lot.
still hate hara-sensei though. what a freak
and !!! i have such a bittersweet feeling now that ive finished it. blanc itself was really bittersweet, but i liked it a lot.
still hate hara-sensei though. what a freak
February 18, 2024
Crying sobbing and (almost) throwing up. Sad tears angry tears happy tears every kind of tears that are out there.. this just gave me sooooo many feelings at once..I'm so overwhelmed...gosh..I love them so muuuch 😭😭😭
Also silently asking god..when will it be my turn (finding love like theirs that is).
Also silently asking god..when will it be my turn (finding love like theirs that is).
April 23, 2024
I wish that I could write an ending this gentle and joyful. This is a beautiful story.
“I always felt weddings weren’t for me.” Is such a Poignant line for queer feelings and it had me sobbing.
If I could give it 100 stars, I would.
Beautifully written, gentle and sweet, romance as it should be.
“I always felt weddings weren’t for me.” Is such a Poignant line for queer feelings and it had me sobbing.
If I could give it 100 stars, I would.
Beautifully written, gentle and sweet, romance as it should be.
September 4, 2024
AAAAAAAAVAGGAGAGAHAHAHAHHAGAHAHAHAHAHAGAGHAHAHAHAHAYAYAYAHAHAHAGHAGAHAGAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhHAHAHAH❤️💔❤️💕💕💕😭💕😭💕😭❤️😭😀😭💕🧑🦯💕🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯🧑🦯💕🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯💕🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯💕🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯❤️🧑🦯❤️❤️❤️❤️💕🤩💕❤️💕❤️❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕❤️💕💕💕❤️💕❤️🩹❤️❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️❤️❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️❤️❤️🔥❤️❤️🔥❤️❤️🔥💓❣️💓❣️💓❣️💓💓❣️❣️❤️❤️❤️🔥❤️💗❤️💗💗❤️🩹❤️❤️🔥💗💓💖💓❤️🔥
February 24, 2025
This was so sweet that I was developing cavities. It was a well-rounded ending with sad scenes mixed in with romantic ones. It was great meeting Kusakabe's family, especially in contrast to Sajo. The main couple's commitment and love for each other melted my heart. I am wholly satisfied with this conclusion, and in my head, this couple will live happily ever after (no ifs ands or buts).
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