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まいりました、先輩 [Mairimashita, Senpai] #8
まいりました、先輩(8)
Serina and Mizukawa-sempai have been together for a wonderful year of firsts…and now their second summer vacation together is right around the corner. They're ready for another summer of bliss together…but Sempai's got to put his nose to the grindstone if he wants to get into a good school. As they spend less and less time together, Serina reminisces on how good it felt to fall in love with Mizukawa-sempai for the first time…and Higuchi-sempai tells her he likes her, too!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 21, 2023
In the worst and most depressing instalment in this series yet, we saw what was once a very communicative couple completely mess up by thinking the best solution to their problems was to take a break instead of talking through their issues.
And, boy, did they have a lot of issues! Serina was a crazy person who was so in her head about being a good girlfriend that she was hindering her own boyfriend from spending time with her because she thought a good girlfriend should put her boyfriend's educational needs before everything and anything. It was completely absurd, but relatively unsurprising considering Serina has always been completely insecure and lacks understanding of her own self-worth. She has always defined herself through her relationship with her boyfriend and when her boyfriend became busy studying in this vol, she found herself completely lost and purposeless.
The narrative was very one-sided. It followed Serina and only showed her feelings of doubt and guilt, seeming to suggest that Mizukawa was completely fine with the break until the last chapter when it was shown that he felt exactly the same way she did. Which, of course, begged the question: why were they even taking a break in the first place? They both felt like they were neglecting the other and so it made zero sense for their solution to that to be to take a break in which they continued to neglect each other.
The whole time reading this I felt such an awkward atmosphere and I honestly didn't understand how a couple I had previously praised as being avantgarde in their masterful communication could have gotten to such a low point where they didn't want to leave each other notes or messages. They hardly even felt comfortable talking to each other. And even when they did become slightly comfortable with each other again at the end, Serina still insisted on not sharing all her feelings and relating all that happened with Higuchi with Mizukawa because she wanted him to focus on his studies. It was so infuriatingly irritating to see Serina put her boyfriend on a pedestal and even after all the advice Nagisa gave her about not sacrificing her own needs for him, she still continued to do that. As much of a pain as Mizukawa's younger brother was, he wasn't wrong when he said that Serina was one of those people that loved being in love and that's it. She didn't know how to live without obsessing over her love with Mizukawa and even in her attempts to stop moping and be productive, her motivation was to prove her love to Mizukawa was true. Oh, please. Her viewpoint on love has always seemed somewhat wishy-washy, but this vol highlighted just how problematic it really was. I imagine everything will be alright in the end (it always is with these mangas) but I no longer set much in store for how this couple portrays the ideal relationship.
And, boy, did they have a lot of issues! Serina was a crazy person who was so in her head about being a good girlfriend that she was hindering her own boyfriend from spending time with her because she thought a good girlfriend should put her boyfriend's educational needs before everything and anything. It was completely absurd, but relatively unsurprising considering Serina has always been completely insecure and lacks understanding of her own self-worth. She has always defined herself through her relationship with her boyfriend and when her boyfriend became busy studying in this vol, she found herself completely lost and purposeless.
The narrative was very one-sided. It followed Serina and only showed her feelings of doubt and guilt, seeming to suggest that Mizukawa was completely fine with the break until the last chapter when it was shown that he felt exactly the same way she did. Which, of course, begged the question: why were they even taking a break in the first place? They both felt like they were neglecting the other and so it made zero sense for their solution to that to be to take a break in which they continued to neglect each other.
The whole time reading this I felt such an awkward atmosphere and I honestly didn't understand how a couple I had previously praised as being avantgarde in their masterful communication could have gotten to such a low point where they didn't want to leave each other notes or messages. They hardly even felt comfortable talking to each other. And even when they did become slightly comfortable with each other again at the end, Serina still insisted on not sharing all her feelings and relating all that happened with Higuchi with Mizukawa because she wanted him to focus on his studies. It was so infuriatingly irritating to see Serina put her boyfriend on a pedestal and even after all the advice Nagisa gave her about not sacrificing her own needs for him, she still continued to do that. As much of a pain as Mizukawa's younger brother was, he wasn't wrong when he said that Serina was one of those people that loved being in love and that's it. She didn't know how to live without obsessing over her love with Mizukawa and even in her attempts to stop moping and be productive, her motivation was to prove her love to Mizukawa was true. Oh, please. Her viewpoint on love has always seemed somewhat wishy-washy, but this vol highlighted just how problematic it really was. I imagine everything will be alright in the end (it always is with these mangas) but I no longer set much in store for how this couple portrays the ideal relationship.
December 29, 2025
اخخ رجعووو حبايبي زي ما كانو قبل 😭😭💔!!!!
February 4, 2021
4,5 Stars
Finally, volume 8 is here in my hands. This series being one of my favorites, it was hard to wait for it to finally come out in French.
“I opened my eyes, ready to start a new day…secure in the knowledge that I love you”
Azusa Mase is good at showing different periods a couple will face throughout their relationship. Serina and Mizukawa have been together since the first volume, so you would expect the mangaka to already have shown everything she could, and yet, I’m always surprised that she manages to introduce new things without it being repetitive, too much, or echo previous problems the couple has faced.
The volume starts where it previously ended, Mizukawa has been studying a lot therefore he and Serina have been seeing and talking to each other a lot less than before. Of course, it does raise a lot of questions. This one really stuck with me because I’m in a long-distance relationship, therefore there are times when I’m busy or my boyfriend is busy so we can’t talk to each other as much as we want but it doesn’t mean that the feelings aren’t there. But being anxious and an over-analyzing human being, I always have a hard time during those periods and always expect the worst. I could relate to Serina so much here, just like her, my actions don’t always match up with my feelings and I hate feeling this way.
“I don’t need you to make more time for me. I want to be your girlfriend, not your burden. And I enjoy the time I get to myself. But the thought that maybe I can live without you makes me so sad.”
You want to be a supportive partner and yet, you hate being in this situation. It creates doubt and you start questioning yourself and I think that Mase perfectly portrayed that through Serina. I loved it since it felt realistic and not over the top like I’ve seen in a lot of shojos.
This volume focuses more on Mizukawa and Serina as individuals rather than them as a couple. You get both of their thoughts regarding their relationship and what they want from it but also their own future. Since Mizukawa is in his last year of high school and that he’ll be soon a university student, that kind of reflection made sense, even for Serina. The end of the volume did make me cry because once again, I could relate so much to Serina there.
I hope that it doesn’t really show that I had a hard time putting into words how this volume made me feel. To put it simply, I loved it and can’t wait to see how the story is going to end. This series is definitely one of my favorite and I’ll cherish it for a long time.
*I’m kind of confused about the French translation though. In Chapter 29, Serina says to Mizukawa: “Je me dis que tu n’as peut-être plus de sentiments pour moi.” which we can translate as “I’m starting to think that you might no longer have feelings for me”. It confused me a lot since it doesn’t really make sense, especially considering how Mizukawa reacts to it. So, I went and check the English translation which is the following: “I begin to doubt I even have feelings for you”. The subject in those two sentences is not even the same and the meanings are completely different! So I’m kind of mad about it!
Finally, volume 8 is here in my hands. This series being one of my favorites, it was hard to wait for it to finally come out in French.
“I opened my eyes, ready to start a new day…secure in the knowledge that I love you”
Azusa Mase is good at showing different periods a couple will face throughout their relationship. Serina and Mizukawa have been together since the first volume, so you would expect the mangaka to already have shown everything she could, and yet, I’m always surprised that she manages to introduce new things without it being repetitive, too much, or echo previous problems the couple has faced.
The volume starts where it previously ended, Mizukawa has been studying a lot therefore he and Serina have been seeing and talking to each other a lot less than before. Of course, it does raise a lot of questions. This one really stuck with me because I’m in a long-distance relationship, therefore there are times when I’m busy or my boyfriend is busy so we can’t talk to each other as much as we want but it doesn’t mean that the feelings aren’t there. But being anxious and an over-analyzing human being, I always have a hard time during those periods and always expect the worst. I could relate to Serina so much here, just like her, my actions don’t always match up with my feelings and I hate feeling this way.
“I don’t need you to make more time for me. I want to be your girlfriend, not your burden. And I enjoy the time I get to myself. But the thought that maybe I can live without you makes me so sad.”
You want to be a supportive partner and yet, you hate being in this situation. It creates doubt and you start questioning yourself and I think that Mase perfectly portrayed that through Serina. I loved it since it felt realistic and not over the top like I’ve seen in a lot of shojos.
This volume focuses more on Mizukawa and Serina as individuals rather than them as a couple. You get both of their thoughts regarding their relationship and what they want from it but also their own future. Since Mizukawa is in his last year of high school and that he’ll be soon a university student, that kind of reflection made sense, even for Serina. The end of the volume did make me cry because once again, I could relate so much to Serina there.
I hope that it doesn’t really show that I had a hard time putting into words how this volume made me feel. To put it simply, I loved it and can’t wait to see how the story is going to end. This series is definitely one of my favorite and I’ll cherish it for a long time.
*I’m kind of confused about the French translation though. In Chapter 29, Serina says to Mizukawa: “Je me dis que tu n’as peut-être plus de sentiments pour moi.” which we can translate as “I’m starting to think that you might no longer have feelings for me”. It confused me a lot since it doesn’t really make sense, especially considering how Mizukawa reacts to it. So, I went and check the English translation which is the following: “I begin to doubt I even have feelings for you”. The subject in those two sentences is not even the same and the meanings are completely different! So I’m kind of mad about it!
April 16, 2022
Je mets pas 5 étoiles car j'aime pas ce qu'il se passe là 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡
January 23, 2022
No es que quiera que no terminen juntos... pero este volumen me gustó mucho por esa misma razón.
4 de 5 estrellas.
4 de 5 estrellas.
May 3, 2020
Ah, it hurts me to say, but this didn’t give me any of the excellence I usually expect from this series. On the one hand, it’s true that this is a story about a couple weathering a realistic problem in their relationship. Two kids in school of different age are realizing that life might be taking them in different directions.
On the other hand, the ‘solution’ that Mizukawa comes up with feels like a massive contrivance and the rest of the volume is dealing with all the fallout. It’s a little too volatile for my tastes - this series has, to this point, been an enjoyable lark and it does not, honestly, do high drama that well.
Serina and Mizukawa are both smarter than this and Serina’s conclusions don’t really make a lot of sense to me when all is said and done. Then again, Mizukawa didn’t do much better. This series has been about their relationship and when it’s largely absent for the entire volume so they can think/mope about it... it lacks a good hook (and the weird ideas they’re having rob a major scene towards the end of most of its dramatic weight).
I mean, it might also just be me, but I just didn’t resonate with this volume. It might hold up better on re-read, but my initial take was underwhelming.
On the other hand, the ‘solution’ that Mizukawa comes up with feels like a massive contrivance and the rest of the volume is dealing with all the fallout. It’s a little too volatile for my tastes - this series has, to this point, been an enjoyable lark and it does not, honestly, do high drama that well.
Serina and Mizukawa are both smarter than this and Serina’s conclusions don’t really make a lot of sense to me when all is said and done. Then again, Mizukawa didn’t do much better. This series has been about their relationship and when it’s largely absent for the entire volume so they can think/mope about it... it lacks a good hook (and the weird ideas they’re having rob a major scene towards the end of most of its dramatic weight).
I mean, it might also just be me, but I just didn’t resonate with this volume. It might hold up better on re-read, but my initial take was underwhelming.
July 28, 2022
The character assassination of it all…
May 18, 2020
4 stars. Lots of what is going on doesn't make sense. It feels like we're leaving the second act and fumbling into the 3rd.
August 11, 2020
2020 Read #535
One piece of advice that could solve all these kids’ problems: “USE YOUR WORDS AND COMMUNICATE.” But even beyond that, I think I love the idea of Serina and Mizukawa together much more than I actually enjoy the chemistry between them. I honestly don’t know if I see them staying together past high school, and that not knowing...well, it does make the series more compelling, I gotta say. But there are still moments where there is an ache to see them together, like I just know that I’m seeing a shooting star before it fizzles out in the atmosphere. Shojo manga usually tell me that love conquers all in the end, but will that be the way it will end for Serina and her sempai? Stay tuned.
One piece of advice that could solve all these kids’ problems: “USE YOUR WORDS AND COMMUNICATE.” But even beyond that, I think I love the idea of Serina and Mizukawa together much more than I actually enjoy the chemistry between them. I honestly don’t know if I see them staying together past high school, and that not knowing...well, it does make the series more compelling, I gotta say. But there are still moments where there is an ache to see them together, like I just know that I’m seeing a shooting star before it fizzles out in the atmosphere. Shojo manga usually tell me that love conquers all in the end, but will that be the way it will end for Serina and her sempai? Stay tuned.
January 8, 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)
This was a heavy one.
This was a heavy one.
Read
March 29, 2021I’m not sure how I feel about the flow of the story. Sometimes it seems as if an issue comes out of nowhere, and it’s implied that it’s been a problem for awhile. Serina says that Mizukawa has shielded her from their problems, he says he’s been a bad boyfriend...but I can’t really see either as true. They actually communicate fairly well and address difficult topics head on, which is not common. Frankly, I think the studying is excessive, but if that’s what he’s got to do, maybe carve out some time to spend together? I mean...lunch at school occasionally? It’s weird because at first he seems to be sending her photos randomly, which is unlike him and makes her happy, but then it’s like that never happened. And if he’s studying this hard, is he possibly going to try for a college that’s further away? I’m kind of confused by this arc. Does Higuchi not have to study? I find it all odd. I would think if he started scoring higher, that doesn’t mean he needs to become a study maniac, clearly he can continue what he was doing that was successful. I don’t know, there’s just odd drama here. Their break...they are behaving so awkwardly but they’re still sort of together...argh.
I don’t understand his little brother. He doesn’t like Serina, she doesn’t like him, but she talks to him in detail about their relationship while he insults her? He’s a PITA and she should kick his butt for being a jerk. And she didn’t cry on Higuchi’s shoulder, he happened to see her in a vulnerable moment, she spoke to him, and then became aware of his feelings for her (honestly not really sure why he’s still so interested in her when they don’t interact much in the whole year). I do think Inoue witnessing is pretty hilarious though...
That clown costume was NOT funny.
I don’t understand his little brother. He doesn’t like Serina, she doesn’t like him, but she talks to him in detail about their relationship while he insults her? He’s a PITA and she should kick his butt for being a jerk. And she didn’t cry on Higuchi’s shoulder, he happened to see her in a vulnerable moment, she spoke to him, and then became aware of his feelings for her (honestly not really sure why he’s still so interested in her when they don’t interact much in the whole year). I do think Inoue witnessing is pretty hilarious though...
That clown costume was NOT funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
The conflict in this felt a little random and came out of nowhere, making this my least favorite volume but at the same time it showed how not openly telling your partner how you feel can cause your relationship to suffer. Serina was not my favorite in this volume, I feel like she was the reason the break began. Mizu knew what he wanted from the beginning and always was the first to start communication, Serina began the relationship on a high of love but didn’t think to consider that there would be times they wouldn’t always be able to see each other every day. Mizu showed a more mature side to his character that I respected. Even though the break, I feel was unnecessary on his part, I can see why he suggested it to make Serina realize what she wanted moving forward. A very tough conversation that had to be had, but I’m glad it was shown because relationships aren’t all roses and daises.
November 29, 2021
This shoujo feels a lot more emotionally mature than any other I've read (considering they are still a bunch of high-schooler). As a shoujo, ofc there is some drama, but at least everyone involved is eventually thinking seriously about possible consequences. They're having a serious talk about their feelings and their future. I just really love how much mature conversation there is about their relationship, how they realize that it takes work to stay together. Rather than easy and classical ways of shoujo: clingy-head-over-heels for each other till the end of the story, I must say I like this approach better. This shoujo is on my top tier list for sure.
[ ★★★★★ / 5 ]
[ ★★★★★ / 5 ]
August 15, 2020
Strong character development and good pacing.
I've been sick today, so I read ALL EIGHT VOLUMES. Just my speed. After awhile, though, all the sweetness and love was starting to make my teeth ache. As usual, "Cue complication". It's manga. There has to be a complication when things are going well. What surprised me, however, was that the rival love interest—a traditional complication for shoujo comics—was only a minor complication. It was no more than a small hiccup. The real culprit was Mizukawa's studies. Mizukawa put their relationship on hold so he could prepare for college entrance exams. How perfectly responsible, but if their relationship was a cozy raft on a lazy river, Mizukawa's new priorities fell on them with a bellyflop from the highest diving board. The entire tone of the series changed.
I've never seen school used as the villain in a romance before. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, but I was delighted. What a novel use of school pressure. Poor Koshino. I was happier than Mizukawa's brother the more miserable they became. What can I say? I've got issues.
I've been sick today, so I read ALL EIGHT VOLUMES. Just my speed. After awhile, though, all the sweetness and love was starting to make my teeth ache. As usual, "Cue complication". It's manga. There has to be a complication when things are going well. What surprised me, however, was that the rival love interest—a traditional complication for shoujo comics—was only a minor complication. It was no more than a small hiccup. The real culprit was Mizukawa's studies. Mizukawa put their relationship on hold so he could prepare for college entrance exams. How perfectly responsible, but if their relationship was a cozy raft on a lazy river, Mizukawa's new priorities fell on them with a bellyflop from the highest diving board. The entire tone of the series changed.
I've never seen school used as the villain in a romance before. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, but I was delighted. What a novel use of school pressure. Poor Koshino. I was happier than Mizukawa's brother the more miserable they became. What can I say? I've got issues.
May 23, 2020
Relationships are tricky
The portrayal of this couple’s ups and downs are so realistic, yet it never bogs the flow of things. It’s so organic and doesn’t feel forced in order to create new material. I love it all! We’ve seen them from the very beginning and how close and inseparable they were. So to see them have to really focus on their future and all the sacrifices to succeed and how they’re slowly slipping away or at least becoming a bit awkward around each other is painful to watch. But they are both still very committed to each other, so I’m not too worried. Can’t wait for volume 9!!!!
The portrayal of this couple’s ups and downs are so realistic, yet it never bogs the flow of things. It’s so organic and doesn’t feel forced in order to create new material. I love it all! We’ve seen them from the very beginning and how close and inseparable they were. So to see them have to really focus on their future and all the sacrifices to succeed and how they’re slowly slipping away or at least becoming a bit awkward around each other is painful to watch. But they are both still very committed to each other, so I’m not too worried. Can’t wait for volume 9!!!!
January 18, 2021
Artwork: 5
Story: 2
Honestly... LA COMUNICACIÓN ENTRE ESTOS DOS?? I don't get it.
A parte, and I'm really sorry, Mizusawa no es un buen novio. Prácticamente deja su novia de lado, no sabe mantener una relación y sus estudios y es algo que no entiendo. EXISTE LA MENSAJERÍA Y LAS LLAMADAS DE TELÉFONO!! Y dudo que salir 1 día a la semana a merendar sea el fin del mundo. Aquí hay drama porque la autora quiere que haya drama. 0 dudas.
Story: 2
Honestly... LA COMUNICACIÓN ENTRE ESTOS DOS?? I don't get it.
A parte, and I'm really sorry, Mizusawa no es un buen novio. Prácticamente deja su novia de lado, no sabe mantener una relación y sus estudios y es algo que no entiendo. EXISTE LA MENSAJERÍA Y LAS LLAMADAS DE TELÉFONO!! Y dudo que salir 1 día a la semana a merendar sea el fin del mundo. Aquí hay drama porque la autora quiere que haya drama. 0 dudas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
More of a 3.5 star rating;
There’s only 2 volumes left in this series and I really hope that Mizukawa and Serina get back together! It’s obvious they love each other but don’t know how to handle the distance properly, along with their own insecurities that resulted partially because of the distance. I just really want them to get a happy ending.
There’s only 2 volumes left in this series and I really hope that Mizukawa and Serina get back together! It’s obvious they love each other but don’t know how to handle the distance properly, along with their own insecurities that resulted partially because of the distance. I just really want them to get a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2023
su relación esta muriendo y sentimientos apagándose, como yo me moriré sola, no temino de entender. pero si me da tristeza que poco a poco se apage por no tener mejor palabra para describirlo, su cariño del uno al otro.
tal vez sí disfrute los primeros tomos por ser super inocente e intenso, auque estos últimos ya sean más de la realidad.
tal vez sí disfrute los primeros tomos por ser super inocente e intenso, auque estos últimos ya sean más de la realidad.
February 27, 2025
I firmly believe that you can’t choose to fall in love but you do choose to stay in love. The honey moon stage will end and you will have to decide whether you want it enough to work on it or give it up entirely.
July 19, 2020
This volume was so sad:(((
June 23, 2022
Most heartbreaking volume but really good!! Sometimes we need to know if 'distance truly makes the heart grow fonder' or if it's an 'out of sight, out of mind' kinda situation.
July 8, 2023
😭剛剛寫了一大段感受竟然沒更新到
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真的很喜歡這段非常寫實的感情問題，而作者安排兩人應對的方式也是看似成熟，但還是有許多青澀不足的部分，剛好在聽Taylor Swift’s “true” heartbreak album覺得在很多地方都非常匹配（尤其是The Very First Night 輕快的曲風中藏著淡淡的哀傷）
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真的很喜歡這段非常寫實的感情問題，而作者安排兩人應對的方式也是看似成熟，但還是有許多青澀不足的部分，剛好在聽Taylor Swift’s “true” heartbreak album覺得在很多地方都非常匹配（尤其是The Very First Night 輕快的曲風中藏著淡淡的哀傷）
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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