romance comics

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 10, by Ayuko Hatta

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Erika and Kyoya are on their first trip to a hot spring together and as usual, Erika is much more excited than her boyfriend. Both of them are nervous due to how much their friends talk about what could potentially happen when they’re alone overnight. After this, Erika struggles with what she wants to do after she graduates.

They’re in their senior year now which is why Erika is freaking out. All her friends seem to know what they want and when paired with the couple’s first overnight together, I like how in both cases it’s okay to progress exactly as comfortably as you want. Just because it’s your first night together doesn’t mean you have to have sex and just because you’re graduating, you don’t have to have your whole life mapped out in front of you. Since I’m not fully on board with green flag Kyoya, I am glad the story decided to take the route of being okay with not being ready. These are decent messages for teenagers who may be reading this and it’s not overly preachy about it. 3.4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 9, by Suu Morishita

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Suiren and Kawasumi decide they need space from each other but Suiren still considers their relationship intact. When summer rolls around again, they plan to keep their promise to attend the Summer Festival together.

While the time spent apart seemed to have done the couple some good, what I was most interested in – and have been for a few volumes now – is Suiren becoming stronger and more confident; especially when dealing with the popularity she clearly does not enjoy. I’ll say it again: Suiren needs more to her than “I love Kawasumi” and “prettiest girl in school.” We have side characters we know more about or at lease I feel like I know more about them and understand them better than Suiren. If we’re gonna spend so much time with her, she should have more depth. 3.5 out of 5

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 2, by Aki Kusaka

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Yuri and Keiichiro still find ways to be together under the weight of Keiichiro’s family’s oppressive rules. Their latest threat is Shinobu Kasuga, a spy for the family who is trying to break them up.

Kasuga’s plans to break up our main couple are funny but also creepy. I want to lean more towards funny but nah, he gives me the ick and I hope we don’t see much more of him. Other than that, Yuri and Keiichiro are just trying to find ways to get to know each other and spend time together. They do seem to really care for each other so it’s easy to root for them. I do wonder how long we can ride this gimmick or if it will feel tired in the future. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Love’s in Sight!” Vol. 8, by Uoyama

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Morio and Yukiko get their trip to the beach, Morio meets Akaza (Yukiko’s father) and they couple takes their first overnight trip together. Izumi finally handles her crush and Yukiko begins to think about her future and attending college.

Now that they’re established, we’re in full on slice of life territory and it’s adorable. They’re both such cinnamon rolls and even the asides with Yukiko’s father and Izumi moving on are heartwarming. It’s just sweet and light and I love reading it. It’s entertaining enough that I look forward to more adventures with them. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 8, by Suu Morishita

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Suiren and Kawasumi are now second years and in the same class. With everyone around them crazy about dating and Kawasumi back into karate, Suiren feels lonely.

The emotions are all over the place in this volume. It’s a typical teen type of lack of communication happening here but it’s good to see Suiren flat out saying what she wants in the end. It sucks to see her unintentional popularity interfere with her happiness. Why can’t the other kids just leave this poor girl alone to live her life? And clearly, Kawasumi has to be more open with Suiren about whatever he’s dealing with. It’s like they’re dating each other but not together, if that makes any sense. But, it’s all done well enough that I’m emotionally invested. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 4, by Io Sakisaka

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Saku worries that Kotono may also have feelings for Haruki as they are still pretending to be dating to throw off her ex.

This was really sweet and I appreciate Saku and Kotono talking things out instead of letting all these doubts and questions fester but honestly, I am really worried about Kotono’s ex. He is a walking talking red flag that I could see getting violent and I don’t believe he’ll completely back off. He needs to be dealt with before I feel I can enjoy Saku and Haruki getting closer. It’s this mental axe hanging over the plot for me. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbow Days” Vol. 11, by Minami Mizuno

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After the senior trip, the boys are beset by midterms and planning for their lives post graduation. Part of this is Sports Day, where the boys take the chance to show off to the girls. Anna is still upset after what went down over the trip but despite this, Mari gets the courage to confess her feelings to Anna.

Man, I was upset we didn’t get the conclusion to Mari’s confession in this volume. Instead of that, we switch to another couple who are cute but, holy crap what a cliffhanger! And they’re putting Anna’s brain through the fucking ringer. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Special One” Vol. 7, by Momoko Koda

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

While Emika is in love with her costar, Kanato, he also has feelings for her and they just can’t seem to make their feelings known.

Yeah, this series of miscommunications is kinda silly but it’s fun and more interesting than the previous volume. They’re just two silly, fumbling kids who can’t get it together. I thought it’d be all wrapped up by the end of the volume because how long can you keep this joke up before it’s tiresome or beyond the ability to stretch my suspension of disbelief. Eventually, something is gonna have to give so they can inevitably get together. 3.8 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Neighborhood Story” Vol. 3, by Ai Yazawa

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Mikako and her friends heat for Mariko’s family villa for the summer but Mariko’s first love, Shu, happens to be staying next door, causing conflict with her current boyfriend, Yuske. When they return to Yaza Arts, the upcoming school festival gives the chance for the students to show off their work.

Maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace when I read this but, (SPOILER) after Mikako flipped out on Tsutomu because he was so jealous of her new assistant, Seiji, I was checked out. He had every right to be more upset with her than he was, even if his jealousy was unfounded. Yes, she is hardworking, talented, and has big dreams; but the way she put him down stuck with me and I wasn’t rooting for their relationship so much anymore. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Last Quarter” Vol. 1, by Ai Yazawa

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After running away from home at 17, Mizuki has a terrible accident. The same day, little Hotaru also suffers an accident. After she recovers, she meets Mizuki again looking for her cat and Hotaru decides to make friends with Mizuki. But Hotaru is the only one who can see Mizuki.

This is a different story than I’m used to from Yazawa. Spoiler (?) alert but this is a ghost romance lost love sort of story. While I wanted a great ending for Mizuki, the guy she ran away for – Adam – was a dick and a creep because Mizuki was 16-17 when she wanted to be with him and as far as I am aware, he is a full ass adult. My version of a happy ending would be for her to put Adam behind her and find someone who doesn’t decide to randomly choke you. Hotaru and her classmates are cute though; going on their mission to help Mizuki. Their earnestness is endearing and refreshing. 3 out of 5.

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