Tomohito Oda

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 18, by Tomohito Oda

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

After some more short stories from the Cultural Festival, Komi and Manbagi are still civil while both wanting to date Tadano. So, they try to impress him during a group outing to karaoke.

This volume feels like too many different quickies and left me with a choppy experience. The art and writing are still on point, the situations are relatable and cute, but man, it felt so scattered. I’d like more of a cohesive story even though I still love this series. the usual pacing of one longer story and several smaller once is so much better. Still great, though! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 17, by Tomohito Oda

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

While the school cultural festival continues, Rumiko realizes she’s not the only one with feeling for Tadano and her friend Shoko is now her rival.

I’m gonna do a bit of a spoiler here but, I love that this volume doesn’t descend into the mean girl, in-fighting trope and these two friends just talk it out and agree not to let this affect their friendship. This also means Shoko is gaining more confidence and talking more instead of writing down notes. Following along since volume one with all these cute stories makes this milestone very satisfying and a natural progression. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 16, by Tomohito Oda

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

In this volume, there is the Sports Festival and Cultural Festival. We also have some side stories with the parents but the main conflict here is Manbagi’s crush on Tadano and her realization Shoko has feelings for him, too.

I like that we have Shoko talking more. She’s still quiet but her progress is showing. This volume could have benefitted from putting the side stories either at the very end or the beginning. I found them to be an interruption from the main story instead of being a cute break and it messed with the flow. I still enjoyed it because this series is fantastic but this was something I noticed. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 15, by Tomohito Oda

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

In this volume we meet a new character, Isagi, who wants to be Student Counsel President but is very blunt, doesn’t like people, and does not like to be touched. But Komi has been tapped to be her campaign representative.

I’m gonna start calling Komi by her first name, Shoko, for awhile because her other family members are appearing more often in these volumes and it can get confusing if you’re reading the reviews.

Watching Shoko and Isagi try to win this election is funny. Two people with communication issues trying to win over the school will have some obvious setbacks. In addition, there’s a dinner party at the Komi household where it’s clear Shoko’s feelings for Tadano. How this will factor in with Rumiko having a crush on him as well, we’ll have to wait and see. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 13, by Tomohito Oda

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

In this volume, Komi and Rei spend some time together, forming a bond that breaks through Rei’s initial standoffishness. As it’s becoming easier for Komi to make friends, Tadano notices she doesn’t need to rely on him as much, making him wistful about her progress.

It’s nice to see the development between Komi and Rei and the closeness of the others in the group. This volume is on point with the humor and characterization making it really fun to read. I am wondering how new people will fit into the group but that remains to be seen. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 12 by Tomohito Oda

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

Instead of listing the events, I’ll just do a quick overview.

We have a new teacher introduced, go through exams and summer vacation, and some interesting backstory with Komi’s mom and dad when they were teenagers. We also have a new kid staying with Komi’s family, Rei, for a while since her mom is in town for work.

The stories seem to be getting shorter; very rapid fire. But it still keeps up the same light-hearted, cute, slice of life nature of the rest of the series. Right now, it’s still cute that people mistake Komi’s silence for standoffishness or toughness but I can see this getting old soon. I mean, it’s great to see people warm up to Komi but I would like to see more development. But, if you’re a big reader like I am, this series and those like it are a great break from darker material. 4.9 out of 5.

 

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol 10 by Tomohito Oda

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

The meat of this volume is meeting a new character, Rumiko Manbaji; who is a super glam girl with heavy makeup and garish accessories. When the new school year starts, Manbaji is put in Komi’s class away from her usual friend group. Determined to make friends to the point she makes herself sick with worry and Komi helps her. 

There is a side story with Komi’s brother and some shenanigans involving a chicken cutlet sandwich, a bunch of them have allergies and go our for a beef dinner; but it’s Manbaji and Komi’s growing friendship that’s the best parts of this volume. Komi’s group of friends is slowly growing and it’s just so darn cute! 4 out of 5!

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 8 by Tomohito Oda

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

The bulk of this book is devoted to the class trip to Kyoto and Komi is scared to go because she skipped the last one because she had no friends to hang out with. But now, she’s able to muster the courage to go and have a good time.

We also meet a new character, Naruse; a narcissist convinced Komi is in love with him because he thinks everyone adores him. He warps every situation he’s in as “they’re only doing it because I’m so amazing. Thank goodness the trip is most of the book because Naruse is annoying. The rest is just so wholesome and genuine, it put a smile on my face. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 7 by Tomohito Oda

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

It’s Christmas season for Komi and her friends and also Komi’s birthday. While Komi struggles with gift buying, her friends go through the usual insanity of a “Present Death Game” to find something for Komi. They also have fun in the snow, go ice skating, and various other Winter and family activities.

This is still just the cutest manga and I can’t get enough of it. I’m always disappointed when I get to the end because I want more! It’d be nice if people were this kind all the time. Except for Yamai. She’s a creepy stalker and considering the books I’ve read, I have no problem judging the heck out of. She’s over the top on purpose. and whatever but she’s the worst part of this series. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 6 by Tomohito Oda

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

In this volume, Komi goes to karaoke with her friends after the Culture Festival, shopping for clothes with her equally quiet father, and we introduce a new character, Katai; who also has trouble talking to others because he looks too much like a stereotypical thug. We also have the appearance of an adorable cat cafe!

Other than the low hanging cute that is the cat cafe, what shines in this book is how patient and kind with Katai even though every other student in the class is scared of him. He’s so gently folded into the growing group of friends, it’s genuinely touching! If I had to complain about something, it would be Yamai and Nukanaka. I understand they want to hog Komi’s attention but they are so fucking creepy about it, I find it hard to like them. 4.9 out of 5.

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