YA manga

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Lenni Reivews: “Is Love the Answer?” by Uta Isaki

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High schooler Chika believes something is wrong with her because she’s never fallen in love and has no desire for intimacy; unlike her peers who incessantly talk about it. In college, she finally realizes there is nothing wrong with her at all.

While I get the goal of this manga is to teach the reader about how sexuality is a spectrum and you don’t have to claim a label and live in it forever, it doesn’t do it quite as well as Love’s in Sight or Perfect World. It has a lot of exposition and I got the feeling of being talked at rather than going on the same journey as Chika. It’s not bad but I think it could have been smoother in that respect. It’s probably not really fair to compare a series that has a bunch of time to grow rather than this small collection, though. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 2, by Io Sakisaka

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

Saku gets her meeting with Ryosuke to thank him for saving her only to discover it wasn’t him after all. With her feelings a mess, she finds comfort and support in Ryosuke’s brother, Haruki who has been by her side the whole time.

Saku is just adorable. In fact, the main characters are really cute and their dynamic makes for a cozy read. Well, most of them. You’ll see when you read this. While it may be a fairly standard young adult romance, the art is beautiful and expressive. I hope it keeps it’s light-hearted tone and doesn’t go where I think the ending is hinting. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 28, by Tomohito Oda

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

As Tadano and Komi have been an official couple for awhile, Tadano is wondering how to manage his first kiss. Unfortunately, the first person he asks is Komi’s father. Meanwhile, Nanoda, Kire, and Kyono all want to be Komi’s friend but are having trouble approaching her.

Our main couple is just so damn sweet and wholesome. While they are the highlight of this volume, Komi’s parents are a close second. Her mom was a little creepy for a minute but the resulting shenanigans were funny. The other stories with the summer uniforms and studying in the library are funny as well but the relationship is where this volume is most enjoyable. 4.5 out of 5.

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

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

After feeling sick on the train, Saku wakes to find herself safe with all her belongings and a note from the person who helped her. The number didn’t work but she vows to never ignore a person in need. Until she finds out a boy she goes to school with, Haruki,  has the same last name as the person who signed the note and this boy has an older brother who she believes is the one who helped her. She tries to get close to Haruki in order to give a thank you note to his older brother.

Ah, a classic young romance. It’s cute so far and Saku is a really sweet and earnest character. She’s just trying to be a good person and it doesn’t come off as fake or like she’s a pushover. Haruki is relatable as well; dealing with being in his popular brother’s shadow. We’re starting off strong with this series. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 4, by Ayuko Hatta

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

After Kyoya flips out after learning Erica gave another boy the same gift as she gave him, Erica has had enough and ends their ‘relationship’ to be with Kusakabe; who is much nicer to Erica. Also, another student named Kamiya is a huge player who has sworn to never get involved with emotional relationships and set his sights on getting Kyoya to do the same.

Kyoya is still a dick but he’s slightly less awful in this volume.  I’m hoping he becomes a better boyfriend for Erika, who is so sweet and trying really hard. I can tell Kamiya is gonna be a temporary problem but his motivations are weird to me. Who cares if a guy you barely know isn’t a player like you? But hey, there’s drama to be had. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbow Days” Vol. 7, by Minami Mizuno

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

While Natsuki was sick, Anna took care of him, even getting a kiss. However, Natsuki doesn’t remember any of it. Meanwhile, Matsunaga has feelings or Mari but Mari is in love with her friend, Anna.

This volume is kinda slice of life with a little drama. It’s a calm coming of age type feel as the characters get their feelings in order and actually understand them. They don’t know how to deal with some feelings but they’re teenagers. I can see other teens reading this and having their (possible) feelings given some attention so they can try to understand themselves better. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love” Vol. 8, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Satomi is having trouble dealing with how nice her boyfriend Yagyu is to other girls and feels this affection should be reserved only for her.

Not that this series slips into high angst but it was nice to see Satomi and Yagyu get a little messy. It’s fine for characters to have a happy relationship but these two were almost too perfect and I wondered if any conflict was going to happen. Happy is fine but not always compelling to read about. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love” Vol. 7, by Ayuko Hatta

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

While Satomi and Yagyu are usually the stars, this volume spends it’s time with Miria and Noda. Miria has confessed her feelings for Noda, who doesn’t seem to care for relationships until Kenishi, Miria’s cousin who is now a student teacher at their school, enters the picture and Noda becomes jealous.

Miria is the breakout of this volume. Her personality is fun and vibrant, even as she shares some of Satomi’s hesitation when it comes to dating for the first time. We’re hitting the same series of firsts as Satomi and Yagyu but the time taken to watch Miria and Noda grow was enjoyable to me but I can see if some readers would want the series to go back to our main couple instead. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “My Love Mix-Up!” Vol. 8, by Wataru Hinekure

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

Ida is getting more interested in romance and Aoki is still having trouble even broaching the subject, worrying about his grades and finding the courage to take their relationship further.

Fuck it, Imma spoil it: They got their first kiss and it’s fucking adorable. I would like to see Aoki make more progress being physical with Ida (not in an explicit way and I would prefer if it didn’t) and act like a ‘proper’ couple. They clearly care a lot for each other and they deserve to be able to hold hands and such. This is still so sweet and I’m rooting for both of the couples in this series. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible” Vol. 8, by Nene Yukimori

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

Everyone is studying for exams so they can enjoy their summer break. After wards, Kubo and her sister help out at their aunt’s beach shack but it turns out they need an extra pair of hands and Kubo knows just who to ask.

Getting back on track with Shiraishi’s story, it’s still great to see him settle in and get use to having friends and doing normal teenager things. If it makes any sense, I felt proud of him as a reader. The beach scene with the bathing suits was a little much for me since these characters are so young but an actual teenager probably wouldn’t be too bothered; especially if they’re familiar with this genre. It’s a common situation in manga like this. 4 out of 5.

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