YA romance manga

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 13, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Despite Kyoya’s warnings, Erika tries to play matchmaker. After the trip, Erika’s parents want Kyoya to come over to formally meet him, and he takes Erika out for her birthday. There is also a side story where Takeru tries to tell Kyoya he shouldn’t be so blunt.
Takeru is a decent guy, and it’s nice to see someone be a friend to Kyoya. Overall, the bungled birthday date was the most amusing part. Kyoya was really trying to put forth some effort with the date and meeting her parents was off the rails; it gave me emotional whiplash, which was NOT appreciated given I haven’t forgotten what happened last volume there, kiddo. You’re still an asshole. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rainbows After Storms” Vol. 4, by Luka Kobachi

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

This volume has our secret couple Nanoha and Chidori going on their first beach trip with their friends as well as introducing Igarashi; Chidori’s first love that broke her heart.

It’s interesting to see how f/f relationships are seen in Japan. I remember reading/watching somewhere that these little intimacies are seen as cutesy things you grow out of as life gets “serious,” then you go on to have a family. My mother believed something similar. It was so fucking sweet to see Nanoha put her foot down and say Chidori is her girlfriend. They’re still a secret to their friends but this isn’t a passing thing for them. While this isn’t a flash forward 20 years in the future to see they’re still together for a real confirmation but I’ll take it. They are so damn adorable. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 5, by Aki Kusaka

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

Due to the restrictions placed on their relationship, Keiichiro is planning something special for Yuri’s birthday; a three day trip to Kyoto.

I love how Keiichiro throws himself into things wholeheartedly. Yuri’s struggling with a class? He organized a whole damn curriculum to help her. He wants to have an overnight trip within the constraints of his family’s rules? He makes that shit happen. Bless that young man because he just wants to do his best and do right by the love of his life. The comedy isn’t bad, but it’s mostly all about Keiichiro being a sweetheart. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “A Star Brighter than the Sun” Vol. 2, by Kazune Kawahara

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

Sae decides to get over her crush on Koki since she knows he has feelings for someone. It sounds easy, but they still have to spend time together.

Sae may have decided to temper her feelings and support Koki with his crush, but they’re in the same class. As such, this volume is just that: various situations in which they are forced to work together. It happens over and over for all of it. It feels like no progress is made for either of them. It’s meandering through each encounter they have, and while Sae may say things are going to be different, that doesn’t happen. A little disappointing. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 34, by Tomohito Oda

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

Rumiko still hasn’t responded to Wakai’s confession and Komi gets accepted to her first-choice school. Their class is gearing up for another festival and decides to do a ramen stand.

The ramen stand was a funny event. Komi’s come a long way from not speaking at all to leading the class to play for an event and having a great time. I like that this volume keeps most of the focus on this event with only a couple side stories like Rumiko and Wakai. The volumes with a ton of different little stories have been hit or miss but this volume was just some cozy fun. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Sakura, Saku” Vol. 7, by Io Sakisaka

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

Iryu is tempted to interfere with Haruki’s relationship; meanwhile, Saku thinks Haruki still has feelings for Hazuki.

Okay, I know they’re teenagers but seriously. Saku has doubts about Haruki so she snubs him and immediately goes to the other guy who likes her? And to just dismiss him when he says what’s past is past? Spoilers I guess, but to me, it felt like she was doing her hardest to sabotage this relationship. It really annoyed me because Haruki was so earnest and open with Saku, and she just closed it off. This is seven volumes in now, you’d think she’d know him better than that. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Like a Butterfly” Vol. 11, by Suu Morishita

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

While Suiren is helping Aya with relationship issues, Kawasumi is seriously considering his future, as chasing his dreams means moving away from Suiren.

Ah, another high school romance comes to an end as your characters enter their senior year and graduation, thinking about what their future will hold. This is the last official volume of the story and while Suiren does have dreams of her own, they still feel like an afterthought and loving Kawasumi is still her main trait. Her interest in baking very much feels like it was tacked on and I never really got to know her before it ended. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Wolf Girl and Black Prince” Vol. 12, by Ayuko Hatta

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

Kyoya happens to run into Erika while she’s venting to Terasaki, who confesses his feelings for her.

Okay… I’m gonna spoil things. Fuck it. Even if Erika wasn’t taking Kyoya’s concerns seriously, he was WAY over the line with how he behaved.

And Terasaki? He can fuck all the way off. “I’m trying to save you. I got carried away.” If I ever think, “Ugh, that’s something my ex-husband used to say.” throw the whole ass man out. Or BOY in this case. The both of them are red flags and for Erika to blame herself? What the actual fuck.

Ma’am, you said no, HE HIT YOU and refused to take no for an answer. Then the whiplash of going into the school trip and I’m back to not wanting Erika to bother with Kyoya anymore. That shit pissed me off. 2 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Komi Can’t Communicate” Vol. 33, by Tomohito Oda

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

Tadano is encouraging Komi to try more things, so she tries winning the sports festival and becoming class president. Meanwhile, Manbagi is still grappling with a response for the boy who confessed to her.

The story of Komi befriending the nice older lady, Tazumi Michita, was absolutely adorable. It’s great to include other than teenagers in her possible friendships. It’s also good to see Komi branching out to things that don’t include Tadano. No offense to that precious bean but sometimes when a couple gets together in stories liked this, the individual characters vanish and it’s just all about their relationship. I became invested not just for them, but to see Komi blossom into her own person and reach her goal of making friends. The sports day stuff did feel like it ran a little long, though. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Let’s Do It Already!” Vol. 4, by Aki Kusaka

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

Yuri’s plan to become a maid at Keiichiro’s home to be closer to him over the summer doesn’t work out like she thought, resulting in hilarious consequences once summer break is over.

This volume has some great comedy, but it’s starting to feel like Yuri is learning the same lesson over and over again. She does something wacky then realizes that Keiichiro deeply cares for her and she should just chill out about what she expects from their relationship and all these rules. I like them and root for them, but this volume was just okay. I’d like to see a bit more growth from her. 3.5 out of 5.

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