Publisher: Kodansha
Volumes: 5/5 (Complete), (Digital only, so far)
Shoujo
Genre: Romance, Twins, (Relationship) Sisters
Summary: Mahiru Yanase and Mayo Yanase were supposed to be identical as twins, but Mayo became an outgoing popular girl, while Mahiru became “the other Yanase.” After an incident in middle school where the only boy who ever liked Mahiru instead fell for Mayo at first sight, Mahiru has lived in her sister’s shadow ever since. She became a superstitious girl who avoids talking to people who are too friendly, for fear that her luck will balance itself and something terrible will happen soon after.
On the first day of high school, Mahiru bumps into a friendly classmate, Aoi Satomi. And he’s way too friendly! But even though he’s way out of her league, he only has eyes for Mahiru. Can she let go of her superstitions long enough to give Aoi a chance? Can she find her confidence in herself? And what’s up with him?
Review: The beginning of the story starts out sort of average. At first Aoi pursues Mahiru, and while she is interested, she is scared of getting involved with him at first, citing her bad luck will eventually bring about the end of the world. But in truth, it becomes clear that it’s her lack of confidence in herself that prevents her from wanting to date anyone, and she doesn’t believe any boy could ever find her attractive over her sister. But after he reveals at the end of volume 1 that they’ve met before, and he fell for her back then, the story really starts to blossom. As volume 2 starts, Mahiru finds herself wishing she could change, and then she finally decides to give Aoi a chance even if it means the end of the world.
I won’t spoil anything past that point, but I was really glad I gave this slightly obscure title a chance. It becomes a very endearing story about two people who save each other through their love, at a very dark time in their lives. While the majority of the story is about Mahiru getting over her inferiority complex about her sister, there is also a good bit of the story about Aoi and his difficult life as well. It’s not a title that will amaze you, at least not at first, but it slowly and steadily gets better, and it’s a story that is told very well. And I was impressed with the ending, it was great.
Recommended: TLDR; All in all while this romance title starts off a bit plain, it gradually becomes a story about two people who saved each other through their love during a dark time in their lives. The story starts off with a focus on Mahiru and her obsession with luck, but soon shifts to being about her and Aoi’s relationship, as well as their friends and Mahiru’s sister. It’s an underappreciated manga and is highly recommended.
Rating: PG: Thanks to Mahiru’s lack of confidence, they only kiss.
Other Notes: This title is only available digitally only so far, but Kodansha has been printing the bestselling ebooks into physical books. If it gets more popular, they will print it. The first two volumes are currently available free on Kindle Unlimited/Comixology Unlimited.
Other Works in English from this Mangaka (from Most to Least popular):
House of the Sun (Shoujo)
Atsumori-kun’s Bride to Be (Shoujo)
No comments:
Post a Comment