By Eu
ギヴン(3) | Given (3)
Mangaka: Kizu Natsuki (キヅナツキ)
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
The guys have been busy. Uenoyama deals with the aftermath of that kiss. Mafuyu steps forward in his music and relationships. The band continues their activities.
And a new tale of love and heartbreak is about to begin.
May contain spoilers so proceed with caution!
Story
Positive ♡(｡- ω -)
Compared to the intense atmosphere from the previous volumes, this volume is more chill and laidback. Everyone’s favorite ship is sailing, the band is getting popular, and the guys are just enjoying this downtime after the big performance.
This volume also shows how Mafuyu picks himself up, not just with his relationship with Uenoyama, but also with his childhood friends. He had a strained relationship with them after the death of their friend. But in this volume, it is shown that both Hiiragi and Shizu hang out with Mafuyu in HIS house. That was a big jump from their previous heated arguments. And I loved it. They are slowly picking up from where they left off. (and it’s cute how Hiiragi is such a tsundere when it comes to Mafuyu but such a softie in front of Shizu.)
Since this is like a transition volume, it gives a background and introduction to what the next volume would be. And I have a bad feeling about it. We’re about to have Aki and Haruki’s story which looks as or possibly, more painful than Uenoyama and Mafuyu’s.
Characters
Positive ♡(｡- ω -)
The guys continue being adorable dorks even after 3 volumes. I love how they are becoming more like a family now. Like how Mafuyu easily drops the topic of his ex and his guitar in front of the members. Or how the younger members discuss with the older ones with regards to their relationship.
The focus is still on Mafuyu and his musical growth but the story is slowly shifting to Aki’s character arc which I’m both excited and anxious. It is prefaced in volume 2 when Aki did the introduction but the focus on him is more pronounced in this book, what’s with his flashback with Ugetsu and Aki’s current relationship with him.
Neutral (¯ . ¯٥)
Meanwhile, Uenoyama and Mafuyu are fumbling cuties all throughout. But honestly? I’m still not quite sold to them instantly getting together. I know, I should be happy. Believe me, I am. But it feels too early. Too soon. Perhaps Kizu Natsuki does not want to prolong the drama. I understand that. Still… I guess what I’m really looking now is not how these two got together. It’s how they would stay together. And this volume does not show us that. Maybe that would happen in the next volumes and I’ll forward to that.
Though I have to admit that Mafuyu’s story kinda reminds me of Utada Hikaru’s First Love especially the line “I’ll remember to love, you taught me how.”
Art
Positive ♡(｡- ω -)
One of the things that I found that I really like is how Kizu Natsuki shows the time skip. They don’t just tell that seasons change or show the physical manifestations of the seasons. It is more of having these small panels, all lined up, showing how the characters go on their lives, be it a minor or major character. It’s like having a heads up of what they are doing while also moving the story forward.
Neutral (¯ . ¯٥)
One minor thing that I want to see more is Haruki’s hairstyle! There’s this 4-koma-like panels where he is featured in his friend’s hair videos. It’s fun to read! I hope there is more of that or at least Haruki’s hair in the main story. (next volume is so gonna crush this hope.)
Enjoyment (✯◡✯)
I love how this balances out the previous heavier volumes while preparing for another set of heavy books. We all need this volume 3 to serve as a breather for the series.
And thanks to this volume, I get a heads up of what to expect next and what kind of angst would be coming my way. I know I’ll never be ready for the AkiHaru angst though.
✭ Highlights ✭
- The photoshoot! Because other than the guys looking serious and cool for once, but also Take-chan’s screen time is increasing!
- Uenoyama and Mafuyu’s first date. BECAUSE. And also look at this smile, makes you want to protect him.
- Shizu and Hiiragi hanging out in Mafuyu’s house.
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