Manga Review: Honey and Clover, Volume 10, by Chica Umino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2010

Volumes: 10

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hagu and Takemoto are the last of the gang to graduate, and after his bike odyssey Takemoto has a future in temple restoration. But Hagu's recent injury might steal her ability to paint forever. Can love make up for such a painful loss?

Review:

I love this series, don’t get me wrong. The art is sketchy and gorgeous. I’m attached to all of the characters. This series is beautiful and thoughtful and smart. But the ending left me with a little something to be desired.

After Hagu’s accident, she was having a hard time deciding what to do with herself. She had a few romantic contenders, one of whom she does have feelings for, plus Shu, whom I believe she loves like family. Her decision made sense to me—given her relationship with him, it makes perfect sense for her to choose to stay there. It still seemed a little sad, but I understood.

I liked Takemoto’s decision. He’s pretty much on his own, aside from friendships. I loved his journey in this series, and am purely happy for him.

I was pretty okay with Mayama’s conclusion. It makes sense for him, and it’s what he wants. And while I like Ayu and Nomiya, their conclusion just leaves me unsatisfied. I think they could grow really close, to love each other, but I don’t think it’s really what Ayu wants. It just doesn’t seem like what she wants, even if she could grow to love it. It just feels like she should have got something more.

To me, the overall feeling of this final volume seemed to be settling. It seemed like everyone was sad about parting, which made sense, but more than that, like they didn’t all feel confident or happy about their decisions. It left me feeling unsatisfied, which I’m not too happy about. I wanted to love this volume, just as I’ve loved the whole series. Now I’m just unsure.

Still, I’m glad I picked this series up, and that I’ve finally finished it. It was worth it, I would recommend it, and I would definitely love to read other series like it.

Manga Review: Honey and Clover, Volume 8, by Chica Umino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2009

Volumes: 10

Spoilers?: Not really.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Love Triangles--who says you don't learn math in Art School?; The friends you make in college can change your whole life; Art School Unclassified R to L (Japanese Style). Ayu still can't give up on her love for Mayama, even though his relationship with Rika seems to be deepening. Nomiya's growing interest in Ayu might be a balm to her broken heart, but he's moving to Tottori for six months! Is Ayu cursed to suffer hopeless love affairs forever? Takemoto, a sophomore art student in Tokyo, thinks his greatest worries in life are finding ways to eat more meat and getting to class on time. But with friends like his, life is never going to be that tame.

Review:

This a really, really good series. I started it a really long time ago (back when the Shojo Beat magazine was still running), but then never got around to continuing it. I picked it back up a little while ago, though, and it really reminded me how much I like this series.

Back when I first read it, I really liked the humor, and the characters. Now that it’s been so long (and I’ve mature), and now that I’m in college, I find that I can appreciate the college relations and the whole concept of finding yourself at that age, and the thoughtful moments. I’m enjoying it even more now.

Also, I love the art. It has a sketch-y look to it, and it’s just so pretty. The surprised and scared expressions are hilarious, and the scenery and sweet moments are beautiful. Umino is probably one of my favorite manga-ka’s, honestly. (It also helps that she was the artist of Eden of the East, an anime series that I really loved.)

Anyway. In this volume, there was some surprising development for both Ayu and Mayama.

I’m most surprised by Mayama’s, because I really wasn’t expecting his situation to go in that direction. I’m happy about it, though. Happy for him.

I really, really like Ayu, and feel bad for her. I also wasn’t quite expecting so much to come of her and Nomiya, but I’m less surprised, and really happy about it. He’s kind of adorable. I’m excited to see more of that.

We got a hint of something deeper going on with Shinobu. I wasn’t expecting that, and am very intrigued.

There wasn’t much of Takemoto or Hagu this time, sadly. I really want to see what happens with them, and Shinobu. Plus, I just really like all of them. The company characters are fun, and I do like them, but I love the original group most. (And, Takemoto’s arch of finding himself was the absolute best thing ever.) 

I really, really like this series. It’s really funny, but it’s also very thoughtful. A bit nostalgic, sentimental. The band of characters are all very unique, and funny, and enjoyable. I’m close to the end of this series, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up.