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Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Manga Review: Komi Can't Communicate, Volume 1, by Tomohito Oda


Rating (Out of 5): ~4
Publisher: Shonen Sunday (VIZ Media)
Release Date: June 2019
Volumes: 14+
Spoilers?: Light.
Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Timid Tadano is a total wallflower, and that’s just the way he likes it. But all that changes when he finds himself alone in a classroom on the first day of high school with the legendary Komi. He quickly realizes she isn’t aloof—she’s just super awkward. Now he’s made it his mission to help her on her quest to make 100 friends!

Review:

I was understandably intrigued by the concept of this series, but I was still surprised by just how far it goes. By saying Komi can't communicate is a bit of an understatement—when put in front of anyone, even one-on-one conversations, she doesn't know how to say a single word.
This series is split up with very short comedic chapters, as Tadano is going to a new high school, with no friends, and meets Komi, who everyone thinks of as practically royalty. Slowly, Tadano discovers Komi's issue, and as he forms a friendship with her, he decides to help her with her dream of making 100 friends. It's a hard process, too, as it takes Komi a while to even be able to say “Good morning” to him after this.
The odd characters and the comedic situations are already at a great start with this volume. Tadano helps Komi take little steps, and he tries to get other people to be real friends with her, not just admire her from afar. This isn't helped by the fact that no one really likes Tadano, either. The two other friends they make in this volume, if they count, are very odd people. I appreciate the diversity a lot, too, with the girl-is-secretly-a-guy (maybe?), and the odd pervy stalker girl.
This series is honestly off to a great start, even more than I was expecting, and I can't wait to read more.


 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

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