Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 5, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The popular shojo manga series that was adapted into the Blue Spring Ride anime!

Futaba Yoshioka thought all boys were loud and obnoxious until she met Kou Tanaka in junior high. But as soon as she realized she really liked him, he had already moved away because of family issues. Now, in high school, Kou has reappeared, but is he still the same boy she fell in love with?

Futaba Yoshioka has encountered her first love again in high school, but he seems different from the boy she once knew. Kou asks Futaba to go on a date with him to the summer festival. But as the two grow closer, fellow student Kikuchi sets his sights on Futaba.

Review:

Just when we think they're growing closer, something comes up to ruin it all. Such a shame.

Futaba grow closer and further in this volume—they make steps, but other people keep coming up to invade their space. It's personally very offensive.

I can't be too upset, though, because we officially get to meet Kikuchi, and he starts making his presence known. I want to be upset about this for the romance, but he's also just a pretty great character. I liked him in the previous volume, even knowing he was going to start causing problems. And as he starts to get to know Futaba more, he starts showing up more; I really appreciate how he puts himself out there even when it embarrasses him. I'm a fan, despite myself. He's just too great.

It's funny to see Kou get upset about it, too, and it also helps progress the bromance between Kou and Kominato, which is also great.

More drama is coming in the next volume. I'm curious to see what happens at the festival, with this new girl, but also wary. I want FutabaxKou.