Manga Review: Become You, Volume 1, by Ichigo Takano

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: September 2019

Volumes: 1+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

A new high school drama from the Eisner-nominated creator of orange!

Ashie Taiyou is a high school musician with dreams of stardom, but when his bandmates quit on him, it feels like his dreams are slipping away. In an act of desperation, Taiyou strong-arms his sullen classmate Hikari into forming a band with him. Can the two boys turn their dreams into reality? Creator Ichigo Takano–of orange and Dreamin’ Sun fame–collaborated with band Kobukuro around the song Kimi ni Nare in Japan, creating this manga as part of a multimedia expression of hope for a brighter future.

Review:

Taiyou wants to play music, but his friends want to focus on school. When he discovers that Hikaru used to play, he tries convincing him to join in.

Hikaru has a clearly bad history, which is why he's so resistant. Taiyou has a very bright outlook, though, and keeps trying; he's also not afraid to try by himself, if it comes to it.

I don't mind either of the characters in this volume, though I didn't really grow attached to either of them. Then Taiyou has a girl friend that shows up, and she's sweet and supportive. There was no real romance hinted at here, though. Honestly, when I saw the book, I thought it might be leaning more in yaoi or shonen-ai territory. Maybe just a basic bromance or friendship story, though, is also possible.

This was a sweet volume, but it didn't really stand out to me. Honestly, I really liked orange, but then I didn't stick with her other series. I'm a bit iffy on this one.