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Monday, March 23, 2020

Manga Review: A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow, Volume 1, by Makoto Hagino


Rating (Out of 5): ~4
Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: November 2019
Volumes: 7+
Spoilers?: No.
Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sometimes you find what you yearn for…

Konatsu is about to start a new school in a new town, and she’s basically all on her own. Her dad just got a job overseas, and her aunt can only check in from time to time. It’s a lot for a shy, reserved girl to handle. But on one of the first days of class, she discovers that the school has an aquarium! The club that runs the aquarium is headed by an older student named Koyuki, and Konatsu is instantly drawn to her. Konatsu’s introverted tendencies are hard to overcome, but maybe she’s found something worth coming out of her shell for?

Review:

Konatsu is forced to move to this small fishing town to live with her aunt, and she was already a quiet girl, who puts on a smile and tries not to bother people. When she stumbles upon the aquarium club, she meets Koyuki, the only member. Koyuki is seen as basically perfect, only she's also shy and awkward and doesn't really know how to talk to people. Thus starts a sweet little friendship.
We get to see inside both of their heads, which is nice, and I think helps us understand Koyuki's side, as well. They're both very similar, and they like each other from the start even though they don't really understand why or to what extent. It's the very beginning of yuri feelings, before either of them has really started to understand what it could mean.
I was surprised by how utterly sweet this volume is. I didn't have huge expectations, and am delighted by how utterly sweet and heartwarming this turned out to be. I really like both characters, and how their relationship is developing. They're also forming friendships outside of each other, and that's similarly sweet and innocent, which I like. We haven't seen much of their families yet, though I hope we'll get more of that. They're also part of the aquarium club, and I really like getting to see the cute creatures and see them learning about them.
This volume was a surprising delight and I honestly can't wait to read the next one. It also feels very shojo for a yuri, in a very good way, which I appreciate.


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

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