Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 13, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2020

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 12.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

Futaba Yoshioka has encountered her first love again in high school, but he seems different from the boy she once knew. The hearts of Futaba and Kou have aligned, but are more of their friends pairing off? The journey of youth concludes.

 

Review:

 

The final volume, so we get to see everything conclude. Futaba and Kou are finally an actual couple, so they get to settle into that sweetness together. There's some unsureness between them, but they get to sort that out rather nicely. There are several really sweet scenes between them in this final volume.

We also get to see Murao and Kominato settle things between them. They're kind of the opposite couple to Futaba and Kou, but I like them, too. Murao was a really good side character.

We get a surprise conclusion with Kou's older brother, and then we also get a side story for Strobe Edge that I wasn't expecting. It's been so long since I read that one, though, that I might need to re-read it at some point.

This was a really good end to this series, and I'm really happy with how it all wrapped up. Now I'm looking forward to getting more into Love Me, Love Me Not.

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 12, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2020

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 11. 13.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

Futaba Yoshioka has encountered her first love again in high school, but he seems different from the boy she once knew. Kou no longer wants to hold back how he feels about Futaba. He’s determined to keep trying as long as he has even a sliver of a chance with her. Meanwhile, Futaba has decided to be more honest in her relationship with Toma, but is her heart still in it?

 

Review:

 

I definitely thought that this triangle was going to take longer to resolve than this.

In the first part of the volume, Kou finally gets to find some closure with Narumi. She was avoiding it, but he definitely wanted it to help them both move on. And given how honest each of the characters tends to be with themselves and then each other, I suppose it's not surprising how quickly it moves from there.

There's a bit of a surprising, and dramatic, event afterward, but it all ends rather heartwarming and sweet. It's sad for some of the characters, but they all take it rather well. I think it affects everyone in a certain, but good, way.

The next volume is the last, but I think it'll mostly be fluff, and tying up the rest of the loose ends. This volume had a really nice conclusion for the main couple, so far.

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 11, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2020

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 10. 12.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

Futaba Yoshioka has encountered her first love again in high school, but he seems different from the boy she once knew. With the help of his friends, Kou lets go of painful memories from his past. Futaba wants to get closer to Toma, but she ends up spending time with Kou.

 

Review:

 

Futaba and Kikuchi have been very good about talking to each other up to this point, about being honest about their feelings, especially with Kou involved. They come upon a road bump in this volume, when Futaba ends up following Kou to his old hometown.

It's important to Kou that he revisit his old home, form new memories and perspective of it. Having Futaba there is important, and helpful with that, even if he didn't intend it at the beginning. But Kou is still very clearly intending on winning her back, so he doesn't protest.

There's another scare with Futaba here, where she gets followed and lost. She wants Kikuchi to help her, because she's trying so hard for it to be him for her.

In the midst of all of that, we get some history on when Kominato started liking Murao, a brief history of them knowing each other. It's quite cute. After getting to know them a bit more, they seem like an odd couple. But I'm rooting for them regardless.

There's only two volumes left, so I imagine big things are coming next.

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 10, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2020

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 9. 11.

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. Futaba starts dating Toma, and they kiss. Now what will happen when everyone is grouped together on a class trip to Nagasaki?

Review:

Futaba is trying very hard to move on from Kou, and she has good intentions here. She's really trying, and Kikuchi is making it easy for her to think it's working. He's such a good guy, and I just feel so bad for him. Because we all know Futaba isn't going to move on from Kou, especially now that he knows he's missed out and wants his chance back.

There's a couple of moments for the side couples in this volume, and a particularly good moment between the boys, as friends and rivals. Kou and Kikuchi have reason for disliking each other, and honestly it's kind of funny to watch.

I suspect we'll be getting some attention on Kominato and Murao soon, and I think it should be fun. But there's definitely more drama for Futaba, just waiting to really happen.

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 9, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2020

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 8. 10.

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. Futaba does her best to force Kou out of her heart. Toma and Futaba grow closer, and Kou realizes he doesn’t have much time to win her back…

Review:

Futaba and Kou are on very different pages at this point. Futaba is under one impression regarding Kou and Yui being in a relationship, because of how Kou is treating Futaba. Which means that Futaba has told herself she needs to move on, she's been rejected, and thus Kikuchi steps in for her.

Kou is dumb, and not only does he know it, but so does Kominato and Shuko. Just as he's trying to resolve his relationship with Yui, he's realizing that he's probably missed his chance with Futaba.

Kikuchi, on the other hand, is much too good for what Futaba is dealing with. He's the sweetest boy, honestly. Knowing what Futaba is going through, he's still understanding of it, giving her time, while also making her aware that he's there and he wants to be with her. He's so forward, while also a bit awkward and embarrassed, and it's just the sweetest.

The somewhat surprise, scene-stealing couple of the volume ended up being Yuri and Ichimiya. I was already rooting for them, and it's really sweet how they finally grow closer. There's a distinct kind of honesty in these characters, and I really appreciate that.

Sometimes this gets a bit dramatic, and I definitely don't think the drama is over yet, but there's always a certain kind of sweetness and maturity in Sakisaka's characters that I really enjoy.

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 8, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

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. Wanting closure, Futaba decides to confess to Kou to hear his response. Meanwhile, Toma has decided it’s time for him pursue Futaba.

Review:

Kou is in a bit of a spiral here, because he's forced to say something to Futaba, while still trying to help his old classmate, and getting pressure from Kominato because he's being an idiot about it all and ignoring his own feelings.

Meanwhile, Kikuchi is being his sweet self, and seeing an opportunity and going for it. He's so very honest and open about his feelings, and I really appreciate that. It's definitely a contrast to Kou, too, and something that Futaba hasn't had too much of.

The last bit of the book featured a one-shot, definitely an earlier work of Sakisaka's. It was cute, with a little less finesse than her stories have now, but cute nonetheless.

We're left on a bit of a cliffhanger in this volume, and I'm curious where it's going next. Whether Kou is going to fix things or make them worse from here.

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

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 7, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

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. At the cultural festival, Futaba and Kou kiss by accident and then for real. Futaba is on top of the world until she sees Yui in Kou’s arms…

Review:

I think the drama is amping up in this series. I will admit it might not be what we expect of either Sakisaka or this series—but I'm still enjoying it.

Futaba is still having a hard time with Kou, and that Kou has kind of chosen Yui. But Futaba doesn't think that Yui is good for Kou, and that she's dragging him down. I did appreciate this sentiment, but I also didn't think her decision on how to confront this was a good idea. There was no way it was going to turn out any other way.

It's really too bad for Kikuchi, honestly. He's a good guy, and he likes Futaba a lot. But Futaba's too stuck on Kou to see anyone else. I like that we got to see Kikuchi's friends more here, and how Futaba's friends interacted with them. There's some potential there.

These series definitely don't beat around the bush. Futaba doesn't keep her feelings hidden for long. And so of course Shuko finally confronts her feelings for Tanaka, especially after she gets a reality check about what her feelings could do to his career.

I'm hopeful about where this is going, but I definitely think there's some more drama ahead.

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

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 6, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

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. Futuba feels as though the distance between her and Kou has grown since he and Yui have started keeping in touch. Then something unexpected happens between Futaba and Kou at the school festival.

Review:

It's the school festival; Kou is working at a crossdressing maid/butler cafe, and Kikuchi is performing with his band. While Kou is struggling with his feelings of obligation toward this other girl, Kikuchi is attemping to move in on Futaba.

It's a little hard to feel bad for Kou in this, and yet it's complicated. It's not helped by the fact that Kikuchi is a really good guy; he's adorable and fun, and I like him a lot.

In the background, Kominato is working for Murao's attention. I find this dynamic interesting, especially since Kou's brothers personality is a bit of a mystery outside of his relationship with Kou. He acts differently with students, and with Kominato and Murao in particular. I'm curious where that's going to go.

This is getting a bit drama heavy, and yet I'm still very into it. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes next.

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

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.

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 4, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

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. Futaba wonders what happened between Kou and Yuri, but she’s still determined to find out more about Kou’s past and why he won’t allow others to get close to him.

Review:

The group continues trying to study together, as exams are coming up. In the first half of this volume, we discover some of Kou's hidden past. As Futaba confronts him about it, it also forces him to deal with some of his feelings regarding it and attempt to move forward with his family now. There are several sweet scenes with him, with Futaba and with his brother. His brother really is a sweetheart, though we also got to see a potential new side to him later that interests me.

After exams, it's summer vacation, and the group makes plans to meet up at a festival. It's nice to see them all growing closer and deciding to meet up; it's a big moment for a few of them in particular. We meet a potentially new character in this volume, and there's a confession of sorts. Lots of exciting moments.

I love the sweet and touching moments in this series, and the humor is done just as well and easy. 

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

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 3, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2019

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

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. She realizes her feelings for Kou are not because of who he was in the past but who he is now. When she discovers that her friend Yuri has a crush on him too, Futaba is unsure what to do.

Review:

Futaba tries to be in denial about her feelings, but that doesn't last very long. I really appreciate how maturely all of this is handled. Futaba accepts her feelings, and then she understands that she needs to be honest and upfront with Yuri. Despite how dramatic this could have been, it's handled in a really sweet manner. It's a little rough for both of them, but it ends up forming a nice friendship between the three girls.

Of course, it could go either way at this point. Love rivalry can be messy.

Despite how roughly the group started in the previous volume, they've somehow formed a rather close friendship, and they get together to try to help Kou up his grades, even if he protests and tries to keep them away.

It's a little iffy where this is going next, and we're close to where the anime ended, so I'm excited to see how it continues.

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

Manga Review: Ao Haru Ride, Volume 1, by Io Sakisaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2018

Volumes: 13.

Spoilers?: Yes.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

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

In high school, Futaba gets a second chance with her first love, Kou.

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, she meets Kou again, but is he still the same boy she fell in love with?

Review:

It has been so long since I've watched the anime, that I'd pretty much forgotten what happens in this series. Which meant it was the perfect time to read the manga.

The volume starts in middle school, where Futaba and Kou first meet. It starts sweet, but then Futaba kind of messes it up, and when Kou moves away without saying anything, it starts a change in her. Now in a new area for high school, she's put on a different persona. She's friends with the popular girls, and she thinks it's for the better. When someone who looks just like Kou shows up, she starts to question her decisions.

I'm really a sucker for these kinds of plots. When she befriends the unpopular, bullied girl, and turns on the two-faced girls, I love it. And Makita is really such a sweet girl, who puts up such a good front to the mean girls.

There's a couple side characters I think we'll get to know better soon, and I'm looking forward to that. And then there's Kou/Tanaka, who is really so sweet, and there for Futaba, even if he's hiding things.

I already love the anime, and I have been waiting for this series to be released. I loved Strobe Edge, and I know I'm going to love this series just as much. I can't wait for more.

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