Manga Review: Classmates: Sotsu Gyo Sei, Volume 2, by Asumiko Nakamura

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 3+?

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

SHELTER FROM THE COLD

Though Rihito’s always been a loner, lately he’s grown close to his classmate, Hikaru. The two of them have even fallen in love and tentatively started dating. But when Rihito’s mother ends up in the hospital, the stress of it all becomes too much for him. Hikaru wants to be there for Rihito, but can Rihito learn to open his heart and rely on another person?

Review:

At first glance, this seems like just a pretty, school boy, yaoi series. But there's so much maturity wrapped in this series.

Rihito and Hikaru are still getting used to being in a relationship, hiding it and growing comfortable around each other. And during this, there's still the teacher clinging to Rihito. Honestly, that's the only skeevy part of this series, how the teacher is clearly into Rihito, and that Rihito doesn't seem to realize fully. At least the teacher knows he shouldn't do anything and holds back, at least for the most part.

Rihito is shy and embarrassed easily, which holds Hikaru back a bit, I think. Near the end of the volume, it seems Rihito might be opening himself up to Hikaru a bit more, though, which is good.

There's one moment in this volume that really hit me. At one point, Rihito acknowledges that he and Hikaru are each others, but also they're still their own people. While they give each other pieces, they shouldn't give every piece of themselves away. This surprised me and was done in a really sweet way that hit me, and I just really appreciated the acknowledgment of it.

I've become quite a fan of this series at this point. I really appreciate what it's doing, and the artwork is so pretty. I can't wait to read the next one.

Manga Review: Classmates: Dou kyu sei, Volume 1, by Asumiko Nakamura

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: June 2019

Volumes: 1 + Spin-offs (5+?)

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The touching Boys’ Love story that inspired a hit animated film, in an all-new translation for digital and print.

Hikaru always thought his classmate Rihito was kind of a snob, until he stumbles across Rihito secretly practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru agrees to become Rihito’s music tutor, and with each lesson the two boys grow closer. But when Hikaru realizes that he’s fallen for Rihito, will they stay classmates or become something more?

Review:

This series feels a bit like The Theory of the Sunspot, and the artwork reminds me of Korean manga, by which I mean that it's beautiful. The boys are a bit droopy eyed, with swooshy hair and long legs, and they're sweet and emotional, and the story feels like a pure first love high school tale. I'm into it.

Hikaru impulsively offers to help Rihito practice a song for their class performance, though he doesn't even really understand his own feelings yet. It's an awkward start to their relationship. Hikaru has never really considered it himself, but he's not afraid of his feelings once he realizes them. Then there's the potentially pervy teacher, who helps Rihito out when he needs it.

I enjoyed the way the story progressed here. How open Hikaru is, and how Rihito lets things grow between them. I even liked how we got the backstory on the teacher, and how that turned out between them all. High school is ending soon, and it was nice to see them confront that and where things might go from here, as well.

This was a really sweet yaoi story, a sweet romance with a cute couple. I'm excited to read the next one.