Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 18, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: December 2017

Volumes: 18.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 17.

Goodreads Synopsis:

"I LOVE YOU." After travelling down different paths in their post-secondary educations, Mei and her friends finally enter the world of working adults—with new challenges around every corner! As the people around Mei face life-changing events like marriage and parenting, she reflects on her journey from a shy, asocial high schooler to who she is now. Surrounded by so many fulfilling relationships, Mei comes to a profound realization about what’s important in life and love.

Review:

I think this series lost me a few volumes ago. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, and this was a good ending. But something has just felt off in the last few volumes.

We get to see a few side characters get their happy ending, and those were very nice. While I would have liked something more definite between Megumi and Kai, I do think it's fitting where they end up, and I am happy believing that more will progress. Given that we saw Asami and Nakanishi struggling in the last couple volumes, I had a hard time believing their ending. It just seemed like a bad decision to me.

I've been rooting for Mei and Yamato this entire series, of course, so it's probably weird that their ending feels so off to me. It just seems like they never lost the awkwardness between them. Even when they're living together, it feels like they're moving around each other weirdly, going out of their way to impress each other and not just living day to day with each other. Their decision to finally marry at the end was sweet, yeah, but it also seemed like weird timing, I guess. If they've gone this far, why didn't they do it before? What is it going to change now?

On one hand, the ending is very sweet. On the other, it just felt off, a bit awkward. I liked it, but I'm also a little disappointed. I guess I was hoping for more, and I was hoping I would be more satisfied with it.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 17, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: February 2017

Volumes: 18.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 16. 18.

Goodreads Synopsis:

LOVE AT A DISTANCE

Mei is now in a vocational school to become a preschool teacher, and Yamato is in college with the aim of eventually becoming a professional photographer. But as they get more involved in their individual pursuits, they have fewer chances to see each other, putting a strain on their relationship. To make matters worse, an unsettling message about Yamato and Yamato’s new female friend at his college have brought doubt into the future of Mei and Yamato’s relationship. Meanwhile, Meg continues to struggle with her modeling career in Paris, but a shocking discovery forces her to make a big decision…

Review:

Mei and Asami are struggling with their high school boyfriends. They aren't in the same place anymore, and they're having a hard time staying close and communicating and staying connected. Asami seems to be in a worse state, but she's trying to do something about it or get it over with. Mei, on the other hand, finally talks with Yamato. Yamato seems to realize what he's doing wrong, though, and corrects some of his actions, thankfully.

Megumi, on the other hand, is just struggling. She's having a hard time finding work, and now her boyfriend cheated on her. She's on her own, in an unfamiliar place, floundering to be herself and succeed. I'm still rooting for her and Kai, but it also seems like going to Japan might be best for her anyway. Or at least, somewhere aside from France.

I'm enjoying this series, but the romance and the plot lines aren't seeming very intense or memorable. I think that the slower release dates aren't helping this. I guess there's only one volume left, though, so I'm interested to see how it all wraps up.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 16, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: October 2016

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 1. 15. 17.

Goodreads Synopsis:

COLLEGE CONUNDRUM After graduating high school, Mei and Yamato begin to venture towards their futures. For their careers, they have decided to go to different schools and come into new environments with new experiences and friends. But the excitement of college life also brings challenges into the relationships of Mei and her former schoolmates. And when a mutual friend strays from his high school love, the distance between Mei and Yamato starts to create uncertainty in their lives.

Review:

Of course now that they're in college, Yamato has to meet some woman who immediately starts getting in the way. Of course.

I really hate these kinds of stories. I really do.

So. Yamato and Mei are doing different things, and while they're talking on the phone, they're not really seeing each other much. Mei is trying to branch out, while Yamato is meeting people and has made a new friend in this girl who is clearly interested. Then Asami and Takeshi start having problems, so this leads to even more worries.

Near the end, it looks like Mei is going to speak with Asami about some things, and I hope that happens. She needs to be more open with her friends about these things.

Then there's Megumi. She's doing better as a person, I guess, but she's also struggling as a model. I still want her to get closer to Kai, as well. I'm not really sure where her character is going from here, though.

I love college stories, but I also hate all these relationships that end right after high school. Ugh. I hope the next one is better, and that Yamato and Mei actually get to talk. We'll see, though.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 15, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: August 2016

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: Some.

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

Volume: 1. 14. 16.

Goodreads Synopsis:

FRIENDSHIP? FORGET IT! Mei Tachibana has no friendsand she doesn't need them! Ever since her "friends" betrayed her in elementary school, she's sworn off friendship entirely. All it leads to is betrayal and heartbreak, and she's well enough on her own. But everything changes when she accidentally roundhouse kicks the most popular boy in school! However, Yamato Kurosawa isn't angry in the slightest in fact, he thinks his ordinary life could use an unusual girl like Mei! He won't take no for an answer, and soon Mei and Yamato embark on an unwanted friendship that will change both of them forever. PRAISE FOR THE ANIME "Surprises with its honesty, its sensitivity, its quality. Always it is smarter, more poetic, more touching, just plain better than you think it is going to be." Anime News Network

Review:

Two surprises in this volume.

Firstly, we have a love confession. It's not a surprise how it turns out, because no one doubted that, not even the confesser. But Mei is completely taken off-guard by it, because she had no idea. She doesn't know how to respond, either.

And then they graduate. We knew it was coming at some point, and yet it still didn't seem like there was enough warning and then it happened. It's a bittersweet moment, because they have to say goodbye to high school and their friends, but it's also good because they get to start something new. They get to become adults and start working for careers and college and whatnot. The button-taking thing was fun, too.

I'm a big fan of this series, and I'm really interested to see where it goes next. I typically like when series expand beyond high school and into college, but I know a lot of series go downhill or lose popularity. It also can mean bad things for high school romances. I'm really excited to read the next one.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 14, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: June 2016

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 13. 15.

Goodreads Synopsis:

"Mei Tachibana has no friends—and she doesn't need them! Ever since her ""friends"" betrayed her in elementary school, she's sworn off friendship entirely. All it leads to is betrayal and heartbreak, and she's well enough on her own. But everything changes when she accidentally roundhouse kicks the most popular boy in school! However, Yamato Kurosawa isn't angry in the slightest—in fact, he thinks his ordinary life could use an unusual girl like Mei! He won't take no for an answer, and soon Mei and Yamato embark on an unwanted friendship that will change both of them forever.Praise for the anime: ""Surprises with its honesty, its sensitivity, its quality. Always it is smarter, more poetic, more touching, just plain better than you think it is going to be."" —Anime News Network"

Review:

Reminiscent of the beginning of the series when Mei first made friends, the group goes on a trip to the beach. Only this time, it’s not so awkward and a lot more fun and carefree, with each of them paired off in a couple. It’s sweet and relaxing, something all of them need. Mei and Yamato are particularly adorable in this volume.

In the background, we see Ren, and how he’s starting to form light feelings for Mei. And then we get to see how Rin and Kai are doing. Rin is a bright girl, dramatic and optimistic, but it’s obvious that Kai doesn’t like her the way she likes him. Things aren’t working out so well. We especially see it when Kai has scars and Rin doesn’t quite know how to react. And now Megumi is back, a big change from when she left, and with an older boyfriend.

I’m still wondering what’s going to happen there. Other than that, it’s nice to see them all growing up.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 13, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: April 2016

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 12. 14.

Goodreads Synopsis:

MEGUMI À LA MODE Graduation is only a few months away and Mei and Yamato have both found their future careers. Mei has decided to go into childcare and Yamato will become a professional photographer. But not everyone has found their place. Megumi uses the summer break to travel to Paris in an attempt to make it as an international model, but she quickly discovers that she doesn’t have the same appeal as she does back home. Megumi will do anything it takes to break into the industry, but she may have to rely on local help to overcome the many hurdles that stand in her way...

Review:

A large part of this volume focuses on Megumi, and I’m really quite interested in what she’s doing. She’s abroad in France now, and it’s not working quite as well as she thought. Most companies just aren’t that interested in an Asian model, and so she’s having a hard time finding work. She doesn’t stop trying, though, looking everywhere that she can, going out every day, even trying more desperate tactics when she has to.

I respect Megumi here, with how hard she works for it. I actually wanted more of her, for once.

Then there’s Kai and Rin. Rin has a huge crush on him, and he agrees to give it a try. But that’s clearly not going to work for long, especially when he feels so bad for not liking her in the same way. I’m interested to see what happens there when Megumi comes back, because I really see something happening there. I’m honestly excited for it.

We also saw a bit of Mei and Yamato here, of course. They’re slowly going forward in their career decisions, and Yamato is learning and experimenting with his camera. It looks like we might get a cute date between them next time.

This series is always fun to read, and I’m always looking forward to the next one.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 12, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: February 2016

Volumes: 16+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 11. 13.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A FRIEND IN NEED

Inspired by Mei, Yamato has decided to pursue a career as a photographer. But no matter how much he practices, he can't help but feel that something is missing. Mei notices that something’s been off with Yamato lately and goes to an unexpected source for help… Meanwhile, Rin has an exciting date with Kai at Land, while Len tries to make friends on his own. Having always been in his sister's shadow, Len has his doubts, but it seems that he may have had a real friend all along.

Review:

As they get closer to graduating, the group has to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Mei is contemplating being a teacher, and volunteers at a day care. This is surprising, but oddly fitting, it seems. Being such an outsider growing up, Mei can relate well to kids, though.

Yamato, surprisingly enough, is having a harder time figuring himself out. He’s learning to enjoy photography, but it’s just off to him. Meeting a model photographer gives him a new insight and perspective into his likes.

Meanwhile, Rin is pursuing Kai pretty heavily. This is sweet, but it’s obvious that there’s something more going on between him and Megumi, and this is making him less ready to look elsewhere. At the same time, Len is forming a friendship with Mei, and I think they work well as friends, understanding each other the way they do.

Everyone is moving forward in some way. I’m still quite enjoying this.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 11, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: December 2015

Volumes: 16+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 10. 12.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Yamato Kurosaki and Mei Tachibana have spent their second Christmas together, where they were able to forge a deeper connection. Mei and the group are now beginning their third year of high school. As the new term starts, everyone wonders and worries about where life will take them after graduation… But their daily lives are about to be interrupted by a strange new student who enrolls at the school.

Review:

In this volume, a new school year starts, and we meet new students. Megumi is still going along, now planning on transferring to a new country for a while to expand her modeling career. And then we meet two siblings, the girl who is a rising star model, getting at least as much as attention as Megumi. And her odd, quiet brother, who Mei keeps noticing.

There’s also a plot where Mei diets, and I just hate these plotlines. They’re unnecessary and, when she’s already stick-thin, gives a terrible example. They just annoy me like crazy, and it doesn't help when she’s already shown to enjoy food and eat a lot.

I’m still quite enjoying this series. They are so much fun. And since I’m behind, I’ve got a couple more volumes to binge, which is really the best way.