In Volume 3 of Hitohira, the spotlight remains firmly on Mugi’s transformation from a pathologically shy girl to one capable of dealing with being in the public eye. But even Mugi’s new pair of wings doesn’t mean she’s always going to be able to fly.

Although they had their triumph, Nono’s renegade Theater Group does not get enough votes to survive and is formally, and tearfully, dissolved. But, what Nono could never get while it existed, she finally gains as it is disbanded, and the two theater groups celebrate Christmas as one. Nono and Mirei look forward to their own parting from their precious kouhai, knowing they did everything they could to have the best possible time during their high school years. Although they have not yet left the story, exeunt Nono and Mirei.

The spotlight shifts slightly now, allowing another character to enter from the wings. Mugi’s friend, benefactor and protector, Kayo, tells her something that will completely derail Mugi’s new-found freedom. She had hoped she could share it with her dear friend, but instead learns that Kayo is leaving to go to school overseas. Even after Kai intervenes, hoping to force a climactic confrontation, the denouement of this volume arrives with no resolution.

Now that Mugi is no longer a simpering whiner, I’m so much more able to enjoy this story. Of course, I wish it were really about Nono and Mirei, but it’s not. And this crisis with Kayo will be resolved with the usual last minute confession/forgiveness/farewell but, even as predictable as this plot complication is…it’s still pretty all right.

So, nothing new in this theater of the non-absurd, but nothing hideously absurd, either. From its birth where I felt it was an irksome manga about a annoying girl, it has left its chrysalis to become a nice manga about a nice girl who is only occasionally annoying as the plot requires. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 6
Characters – 8
Story – 7
Yuri – 1
Service – 1

Overall – 7

Once again it is Okazu Superhero Daniel P who has sponsored today’s review, so once again he is the recipient of my sincere thanks. Become an Okazu Hero yourself by sponsoring a review and join the Okazu Hero Roll!