In Volume 1, we met Kotooka, Washio and Tsukasa, three inseperable friends whose relationship is facing stress from several directions. Washio likes Kotooka, Tsukasa’s got a beau from another school, and Kotooka has a secret that she hasn’t shared with either.

As Volume 2 of Nameless Asterism by Kina Kobayashi begins, to give Washio room to be alone with Kotooka, and because she can’t think of a good reason not to, Tsukasa accedes to Asakura-kun’s request to date. She’s still on the fence, although Asakura is a perfect gentleman. Tsukasa’s twin brother is not on the fence and will go to great lengths to keep loathed schoolmate Asakura away from his sister. But, when Asakura starts to befriend him, Shinobu may end up with another problem.

And Washio, Tsukasa and Kotooka are all convinced that simply pretending nothing is different will be best for the three of them…a strategy that is no doubt doomed to failure. 

The art remains pleasant, on the shoujo side, with an emphasis on cute, rather than beautiful. The story is, as of yet, quite up in the air. I am interested to find out what will happen. My guess is that Kotooka is in love with one of her friends. My money is on Tsukasa, because that would be the most complicated. And I have solid money on Shinobu ending the series with a boyfriend-ish.

In our discussion at TCAF (which I apologize to all of you, I haven’t had a second to write up,) Seven Seas Marketing Manager, Lianne Sentar and I agreed that, while not gay, per se, we’d both put this manga in the “queer” category. While I, as a reader, expect few of the same-sex relationships to make it through the fray, the characters are dealing with affection and attraction and the boundaries that establish relationships as friends and/or lovers. 

Ratings: 

Art – 7
Characters – 7
Story – 7
Service – 1 on principle
Yuri – 3

Volume 3 will be available in English in late October. 2018 is continuing to be a helluva year for queer manga. ^_^