“The characters and the art have grown, Tamifull’s narrative skills are excellent here. We’ve been with them through a lot…and we’re still here as they enter the next phase of their lives.” In Volume 7, Saeko and Miwa moved on. Still friends, Miwa encourages Saeko in her new relationship. And Saeko encourages Miwa to find someone new.

In Volume 8 of Tamifull’s Tsukiatte Agetemo Iikana, (付き合ってあげてもいいかな), Miwa has, indeed found someone. But she’s holding back because 1) is it just that Tamaki reminds her of her old sempai? Or 2) that she’s older and therefore doesn’t want to – even unintentionally – manipulate the younger woman into a relationship. Tamaki, on the other hand, makes her feelings clear during their band camp. And so, Miwa follows her heart.

And now Saeko has to face the thing that she’s not had to face before. Her jealousy of Miwa was one of the reasons they had to break up, but that was pure possessiveness. Now she’s watching as Miwa and Tamaki are building something and she’s struggling with it. She’s grown up a bit…and she has her own relationship to deal with. But…

At the band’s first live club performance, Miwa meets Yuria for the first time…and they get along famously, leaving Saeko to comedically worry what they are saying about her. ^_^ It’s a stereotypical scene, but one that works every time. ^_^

Tamaki is very serious about this relationship with Miwa. Saeko is still working on her boundaries with Yuria. All is well, as the volume comes to an end and Tamaki invites herself over to Miwa’s place with very definite mischief in mind.

This volume feels exactly like the moment a clogged drain starts working again. Everything that had blocked up between Miwa and Saeko is gone and they can support and love one another as friends. Seeing them root for each other (even if sometimes Saeko is faking it, which is going to have to be a thing addressed in a future volume) is so much better a feeling than watching them struggle to make sense of them as a couple. The band stuff always feels tangential, but it’s not – it’s very much part of their lives. This is what life looks like – people and places and activities that slip by almost before you can remember it happened and the next thing, you’re older and making a whole new set of mistakes. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 9
Characters – 9
Yuri – 9
Service – 5

Overall – 9

I am convinced that if the manga had started here in Volume 8 it would not have been as popular as it is, but having started where it did, it resonated with a lot of people…and nwo we’re seeing a path forward. If I had to guess, I’d say this series ends at graduation. It’ll be interesting to see where it does go from here. Volume 9 sports a different cover design again, I assume it’ll take us in a new direction!