by Akatsukinoluna, Guest Reviewer

I first came across Toi et Moi (トワ・エ・モア ) in Yurihime’s February 2024 magazine, and was instantly struck by the uniquely beautiful artwork and characters, and mature tone. It was only five months later that I excitedly discovered it wasn’t a oneshot, but has a tankōbon, and is serialized on Palcy (Kodansha’s shoujo & josei manga app). The catch copy for the series reads “More than love with the one she admires. More than friendship with her best friend. A ‘girl meets girl’ story of 4 girls at an all-girls school.” (憧れの人、恋以上。親友と、友情以上。女子校に通う4人のガール・ミーツ・ガール)

Set in all-girls high school, the story is split into four chapters (Silence, Boheme, Ombrage, and Portrait), and focuses on two couples: Okawa Seiran & Nose Chigusa (prince and princess) of Class B, and I-eshima Yae & Arisugawa Yukiyo (writer and actor) of Class A. Seiran is seemingly your typical aloof girl prince, but under the surface is merely a socially awkward and misunderstood lone-wolf. Chigusa, the shy and misunderstood, solitary doll-like princess, stands out for her elegant, lolita-esque fashion, and always walking under an umbrella outdoors.Both are misunderstood by their classmates, who assume they are being looked down upon. Seiran, initially afraid to approach Chigusa, wonders “are flowers merely meant to be gazed at?”, and maintains her distance. But when a group project gives them a chance to connect, they waste no time in growing closer to each other. 

In “Boheme” we are introduced to two childhood friends, Yae & Yukiyo, as the narration asks “What is the point of stories (monogatari)?”. Yae is an aspiring writer whose manuscripts are never quite good enough, and boyish Yukiyo is an actress who is constantly sidelined and mistreated in the school drama club. More than friends, less than lovers, and quietly harboring affections, these two are each others’ reason for their craft, and each helps the other overcome their flaws and hardships. While their relationship can be a bit tricky, as long as they have each other, they’ll be alright.

“Ombrage” & “Portrait” set the stage for our 2 couples to befriend each other, and the story and relationships unfold from there. From a school picnic, to rooftop conversations, with various casual and intimate moments, we get to see everyone grow from within and outside of their respective relationship. Yukiyo’s carefree nature forces Seiran to confront her own jealousy of Yukiyo & Yae’s friendship with Chigusa, while Chigusa reassures her (without cutting off her new friendships). Yukiyo learns that the emotional intimacy she so strongly yearns for is closer to home than she thinks — a realization she has through her conversations with Seiran. Confiding in Yukiyo, she finally understands what’s held her back all this time — and what she truly wants to depict — while Yukiyo can finally voice (quite passionately) what she truly wants to act.

The artwork in this series is gorgeous. It’s very finely detailed, soft but firm, and the eyes particularly are quite captivating (though some might find them a bit uncanny). There is simultaneously a very elegant and warm feeling, and a sense of definition. Having four visually distinct, well-developed characters with unique relationships is really refreshing — as is the lack of cheap tropes and fan service (though there’s plenty of doki doki moments). The characters all learn something unique from each other, in their interactions. And the contrast between Seiran & Chigusa’s very fast, emotionally intimate and communicative bonding vs Yukiyo and Yae’s very drawn out yearning, pining and unspoken affections is delightful. Despite being set in a school, the story is not at all focused on the usual school rhythms (culture & sports festivals, elections, valentine’s, career plans, etc), but on the characters’ personal growth. Finally, a quick shout-out to the beautiful eye-catches, and the author’s beautifully legible afterword.

Ratings:

Art – 10, elegant and distinct — especially the eyes
Story – 9, the volume ends before it gets to the really good parts
Characters – 10, unique and well developed
Service  – 0, but lots of shoujo-style doki-doki moments
Yuri – 10, very touching, well-developed, and sometimes steamy 

Overall   10