Fujishiro Nanaki, having been ostracized by her group of fashionable and popular girls, has found acceptance with the “nerd” group, Kurokawa’s friends Izumi and Iroha. Together they are on the school trip. As we established last volume, we might have expected Kurokawa and Fujishiro to have had the tension between them explored, but as they aren’t in the same room. We instead are, like Fujishiro, side-lined by a sudden confession in Dekisokonai Hime-tachi, Volume 4.

In discussing this series with the lovely folks on the Okazu Discord, I gained a lot of good perspective. And, to be very honest, I needed it, because I am having a very hard time caring about the characters of this school-life drama by Ajiichi. So when the consensus was that this series felt like an “antagonistic GIRL FRIENDS,” as farfetched put it, I felt validated. Also, I know this is petty, but I am now done with the color coded naming scheme. In any case, I really appreciated having had the conversation! If you want to talk out your deep feelings about a Yuri manga, drop by our Discord and have at it! Okazu Patrons have a room of their own, where you can make suggestions and ask questions of me ^_^

On the positive side – every volume has had one really excellent conversation that has kept me coming back to this series. Kurokawa explaining how their lives were too different to reconcile, Fujishiro confronting the teacher, then standing up to her “friends.”  In this volume a confession leads to a brief conversation about LGBTQ people, and ultimately to acceptance. If Nanaki is a little confused or awkward, we can give her the benefit of the doubt, as Izumi does, for trying.

Kurokawa’s relegated to the position of supporting role in this volume, for which the volume suffered. Fujishiro is a fine character, but if there is any energy at all, it is the two of them playing off one another.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 7
Characters – 7
Service – 6
LGBTQ – 6

Overall – 7

You’ll be getting this volume of Failed Princesses, Volume 4, in August, and Volume 5 of Dekisokonai Hime-tachi (できそこないの姫君たち) is already on Japanese bookstore shelves. I know already that the next volume simply adds another plot complication to the mix, which sure, keeps the series going, but I kinda want at least one important thing to resolve, or at least, be addressed,  before we move on.

You know how you feel after you’ve had a fever, when the fever breaks and you’re soaked in sweat? You don’t feel “good,” per se, but you feel better, somehow. Tsukiatte Agetemo Iikana, Volume 6  (付き合ってあげてもいいかな) by Tamifull, feels exactly like that, particularly after Volume 5.

Many things have happened to Miwa and Saeko since they met in Volume 1. Some good, some bad, some weird, but overall the story has not been about them as a couple but been about their growth as people by means of their relationship. This sounds complicated, but this story is complicated – and I like it best when it doesn’t shy from those complications.

Here in Volume 6, neither Miwa nor Saeko are the people they were. In my opinion as both a reader and a writer, this is the absolute best thing I’ve seen. It’s less like a manga, and way more like a story someone you know might tell you, in dribs and drabs over many conversations.

By now, Tamifull’s art is confident and the characters are finding themselves, as well. I don’t know – can’t, and wouldn’t want to guess – what is in store for these characters…which is exactly what will bring me back for future volumes. As a romance story, there’s only so much I can look forward to. As a “coming of age” story that isn’t about puberty, but about becoming fully formed adult individuals, people with experiences and desires and drives to do things that exceed school and romance, I’m all in.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8 Thing are changing.
Characters – 8 Rooting for them more, now
Yuri – 7
Service – 5

Overall – 8

I love that the cover design shifted for Volume 5. It suggests a shift in the story, a shift I welcome.  Also check out the difference in the cover art between Volume 1 and now. What a fantastic leveling up.

Volume 3 of How Do We Relationship? will be hitting shelves in a few weeks and I for one cannot *wait* for you all to read it. I want to real talk about this series and don’t want to spoil anything. ^_^