Just about a year ago, I reviewed Octave, Volume 6. It was the final volume and of it I said, “Octave is the story I have always wanted to read.”
I say this once again, this time about Sasamekikoto, Volume 9 (ささめきこと).
The series began as a comedy, a ramshackle combination of Yuri tropes, all played for laughs and a little bittersweet drama. Slowly, but surely, it became a real story, a story that hits right in the heart of what lesbian Yuri readers want to see. What we want to see is not always about “coming out,” it’s about “becoming whole.”
And here, in the final volume, Sumi and Ushio become whole. It was a remarkable, fantastic, magnificent ending. I did not expect an ending of this caliber – I never even hoped for it. I would have been content with a “happily ever after” where we see Ushio and Sumika walk off, without having yet faced their community, their friends and their family, and we all pretend it will be all right.
I didn’t get that ending at all. Instead, miraculously, I got an ending where Ushio and Sumi face their community, their friends and their family head on and tell them that they are lovers. Good heavens, really? And still – it was funny. It was still a comedy, less bittersweet than we ever could have imagined. This is the decade Yuri has changed, irrevocably. This is the decade where Yuri becomes “any manga, anime (or related media) that shows intense emotional connection, romantic love or physical desire between women.” Just like we wanted.
I am flabbergasted. I rejoice. I celebrate.
Congratulations Sumi and Ushio – we love you.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
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Ratings:
Art – 9
Story – 10
Characters – 10
Yuri – 10
Service – 1
Overall – 10
I can already see that 2012’s #1 slot for Yuri Manga is going to be a tough race. Awesome. ^_^
What a great ending.
Yuri Manga
