not gonna lie, when we were left with that cliffhanger on chapter 107, i was sceptical about the direction chapter 108 would take, but once again kawaii dake janai shikimori-san proves why it is one of the best romance manga out rn.
i just love how it highlights the importance of communication on all sides - partners, friends, "rivals", etc. it's so refreshing to see "love rivals" actually communicate rather than unnecessarily act cold to each other. it is so refreshing to see side characters who are in love with the main character portrayed in a very real and likeable way (they are not "villains" for having a crush on a lead, and they shouldn't always be portrayed as one). i think this is one of this manga's strongest points as these ideas are not very common or portrayed often in romance manga. kamiya is not portrayed negatively because of her crush on izumi, nor does shikimori treat her badly. they talk to each other and express their feelings. shikimori doesn't force kamiya to give up her feelings and tell kamiya she can't like izumi, and kamiya doesnt try and force her way between their relationship. and the story is fucking incredible. i feel like this whole aspect of shikimori is not just a cutie is really important and just makes it like 200000 times better than the best romance manga.
i feel like this manga has potential to really change the way the romance + school life genres are percieved (especially in shoujo) and i cannot wait for the anime adaptation.
on gyum's parents oh my god they're so FINE. and on another note, that rival needs to go to hell. if he touches anything related to on gyum, his bloodline ends here.
Damn this one takes the whole bakery. I love the way you think.
okay shidou what the fuck, he just scored a goal from outside the box (near the halfway line?????), i cant do this
ahhhhh magna and zora teaming up, i never really saw them as a duo but they make a crazy good team. i really like their dynamic
i absolutely loved the oneshot, but i dont really love the serialised version (idk why the mc had to change sports lol). though, it is getting better i just wish the mangaka would have made a continuation of the oneshot.
one thing i really like about this manga (i love the story and hotaru and saki together) is how hananoi's possessiveness is portrayed. it's not dangerously toxic or to the point where hotaru has no freedom, but it is portrayed in a very real and raw way. the manga doesn't make it seem cute or sweet but shows how it has a huge impact on his behaviour. due to the lack of love and attention he received when he was younger, this has really affected the way he approaches love amd how he shows his love, but as the chapters go on, we can see hananoi open up more as well as his feelings changing too as he is together with hotaru.
hotaru is aware of how hananoi is but she is able to help him feel less insecure without "babying" him or letting him be overwhelmingly possessive, hence why as individuals and as a couple, they have both come so far. i really like this manga and how it has touched upon a more mature topic delicately but beautifully. idk if i have worded it right but this manga has really done well in portraying a healthy, wholesome relationship between two young people who respect each other's boundaries as well as constantly checking their individual boundaries and them communicating well, overcoming their problems or voicing their insecurities to each other.
there's a lot of romance manga out there and i feel like a lot of people need read this because it is just so good and very beneficial imo.
THIS. T^T♡
idk why but when shibuya was crying and then aika was saying she should thank shibuya's parents for giving birth to him and he immediately stopped crying after thinking about them is so fucking funny
RIGHT IT HAD ME DYING