1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Decisions, Decisions, June 21, 2009
This review is from: Love Com, Vol. 12 (Love.com (Viz Media)) (Paperback)
This volume starts off with Ootani finally getting the results from his entrance exams. Did he pass? Did he fail? And where exactly is he, anyway? No one can find him, and Risa can't even reach him on his cell phone. She's worried, so but how can she help Ootani if she doesn't even know where he is? Then, Risa starts considering her own future and realizes that she has no idea what she wants to do after high school. Fortunately, she gets a little inspiration from an unexpected place. Finally, we find out that Suzuki failed his entrance exams and won't able to attend college with Chiharu. His family is really down on him about it. Depressed, he contemplates whether he should give Chiharu up to someone more worthy.
I really liked this volume. First, we get a pay-off on the exam arc. It's nice to see Ootani and Risa come together over it after all the trouble they've been through recently. I also liked the part about Risa's worries over her future. So many of us feel just like Risa, who thinks she has no useful skills. It's especially hard since all her friends seem like they know exactly what they want. I did think her anxieties were resolved a little too easily; I wish the answer had been more open-ended, if you know what I mean. But it was well done other than that. Suzuki and Chiharu's parts were also good. "Love Com" has already covered two other couples facing separation, but it's a little different for all of them. I think this is good because it shows that one problem can have different aspects. It also shows the difference in personalities of the characters by how they react. I was especially glad that Suzuki and Chiharu got some focus. Of the three main couples, they seem to have the smallest presence in the manga, and it's good to see them get some focus.
Also in this volume is a one-shot story about a girl who returns from the grave to see her boyfriend one last time. It's a common plot, but this story took a unique approach. The girl's boyfriend is afraid of ghosts, for one, and then a busty rival appears on the scene. These kind of stories tend to be serious and too aware of their own messages, which is why I was so fond of this one. Nakahara's humorous approach makes the story and the characters seem more realistic. You can really understand the girl's feelings- the pain of leaving behind and being left behind. It ends up being more sensative than the sentimental ones.
This is another strong volume in the "Love Com" series. It continues the trend of good characterization and realistic dilemmas. And the bonus one shot manga is exceptionally good. Grab it and look forward to volume 13!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finished at Last!, April 25, 2009
This review is from: Love Com, Vol. 12 (Love.com (Viz Media)) (Paperback)
Love*Com fans rejoice: the wait is over. Otani's finally done studying for his entrance exams--and now it's Risa's turn! She needs to pick a vocational school to apply to and she's starting to feel hopeless when Nobu suggests fashion design. Still pondering this, Otani tells her he's going to do anything she wants with her to make up for the time he was studying. While they're out they run into Mimi doing a fashion shoot. Risa is asked to model to fill in for a model that couldn't make it to the shoot! She accepts reluctantly, but figures out very quickly that modeling is not for her. She does like the overall scene though and decides she wants to be a stylist.
The next day, Otani's exam results are up: and he passed! But someone else didn't. Suzuki was sick the day of the exam and failed--and now he's majorly down about it. His friends try to cheer him up, but to no avail...
I loved this volume because it got back to Otani and Risa's relationship more, since Otani is done studying for exams. My only criticism is that this volume only has 3 chapters instead of 4. The bonus story is cute though so i'm happy with it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
