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heyjudy's review against another edition
4.0
~3.5-4/5
[Also available on my blog.]
(Not everything is spoiled, not some of the major things, but some is.)
When I heard that Shojo Beat was going to be publishing this, I was interested, but my online friends’ excitement got me curious, since I’d never heard of the series, nor do I think I’ve read anything by this author (even though the art looks a little familiar...). And, while this volume was shojo kind of like I thought it would be, I was still a bit surprised by it.
Strobe Edge stars Ninako, who is rather naïve. I was a bit surprised by her personality, but liked where it went, and only in one volume. At the beginning, she doesn’t really know much, and she believes what people tell her. Her friends are sure that she’s in love with her childhood friend, Daiki, and she’s never been in love before, so she believes that that must be what she feels, until she talks with Ren, a very popular guy at her school, and realizes that she’s actually falling for him instead. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed her musings on things, and really enjoyed her discovering how she really feels as opposed to what other people are telling her to feel. I was just generally surprised by how much I liked Ninako, given how I don’t usually have too strong of feelings toward the heroine.
And, with my surprise at all of that coming out in the first volume, Sakisaka didn’t take her time with the love confessions, either. It wasn’t rushed in the least, and yet I’m so surprised that so much happened, so much growth, in just one small volume.
‘Cause while it’s obvious to the reader that Daiki loves Ninako, he confesses to her in this volume, and they even work out their feelings for each other. And then one of Ninako’s friends confesses to Daiki, which I was not surprised by, but I didn’t really get to know that character very well, so I’m hoping I’ll get to know her better in the volumes to come. And before the confessions, there’s a really nice, well done rivalry between Ren and Daiki, and then we find out something a bit upsetting, uncool, about Ren. And then, the volume ends with Ninako starting to confess to Ren.
This series just doesn’t beat around the bush, that’s for sure. And I love it. It’s so refreshing compared to most manga, and how it takes forever for the characters to be honest with each other.
I’m not really sure what boy I like more at this point. I like Ren, even though I’m not very happy with his possible feelings toward Ninako when he… has that other thing going on, which I was really only surprised by who the person was. (I’m trying to be vague here.) But I do like his personality; I liked that he was actually rather sweet, and isn’t afraid to be, even while also being quiet and not saying much. But then there’s Daiki, who would normally be one of my favorite characters, but right now I just kind of like him. He’s sweet, and he’s fun, and I totally get his jealous feelings, and I feel a bit bad for him, but mostly I’m just hoping to grow to like him more, because my feelings for him are not at the level that I would like them to be. Although, really, Ren is also going to have to earn my love for him, as well.
Another thing I was surprised by: the overall message that this volume gave. I’m not going to ruin that, since it was a surprise to me, but it was another refreshing aspect to this book, in that I wasn’t expecting it, it’s a nice message, and not really something that I’ve seen very often. That, along with everything else that happened between the characters, some of the little things, just made this so sweet to read.
The artwork is really nice. The covers look pretty, but I wasn’t sure if inside the book would look as good, but it did. It took, I think, a tiny bit of time for me to get used to the art style, but it wasn’t hard, because it is really pretty.
So, it’s obvious to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this volume, and am really looking forward to the next one.
[Also available on my blog.]
(Not everything is spoiled, not some of the major things, but some is.)
When I heard that Shojo Beat was going to be publishing this, I was interested, but my online friends’ excitement got me curious, since I’d never heard of the series, nor do I think I’ve read anything by this author (even though the art looks a little familiar...). And, while this volume was shojo kind of like I thought it would be, I was still a bit surprised by it.
Strobe Edge stars Ninako, who is rather naïve. I was a bit surprised by her personality, but liked where it went, and only in one volume. At the beginning, she doesn’t really know much, and she believes what people tell her. Her friends are sure that she’s in love with her childhood friend, Daiki, and she’s never been in love before, so she believes that that must be what she feels, until she talks with Ren, a very popular guy at her school, and realizes that she’s actually falling for him instead. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed her musings on things, and really enjoyed her discovering how she really feels as opposed to what other people are telling her to feel. I was just generally surprised by how much I liked Ninako, given how I don’t usually have too strong of feelings toward the heroine.
And, with my surprise at all of that coming out in the first volume, Sakisaka didn’t take her time with the love confessions, either. It wasn’t rushed in the least, and yet I’m so surprised that so much happened, so much growth, in just one small volume.
‘Cause while it’s obvious to the reader that Daiki loves Ninako, he confesses to her in this volume, and they even work out their feelings for each other. And then one of Ninako’s friends confesses to Daiki, which I was not surprised by, but I didn’t really get to know that character very well, so I’m hoping I’ll get to know her better in the volumes to come. And before the confessions, there’s a really nice, well done rivalry between Ren and Daiki, and then we find out something a bit upsetting, uncool, about Ren. And then, the volume ends with Ninako starting to confess to Ren.
This series just doesn’t beat around the bush, that’s for sure. And I love it. It’s so refreshing compared to most manga, and how it takes forever for the characters to be honest with each other.
I’m not really sure what boy I like more at this point. I like Ren, even though I’m not very happy with his possible feelings toward Ninako when he… has that other thing going on, which I was really only surprised by who the person was. (I’m trying to be vague here.) But I do like his personality; I liked that he was actually rather sweet, and isn’t afraid to be, even while also being quiet and not saying much. But then there’s Daiki, who would normally be one of my favorite characters, but right now I just kind of like him. He’s sweet, and he’s fun, and I totally get his jealous feelings, and I feel a bit bad for him, but mostly I’m just hoping to grow to like him more, because my feelings for him are not at the level that I would like them to be. Although, really, Ren is also going to have to earn my love for him, as well.
Another thing I was surprised by: the overall message that this volume gave. I’m not going to ruin that, since it was a surprise to me, but it was another refreshing aspect to this book, in that I wasn’t expecting it, it’s a nice message, and not really something that I’ve seen very often. That, along with everything else that happened between the characters, some of the little things, just made this so sweet to read.
The artwork is really nice. The covers look pretty, but I wasn’t sure if inside the book would look as good, but it did. It took, I think, a tiny bit of time for me to get used to the art style, but it wasn’t hard, because it is really pretty.
So, it’s obvious to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this volume, and am really looking forward to the next one.
ferzemkhan's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
astravars_thrubooks's review against another edition
3.0
Brainless and fluffy.
It's not Ao Haru Ride but I really liked Ren and Takumi's friendship.
It's not Ao Haru Ride but I really liked Ren and Takumi's friendship.
bluehairedreads's review against another edition
Okay, I decided to start two Io Sakisaka series today. There are less holds with thisbseries compared to Ao Haru Ride, so that means I'll get to read it more consistently. Thus was really good. I truly love the themes that in Io Sakisaka's mangas. In this one, one of the biggest topics is thinking for yourself, rather than blindly following what others say and decide for you. I didn't think I would like Ren based off of when I first read the synopsis, but I'm pleasantly surprised. This entire volume was a pleasant surprise. I was so shocked realizing that Ren was Daiki's sister's boyfriend. Also, omg everyone in this book is so lovesick and are all having unrequited romances lmao.
I'm excited to read on. I feel like there is gonna be a lot of stress on the way
cocopurplebooks's review against another edition
2.0
Fairly predictable but I feel like I'm reading Ao Haru Ride 2.0. (even though this series came out before Ao Haru Ride). Beautiful art work! meh storylines so far.
papalbina's review against another edition
4.0
ay, señor, las mismas historias de siempre con los japoneses y los "oh, dios mío, ha dicho mi nombre"... algún dia visitare el pais pa ver si realmente los adolescentes son así de idiotas xD
books_and_cha's review against another edition
4.0
I cannot begin to express how much I love this series. I adore our protagonist, Ninako - she's cheerful, good and a complete sweetheart. She's so strong, and my heart hurts for all the pain that she goes through after she falls in love with Ren.
I really like Ren as a character too. He's a great person, but he has his flaws: he hesitates too much. It takes him a long time to learn to act on his feelings. That's all a part of his character development, and in the end, he learns to be more human than before. Ninako brings out a side of him that is unfiltered. She breaks down his walls and reservations till all there is is just pure Ren. It's hard for him, but also incredibly good for him too.
In contrast, Andou doesn't hesitate at all. He goes all out in pursuing his love for Ninako, and even though I wasn't rooting for him, I did feel bad when he realized Ninako would never love him.
The thing is, if you look at the basic plot of this series, it's completely cliched. I should hate it because everything that happens in this book has happened before. Girl falls for guy with a girlfriend, second lead comes in and there's a love triangle, etc. I loved how Ninako was never swayed from her feelings. She was never confused about Ren. Once she fell in love with Ren, she didn't stop. She really loved him - it wasn't just infatuation.
The way Sakisaka Io portrays all her characters is very generous. Even the bad guys have their reasons for being as they are. Every one is seen as flawed, human, imperfect. Just the way I like it.
This series gave me all the feels. I found myself rooting for Ninako and Ren the entire way - I was sad when Ninako was hurt, and happy when she was. I also squealed internally several times whenever the two had a moment. I love them together. I also just love this entire story - the characters, the plot, the feeling it gives me. .
I felt like I was there with them the entire time, completely immersed. The world of Strobe Edge has become so important to me.
Completed II: June 7, 2017
I really like Ren as a character too. He's a great person, but he has his flaws: he hesitates too much. It takes him a long time to learn to act on his feelings. That's all a part of his character development, and in the end, he learns to be more human than before. Ninako brings out a side of him that is unfiltered. She breaks down his walls and reservations till all there is is just pure Ren. It's hard for him, but also incredibly good for him too.
In contrast, Andou doesn't hesitate at all. He goes all out in pursuing his love for Ninako, and even though I wasn't rooting for him, I did feel bad when he realized Ninako would never love him.
The thing is, if you look at the basic plot of this series, it's completely cliched. I should hate it because everything that happens in this book has happened before. Girl falls for guy with a girlfriend, second lead comes in and there's a love triangle, etc. I loved how Ninako was never swayed from her feelings. She was never confused about Ren. Once she fell in love with Ren, she didn't stop. She really loved him - it wasn't just infatuation.
The way Sakisaka Io portrays all her characters is very generous. Even the bad guys have their reasons for being as they are. Every one is seen as flawed, human, imperfect. Just the way I like it.
This series gave me all the feels. I found myself rooting for Ninako and Ren the entire way - I was sad when Ninako was hurt, and happy when she was. I also squealed internally several times whenever the two had a moment. I love them together. I also just love this entire story - the characters, the plot, the feeling it gives me. .
I felt like I was there with them the entire time, completely immersed. The world of Strobe Edge has become so important to me.
Completed II: June 7, 2017