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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
CW: Student Teacher relationship, Cancer, Sick Parent
This volume was better than the first and helped develop the characters more. In this one our two boys enter their last year of high school. Their relationship develops more, and there's something dark that happens at the end of it. Definitely made me want to read the next volume.
This volume was better than the first and helped develop the characters more. In this one our two boys enter their last year of high school. Their relationship develops more, and there's something dark that happens at the end of it. Definitely made me want to read the next volume.
~4 Stars
At first glance, this seems like just a pretty, school boy, yaoi series. But there's so much maturity wrapped in this series.
Rihito and Hikaru are still getting used to being in a relationship, hiding it and growing comfortable around each other. And during this, there's still the teacher clinging to Rihito. Honestly, that's the only skeevy part of this series, how the teacher is clearly into Rihito, and that Rihito doesn't seem to realize fully. At least the teacher knows he shouldn't do anything and holds back, at least for the most part.
Rihito is shy and embarrassed easily, which holds Hikaru back a bit, I think. Near the end of the volume, it seems Rihito might be opening himself up to Hikaru a bit more, though, which is good.
There's one moment in this volume that really hit me. At one point, Rihito acknowledges that he and Hikaru are each others, but also they're still their own people. While they give each other pieces, they shouldn't give every piece of themselves away. This surprised me and was done in a really sweet way that hit me, and I just really appreciated the acknowledgment of it.
I've become quite a fan of this series at this point. I really appreciate what it's doing, and the artwork is so pretty. I can't wait to read the next one.
At first glance, this seems like just a pretty, school boy, yaoi series. But there's so much maturity wrapped in this series.
Rihito and Hikaru are still getting used to being in a relationship, hiding it and growing comfortable around each other. And during this, there's still the teacher clinging to Rihito. Honestly, that's the only skeevy part of this series, how the teacher is clearly into Rihito, and that Rihito doesn't seem to realize fully. At least the teacher knows he shouldn't do anything and holds back, at least for the most part.
Rihito is shy and embarrassed easily, which holds Hikaru back a bit, I think. Near the end of the volume, it seems Rihito might be opening himself up to Hikaru a bit more, though, which is good.
There's one moment in this volume that really hit me. At one point, Rihito acknowledges that he and Hikaru are each others, but also they're still their own people. While they give each other pieces, they shouldn't give every piece of themselves away. This surprised me and was done in a really sweet way that hit me, and I just really appreciated the acknowledgment of it.
I've become quite a fan of this series at this point. I really appreciate what it's doing, and the artwork is so pretty. I can't wait to read the next one.
THE HURT THE FLUFF THE LOVEEE
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Live sad die
Soup
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Live sad die
Soup
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"And you need to give me half of you."
"I could give you all of me, though."
"Nah, that's fine. Just save half for me."
No matter your opinion on its contents, "Classmates" can create emotional interest in a way few romance manga can. This is something the first volume does well, but Winter takes it up a notch. The reactions between Sajo and Kusekabe are - not relatable, per se, but very sincere. The art style helps with this feeling; the body proportions might set you off, but the facial expressions are wonderful.
Hara-sensei makes a greater appearance in this volume. His story line is pretty weak outside of his genre, but works well for what it is. He is emulating the behavior he had once experienced as a high schooler. And while it is very funny to read about him and Kusekabe having a dick-measuring contest (the translator who wrote "Pervy Hara-sensei! More like Hara-ssment!" is the funniest person alive), Sajo certainly isn't backing off when he should. It really is only after Harasen directly asks Sajo about his feelings that anything feels resolved.
(Also, I have no idea why so many people are commenting on the teachers being pedophiles? One other teacher makes a sympathetic comment to Harasen that he had a similar interest in a student, which only maybe became something when she had grown up. That's it.)
The second name of the game here is emotional availability. Not only does Sajo finally express his frustration of Kusekabe not telling him anything about his life, he makes the first move! For Kusekabe, he seems to be slipping out of the mindset that he always has to be cool for Sajo, especially when he talks about his jealousy and how he just wants to be there for Sajo. I can't wait to see what they do next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes