Reviews

Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 12 by Io Sakisaka

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princessjulia's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

3.75

markleeprotector's review against another edition

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5.0

this is the cutest shojo for real

rereader33's review against another edition

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2.0

Okay, this is easily the worst volume of the entire series for the following reasons:

1. Futaba breaking up with Kikuchi. Not just because I think they made a way better couple than she and Mabuchi, but also the break up came both too late in the series and also came too fast in the volume. Yes, I know the series has been building up to this moment, but Futaba never seemed terribly unhappy with Kikuchi and she put in so much effort in their relationship, acting more maturely than most shoujo romance heroines. Their break up seems like it was there purely to serve the plot because obviously Futaba was going to inevitably end up with Mabuchi, but Sakisaka dragged out this relationship too long and there's only one volume left, so she had to break them up so that Futaba and Mabuchi could be together at the end of the volume. Also, Kikuchi's just totally cool with it? Seriously, this guy was a way better partner than Mabuchi.

2. Shun calling Futaba a bitch. Dude, you've barely been relevant in this series and now you straight up call her a bitch? Because Mabuchi's making advances and she's confused? Not cool, bro.

3. Speaking of advances, I'm not okay with Mabuchi still trying to get back with Futaba. It felt very manipulative and disrespectful. Even if she was still on the fence, he should have dropped it when she told him to stop, but he didn't. I know this is classic shoujo romance behavior and if I was a teen I probably would have been okay with this, but I'm a grown-ass adult and this just pisses me off.

4. The stereotypical "main love interest gets hit by a car on the way to meeting the main character". I understand this series is the epitome of shoujo romances, but that was so fucking unnecessary and didn't do anything for the story. It straight up felt like filler disguised as tension because it parallels the last two failed meetings between Futaba and Mabuchi. Whatevs.

I'm glad there's one volume left because after this disappointment of a volume I really want to finish this series ASAP. Gotta wait two months, though, which sucks...

_moonniji_'s review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

marie_thereadingotter's review

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Well, damn this was a very emotional volume.
These characters really tug on the heartstrings.
I want to feel bad for Toma, since he seemed to like Futaba, but he was overly pushy. He didn't ask if he could kiss her. Sure, Kou was being wish-washy with her, but he'd never force himself into her life if she had truly wanted him to leave her alone.
Toma seems like a nice enough guy, but he's also a pushover in a way. He didn't care that Futaba didn't like him, he just kind of took advantage of her unsure feelings, kept saying that he didn't care about her feelings and kissing her.

The ending of this volume had me in the feels. I'm so happy they stopped lying to themselves and each other. I have no idea what's in store with the next volume, but I hope my hold at the library doesn't take too long.