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radicaldadicall's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
wrenl's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
(A review of the whole series)
There's something really special about this story. It takes itself seriously, and I appreciate that. The characters are caring and considerate and make some very messy decisions, but they stand by their decisions.
I love Taichi as a character. He feels so human. He's boisterous and awkward and feels like he's stuck in his perfect best friend's shadow. He's caring and goes out of the way for the people he cares about. I love how his character develops and how he interacts with the world.
The plot became a bit messy near the end when Toma was in the fight with his friends. I had a super hard time keeping up with the conversation between Taichi, Toma's friends, and Mami's friends. Yes, you can't judge someone's opinion because you don't know their past, but also homophobia is bad. It was such a confusing conversation. But the intent behind that conversation ties really well into this story about perspective and following YOUR dreams and values.
My biggest gripe (which according to the Reddit post I read is the biggest gripe for everyone else who read this series) is the time skip at the end of this volume. While I like that it shows how people and relationships change over time, and I'm happy Toma and Taichi get together in the end because they are very cute together, some of the reveals at Futaba's wedding feel out of place. Like who is that dude? Who is Masumi with? What is going on???
In my perfect little world, Masumi would be married to her wife and having a grand old time. I'm not sure about Futaba; maybe she'd be on her own with a little flower shop or something, maybe she'd be married in the countryside. But at least Masumi would be in a gay relationship.
Overall, I would recommend this series because it explores relationships and personal desire (not in a sexual way, think more life purpose way). There are some amazing friendships and surprising relationships (think Mami and Masumi's friendship). Just a beautiful manga for the most part
There's something really special about this story. It takes itself seriously, and I appreciate that. The characters are caring and considerate and make some very messy decisions, but they stand by their decisions.
I love Taichi as a character. He feels so human. He's boisterous and awkward and feels like he's stuck in his perfect best friend's shadow. He's caring and goes out of the way for the people he cares about. I love how his character develops and how he interacts with the world.
The plot became a bit messy near the end when Toma was in the fight with his friends. I had a super hard time keeping up with the conversation between Taichi, Toma's friends, and Mami's friends. Yes, you can't judge someone's opinion because you don't know their past, but also homophobia is bad. It was such a confusing conversation. But the intent behind that conversation ties really well into this story about perspective and following YOUR dreams and values.
In my perfect little world, Masumi would be married to her wife and having a grand old time. I'm not sure about Futaba; maybe she'd be on her own with a little flower shop or something, maybe she'd be married in the countryside. But at least Masumi would be in a gay relationship.
Overall, I would recommend this series because it explores relationships and personal desire (not in a sexual way, think more life purpose way). There are some amazing friendships and surprising relationships (think Mami and Masumi's friendship). Just a beautiful manga for the most part
mikibooks's review against another edition
5.0
Sublime, una historia fuera de serie, distinta, dificil de catalogar. No entiendo cómo tuvo el ok para salir donde salió. Imperdible.
bubblechase's review
emotional
5.0
Goodreads review: "to reiterate what i’ve said time and time aGAIN, if this series isn’t in my urn/casket/etc when the time comes i will be the grumpiest afterworld-er out there >:( BUT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WHAT AN ENDING, the mf FEELS, the roller coaster, the REPRESENTATION!!! such a beautiful series i will do my best to get physically and reread forever 🧎kaito you’ve stolen my heart, body, and soul with your characters thank you a bajillion❗️the characters were so well rounded and relatable to the fucking T, if you haven’t read this yet and you’re reading this (both future self and anyone else) watcha doin? get a box of tissues, some water and a blanket! i wish you (kaito especially 🌝(and masumi/touma/taichi/futaba)) all the best 💓
what a fantastic way to end 2021"
what a fantastic way to end 2021"
troetschel's review
I don't know how to rate this. There are two endings in this volume - the ending to Blue Flag, and an epilogue ending to a second story arc that has not been put down on paper. Up until the epilogue ending, this was five stars across the board. With it, I struggle to even try and quantitatively measure, which is why I've not included a star rating.
Blue Flag as a series is so authentically teenager-y and messy - emotional, tense, having to go through your days when it feels like the whole world is falling down around you. It explores the agony of high school relationships in the best possible way. I especially loved seeing Futaba's growth and her growing determination to prioritize her needs and desires. I was delighted by Mami's surprising depth and self-assurance in herself. Almost all the characters were interesting and felt like real individuals.
The ending to Blue Flag, sans epilogue, is messy and bittersweet. It's not a perfect ending because there really wasn't any way to have a perfect ending - not here and not usually in real life, either.
And after the ending... well, most people don't end up with their high school sweethearts. Most couples break up in college, because finding yourself isn't something that comes included with your high school diploma. Most people do so much growing and changing that we end up in wildly different situations than anyone could have ever predicted. I fully believe that the epilogue ending was a Happily Ever After for all the characters involved, but it was an ending to a saga that we didn't get to see. I desperately wish I could read that story. I want to know how Taichi and Toma reconnected. I want to know who Futaba met. I really want to see and understand Masumi's story.
Maybe Kaito will publish the second story someday - I'll hold out hope for that.
Blue Flag as a series is so authentically teenager-y and messy - emotional, tense, having to go through your days when it feels like the whole world is falling down around you. It explores the agony of high school relationships in the best possible way. I especially loved seeing Futaba's growth and her growing determination to prioritize her needs and desires. I was delighted by Mami's surprising depth and self-assurance in herself. Almost all the characters were interesting and felt like real individuals.
The ending to Blue Flag, sans epilogue, is messy and bittersweet. It's not a perfect ending because there really wasn't any way to have a perfect ending - not here and not usually in real life, either.
And after the ending... well, most people don't end up with their high school sweethearts. Most couples break up in college, because finding yourself isn't something that comes included with your high school diploma. Most people do so much growing and changing that we end up in wildly different situations than anyone could have ever predicted. I fully believe that the epilogue ending was a Happily Ever After for all the characters involved, but it was an ending to a saga that we didn't get to see. I desperately wish I could read that story. I want to know how Taichi and Toma reconnected. I want to know who Futaba met. I really want to see and understand Masumi's story.
Maybe Kaito will publish the second story someday - I'll hold out hope for that.
alexander's review against another edition
3.0
Ending felt a little rushed and incomplete. Overall, the series never reached the highs I thought it could have, especially in terms of romance, but was still a pretty enjoyable coming-of-age story.
endemictoearth's review
3.0
Siiiiiiigh - I read this manga in two halves. Volumes 1-4 about a month ago, and the last four this week. I was so intrigued and entertained by the first four volumes, but the 2nd half of this manga was 3 stars on average. I wish I could remember who told me they quit this series after volume 7—whoever you are, I can see why you did! Volume 8 slightly redeems the soapbox preachiness of volumes 6 & 7, but man, I did not really like where this went. One of the secondary characters is given much attention, and while I agree in principle with the narrative, it was soooo much tell tell tell, the dialogue boxes crowd the pages, bc all of these teenagers are pontificating left right and center. I THINK that the couple I wanted to see together is together at the end, but it was written so vaguely that it’s hard to tell.
jasisreading's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75