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A review by bravemaeve
Bloom Into You, Vol. 3 by Nakatani Nio
5.0
My absolute favorite volume! So buckle up because I have a lot to say about it.
Firstly, this volume has always solidified Sayaka as my favorite character. While the relationship between Yuu and Touko is certainly relatable to a queer individual, I have found no other character has accurately reflected the lesbian experience quite like Sayaka. I’ve gotten emotional before reading/watching the scene where she explains her history and unrequited love for Touko. As someone who was also dealing with unrequited feelings at a similar time and who also had a similar background/mindset as Sayaka (that line where she says she went to a co-Ed school so she wouldn’t have crushes on girls anymore, omggg were the same), I’ve always felt closely connected to her character and understand her internalized homophobia and inner turmoil immensely.
I also love that this is the volume that introduces an older sapphic couple, denying the notion that queer relationships are “just a phase.” I additionally love the mentor-mentee relationship between Miyako and Sayaka.
Some other highlights are the budding friendship emerging between Sayaka and Yuu (I think they have such great chemistry and certainly could see them working well in a relationship), as well as Yuu and Maki as well. The dichotomy between Maki and Yuu is especially prevalent in this volume, as Maki clearly identifies as asexual but it is clear Yuu leans more toward being demisexual. I love that their friendship allows them the ability to learn more about themselves.
Finally onto Yuu and Touko. Oh boy, this volume has some of the best developments in their relationship. This is most certainly the volume where it is clear Yuu is falling for Touko. The scene in the rain where Touko suddenly worries Yuu is falling for her with that deathly stare always gives me the chills. Though it hurts to see Yuu push down her clear feelings for Touko, I have always loved the race scene (they do an especially good job of representing this in the anime), and that I feel is when Yuu is suddenly self-aware of her feelings for Touko. And of course, things get a lil spicy in the shed at the end of the volume, which I think is needed to also shed some light on Yuu’s budding sexuality as well.
Overall, this volume has some of the best chapters in the entire series and is where the series really starts shining for me.
Firstly, this volume has always solidified Sayaka as my favorite character. While the relationship between Yuu and Touko is certainly relatable to a queer individual, I have found no other character has accurately reflected the lesbian experience quite like Sayaka. I’ve gotten emotional before reading/watching the scene where she explains her history and unrequited love for Touko. As someone who was also dealing with unrequited feelings at a similar time and who also had a similar background/mindset as Sayaka (that line where she says she went to a co-Ed school so she wouldn’t have crushes on girls anymore, omggg were the same), I’ve always felt closely connected to her character and understand her internalized homophobia and inner turmoil immensely.
I also love that this is the volume that introduces an older sapphic couple, denying the notion that queer relationships are “just a phase.” I additionally love the mentor-mentee relationship between Miyako and Sayaka.
Some other highlights are the budding friendship emerging between Sayaka and Yuu (I think they have such great chemistry and certainly could see them working well in a relationship), as well as Yuu and Maki as well. The dichotomy between Maki and Yuu is especially prevalent in this volume, as Maki clearly identifies as asexual but it is clear Yuu leans more toward being demisexual. I love that their friendship allows them the ability to learn more about themselves.
Finally onto Yuu and Touko. Oh boy, this volume has some of the best developments in their relationship. This is most certainly the volume where it is clear Yuu is falling for Touko. The scene in the rain where Touko suddenly worries Yuu is falling for her with that deathly stare always gives me the chills. Though it hurts to see Yuu push down her clear feelings for Touko, I have always loved the race scene (they do an especially good job of representing this in the anime), and that I feel is when Yuu is suddenly self-aware of her feelings for Touko. And of course, things get a lil spicy in the shed at the end of the volume, which I think is needed to also shed some light on Yuu’s budding sexuality as well.
Overall, this volume has some of the best chapters in the entire series and is where the series really starts shining for me.