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juicelina's review against another edition
3.0
This series makes me angry!! Like the way the girls are treated drives me crazy, but shit like this actually happens. Girls are sexually assaulted and blamed for it or their stories aren't believed and it's so frustrating. I will say the way the author handled the sexual assault in this was tastefully done. There's nothing that blatantly shows the assault, you just know it happens. Like you don't need to see all the details and traumatize the reader in order to get the point across.
I thought this was only a two volume series, but it's not concluded yet so there has to be more. It doesn't look like there's anything available yet (at least translated in english), but I do want to continue reading. I'm really curious about who the stalker is and his motives as well as what will happen with the mean girl.
I thought this was only a two volume series, but it's not concluded yet so there has to be more. It doesn't look like there's anything available yet (at least translated in english), but I do want to continue reading. I'm really curious about who the stalker is and his motives as well as what will happen with the mean girl.
hough_is_tough's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rakishabpl's review against another edition
4.0
This book needs a bigger trigger warning about sexual assault, dating violence, sexual harassment and stalking. It is intense. Former idol Nina Kamiyama hides her feminine body under a boy's uniform and haircut to protect herself from the sexism and harassment pretty girls receive in society after being attacked by a fan. The boys and the girls in her class are in the midst of a gender war as the boys don't understand why the girls are upset by certain behaviors and expectations. As Kamiyama gets closer to a male classmate, a surprising love triangle between her, popular female classmate Nagasu and Hikaru.
Hikaru battles his own demons as the guilt of not believing his sister's accusations of sexual harassment from a teacher has and the shame, and the fear of the harassment has forced his sister into being a recluse. To atone for his sins, Hikaru tries very hard to protect both Kamiyama and Nagasu from harm, and keep his male classmates to consider the girls with more respect. However, Hikaru can't be everywhere at once and a tragedy befalls one of the girls.
Hikaru battles his own demons as the guilt of not believing his sister's accusations of sexual harassment from a teacher has and the shame, and the fear of the harassment has forced his sister into being a recluse. To atone for his sins, Hikaru tries very hard to protect both Kamiyama and Nagasu from harm, and keep his male classmates to consider the girls with more respect. However, Hikaru can't be everywhere at once and a tragedy befalls one of the girls.
28hdt's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
rosewelsh's review against another edition
5.0
Gosh, this is such a heavy series and full of trigger warnings. It honestly is a hard read for me, but I respect and understand what the author is trying to get across through the story. Nina/Karen is a former idol who was traumatized when she was attacked by a man during a signing. Ever since she’s hidden away in a normal high school by dressing as a boy and avoiding everyone around her. She finally befriends a fellow classmate named Hikaru, whose own sister was assaulted by her homeroom teacher. No one believed her, and one of the only reasons why she’s managed to pull through was because of her admiration of Nina/Karen, so Hikaru is very protective of his new friend.
This volume dives more heavily into the consequences women face for either embracing their sexuality and bodies or the ridicule they get for not being traditionally feminine. It’s a tough read because aside from just the usual misogyny and general dudes being assholes, there are female characters who blame other women for being assaulted or sexually harassed. It’s disappointing but true to life, which makes it easy for you to get angry at the characters. I did love the portion in which Hikaru discusses how unfair it is that Nina/Karen feels the need to hide away from the world because of what happened to her, while the disgusting man who attacked her doesn’t get the same treatment because of how society shames women for literally everything. I thought that aspect was handled well.
While I have plenty of gripes with the book, I did also enjoy learning that Nina/Karen has a supportive group of female friends, which is something not often expressed in situations like this. One would assume when she quit the band her bandmates would be angry with her for abandoning them but they’re very supportive and just want her to be happy. It says a lot about the culture of music that the girls are expected to move on as nothing happen and continue behaving in the same way that caused an obsessive fan to attack Nina/Karen, so I’m interested in if that carries any weight in the future volumes, if there are any. I know this series is on hiatus, so I hope it continues because now I am annoyingly invested!
Blog / Twitter / Instagram
This volume dives more heavily into the consequences women face for either embracing their sexuality and bodies or the ridicule they get for not being traditionally feminine. It’s a tough read because aside from just the usual misogyny and general dudes being assholes, there are female characters who blame other women for being assaulted or sexually harassed. It’s disappointing but true to life, which makes it easy for you to get angry at the characters. I did love the portion in which Hikaru discusses how unfair it is that Nina/Karen feels the need to hide away from the world because of what happened to her, while the disgusting man who attacked her doesn’t get the same treatment because of how society shames women for literally everything. I thought that aspect was handled well.
While I have plenty of gripes with the book, I did also enjoy learning that Nina/Karen has a supportive group of female friends, which is something not often expressed in situations like this. One would assume when she quit the band her bandmates would be angry with her for abandoning them but they’re very supportive and just want her to be happy. It says a lot about the culture of music that the girls are expected to move on as nothing happen and continue behaving in the same way that caused an obsessive fan to attack Nina/Karen, so I’m interested in if that carries any weight in the future volumes, if there are any. I know this series is on hiatus, so I hope it continues because now I am annoyingly invested!
Blog / Twitter / Instagram
haynoelle96's review against another edition
4.0
Wow!! This manga series is just non-stop action!! I'm constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see what's going to happen.
Usually, in manga series, there's one boy that I literally cannot stand because he's either really weird or really gross. In this one, it's a girl. Sure, sometimes the boy students can say some shitty things (are we really surprised?), but there's one girl character that I simply want to get a reality check. Or a vibe check.
Anyways, the second volume wasn't as good as the first, but it still was amazing. I think it would be pretty hard to reach the level of the first volume, so this one coming even that close is a win!! Can't wait to read the next one! Happy Reading!!!
Usually, in manga series, there's one boy that I literally cannot stand because he's either really weird or really gross. In this one, it's a girl. Sure, sometimes the boy students can say some shitty things (are we really surprised?), but there's one girl character that I simply want to get a reality check. Or a vibe check.
Anyways, the second volume wasn't as good as the first, but it still was amazing. I think it would be pretty hard to reach the level of the first volume, so this one coming even that close is a win!! Can't wait to read the next one! Happy Reading!!!
half_bloodreader's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
"Pay attention. Why does a Halloween costume contest turn into a beauty pageant? Why do high school sports teams for boys have managers who are girls? Why do female Idols disappear before they turn 30?"
This psychological suspense manga keeps its discussion of PTSD, feminism, and femininity. It's interesting because it uses the typical shoujo manga tropes & scenarios to present real life issues girls/women face. It's scary how true it all is.
To quote Forbes' review "As an idol, Karen always navigated an undercurrent of male entitlement; she was only taken by surprise when it transformed into overt cruelty."
Another tense volume divided between the tension of ex-idol Karen/Nina's unknown assailant still being out there, of us readers knowing he's stalking her new anonymous life, and the ever present misogyny & sexism in Nina's classroom, still supported by Pick Me Girl Miku, as if that will keep her safe.
Hikaru presents not just the typical kind attractive love interest the girls swoon over, but a boy who is actually self-aware of his privilege and power, and willing to learn more (due to his sister being harassed). He stands out from the toxic masculinity around them. He particularly stood out by being understanding of how he may induce fear in women even at his best behaviour, and his willingness to let Nina take her time instead of pushing her to trust him, or having her force herself.
Again, that beginning. It makes no sense for the traumatized mc to put herself in possible danger, or worry those who care about her, when there's plenty of reasons to worry indeed! Almost cost it half a star. In the end, I decided the work done the previous & and following chapters was more important.
Does the assailant have no other clothes? I know it's mostly to help us identify this faceless evil immediately, but it also gives the vibe that he's getting pumped up into his evilsona by wearing the same outfit of the day of the crime 😬 Or that he doesn't shower 😬
TW: mentions of s*xual harassment, implied assault
soulwinds's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Stalking
Minor: Sexual assault
nvciel's review against another edition
4.0
The art is very nice in this manga. Beautiful, soulful eyes. I would like to see more dialogue and fewer tears.