The main reason this one isn't getting 5 stars like volume 6 is because it was <i>very</i> text heavy at times. And while the discussions were 100% important discussions to have, the middle of this volume felt a little bogged down because of it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all of the thoughts about sexuality, gender roles, people's perception of you. I just think it could have been spread out more, to help even out the plot a little bit more.

However, those flashbacks from Toma about childhood hit all the right emotional notes. And the scene with him and his older brother? Almost no text there, but it wasn't needed. The art did all the emotional work for you. Seriously thinking about owning this series because I think it's one of those series where, if you read it again, you'll notice all different things. Because the art does a bunch of the story work, in addition to the writing. And that's such an important aspect for graphic novels and manga in general.