This one’s only for super fans of My Hero Academia. A good stocking stuffer for a young MHA fan, but we don’t really learn anything new. I didn’t find the layout to be engaging, and I found myself skimming through. On the positive, we got to see some of the lesser-known heroes’ parents. If you wanted to see Koda’s mama, her you go. 

 For anime-only readers, there are a lot of references/spoilers to things from seasons 3 and beyond

like All Might’s retirement, Bakugo getting kidnapped, Overhaul, etc

, so if you don’t want to know the references wait a bit if you’re not caught up. 

 FINALLY! Actual progress happens this volume. Everything seems to be going well until the mangaka threw a right hook at the end. One more bus stop for drama on the road to a happy ending … 

SN: I’m happy the father acknowledged he was wrong for hitting Inui. 

I’m liking the progression with who Akari will love. Her parents maybe divorcing is still hanging in the air, and Akari’s feelings are muddled as ever. I said this before but I’m finding Yuna and Rio sickly sweet like that one high school couple who blocks the lockers because they’re too busy hugging or tonguing each other; now, those two are still sweet and wholesome, but Akari’s plight is just way more interesting now. 

And Ryosuke’s a likeable love rival but very blunt. I love how he’s doesn’t have time for Inui’s flamboyant declarations lol. Be about it or shut up. It’s rare to see any development in a love rival, but Ryosuke shows growth this volume. He’s more earnest about his feelings and regrets that he wasn’t sooner. 

This is truly a “slice of life” story or an“iyashikei (primary aim is to heal the audience through scene depictions of the characters’ daily lives - Anilist).” There are not a lot of plot points, so I would consider this more character-driven. It’s overall very charming! The illustrations are just adorable and lovely. I enjoyed seeing a story set in Indonesia. 

After an accident a few years back, Jordan, an avid basketball fan and athlete, has been in a wheelchair. Because of this, her role on the team has significantly decreased, and she feels her best sports day are behind her... Until she meets Marshmallow, a cartoonishly cute, white elephant. I love that Jordan is not defined solely by her disability. She loves sports, yummy food, and still has middle-school friend drama. The ending gets cheesy, but I found it fitting nonetheless.

For a varied collection, I enjoyed the majority of these. The artwork from Brittney Williams and the coloring by Emma Kubert and Nicole Goux were noteworthy to me! I think it is great that the stories are not <i>just</i> direct translations of these admirable women’s lives (a good selection as well). The writers try to relate the stories to their own experiences, other people, and different aspects. By doing that, it makes the stories fresher in a way. 

Not as good as the first one, but still cute. the characters are really lovable. great for kids

 This was charming, the art style and the characters. I also laughed a lot at the rock band "Creepypasta" with their hit "Slenderman." 

 Still, enjoying this series a lot. Somehow, it manages to make a love rival likable, and I almost want to root for her to get Loid’s affection ... Except I just like the Spy Family too much. 

There were some stellar lines here. And I loved the dynamic of Jessi basically having a surrogate mother in the form of Mel. You can find family outside of biological ones, and I was thrilled to see it.

In addition, Jessi has a unique relationship with her biological mother whose struggles with mental health/depression has left her parental role seemingly vacant. The mental health conversations were excellent.

Jessi acknowledges she knew her mother was sick and never faulted her for that, but that it was understandably weird and not earned than her mother wanted to suddenly make up for years of no parental guidance in a year. Depression can be messy, and I think the book showed that well.

Much like those Tiffany Jackson stories, it’s always so frustrating and intriguing to try to figure out what happened. I thought it was cute how Jessi was crushing on one of the brothers, but it got a little draining and stressful, to be honest. I really wanted to like her with Luke, but there was too much drama surrounding them; he was salty, but it takes a good while to find out why. On the positive, Jessi felt like a real teenager to me. Overall, I liked this. I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author as well.

5 stars - the story, familial relationships, the drama, Jessi's character development, Naomi
3ish - the fake dating, Luke, Ro(wan)

Semi-spoiler:

it never fails “Both the brothers are hot, and they want me omg!!!” always ends messy.

 

SN: One of the characters defers college for a year. I haven’t really seen that in YA fiction before

3.5

I absolutely loved how seriously this manga takes art.

This series also sparks creativity in me because I want to try the composition trick the art teacher told Yatora. Composition is key. Also, Yatora’s friends are so wholesome. If you weren’t an artist before, this series surely makes you want to become one.

I need to get around to watching the anime. c: