Creative Staff:
Art/Story: Aka Akasaka
Translation: Tomoko Kimura
English Adaptation/Editor: Annette Roman
Touch-Up Art & Lettering: Stephen Dutro
Cover & Interior Design: Alice Lewis
What They Say:
Will Miyuki ever admit to his insignificant but seemingly infinite lack of nonacademic talents? And what of the other student council members? Are any of them willing to see themselves objectively? Then it’s time for the school culture festival, which harkens back to a legend of ancient personal sacrifice that inspires present-day students…symbolically, at least. Plus, a student council arm wrestling competition, balloon animals and a flashback episode to Miyuki’s first awkward weeks as an outsider at Shuchuiin High.
Cosplay makes the woman.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
For those who might have been getting a little tired of the constant reset being hit on romantic movement forward, we do at least get something that qualifies as the author signaling that he’ll be pushing things ahead, even if it’s mainly just an excuse for more humor (not a bad thing though). In this volume, we see Shirogane begin to realize that he only has so much time available before his high school days are over (as Japanese high school only lasts for three years, it does pass by a bit more quickly than what most Americans are used to). And since he plans to study abroad (at Stanford no less), soon it will be now or never in order to form a romantic relationship with Kaguya. There remains, however, his pride and the impediment it creates: he’s still hung up on having her confess her love to him first.
Just because he has developed some determination does not mean it will be easy to move things forward. Though Miyuki does attempt to show a little more boldness, his courage fails him on several occasions, with outside actors and Kaguya herself not helping things either. (That’s where the cat ears come in). All of this set agains the backdrop of the upcoming Culture Festival (we just had the Sports Festival not too long ago, so of course it’s time for the Culture Festival). Being another school-wide event, it provides another chance to bring in the minor subplot of Ishigami’s crush on Tsubame Koyasu, a third-year, whom he met during the Sports Festival before and who is now chairing the Culture Festival committee. Those who recall the high-energy hyper-ness of the Cheer Squad from there will find echoes here, though now it’s Miko Ino turn to feel out of place as Ishigami is used to this.
While the Culture Festival and its preparations (and subplots) are the major elements, it does not mean that we get no standalone bits of fun. Continuing in the long tradition of silly Student Council competitions, Chika decides that she wants to beat everyone at arm wrestling (though with unexpected results, of course). We have another “Chika tutors Shirgane…with hilarious incidents” segment. But beyond all that, we also get what was probably set up as one of the major payoffs from the start, when Kaguya makes a startling confession (to Hayasaka, not Miyuki). Time for a flashback.
The beginning of something that looks like movement is a good thing as otherwise the romance could get rather stale. We are seeing it develop from both ends now, as Miyuki and Kaguya seem to have found a new spirit of determination in trying to force the other to confess their love. Of course, we’re likely not to see any rush towards a conclusion until the manga is closer to completion. Can’t have the romance wrap up so quickly.
Beyond the continuing main thread of the entire series, there are a good number of interesting subplots still at work, including the aftereffects of Ishigami’s time with the Cheer Squad. While the romance between Kaguya and Miyuki is moving at a pace a snail would find contemptible, it might be that Ishigami’s love may well yield a confession much sooner…though whether there will be a positive response is another matter.
It’s still just all good stuff, even if Chika cannot enter any kind of competition without resorting to underhanded means in her attempt to win.
In Summary:
The Hoshin Culture Festival is revving up at Shuchiin. That means extra work for Miko and Yu since the Festival Committee is understaffed and Miyuki has asked the two most junior members of the Student Council to help out. This does, however, give Ishigami a chance to be close to the one he loves. Speaking of love, Shirogane attempts to forge ahead with his desire to have Kaguya confess her love to him…though of course, she is trying to do the same. Is it more of the same old, same old impasse that resets to zero? Yes, but there are also hints that that impasse might yet be broken one day.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: A-
Package Rating: A-
Text/Translation: A-
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: January 7th, 2020
MSRP: $9.99
