Almost time to decide!
Creative Staff:
Story/Art: Naoshi Komi
What They Say:
It’s hate at first sight… rather a knee-to-the-head at first sight when Raku meets Chitoge! Unfortunately, his gangster father arranges a false love match with their rival gang leader’s daughter, Chitoge! However, Raku’s searching for his childhood sweetheart, with a pendant around his neck as a memento, and is surprised to discover three candidates with keyes: Chitoge, Onodera (his current crush), and Tachibana (the police chief’s daughter)!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Nisekoi’s push through a lot of character stories has been really exciting to read because it has such a sense that things are about to happen. Part of it is that it feels like we’re close to winding down but part of it is my hopeful that we’ll see a decision made and then spend some time actually watching it all unfold. Will they or won’t they stories are always fun on some level if you like the characters enough, but the relationship side itself of love is definitely far more compelling. Watching how the dynamic can change once things get realized, if they do, is something that I’m really hopeful that Komi digs into since it would be such a welcome change of pace.
Familiar is the name of the game this time around, though, as we get back to the core characters with the supporting cast in tow. With a meteor shower happening soon that only happens once every fifty years, Shu has gotten a hold of a professional telescope and secured a place atop the school with the teacher’s permission. The group is planning to make a fun night of it as a summer memory and have snacks, games, and so forth until the event itself. There’s a lot of fun in seeing how this comes together and the little bits for the recent supporting cast such as Tsugumi and Ruri, but most of the focus is on our core trio. Even Shu is making it clear to Raku that this is the moment where he has to make his decision – and that even if it goes badly he still has a backup. This is actually a great moment for Raku as he makes it clear that he doesn’t view either grl as a backup and that if rejected he won’t pursue the other. Well, at least night right away, perhaps…
With the perfect setup for a confession at play, we also get to see that both Kirisaki and Onodera are viewing this as their big chance to confess as they really want to enjoy these last months before graduation in the right way – as a couple. Both are pretty compelling with how they present themselves and the earnest nature of youth is wonderfully presented. Of course, things have to go a bit off track along the way as on the day of the event these three all end up there hours earlier than everyone else because of nervous energy. So they do some summer stuff related to the school with the animals to kill time, but it just reveals the girls’ nervousness in a really fun way. While it’s predictable that the typhoon is going to hit since it was so properly laid out earlier in the chapter, the setup is right here for what’s to come with the three of them locked in the school alone for the night, all of them trying to connect with the one they want to confess to without the other knowing.
In Summary:
Nisekoi once again has me excited. While I would normally take it with a grain of salt with what they’ll do based on past experience with this series and others, Nisekoi feels like it’s on the cusp of really progressing. And the thought of it just has me giddy to see how it all unfolds and if Komi will really go the distance here. This chapter puts it all in play perfectly all while giving proper nods to other supporting players along the way. I’m still torn myself about how I want to see it go down but I’m loving that they’re all ready to make their move and let things fall as they may – since a poly relationship obviously isn’t in the cards here. Komi’s been nailing this book since the end of the Marika storyline and this chapter is no exception, especially since it’s such a great series to look at with all the details and comical elements that are placed within it.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media via Weekly Shonen Jump from ComiXology
Release Date: March 21st, 2016
MSRP: $0.99
