Love*Com Vol 8 by Aya Nakahara Manga Review

Title:  Love*Com  Vol 8

Author:  Aya Nakahara

Publisher: Viz

ISBN: 9781421517414

May Contain Spoilers

Risa and Otani are a couple, after Otani finally realizes that he cares for her.  All is happy in Risa’s world, right? Not so fast!  Along comes Mimi, Otani’s beautiful next door neighbor.  She’s been in love with him forever, and she’s not going to just let Risa walk away with the object of her affection.  Will Risa be able to keep Otani with that new competitor on the scene?

This series is so funny, as the characters’ very different personalities constantly butt against each other, leading to very amusing conflicts.  Even though Otani and Risa are dating now, Risa is still mired with doubts and is still self-conscious about her height.  How can Otani possibly love her?  When he doesn’t verbalize his feelings, she’s even more uncertain about his feelings for her.  Otani hasn’t changed either; he is still the most clueless male in Japan.  Perhaps in all the world.  He is the enemy of young girls’ most tender emotions, considering he can’t even detect the most blatant of romantic signals cast his way.  I think Risa is in for a lengthy, trying battle to keep her feelings from constantly being battered by that deficiency.

When Mimi enters the picture, Risa is stunned by the middle-school student’s beauty.  Mimi is a model (figures) and she has been in love with Otani since she first met him. 

She has put on an act in front of him for years, acting to be sweet as pie in her quest to win his affections.  Once she learns that Risa is now his girlfriend, she allows her unpleasant personality to surface - but only in front of Risa.  Tall and striking herself, Mimi can’t understand what Otani sees in Risa.  He has never once acknowledged her less than subtle hints that she has a crush on him, and seeing Risa, towering by her beloved Atchan, just sets her off in a rage.

I was afraid at first that the rivalry within Risa and Mimi would follow a cliched path, but after allowing her ugly side to rear up and threaten Risa, that convoluted love triangle was allowed to twist and turn in very delightful ways.  Risa, having experienced Otani’s stupidity first hand, feels sorry for Mimi, even though the other girl is as mean as a rattlesnake.  that leads to conflicts with Otani, who just doesn’t understand what all of the fuss is about. Remembering her own broken heart, Risa wants Otani to talk to Mimi so they can come to an understanding, while Otani doesn’t see the need.   When the three of them spend an afternoon together, it is crystal clear that Risa and Otani are made for each other.  Even Mimi can see that and realizes that stealing him away from Risa is going to be a difficult task, particularly when she still can’t be herself in front of him. 

Also includes a bonus manga featuring the Love*Com characters, and a comprehensive fact section on the series to period.

Grade: B+

Rated for Teen

Review copy provided by Viz

[Source] Julie