 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | CHICA UMINO | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 192 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 06/03/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 06/02/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Fans of the anime and live action movie (the live action film now available from Viz Pictures) can now read where it all began in the original manga Honey and Clover. The series revolves around the eccentric individuals at an art college, their lives, their loves, their heartbreaks and dreams. The second volume starts off with Yuta returning home after a very long absence. He’s been avoiding his family due to the ambivalence he has towards his step-father. The family reunion causes him to face the man who he feels replaced him in his mother’s life. With time and distance, has Yuta finally been able to get a more mature and understanding perspective so that he can again be with his family? From there the story focuses more on the rest of the group and the approaching graduation for Yamada and Mayama. Yamada still holds a torch for him while he pines for the tragic Rika. Hanamoto takes Mayama aside and shares his past with Rika in order to give Mayama insight into his own life as well as the woman he cares for. In the end, Yamada confesses, Mayama makes a declaration, and they both make decisions about their future. Is the love triangle between Yamada, Mayama and Rika resolved? I wouldn’t say so, but it has reached an interesting turning point. The end of the semester party signifying the beginning of Spring Break focuses more on Hagu and the other love triangle in the manga. There’s an insightful flashback to how Hanamoto first met Hagu and the tie that binds them. As he leaves for Mongol on a special research project, Takamoto displays how much he cares for Hagu, showing a very sweet moment when he takes care of the lonely and talented girl. For all of the chapters there are some moments of comedy, but overall what impresses is the more intricate emotions the story imparts. The feelings are fragile and bittersweet, subtle and moving. The art style is equally delicate looking with subtle shifts in expressiveness.
IN SUMMARY:
Honey and Clover is the bitter with the sweet for a subtle and moving romantic drama with fine comedic moments. |
