Rascal Does Not Dream of a Lost Singer

Leave a reply

By Hajime Kamoshida and Keji Mizoguchi. Released in Japan as “Seishun Buta Yarou wa Mayoeru Singer no Yume wo Minai” by Dengeki Bunko. Released in North America by Yen On. Translated by Andrew Cunningham.

As we hit double digit volumes for this series, and we start what is basically “Rascal: The College Years”, it’s probably a good time to ask ourselves what we really want out of the series. Let’s face it, I’d be perfectly happy just watching Sakuta interact with the rest of the cast, no plot or dangerous supernatural phenomenon needed. Add in 40-50 pages of descriptions of subway stations, which is about the average with this series, and you could say that we don’t NEED the main premise of the series anymore. The main cast, for the most part, has accepted their past and trauma, and made a good effort at moving on. Sakuta and Mai are adults in college, and even Kaede will probably be graduating soon. There’s no NEED for what has been termed “Adolescence Syndrome”. And so, until the last page of the book, I assumed that this was the point of this volume. That the problems Uzuki had were totally normal.

You can sum up the plot of this volume as follows: “What measure is a non-airhead?”. Sakuta and Mai are now at college, and living the blissful couple life (well, except they barely see each other due to her job). He’s also tutoring two students from his old high school at a cram school, and hasn’t had to worry about any supernatural phenomenon in a year and a half. Uzuki and Nodoka, from Sweet Bullet, are also there, and Uzuki is in a lot of Sakuta’s classes, as they share a major. Uzuki is, of course, her usual lovable ditz self, and seems to get along with everyone in the class. “Seems” being the operative word. Because one day, Uzuki shows up at class, and something is… off. She’s making efforts to fit in more. She’s picking up social cues. What the hell is going on? This is so unlike her!

There’s actually a whole new mini-cast introduced here, which no doubt will get more of a look-in in future volumes. We meet Miori, who honestly seems to be Rule 63 Sakuta a lot of the time, and her obvious attempts to insert herself into his life. Ikumi, who we briefly saw in the last book, is briefly seen again, and Sakuta is still vaguely uncomfortable around her. There’s the cram school kids. I feel the author is apologizing for a lot of the old cast only making token appearances, but such is life. As for Uzuki and her issues, I thought it was very well handled and sometimes very sad, and the climax of the book was excellent. The actual resolution, though, feels not QUITE as happy as I’d have liked… especially given the OTHER new character we see at the end, who implies that this really WAS supernatural, not just Uzuki suddenly maturing. Enter Touko Kirishima.

No, it’s Touko, not Touka, this is not becoming a Tokyo Ghoul crossover. Exactly what it’s becoming is still undecided. But I will admit feeling unsatisfied that the catalyst for Uzuki’s issues was actually a third party. I will have to content myself with the fact that the conflict and resolution of it was all Uzuki, and she did very well.

Sword Art Online, Vol. 26: Unital Ring V

Leave a reply

By Reki Kawahara and abec. Released in Japan by Dengeki Bunko. Released in North America by Yen On. Translated by Stephen Paul.

It’s not clear how much ;longer this arc of Sword Art Online is going to go, or if it really is the final arc in the story. I don’t think even the author knows, especially given that his afterword talks about how he gets distracted by side stories and diversions all the time and can’t advance the plot. But I think he’s thinking about it, and we get a little of that with Silica here, who gets to have most of the narration that isn’t Kirito’s when he’s in the Underworld. She’s been one of the original SAO gang for so long it’s sometimes hard to remember that she’s three years younger than most of the others, and she’s noticing that Asuna and Lisbeth aren’t playing games quite as much as they used to. It’s not framed in a “put away childish things” sort of way – indeed, Silica notes one of her friends think she’s the weird one for continuing to game so much after SAO – but hey, adulting is necessary. The real world beckons.

The plot here is neatly divided in half. On the Underworld side, Kirito, Asuna and Alice finally get to see Alice’s sister frozen in time, awaiting her return… along with two other surprise guests! Unfortunately, unfreezing them will involve Kirito and Eolyne becoming astronauts, going to one of the satellites where Kirito, pre-memory wipe, hid the information. But, of course, while there they find bad guys doing terrible things. On the Unital Ring side, the rest of the main cast need to find more ore in order to keep up with the other gamers, and doing so will involve facing off against a giant wasp nest! Can they use a dangerous flower that the SAO players know very well to try and swing the battle a little more their way? can can we really get to see a scene with Silica sitting on top of a giant bear fighting a wasp? Because that sounds pretty awesome, frankly.

This book not only thinks about the future a little bit, but also manages to recall the past. We get more “what measure is an NPC?” philosophy, but this also involves Asuna clearly thinking of Kizmel, and almost having a little breakdown. Those reading the Progressive books will know that Kizmel is hugely popular and I think the author is dragging things out a bit to use her more, but it’s also plainly obvious that she’s not going to stick around till the 75th floor, so we can guess what likely happened. And of course, we get more Underworld stuff, though of all the minor characters from that arc to make an emotional reappearance, the elevator operator was not the first one I would have guessed. It works well, though, and also allows our heroines to have a nice long bath, satisfying both Asuna’s love of bathing and also abec’s love of drawing fanservice.

So yes, the plot progression was minimal here, but this was a solid, fun read. SAO fans should be happy.

My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex: “The Six Things I Couldn’t Say”

Leave a reply

By Kyosuke Kamishiro and TakayaKi. Released in Japan as “Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta” by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko. Released in North America by J-Novel Club. Translated by Gierrlon Dunn.

I’ve talked about this before with other series, but there is a reason why so many authors of Japanese light novels write high school romance, and it’s not only because that’s a large part of their market. It’s because high school kids don’t have the life experience most of the time to make sensible decision or to understand the bigger picture. Things that a person thinks back on in middle age as part of their embarrassing past are, for a high school kid of 17 years old, about a quarter of their life, and thus it can seem like an insurmountable object. And, of course, it also helps the author put off the couple getting together as long as possible. Yume’s there, and ready, but Mizuto has a looooong way to go, even after the revelation he has at the end of the volume. The flashbacks through the book to their middle school years shows just how much self-loathing he holds inside himself.

It’s school festival time, and naturally the step-siblings are put in charge of what to do. “Cosplay cafe” seems to be the choice, but too many classes also want to do that, so it’s up to them to find an idea that’s unique and can get past student council approval. This also involves taking into account things like long lines and plans to stop “inappropriate” behavior. As for the festival itself, Mizuto and Yume are working the morning shift, then get the afternoon to talk around the festival together. It could almost be a date!… except they’ve got Isana there with them, as otherwise she’d just be loitering in the library feeling inadequate. It’s OK, Isana. Mizuto already feels inadequate enough for both of you.

It’s probably fortunate for Yume at the moment that the school thinks Mizuto and Isana are dating, as Mizuto’s looks and general “hospitality” attitude while at the cafe are sending the girls’ hearts soaring. Serious-minded emo teen is a thing, I have to remind myself. The strong parts of this series continue to be the dueling POVs, as we see Yume convince herself that Mizuto is stone-faced and stoic while she’s a nervous wreck trying her best, and then we see Mizuto amazed that Yume has managed to change so much and mature while he remains trapped in the past and barely able to function. As with almost all series of this type, a little communication might solve everything, but Mizuto can barely manage even the smallest amount. Fortunately, Isana may still be in love with him, but she’s also playing cupid for the two of them, so she’s there to offer the right advice. Now, what will be done with that advice is another question, especially since it looks like Yume will be joining the Student Council soon.

The author says the series is no lo0nger about two kids who hate each other and is now about two kids who one-sidedly love each other. Hopefully it won’t be six more books before they get together. Till then, this is a very good romcom.