The guy she was interested in wasn't a guy at all by Sumiko Arai. Trans. by Ajani Oloye. Lettered by Brandon Bovia

This is volume 3 in the Japanese Manga series about shy, talented Mitsuki and bubbly, Aya. In this volume they are in their final year at high school. Aya describes her relationship with Mitsuki as a “fangirl crush”, admiring her musical taste and songwriting but when Aya holds herself responsible for an accident where Mitsuki hurts her ankle and must use crutches, she overdoes it trying to help her. The extra attention from their school friends is challenging for Mitsuki and makes Aya jealous but they get through it, and their emotional ties get stronger. Aya says she leaves her mind empty during the day but at night she gets the urge to make music and it is music that draws everything together. They go to a music festival with Mitsuki’s uncle from the CD shop and Kanna, his business partner, events cascade from there.

This edition is read from back to front in the Japanese manner, with the graphic frames reading from right to left generally, with break out images, close ups and dynamic backgrounds creating an exciting, emotionally charged atmosphere in green, black and white. The story, written and illustrated by Sumiko Arai was first posted online in parts in 2021 and has become very popular. This edition was translated by Ajani Oloye with lettering by Brandon Bovia, there are some helpful translation notes and some character profiles at the front. I haven’t read any of the other volumes but was entranced by the powerfully drawn artwork, using all the characteristics of manga style layered to great effect, the dynamic hair, close-ups, expressive eyes and mouths to communicate emotional states. I am sure I missed a lot, but true fans will lap this up and it could very well ensnare some new ones.

Themes: Manga graphic novel, Friendship, Music.

Sue Speck