Blue Flag Vol. 5by Wolfen MoondaughterReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 9 Despite Taichi and Futaba having decided to be boyfriend and girlfriend, they have trouble actually seeing one another. And then Miwa suddenly starts spending time with Taichi -- does Futaba have reason to worry? And has someone else figured out Toma's secret?I do have one small complaint before getting into things: there are two interstitial moments that depict the girls in sexy ways that just don't fit the story -- especially the first one, which opens the book in a Charlie's Angels kind of way, and so is completely at odds with the tone of the opening chapter. There's also a moment with one of the teen girls in the shower, and we're looking up at her, her crotch shadowed … but then, that draws all the more attention to it! Like, what? All three are rather jarring, and are why I give this volume gets a 9 instead of a 10. (Also, there's a sketch showing four character's drinks, but one of them drinks orange juice … and there's ice in it? This isn't a criticism, but … what? Such a weird little detail, it made me wonder if the manga-ka decided after the fact that it was orange juice, and didn't think about the ice! Or maybe the translator took a liberty? Or else the character likes their juice watered down. Now I'm curious to know if this is the norm in Japan!) This volume focuses on Miwa as much as or more than on Taichi, Futaba, or Toma, and ... made me love her! She turns out to be an amazing character that represents a seldom-recognised niche in storytelling (but I don't want to spoil the specifics for you). The revelation comes by way of a long philosophical discussion in which the opposing side to Miwa's makes some good points too -- this is not going to be everyone's cuppa, but it's completely mine. Bringing Miwa to the fore also shines a light on another interesting character whom I look forward to getting to know better too. The Taichi / Futaba stuff is cut, but I especially appreciate how it creates moments to explore Toma and Taichi's relationship more too. Aside from the aforementioned philosophical discussion, my favourite scene in the volume is Taichi's reaction to something Toma gives him. And I appreciate that Toma and Masumi are so supportive of the feelings that their respective crushes have on other people (I actually know this feeling myself all too well, and it's nice to see it represented in a story). I'm really starting to see why this series is part of the Viz Signature line, rather than just the Shojo Beat line! It does read like a shojo on the surface (and I love shojo, don't get me wrong!), but has a lot of depth and complexity, and is becoming a real ensemble story! Written: December 27, 2020
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