A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Vol 1: Volume 1

£3.995
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A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Vol 1: Volume 1

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Vol 1: Volume 1

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Oh! And I appreciate the editors note at the end of the version I read because it explains a Japanese story ("The Salamander”/“Confinement” by Masuji Ibuse) mentioned in several scenes in simple terms. It also compares it to a story a lot of German students might have read in school the same way The Salamander seems to be taught in Japanese schools a lot, too. (The German story it was compared to: “Demian” by Hermann Hesse) Presumably part of this anxiety is concern that Konatsu only sees Koyuki as a friend, when Koyuki has made it clear to the readers that she's a lesbian attracted to the other girl. The fear that she'll be not just rejected, but actively repel the object of her affection is real, and Konatsu just doesn't seem to even be aware of romantic feelings, such as when she can't figure out why Koyuki's all flustered over an indirect kiss. However this turns out, the delicacy of the art, the unusual aquarium angle, and the skill with which Hagio shows us what's going on without actively telling it makes me want to keep reading. When her dad gets a job overseas, Konatsu Amano has to leave the Tokyo life she’s always known and relocate to a small seaside town to stay with her aunt. The move also means starting a new school surrounded by complete strangers, and it’s a lot to handle for a girl who has trouble with change. But on her first day in her new town, Konatsu is instantly drawn to Koyuki, an older girl who is the sole member of the Aquarium Club. Konatsu’s introverted tendencies are hard for her to overcome, but maybe she’s found something worth coming out of her shell for? I read this series because it popped up on recommendations with Bloom Into You, a yuri romance that was quite good, but the two series have few similarities. This manga isn't focused on romance, but more on other feelings and due to how well it handled its primary themes I ended up enjoying it much more than I expected. I didn't cry reading it but it hit hard and was relatable. The art is excellent and being only 34 chapters it wasn't overlong. So the mangaka claims that this is a story all about *friendships* as in, platonic relationships. Which is fair, because there are platonic relationships in the manga. And I'm all for healthy platonic relationships, whether they are between a male or a female, or a male and another male, or a female and another female.

There's such wonderful imagery and metaphors woven throughout this first volume, especially when it comes to salamanders and how it relates to Konatsu and Koyuki specifically. Its a beautiful message about the two allow each other to escape their loneliness despite this sense of being trapped and isolated. Though Koyuki feels more of a weight from expectations of those around her and in turn, she never really feels understood. All the details about the marine life are also beautifully woven into the series as well, can't wait to see how the author builds on it!Consequently, seeing these two hang out is one of the most pleasantly enjoyable moments since the series started. It was amazing to see Koyuki just enjoy herself unabashedly for a change. There’s a full on Moment where they’re collapsed on the floor sharing a look and it’s just the perfect summation. The review is in English but I read the German manga - also I struggle to rate Mangas/Comics in general so my rating is usually higher than it might be otherwise) When Konatsu's father gets a job overseas, she's forced to move into her aunt's house in a small fishing village. Here, she meets Koyuki, the sole member of the high school's Aquarium Club. But, there's something drawing these two together, so Konatsu joins the club. She also starts to become friends with bubbly Kaeda, who tries to recruit Konatsu to the Home Ec club. To prepare for the monthly open house of the Aquarium Club, Koyuki gives Konatsu a crash course on some of the fish the public will ask about. Konatsu can't answer everything, to her shame, but she does answer an enthusiastic little boy's question about salamanders, and they both get their first glimpse at the aquarium's newest member, a Cloud Salamander Konatsu affectionately named Koyuki because of their similarities. The frustrating part is that I don't even need the two to be together to be satisfied with the ending. I'd be satisfied if they just admit that their feelings are beyond friendship. They could agree that maybe it's best that they stay friends. Or they could try being partners. Or one of them denies the other. Something, anything! Konatsu and Koyuki are similar in many ways. They both feel an acute sense of loneliness, are kind and thoughtful, and yet are also reserved and stubborn. The latter qualities make the girls hesitant to share their feelings, leading to complications in their friendship. To move forward, the girls will have to figure out what they mean to each other and how to navigate their emotions. Will loneliness remain their sole companion, or will Konatsu and Koyuki find the courage to face themselves and each other?

Throughout the volume its mostly Koyuki reflecting on her plans for university, meeting up Kaede when she feels lonely and unsure who to talk about everything with, then Kaede's perspective and her secret lonely side. Konatsu's presence is felt across this volume for sure but she's definitely less of a central character in Vol. 5. Really cute and the thought of having an aquarium/ocean centred student club at school with actual aquariums and rescue animals (if I understood that right) is crazy to me (especially because it actually exists, apparently??) The romance is very slow burn, but also very soft and sweet! The little moments really take over the whole scene, whether its small hand holds, sharing food, or just the longing gazes. Characters: 6/10 - Nothing out of the ordinary. The characters go through some character development but nothing outstanding. They are likeable characters at least. Apparently it's purely platonic to be extremely jealous whenever your friend hangs out with somebody else. Or get really sad that you're no longer the only one that makes them smile. Or mutually pine for each other in the middle of the night.

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Konatsu Amano moves to the seaside town of Nagahama to stay with her aunt after her father gets a job overseas. But in reality, there's a feeling of loneliness she's carrying with her. But when she sees her new high school is having an open house for the aquarium, she finds herself instantly drawn to Koyuki Honatsu, the club's leader and only member. Tropical Fish has easily become one of my new favorite series, Konatsu and Koyuki are just so adorable!! I can't wait to see where their story is headed! Overall its a 4.5, but will expand slightly in my full review. There's a slow pace to this series that may not be for everyone, but I love it because there's lots of inner thoughts that Konatsu and Koyuki have in the moment that really build across the steady, personal moments of the story. As for the art, it is simply gorgeous, rendering characters cute and charming. Not to mention that the cover is pretty much appealing. The moment I saw the cover, I became interested in the manga. The only complaint is that the art started to get a bit rough in the 7th volume and clearly noticeable in the 9th volume, anyhow, it is filled with much more details and the volume cover is incredibly beautiful.



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