Blue Flag: A Fresh Start – Volume 1
“Your best friend or your lover. You can only rescue one. It’s the age-old dilemma. “What would you do?” They ask. Me? I don’t have either so it makes no difference”
Reading a rom-com manga brings a delightful sense of nostalgia. It’s been some time since I last engaged with this genre, whether through manga or anime. As my reading preferences have shifted over the years, a dedicated rom-com hasn’t been my usual choice. However, revisiting this genre proved to be a refreshing experience.
I discovered Blue Flag by author and illustrator Kaito, while looking for a completed manga series, and the cover immediately hinted at a potentially charming story. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it lived up to that initial impression.
This volume excels in its portrayal of character dynamics. The interactions between the characters are both engaging and authentic, with their contrasting yet complementary personalities adding significant depth to the narrative. The pacing, though fast, maintains a smooth and captivating rhythm, ensuring that the story never feels rushed.
The plot follows Ichinose Taichi, a high school student who unexpectedly finds himself helping his classmate, Kuze Futaba, confess his feelings to his best friend, Mita Toma. Although the setup might seem mundane, the manga manages to present the characters and their relationships clearly, memorably, and engagingly.
What truly impressed me was how quickly I became invested in these characters. In many rom-coms, characters can sometimes feel over-the-top, but in Blue Flag, they feel genuine and relatable. Their struggles and emotions are portrayed in a way that resonates deeply, making the story both heartfelt and engaging. I’m looking forward to seeing how the narrative unfolds in the upcoming volumes.