AGEHA
There are three stories in this volume that are all... not connected at all, like, there is nothing that I can think of, at least. They are a bit on the bland side and the characters are often unlikable due to their actions, the artwork at times is messy. The first story tells about two friends, both aspiring models, but one of them gets everything - from her model height to the interest of agencies, while the second is left behind. In her anger at the unfairness of the world, she starts disliking her once best friend. The main topic of the story is jealousy. The story is not bad per se, but a bit too... unrealistic? So many models in the same high school? Even the previously unnoticed girl gets an interview, like, where is an ounce of realism. The second story is, in my humble opinion, the shining one in this manga. A family is left devastated after the mother dies. The father succumbs to alcohol and violent tempers, the youngest son is a victim of apathy and the oldest daughter tries her best to be the peace-maker while juggling house chores, school work, and a stressful environment. Their life changes when the son brings home a school friend. The story has a plot revolving around domestic violence which is rare to find in mangas and one of the secondary characters is seemingly a person with autism, which is also quite rare. The story is left on a melancholic, but hopeful note. The third story... gosh.. where I should start. The MC is a loving girlfriend to an asshole. After the boyfriend treats the MC like garbage, she still loves him. End of the story. But in all honesty, girl, dump his sorry ass. You are dating him for only a year and you are already getting wrinkles thanks to him. Not worth it. To summarize, the story is progressive in many ways, depicting attempted sexual abuse (first story and third story), characters with an unspecified, but probably autism (second story), domestic violence (second story), etc. But often this is done in a bit of a childish, clumsy manner. Overall, not bad, but nothing to write home about.
Ijimetaihodo Aishiteru