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A review by ellelainey
Blue Morning, Vol. 2 by Shoko Hidaka
5.0
The first time I read this series, I immersed myself. I literally bought Vol. 1 on a whim, from Kobo, and as soon as I read it, I bought every other Volume available and binge-read them, only to discover Vol. 8 - the final book - had yet to be published. I was gutted. The wait was interminable. And then it came...Vol. 8 released...and I was unable to read it. Afraid to end this beautiful journey.
Now I'm re-reading it again, I'm taking the time to review every book, though this won't be the last time I read the series.
For me, Volume 2 is so bittersweet...and beautiful for its simplicity.
Akihito is trying desperately to break through Katsuragi's barriers, and eventually realises that he'll just have to climb them instead. Yet, Katsuragi is slowly losing control - of himself, his feelings, his identity. He's not Kuza, but he's not Katsuragi, either.
Volume 2 is heartbreaking, because Akihito and Katsuragi are at a crossroads, lost in this world of politics and regimental behaviour. Akihito is only 17, but he's so mature when he realises that he has to be the driving force of their relationship, if he's to be with Katsuragi. Katsuragi is 37? and the mature, older figure, but he's also more vulnerable because Akihito's father gave him hope and then dashed it, so he shut off his emotions. He's so unfamiliar with feeling that, emotionally, Akihito is the mature one. Together, they're lost and drowning in a world that won't let them be happy, or together. And, no matter what it takes, Akihito is willing to fight tooth-and-nail to find ANY way for them to remain together...even if it means destroying his dreams, and surrendering to politics and Katsuragi's demands.
Absolutely my favourite panel of this volume is this one, near the end, because it so perfectly sums up the mood of the entire Volume:
Now I'm re-reading it again, I'm taking the time to review every book, though this won't be the last time I read the series.
For me, Volume 2 is so bittersweet...and beautiful for its simplicity.
Akihito is trying desperately to break through Katsuragi's barriers, and eventually realises that he'll just have to climb them instead. Yet, Katsuragi is slowly losing control - of himself, his feelings, his identity. He's not Kuza, but he's not Katsuragi, either.
Volume 2 is heartbreaking, because Akihito and Katsuragi are at a crossroads, lost in this world of politics and regimental behaviour. Akihito is only 17, but he's so mature when he realises that he has to be the driving force of their relationship, if he's to be with Katsuragi. Katsuragi is 37? and the mature, older figure, but he's also more vulnerable because Akihito's father gave him hope and then dashed it, so he shut off his emotions. He's so unfamiliar with feeling that, emotionally, Akihito is the mature one. Together, they're lost and drowning in a world that won't let them be happy, or together. And, no matter what it takes, Akihito is willing to fight tooth-and-nail to find ANY way for them to remain together...even if it means destroying his dreams, and surrendering to politics and Katsuragi's demands.
Absolutely my favourite panel of this volume is this one, near the end, because it so perfectly sums up the mood of the entire Volume: