Title: Miss Miyazen Would Love to Get Closer to You Vol. 4
Author: Akitaka
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 162
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Publication Date: May 23, 2023
The Story
We are here at the final volume! With Sota and Sakura becoming a couple in the last volume, this volume focuses on the aftermath and how they continue to grow closer together. It starts out with them gaining the courage to call each other by their first names. After that, they go on a date; however, it’s not as smooth as Sota would have liked due to some people he recognized also recognizing him from his delinquent days. In the end, Sota showed some courage!
From here, it’s just the standard fare of lovey-dovey stuff you would expect as Sakura tries to get it out of her head that she’s not prim and proper anymore and some of the “traditions” she believes couples should go through don’t really apply. It shows the final growth of her character which all culminates in the final chapter of the series…. Or does it?
There’s a bonus chapter that serves as a true epilogue which also ties up a lot of the loose ends nicely!
Final Thoughts
Cute.
That would be the one word I would use to describe this series as a whole. There have been a lot of bully-turned-relationship series out there but now the genre is shifting to a new trend of bad boys who aren’t really bad falling in love. There are a couple out there still publishing and while this seems like a new trend in the romance genre, this one throws its name into the hat and makes itself stand out with its cuteness.
One of the newest tropes entering this genre is the fact that both of the main characters previously knew one another in the past and are now reconciling after putting each other in the back of their minds. While it seems a bit fresh, I’ve read about three series so far using that plot point and I worry that it’s going to become overused. Since this series is on the cusp of this spin on the genre, it gets a pass but future series I read may not be so lucky from being spared from a good, vehement fist-shaking!
The story itself was really simple. A boy and a girl getting closer to each other. When you have a premise such as this, you need compelling characters to pull that story forward. They need to be put into situations that will make them grow as well as cause the reader to become attached to them. I think it is fair to say that this series accomplishes that very well.
You typically see main characters get nervous around each other but it’s only for a brief moment before something else comes along and distracts them. Here, they are nervous all the time but not because they can’t confess or anything… it’s because neither one of them has been in a relationship ever before and they’re trying to figure it out as they go.
Because as such, this series is more than just a journey of two people growing closer and dating… it’s about figuring out how dating works, what’s right, what works, what doesn’t work, and being true to your feelings.
I have to say it was a very enjoyable journey that didn’t really overstay its welcome. While the series was only four volumes long, what you get feels like a complete story. Had this been extended with more scenarios, it would have caused unneeded frustration and could have bored the reader. Too many series make that mistake; however, this one strikes that perfect balance and length. It gives you everything you want in a way where the progression feels natural.
If you’re a fan of romance series, this should be one on your radar. It’s a short, quick, satisfying read that is sure to spike your sugar and start your regimen of Metformin.
Also, because this is the last review of this series… I’ll go back on my word from my first review and type his exceedingly long last name one more time.
Matsubayashi.
Overall Rating: 4/5
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This item was purchased for review.
