Title: Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible Vol. 9
Author: Nene Yukimori
Publisher: Viz Media
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 161
Genre: Slice-of-Life, Romance, Comedy
Publication Date: September 5, 2023
The Story
Here in Volume 9 of Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, everyone is excited for summer break… STILL! Except this time, summer break actually happens. The volume starts off in a really sweet way as Shiraishi is meeting up with Kubo to celebrate her birthday. He arrives early because he wants to rehearse how things are going to go but Kubo also ends up arriving early and destroys all of those plans! They go out for cake and then she wants to do other things that Shiraishi didn’t plan for so now he’s completely nervous. They end up having fun anyway and it’s off to a couple of filler chapters.
When we get our next major arcing story, Kubo, Tama, Sudo, and Shiraishi all plan to go see the fireworks at the annual summer festival. Shiraishi is both excited and dreadful of going due to an issue that happened to him when he was a child. When they get there, things are going fine until history repeats itself! Unlike when he was a child, Shiraishi isn’t scared about what happened. He’s more or less worried that he’s going to ruin the festival for everyone.
Soon, summer break will be over and classes will begin. The next volume should be a new year for them all.
Characters
Shiraishi and Kubo are getting closer and closer every volume. Especially in this one when they went to a photo booth together and Shiraishi was forced to be physically close to her. The thing that bothers me the most is that for nine whole volumes, Kubo has been getting bolder and bolder in the things that she says to Shiraishi. So much so that you would think that even the densest of people would pick up on it by now but Shiraishi just completely ignores it… or does he?
Even though it was just one page. Even though it was just one single line, Shiraishi says something to himself where we may have finally hit that turning point. Believe me… It’s just the start and he’s still dumber than a box of dead, wet rats but it’s finally something that we can latch on to and hope that it gets built upon. I mean, they kind of have to since there are only three volumes left in the series. To keep his feelings unbeknownst at this stage of the game would be a moot point.
Outside of this, Shiraishi is also growing in the sense that he’s finally starting to enjoy life and it’s all because of Kubo. Being invisible to everyone around you isn’t exactly a pleasant experience. Now that he’s being shown that there are people out there who can see him, and have a good time with him, it’s making him enjoy life a lot more. He’s really starting to realize it in this volume, too! Whether or not that will cause a major shift in his character remains to be seen but I think it’s a little too late in the game to pull the trigger on something like that. I think the way Shiraishi is right now is just fine and works well. Plus, it’ll make it all that sweeter when one of them finally confesses.
Final Thoughts
Super cute volume of Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible! I feel with the series winding down, the acceleration towards our two main characters coming together feels just right. I’m not entirely sure if we’ll get the confession before the final volume but with the way this series has been going, I think the last volume would be the sweet spot to stick it. Let’s have Shiraishi’s feelings build up more and more until he just can’t withhold them anymore. I mean, it’s not like Kubo is going to say no if he asks. With the way Kubo has been acting, I’m sure if he asked, Kubo would instantly agree to be the mother of his children right now.
So, the problem isn’t on her end. Shiraishi is playing catch-up but since he’s starting to see life in a different light, it’s only a matter of time before he’s caught up. When he catches up, he’ll decide to take the lead and ask Kubo out. At least, that’s how I’m hoping for it to go. Kubo has been so patient this whole series. I think she actually knows what’s going on and she’s just enjoying watching Shiraishi transform in front of her. She’s taking this journey alongside him so it wouldn’t be fair for her to be the one to ask because, after all, when he asks her, that’ll be the signal that the journey for him alone is over and their journey together will begin.
At least, that’s how I would write it. We’ll see how it truly ends up!
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This item was provided for review by VIZ Media.
