Ichigo Dōmei

hence, the rating. But I'll be mentioning the crucial "flaws" that I found because that's just easier.

I've been reading a lot of books by Japanese writers (but I will not generalize here so I would just say that based on what I have read so far, most of which fall under the same genre as Ichigo Domei), I'm used to books that are short, fast-paced and without concrete resolution. Perhaps because I've read the translated version online which I think was done very well (though I have no way of knowing) but it was translated with simplicity yet vividness that it's a legit enough.

It's a light read because I finished it in a span of 3-4 hours but there's so emotions involved. It's also fast-paced which is also like what the other novels I read are like. There also a lack of description when it comes to the characters so I actually can't picture how they look like. (I didn't know the narrator was a boy until he was being referred to as "he") Instead (at least in the beginning), there was a really long part about Tetsuya's baseball game, this happened twice and I skipped the second part because I know nothing about baseball and even if I read it again and again, I probably still won't understand. But I just wished that the part spent there was spent somewhere else although yes, it was for build-up and characterization. But like the other Japanese novels I've read (or even shoujo, it's a similar approach), this is direct and it doesn't meddle.

Of course, I also question the validity of the feelings of mainly Ryoichi and Naomi. This is common in shoujo novels though and the other Japanese novels I've read recently. This is why the fast-paced nature is problematic. There's characterization but the relationship leaves a lot of question marks. (view spoiler)

But still, it's very heartfelt, warm and filled with emotions. When I think about what this novel wants to say (a coming-of-age novel), it's this: to show death, deal with death, live with death, embrace death, have hope in the face of death and be happy even in death. These adolescents, 14-15 years old, thinking about life, suicide, the future and death. It's growing up...yes, but it's also learning to deal with "reality" at a young age. It's embracing death because it allowed you to meet someone and made an impact in your life even if that's the situation you're both in. In the end, it's about being thankful. That's why it's raw despite not being too heavy on dialogue or description, it's the simplicity that touches you as you read this.

Finally, I want to comment that Naomi is not a manic pixie dream girl. Yes Ryoichi is full of doubts with himself until he meets her. But the very reason, that because of Ryoichi (and Tetsuya) that she's able to be happy and thankful despite the circumstances that they meet is why she is not a manic pixie dream girl. Oh yes, I also loved how this novel shows you what t's like to be a student in Japan. It's no joke. And it's probably where the streotype that Asians are smart comes from. Yes, Asian society value education. A lot. (Yes, I'm Asian) We tend to see education as the way to success (it's a very traditional view I know) and in this novel, you can really see how burdening it is. And I sympathize with all these. I think it adds a bit more to the whole "reality" thing.

And a final comment. If you loved this, I suggest watching (or reading) Shigatsu Wa Kimi Uso (Your Lie in April), it's anime but there's also a manga (and they stayed really close to their respective adaptations). I mention this because Shigatsu draws parallels with Ichigo Domei, is referenced (dialogue) and even the book was being read by Kaori (Naomi's parallel). If you want a more visual representation, read the manga. If you want an animated representation with the music (yes the MC plays piano too, Kaori plays the violin) and the beautiful (yes it is I swear) animation, you should really watch it. A note of warning, prepare tissues. I call it Feelgatsu for a reason.