2023 EDIT: Part of my (latest) 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
'Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink' - I admit, I was attracted to this manga by the appeal of the title alone. It has to be one of the cutest headlines ever.
It is a relatively soft yuri manga collection by the author of 'Girl Friends', which I really liked. It is a sort-of anthology centred on the various teenage girls who go to the all-girls school Sakuraki High - but it's mainly about Nana and Hitomi and their blossoming relationship and trials - and their experiences with same sex attraction. It is more common than they think, if they'd let each other in and talk about it more freely.
Amid the realistic slice-of-life genre, there is a supernatural element in one issue that has a ghost in it, but even that story becomes charming and touching, like the others.
'Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink' is a strawberry and vanilla chocolate box full of sweet, funny, sad, and heartfelt coming-of-age and sexual awakening tales. They are relatable in ways that could have only come from life experiences. It is about teenage girls going about their lives as confused, uncertain, scared, but passionate and loving teenagers. There are hardly any male characters in sight; no one to break the girls down and make them feel small and undervalued. They have each other, platonically and beyond.
Nana and Hitomi remind me a little too much of Mariko and Akko from 'Girl Friends', however - they look and act very alike. But they are strong enough characters in their own right - fears and insecurities and all that baggage - and it doesn't take them long at all to realise their feelings for each other and become a couple (albeit secretly) and plan how they are going to spend their future together. They openly challenge gender norms as well - like why should one of them be the "manly" and protective one in their relationship - though in saying that if they were a heterosexual couple it would be different, and in saying that "I'm not as strong as a man", they still adhere to the patriarchal social structure that man = strong, and woman = weak. It's not perfect, but at least the two girls express wanting to be treated as equals to each other.
The road to adulthood can be frightening for any young girl, but if they have one another's unbreaking support, anything is possible.
Recommended to fans of the mangaka's other yuri works. Real, sugary, lovely, refreshing, poignant, and unforgettable. Girls' power strikes again!
Final Score: 3.5/5
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