REVIEW: Exploring Growth and Relationships in Hirayasumi Volume 2

I received an ARC of Hirayasumi, volume 2 by Keigo Shinzo published by Viz from NetGalley and Viz in exchange for an honest review. This review contains spoilers.

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As you may recall, I loved volume one of Hirayasumi. So to say I was excited about Hirayasumi volume 2 is probably an understatement. I wanted as much of the story as I could get, as soon as possible. Volume 1 did an amazing job of introducing the characters and giving us just enough about them to feel them out. Volume 2 picks up right where it left off and while it continues the breezy feel, it expands on everyone in surprising ways.

Natsumi’s Growth in Hirayasumi Volume 2

Natsumi is an easy character to love because she’s at the peak of growth. Eighteen, away from home for the first time, and dealing with a lot of growing pains. Sometimes she doesn’t do or say the “right” thing but it’s clear she’s learning as she goes. I appreciate her willingness to own up to her mistakes and do better once she knows better.

In this volume, we see Natsumi become more vulnerable to Akari in multiple ways. Natsumi opens up to Akira about her mangaka dreams and shares her manga with Akira. Only Hiro had read her manga in the past. Akira is so supportive and encourages Natsumi to submit to a different publication, which ultimately leads to her manga winning an award.

We also see Natsumi get her first job, also thanks to Akira. At the job, she sees Akira in a different light and even thinks, “She’s out of my league.” Which then leads her to question why she thought that in the first place. It’s interesting to read because some of Natsumi’s thoughts about Akira border the line between admiration and crush. I’m not sure if that’s the direction this relationship is going in, but regardless, I love to see the bonds between the girls deepen. It’s clear they both have such a positive influence on each other. I only see more growth for Natsumi as a result of this bond.

Another relationship we see Natsumi appreciate is the one with Hiro. When Natsumi makes a throwaway comment and believes that she hurts Hiro’s feelings, we see her hold on to this until she apologizes. We get to see Natsumi being so wrapped up in her life that she has to step out of herself for a moment and take in what is going on around her.

Hiroto’s Past

At first glance, Hiroto is an always positive, upbeat guy, who knows what to say to family and friends. I was glad to see other sides to him that humanize him and also give context to why he is the way he is now.

Firstly, I loved Hiro calling out Hideki multiple times on his bullshit. “Why are you even friends with that jerk?” Natsuki asks the question that we are all thinking! For me, it was also notable that Hiro calls out Hideki regarding the fight with his wife. So many people would not get in between a couple’s problems. However, I do think as a good friend, if you see your friend being a shitty partner, you absolutely have the right to say something. To me, it shows how much Hiro values Hideki and that he’s able to speak his mind candidly.

We also learn a bit more about Hiro’s acting journey and how he walked away due to the pressures of competition. It’s clear to everyone that Hiro has the looks and is talented. But I get his refusal to want to be a part of the hamster wheel of competing for a spot. Always having to prove your worth and fight for roles would feel so demoralizing. I wonder if we will see Hiro make a return to acting down the line.

Yomogi Being Honest

It’s hard to pick a favorite character when all three of the main characters are so charming, but with this volume, Yomogi is making a case! One thing I appreciate about her character is the stark comparison she provides about the satisfaction of life. It’s clear to see that she feels very “meh” about where she is in life. This comes to a boiling point when she lashes out at Hiro during the festival prep.

Since volume one, Yomogi has felt contempt towards Hori because she perceives him as “breezing through life.” When he makes a positive comment to her during the festival prep, not knowing her cat died, this sets her off and makes her confront exactly what she has been avoiding in her own life. When Yomogi later apologizes to Hiro, it looks like one of her walls has come down.

I’m a lover girl by default, so of course I am shipping these two. However, I wouldn’t be mad if they became good friends down the line. Hiro has the right amount of optimism someone like Yomogi needs in her life.

What’s to Come

There’s so much groundwork laid in the fabric of this manga, that there is a lot of room for speculating what comes next. Things that seem to be throwaway comments or insignificant moments come around and have bigger impacts down the line in the story. Yet because the story is so open-ended, I’m not sure what to expect. Either way, I am so excited for the next volume and to see what unfolds next for these three.

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