REVIEW: Ripples in the River Vol. 1

As a lover of all things love and stories, I appreciate it when a manga has a different storytelling approach than the usual “meet and fall in love”. In Ripples in the River, you are dropped in the middle of a 10-year relationship. It’s a love story that’s already been built and solidified, but still filled with so many whimsical and heart-racing moments. Ripples in the River reminds us that love is about keeping the butterflies going years later.

About Ripples in the River

Ripples in the River is a boy’s love manga series by Zeniko Sumiya, the creator of Breathless Momentum. It’s being published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. It’s about Tamba and Utagawa, who have been together for 10 years. The stories are told in 2-3 page segments, like little slices of their day-to-day lives together. It also flashes to the past, and we get to see how Tamba and Utagawa meet and grow closer.

My Thoughts

I love this format so so so much! It’s so fun to get little bits and pieces of Tamba and Utagawa’s relationship over the years. One thing about Sumiya-sensei’s stories is that they will always subvert expectations. Based on looks, attitude, and height differences, it’s easy to assume how a character acts in the relationship. Sumiya-sensei will always thwart that and go in a different direction. It keeps the story fun and unpredictable.

Another thing Ripples in the River does well is show how, 10 years later, a relationship can still be fun and filled with love. Tamba and Utagawa are still so into each other. Tamba is super flirty and physically affectionate with Utagawa. Utagawa is more on the shy side, but also sneaks a few kisses here and there. The slices of life also show how, with the right partner, even the mundane can be fun. I hope we get more moments like this in volumes 2 and 3!