MANGA REVIEW | "Fly Me to the Moon" - Volume Twenty-Four
When it comes to romance, Fly Me to the Moon has a good balance. On one side of the scale is the goofy silly stuff, some of which will result in some off-screen snogging and things best left to the doujinshi writers. But where the heart of Fly Me to the Moon beats beautifully is when it goes for the sweet and endearing. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of that in its twenty-fourth volume.
It begins soon after Nasa and Tsukasa clean the grave of the former’s grandfather. Since the flashback involving the deceased relative revolved around a certain pink-haired immortal saving his life, Nasa unknowingly has to be grateful to his beloved. But it switches to a thought process revolved around anomalies and how Tsukasa is weirded out by them. Ironic, considering she herself is an anomaly!
Her words about Nasa’s kindness awakens a realization for Tsukasa: she’s never truly expressed how much she loves her man. It’s in this realization where she finds herself walking alone and pondering, as she tries to think of a way to show that love to Nasa. Of course, these solo walks make Nasa worried, to the point where he fears he’s done something wrong! But then, the day comes for Tsukasa to present her emotions to Nasa.
What occurs in this part of Fly Me to the Moon is not only ingenious, but also endearing. A book that showcases the 100 things someone loves about their significant other should be on the top of any list of heartfelt gifts. It’s something that comes from the heart, has a priceless worth to it, and — on top of it all — is the sweetest thing a lover can do. There’s also a lot of hard work that goes into listing a hundred things, despite it sounding so easy. (Go ahead: try listing 100 things you like about your SO without repeating, and see how long it takes!)
In return, Nasa must now fill a book of 100 things he’d like to do with Tsukasa. Sadly, he just can’t put the things a shonen manga can’t show or even say, despite Nasa’s eyes saying that he does! Thankfully, Nasa is a guy who is as smart as he is warmhearted, and with the aid of Tsukasa, he should be able to fill that book out in time for their first anniversary. But that’s quite a long way’s away, and it’s mock exam time in the world of Fly Me to the Moon.
The story switches over to another couple-in-the-making, with the girl being a key player to the whys and hows of Nasa’s bookworm ways. On top of that, we have another guy who was given a funny name and is constantly ridiculed for it. Like Nasa, he also aims to be the top in the nation, but there’s a problem: his mock exams have him being number two! You can probably guess who the top guy is without thinking too much.
Volume Twenty-Four of Fly Me to the Moon brings more sweetness than your local candy store. Nasa and Tsukasa truly are the manga couple that any reader would want to strive to be like. It also gives some good ideas on how one can present their heart in a unique and endearing way, with the immortal girl going all out for her beloved. Take note, Casanovas of the World: Fly Me to the Moon is hand-gifting you a surefire way to earn eternal love!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
