MANGA REVIEW | "You and I Are Polar Opposites" - Volume Three
One of the things I appreciate about You and I Are Polar Opposites is its way of mirroring the real world. I’m not just talking about things regarding romance; it’s more about how it portrays the teenage mindset as a whole. Fears, anxieties, and how people are being perceived are showed with a surprising amount of care. And it’s in the third volume of You and I Are Polar Opposites where these moments not just shine, but also are given the wake-up call they rightfully need.
At this point in the story, there’s a good clique that’s been built around Tani and Suzuki. Many of the friends in their life originally started out by being close with Suzuki, but Tani has slowly but surely been welcomed into their circle. Of course, Tani isn’t the only awkward duckling in the group, as the librarian Nishi and classmate Taira have their own share of weirdness lurking inside of them. But it’s through that weirdness that allows the rest of the friends’ circle to open up and be honest with one another.
A great example of this is during a conversation between Taira and Azuma. During a bowling excursion, Azuma finds a group of former classmates that she used to associate with. Her backstory is a sad one, as she dealt with having her heart broken by one of them, with practically no emotional support from the rest of the crew. That’s when the normally shy Taira lets all of his emotions out, telling Azuma something she needs to hear: get angry, because you’re allowed to!
This is the sort of wake-up call that a lot of shojo series lack, so it’s nice to see You and I Are Polar Opposites being unafraid to shake some sense into their characters. (FYI, this series is technically considered “shonen”, but it certainly doesn’t feel like one!) Very often we’ll see characters just mope their way through an entire series, only getting a sprinkling of closure or relief literally at the end. It’s clear that this series doesn’t play by those ho-hum rules, as it aims to give even the most awkward or torn-apart characters what they deserve: happiness.
Speaking of happiness, Tani and Suzuki have plenty to be happy about. Tani’s first time over Suzuki’s house is a rousing success, even with a mother who can’t control her excitement. The quiet boy also gets to celebrate his birthday proper, as Suzuki gives him one without too much fanfare and enough love. A trip to the museum, getting some cute photos taken, and even a little something nice that makes his day extra special are showed with a great mixture of heart and laughter.
But they’re not the only couple in You and I Are Polar Opposites. There’s some good progress made between Yamada and Nishi, even if the latter is filled with loads of anxiety. Their chat about texting is something that loads of couples deal with, and it’s refreshing hearing the two of them being open and honest about how they feel about it. Not often do you hear someone say that it’s okay to mess up with what one says while texting, on top of admitting one’s own stupidity regarding the subject matter.
I was disappointed with the second volume of You and I Are Polar Opposites, so I’m glad the series has gotten itself back on track. Volume Three is both funny and sweet, and it knows how to treat its characters like real people rather than cardboard cutouts. There’s some wonderful progress made between Tani & Suzuki, and Nishi & Yamada are inching closer to having exactly what they have. Now let’s hope Taira and Azuma are the next polar opposite duo to get together, as they’re absolutely
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
