MANGA REVIEW | "You and I Are Polar Opposites" - Volume Five
I don’t know what it is about You and I Are Polar Opposites, but something feels very off. It’s not that it has had a change in tone, nor is it because its characters are losing their charm. What it could be is the fact that there are all of these moments in its fifth volume that are manga rom-com staples, but they lack anything new or unique to it. Dare I say, it’s making You and I Are Polar Opposites lose its luster.
First, let me focus on the positive aspects of this volume. The duo of Tani and Suzuki still make for a great couple. Despite their differences, they find ways to bond and strengthen their relationship. A night making Christmas cake at Suzuki’s place (maybe) gives the couple their first kiss, all the while keeping things both cute and tense between the two of them. How Suzuki’s brother comes in and almost ruins the mood is also pretty entertaining, and his reaction to seeing another man’s shoes in the hallway is — without a doubt — great!
There’s also the New Year’s Eve story, where Suzuki meets Tani’s parents for the first time. Her dying her hair to a “normal” color and attempting to appease them with sweets shows just how far she’ll go to prove her love for her boyfriend. But when she accidentally turns the sweets into pancakes or acts awkward during dinner, she becomes a blubbering mess. However, Tani’s parents are quick to see what kind of girl she is, and her treatment of her is one that is deserving of a hopeful daughter-in-law.
Where does You and I Are Polar Opposites fumble in this volume? Honestly, it’s the rest of the chapters. These pre and post-holiday stories involving high schoolers have been done so many times that any manga author should know to add something unique to the scenario. Either Kocha Agasawa didn’t get that memo, or they have a very terrible editor that didn’t have the heart to tell them to add something different to the mix.
Christmas Eve meetups, New Year’s Day shrine visits, and even some in-group matchmaking are all done with so little flair and spirit. In fact, as soon as I read these chapters, I found myself quickly forgetting what just happened. It’s a very bad sign when something with such a memorable art style is leaving such a tiny impression on my brain. I keep telling myself I should be enjoying this, but it’s just not clicking.
As such, Volume Five of You and I Are Polar Opposites leaves only a tiny impact. By Christmas standards, it’s a gift of socks, with maybe a cute cat resting on the ankle areas. It’s not a bad gift, but when one’s supposed to go all out for the holidays, it leaves so much to be desired. Maybe things will pick up when the school semester restarts, but right now, You and I Are Polar Opposites is becoming as appetizing as year-old fruitcake: pretty to look at, but I wouldn’t want to take a bite!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
