Komi Can't Communicate Vol. 11by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 10 Komi's family and Tadano's family (with Najimi) meet on vacation. Hitomi becomes a ventriloquist to help Shosuke. Katai is mistaken for Komi by thuggish first years who hear Komi's the one at the top. Komi makes a new friend. And much more!This is a laid-back volume. It takes its time to let us enjoy several small stories. And yet, there are some really excellent interactions between our fav OTP. This volume uses visual repetition a lot, which works well to play up humor and give a certain presentation to things -- panels and even whole pages are repeated with one thing changed, or with a swap of perspective. Meeting up on vacation lets us see both of the paired-up siblings doing something fun together. I love that Komi gets the nerve to ask Tadano to go stargazing with her (and just her). It's a shame it gets rained out, but that creates a new opportunity and a bolder Komi! There is a ton of humor in this volume stemming from Tadano being unaware that Komi has fallen for him, so his reactions (presented for our sake -- they're really internal) are hilarious, and the first one starts with Komi offering to share a blanket with him. Hitomi's chapter as a ventriloquist is borderline funny / annoying. Shosuke "doesn't need to communicate", which really translates to "he's very rude" and he "doesn't have time for anyone but himself". So, I'm glad to see Hitomi forcing him to socialize, even if it's him sitting there while she speaks for him. He could also tell her to stop, which makes me wonder if part of him doesn't mind. He does try to slap her hand away a few times, but she responds by judo-throwing him -- it comes across more as him being a brat than anything else, even though she's essentially forcing him to do something he doesn't want to. It's an interesting counterpoint to their respective siblings' relationship, but I'm very glad this isn't the main story. There's also a bonus chapter that shows how Komi's parents started dating, and it is ADORABLE! Her mom is overcome with embarrassment when trying to confess, but her dad had planned ahead and had a flash mob ready to help him ask her out. I'm not a fan of flash mobs, but given his communication disorder (same as Komi's), that makes it a monumental show of emotion. They've definitely won me over, and I enjoy each story about them we get. The story of the thuggish first years is random, but I love all of the awkwardness and misunderstandings that come from them assuming Komi is Katai, which is only furthered by Katai's own communication disorder. I love how Katai's normal randomness avoids attacks and makes him seem like a badass. For those, like me, who adore Katai's unconscious crush on Tadano, there's cute scene with them sharing an umbrella. But I'm also glad we're reminded of a certain girl's crush on Katai as well; I can't help rooting for her. I am glad this volume includes Komi making a new friend. Like all the friends, this one has something they struggle with like Komi does with communicating. This girl sweats. A lot. I love how accepting Komi and Manbagi are, and that they truly aren't grossed out, and want to help her when she runs out of antiperspirant. Speaking of Manbagi, there are some scenes that show us just how much she's crushing on Tadano. Her defensive / aggressive reactions are funny. And while I don't ship her with Tadano, it does add an interesting complexity to things. Najimi, who is obviously aware of everyone's feelings, sets up Tadano, Komi, and Manbagi in a fun word game that quickly turns embarrassing when it hits too close to their secret desires. I love every bit of this volume. I am happy to get more closeness (and lots of blushing) between Tadano and Komi. I enjoy watching their friendship turn into something more, just as I love watching all the other friendships that blossom because of them. Written: April 6, 2021
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