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8
1
Finished
Nov 1, 2010 to Nov 1, 2011
7.6/10
Average Review Score
60%
Recommend It
5
Reviews Worldwide
"Slow Starter" is a great shounen-ai series to read, especially for those who are just starting to test out the waters in this genre. It's a relaxing manga to read when you're not looking for an overwhelming amount of drama or crazy plot twists. The plot is centered around two boys from different high schools who happen to take the same train together every morning. My favorite aspect of the series is that the author is able to make the characters and their interactions seem very realistic. The feelings between them are raw and genuine and very sweet. With its light atmosphere and likeable characters, this isa series I pick up over and over again whenever I'm in the mood to read a short simple story with fun characters and a nice plot. Editing this 10 years later to say that I finally understand the reason why I was so innately driven to read this manga over and over again -- which is that it was because it was the first time I had consumed a piece of media that reflected exactly how I perceived and experienced romance in the most nuanced of ways. Shoutouts to Ichikawa sensei for creating this wonderful story that ultimately became the catalyst of me discovering that damn I'm gay as hell (in like an agender way).
Kiyo and Ino are two boys that go to different schools and are both seemingly bored with school life. The only interaction they have with each other in the beginning is a shared train to school. One day, Kiyo is awoken by Ino and informed that he has overslept and missed his stop. This begins a story of love, pain, and inner turmoil...
Ichikawa Kei is great at creating these slice-of-life stories that aren't particularly steamy, but will still tug at your heartstrings. Slow Starter is no different. Frankly, Ino and Kiyo are adorable. Both are a little awkward with one another, but they're just so happy to spend time together - it's heart-warming. What I love about this manga is that it leaves out a lot of the romantic plot tropes that we usually see (like a character being bullied, neglected or injured in some other way). Ichikawa Sensei completely ignores the Seme/Uke dichotomy, with both Ino and Kyo being your average High-school males - and that'sso refreshing. It's important to keep in mind that this is a Shounen-Ai manga, so any steamy parts are kept to a bare minimum. But, that doesn't take away from this story at all - instead it keeps the focus on Ino and Kiyo's relationship from a romantic point of view rather than a sexual one. The artwork itself isn't extraordinary by any means, but it's not bad either. Ichikawa Kei has a way of drawing her characters that feels sweet and wholesome. When the characters smile - you'll smile and when they laugh - you'll laugh. Overall, I'd say this is a fantastic Manga if you want something that's heartwarming and sweet - and because there's hardly any graphic images, this book is safe for younger teenage readers as well.
Mind you I havent read the sequel "Slow Days" but slow starter is exactly like the title. It's very slow but super duper adorable, finished it with in one day, so you can get a feel of how it sucked me into it. My only two complaint is maybe because I am not 100% great at reading mangas but the talking bubbles started to get confusing. I would always get mixed up of who is saying what and sometimes it pissed me off so much that it would ruin the moment for me alot I would just be so confused on what going on, and thenthe next thing you know we on a different scene and something is happening and I have NO IDEA wtf is going on. & Also the ending PISSED ME OFF, *calm breathing* HOW YOU GOING TO JUST END IT LIKE THAT AND THEN GO INTO OTHER STORIES!!! *signs* I was so freaking confused!!!! I thought i was still reading the manga and then BOOM nope! Other then that the plot is very REFRESHING. I get so tired of all the boy love mangas being so center around sex and more sex. It can get tiring. But this one was beautifully put together. I say just give it a chance.
seeing the same person over and over again in your daily commute, stealing glances and making notes of each other through those glances, then feeling a sense of loss when the other doesn't get on at their usual stop? i'm sold. kiyo and ino's relationship was developed slowly, both having no prior experience with a man, but surely. in the first volume, they got nervous when the other's around but they got more at ease with each other in the second one and it's really nice to see. i like how ino got a new haircut and didn't stay the same the whole manga look-wise. over all,this was cute and enjoyable. i liked it.
This manga was so cute and the characters are just adorable! I personaly like ichikawa kei´s pieces a lot, since i read blue sky complex, stray bullet bay and colorful line, I realise two things: 1: she writes amazing dialogues 2: and sometime her artstyle is SO UGLY , SPECIFICALY THE OLDEST ONES. I wont drop it by it, but it realy burn my eyes sometimes, also the story is kind of rushed? It is kinda of ironic the title be "slow starter" for having only 7 chapters everything happens pretty fast. I wish that i could see the characters interacting a bit more, we can understand their feelings throwthe piece but i was hoping to see they together in more scenes, it has a sequel that i haven´t ready yet tho In short, i enjoied reading it a lot, it is not one of the best mangas from ishikawa kei , but still a fun and confy story.
