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Attack on Titan was my first anime back in 2021. After the first season, my perspective on anime changed forever and here I am, 3 years later, loving it just as much as I had first watched it. A really unpredictable show as the first season had me on edge right from episode one. Full of characters with phenomenal development, Attack on Titan is a show that has changed the world of anime since it first came out. Just a really, really awesome show written by Hajime Isayama. Of course, WIT Studios also did a fabulous job animating this piece of art especially the ODM ... gear scenes.

Although this review contains no major/minor spoilers of any kind, there is a 'Warning' for anyone who wants to read the story without [100%] knowing what is going on.
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Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku (a.k.a. The Fragrant Flowers Blooms with Dignity) might seem like your typical romance/comedy manga at first glance. You have the female protagonist, Kaoruko Waguri, who attends an all-girls school (Kikyo). On the other side, you have the male protagonist, Rintaro Tsumugi, who attends Chidori, the neighbouring all-boys school to Kikyo.

Yet, despite being neighbours, both schools don't get along really well based on past histories they have had with each other. ... The boys would sneer in disgust whenever a girl with a Kikyo uniform is spotted. Similarly, the girls would revolt in a loathsome manner that would be unsightly to see whenever they are in close proximity with a Chidori student. Constantly at each other's throats, there seems to be no end to this 'bad blood.' However, as we enter the world of a story centered around Kaoruko and Rintaro, we see their perspectives on this situation and their opinions on each other is more than meets the eye. And the more you read about their blooming relationship, the more you realize that this is not your everyday 'just' romance story as it wants to tell us so much more.

Regarding earlier about the situation of Kikyo and Chidori, the story seems to be set up in a way where these student societies are a symbolization of stereotypical the gender of being a boy and of being a girl. Within the real world, gender used to be look at through a 2-sided spectrum, male and female. For role expectations, a female was labelled as caring and nurturing. This reflects the Kikyo girls who are described as studious, neat, and wealthy. On the other side, boys were seen as the workers, the bold, and ones who were stronger and more aggressive of the human race. This reminds us of the Chidori boys, who are labelled as delinquents. And evidently, Kaoru Hana initially displays that boys hate girls, girls hate boys (something that our world has a history of). However, as socialization begins (the meeting of Kaoruko and Rintaro), boys and girls would start growing up to realize that their lenses were fogged. Values are looked upon at differently, and our beliefs change as we mature. And as Kaoru Hana teaches us that growing up while living in these social settings has its difficulties, change is something we cannot avoid, and is something we should be proud of. Nonetheless, this is pure speculation of my thoughts for what the story wants to tell us.

A major point that sets aside this story from many others is the realistic setting that readers are given. There is no major dramas, overly-complicated relationships, or bullsh*t presented in Kaoru Hana as majority of the plot is authentic and naturalistic as it can get. The plot might seem simple at the surface but it is much deeper. In a high school setting, people starts to slowly experience the 'real world.' They are immature but they soon learn and slowly understand of what it takes to become an adult. Dreams starts to grow and you aspire to become someone that others want to respect. You enter society and it turns out to be much bigger than you think. Soon, the world around you starts to slowly change.

Most teenagers in their lives would perhaps go about their adolescence without any life-changing situations. Some would experience one at best. In Kaoru Hana, the characters face a similar situation that many of us (hopefully) have experienced before. It can also resonate with readers in the way the characters in the story undergo growth and development surrounded in their social sphere. Suddenly, your a student having fun, and next, your working and taking exams. The group of friends in Kaoru Hana are ones who wants nothing for the best for each other, as they laugh and play together, study, celebrate each other's birthday, help each other grow emotionally and mentally, and so much more. With this, Kaoru Hana emphasizes to the readers on the importance of friendship and social bonds. The interactions amongst characters is so fulfilling as they all support one another in good times and bad times. Trust is something we cannot see, but can feel, and Kaoru Hana presents this perfectly. Even the tiniest exchanges between each other makes it all so joyful to keep reading.

Although this might not the best place to write this in a review, I do want to acknowledge some 'chatter' I had seen around in social media. Yes, the story does have its fair share of repetitiveness through its "Sorrys" and "Thank yous." Although "they are such close friends, why are they still saying these to each other?"(which I had been seeing), I want to highlight that Japanese culture (like every culture) is different from others. Through what I have been told, politeness is very important in their culture and their core values definitely differs quite a bit from the Western society (where I live). And with every little bit of these "Sorrys" and "Thank yous," it makes 'outsiders' understand Japanese culture more and more. Nonetheless, nothing can be flawless. And with this argument, I hopefully could persuade people to keep reading this manga, even if they had grown tired of these pleasantries, courtesies, and apologetic scenes.

Regardless if this series gets an anime adaptation or not, Kaoru Hana is a worthwhile read for people who are craving for just romance. Not to mention the wholesomeness and the 'oh, so sweet and bubbly' light-dialogue in the conversations between family, friends, and couples that many would enjoy. Many, if not all characters, are fleshed out superbly. Their backstories, growth, worries, their future, etc. are all explained properly in a balanced, and direct manner. Not too much, not too little. Personalities are unique, and progression/pacing of the plot is near perfection.

As I want to keep this review short, I won't go much into the artstyle. However, it is absolutely fantastic especially in scenes where it matters the most. Though monochromatic, the work screams such a warm and vibrant feeling to its readers entailing how much effort was put into this project.

As such, I give my applause to Saka Mikami, the mangaka of Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku, for creating this masterpiece.