With this penultimate volume, Kaito explores the repercussions of Toma's unexpected declaration. It creates some interesting dialogues between the characters but also leads to a very wordy set of chapters. Explorations of shaming, guilt, frustration, and numbness are all repercussions and each character has a very distinct set of reactions.

Story: Toma was suspended for fighting when he was attacked after admitting to Mami that he is in love with Ichinose. Ichinose's whole world is turned upside and he retreats inwardly to deal with the emotions. Kuze, meanwhile, is left to feel like a third wheel in the way of true love between Toma and Ichinose. Some of Toma's friends accept the situation and others just do not. Toma, meanwhile, has retreated to his house, left to deal with his older brother's censure for fighting while also recognizing that he has irrevocably changed a lifelong friendship.

I like that the book really explored all angles of the situation without really condemning any of them. From the friend who didn't respect the situation of being gay to the girls who jump on him to defend it (and then get accused of being bullies themselves for doing so). Ichinose himself is in a haze through most of the book as those around him create much louder reactions while he is stuck in the middle. He also doesn't know how to deal with Kuze. But by far, the scenes of Masumi's reaction to the situation hit the hardest.

In all, a very emotive and thought provoking volume leading to the end in the next book. Who will end up together? Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

If you have biases or prejudices, does that mean that you shouldn't speak of them? Is it wrong to view others using the same lens through which you view yourself? What happens when you can't even whisper the truth that you want to shout?

This penultimate volume of <i>Blue Flag</i> is, it must be said, more heavy-handed than it perhaps needs to be. Three-quarters of it is characters sitting and talking things out, trying to find their way through the aftermath of Toma's confession and the rumors caused by his fight and suspension. These are all things that need to be talked about and said aloud, but there's almost too much of it - it makes for a denser book than we strictly need. On the other hand, having everyone <i>else</i> talk while Futaba, Taichi, and Toma are largely silent emphasizes how this is less about their own feelings and more how the world views their shared drama, and once again, we are guilty of doing the same thing. How many people want Taichi to end up with Toma because Toma "deserves it?" Or because a straight love story is "boring?" Or simply because you, the reader, like Toma better and have made it about <i>your</i> feelings and not Taichi's?

As 19th century New England author Joseph C. Lincoln said, "It may be true that Love is blind, but it is equally true that all the rest of creation has their eyes wide open to watch the sightless god upon his way." But really, is it our place to judge?

Blue Flag Volume 7 is a romantic drama manga written and drawn by mangaka KAITO. The English release is published by VIZ Media. The plot of Blue Flag follows a group of friends entering their last year of high school who are in an unpredicted love quadrangle. When Taichi and Futaba start to fall in love and begin dating one another, they are completely unaware that each of their best friends are in love with them.

Now after the previous volume, rumors spread like wildfire after Toma’s shocking confession during the culture festival. Taichi is left feeling confused and uncertain. While other people in their circle of friends are soon affected as well. Meanwhile, Toma’s brother Seiya sits him down for a frank talk. All the thoughts and emotions everyone has kept hidden are finally coming to light, and relationships begin to change.

The mangaka, KATIO, continues to deliver a beautiful coming-of-age story through crafting authentic dialogues. Throughout Blue Flag Volume 7 there are different moments between the main characters where their conversations are very deep, some even painful, but also very necessary for the story and characters.

I was very impressed with how KAITO does a great job of making the conversations feel so real. Take, for example, the scenes where Taichi is invited to talk to Shingo and Kensuke,Toma’s friends, about Toma’s confession and his sexuality. Shingo takes a neutral stance in the conversation, whereas Kensuke’s comments are ignorant and negative toward gay people. Granted this is a conversation between teenagers; they are young people that do not fully understand the world, but they are trying to figure it, and themselves, out in the process.



Additionally, even though some of the conversations made me cringe, I know KAITO writes the conversation this way for a reason. It is because this is real. The mangaka doesn’t shy away from the fact there are people that feel and talk negatively about people in the LGBTQ+ community. Overall, I am glad that they included this conversation because it doesn’t ignore the real prejudice and ignorance that exists.

Furthermore, the backbone of this volume is the conversations that take place between various characters. The conversations help to move the story forward, bringing some things that have been building up over the course of the series to fruition and closure as the series approaches its final volume.

In addition to the writing, I love how KAITO sets the tone and the emotions of various scenes through their art. One scene in particular, between Toma and his older brother Seiya, is especially my favorite. KAITO does a great job of communicating the tense silence and heavy emotions between the two characters throughout their talk.

I liked how they smoothly transitioned and zoomed in on the characters’ facial expressions, points of view in the panels, and hand movements. For example, throughout their talk there are moments where Toma isn’t fully visible, however, KAITO has a way of making the reader feel what he is feeling in this moment.

Lastly, I love how KAITO continues to touch on different social and personal issues in the story and characters’ arcs. In Blue Flag Volume 7 it touches on the importance of not belittling personal feelings for the sake of others. For example, in this volume, Futaba feels concerned and conflicted about her feelings in the situation between Toma and Taichi. It is not until she talks to Mami and Masumi, that they encourage her to prioritize her emotions over others for once. Something that this character has repeatedly struggled with over the course of the series.

Overall, Blue Flag Volume 7 is a perfect example of why this is a great series. I continue to highly recommend this series as beautifully authentic and one of the best-told coming-of-age stories I have ever read in a manga. From the hard-hitting and authentic conversations to the beautiful art that sets the tone and emotions, the series continues to touch and build upon issues.This volume is packed with so many feelings and it does a tremendous job of setting things up for the next and final installment as the series approaches its end.

This was a hard volume to review because I have conflicting feelings on it. While I still enjoy the story and where this series may go, there were parts that didn’t sit right with me.

The characters are the highlight, and they always will be. Their struggles and growing pains are the emotional core of the series and what makes me love it so much.

However, the sexism in this volume was very uncomfortable. I didn’t agree with many of the things one character said, but his comments on women grinded my gears, but then when he admitted that he was molested, the girls didn’t take him seriously. That was disappointing, but he admitted his assault like it was meant to justify his homophobic attitude. Dude, it sucks what you went through, but equating that one experience as to why being gay is bad is not a reason. Also, you were best friends with Toma, but now that you found out he’s gay you attacked him even though he didn’t do anything to you? That’s just homophobic. And his other friend made no sense. Was he just trying to mess with the girls then changed his mind when talking to Taichi? I don’t know.

It’s a heavy chapter to deal with, and it left me irritated. The rest of the story was good besides the sexism and homophobia.

I think this particular volume really shows the complexity of feelings that teenagers can have. The characters' conflicts are multi-faceted.

It was very hard to read the arguments that Kensuke was making. Despite what he believes, his initial arguments on why men are and should be attracted to women do not seem to be related to his childhood trauma. Shingo has a role acting as Devil's advocate coming to his defense when he believed that Shouko and Sayaka were being hypocritical. I found it interesting that side characters relayed probably the most important discussion in the series rather than the main characters. That also made it frustrating. I think it was partly intentional because high schoolers often hear the strongest opinions on a public matter like Toma and Kensuke's fight from outsiders. The same can be said about Masumi and Mami arguing over the fact that Mami figured out Masumi's feelings for Futaba. Although the issue doesn't directly involve Mami, she still feels like her opinions are just as important as Masumi's. Overall, it was a tough volume to get through but this is a series that I really cherish. I really want the main characters to be happy.

TW: (Referenced) child sexual abuse, homophobia

Thank you Netgalley and VIZ Media for providing an e-ARC.

"I know that somewhere out there, there are people facing serious dilemmas. People who are going through tough times. People who are hurting. People who are grieving. People who are far worse off than I am. I know all of that, and yet, I can't help but wonder if it's ok for me to smile. If it's ok for me to be happy. Is that arrogant of me? These feelings hurt, and I have no idea what to do with them. Would the pain somehow be lessened if I had something to hate?"

This series is so incredibly powerful. The use of space and text to generate the appropriate feelings is truly masterful! I hope we get more series from Kaito soon!

TW: negative talk about the LGBT community, sexual assault of a child (not on page, but referred to)

For more of my detailed feelings, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ZcsDxr-QA

I love how messy the characters in this series are; they feel so real. This volume was jam-packed with heavy, identity politic, philosophical conversations between various characters. I remember having those conversations as a teenager trying to understand the world and my place in it. This is such a well-written series for teens.

But I'm sooooo anxious for the last volume. 🥺💔🩹

TW: themes of coming out / being outed, fistfight, homophobia, mention of past child molestation