The Anemone Feels the Heat, Vol. 1

Gr 8 Up–On the day of Nagisa’s high school entrance exam, she stops to help a collapsed girl and ends up missing the test altogether. Unable to get into a prestigious high school due to her lack of exam results, Nagisa has to settle for a school close to her home instead. Seizing the chance to reinvent herself, optimistic Nagisa starts fresh with a new style, only to discover the girl from that day, Mashiro, is now in her class. Mashiro’s health is frail, so she’s frequently missing class and struggles to keep up in school. The two girls begin to bond as Nagisa helps Mashiro to the nurse’s office and looks after her. Nagisa does not blame Mashiro but rather makes an effort to like her and encourages her in a supportive way, despite being unable to look her in the eye. Throughout, there are whispers of a gentle romance beginning to build as the girls get to know each other. Sakuragi’s visuals are soft to match, if perhaps a bit busy when it comes to texture and shading.