ORANGE

DESCRIPTION

CAST

CHAPTERS

ANIME Dramaorange
MOVIE Dramaorange: Mirai
NOVEL DramaOrange
MANGA Comedyorange to Yumemiru Taiyou
MANGA ComedyHaruiro Astronaut

REVIEWS

• 

  user27150

  50/100
  The most interesting thing about this ends up being the unexplained origin of the title.

  This manga has been sitting on my PTR list for quite some time, ever since people got hyped about it getting an anime adaptation scheduled to air this summer. And before checking out the anime, I decided to actually read it. It's quite short, being only 5 volumes (which, somehow, apparently took 3 years to publish, but ok). So it seems that on this day, I recieved a grim reminder of why I generally stay away from romance genre. And while it isn't abysmal by any stretch of imagination, it has some elements that just don't work... at all.

  The premise of the story is pretty straightforward: _Save Kakeru and get rid of your future regrets._ While "Save Kakeru" part is intentionaly vague at the begining, it crystallizes a lot more as time progresses. And this is where this work gets to a first major roadblock: you pretty much have to turn a blind eye to a lot of things for the story to actually be consistent with itself. As much as the time traveling (not even going to delve into their explanation of that, provided by none other than a chemistry teacher because plot required it) letter might seem like a good idea, it pretty much single handedly managed to ruin the story. And when your whole story hinges on said letter, it isn't really a good idea to have it hinged so loosely, because if Naho had done the first thing the letter asked her to, the rest of it would almost immediately be rendered null and void.

  Now, this story isn't a sci-fi, it's a romance. But guess what, the romance was handled just as poorly as the time traveling corner they needlessly wrote themselves into, and a large chunk of the problem in it were the characters. Because it takes two to tango, and boy oh boy, does Naho have three left feet.

  With the cast of 6 main characters (possibly +1 for a "rival"), this manga gave itself a rather ambitious task of handling them all effectively, and it seems its solution to this was to a) focus on only one end romance the whole cast strives towards (smart call on that one, kudos) b) spicing things up with some side things of no big end importance \*cough* c) shoving more than half a cast to the side giving them only basic outlines of personality (no kudos for you on this one)

  I mean, this tactic kinda works in its favor. It's a relatively short series, so who really gives a damn. It had trouble maintaining only one romance plot, imagine cramming like three more in there. Some of the comic relief moments and interactions between the side main characters are pretty funny, and are, alongside Kakeru, highlights of the show. Kakeru was handled really well (his mother on the other side... oh boy...), maybe a tad oversimplified at times in my opinion, Suwa was kinda on the meh side, but bearable. And even with ALL that, all the good moments, all the good artwork (and artwork is __really__ good for this type of thing), Naho single-handedly plummets the show to never before seen lows. Maybe people enjoy the whole _will-they-won't-they_, _loves me-loves me not_ dynamic stemming from stupidity she has going on, maybe people like having a heroine that could easily be replaced by a carrot with no real reprecussions to the plot. __I don't know. Maybe she's just too good and pure for my understanding of normal human beings.__

  All in all, if romance is your shtick, you should give it a try, it's a pretty solid and standard addition to the genre, with a satisfying ending and some interesting themes. I hope everyone that liked it enjoys this summer's adaptation. If you're not a romance person, then this isn't really a thing to check out or start with, since there are probably things to get you into the genre that handle things this manga botched, like characters (especially its main cast), progression and the story itself, a lot better. And if, like me, you're __DEFINITELY__ not the romance type of person, then you should know by now to stay away from it. But you didn't really need me to tell you that, now did you?

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• 

  AdmiralNyan

  85/100
  An Emotional Series About Suicide & Depression in Teens

  Orange, written and illustrated by Ichigo Takano, is a slice-of-life, romance manga serial about a young girl named Naho. On the first day of her second year in high school, 16-year-old Naho receives a letter from herself ten years into the future. Initially believing it to be a prank by her friends, she ignored the contents. But as predicted events started coming true, Naho has a change of heart about the letter. The whole point of this little correspondence is to ensure that Naho alters choices that she made as a teenager in order to save the life of her friend, and new transfer student, Kakeru.

  Orange is the best manga series that I have read in years. Everything about it was extraordinary. I went into the manga with some hesitations as it had been hyped up, especially with the release of the anime a few seasons ago. Yet, I have to admit that the hype for Orange is well-deserved.

  The writing is beautiful. The pace of plot progression is perfectly interwoven with tension and suspense as we watch Naho struggle with the decisions laid out before her. The anticipation builds delicately while we watch the effects of the changes initiated taking place. The anxiety and eagerness that is evoked felt marvellous because it had me completely invested in the story, all the way unto its intense and satisfying climax. This works splendidly in other regards to the story as well.

  Naho is a sixteen year old girl with a small group of fantastic friends. The essence of their youthful joy and the conflicts they face in regards to first romances is superb. Usually in shōjo manga where there is a tight-knit clique, there also happens to be a couple of loose threads that causes conflicts within their relationships in a negative means. While these six friends do experience some difficult and trying situations, especially where love is concerned, it’s dealt with in a very natural and believable way. People actually talk to one another to sort out their issues and try to resolve matters via communication. This is seldom ever exhibited in manga (particularly shōjo) that when I read it for the first time in Orange, I was awed.

  For example, there is a scene where Naho is being bullied by another girl. This girl has some insecurities and inadequacy issues that she isn’t capable of facing, so she exerts her frustrations on Naho. When Naho’s other female comrades see what’s happening, they step in to defend and protect their friend. Yet they take it one step further and openly tell the bully that she’s being a bitch and needs to re-evaluate her attitude. I have never seen this done in a shōjo manga. It felt so wonderful to watch these girls be genuine in their friendship with the main character. There was no jealousy or other immature reasons that kept them at bay. They saw a problem and stepped up to fix it. Such positive depiction of female friendships added so many good vibes. I cheered after I read that chapter.

  While all of these aspects are written remarkably, my most-favourite part of Orange consists of the very serious subject matter that it deals with: suicide and soul-shattering grief.

  I hate narratives that fetishise suicide or sadness, romanticising it to build a non-platonic bond between two individuals. Suicide and Depression aren’t sexy. They are serious things that need to be dealt with in the most healthy ways available to the individuals who deal with them. Orange realistically depicts the severe emotional trauma and anguish that stems from a profoundly deep-rooted loss, specifically in regards to suicide victims. The story will evoke emotions within you that you won’t even realise you’ve ever felt or hidden away. As a person who has a sensationally intimate relationship with suicide and Depression, I was utterly blown away.

  Orange faces the issues that cause the relevant character to feel a need to turn to suicide, head on. It doesn’t sugar coat his pain and suffering. It doesn’t have his friends telling him to “get over it” or that “everything will be fine if he relaxes,” or other bullshit of the sort. Those are the last things you ever want to say to someone who is contemplating suicide or is in an extreme depressive state of mind. Instead, Orange shows the reader each layer of this character’s grief and ache to help us fully comprehend his point of view. This is also shown via the friends who are trying to help save him.

  For the first time, I was able to read a story about suicide and not get angry. Instead, I sat down and I cried. I cried as each of these six individuals cried within the monochromatic pages of these graphic novels. My feelings were so raw with empathy and consideration because for the first time I was able to comprehend what it must have been like for people who were trying to save me during my darkest moments. It was extraordinarily overwhelming.

  Lastly, I would like to take a moment and mention the artwork. Orange is told in conjunction with breathtaking and elegant illustrations. There are a lot of soft lines and intricate details that help portray the feelings of all of the characters. Everything is drawn so meticulously that you can easily decipher these responses via the physical expressions on each person’s face. The panels are positioned perfectly to highlight distinct scenes and situations, while providing a visual contrast between two people’s contemplations. Full-page drawings never feel overbearing or confusing either. The artwork helps to bring the whole piece together excellently.

  Overall, I recommend Orange to every single person who enjoys reading. This is a manga series that is exceptionally heartfelt and magnificently crafted. It has a rather special place on my favourites shelf, where it will remain for a very, very long time to come.

  8.5 hair pins outta 10!

  TRIGGER WARNING: Strong subject matter pertaining to suicide & suicidal thoughts/situations.

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• 

  sam19967

  90/100
  A complex Fruit and a complex manga with a sensitive side

  Oranges like all (most) citrus fruit are sweet yet sour creating a rather complex flavour from a single piece of fruit. The odd combination of sweet and sour in a menu would normally not work as the two are on top opposite end of the palette, but human brains don’t process the two together meaning humans can taste sour then sweet (usually in that order). With citrus fruit such as oranges the taste is sweet followed a sour aftertaste, on top of that citrus fruit like oranges have gentle fragrances. Citrus fruit for example oranges then have a combination of a gentle scent, a sweet taste finished with a bitter aftertaste. To be honest that last sentence isn’t far as a summary for the manga ‘Orange’ so let’s talk about ‘Orange’ the manga.

  ‘Orange’ (and ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’) are both by ‘Ichigo Takano’ who did both the story and the art both is a story set in Matsumoto, Nagano (‘Ichigo Takano’ home prefecture) centring about a group of friends that all receive letter from themselves in 10 years into the future warning of their future and how to change that fate. What entails is a story about mental health, hope and growing up.

  While ‘Orange’ appears simple on the surface even with main plot being establish within the first 10 pages the more you dive in the more complex is becomes, as the future starts to change the more complex the feeling and emotions become (especially considering what’ at stake), but that’s natural. At that age is more about the small things that build up there far more important mixed in with romantic feelings the ranges of emotions are greatly increased. ‘Orange’ definitely is very emotionally driven story. Without wishing to spoil let’s say someone likes somebody they like them back but the someone else likes someone, this isn’t a harem but rather is dealt in a more subtle manner with most important turning points being very small things but with a large impact.

  Unfortunately in the last paragraph I may not of been that clear so let me explain again but more simply. This is a slice of life drama story about saving ‘something’ for the future, what follows is a journey of complex emotions including romantic feelings, hope and despair. While the time-traveling part isn’t really explained that not really the point so really is can be excused because of that.

  ‘Orange’ does a great job as making the characters feel human from the way they act too their emotions, after all the main focus of the story isn’t what you can see but what you can’t see. In ‘Orange’ the main focus is on ‘Naho Takamiya’ and the story told for her perspective including her thoughts and often from her point of view which can lead to the same situation being interpreted differently. While her character is shy and timid that’s who she is at the end of the day, ‘Naho’ is ‘Naho’. Side note she has orange hair likes orange juice and I think she ate an orange at one point.

  Overall the series does a great job as showing a range emotion (the main focus of this review). For example during the series as mention earlier ‘It isn’t what you can see but what you can’t see’ and we see the change in emotion from hope to despair (two polar opposites). While we as the reader can see that characters in the Manga may not that then creates a real roller coaster ride because of the polar opposites. For example Naho develops a love interest Kakeru but in one part he goes out with another girl leaving Naho with a mixture of feeling. This is also the best park of the past meaning the future as well it’s easy to say to do something it’s a lot harder to do something especially if that involves personal feelings and carries more importance to yourself. All the characters gel well with each other (considering 5 of them were friends to begin with) making it feel more like a group a friends enjoying carefree days as high school students.

  One thing to remember will reading this that the manga is aimed both at male and female readers. For example, the art style is more female with an art style but some of scene have a more male feel to them. It handles the change quite well but it’s worth bearing in-mind as the change can happen quite fast. As the story told though Naho the story it can feel more female (gentler with most action happening with words and small actions) but is parts of the story a more male side is shown especially with Kakeru Naruse and Hiroto Sawa. Again is this is great (mainly as it was targeted for both male and female readers) as characters feel more real making the impact even greater.
  The subject matter being dealt with (suicide) here is a very delicate subject and often subject to personal opinion, but ‘Orange’ is sensitive. Remember the paragraph about the fruit orange instead other the manga ‘Orange’, I started to write that as a gag but while writing it a though about it and the two in an odd way are similar. Citrus fruits like oranges have complex flavours and a delicate balance. ‘Orange’ (the manga) is the same it’s a complex story full of character, emotion (highs and lows) and it’s delicate. It certainly highlights the subject and provides a good talking point on a subject that is quite sensitive and important. On top of that the series deals with the subject of complex emotions and friendship in a mature manor.

  The story is surprising short at 22 chapters (listed at 31 but that also includes ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’) so it can feel a little fast paced in areas that that doesn’t mean anything is left out. Perhaps a few things could be explained on (‘Orange Future’ is an anime original that re-tale the story from a different perspective did this). At time of writing a 7th volume had been announced but this review is only for the manga and volumes 1-7 (chapters 1-22). If you need a rest from the heavy story from ‘Orange’ try reading ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’ also by Ichigo Takano, she wanted to write a story that uses all tropes in romantic stories in one single short one-shot manga. It’s makes for a nice change of pace from ‘Orange’s’ complex story.

  If you like the manga definitely try the anime as it follows the same story as the manga. If you like that or want to see more but don’t want to watch the anime try ‘Orange Future’, it’s the same story as ‘Orange’ but from Hiroto Sawa’s perspective. A live action Japanese film as made in 2015 also called ‘Orange’ that also follows the same story in the manga.

  In Summary ‘Orange’ while it appears simple is much more complex than you think with the story being told though one perspective (Naho’s) it shapes to be a great piece of work talking about a very sensitive matter without forming its own opinion. People are going to find a little different depending on their own experience and opinions but it’s still a masterful manga that is surprising short. ‘Orange’ is gentle, bitter and sweet.

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