School Library Journal review - part of Fall 2025 Manga Fiction Series, "Hidden Identities and True Love"
Sara's Rating: 9/10 Suitability Level: Grades 3-7 Reviews of previous volumes in this series: vol 1 Publisher: Graphix Publication Date: Nov 4, 2025 ISBN: 9781546141013 Tags: Rating: 9/10, Suitability: Elementary School, Suitability: Middle School, Manga, Music, Art, Friendship, Realistic Fiction, Graphix
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Hikaru loves singing, and can often be found serenading the guests in her grandfather’s public bath house. When a famous producer announces a talent search for Japan’s next idol, she entertains a notion to audition, but then dismisses the idea. Then, her childhood friend, Ran-san, reappears in her life. Ran had been part of an idol group, JP Academy, but hadn’t found much success. Ran encourages Hikaru to audition with her for the Girls in the Light search, which gives Hikaru a bit of courage that she needs.
Booklist review
Sara's Rating: 7/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Publisher: LOVE x LOVE (TOKYOPOP) Publication Date: September 24, 2024 ISBN: 9781427879233 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 7/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Music, School Life, Friendship, TOKYOPOP  Booklist starred review
Sara's Rating: 10/10 Suitability Level: Grades 7-12 Publisher: Yen Press Publication Date: October 22, 2024 ISBN: 9781975399689 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 10/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Romance, LGBTQ+, Friendship, Music, Mental Health, School Life, Yen Press 
Ken Kanashiro, a fierce yakuza second-in-command, has his life turned upside down when he's introduced to a K-Pop band by Megumi, the boss’s daughter. He becomes transfixed by one of the band’s members and launches into super fandom with the help of Megumi. Ken begins collecting rare merchandise, joins social media to post elaborate fanfic and amasses a following, attends many concerts, and finds other yakuza super fans.
At the welcoming ceremony of their high school, Himari falls in love with the vocals and guitar playing of Yori and becomes her biggest fan. With her confession of love, Yori falls in love with Himari, but in an actual sense of love, rather than an admiration of fandom. The other band members thinks this infatuation is the perfect fodder for Yori, who they have tasked with writing a love song. Yori isn’t sure she can be close with Himari and not continue to fall more in actual love with her. Himari, on the other hand, starts to examine whether what she's feeling is just admiration, or can she actually reciprocate Yori's feelings.
School Library Journal review
Sara's Rating: 8/10 Suitability Level: Grades 8-12 Publisher: VIZ Media Publication Date: October 3, 2023 ISBN: 9781974739059 (Paperback) Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Romance, Music, Humor, Friendship, VIZ Media 
The band has secured a live gig, but that means Mafuyu needs to finish some lyrics! The band practices a ton, but the writer's block persists, so Kaji actually suggests they take a break from practicing their instruments, to the shock of his bandmates. On the ride home Kaji tells Mafuyu that he needs to come to terms with his past and allow himself to feel whole moving forward. The next day, Mafuyu and Hiiragi talk in a park about the previous band Mafuyu was in, and the tragic end for Mafuyu's former love interest, Yuki. As the live event comes up, Mafuyu still doesn't have lyrics written, then his guitar breaks again, but the show must go on. The band prepares to go on as an instrumental number, but to everyone's surprise, Mafuyu starts singing from his heart as he relives tragic memories in his mind.
Kanade is a normal high school girl with favorite banda she likes to listen to. Her friend, Otoha, one day invites her to a music festival because one of Kanade’s favorite bands is going to be playing. Otoha has been to many festivals before, but Kanade has no idea what she’s in store for. She turns out to love every moment of it, including discovering other bands she's never heard of. Otoha’s older brother, Gaku, also loves going to festivals and often goes with his employee and friend, Ritsuru. Gaku can be a lot to handle, and Ritsuru can be pretty self-deprecating. The four decide to go to an overnight festival where there will be camping involved, as well as several days and many stages. Ritsuru reluctantly agrees to go with, if for no other reason than to save innocent Kanade and Otoha from Gaku's perfectionism in setting up the campsite.
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