Komi Can't Communicate Vol 3 by Tomohito Oda

This volume is written in more short chapters, but, unlike volume two, all of them basically go together one after the other. After Najimi, Komi, and Tadano study a bit in the library for their final exams, it’s summer vacation! Najimi invites the gang to go swimming at the city pool, and it turns out “gang” is much bigger than Komi thought.  Nevertheless, she has a lot of fun until she scrapes her knee and has to sit out. But, ever conscientious Najimi buys water guns so they can play outside the pool and still include Komi. Next, Najimi invites everyone to a Summer Festival, and most agree Komi is still adorable in her yukata (summer kimono).  

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There are some inappropriate jokes in this one, especially with girls in their swim suits, and Yamai is still obsessed with Komi and tries to trick her into do things that are slightly sexual. The art panels are mostly 4 to a page, which can get monotonous in terms of storytelling.  The series continues to incorporate small references to Najimi's nonbinary nature.  Some times, the characters support Najimi in their being nonbinary, but other characters are insensitive and not accepting.  This reads rather more like a reflection of Japanese society and their non-acceptance, and the mangaka uses these instances to subtly show the flaws with this type of thinking.  

Sara's Rating: 6/10
Suitability Level: Grades 8-12

Reviews of previous volumes in this series: vol 1, vol 2 

Tags: Rating: 6/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Realistic Fiction, Friendship