Takane & Hana Vol 2 by Yuki Shiwasu

Takane & Hana was originally a one-off, but the series got reviewed for more volumes.  Because of this, the tone of this volume and the relationship between Takane and Hana changes slightly.

In this volume, Takane's grandfather continues to set him up with marriage meetings until Takane confesses he is still seeing Hana (who his grandfather believes to be her older sister, Yukari).  Grandfather requires Takane to bring Hana to a large company party in order to give his blessing.  Other employees begin to notice that Hana is much younger than they initially though.  Meanwhile, Hana's friends become more involved in the storyline, and get involved in Hana's dating an older man. Also, we meet a friend of Takane, a dangerous playboy named Nicola who is a wealthy Italian heir to business fortune.  Takane becomes jealous of Nicola's attention to Hana.

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The tension between the two leads softens ever so slightly in this novel, possibly because the story is going to continue past the single volume now.  The mangaka is slowly revealing that Takane and Hana genuinely enjoy each other's company, and not just in a romantic sense.  Shiwasu is a master at drawing comedic expressions, especially the annoyed looks Takane and Hana often exchange at the back of each other's heads.

VIZ rates this series for Teen, and there is nothing inappropriate about the relationship so far that would elevate this for older audiences.

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

Reviews of previous volumes in this series: vol 1

​Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Realistic Fiction, Romance