Orange: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1 by Ichigo TakanoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Regret
Loss
Suffering
First Love
Regret
Death
Happiness
Friendship
Regret
What would you do if you were given a second chance to erase some of the biggest regrets of your life? Would you use the opportunity to right the wrongs that plague your heart today? Would you do everything you could in the Present to help ease your life and the lives of those you care about in the Future, even if you weren't completely sure your actions would lead to a better future?
I think, despite the unknown of the Future, if given the chance, most of us would.
I have been completely blown away by this beautiful, heartbreaking story. To be honest, I'm surprised with how hard I fell for these characters, with how emotionally invested I am in their lives (especially Naho, Kakeru, and Suwa), and I'm absolutely aching to read the second volume (I already have it on order). It's been a terribly long time since a story has moved me so emotionally, moved me to tears, as this one has.
On the first day of school, Sixteen-year-old Naho receives a letter from herself ten years in the future, pleading with her to take heed of her warnings and to watch over a boy, Kakeru, who will be joining her class as a new student that day. According to the letter, Kakeru will become an important part of her and her friend's lives, but his life will be cut short, and it's up to Naho of the past to keep him alive. Despite Naho's belief that the letter is simply a prank, she soon second-guesses herself as the new boy, Kakeru, enters the class and sits down right next to her, just as the letter predicted. From that point onward, Naho has two choices: to believe in the letter's prophetic abilities, and in turn to believe in her future self, or to ignore the letter entirely and leave Kakeru's fate, and her own, up to the universe.
Simple in design, but brilliant in execution, this story and its characters have truly touched my heart. This is my first manga, and oh my word am I happy that I decided to pick it up. Not only is the artwork stunning, but the story truly pulls you in and demands your attention at once. Each character is so alive, so vivid, that yes even though it helps that it's illustrated, they really do leap off the page. I greatly appreciate how well the author, Ichigo Takano, presents such dark and heavier themes as death, depression, suicide, and regret. At no point did I feel that the writing is contrived or forced, in fact it's some of the best writing that I've come across in terms of bringing to light the real issues today with mental health and youth, and the kinds of support systems and open conversations we all need to be having in order to help those who are suffering. Naho and Suwa are incredibly empathetic and sensitive characters who do an amazing job of keeping the conversation open with Kakeru, having real heart-to-hearts with the kind of depth and emotion and sensitivity that he needs. I'm especially impressed with Takano's male characters overall, as Suwa's and Kakeru's friendship is honest and emotional, shedding tears and allowing one another to be vulnerable when they need to be. It's so refreshing to see an author allow her male characters to be vulnerable, to cry, to hug, and not to hide their suffering from the world. The more we normalize the act of having conversations with each other, male and female, young and old, in times of pain, or loss, or depression, the more lives we may save. The better future we may create, for everyone.
I also absolutely love how this story brought me right back to myself, ten years ago (well more, let's be honest), to what it was like to be a teenager again and to all the goofy and silly things I used to do with my friends. First crushes, embarrassing moments being so super awkward, cramming for exams and taking gym class; I wouldn't say that I miss all of it, but it's been a while since I've looked back on high-school as fondly as I have while reading Orange. These six friends, Naho, Kakeru, Suwa, Takako, Azu and Hagita, remind me of all the best parts of being young; the close, intense friendships one forms as a teenager are like nothing you'll ever experience again. It's truly a capsule in time, and as one of the main themes of the story points out repeatedly, it's an absolute shame to look back on any point in one's life with regret.
I couldn't help but see so much of myself in Naho - she being an incredibly shy, indecisive and unself-confident young girl who constantly puts others' happiness before her own. Watching her make mistakes and not speak up, simply because of her fear of rejection or of being made fun of, was particularly painful for me, as I lived out my teenage years in exactly the same way. Her future self advises her, time and again, not to let certain moments slip by because of her fear, begging her not to follow the same path she did and warning not to live a life of regrets. Ultimately, Naho begins to change and grow as she follows the letter's (her own) advice and takes more chances in her life. It is such a sweet process to witness, and one that definitely rings true for me.
As you can see by my lengthy review, I adore this story, and obviously I highly recommend it as well. Having first released a few years ago, Orange already has a large and dedicated following of fans around the world, resulting in an anime series, a live-action movie, and a spin-off story in the works. That's just fine with me because let me tell you, I'm already halfway through watching the anime series! If you've never read manga before, give this one a go. If you have but you haven't read this yet - go out and get it!
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