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shoko-komi · 1 year ago

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This special edition of The Komi Report is split into 2 posts. This is Part 1. Click here for Part 2

Hullo! Welcome to the mildly anticipated 2023 Annual Edition of The Komi report! What awaits you below the read more mark is the ultimate retrospective on this year in Komi Can't Communicate. What makes it ultimate? As far as I'm aware, it's the only one of its kind. So I win by default.

I've spent the past week re-reading and ruminating upon the 50 chapters of Komi that came out in 2023, and I've done my very best to boil it all down into the ultimate mega-report!!! It's a long one, so only open it when you're ready for a read!

CONTENTS

1. A Letter from the Editor

2. 2023 in Review

3. The Emoi Awards: (My) Top 5 Chapters of the Year, Most Emoi Moment, Funniest Joke, and Reader’s Choice

A Letter From the Editor

Dear Reader,

It's been a long time since I tried to engage in fandom. People with whom I'm not already acquainted vex, confuse, and frighten me. So rather than seek out community, I'm inclined to keep to myself and my close inner circle of friends. You might say that Alice can't... Alice can't com... communi........

But I love Komi Can't Communicate so very much. Getting my little dose of emoi every Wednesday is the best part of my week. So, to extend the fun and keep myself from bursting; I started making reaction posts, called them The Komi Report because I like to play pretend, and here we are now!

The Komi Report is consistent only so far as it's always unfocused. I get so wrapped up thinking about the things I want to say that I forget to say most of them. I'm scattered, I'm overly harsh, and I'm awkward. However, I amuse myself tremendously. So it's alright in the end.

I like to imagine this is some big, serious publication with a large readership. That's far south of true. But there are a small handful of people who interact with the Report on a regular basis. By my personal standards, that puts me on par with the editor of the New York Times.

So my hearty thanks to anyone reading this special edition of The Komi Report. I have endeavored, in my silly little way, to stir up a few silly little emotions in your heart. If I succeed at that, then I’m satisfied indeed.

I wish you happy holidays, and a very happy new year.

2023 in Review

Alice,

The Komi Reporter

In my mind I break Komi Can't Communicate down into three major sections based on Komi's three years of high school. Her first year is the Bronze Age, second is the Golden Age, and third (which is still, of course, ongoing) is the Silver Age. By this naming scheme I don't mean to imply that one year is better than the other. Only that each of them represents a distinct period of Komi's narrative and for Tomohito Oda as an artist. Talk to me about that sometime; I'll talk your ear off.

Here I've attempted to break 2023 down into its major constituents as well. It's messy, considering the meandering nature of serial fiction like this, but I think I've done a decent job. How exciting for me.

‘Kawai’ encompasses both her story arc and chapters wherein she features predominantly. ‘Kissy Kissy’ and ‘Rumiko’ explain themselves. ‘Emoi surprise attack’ lumps together Ogiya, Emoyama, Fuki, Yadano, and Michita's story beats because I think they're identical in tone and intent. And ‘Komi and Hiki Reunite’ gets its own colour because I love Hiki Komorebi. And I can do whatever I want.

RIP the younger siblings. Shosuke, Hitomi, Ai, and Sanjuro-Rokuro appeared only very briefly this year. Fingers crossed they get some good moments in 2024.

To reflect on 2023 as a whole, I will discuss my general thoughts on each of these segments individually; bar Hiki and the assorted miscellany, for that would require talking too much about individual chapters and would derail everything and plunge us into a lake of fire.

Kawai

Reddit is a hostile and alien environment to me, but I like to peruse r/komi_san every now and then to see what people are saying. The Kawai-heavy months were particularly fun, because Ms Rami dominated conversation and polarized the entire subreddit into petty arguments, the likes of which I still chuckle about. There were Kawai haters, Kawai lovers, Kawai haters who compared her to Yamai, Yamai lovers who tried to turn those comparisons into a positive. It was chaos.

(Link)

Me? I'm a Kawai stan for life. I'll say it at every opportunity; I love when Komi shows off her passionate side – stubborn as a mule, jealous, competitive, and a little domineering. The study camp arc brought those parts of her right out. So, although I didn't find Kawai all that interesting as a character at first, I was enjoying myself.

An old flame of Tadano's - mentioned for the first time in a passing joke long, long ago - appears unexpectedly. She's like an evil dimension Komi – down to the way her shining silver hair contrasts with Komi's dark black-purple. There's no actual risk of her stealing Tadano away, but she undermines Komi's confidence and challenges her openly. A challenge that's impossible to resist.

They spar back and forth. Kawai has the advantage in athleticism and intellect. But when they come to the final portion of the quiz game, Kawai's self-centered attitude is her downfall yadda yadda etc. etc.

Then.... then.... they have that talk on the beach...

...where she reveals her batshit insane long-term plan to watch over Tadano from afar; become the perfect bride-to-be in secret; then appear when the moment is right, drive away all competition, and sweep him off his feet??? Ice-cold kuudere/yandere bitch queen. Be still, my beating heart 💞.

But she has the self-awareness to see things clearly – As she talks to Komi she begins to realize how her attitude has steered her wrong. She sees how Komi and Tadano have something real; how she's been fooling herself all along. Kawai admits that she was behaving poorly and concedes defeat. Growth!!!

I'm going to backflip across the room. I felt like I had achieved nirvana the first time I read this.

I see in Kawai a girl who's been isolated for so long – stuck in an absurd romantic fantasy as a coping mechanism – that she has no concept of how to engage with people casually. She was a lonely child, her parents died tragically, and then she was raised by people who didn't know what to do with her. She seeks meaningful connections but has an extreme, intense personality and abides by an overly literal definition of what makes a ‘family’. Thus, her behavior is overbearing and, at times, inappropriate. But she means well.

Also, she's the best new character since Rumiko and she should never change ever.

One of her lackey's has a big, gay crush on her...

...and I hope Kawai notices her some day.

I saw many people who were frustrated with how heavily Kawai featured in the first half of 2023. I for one think we need more of her. Much, much more of her. I choose not to address her... interesting relationship with her relatives. One must turn a blind eye now and then.

Kissy Kissy

Every romance story faces a serious problem when the lovebirds finally hook up. How do you retain romantic tension once they're formally together? Many stories don't. This is perfectly fine if the story ends at the confession of love, but if the story continues then there needs to be a deeper foundation to the relationship than will-they-won't-they tension (or you can contrive a reason to split them up again).

Komi Can't Communicate has not suffered from loss of romantic tension!!! Wahoo!!!!!

I was stoked back when it became obvious Oda was going to bring Komitano together so soon before the end of the series. I had no doubt the romance would remain compelling - Komi and Tadano are just plain old nice to see together; whatever they might be doing.

So to find out they'll be dating for an entire third of the series??? Yes please. In the english translated tankobon, the love triangle ended in March with the release of volume 23. So we got Komitano officially dating in print; then a few months later, in the weekly chapters, they kissed for the first time. What a year!!!

Tadano is boundlessly patient and thoughtful, and he understands Komi's needs with intuition that crosses the border into mind-reading. He became her first friend motivated only by an earnest desire to help, and never demonstrated jealousy as she became increasingly independent from him. He's a pleasant fellow; faithful, gentle, and kind.

Komi is.... well, she's Shoko Komi

The build up to it is so sweet. A festival date with just the two of them~ She's wearing the dress he chose; he's wearing a shirt with buttons on it (a step up for these shonen romance boys).

Then it goes terribly... and you'd expect these two stress machines to be panicking. But no, they've grown so much and bonded so deeply. They laugh it off in the rain and retreat somewhere dry for a smooch or two... 🥰 kyaaaaaa ✿!!! Emoi!!! And they're both crazy flustered about kissing... but Komi gets assertive... she's kinda like that asldnalsjdnja

The romance is alive. And between these moments, I just like seeing them together; no matter what's going on.

Rumiko

Way back when Rumiko was introduced, she was like a revelation. Her strong, unique personality and chemistry with the rest of the cast made her an instant series staple. Introducing a new character for a long and complex love triangle plotline was a tricky proposition, and Oda managed it with a stroke of genius. Such a stroke of genius that everything before Rumiko's intro feels, in retrospect, like it's missing something. Which is not to say that pre-Rumiko KCC is bad, or that Rumiko should have entered sooner. No. Everything about the way she was handled is perfect...

...up to a certain point. On a tangential note: if you think Rumitano should have been the outcome of the love triangle (hello! you know who you are :3) I can't honestly say I disagree. I don't agree. But I also don't disagree.

(Ch. 285)

(I like Rumitano and Komitano equally. And RumiKomi) But all of this is just lead-up to the matter at hand.

What's pertinent to this 2023 review is the way Rumiko has been handled post love triangle. During moments of passion I've blamed it on Wakai monopolizing her time, but that's unfair. Wakai is just fine. His will-they-won't-they plot with Rumiko is just fine. I do enjoy it at times. What gets on my nerves is how reduced Rumiko feels. At some point Oda decided she's ‘girl who makes unsightly facial expressions’ and that's so much of what we get of her when we get to see her. Her personality has been somewhat squashed.

Couple that with how the focus of her plot with Wakai is primarily on him. She feels like a side character now, when in the past she was effectively a third protagonist. It was inevitable that she step down from her peak of prominence as her role as rival-in-love came to an end, but... idk. She's Komi's best friend (Tadano doesn't count). She’s the Rumiko Manbagi.

There are moments where Rumiko's personality still shines. During her date with Tadano in particular (which was a breath of fresh air). I also enjoyed her summer festival date with Wakai (Accidentally calling a girl ‘mum’ on the first date? I'd die). Those moments are lovely. But feel diluted...

^^ In this moment I felt like her relationship with Wakai might become really interesting akoakjsndnasd

I said up above that I think KCC is in its Silver Age. Well, there's a major reason why. The magic isn't lost, but it's faded ever so slightly without the golden lustre of our favourite gyaru's hair......

But who knows what'll happen next? Oda surprises me constantly, and I think that's one of the things I love so much about this series. Right when he starts to lose me, Oda reels me back in. A comeback for Rumiko could be right around the corner.

Emoi Surprise Attack

This is the loosest of my categories. What can I say? I'm a loose girl. No... uh... pretend I didn't say that. It's true, but this isn't the time or place.

These stories are related insofar as the last few months of 2023 have been a grab-bag of minor characters receiving surprising and heartfelt little stories. Ogiya, Emoyama, Fuki, and Yadano were joke characters who never seemed destined for serious attention, but every one of them came out swinging and hit a home run... wiht our hearts............... they sent our hearts into the stands.........

Michita is new, and I hope we see her again soon.

Anything more I have to say about these chapters would require talking about them individually, which is beyond the scope of this section. So let's do a lightning round:

Ogiya – PHENOMINAL

Emoyama – PHENOMINAL

Also, Hello Moromi-san. Is there a woman in your life? Can we be Mrs. And Mrs. Emoyama?

Fuki – PHENOMINAL

Yadano – PHENOMINAL

Michita – PHENOMINAL

AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!! (cry of Emoi)

There you have it.

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So ends the overview!! If you're bothered I didn't talk about something in particular, don't worry; the Emoi Awards get more specific. There's sooooo much that I left out in the pursuit of brevity.

I want to make a special note of the reveal in Ch. 407 – Interview. Komi plans to study International Communication in university. I was anticipating the reveal of her course of study, and I wasn't disappointed. It could not have been anything else.

My overall feeling about the series at the moment? Great!!!! I complain bitterly at times (I'm a whiny, weeny windbag) and I'm at my harshest when I'm forming first impressions. But going over 2023 and remembering all the good times brought into perspective how much fun it's been. It also really put into perspective how much Komi has grown as a person. She’s so confident now compared to where she started from...

So... yeah!

And now the contentious business begins...

The Emoi Awards

Paam pa du paam!!!!! (that's fanfare)

Now it's time to get granular. This is the cream of the crop. The best of the blessed. The chapters and moments that had all of us laughing, giggling, chuckling, guffawing, weeping, sobbing, and crying.

My opinions about Komi Can't Communicate are perfect and definitive, so if you disagree with me about any of this... argue vehemently with me. I'm not joking. Don't be mean to me or I'll cry, but do please tell me your opinions! The more you talk to me about Komi, the more powerful I become. Mweh heh heh heh heh heh

Here are the categories:

(My) Top Five Chapters of the Year

(My) Top 5 Chapters of the Year

Most Emoi Moment

Funniest Joke

Reader’s Choice

I did NOT expect this to be so hard. I had to firmly limit myself to only five choices... and I was tearing my hair out. This mANGA IS SO GOOD ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

Listed in order of publication (love has no hierarchy. Except in kink).

1. Chapter 392 - Kawai is...

Kawai spends the entire study camp being a fierce enemy to Komi, then stays up late and has an emotional heart-to-heart on the beach with her, then runs 20kms all the way home... and by noon the next day she's in Komi's house to propose marriage. And she's already been to Tadano's to do the same. Bisexual, polyamorous, and a serious go-getter. When Kawai wants something, she spares no expense.

My regards to the future prime minister of Japan. It's a shame Rumiko didn't think of this first.

But seriously, though; I laughed out loud the whole way through this chapter. I was delighted to no end. If I ever doubted Tomohito Oda's ability to surprise me, that doubt was erased forever. Kawai was a good character, in one fell swoop she became legendary.

I love you, Kawai.

2. Chapter 406 - My Name is Kuro

Maybe I'm biased about Rei Natsukido. Maybe I'm biased because this was the first chapter on which I made a Komi Report. Either way, I'm biased and okay with that. Having Rei and Mira around for a visit all the way from America was so much fun, and we got the return of Komi Can't Communicate's #1 best character – Princess Elizabeth Alexandrine Georgine Jeanne Catherine Christiane.

I love that Mira acts all cool and distant but can't stop herself from becoming invested. I love how passionate and imaginative Rei is about the game. I love how Komi is just along for the ride and she's having a blast. I love that Komi is playing a boy character.

(Ch 169 – Playing With Dolls)

And I love their funky plush toys.

I love you, Rei and Mira.

3. Chapter 410 - Cicada-rrounded

Hiki Komorebi is yet another S Tier character. Unrelated to that; her height is so funny to me. She looks crazy tall next to the other characters - she even has a complex about it - and then you find out she's only 180cm. Japanese people are short.

Anyway,

Cicada-rrounded has this complete twist in the middle where it goes from a heartwarming reunion to a battle for survival against icky bugs. Komi and Hiki meeting again was built up for so long, and it's a beautiful moment,

and then it gets de-railed immediately in the best and funniest way possible.

I would go so far as to say this is a perfect chapter of Komi Can't Communicate. It's equal parts sentiment and comedy, and kills it on both fronts. If I had to pick a #1 favourite from these 5? I might maybe possibly be inclined to consider this one.

I love you, Hiki. Also Akira

4. Chapter 411/412 - A Two Person Summer Festival Stroll/The Second Time

I already gushed about these two in the overview section. What more is there to say? Except that it's a little annoying how Tadano remains so timid about romance stuff; but it gives us so many opportunities for assertive Komi to come out, so that's alright.

Komi is kinda like that... aosjkdoaksdokansdnajiosd. Get it, girl.

(Ch. 427 - Cool)

I love you, Komi and Tadano

(This special edition of The Komi Report continues in Part 2)

#komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #komi #komi report #the komi report #komi shoko #shoko komi

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shoko-komi · 1 year ago

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The Komi Report - Communications 446 & 447

This week, in Komi Can't Communicate:

Kawai throws a party...

...and the class takes a vote.

Read It: Mangareader Mangakakalot Viz Media (North America Exclusive) Mangadex (English updates are dead, but there’s the backlog; and Spanish + Portuguese language updates)

Fun chapters! Kawai is very intense as always, but I've established before how fond I am of her. I think she's fun.

The big news!!!

Congratulations Komi!!! I'm so proud of her (❁´◡`❁)

Kawai texts like she's 90 years old

These connections will aid her in staging a series of political assassinations that result in her seizing state authority.

First of all, I'm fascinated by the arm below Kometani's floating head. It's not positioned in relation to human anatomy. A floating arm for a floating boy.

Second of all, I like that little moment of Komi asserting her boundaries. "Um, No. Thank you". Clear and firm. Good work, girl

Put a pin in Tadano's conspicuous absence for later. Also, that authoritarian dictator looking poster of Kawai asjdnaklsjdnasd

No wonder that cake looks exactly like a wedding cake.

Kawai turning her culture festival into a celebration for Komi is ridiculously excessive, but I bet if you told her that she'd look totally confused asdnaosndkoasdasd. I want to go to Komi Fest.......

it's the Hindenburg of our time.......

She needed a good time :3 so did I......

I like 446! Imo it would have been nice to get some moments of Kawai interacting with her class (other than giving them orders during the balloon crisis), learn about her school, or see something else more personal about her. But this is fun.

Some exciting news, some quality goofs, and I like how witnessing Kawai's decisive leadership informs Komi's resolve in the following chapter. Whether her resolve is simply to make their final culture fest a good one, or whether she has other some other goal in mind, we shall see.

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I don't have many comments to make about 447, except that Najimi is funny

and Komi's confidence is so beautiful.

Now take the pin out of Tadano's conspicuous absence. It wouldn't be notable, except that they draw particular attention to it. He "couldn't come" and Kawai doesn't want to put "undue pressure" on him; a statement that confuses Komi.

This is certainly referring to the surprise Komi Fest, like Kawai thinks Tadano would feel pressured by her demonstration of love for Komi. But at the end of 447 there's this moment

Seems to be leading to something? Like Tadano has something to tell her. Him being notably absent from the chapter where Komi finds out she's been accepted into university, and then having that curious moment at the end of 447, leads me to think that perhaps he has some dramatic news regarding his own university application.

Or maybe he's just stunned by Komi's confidence and personal growth. Whatever it may be, I think it's definitely leading into something

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Hopes for the culture festival!!! Tadano going girlmode again is a must. I'd love to see Perro Rabioso (the YamaNaka band) and get some heavy yuri moments from them. Emoyama and Sukida should go on a date and kiss. Benujit Spopo needs to show up of course. And we need Hitomi and Shosuke to get a major appearance; maybe a chapter or two about their culture fest. It's been so long since we saw them (-_-)

Nice chapters. Feels good ^w^

I'll see you next week! Until then, stay safe 💞

#komi #komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #komi report #the komi report

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shoko-komi · 1 year ago

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The Komi Report - Communication 448

This week in Komi Can't Communicate...

...class 3-1 is preparing for the culture festival!

Read It: Mangareader Mangakakalot Viz Media (North America Exclusive) Mangadex (English updates are dead, but there’s the backlog; and Spanish + Portuguese language updates)

We begin with a new character. Shota Kori appeared once before (very briefly) in Communication 429 - Year Three Sports Carnival...

...where he appears to be examining Komi's pom pom. A detail which is now surprisingly relevant.

Good planning, Oda.

I enjoyed his segment. There's not much to say about him yet, but I see potential here. I think "perfectionist" would have been a more fitting word to describe him than "obsessive".

What I really like about Kori is his older sister.

Queen. She alone would make his inclusion worthwhile.

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Interesting... a ramen stand feels anticlimactic to me. I'm not sure how many funny and interesting scenarios can arise from it; how will Oda find an excuse to put Tadano in a dress? But there's so many characters at this point that the project itself need not be too interesting. The festival can simply be a vehicle for character interactions.

Upcoming Perro Rabioso performance confirmed??? 👀👀

I really love this sequence of all classmates interacting with each other. Even characters I dismissed at first become more endearing when presented as part of the group (I'm not referring to Omakawa, of course. Omakawa has always been a legend).

This guy, for example. I still don't think much of him, but he fits into the ensemble.

This guy, though...... you be careful with statements like that, boy. There will be none of that while I'm around.

This got me excited. Komis interaction with Shiina is very cute, and I ofc was hyped for SukiYama (EmoKida?).

So good to see them as a team...... not a fan of those faces. This is very much personal opinion and I can't claim it's a big deal, but I find these kind of expressions unsightly. Maybe because it's so far from how they normally look; these aren't Emoyama and Sukida faces, if you know what I mean. Oda has developed a habit of these kinds of expressions - Isagi always makes an ugly face when the subject of NarAse comes up, for example.

Nevertheless, I love SukiYama.

Tadano and his boys are cute. Komis just jealous.

Wait a minute......

(Communication 432 - Year Three Sports Carnival, Part 4)

Komata and the mysterious powder is an identical joke to what Saotome got. These characters were already extremely similar, now they're completely confused.

Skipping over the Komi foot noodles... asdlkansdlkansdlas

(❁´◡`❁)

uwa, tension arises. What conflict has Koris perfectionism caused with Ogiya?

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Final thoughts: the ensemble chapters are always a good time. The looming conflict with Kori might be more interesting if we'd been properly introduced to him sooner, but I'm keen to see where it's going

I say this basically every time,,, but it's so good to see how Komi has grown. During the prep for the first festival, she was struggling to contribute. Now she's leading her class and making a vital contribution ^w^

Also I happened to notice that Kishi appeared in the title art but not in the actual chapter. Where is my Kishi?

Stay safe! I'll see you next week!

#komi #komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #komi report #the komi report

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shoko-komi · 1 year ago

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The Komi Report - Communication 431

This week in Komi Can't Communicate:

An alchemical elixir...

...and a settled score.

Read It: Mangareader Mangakakalot Viz Media (North America Exclusive) Mangadex (Dead, but there’s the backlog. And Spanish language updates, if you can read Spanish)

Oda has a knack for taking one-note characters and surprising you with moments of genuine pathos. He shifts the perspective, or the tone, or shines a light on them just so to reveal hidden depths.

In the last two chapters Fuki received that treatment. Fuki was introduced (Communication 325: Classmates) in the first crop of Year 3 classmates as "guy who's clumsy" and, although funny, seemed destined (to me) to be one those characters who exists to fill out a crowd and appear occasionally for variations of their one joke. An important kind of character, but not particularly interesting.

But then when the time was right, Oda took us inside Fuki's head and the joke became an intimate struggle; a boy's furious battle against the limitations of his own body, and the shame he lays on himself.

Oda didn't give Fuki any new traits. He just changed the perspective a little, and now you're feeling emotional about "guy who's clumsy". It's a simple trick used to great effect; one that Oda uses often (with Ogiya and Emoyama in recent times. Although they each received more substantial development). In a series that, by necessity, has a LOT of characters, you have to be efficient in the way you use them without sacrificing the quality of the storytelling. In my opinion, Oda handles his small army of a cast exceedingly well.

Makeru Yadano was introduced aaaalllllll the way back in Communication 20: Fitness Test and became Komi's 4th (FOURTH) friend. She's as venerable as it gets.

Yadano's trait is that she's fiercely competitive, and the joke is that she always loses (or is trying to sell an absurd food that no one wants to eat. Benujit Spopo my beloved). I love Yadano, and now, after 411 chapters since she first appeared, we've gotten a look into her heart...

but first!

This guy is an alchemist? Some kind of potion-brewing wizard??

Don't ever let Komi take a chemistry class this girl will drink the experiments. This girl is thirsty for brews and concoctions. She walks up to snake-oil salesmen and orders 12 shots.

Alright I love this guy. He decanted some monster energy into a test tube and acted mysterious about it because everyone at Itan is a drama dork

Brief Kawai appearance I can't let her go without saying hello

I'm going to use Netsuno's appearance as a reason to bring up how Oda never forgets a character!!! Even a character like "lady who really needs a tissue" has reappeared multiple times (in outstanding chapters, no less). In this instance we see Netsuno and Komi training together and without it being said outright you can imagine that they've been going for runs regularly even after Netsuno graduated.

What makes Komi's world feel so lively is how inhabited it feels. Komi doesn't add someone to her Book of Friends and then forget about them, they actually become friends who stay in touch. Anywho... it's about time I got to the main event.

This is exactly what I was hoping for after that serious look on her face at the end of Com 430.

You take the character, you take the joke, you twist them around a little. For the first time, Yadano is being honest with herself and with us.

"I'll pretend to be frustrated"? Was it a mask the whole time??? A defense mechanism to disguise her crumbling self esteem????? You take the character... you twist them... twist them... twist...

...and suddenly they aren't so comical anymore. They're human.

The way the tension builds is phenomenal. For the first time you think she might actually pull it off... and you want her to!! Maybe I'm just a drama dork myself... but I felt so in this moment.

A brief aside to note this little Hiki moment Oda slipped in. Love this.

And then the tension's relieved with a gag asjdnoasjdnoas. Of course Yadano didn't win. I wanted her to, I thought maybe she might, but of course she didn't. A victory here would have undermined the sad beauty of the struggle.

Everything about this race sequence is incredible to me. Part of Komi's trouble with connecting to people has always been her inability to work out what other people are thinking or feeling. Which is part of why Tadano was/is the perfect person to help her; empathy being his superpower and all. So Komi here realizing what Yadano needs, or rather, doesn't need from her is a show of... growth? Maturation? I'm not sure what. But it's interesting.

Phew!!! I love this chapter!! And I've said a lot more in this Komi Report than usual! In the past I've mostly made my goofs and said little more, but recently I resolved to have a go at expressing all my various serious thoughts. The nature and structure of The Komi Report is sort of a living thing. That's how I roll... 😎

See you next week!

#komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #komi shoko #komi #the komi report #komi report

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shoko-komi · 1 year ago

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The Komi Report - Communication 434 & 435

It's the final Komi of 2023 (T_T). This week:

An intergenerational connection!

Read It: Mangareader Mangakakalot Viz Media (North America Exclusive) Mangadex (Dead, but there’s the backlog. And Spanish language updates, if you read Spanish)

This first thought is about last week - I think Komi should also go on a date with Rumiko. You know, to keep things even. And they should kiss. And become girlfriends.

Anyway...

This is a stunning coincidence! Just this weekend past I was talking to my sister about the benefits of intergenerational bonding. I started typing out a personal anecdote about these two music teachers I had as a teenager, but I'll spare you that and tell you just this much - I loved those nice old fellas.

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That's them! From the first scene of the anime! aksjdnkaj

I don't know off the top of my head if or when they've appeared in the manga before, but I'm pleased to see them.

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"old woman who is always on the street" that'll be me come 50 years.

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This bit is so cute. So full of nervous energy she can't stop moving

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nice little bit of foreshadowing 👍 no doubt that's a portrait of Michita's late husband there.

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Her soliloquy about loneliness and needing a sense of community is so real. I could go on and on about the value of young folk socializing with old folk but I'll just say this - what makes growing old so hard is becoming isolated, understimulated, and forgotten. It will happen to all of us unless we change our culture!! Befriend an old person today!!!

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Here we can see the clock reads ~5:55. In Comm 432:

we can't see the little hand because Tomo (who is conspicuously absent in Comm 435) is in the way, but I'm willing to bet the clock reads ~5:05. So Komi slept on Tadano's lap for around 50 minutes. That's a good ol' nap.

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That's the end of Komi for 2023! These last chapters are sweet and comfy, and I'm glad to end the year on a high note.

and what a heck of a year it's been!

Viz began the simulpub; we had all that scanlation drama; Komi and Tadano's first kiss; Kawai proposed; Emoyama, Ogiya, Yadano, and Fuki all got surprising and heartfelt spotlights; Yamai had that chapter I refused to report on asjdnajsdn; and so much more!!! Not to mention... I started The Komi Report!

I dwell in anticipation for another exciting year to come.

But this isn't the last you'll hear from me before then. Oh, no. Tune in next week for a special 2023 roundup edition of The Komi Report! I want to list my favourite chapters from this year, talk about things that happened before I started the report, and whatever else springs into my mind between now and then!

I hope to see you next week! Until then, stay safe!

#komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #komi report #the komi report

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strykno · 7 months ago

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Giving Emoyama some emo eyelashes and oh my god this girl is serving HARD (and yes, I'm drawing something for halloween !) #the cuntastrophe of 2024

#komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #emoyama yuragi #serving cvnt

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shoko-komi · 1 year ago

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This Special Edition of The Komi Report is split into multiple posts. This is Part Two. Click here for Part One

5. It's Emoyama, Continued

I'm only listing the final chapter, but the whole little arc about Emoyama is basically the 5th pick. It added a new word to my vocabulary – Emoi. I'd say that on its own warrants a place here. But that's far from the only reason.

With Najimi tagging along for the ride, these chapters feel like old times again. Komi's got a problem communicating with a classmate, the three stooges (Komi, Tadano, and Najimi) put their heads together to reach an understanding, and goofs ensue. It's fun, it's funny, it's light, and it's sweet. And it's well set up, with Emoyama's reason for crisis (peeling the unripe fruit of Emoi) having occurred quite a while beforehand.

Add onto that how long Emoyama has been around - she even appears as a teaser in the (current) final scene of the anime...

...along with Lily Sukida. Now that's what I call venerable. Anytime a character like her finally gets some serious attention it's a surprise, a delight, and a treat. Komi's world is full of sleeper agents waiting for their moment. (Just btw, I super ship Sukida and Emoyama now. Maybe I should write a fic....)

Plus...

...it gave us this. Sledgehammer Komi......

I love you, Emoyama. And your mother

Honourable Mentions 407 – Interview 409 - Can't Say Sorry 416 – The Rest 417/418 - Ogiya/Super Awesome 427 – Cool 429/430 - Fuki's Story 433 – A Date with Rumiko

Funniest Joke

Comedy is extremely subjective, so take this category with a grain of salt. But given how much I've had to say about Kawai, I doubt you'll be too surprised:

When tf did she have time to make this??????? It's all of the buildup that makes this so memorable to me; how Kawai is so serious and intimidating until she bonds with komi. Then it's like a switch flips in her head. She's such a dork.

The whole of 393 is one joke – Kawai made a DVD about how they'd benefit from marrying her – so I'm saying the whole chapter gets the funniest joke award and calling it day. There's no better way to explain why this one's a winner than to show you some screenshots, so enjoy:

I love you, Kawai (it bears repeating)

Most Emoi Moment

This award would have gone to the kiss, but there's an underdog who I think has worked harder for it. She's captain of the track team; an aspiring restaurateur; an old friend, a bitter rival, and a true hero; and she's never won a damn thing in her life. She needs this.

She's Makeru Yadano at the year three sports carnival!!! I bet you were surprised this chapter wasn't mentioned among my top picks; not even the honourable mentions!! That's what we in the biz call a fake out. I could never forget my girl Makeru.

Something I noticed while writing this - Yadano probably would have won...

...except that Komi got a head start. You can see that Yadano starts a moment behind (because her teammates are Sarutahiko and Inui, RIP). A relay race is a team effort, so can you really say that Yadano lost? Maybe I'm undermining her personal growth moment. Whoops.

emoi...............................

I would also like to pay my respects to Benujit Spopo, a walk-of-fame KCC gag in my opinion. It appeared this year!

(From Ch. 404 – Tales from the Summer Festival, Part 2)

I love you, Yadano

Reader's Choice

Now is the time. This is the moment. The most coveted and prestigious award of all – the Reader's Choice Award. (It's the most coveted and prestigious because it's determined by democracy 🫡)

For this category, the Komi Report received a record-shattering four votes - that's right!! Four votes!!! From you, the readers.

The votes were extremely varied, and it turned out to be very useful that most people named multiple chapters in their submission. I used a sort of preferential voting system – I tallied everyone's first choice and there was no winner, so I added everyone's second choice, then third etc etc.

Thus we find our victor. With a landside two votes, the 2023 Reader's Choice Award goes to:

*drum roll*

Paam pa du paam!! Chapters 417 & 418 – Ogiya & Super Awesome!!!!

Well deserved!!!!!!!! Ogiya's story is heartbreaking; he was driven to become a literal man baby to escape the terrible price of popularity. Then Komi becomes the most assertive we've ever seen her as she keeps pushing him to accept her friendship. In the end, barriers are broken down!! Emoi!!!

I'm looking at this now... and Komi saying "It's alright. I'm super strong so I'll make sure you're alright" and the look on Ogiya's face.... that's making me tear up...

I love how Tadano and Ogiya are said to have been hanging out at other times before this event. It creates the feeling that these characters have lives when we aren't looking at them – very cool! It also demonstrates that Tadano attracts socially maladjusted people like a magnet. I'd say it's his gentle nature.

My warmest thanks to everyone for their submissions.

Conclusion

Phew... I'm knackered. I've been typing this in a document and the word count has passed 4,000... wowzers!

If you've come this far, I extend to you my sincerest gratitude. I would have prepared and posted this even if I didn't expect anyone to see it, so to have someone read it all the way to the end is very cool. Maybe you even... enjoyed it??????

Here's my resolution for 2024 – I will strive to write every Komi Report as thoughtfully and conscientiously as I wrote this one. The weekly editions will be way shorter, of course. And I won't spend a whole week writing them, but each and every one will have the same love put into it 💪

I hope this 2023 Annual Edition of The Komi Report got you excited about Komi Can't Communicate; whether that excitement is from being reminded of all the good times we've had, or from being annoyed by my opinions. Either way, you're thinking about Komi.

I win.

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Now that your appetite for Komi Can't Communicate has been whet:

Check out my Komitano AMV on youtube

Or my live action Komi-san compilation video

Thank you very much! Komi returns on January 5th, 2024. I'll see you then!!

#komi #komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #komi report #komi shoko #the komi report #shoko komi

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strykno · 10 months ago

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It’s time to talk about the cover of volume 34.... I love it, it’s probably my favorite cover so far, everything related to the third year cultural festival is awesomee, I wonder why... And it’s not every day that I have my 3 favorite characters on the same cover...

The flyer team!!!! The best!! I understand well why they did not have a dedicated chapter, Oda was going to give them the cover (and it is a very good choice). It also proves that the preparation of the festival is the most important part of the arc, and few people seem to have understood it.

Little thing I noticed: each of the secondary characters represented here had their moment of glory during this volume or shortly before. Ogiya was on the cover of volume 32 so Emoyama unfortunately could not appear. Nanoda became way more important these last chapters (Oda had to find a wife for Kori after all) and Shiina and Sukida had their own chapter. I have nothing against the covers showing only Komi and Tadano, but this manga is primarly all a celebration of unusual secondary characters, and this cover is a perfect example.

And I also think that the characters represented here are Oda’s favorites in this class, it's alway funny how Oda does not hide his favorites.

I especially like how Shiina seems to see the «hidden camera», it confirms even more her status as a character different from others…

Okay, now let’s talk about the most important part:

THEY MATCH EACHOTHER’S FREAK SO WELL IT’S UNREAL ODA WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR OH MY GOD MY CRACKSHIP IS ON A FUCKING VOLUME COVER DURING PRIDE MONTH WHEN ARE THEY KISSING !!!!!!!

At this point I praise for Oda to actually consider their alchemy and start doing more manga club chapters… Emoyama turning her laptop to ask Sukida about Shiina’s flyer… A good way to force your clubmate to learn how to communicate... (they are meant for each other it's crazy)

And the drawing? Official yamanaka art on the cover AND in thevolume?? Lily drawing tiny purple hearts is just so adorable, the fact that the drawing is Yamai and Nakanaka kissing each other on the lips is even crazier. I know it’s pretty unhealthy to ship two real people. But this volume proved that Yamai and Nakanaka are what gives Lily the courage to come to school every day, to continue drawing, which gives meaning to her life. She’s just a fan who loves Perro Rabioso, you know what I’m saying? The hearts are also there to represent the affection she has for these two girls. The further we learn about her, the more I think I know how Komi and Lily will become friends, and it will have a connection to the relationship between Yamai and Nakanaka. I would have more time to talk about it one day during another one of those times where I say to much things about something simple (like here).

Okay now let’s talk about the REAL most important thing (notice how I avoided it from the beginning)

For real? I like it, I admit that on my favorite drawing (the only one that I find pretty well done and I do not want to delete on a blow of frustratio) I made the hair a little more «brown» by putting a touch of orange for the reflection of the light. To have this color of reflection, I was inspired by Kim pine from Scott pilgrim, the brown used was kinda similar and I was thinking that the hair color from theofficial anime was too pale (why all modern anime are so desaturated? it’s super depressing).

And to bring out the purple, what better than… Orange! Don’tlaugh, but my gradient came from a very simple and special idea…

I'm serious DON'T LAUGH !

For the other drawings after this one, I went back to the purple hair shade because I didn’t want to get too far away from the source material, but I’m rather happy to draw a character with a unique hair color. This is the first time I color a redhead lol, it’s up to me to do my best! I would like to add discreet freckles, but really hidden to avoid having the comparison with Inaka. And no matter the hair color, it remains adorable. I hope that no one will be too disappointed to know that I will use this new hair color. On the cover the color detonates enormously and even it seems strange to see Sukida like that two years after the anime with the "outdated"official hair color and my hard work to be the only person in the world to make so much fanart of the same character, That’s why I apologize too, all my drawings will change because of it. When i woke up this morning and turned on my phone, I was skeptical about the color choice (I was rather screaming with joy when I discovered the cover) but after a few hours, I think the orange color is right and Lily is really pretty with it…

Finally, this hair color reinforces what I talked about last time, Lily is not originally from Japan, this hair color is very rare, but way more present in America and, most of all, in Europe (especially in Ireland, Scotland, Ireland... but it's very present in all the other countries). But even with this in mine, she is half japanese, so it's probably one of her parents (one of her two moms I mean ;) ) who is from Europe.

Since we already have Rei and Mira who are American, I think Lily has a good chance of being European. And I even think that the 3rd year school trip will be in Europe (Japan (Asia) -> America -> Europe)! It would make here even more unique.

Redhead can be from anywhere in the world, but if she is European and French (the name being a reminder to the fleur de lys) I would lose my mind and shout "she is just like me fr" and I would apply to be her Japanese, English and French voice in the anime...

I think I'm going insane, it's better to stop yapping here, hope you liked witnessing me talking about my obsession for a background character !

#komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #sukida lily

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