REVIEW: ‘Whisper Me a Love Song,’ Volume 1

Sometimes, you want a manga that is simple and sweet to read, as though you are eating a piece of candy. The first volume of the new yuri series, Whisper Me a Love Song by Eku Takeshima, is just that. Mind you, “simple” is far from an insult. The series doesn’t need a complicated plot when the rom-com antics are so endearing. Whisper Me a Love Song Volume 1 is published in English by Kodansha USA. It is translated by Kevin Steinbach and lettered by Jennifer Skarupa.

First-year high school student Himari is excited to begin a new year. Her childhood friend’s older sister is in a band, and they are performing after the entrance ceremony. To support her friend’s sister, she goes to watch up close. What Himari doesn’t expect is to fall in love with third-year Yori’s singing at the same time. Upon running into Yori later that day, Himari excitedly exclaims that she “fell in love at first sight,” awakening unexpected feelings. Through a series of miscommunications, Yori and Himari stumble through a newfound friendship and the possibility of something more.

Whisper Me a Love Song Volume 1 is a fun high school yuri for a variety of reasons. For one, it kicks off with the “love confession” from the get-go, with Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 respectively showing Himari and Yori’s individual perspectives. The misunderstanding of “love at first sight” is sweet, especially in the case of Himari. This is because, for Yori, her friends, and the readers, it isn’t certain what Himari’s feelings are. Himari and Yori’s age difference is portrayed perfectly here, with poor Yori suffering for it.

The miscommunication comedy is never mean-spirited. If anything, it feels like a rom-com exaggeration of what many queer kids likely go through in high school. The girls dance around language, not wanting to scare the other off or assume anything. Yori and Himari’s friends are fun and distinct characters as well. Aki knew that Himari meant she loved Yori’s singing voice but didn’t tell her. That felt rather cruel and wasn’t a great introduction to her character. However, later scenes seem to make up for this. There is also a reveal that shows there is more to Aki than the bubbly friend we see.

The art leans into the exaggerated rom-com antics as well. Himari is practically a puppy in how she follows Yori around. Takeshima even draws her with dog-ears at certain points in the manga. An illustration of an arrow piercing Yori’s heart when Himari smiles, even the big bubble letter work by Skarupa, all adds to this.

Whisper Me a Love Song Volume 1 is a fun start to a series about two girls learning to express themselves. It takes a fun twist on the high school rom-com and plays into the different meanings behind words. Himari can be a bit cartoonish, but the manga is aware of this. If readers are looking for something that will make them smile from cover to cover, this is a good pick.

Whisper Me a Love Song Volume 1 is available now wherever books are sold.