ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Komi Can’t Communicate,’ Volume 11

Komi Can’t Communicate Volume 11 is a romantic comedy-drama manga written and illustrated by mangaka Tomohito Oda. The English-language release of the manga is published by VIZ Media. The manga follows a young high school girl named Shoko Komi. Komi is considered by everyone to be a “cool beauty” because of her elegant looks, quiet demeanor, and lack of close friends. The truth is she suffers from a communication disorder. With the help of her friend Tadano, she works to overcome her communication disorder to achieve her dream of making 100 friends.

Following the previous volume, in Komi Can’t Communicate Volume 11 Komi’s family goes on vacation. They’re ready for adventure and a recently renovated resort is calling their name. And they aren’t the only ones lured by the prospect of go-karts and camping—the Tadano family and their tagalong Najimi are there for some fun too. But when a sudden storm strands Tadano and Komi in a deserted cabin, things turn serious. How will they avoid catching colds with only one blanket to warm them?

What I liked most about this volume was that it gave Komi and Tadano some quality alone time. Since Komi has made more friends, she and Tadano haven’t had time to alone together. However, in this volume, we get to see them alone together and you can tell that there is some awkwardness there. And through unforeseen circumstances, they get caught in a storm and have to seek shelter and huddle together for a blanket. This sounds like it would be the perfect moment for their relationship to evolve into being something more than friends.

However, Komi Can’t Communicate, to me, is a manga about friendship first and romance second. And that’s what I have always liked about Komi and Tadano’s relationship. It is a friendship first and foremost. As the series goes on, it is clear they both have some feelings for each other. But I like that the mangaka, Tomohito Oda, takes time and care in developing their relationship. They don’t need to be rushed into dating each other just yet. So for right now, I am content with how their relationship is, but I am interested to see if it will ever evolve into something more in later volumes.

As for the plot of this volume, overall, it felt very light and funny. The main focus of this volume centered on Komi and Tadano’s families meeting up while on vacation. The remaining chapters followed more of a slice of life format as the chapters would change the main focus from Komi to one of the other characters in the series. There are quite a few comedic moments that I found hilarious.

I like how the mangaka sets up some of the comedy with elaborate scenes of miscommunication that result in funny outcomes. For example, in this volume, a rumor goes around about Komi that results in a group of delinquent first-year students wanting to fight “Komi.” However, as Komi’s last name is non-gender specific they mistake the Katai for Komi because of his delinquent-like appearance. The misunderstanding eventually results in a series of convoluted events that ends with a new rumor going around about Komi not being one to mess with.

Lastly, I like how the mangaka is slowly moving towards integrating Rumiko into the series as a possible main supporting character. Rumiko is Komi’s new friend that was recently introduced in volume 10. I get the feeling that her role will continue to grow as she and Komi’s friendship continues to grow. Additionally, it seems as though Rumiko has a small crush on Tadano that she won’t even admit to herself just yet. I am curious to see what that could mean for her and Komi’s friendship down the line if they ever find out they like the same boy.

Overall, Komi Can’t Communicate, Volume 11 is a fun, light read. Komi and Tadano finally get some more quality alone time together. I appreciate that the mangaka doesn’t rush these characters into a romantic relationship right away. I think the pace that Tomohito Oda has set for their friendship is perfect as-as at this moment. However, as some characters start to become a part of the main cast. I look forward to seeing where that will take secondary romantic plot of the story.

Komi Can’t Communicate Volume 11 is available February 9, 2021 wherever books are sold.