REVIEW: ‘Sasaki and Miyano’ Volume 6

Sasaki and Miyano has been one of my favorite BL series to watch grow. With an anime out now on Crunchyroll in both sub and dub, the manga has passed the animation with a confession, finally. Created, written, and illustrated by mangaka Shou Harusono, the series is localized and published in English by Yen Press. Sasaki and Miyano Volume 6 is translated by Leighann Harvey and lettered by DK.

Last volume, Miyano realized that he likes his senpai. While Sasaki-senpai has been open with his romantic feelings for Miyano for the past few volumes, he’s also been careful to be patient and to let romance build on its own over time. Sasaki and Miyano Volume 6, Miyano recounts for readers all of the pieces of the past manga that have led up to this moment. In addition, this volume also manages to capture the difficulty of giving a confession when you’re nervous and Christmas is on the way.

What the series has always done well, and enhances in Sasaki and Miyano Volume 6 is working in BL from a queer perspective. Not just as a genre being read for fun, but as a genre that’s informing two teens as they try to figure out their mutual romantic feelings. When Miyano confesses, he asks Sasaki to confirm that they’re dating. Worried that he’s living out a BL romance where the two leads confess but aren’t together in Volume 2, he uses that trope to ensure that communication is open. On top of that, he also uses BL as a reference to figure out that the small moments where he’s happy and with Sasaki actually means a romantic connection with each other. It’s adorable to see their wholesome story

Additionally, the series continues to highlight the importance of consent and communication in a relationship which allows the series to stand out beautifully. Not to mention, our titular duo is surrounded by friends who support and encourage them to love each other. This volume also manages to directly call out the discrimination queer people face for just loving who they do and just existing. This is done, not by putting through our couple through discrimination but rather by having a friend recount the experiences he’s witnessed with his brothers.

Sasaki and Miyano Volume 6 is a great payoff for all of the emotional build-ups over the last five volumes. With a kiss, a confession, and genuine respect, to see these two finally hit dating status makes my heart full. While it’s been slow going, it makes Miyano’s realization all the more impactful.

Sasaki and Miyano Volume 6 is available now wherever books are sold both digitally and physically.