.png)
Mangaka Anashin is probably best known on the international market for her shojo manga "Waiting for Spring". The mangaka's new series "How I Met My Soulmate" has been published in Japan since April 2021 under the original title Unmei no Hito ni Deau Hanashi in chapters in Kodansha's Dessert magazine. As of January 2024, four volumes of the series have been published in Japan.
How was "How I Met My Soulmate"?
Since moving to Tokyo, 20-year-old student Yuuki has been longing for one thing above all else: to meet her soulmate. After a long dry spell and somewhat desperate, she decides to visit a club with a friend for the first time. While her friend feels comfortable, Yuuki finds the atmosphere chaotic and loud. Just as she begins to doubt whether she will ever find a real, adult relationship, Iori crosses her path. He makes anything but a good impression and Yuuki has to take care of him after he has had too much to drink. But as is so often the case, first impressions don't tell the whole story. Iori agrees to help her in her search for love as an apology for his rude behavior when he was drunk. And so begins an unexpected connection between the two.
Anashin, who is known for the previously translated series "Waiting for Spring", demonstrates a skillful hand at creating romance manga. The story develops at a thoroughly enjoyable pace. The two main characters do not immediately start to have feelings for each other, but are simply two people who have become friends by chance. This feels a little more realistic than the often used "love at first sight" trope and allows us to get to know the characters in a deeper way. They can learn more about each other before feelings develop.
Yuuki is a sincere and kind person who just wants to go out wholeheartedly to find "the one". From the very first page, Yuuki becomes instantly likeable through her portrayal of loneliness and the pursuit of connection. The narrative reveals Yuuki's journey of self-discovery, navigating with a mixture of caution and innocence. With the transition from high school to college, the story provides a relatable setting in which Yuuki struggles with social challenges. However, some aspects of Yuuki's character may polarize readers, as her naivety and lack of self-confidence create a complex romantic situation.
Iori, a dental student, seems rude at first glance, but we quickly realize that there is actually a really good personality in him. Furthermore, we can only guess that his story is more complex than it seems at first. The manga is definitely not a "slow burn", but their relationship develops over a reasonable amount of time. It's also a romance between two adults, so the story feels appropriate in terms of affection as well as portraying other responsibilities like their university studies and jobs.
Anashin certainly doesn't avoid all the clichés when it comes to romance manga, but delivers a story with a nice tone that shows that sometimes there seems to be much more behind the first impression.
The illustrations follow a modern shojo style with smooth lines and clean drawings. The focus is on the characters, which is why the backgrounds have been kept rather simple. Kodansha is publishing the series in large format. Fans will also be pleased to see a two-page color illustration at the start of the volume.
Conclusion
"How I Met My Soulmate" is a sweet and emotional manga that leaves a warm impression and effectively addresses themes such as love, self-discovery and the complexity of relationships. Anyone looking for a calm, more modern shojo manga will definitely find what they are looking for, even if mangaka Anashin does not succeed in inventing something completely new.
You can buy "How I Met My Soulmate" Volume 1 at Walt's Comic Shop.
How I Met My Soulmate 1
€11,04
€12,99
From the creator of Waiting for Spring comes a new college romance that meditates on just what destiny means, and whether "the one" is really out there. A fresh and stylish spin on shojo manga!Yuuki is a 20-year-old college sophomore… read more
