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"I See Your Face, Turned Away" by Rumi Ichinohe is a series that has been frequently mentioned in shojo circles over the past few months, and so I was curious about the license. The fact that I also liked "My Sweet Girl" by the same mangaka further piqued my interest, and it quickly became clear that the first volume would find its way into my collection.
"Kimi no Yokogao o Miteita," as the manga is titled in the original Japanese, has been published since April 2022 in the shojo magazine Bessatsu Friend and comprises four volumes in Japan as of May 2024. The series was awarded the 48th Kodansha Award in the shojo category in 2024.
How Was It?
In contrast to her other work published by Kodansha, "My Sweet Girl," which leans more towards a light-hearted high school romance, mangaka Rumi Ichinohe offers a more serious narrative with "I See Your Face, Turned Away."
"I See Your Face, Turned Away" is a story about four adolescents and their experiences with unrequited love. The first volume focuses on Hikari before the story shifts towards one of the two boys in the final chapter.
Hikari is a quiet but talented musician who plays the horn in the school orchestra. She sees herself as average and considers herself the perpetual best friend, similar to the girls who play supporting roles in shojo mangas. Her best friend Mari is shy and introverted, and Hikari dreams that Mari could live out the typical shojo love stories. Hikari believes that Mari would match well with the class clown Ohtani. When she learns that Ohtani is indeed interested in Mari, she is initially thrilled. Even when she recognizes her own feelings for Ohtani, she is ready to step aside and let her daydream scenario play out.
Her relationship with Mari is characterized by a complex dynamic, as Mari suffers from severe social anxiety and views Hikari as her support. Mari sees Hikari as a strong and brave figure, which contrasts sharply with Hikari’s self-perception.
A central theme is Hikari’s insecurity about her appearance, particularly her monolid eyelids. The manga also addresses the importance of self-acceptance and the courage to pursue one's own desires. Hikari’s journey is marked by the struggle to recognize and express her own needs and feelings. This theme gives the story a universal relevance that extends beyond specific cultural contexts. Hikari’s self-image slowly changes as she is forced to acknowledge her abilities as a musician. "I See Your Face, Turned Away" deals with the insecurity that arises when forming bonds with people who do not share the same feelings. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies, either because we are too shy to take the first step or because we have already decided that it is better for everyone not to.
Although "I See Your Face, Turned Away" has many strengths, there are some aspects that can be viewed critically. Some readers might find the slow plot development less engaging. The introduction of the characters and the basic conflicts takes up a lot of space, which slows down the progress of the story. This could lead some readers to feel that "nothing really happens."
Nevertheless, this slow build-up contributes to deep character development, which is crucial for the emotional resonance of the story. The subtle developments and interpersonal dynamics require patience but reward the reader with a profound and moving narrative.
Rumi Ichinohe supports the mood of the title with finely detailed and bright illustrations, focusing on the characters. The backgrounds, however, are kept simpler. Her panels are marked by a certain melancholy, and the emotions of the respective characters are depicted convincingly. It is a bit unfortunate that the two male characters look very similar in appearance.
The manga is published in a large format by Kodansha and opens with some color pages.
Is "I See Your Face, Turned Away" worth reading?
"I See Your Face, Turned Away" is a sensitive manga that captures the complex emotions and relationships of adolescents. Rumi Ichinohe succeeds in addressing deep-rooted insecurities and delivers a quiet yet profound narrative, particularly suitable for lovers of slowly developing love stories.
I See Your Face, Turned Away 1
€9,79
€13,99
From the creator of My Sweet Girl comes a new manga about four teenagers and their four stories of unrequited love. When you don't want to lose a friendship but long for something more, the only thing you can do… read more
