Disclaimer: I am writing this after having read up to chapter 111. 1000https://images2.box.com/c2/08/rMO0XCPbo.jpeg To preface this review Id like to first write a short summary and recommendation for those who havent read the manga but may be interested. Kono Oto Tomare takes place in Tokise High Schools Koto a traditional Japanese stringed instrument club. Takezo Kurata the only member left after the start of the new year is desperately trying to recruit members to keep the Koto Club from being disbanded. In his dedication to the promise he made to his seniors to keep the club alive Kurata runs into the most unexpected of applicants: a delinquent who was rumored to have been charged with criminal activity Chika Kudo. However the surprises are far from over a few days later Kurata receives an application from a Koto prodigy Satowa Hazuki. Through the chaotic interaction between this unlikely combination of characters the Tokise High Schools Koto Club begins to take on a new shape for better or for worse. What stands out about this manga: Kono Oto Tomare more than any other romcom Ive read is able to straddle a particular balance between drama and romance + comedy interweaving the emotional tensions within the context of Koto playing in a way that makes the series climax when it needs to. The characters both inside and outside the club are as varied as it gets and yet each one of them is extremely relatable: they cycle through moments of happiness joy stress and anger and experience periods of uncertainty that they eventually learn to grow out of. Unlike 99 of other rom coms there is no central main character. While we start with the perspective of Kurata both Chika and Satowa add their own stories and personality to the narrative developing as story leads rather than simply being a colorful personality for varietys sake. Oftentimes in other manga this may lead to the characters being underdeveloped however Kono Oto Tomare is able to balance this interplay of leads such that each of them have their moments in the spotlight with none of them outshining the others. The drama tag is on there for a reason there are definitely moments in this manga that have some heavier connotations than your average sliceoflife lighthearted manga. However I will disclose without mentioning specifically for spoiler reasons that the drama involved has little to no bearing on the romance side of things. You get to have the character and emotional development that comes with these things without having a bitter taste that other dramaromance shows have. Theres so much to be said for the art as well Amyu is able to depict scenes that rival the hype of Haikyuu and Blue Lock at their peaks. From moments of painful intensity 1000https://images2.box.com/8c/b3/eH8tolSHo.jpeg to the color and imagery of a flowing melody 1000https://images2.box.com/6b/8b/6VRhu6yfo.jpeg the art itself gives almost a tangible feeling to the music being experienced by the characters. I will now discuss my general review of the story/characters which will contain some minor spoilers Story: Overall the story is very solid. One of the most important things I think that Kono Oto Tomare does well is how it builds characters with realistic and relatable thought processes that fit into the setting provided. At no point does the Koto club feel like a place that exists only as a place for the characters to meet up rather the characters are only made complete through their love of the Koto. The romance that arises between the characters is done beautifully: we see the characters initially mischaracterize work with and eventually understand if only a bit of each other. Rather than being upfront and center the romance plays more of a supporting lead the time the characters spend growing with each other the awkward interactions that eventually develop into feelings of love all of these come to form an attraction that feels absolutely genuine and that is well integrated within the plot itself. The emotions and thoughts of the characters are explored constantly throughout the story as well. Rather than peacefully resolving issues within a chapter or two they constantly struggle with external and internal conflicts all throughout their goal to reach Nationals much like a real club. Later in the manga there is an entire arc/character introduction that deals with clashes between club members their collective goals and the miscommunication of intent that is relatable from all perspectives of the issue. Despite the many things it does well there were still some flaws that stuck out to me: while I mentioned the excellent usage of drama in developing the characters above there are points at which I feel the plot was overdramatized. The introduction of Hiro Kurusu mainly served the purpose of exposing Satowas background to the other club members but I found the whole revenge thing a bit dramatic. Later on the entire situation with Uzuki and his motivations also seemed a bit cliche: Aside from this which is mostly just my own taste I found everything else about the story very enjoyable. Characters: 1000https://images2.box.com/9a/27/4KRTnbtco.jpeg What really carries this manga is the quality of the characters. Kurata Chika and Satowa each have their own backgrounds and goals yet they learn to work and grow off their experiences in the club together. Through their own mistakes and arguments with each other they become cognizant to their own shortcomings: Kurata and his confidence to lead the club despite not being the most skilled player Chika and his abrasive personality that masks his true feelings and Satowa with her barred nature due to being abandoned by her family. Their issues with each other are not resolved perfectly after a few club meetings: rather it takes practice after practice for them to begin to notice and address the problems. What this results in is character development that feels real: issues in the real world are not resolved with the end of a chapter or the culmination of some grand event. They appear time after time even after you feel like youve resolved them this feeling is mirrored in interactions between all the club members. Beyond this what really separates this manga from many others is the similar attention to detail given to the side characters: Koto who appears to be a cutout character of childish innocence and happiness goes through a trial of selfdoubt and frustration Michitaka who always performed but never excelled becomes trapped in a situation that forces him to consider his own abilities aspirations and pride. are only two characters among many others in the club who go through similar developments. Retrospection and doubt are not things experienced only by the leads: they are experienced by every single person in the club. In the end this all culminates to make the scenes of high intensity that much more enjoyable as alongside the characters you were able to experience the hours of toil it took to produce a single minute of glory. Conclusion Overall I would recommend this show to anyone interested in a romance/drama/music manga. Even if you dont typically like one of the tags give this manga a try you wont regret it Kotos connect the heart of the players and the audience Satowa Hozuki.