Kono Oto Tomare!

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I started reading Kono oto Tomare! about 4 years ago and it was easily one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

At first glance, one would easily pass this over as "dull" or "predictable". However, that is not the case. Along with its amazing characterization, the plot is engaging, patient, and bountiful. Within the story, you will find many literary devices. Motifs, symbols, imagery, etc... are neatly placed to create a well-paced story that is meaningful. This can only be done if the mangaka treats their characters and story with great care and patience.

STORY: 10
The story starts off very ... cliché, with the main characters embodying examples of typical stereotypes and character tropes. These characters all want one thing: to play koto music. Thus, they manage to create a chaotic koto club. The first few chapters are funny, chaotic, and enticing. But it takes quite a turn in the later chapters and we start to see the love, pain, desperation, and hope embedded within the story. The explanation of koto and how it works isn't boring at all. It fits seamlessly within the story, allowing the audience to grow with the characters on their journey to Nationals. The story is also well-paced, but slow. However, it's certainly worth the wait.

CHARACTERS: 10
The characterization is what makes this story amazing. Each character embodies common character tropes in manga. These unique, but very different characters clash with one another, making it hard for them to get along and work together. As time progresses, they soon grow out of the character tropes and become more complex and relatable. All of the characters are given a proper backstory, and we can't help but root for them. The relationships that develop between the characters are authentic, genuine and honest. The bare bones we get from the beginning evolve into a strong foundation that sets such a strong tone for the story and characters. What do we get from these relationships? We see the importance of respect, trust, honesty, empathy, and dependability. We also see love. These characters love and respect each other (whether it be through friendship or romance). They treasure the finite time they have, which is expressed gracefully within the dialogue and art.

ART: 10
Amyuu sensei has a beautiful and clean style of art. The art evolves over the years and becomes even more gentle and careful. The characters are gorgeous and their expressions are drawn so detailed and delicate. Since we can't hear the koto music, we instead see the depiction of what it would sound like through visual imagery. Hidden within the visual imagery are metaphors, parallels, and motifs that are depicted with excellent visuals. It's incredibly hard to draw music, but Amyuu sensei does it flawlessly. To sum it up, her art style is clean, detailed, and delicate. Most importantly, we visually see everything expressed through koto music.

ENJOYMENT: 10
I personally enjoyed this manga. The characters are hilarious and have unique quirks that make them charming. The story is engaging and has its nuances that are distinguishable. I could go on and on, but I've already written so much! I've laughed, cried, and smiled numerous times. Long story short, Kono oto Tomare! brings in so many feelings.

OVERALL,
If you want to invest in an emotional story with compelling characters, this is your best bet. You learn so much about life and what it means to treasure the finite time we have. I truly respect and admire this body of work. Kono oto Tomare! will forever be included in my collection of literary masterpieces.

Kono Oto Tomare is one of the most enjoyable manga's I have ever read. A combination of characters, art and storytelling has created a series that drew mean into the world of traditional Japanese music and made me feel connected to fictional characters.

The main highlight of this series is the character interactions, from the enemies to lovers of Kudo and Hozuki, to the endearing relationship of Kurata and Kurusu and finally the friendships of the koto club as a whole. Each relationship have multiple instances where development occurs and feel realistic.

The only weakness is that certain parts are a bit cliche, like the basis ... of Hozuki and Kudo's relationship as well as the beginning being a bit slow, but overall these are minor problems that are fixed and become strengths later on. As the slow burn romance pays off towards the end.

Overall, one of my favourite series and one that I will remember for a long time.

I was looking for a good looking highschool shounen romance. When I found Kono Oto Tomare and saw the rating I though it would be worth reading.

Well... For me that not was the case. I've read up to chapter 17-18 and I don't enjoy the manga. Main reason is that I don't sympathize with the MC (Chika Kudou), I dislike him more than I like him. A secondary reason may be that it doesn't feel like a shounen, it feels like a shoujo with "doki doki" moments. I particularly don't enjoy shoujo, and I've seen reviews of people who liked Chihayafuru (shoujo) and loved this ... manga.

I only keep reading because of the art and hoping Chika would become a secondary character.

In conclusion, if you read till chapter 5-6 and don't like the MC (Chika) you won't like neither the romantic pairings and I advise you to better drop this manga.