Ohayou, Ibarahime explores the story of two young adults who have to navigate the difficulties of becoming their own people while learning to rely on one another and the people around them. It's a heart-touching, riveting story that will make you laugh, swoon, and CRY. Idk if I'm just a really weepy person but while reading this series, I cried so much--about SOCCER at that (this series' main plot point isn't even about soccer--hell, I could care less about soccer irl).
Additionally, Morino's art and writing draws the emotions out of her characters so transparently that you feel every little thing they're contemplating. Anguish, sorrow, and most importantly, joy, are all complex feelings that the characters cycle through constantly. Morino presents her characters as humanly and as raw as possible through her use of expressions and inner dialogues. As a reader, you will repent with the characters while also feeling happy whenever they are. I found myself constantly cheering for these characters and their compelling attitudes never gave me time to put the manga down (binged it all in one go the first time around). I'd also like to note that I say CHARACTERS a lot because the two main leads are not the only characters thoroughly explored which is incredibly delightful to see when a story's entire world is intricately thought out and pieced together to shape the perceptions of the two main foci.
[MINOR SPOILERS] My only criticism with this series has to do with two very particular characters: Shizu's mom and dad. It was very hard to convince me that either of these characters deserved a redemption arc after the lifelong abuse and trauma they put their child through (yes, negligence is very much abuse!!!) so it didn't sit well with me when the author did attempt to vindicate them so tersely. I could write a whole analysis on these two, but I won't do that here for the sake of length. [END SPOILERS]
Overall, Morino presents a unique plot that is packed with emotional depth and storytelling with equally dimensionally fleshed out characters and gorgeous art to boot. Ohayou, Ibarahime is a piece that feels very whole with its ample pacing and resolving of conflicts. I wouldn't recommend this series to just shoujo fans, but anyone who loves remarkable storytelling as it is a fantastic piece of work that would be very close to that of a masterpiece if not for my other minor criticisms. It's obvious that Morino put a lot of thought into this manga and I'd be elated if an animation studio were to pick this series up. If I were to give this manga a solid rating, it'd probably be a 9.9/10; I love it to bits and pieces and it'll probably stay that way for a long while. (I reread this series a year after the first time I picked it up and deadass cried the whole time reading it because I knew what was gonna happen lmao. Right after I finished my reread, I went and bought all 6 volumes off of Amazon. It's seriously that good!!)
