Super cute manga story, first of 4 (so far) volumes, lovely story of a girl taken to see her friend's sister's all girl band where she falls in love at first sight with the lead singer. They meet again at school the next day and the story progresses from there. Great illustrations, delightful read.

With thanks to Net galley for an ARC in exchange for a review.

ARC was provided by NetGalley and Kodansha Comics in exchange for an honest review.

This review is being published after the release date (October 20th, 2020)


What a supper cute, humorous manga! Typically I don’t read a lot of fluffy manga, but in some case it really works well and this is one of those books. I adored the characters, their personalities are so memorable and easy to fall in love with. Even the side characters fit the perfect story. I’m truly surprised I haven’t heard of this manga series sooner, but I’m super excited to continue this series and watch these characters fall in love with one another.

🎶 Himari Kino – Is a cheerful, very loving first-year in high school, who ends up falling in love at first sight on her first day at school, during the open live performance from SSGirls. With her best friend Miki-chan besides her and being in the front row, when she’s suppose to check out Miki’s sister, Himari can’t help being swept off her feet by the cool singer of the band.

🎶 Yori Asanagi – Is a a cool, lone wolf third-year high schooler, who loves to sing and write their own in their personal time, ends up filling in for the singer of SSGirls. With the members of SSGirls begging Yori to write them songs and join their band, Yori refuses due to severe stage fright, until they meet Himari. Soon, their world changes and be a little head over heels.

Though these two are new to love, we follow their story after they confessed their feelings to one another, as they get to know each other, chat about their love for cats, and become more entranced with one another. There’s just one problem… They both have a hard time believing the other is really in love with them and keep misunderstanding one another’s words.

“I’m going to make you fall in love so hard. So you better brace yourself.”

I really loved the personality of both main characters. Yori is calm and collected, but easily gets embarrassed and has a deep love for cats. Himari is very energetic and has a very bubbly personality. When the two come together, they balanced each other out really well and have great chemistry. I also love how Yori never gets over-shadowed by Himari’s personality, as well. Himari is very much the instigator, Yori always speaks for herself, allowing both of them to be on equal footing. The process in which they grow closer is also super adorable and they have an amazing supporting cast with the side characters. I would have loved to see more of Miki-chan have a role in helping out, but the band is really fun and supportive of Yori.

This is very much a feel good story. It’s meant to be light, fluffy, and the music angle was such a good hook to make Yori stand out. There’s a lot of really cute moments throughout this book and the way Himari is so encouraging is refreshing. The way this manga leaves off, there’s bound to be drama on the horizon especially from the trope that’s being used in this book. However, I think the one issue many readers will have with this book is the clashing of two elements. You have the ‘love at first sight’ trope and then you have the ‘two people not being on the same page’ element added in. Sometimes it can feel like a bit much and I think many readers may struggle with that balance.

Overall, this was really enjoyable. I was chuckling and smiling the whole time reading this. I think the manga does an excellent job at being a feel good read. I think if readers are looking for something fluffy, charming, and just a read that’s going to leave you happy. Plus, the way this manga ends will leave you wanting to know what’s about to happen next with these characters!


The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

This manga is beautiful! The blurb refers to Bloom Into You, which is only the best written yuri, lgbtqia+ manga ever, so I knew I had to read this one.

Our story starts simple, Himari is starting a new school and on her first day she and her friend go to the concert that is held by an upperclassman. At first sight she falls for the vocalist and keeps praising her voice to her friend. Before the school day is over she accidentally bumps into this girl in the hallway and Himari, blurting out whatever comes to her mind immediately tells her that she fell in love. The upperclassman, Yori, confused but definetely flattered tells about this to her classmates. As her classmates tease Yori whether the girl is her type she starts to let herself think about dating Himari. Himari doesn’t waste too much time either, she learns that Yori is often practicing her singing on the rooftop so she coaxes her into letting her join and listen. As Yori confesses she also fell for Himari at first sight, she realizes Himari fell in love.. with her perfomance, not her per say. She decides this is fine as well and vows to make Himari actually fall for her. As the two navigate this volume and grow closer, the misunderstanding between them clears up slowly and their true feelings come to light.

This was a funny and cute first volume. It was funny how oblivious Himari was, especially of her own confession. And how she managed to confuse literally everyone around her. I am glad though that the misunderstanding was cleared and I cannot wait for the next volume where they work things out between themselves. It was adorable to see these two grow closer and fangirl about cats. I hope for a quicker pace in the next volume, now that things are out in the open. Recommended for anyone who likes to read a sweet, slow paced romance.

Sometimes, you want a manga that is simple and sweet to read, as though you are eating a piece of candy. The first volume of the new yuri series, Whisper Me a Love Song by Eku Takeshima, is just that. Mind you, “simple” is far from an insult. The series doesn’t need a complicated plot when the rom-com antics are so endearing. Whisper Me a Love Song Volume 1 is published in English by Kodansha USA. It is translated by Kevin Steinbach and lettered by Jennifer Skarupa.

First-year high school student Himari is excited to begin a new year. Her childhood friend’s older sister is in a band, and they are performing after the entrance ceremony. To support her friend’s sister, she goes to watch up close. What Himari doesn’t expect is to fall in love with third-year Yori’s singing at the same time. Upon running into Yori later that day, Himari excitedly exclaims that she “fell in love at first sight,” awakening unexpected feelings. Through a series of miscommunications, Yori and Himari stumble through a newfound friendship and the possibility of something more.

Whisper Me a Love Song Volume 1 is a fun high school yuri for a variety of reasons. For one, it kicks off with the “love confession” from the get-go, with Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 respectively showing Himari and Yori’s individual perspectives. The misunderstanding of “love at first sight” is sweet, especially in the case of Himari. This is because, for Yori, her friends, and the readers, it isn’t certain what Himari’s feelings are. Himari and Yori’s age difference is portrayed perfectly here, with poor Yori suffering for it.

The miscommunication comedy is never mean-spirited. If anything, it feels like a rom-com exaggeration of what many queer kids likely go through in high school. The girls dance around language, not wanting to scare the other off or assume anything. Yori and Himari’s friends are fun and distinct characters as well. Aki knew that Himari meant she loved Yori’s singing voice but didn’t tell her. That felt rather cruel and wasn’t a great introduction to her character. However, later scenes seem to make up for this. There is also a reveal that shows there is more to Aki than the bubbly friend we see.

The art leans into the exaggerated rom-com antics as well. Himari is practically a puppy in how she follows Yori around. Takeshima even draws her with dog-ears at certain points in the manga. An illustration of an arrow piercing Yori’s heart when Himari smiles, even the big bubble letter work by Skarupa, all adds to this.

Whisper Me a Love Song Volume 1 is a fun start to a series about two girls learning to express themselves. It takes a fun twist on the high school rom-com and plays into the different meanings behind words. Himari can be a bit cartoonish, but the manga is aware of this. If readers are looking for something that will make them smile from cover to cover, this is a good pick.

Whisper Me a Love Song Vol. 1 was super cute from start to finish. It is an adorable opener for a FF love story with memorable, well-rounded characters. The drawing style perfectly suited the piece, and I really enjoyed the characterisation of both Himari and Yori. The music element fitted in nicely, adding an extra layer of interest, and I finished the final page thinking I would like to find out what will happen next for these two girls. Although I've read yaoi before, this was my first time reading a yuri story and I loved it. I would definitely be keen to keep reading this series. 4.5 stars from me.

Love coming across different manga and this one was pretty cute. Himari is such a cutesy character who just says what she's thinking and so sweet to watch such a genuine character. Then theres Yori who was temporarily singing in a band who Himari seems to be surprised and charmed by Himari's blunt nature. The connection and sweet moments will hooked you I really enjoyed seeing it. I keep wanting to say cute to everything, just if you are looking for a new manga to read consider checking this book out.

Whisper me a love song, was everything I have wanted in a sapphic manga and more. It was cute, made my heart flutter, and left me wanting more.

If you’re looking for something cute, funny and light, you might enjoy this but this love at first sight romance was definitely too cheesy for my taste.
There’s no depth to the story and I really needed that to sympathise or not with the characters. And I have to admit Himari was way too naive and exhilarated. On the other hand, Yori is typically the kind of character I usually enjoy reading about but nothing makes me care about her either.
As for the art, it doesn’t stand out but I loved it.

This is the strongest 4.5 stars I'm probably ever going to give for a manga.

"Whisper Me a Love Song" may be the sapphic shoujo-style romance I've been waiting my entire manga reading life for. I didn't think I would like "Whisper Me a Love Song", but I think fans of "Bloom into You" would appreciate this story.

I have to emphasise how much of a positive reading experience "Whisper Me a Love Song" was. I had written off shoujo-ai and yuri manga as a whole recently and this manga makes me excited for the genres again. I must thank Eku Takeshima for providing me with hope for yuri again.

This review may contain spoilers below this paragraph so proceed with caution.


Himari falls in love with Yori at first sight. Yori falls for Himari during Himari's confession to her. I appreciate that while we have some angst foreshadowing this volume was not a trauma read. I got two girls who were getting to know each other, learn about each other and experience what may be a "great love". The way I see in many shoujo-romances.

My one criticism would be that the translations may read clumsily in the beginning and that the story seems to be in an all-girls school (which is personally my least favourite yuri trope). However, neither point mattered much the further I got into the volume.

My favourite part of this story is how genuinely supportive Yori's friends are. They want this relationship to work for Yori, tease her about it and there is genuinely such a positive light at the way they react to finding out Yori likes Himari.

My reading of this volume was such a positive experience and I am so excited to read the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for allowing me to read a review copy of "Whisper Me a Love Song 1". All opinions stated are my own.

Yo, when the cool one says to the kinda dumb sunshine one "I'm gonna make you fall in love so hard" I just - *heart going pinging all over the place.*

Himari sees Yori sing and "falls head over heels" according to the blurb. Himari tells Yori she loves her, meaning as a fan, but, er... that's not how Yori takes it - or the type of love she feels in return! I love the dynamic between these two, it's so cute and GUH, my heart! I can't take it! (Give me more!)

Also, Yori's friends/bandmates are hilarious and I love them and would totally read a slice-of-life manga just about this high school band. That being said, I can't wait for volume 2 to read more about Yori and Himari. My heart! *swoon*

Where do I even start with this manga?
I'm already obsessed and NEED to read the next installment.
This story is so so cute. I hope that Yuri-Senpai's feelings are reciprocated in the same way in volume 2.
They look so cute together.
The graphics were lovely and the story engaging. I just wish Yuri-Senpai would be more enthusiastic when speaking and not just to herself.

This book was ridiculously adorable. Both of the characters are so cute. It gave me those first-love butterflies when I read it. The drawing is also really well done. So far, I really like this manga. All the characters are interesting and unique. It is a very wholesome shoujo-ai manga.

The story is very good, its cute and have very believable characters in it. The main characters are really fun to read about and the side characters are interesting awell. The art is cute and the story draws you in.

What a really cute manga. I loved the drawing style so much; the characters are all very cute and recognisable. Moreover, their personalities are so great. Kino is full of life and always smiling and Yori is very sweet and ready to love and be loved. They complete each other. Now the only negative point I can find in this manga is that the two main characters kind of get attached to each other way too fast and easily. I know it is the concept of love at first sight but Yori really gets into it quickly. Otherwise I loved it, it was really sweet and heart-warming. I liked that the story happens around music, it is very well suited. I can’t wait to read the next volume. I hope everything goes well between the two but I fear one of them is going to get her heart broken. I recommend it to everyone who loves manga and romance.
4.5/5

4/5 ⭐️
I got a free copy of this in exchange for a honest review for Netgalley
This was a cute first volume with a strong premise and cute characters. I liked the idea of a member of a band falling in love with a girl who goes to see them at a entrance ceremony. I’m curious to see where this goes! The cliffhanger at the end of the manga was so rude! I want to know what happens next!

A super sweet and adorable start to a romance between a freshman and a singer. Himari has just entered highschool and sees a band perform and instantly falls in love with Yori's singing. Himari falls head over heels for Yori and immediately confesses, and to her surprise Yori says she fell in love too....now heres the catch they both might have fallen in "different" kinds of love. Himari is completely in love with Yori's singing while Yori has fallen head over heels for how cute and bubbly Himari is. Thus ensues a very funny and cute romance between the two as they try and sort out their feelings. Yori is determined to date Himari and Himari is determied to see Yori sing again. This was honestly such a sweet beginning to their romance and I can't wait to see where it goes next!

Ahh, this manga is so adorable! And it brought me so much joy to read. I'm definitely looking forward to volume two~

Himari is a first-year in High School and when she sees Yoki sing at the opening ceremony, she's immediately smitten - except the love she feels for her is that of a fan! And when Himari confesses her love to Yoki, she believes it to a be a romantic confession and is shocked to realize she's also fallen in love at first sight.

This whole premise is so cute and I love the possibilities for how it could explore the different ways love is understood and the ways love is expressed. It also shows perfectly how "love" can be a limiting, or at least easily misunderstood, word choice. There is a lot of weight behind the word love, and I love seeing the way it can be expressed but the intent behind "love" can so easily be misinterpreted.

All around, this was such a fun, quick read, and I absolutely adore the main characters. And the friendships! I do feel it's going to bite Aki that she knows Himari as her little sister's friend when Yoki finds out, but for now it adds another layer of misunderstanding-based humor because Aki has an in for the actual thoughts and motivations of Himari through Miki. I just kept laughing while reading, and I know this is a series that could quickly and easily become a favorite!

<i>arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

I didn’t realize how much angst this story was going to have but I am all here for it!!!! I’m not usually the biggest fan of stories that comprise of mostly angst but when it’s sapphic angst? It’s perfect.

We follow two characters as they navigate their feelings for each other and if they actually do like each other or if it is just all a misunderstanding.

I really enjoyed this! I hate that it ended on a cliffhanger but that definitely left me wanting to read more and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.

I think a lot of younger people, especially high schoolers will love this. I think especially sapphic teens will be able to relate to these characters!!

Overall, this was great and I will definitely read the sequel if I can get my hands on it.

3.5/5 ⭐️

After looking at the front cover of this manga, I just knew it had to be a GL (girl love) manga and I was not dissapointed. The reason I gave it a 3 star rating however was the lack of GL for me. The two main characters didnt even kiss in the first book. I was satisfied with how the characters were developed and how "love at frst sight" was percieved, however it was very dumbed down and for a less mature audience than myself (26YO). However, I did enjoy the manga. I found the ilustration and character design to be very fitting with the romantic setting, liked that the storyline is in a school setting and that was a theme of music.

I overall only didnt like how little romance was actually involved.

Wow! Just wow! Where should I begin? I managed to read this book in one sitting, despite all the work that was waiting for me. I loved the characters, the plot and the art! But first let me start with the plot. A first year high school student named Himari falls head over heels for her senpai Yori. When she confesses, so does Yori. As they spend more time together, Himari realizes that they are feeling two different types of love. Now Himari must ask herself, what does love really mean to her?
I have been trying to read more diverse books, and this book is perfect. It is a traditional Japanese manga with a lesbian relationship brewing! I really love the characters because Himari and Yori compliment each other, despite being opposites. Himari is a bubbly, happy and energetic girl, which I loved, and Yori is a shy, almost withdrawn girl. The plot was what really drew me because I wanted to read a lesbian story. I'm a little sad that I have to read volume 2 to see what happens, but I just can't wait to get my hands on it! I loved the art because it was so detailed and really went along with the story. This book is great for kids, teen and people of all ages. There is no profanity and no explicit scenes. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.