*Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns 2, Volume 1* is a delightful continuation of the beloved *Tokyo Tarareba Girls* series, offering both humor and heart as it delves into the life of 30-year-old Reina Hirota. This spin-off effectively combines the goofy charm of its predecessor with a more thoughtful exploration of personal growth and the search for love.

The volume opens with Reina Hirota living a comfortably routine life marked by snacking and binge-watching TV shows. Her contented isolation is disrupted when she discovers a forgotten childhood dream in a time capsule, which prompts her to reevaluate her life. This revelation shakes her out of her rut and sets her on a quest not only for love but also for a renewed sense of purpose.

The plot skillfully balances lighthearted comedy with deeper reflections on life’s transitions. Reina’s journey from a passive existence to an active search for a partner is both entertaining and relatable. Her efforts to revitalize her life and her family's dynamics add layers of warmth and sincerity to the story. The narrative captures the essence of modern dating and self-discovery, all while maintaining a humorous tone.

Reina’s character development is at the heart of this volume. Her struggle to determine what she truly wants in life and in a partner mirrors the struggles many face in their own lives. The internal and external conflicts she navigates—ranging from understanding her own desires to grappling with societal expectations—are portrayed with nuance and humor. The author does an excellent job of making Reina's journey both engaging and meaningful.

The supporting characters also shine, adding depth and dimension to the story. Their interactions with Reina bring out different facets of her personality, enriching the narrative and providing additional comedic relief. The dynamic between Reina and her friends, as well as the comedic moments that arise from her dating mishaps, add a lighthearted yet insightful touch to the storyline.

*Tokyo Tarareba Girls Returns 2, Volume 1* excels in its blend of humor and heartfelt moments. It captures the spirit of its predecessor while exploring new themes related to personal growth and the pursuit of happiness. The volume's engaging storyline and well-drawn characters ensure that readers will be both entertained and emotionally invested.

Overall, this installment is a charming continuation that will appeal to fans of the original series and newcomers alike. It’s a perfect blend of comedy and introspection, making it a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary romance and personal transformation.

This was the first manga I have ever read, and it was such a lovely and interesting introduction to the genre! I found myself tearing up at some scenes and laughing out loud at many others. The illustrations are crisp and beautiful. I loved the expressive nature of the characters’ faces.

As far as the plot, I felt it was the perfect balance of sending a message while also keeping the story lighthearted and fun. The Boys Bar is a hoot. I love the way the drinks look so tasty—like you can actually just taste them right off the page. I wish I could!

My husband was reading over my shoulder when I finished this book, and he even enjoyed it without having read the first 3/4 of the book. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.

Tokyo Tarareba Girls is back! This time we have a story set in the same universe as the original flavor Tokyo Tarareba Girls but this time starring two new women protagonists, navigating life as single women in their 30s/40s, both with different lifestyles and standing on that precipice of 'what if."

I've enjoyed the Tokyo Tarareba Girls series, so I slammed that Read Now button when I saw this sequel series pop up and I wasn't disappointed. the "Returns 2" series is a little more updated for the current era (as it was written more recently) and the mangaka pays attention to like little things those of the generation she's trying to portray does (as in the little author note comic at the end). I also appreciate the inclusion of the translation notes in the eARC as I always love seeing why translators make choices they do, or learning a little bit more about culture.

This series may not be for everyone (and you definitely don't have to read the previous books for this one!) but it's a good snapshot of a life of a woman sort of stuck in convenience and apathy and deciding maybe she wants to do something about that. We as readers don't know if her stated goal near the end of volume 1 is how things will turn out in the end, but there'll definitely be some self-introspection and self-learning along the way, and it'll be a fun and interesting ride with this cast of hosts and weirdo coworkers!

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

3.5 stars.

This book was kind of depressing actually. 30 something woman, gets a part time job at a library, not doing much else with her life, but she's happy...?

Gets taken to an odd bar and suddenly decides that she (and by extension her parents who she lives with) are unfullfilled because they don't celebrate the holidays anymore, like she did as a child.

Decides the only remedy is that she must get married and have kids immediately. Goes back to odd bar and decides to date the entire waitstaff simultaneously (despite having just mentally crossed them all individually, off her list of potential good mates).

End scene.

Cannot relate with this nonsense at all.

And the implication that living through your kids is the only way for a woman to feel fufilled annoyed me quite a bit.

The art was ok, but nothing I would go out of my way for.

3.5
I loved the original Tokyo Tarareba Girls series, so I lept to snag a copy of this! Just as in the original, this series focuses on a 30-something-year-old woman, struggling to find herself and her place in life. Everything in Reina's life has become mundane and monotonous. She works a dead-end job, is still stuck living with her parents, and is forever single. She has no dreams and her life is a never-ending loop of boredom, and she's tired of a dull cycle. Reina's desire to get herself out of the stagnation her life has become is highly relatable to most 30-year-olds! A lot of us face the same exact situation as she does, so she feels very much like a real person. Her goal of "finding a husband and living a good life" is also relatable but also kind of hilarious how she comes to that point. The story's pacing does feel a little off. It's a bit too much talking and not enough doing this early in the series. But, Akiko Higashimura is known for having wonderful character monologues within her stories, so it's excusable. The art of course, I adore. I adored it in the original Tokyo Tarareda Girls, in Princess Jellyfish, and in many of her other works. I really hope this story finds it's footing a bit more as the series continues!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This first volume is slow and...unremarkable. Ever since Princess Jellyfish finished, I've continued to read Higashimura's work and have always found myself just slightly disappointed and uninterested. Our MC is a 30-year old woman who finds herself adrift in life without a dream and startlingly finds that during elementary school her dream was to be married with a happy family. It's a very dialogue heavy first volume, and I just didn't find myself connecting to any of the characters the way that I would have liked

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It's not bad, just meh and with prices of manga going up, unfortunately, that means that I'm just not going to buy volumes that are mediocre

This was not my cup of tea. There are two stories here: one where Reina is trying to get her life together and find her place, which I found intresting; and another where she spends time with her coworker who just annoyed me so much that I skipped all the parts with her in it. This series is better suited to a younger audience who enjoy quirky characters and coming of age stories.

Overall I enjoyed it. The daily life of a 30 year old in Japan was interesting enough to keep me invested in the story line. I found the translation notes at the end most useful and added to the enjoyment of the book. You’re never quite sure where the book is heading until the last section . I did feel it ended suddenly but I suspect that was intentional as I now what to read the next in the series. It was my first time reading this authors work and I will certainly be looking for more .