I hear the sunspot

Kohei holds himself away from his fellow students because of his hearing problems, but when loud, sleepy Taichi literally falls into his life, Kohei begins to see a world where he could have friendship and even love. Fumino's character-focused story is so light on romance that it barely counts as boys' love, despite its categorization as such. (Indeed, in her author's note, Fumino admits having to add the romance to satisfy her publisher.) That will disappoint readers looking for explicit admissions of love, but it does make it a decent choice for libraries wanting more subtle boys'-love titles. There is minimal plot, and forthright readers might be frustrated, like Taichi is, that Kohei doesn't realize that he needn't apologize for a disability. But the growth Kohei shows over the course of the story is heartening, especially as it doesn't require a miraculous medical cure to take effect. Fumino's art breaks no new ground but has several moments of true beauty, such as a street scene full of the sounds that Kohei cannot hear.--Wildsmith, Snow Copyright 2017 Booklist

[DEBUT] Fumino's debut manga is a simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking story about the chance meeting and budding romance between two awkward yet lovable male college students. Kohei has a hearing disability, and because of the friction this creates between himself and others, he is socially withdrawn. This changes when the boisterous Taichi literally falls into Kohei's life and asks for a job as his note taker. Fumino's endearing characters' opposite personalities play off each other well. Taichi's straightforward, genuine nature gently pulls Kohei toward a more socially integrated college life. He also slowly begins to understand his own privilege as a person without a hearing disability as he takes the time to get to know his new companion. Verdict This manga does an excellent job of fostering empathy by illustrating the challenges Kohei faces on a day-to-day basis as well as depicting his more painful personal interactions. Older teens and up who enjoyed the anime series Yuri on Ice or Yoshitoki Oima's A Silent Voice but with a shonen-ai twist will find lots to like here. [Fumino's book has recently been adapted and released as a feature film in Japan.-Ed.] -Chuck Hodgin, Belmont Univ. Lib., Nashville © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.