Synopsis
Because of a hearing disability, Kohei is often misunderstood and has trouble integrating into life on campus, so he learns to keep his distance. That is until he meets the outspoken and cheerful Taichi. He tells Kohei that his hearing loss is not his fault. Taichi’s words cut through Kohei’s usual defense mechanisms and open his heart. More than friends, less than lovers, their relationship changes Kohei forever.
From: One Peace Books
Notes on This Title
The first volume is very light on romance and focuses more on the development of Kohei and Taichi’s “more than friends, less than lovers” relationship. The second volume is more solidly in the romance genre.
This series is translated from Japanese by Stephen Kohler.
Awards
None.
Reviews
“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.” (Booklist, vol 114, number 6, p38)
“The usually heavy romance is absent. Instead, we get two boys exploring their feelings, both for one another, and for the world around them. … I Hear the Sunspot is a great queer love story with a few bumps and rough edges. It’s not going to provide you with kiss after kiss, but you’ll want to see Kohei and Tachi get together and have their happy ending, personal warts and all. That’s a great analogy for the manga, which has some flaws (like a weaker plot in Volume 2), but overall is compelling, endearing, and cute.” (Source: Panel Patter)
Interviews
One Peace Books: “An Interview with Yuki Fumino”