Love Roma 5

Most volumes of Love Roma have centered around the idea of "firsts", whether it was a first declaration of love or a first kiss or a first meeting with parents. Each successive volume has pushed the relationship between Hoshino and Negishi just a little bit further. Now, in the concluding volume the last step in an intimate relationship looms its head. Namely, SEX. Hoshino is all ready for it, but Negishi isn't as sure. I mean she likes Hoshino a lot but she feels they don't have the quite the spiritual connection to take that next step. What further complicates things is that neither she nor Hoshino know quite how to make that connection. Of course, Hoshino is never at a loss when it comes to imagination and the couple go through all kinds of phases such as spending more time together, writing letters, cooking, etc to bring themselves to the ultimate question? Do they truly love each other and are they really ready for sex? While some of the above issues might seem pretty weighty, Love Roma is at heart a romantic comedy so everything is treated in a humorous way. Toyoda does not write from the jaded perspective of an older person when he approaches this series. He has always written about Negishi and Hoshino's feelings and insecurities in a fresh and funny way, from the viewpoint of someone falling in love for the first time. The pace of Love Roma is something I've always admired as well. These five volumes didn't include any filler or fluff. Whatever was included was there to help the characters grow or to make you laugh. I'd actually like to see a spin-off featuring Yoko, the orally occupied friend of Negishi. The art was great as always. Drawn in a cartoony manner, it nonetheless included a lot of detailed touches. Sorry to see it end.