Manga Review Natsu no Arashi Volume 03
Hello!
Summer Storm
Well, it's time to return to the world of time-traveling “ghosts” and their companions. It's a shame that this manga has never been licensed (well, from what I've read so far).
Story, summary
Hajime and Hideo go to the mansion where the violent Kanako and the wheelchair-bound Yayoi live. Hideo goes to look for Kanako but is ambushed by her. Hajime finds a sleeping Yayoi, who is slightly frightened by Hajime's appearance and threatening attitude. After dragging herself to the wheelchair, she learns that Hajime knows Arashi. So Yayoi tells Hajime that Arashi and Kaja are her schoolmates, along with Kanako. Initially, Kanako doesn't want to be friends with her, but that eventually changes.
Kanako attacks Hajime, who accidentally falls into Yayoi. This causes them to go back in time. After Yayoi calms down, an angry Kanako from the past appears and verbally attacks her. However, when an American fighter jet swoops in to bombard her, Yayoi stands up to save Kanako. After Kanako leaves, Yayoi is happy that she can use her legs again. Kaja and Arashi from the past appear, where Arashi thinks she knows Hajime.
That night, Hajime goes to a place where the girls gather for a concert organized by Yayoi, Kaja, and Arashi. The past Kanako is still there, thanks to the present Yayoi. The present Kanako appears with Hideo. The group returns to the present to restore Arashi. When they wake up, Arashi explains how Yayoi and Kanako were able to survive, so Kanako hires Hideo to be their butler. The restaurant owner hires two ghosts. Meanwhile, Yoko, Jun's model friend, pretends to be Jun's girlfriend to help her cover up.
A man named Takeshi appears at the shop, claiming that a girl like Arashi saved him when he was a child. Hajime is jealous when they date. However, he eventually agrees to go back in time with Arashi to save him. Kaja then goes crazy when her strawberry cake goes missing.
The paradox of predestination
I mentioned this in the previous review that I liked how Hajime and Arashi went back in time to complete a predestined paradox “loop” (if you will). That continues in Natsu no Arashi Episode 03. To start things off, new characters Yayoi and Kanako only became friends in the past, thanks to Hajime and Yayoi accidentally going back in time. While I like the symmetry here, I have to admit that it would be a bit difficult for past Kanako not to notice that the Yayoi who saved her suddenly has longer hair and is a bit older. But I'll let that slide.
The next predestination paradox comes from the new male character, Takeshi. What makes this interesting is that he is not from WWII. His appearance and concern for Arashi is what causes her to come back and save him. We didn't see that rescue in this episode. I don't know if it will be shown later. I vaguely want to think we saw something in the anime adaptation. Still, it was interesting to see everyday life in wartime Japan.
Finally, there is Hajme’s “Cutie Strawberry-chan,” which is basically a strawberry with thorns. Anyway, this chapter of the manga is full of predestination paradox loops. However, there is also the added element of the danger of disappearing if one encounters oneself. Also, this part is purely comedy and reveals how the usually serious and proper Kaja often loses it over a dessert. If I remember correctly, this story “ended” the first season of the anime, making the whole season a predestination paradox.
Final thoughts and conclusions
Final, Natsu no Arashi Episode 03 pretty cool. I like how Kanako goes from being a rival to being a team member while still keeping her aggressive personality. And I enjoy how these paradoxical predestination loops play out. It's a real shame this manga isn't officially licensed.
You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pings are not allowed at the moment.
