Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 15, Volume 15

This is definitely one of if not the best volumes of this series, if only because it’s able to perfectly bounce between wholesome and funny while even addressing some more serious themes. It’s underpinned by the introduction of a new character and a student council election but isn’t afraid to break away from that to focus on some of the other characters, particularly Rumiko who has a stand out arc this volume. Translation is of excellent quality, though I do find in one instance where review scores are presented the English characters obscure the numbers in a way the original Japanese text did not.

Komi, Tadano, and Rumiko (does it seem like it's always these three together?) Get wrangled into helping a germaphobe run for school president. Najimi helps, too. The germaphobe eventully wins, with the help of Komi, and Ase, Little-Miss-Sweats-Alot (who is the germaphobe's childhood friend), both of whom rouse (in different ways) the entire school to vote for the Iron Woman. Later, we ge a peek of Rumiko alone in her bedroom, and wow, does she have a SERIOUS crush on Tadano! He certainly could do worse. Rumiko is super hot, and really nice (when she wants to be). However, she, too, pales in comparison to the Silent Princess, aka Komi. Later, a bunch of random people from both Komi's class and her brother's class are invited to their house for supper by Komi's Mother. Tadano's sister, ever the overly observant (and crafty) one quickly realizes that both Komi AND Rumiko have a crush on Tadano. I'm sure there will be hijinks down the road when Tadano's sis tries to play matchmaker. After it's said and done, a good time is indeed had by all.

I've had a week of good volumes of great series. First there was Precarious Woman Executive Miss Black General and now Komi Can't Communicate. Neither was terrible but there was a feeling that they weren't up to the levels previous volumes have reached. Still, it does have its moments, focusing on the election for school president. Kiyoko Isagi, is running for the job. To borrow from The Big Bang Theory, imagine if Sheldon and Amy had a daughter who was very like her parents. That's Isagi, complete with germ phobia, lack of empathy and total social awkwardness. Of course Komi reaches out to her. There is also a story about Komi's mom getting upset because her husband and two kids are so quiet, nobody praises her cooking, so she comes up with a little scheme. Volume 15 is a solid 4-star work but I am hoping Volume 16 will rank the full five stars.

Komi's classmate is running for Student Council. Can Komi and Tadano help her, in spite of her extremely fastidious nature? And does another one of their classmates have a secret crush on Tadano? The answer to both is "probably", but you'll have to get the book to find out.