Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1

“I'll be your first friend and help you make 99 more.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-copy of this manga in exchange for an honest review!

I'm such an awkward person in real life. I really identified with Komi in this manga, because I really like the idea of talking with other people and have things to say myself, I just can't always get that across coherently.

We meet our girl Komi through our main character, Hitohito Tadano, on his first day at a private academy where he's eager to make a new impression at a new school. He ends up having a locker next to Komi, and also sits next to her in class, and finds her elegant, aloof, and hard to talk to. Turns out, she's actually none of those things (except elegant I suppose), and literally can't talk to people out loud. There's a heartwarming image early on after Tadano catches onto what's really wrong with Komi of the two of them having a chalkboard conversation side by side that really stuck with me after finishing the manga. Komi wants to make more friends (100, specifically), and Tadano declares himself her first friend and pledges to help her make more. Several other characters are also introduced in this first volume, each with their own particular quirk or social issue, some more convincing than others.

The story is super sweet and super lighthearted so far, which while not necessarily realistic in a severe shyness sense, does create a lot of “aww” moments throughout the manga. I enjoyed my time with this first volume, and likely will pick up the second just to see where things go from here.

Unexpected ND and queer rep?
The FMC has social anxiety disorder and has a hard time talking to people face-to-face. A really hard time. However, with the right support, she manages to make small progress which helps her in achieving her goal: make 100 friends.
Tadano, the MMC, will be the one to help Komi in helping her all the way through her friend-making journey. #1
Najimi doesn't use labels but they are portrayed as a gender non-conforming/genderfluid very sociable and bold student. This is Komi's friend #2.
Agari also has some sort of social anxiety but she expresses herself outwardly, she's very hyper and loves to put Komi on a pedestal, considering herself her dog. #3
I really like how Komi is perceived like an “otherwordly god” by others, while in her POV shes just an ordinary girl who struggles with verbal communication.
I also noticed a cute detail: whenever Komi is feeling silly she's illustrated with cat ears and i love that.

Not a 5 stars bcz i feel like the pacing is a bit too slow for my taste, but i still recommend it

There is a special place in my heart for the socially awkward, and I'm happy to make room for Komi and her crew!

Thanks for the loan Rowynn!