"We Never Learn" is a popular girls' comic that has been serialized in Bessatsu Margaret since 2015. "FuriFura" is written by Io Sakisaka, who is also famous for "Ao Haru Ride" and "Strobe Edge." The love story between four high school students is popular and will make your heart flutter as you read. It is also attracting attention as it will be adapted into both a live-action and an animated film in 2020. In this article, we will tell you the story and highlights of "FuriFura" without any spoilers.
What is "FuriFura" about?
One day, brother and sister Rio and Akari Yamamoto move into the apartment where Yuna Ichikawa and her childhood friend Kazuomi Inui live. Yuna and Akari, who have completely opposite personalities, meet by chance and initially struggle to understand each other, but they become close.
Yuna falls in love at first sight with Akari's younger brother, Rio, and tries to get closer to him, but then she discovers his secret. Meanwhile, Akari is drawn to Kazuomi, a type of guy she's never met before, but after witnessing a certain incident, Kazuomi begins to distance himself from Akari...
What are the highlights of "FuriFura"?
One of the highlights of "FuriFura" is the frustrating unrequited love that never seems to be reconciled. Even when thrilling events occur, the characters lack confidence and are unable to express their feelings, or they miss each other due to poor timing... The show is full of moments that make you want to say things like, "They should hurry up and start dating!" or "I have to confess now!" Another highlight is the fate of the four characters' love, which leaves you in suspense. With so many different events happening at once, readers will find themselves constantly wondering, "What's going to happen next?" and "I can't wait to see what happens next!" The original manga ends with 12 volumes, leaving readers wanting more, so many readers will likely read it all the way through in one go.
Introducing the opening story of "FuriFura"!
Yuna, who doesn't stand out in class, is worried about her only best friend moving away. As she was walking aimlessly on her way to see her best friend off, she was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder by a handsome man who looked just like the prince from her picture book, her first love. When she turned around, he said, "You're going to step in your poop!" And that was... how Yuna and Rio met.
And then, when Yuna arrived at the station, Akari grabbed her shoulder again. This time, Yuna asked to borrow some money because she had forgotten her wallet but really wanted to see her dear friend off... Normally, no one would lend money in this situation, but being a kind person, Yuna lent it to Akari. That was how Yuna and Akari met.
Later, Akari returned the money to Yuna, and it was discovered that they lived in the same apartment building. From then on, the two became close friends and walked to school together. Yuna's meeting with the Yamamoto siblings was quite shocking! By the way, Yuna met Kazuomi after Yuna and Akari had become friends.
Yuna's love story begins!
Yuna's first love, Rio's resemblance to her prince charming led her to become conscious of him. Yuna, who hadn't spoken much to boys, found her heart racing every time she came into contact with Rio! She quickly realized she was in love.
Falling in love with the popular Rio was a high hurdle for a first love, leading her to think of him as someone from a different world. Meanwhile, Rio gradually opens up to Yuna as a friend. From the conversations she has with Rio, Yuna realizes that Akari is the only person Rio has ever truly fallen in love with.
Yuna decides to keep her feelings for Rio to herself, believing it's pointless to confess them. However, Rio himself encourages her, saying, "If you can confess to someone, you should!" Will she finally confess to him?!
Does Rio like his older sister, Akari?!
Rio and Akari are not actually siblings. They were classmates in junior high, and Rio fell in love at first sight with Akari when she transferred to his school. He's loved Akari ever since, and it was Rio's first serious crush. Finally, on the day Rio calls Akari to confess his feelings, he finds out that their parents are remarrying.
Since becoming brother and sister, Rio has tried to ignore his feelings for Akari. However, judging by his expression when he told Yuna about it, it seems he hasn't been able to process them at all. And when Rio finds out that Akari likes Kazuomi, he reaches his limit...
Akari, who is free-spirited in love, experiences her first true love...
Akari is the polar opposite of Yuna, being very proactive in love! She loves playing the game of love with the person she's interested in, and they're used to trying to figure each other out. However, Akari finds herself drawn to the pure-hearted Kazuomi, who is completely unaware of love tactics.
Kazuomi appears naive and unpredictable at first glance, but he helps Akari when she's in trouble and gives her the words she needs. His kindness comforts Akari, who struggles to show her weaknesses. Still, Akari is afraid to reveal her true feelings, so she tries to confess to Kazuomi, but...
Kazuomi's "Untold Love"
Kazuomi and Akari naturally grow closer, as they share the same apartment building and class. When Akari is worried about her family, Kazuomi secretly listens to her. At that moment, Kazuomi rescues Akari from danger, and the two suddenly become close!
Kazuomi gradually becomes more aware of Akari, but then he witnesses a certain incident and realizes that Rio is in love with Akari... Kazuomi, concerned that Rio, who is his younger brother, cannot express his feelings to Akari, decides not to confess his feelings to her.
Summary of the "FuriFura" Story
In this way, "FuriFura" presents a plot in which each character's unrequited love is not easily reciprocated, making for a thrilling and suspenseful story that will keep readers hooked and wanting to know what happens next. This article only covers the beginning of the story, so there are many more ups and downs to come!
It's fun to start with the movie, but the original manga is also complete, so I recommend buying the whole series and binge-watching it all at once! If you haven't read "FuriFura" yet, I highly recommend it.
