I Love Sashimi

My Thoughts on I Love Sashimi

"I Love Sashimi" promised a blend of shounen ai and slice-of-life, and I dove in eager to see how these elements would combine. The premise of childhood friends, a past relationship gone awry, and a reunion in modern times definitely piqued my interest. After reading, I found myself mostly agreeing with the positive sentiment surrounding this novel.

First Impressions

Initially, I was a little unsure. The summary hints at a potentially comedic story, and while there are lighter moments, I'd say the overall tone leans more towards the serious side, exploring themes of growth and reconciliation. The initial setup involves a fairly toxic dynamic, with one character displaying yandere tendencies, which can be a tricky subject to handle well.

What Works Well

What really impressed me was the character development. Seeing the central couple start from a place of anger and miscommunication and gradually learn to be open and honest with each other felt authentic. The story doesn't shy away from flawed characters, and I appreciated that some of the "shitty" characters are just genuinely trying to improve, rather than having some hidden, redeeming quality. The pacing felt right, and I was invested in their journey. I felt the story had substance, offering a good mix of sweet, bitter, and tense moments that kept me engaged.

Areas of Concern

I can see why some readers might be put off by the initial toxicity in the relationship. It requires a certain level of patience to see the characters grow and evolve beyond that. Also, the potential for misinterpreting the yandere aspects is there, so it is important to approach the novel with an open mind and an understanding of the genre.

Final Verdict

Overall, I found "I Love Sashimi" to be a refreshing and enjoyable read. It's a story about growth, reconciliation, and learning to communicate effectively. While the initial toxic dynamic might not be for everyone, the character development and emotional depth make it a worthwhile journey. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.