Ao Haru Ride
Overview
Ao Haru Ride is a soft, emotional coming-of-age story following Futaba, Kou, Yuri, Shuuko, and Kominato as they navigate friendship, grief, heartbreak, and the painfully slow process of figuring out who they want to be. Kouโs emotional distance and trauma are a major part of the plot, and Futaba has to decide whether to hold onโฆ or finally move forward. This story balances heartbreak and hope in a way that feels real, raw, and incredibly nostalgic.
Character Spotlight
Futaba Yoshioka
Kou Mabuchi
Yuri Makita
Shuuko Murao
Aya Kominato
Touma Kikuchi
Yoichi Tanaka
Yui Narumi
Tachibana Kisyun
Uchimiya Haruhiko
More from Io Sakisaka โ Mini Library Shelf
Love Me, Love Me Not
Sakura, Saku
Yumeka Utsutsu Ka
My Thoughts
Ao Haru Ride hits differently because it doesnโt glamorize the ugly parts of growing up. Kouโs miscommunication and emotional shutdowns were honestly frustrating โ like watching someone wither away in real time because he refused to speak up or trust anyone with his pain. I felt for him, but wowโฆ he made it hard.
And Narumi? I get that sheโs a grieving teenager, but the manipulation was wild. Instead of supporting Kou as he tried to escape his despair, she dragged him right back into it. I understand her trauma, but I cannot excuse the way she actively pulled him down when he desperately needed to heal.
On the flip side, Touma deserved better. He was patient, respectful, and genuinely cared. But Futaba dated him on impulse, and even though she didnโt mean to hurt him, she still kinda did. He walked into a love triangle he never asked for, and he handled it with so much maturity.
As for Shuuko and Mr. Tanakaโฆ I know they couldnโt be together, but the way her feelings switched off suddenly felt rushed. Same with Ayaโs ending โ Iโm happy he got what he wanted, but it did feel like everything wrapped up quickly for the sake of closure.
What I Loved
Despite everything, the storyโs heart is beautiful. The friendships, the soft scenes, the quiet mornings, the festivals, the longing, the โalmosts,โ the moments where they wanted to speak but swallowed the words insteadโฆ And deep down, I wish I had a love like theirs โ the kind that waits, breaks, heals, and still chooses you after everything.
TL;DR
A tender, frustrating, nostalgic coming-of-age romance that makes you want to scream, cry, hug the characters, and root for them all over again. If youโve ever loved someone you couldnโt reach, this story will get you.
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