Manga Review: I Had That Same Dream Again

English Title: I Had That Same Dream Again

Japanese Title: また、同じ夢を見ていた [lit. again, the same dream (I) saw]

Writer: Sumino YoruArtist: Kirihara Idumi

Released: 2018

Length: 522 pages

Publisher: Futabasha Publishers (Japanese), Seven Seas Entertainment (English)

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Sumino Yoru, this manga is illustrated by Kirihara Idumi. The manga was subsequently released in 3 volumes and later as a single volume.

Koyanagi Nanoka is a fourth-grade student who is book-smart. She seems to be brighter than the average child but she also seems to be trying too hard, so there is the question of how smart she genuinely is. This ambiguity makes her character a little interesting.

The point of the story is Nanoka’s search for the meaning of happiness as she goes to school and deals with the issues she has. The question of the meaning of happiness is prompted by her teacher as part of an assignment.

In addition to her apparent intelligence, Nanoka tends to speak her mind, so many of her classmates do not find her likable. As such, she does not have any real friends. She has brief and superficial conversations with Ogiwara, a boy who, like her, loves books.

She also gravitates towards Kiryu, a boy who has a talent for drawing but is bullied for it and so remains quiet.

Whilst upbeat, Nanoka is lonely. Her parents are often busy at work so she visits her friends after school: “Skank-san”, a seemingly cavalier young woman who lives by herself; Obaa-chan, an old woman who also lives by herself; and Minami-san, a high school girl who cuts herself but loves writing stories. Obviously, these three are also lonely in their own way.

Structurally, the first half is arguably a little bland. The plot follows Nanoka as she regularly hangs out with these three, discussing what happiness means and relies on dialogue a little too much.

The latter half is still Nanoka meeting her friends, but there is a stronger sense of progression as more is revealed about the characters and Nanoka has more agency. For example, she is determined to help Kiryu deal with his issues and therefore adopts a more active approach.

Either way, the plot is sufficiently engaging; after all, it is meant to be slice-of-life and everything that occurs is ordinary enough to be plausible and relatable whilst still dramatic enough.

The exploration of the question of happiness is, as expected, superficial to begin with, especially given the main character’s age. And, of course, it is natural enough to take a more materialistic approach initially; for example, eating treats that one likes or being able to drink tea on a clear day.

The discussion does go deeper, with certain moments more so than expected. In the end, it is ultimately still somewhat superficial but not necessarily shallow, barely touching on something deeper.

Whilst there is signposting and concluding explanations, a few details about the ending can be clearer. But, thankfully, it is not an open and totally ambiguous ending.

On balance, the art is excellent with really clean and crisp linework, and there are some good ideas in the story. However, the overall structure and the narration are somewhat crude even if it gets the message across.

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