She Likes Gays, but Not Me: Vol. 3 Review

REVIEW

✦

REVIEW ✦

She Likes Gays, but Not Me, a manga by Akira Hirahara with art by Naoto Asahara, has garnered a dedicated following with its exploration of identity, acceptance, and the complexities of relationships. Volume 3, the final installment, promises to bring Jun's journey to a poignant conclusion, addressing lingering questions and emotions.

Plot

In She Likes Gays, but Not Me Volume 3, the story reaches a significant climax as Jun decides to attend the school closing ceremony at the behest of Sae, a pivotal character whose actions have driven much of the series' tension. During this ceremony, Sae (with good intentions) takes the microphone and reveals a deeply personal secret, a moment that marks a turning point in his journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

When returning to Jun’s perspective, the volume delves into his recent series of revelations including the truth behind Mr. Fahrenheit, a very necessary conclusion to an unhealthy fling, and discovering what’s needed to properly start fresh. This is exactly what the title accomplishes through this story of self-awareness — and while the ending feels very complete, it leaves an optimistic sense of ambiguity that feels very much deserved after a tumultuous character arc.

Characters

Jun, the protagonist, is depicted as a thoughtful and introspective individual. Throughout the series, his journey has been one of self-discovery, grappling with his feelings and societal expectations. Sure, he has proven to make a series of bad choices in the earlier arcs (though, he’s also been a victim of manipulation). However. in this final volume, Jun's character finally evolves as embraces his true self by having to face some really hard truths.

Sae's role in this volume is particularly significant. Her request for Jun as a romantic partner shows moments of clarity — though she also still struggles to follow-through. Still, by the end of her story, we see a few healthy and promising changes that suggest Sae will find her way. Supporting characters like Ono and Ryouhei also contribute to Jun's journey, offering differing perspectives and emotional support (or alternatively, sporadic chaos). For being three volumes, this title really managed to craft a strikingly diverse world and an assortment of characters that complement its impressive ambition.

Art

Naoto Asahara's art in She Likes Gays, but Not Me Volume 3 is a standout feature, capturing the emotional struggles, revelations, and subtleties of the characters' experiences. The expressive character designs and detailed peripherals fortify its storytelling, making each scene feel important. And in essence, the artwork effectively conveys heightened emotions during moments of pain and growth, adding an extra layer of poignancy to the narrative. Still, its final moments are some of its best.

Themes and Symbolism

The themes of identity, acceptance, and the complexities of relationships are central to She Likes Gays, but Not Me Volume 3. Jun's journey to come to terms with his relationships (both platonic and romantic) ushers the character toward openness and honesty — which are key lessons to offer its LGBTQ+ readers after previously covering such sensitive subjects. Additionally, the characters explored on the outskirts serve as symbolic tokens of different paths that Jun could have taken, along with the potential ramifications of those choices. There’s a lot to unpack with this title, and it never shies away from tough conversations.

Verdict

She Likes Gays, but Not Me Vol. 3 is a heartfelt conclusion to an undeniably impactful story about self-acceptance and the pursuit of personal growth.