—Rating: 4.5 Stars: ★★★★ 1/2
A Tropical Fish Yearns For Snow is a manga that can be best described as slowburn, aquarium sapphics!! As a new school year starts, they continue to figure out their feelings amid new school events.
There's a slow pace to this series that may not be for everyone, but I love it because there's lots of inner thoughts that Konatsu and Koyuki have in the moment that really build across the steady, personal moments of the story.
Leaving off from Vol. 2 when Konatsu asks why Koyuki spoke to her during her first visit to the school's aquarium, there's a feeling of sadness in seeing how they both deny their feelings in the beginning of this 3rd volume, but it left so much opportunity for the girls to reflect on how much they mean to one another, even when they aren't together. Their friendship and hinted at relationship is moving at a very gradual pace and the ending to this installment is just too heartwarming after 100+ pages of not seeing each other too much when they finally have time to talk! <3
I like how each of them got their own scenes with Kaede their other classmate, whose the bubbly, outgoing energy mixing among their quiet, introverted personalities.
Koyuki reflects on how they can keep up their friendship via text when Konatsu can't always be there in person and with aquarium club priorities to attend to, there's hope they'll have more time together. (Koyuki even starts dreaming about Konatsu!?)
While Konatsu is realizing she's starting to fit in at Nagahama high school, she doesn't feel as lonely lately, she's attending a school sports event and even plans to lead the club's cultural festival event. She's also learning how much she knows such a different, more personal side to Koyuki than her other classmates.
The home ec club keeps asking for Koyuki's help, leaving Konatsu to figure out the Amberjack show on her own but when they can finally meet up together...it's so sweet! Seeing Konatsu present the show at the beach for her (to help Koykui in order to not stress her out and offer her a break from her busy schedule) was incredibly heartwarming and endearing, I almost cried!
Hagino builds the quiet, slice of life atmosphere even more in this volume, slowing the story down which doesn't impact the overall flow of the plot. The author does this in such a brilliant way making you feel so connected to the daily school and club life, even feel a deep connection to this charming town.
The artwork is also very symbolic and perfectly captures the longing and more quiet, emotional moments between Konatsu and Koyuki. The 4.5 is for the way the progression of their relationship/friendship felt a bit halted in this volume, mainly for for the lack of communication.
But for the deeper feeling of loneliness and slow build of their dynamic, it makes sense and I actually don't mind it in this series. I think its done incredibly well truly making you feel connected to the inner emotions of Konatsu & Koyuki, no matter the scene.
That last page truly warmed my heart and I can't wait to see where their relationship goes in future volumes. Konatsu and Koyuki have an unsaid depth to them that I can relate to, alongside their introverted personalities that connect with me across each installment!
A Tropical Fish Yearns For Snow is a quiet, slowburn yuri series with wonderful protagonists and emotional storytelling that make the plot feel personal and heartfelt. An underrated manga that's perfect for readers who don't mind a very slow paced story with a lot of emotional symbolism and wholesome main characters who propel the charming story!