EISNER-NOMINATED SERIES
A Plea From the Future
On the day that Naho begins 11th grade, she recieves a letter from herself ten years in the future. At first, she writes it off as a prank, but as the letter's predictions come true one by one Naho realizes that the letter might be the real deal. Her future self tells Naho that a new transfer student, a boy named Kakeru, will soon join her class. The letter begs Naho to watch over him, saying that only Naho can save Kakeru from a terrible future. Who is this mystery boy, and can Naho save him from his destiny? The heart-wrenching sci-fi romance that has over million copies in print in Japan
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At first, Orange seems like it's going to be your typical slice-of-life Japanese high school fare, and in some ways it is. It has all the requisite misunderstandings and will-they-won't-they and teenagers calling each other idiots that these stories usually have. Only this time, all these incidents have something huge on the line. On her first day of 11th grade, Naho receives a letter from her future self. The letter reveals that on this day, she will meet and fall in love with a new student who will kill himself less than a year later. Future Naho and her group of friends feel tremendous regret for not realizing Kakeru was in pain and thus not doing enough to stop him from committing suicide. She begs young Naho to change the future and save Kakeru. The story bounces back and forth between high school and ten years into the future, where the friends have gathered together to remember Kakeru. It's not only a poignant look at relationships and mental health but also an exploration of time travel and alternate dimensions. So if you want to feel all the feels, this is for you.
HPB Staff Review