Review: Catch These Hands! Vol. 1 by Murata
March 21, 2022
Catch These Hands! is a refreshing departure from the typical tropes found in most GL/Yuri manga - gone are the cutesy and fashionable MC's, the touching confession, the shy mutual admiration. Instead, we're meeting a whole different kind of couple with decidedly less-than-polished personalities. Centering around Takebe and Soramori, two rough-and-tumble former high school delinquents, author Murata treats us to a story built on rivalry, unrequited love, and the nebulous question most of us have to face at some point in our lives - Is the future I assumed I'd have really the one I want?
Years after high school our protagonists cross paths when Takebe decides it's time for her to grow up and put her delinquent past behind her. This leads Takebe to wanting a more mature wardrobe - and inadvertently right into the hands of her former high school rival, "Bloody Cardigan" Soramori, currently an employee at the store she wandered into. For Soramori, this chance encounter is the opportunity of a lifetime - a chance to tell the girl she has loved since high school how she feels. But how do you get your old rival to go out with you? Challenge her to a fight, of course! If Takebe loses to Soramori, the two have to begin dating!
While this seems like a "ah, so of course they'll fall in love" moment, it proves surprising! Takebe apparently has held to the idea that she would marry a man and have children one day. While not explicitly stated, it appears that Takebe has never considered a future with another woman. So while Soramori might achieve the initial goal of wanting to date Takebe, there is a much steeper hill ahead if this ship is going to sail!
All in all, I have to say Murata's art style is beautiful. The characters are well drawn and expressive, while the backgrounds tend to be simple and undistracting. I definitely found it attractive without being so detailed that I find myself staring at the pages to catch everything going on. As far as content, this is definitely a comfortable read - no sexual content, excessively coarse language, or potential triggers (that I could discern).
While GL/Yuri isn't a genre I read regularly, I have to say the story line here has me curious and I will definitely be hanging on for volume 2. If you're looking for GL with attractive art, an interesting plot, and a off-the-beaten-path perspective I HIGHLY recommend Catch These Hands! available tomorrow, March 22, right here at Yiggybean Books + Gifts.
While GL/Yuri isn't a genre I read regularly, I have to say the story line here has me curious and I will definitely be hanging on for volume 2. If you're looking for GL with attractive art, an interesting plot, and a off-the-beaten-path perspective I HIGHLY recommend Catch These Hands! available tomorrow, March 22, right here at Yiggybean Books + Gifts.
TLDR;
Feel free to read this one on the bus, it's on Team Sweet!
Publisher: Yen Press
Release Date: 03/22/22
Page Count: 162
Rating: Teen/13+