Oranges like all (most) citrus fruit are sweet yet sour creating a rather complex flavour from a single piece of fruit. The odd combination of sweet and sour in a menu would normally not work as the two are on top opposite end of the palette, but human brains don’t process the two together meaning humans can taste sour then sweet (usually in that order). With citrus fruit such as oranges the taste is sweet followed a sour aftertaste, on top of that citrus fruit like oranges have gentle fragrances. Citrus fruit for example oranges then have a combination of a gentle scent, a sweet taste finished with a bitter aftertaste. To be honest that last sentence isn’t far as a summary for the manga ‘Orange’ so let’s talk about ‘Orange’ the manga.

‘Orange’ (and ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’) are both by ‘Ichigo Takano’ who did both the story and the art both is a story set in Matsumoto, Nagano (‘Ichigo Takano’ home prefecture) centring about a group of friends that all receive letter from themselves in 10 years into the future warning of their future and how to change that fate. What entails is a story about mental health, hope and growing up.

While ‘Orange’ appears simple on the surface even with main plot being establish within the first 10 pages the more you dive in the more complex is becomes, as the future starts to change the more complex the feeling and emotions become (especially considering what’ at stake), but that’s natural. At that age is more about the small things that build up there far more important mixed in with romantic feelings the ranges of emotions are greatly increased. ‘Orange’ definitely is very emotionally driven story. Without wishing to spoil let’s say someone likes somebody they like them back but the someone else likes someone, this isn’t a harem but rather is dealt in a more subtle manner with most important turning points being very small things but with a large impact.

Unfortunately in the last paragraph I may not of been that clear so let me explain again but more simply. This is a slice of life drama story about saving ‘something’ for the future, what follows is a journey of complex emotions including romantic feelings, hope and despair. While the time-traveling part isn’t really explained that not really the point so really is can be excused because of that.

‘Orange’ does a great job as making the characters feel human from the way they act too their emotions, after all the main focus of the story isn’t what you can see but what you can’t see. In ‘Orange’ the main focus is on ‘Naho Takamiya’ and the story told for her perspective including her thoughts and often from her point of view which can lead to the same situation being interpreted differently. While her character is shy and timid that’s who she is at the end of the day, ‘Naho’ is ‘Naho’. Side note she has orange hair likes orange juice and I think she ate an orange at one point.

Overall the series does a great job as showing a range emotion (the main focus of this review). For example during the series as mention earlier ‘It isn’t what you can see but what you can’t see’ and we see the change in emotion from hope to despair (two polar opposites). While we as the reader can see that characters in the Manga may not that then creates a real roller coaster ride because of the polar opposites. For example Naho develops a love interest Kakeru but in one part he goes out with another girl leaving Naho with a mixture of feeling. This is also the best park of the past meaning the future as well it’s easy to say to do something it’s a lot harder to do something especially if that involves personal feelings and carries more importance to yourself. All the characters gel well with each other (considering 5 of them were friends to begin with) making it feel more like a group a friends enjoying carefree days as high school students.

One thing to remember will reading this that the manga is aimed both at male and female readers. For example, the art style is more female with an art style but some of scene have a more male feel to them. It handles the change quite well but it’s worth bearing in-mind as the change can happen quite fast. As the story told though Naho the story it can feel more female (gentler with most action happening with words and small actions) but is parts of the story a more male side is shown especially with Kakeru Naruse and Hiroto Sawa. Again is this is great (mainly as it was targeted for both male and female readers) as characters feel more real making the impact even greater.
The subject matter being dealt with (suicide) here is a very delicate subject and often subject to personal opinion, but ‘Orange’ is sensitive. Remember the paragraph about the fruit orange instead other the manga ‘Orange’, I started to write that as a gag but while writing it a though about it and the two in an odd way are similar. Citrus fruits like oranges have complex flavours and a delicate balance. ‘Orange’ (the manga) is the same it’s a complex story full of character, emotion (highs and lows) and it’s delicate. It certainly highlights the subject and provides a good talking point on a subject that is quite sensitive and important. On top of that the series deals with the subject of complex emotions and friendship in a mature manor.

The story is surprising short at 22 chapters (listed at 31 but that also includes ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’) so it can feel a little fast paced in areas that that doesn’t mean anything is left out. Perhaps a few things could be explained on (‘Orange Future’ is an anime original that re-tale the story from a different perspective did this). At time of writing a 7th volume had been announced but this review is only for the manga and volumes 1-7 (chapters 1-22). If you need a rest from the heavy story from ‘Orange’ try reading ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’ also by Ichigo Takano, she wanted to write a story that uses all tropes in romantic stories in one single short one-shot manga. It’s makes for a nice change of pace from ‘Orange’s’ complex story.

If you like the manga definitely try the anime as it follows the same story as the manga. If you like that or want to see more but don’t want to watch the anime try ‘Orange Future’, it’s the same story as ‘Orange’ but from Hiroto Sawa’s perspective. A live action Japanese film as made in 2015 also called ‘Orange’ that also follows the same story in the manga.

In Summary ‘Orange’ while it appears simple is much more complex than you think with the story being told though one perspective (Naho’s) it shapes to be a great piece of work talking about a very sensitive matter without forming its own opinion. People are going to find a little different depending on their own experience and opinions but it’s still a masterful manga that is surprising short. ‘Orange’ is gentle, bitter and sweet.