Awajima Revue School is a dream school for any girl that wishes to become an actress, but the path is full of self-doubt, admiration, rivalries, and regret. In this web of interconnected stories, different generations of Awajima alumni (and many of their fans) cross paths.
This review covers Volume 1 of Scenes of Awajima
Scenes from Awajima was a very easy read, with a really interesting type of disjointed but overlapping structure where we follow one pair of characters at a time.
These are then shuffled around to reveal a different side to the story. Admittedly, I’m not sure if it had anything to do with the fact I was running on 4 hours of sleep when I read this, but one of the chapters in this volume had me on the verge of tears. There is something so raw in these pages about the beauty of human connection, but also its weight. As well as the complexity of navigating friendships or romantic feelings when you’re also rivals. I think Shimura achieves some really interesting characterization within these brief chapters, which is something rare.
For example, the way she plays with the inherent homoeroticism in rivalries between both friends and enemies is fascinating (and some of the girls have actual feelings for each other, which makes the confusing emotions even better). Also, the way the setting balances tension and calmness is executed beautifully. Lastly, even though the focus is on Awajima and thus with the girls, the cast also includes older women, an older man, and a young boy with their own stories. This makes Scenes of Awajima richer.
I was definitely left wanting more the second I finished.
This is not necessarily because a lot was happening, but because I wanted to continue unraveling the Awajima web. Especially finding out more about these characters’ inner worlds and how their complex relationships will develop. This story feels unique even though the premise is very straightforward, and that is thanks to the author’s writing. I highly recommend this if you like simple but profound stories that pull on your heartstrings.
Yen Press released Volume 1 on January 28th, 2026, and Volume 2 is set to release on June 11th, 2026.
Pros
- Rich characters and complex interpersonal relationships
- Easy but enjoyable read
- Unique storytelling with non-linear narration
Cons
- Can be slightly confusing to follow the timeline if you’re not paying close attention
- Maybe too many characters to focus on in one volume
