Since The Ice Man and the Cool Lady manga is a josei collection, it signifies that we see much more of the connection after the 2 lead characters truly grow to be a pair and addressing of conditions that occur in mature relationships between adults. Meaning much less highschool drama. Not that there’s completely none, as some issues do come up, however this collection has usually portrayed the expansion of a wholesome relationship between two coworkers who mutually respect and look after one another. With the tenth volume, they’re firmly in a relationship, and I really feel just like the storyline because the ninth quantity the place they lastly grew to become a pair feels much more entertaining.
Editor’s Word: There are some spoilers for quantity 10 of The Ice Man and the Cool Lady manga beneath.
Quantity 9 was a giant one for The Ice Man and the Cool Lady, as that’s when Himuro Yukiya, who’s descended from a yuki-onna snow spirit, lastly confessed to his stoic-looking coworker Mio Fuyutsuki. In consequence, the friendship and crush we’ve seen turn into actual emotions over the previous volumes lastly was an actual relationship. It took about two years in-world, which is sensible and did make it really feel like there’s a stable basis. It additionally means the 2 are principally coming into Couple Mode as quantity 10 begins, with Himuro and his little sister Yukimin purchasing for Christmas items.
Since there’s this new dynamic, there’s an improve to intimacy and us attending to witness varied “firsts.” Himuro getting jealous over his girlfriend for the primary time. Conversely, there’s additionally Mio getting jealous over her boyfriend for the primary time too, which is simply as enjoyable. Even higher, because it seems she is the kind to extra instantly act, whereas we get these enjoyable chapters of Himuro stewing earlier than he actually begins to reply. Plus there are lighter ones like their first photograph collectively as a pair.
I additionally cherished the conditions that come up on this new quantity alongside the brand new character Ambrose Sakuba. He’s descended from a succubus, so there’s the identical supernatural factor as with Himuro. Besides now we’re seeing a little bit little bit of enjoyable jealousy over his look and closeness to Mio, since they labored collectively when she was abroad. However on the similar time, it’s completely different than a typical “love triangle” chance in a manga. That’s due to the intelligent execution of the dynamic on Miyuki Tonogaya’s half. Ambrose doesn’t really feel like a menace and we all know Mio and Himuro are good, however the nature of issues means we get to see the exploration of feelings and conditions within the vein of a “competitor” due to Himuro’s emotions and Ambrose’s nature as a succubus descendant.
Which I actually like, as a result of Ambrose by no means acts or comes throughout as a real menace. As soon as he and Himuro meet for the primary time, he acts simply as flirty towards him as he does to Mio. He even says, “I’m an equal alternative type of man. I’ll escort you each.” When he doesn’t wish to be alone on Christmas out of the country, he lays it on thick to “each” of them and desires a bunch of individuals to be concerned. We additionally see different folks below his similar type of affect due to that Christmas celebration. It feels extra like a good friend who will help provide extra comedian reduction conditions and, due to what looks like affection for each Mio and now Himuro, a brand new supporter for the first couple.
It appears like The Ice Man and the Cool Lady hit a extremely nice stride, with the pacing of the manga nonetheless being on-point. Whereas 9 volumes to get collectively looks like loads, it went from two strangers changing into valued coworkers and associates to one thing extra, in order that made sense. Now that they’re formally collectively within the tenth quantity, the tempo modified a bit to replicate that closeness. Plus the introduction of a brand new supporting solid member feels designed to reinforce that, quite than throw a wrench within the gears for drama. It’s nice.
Quantity 10 of The Ice Man and the Cool Lady is on the market now, and Square Enix doesn’t have a launch window for the eleventh quantity of the manga but.
