Orange

Orange crosses many genres, including romance, slice-of-life, and even the supernatural. It's also a short manga that comes in two oversized volumes that you can devour on a weekend. Orange is thus a satisfyingly complete and focused manga experience. Orange follows a group of friends, the main character of whom is high schooler Naho Takamiya. Naho receives a letter from someone claiming to be her future self at the start of a new school year. Future Naho expresses her deepest regret for failing to save the life of a young boy named Kakeru Naruse.

The letter arrived on this particular day because it coincided with Kakeru's return to Matsumoto from his previous life in Tokyo. Kakeru quickly integrates into Naho's circle of friends, becoming the group's sixth member. The letter Naho received contains a detailed list of instructions on how to save Kakeru's life. Every day, Naho must decide whether or not to trust and follow these instructions. Meanwhile, Naho is married to Hiroto in the future, and you are occasionally transported into their lives as they reminisce about their high school days ten years ago and about their now-deceased friend Kakeru.

Orange is a moving, heartfelt story about love, friendship, mental health, and the obligations you have to and for one another. Sure, it's a romance manga, but it's also so much more.

Author: Ichigo Takano

Original run: March 13, 2012 – April 12, 2022
Volumes: 7

Status: Completed

Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/orange-Complete-Collection-Ichigo-Takano/dp/1626923027