Full Moon O Sagashite, Volume 4 Book

Reread!

So, another intense volume. And it's only getting more intense from here on.

This volume could basically be split into two different main storylines. The first one deals with the fall out of the Eichi-kun reveal and focuses on Mitsuki. The second part reveals Meroko's backstory and dives deep into her feelings.

I love Meroko as a character, but the second part still brings the volume down a bit.

But let's focus on part 1 first. The fall out from Eichi-kun reveal is probably as heartbreaking as the reveal itself. The Shinigami don't know how to act around Mitsuki anymore and try to avoid her and Mitsuki herself is unaware of what's going on. It's relatively real depiction of how most people react around those who are grieving. You want to help, but you don't know how to. It's Jonathan who then tells Mitsuki that they found out about Eichi, causing her to run away. It's the first moment where Jonathan doesn't come off as the inconsequential comic relief character, hinting that there is more to him than meets the eye.

Mitsuki's feelings are complex and relatable. It's heartbreaking to see her lashing out at her loved ones, to run away from her pain and to finally break down. If you have ever lost someone you truly loved, you know how this feels. The unbearable pain, the confusion, the anger. And Mitsuki is going through all of it and finally starts dealing with the feelings she pushed aside for too long. She starts to accept the painful reality that Eichi is gone, but that she is still alive. And it hurts. It puts her into a downward spiral, but it's necessary for her to come to terms with her situation and reality. She is forced to admit that she refused to really fight for her life, because of Eichi and starts to take a step forward with the help of Takuto.

Takuto has his own dilemma being confronted with his own feelings for Mitsuki after trying to push them away for the longest time. He admits that he has fallen for her and vows to save her life. I do think it was an ill-timed confession of love, since she is still grieving Eichi, but at the same time it was so heartfelt and at least gave her something to hold on to. Takuto is torn between wanting to fight for her feelings, despite him not being exactly alive and available either, and taking in all her anger, because she needs to lash out on someone.

Mitsuki's and Takuto's budding romance leads to the second part of the story and the exploration of Meroko's character.

I always liked Meroko, but it's not until this volume that you finally start to understand her. So far it seemed like she fell in love easily or rather loved Izumi deeply, got hurt and in the end refocused her feelings on Takuto, but not being genuine about it. Kind of like Mitsuki does as well to protect herself.

By chance Meroko starts to bond with Fuzuki, Mitsuki's grandmother. Due to spending time with her Meroko's memories are triggered and she remembers her life as Moe, who used to be Fuzuki's best friend when they were both teenagers.

Now, why I don't dislike the twist exactly, I'm kinda getting a bit tired of all characters being linked in a way. It worked with Takuto's backstory in the last volume, but Meroko now suddenly being linked to Mitsuki's grandmother feels a little bit too convenient, at least for my personal liking.

The story that comes with it is about Fuzuki being engaged to a man her parents chose, both girls meeting a man they both fall for and Fuzuki and the man going behind Moe's back and starting a relationship. This causes for Fuzuki's engagement to end and Moe getting engaged to the sleazy fiancé instead. And he tries to rape her. And now seriously, what is it with Arina and always having those rapey situations as plot points? It happened in Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne and, though to a lesser extant, in Time Stranger Kyoko as well. I'm just really uncomfortable with that. But at least here she treats it in a more serious manner and as the horror it actually is. Feeling betrayed by everyone Moe takes her own life, and thus Meroko is born.

After remembering it she attacks Mitsuki, because she is the grandchild of the people who betrayed her in life, causing Takuto to step in and protecting her, which finally pushes Meroko over the edge. She runs back to Izumi, asking him to leave with her.

I do like how the backstory explains all of Meroko's behavior though. Her obsession with love, the jealousy and insecurities. Meroko is someone who always feels like second choice. Her best friend betrayed, the man she loved chose someone else, her parents offered her up like a business deal, then she fell in love again with Izumi and got her heartbroken. Enter Takuto, and he falls in love with Mitsuki of all people and chooses her over Meroko as well. It makes sense she lashes out. It's sad and tragic, which really seems to be the tagline of the last two volumes.

Izumi is also very interesting in this volume, since he finally starts to soften around Mituski and all jokes aside, shows genuine feelings towards Meroko.

This volume also includes an extra chapter about Route L around the time they met Oshige-san and reveals that Takuto was actually the one naming Mitsuki, which is a cute little detail (despite the age creepiness).