Astro Boy: Movie Prequel Book

Volume 2 maintains all the pros of the first volume, while giving better pacing, and most importantly, it serves as the introduction proper for Itsuki, who is a major driving force in the manga, and overall it's best character. Itsuki is a very human character, she has her vulnerabilities, but her typically personality is no act as it so often is in manga (especially from this time period) who are more aggressive, confident, and brash. Itsuki has spent the past four years in America and her mannerisms have a disconnect with the Japanese culture, especially her constant sarcasm and teasing the idea of a relationship with Ichitaka. While it's always obvious that she does indeed care for him, their friendship is always the dominant relationship between them, and they act very much like best friends, though Ichitaka has to do some mental gymnastics to get over the fact that this is the same girl he had no attraction to as a kid, but has grown to be very attractive (and he didn't get to witness a gradual change, so the difference is quite jarring).

Itsuki also introduces some of the best comedy in the series, especially in the balcony scene, as well as being the recipient of Taratani's "High Technique of love".

Misunderstandings and unreal timing are a given in the genre, but at least for the moment, it continues to come across well. A brand new school year is starting (another thing only indirectly mentioned and it's never stated that the main characters just had a break, but the whole nininbaori act is for a freshman introduction celebration) so it makes sense that Itsuki would move back to Japan when she does. The only real offender for a timing issue is winning the little ball lottery. But then again, when does winning something like that ever *not* feel like fiat.

The manga has a strong opening act, which continues into the next volume, though some rougher times are coming, I just don't particularly remember when.