Orange Volume 2 Manga Review: A Christian Perspective on Ichigo Takano’s Time Travel Romance

In our Orange Volume 2 review, we will explore the second volume of Ichigo Takano’s time travel romance manga series from a Christian perspective. Includes a parent guide.

This review is about Orange Volume 2. For our review on Orange Volume 1, click here, and for our Orange series overview, click here.

Orange Volume 2 by Ichigo Takano: Synopsis

In Orange Volume 2 by Ichigo Takano, life settles back into its normal rhythm. As romance starts to blossom between Naho and Kakeru, someone else’s feelings for Naho quietly come to light. Meanwhile, new revelations begin to surface: Future Naho learns that Kakeru’s death may not have been an accident, while past Naho gains an unexpected ally.

Review of Orange Volume 2 by Ichigo Takano

In my Orange Volume 2 review, I’ll highlight key events and character development. This review contains mild spoilers, but I’ll tag any major ones.

Readers of the Orange manga will see Naho and Kakeru’s romance blossom, hidden feelings come to light, and start to learn the truth behind Kakeru’s fate. Additionally, the volume emphasizes the strong bond between Naho and her friends.

A Note on the Version

My initial reading was from the omnibus version, so my review mostly reflects the content as it appears in the omnibus. I sometimes reference other versions, such as the Kindle version (which is not an omnibus).

Depending on where I get my quotes (online, from the book directly, or from the Kindle version) there may be some variance, but the content should still be the same even if there are some translation differences. The first omnibus collects volumes 1-3 of the Orange manga, and the second collects volumes 4-5 of Orange and contains a bonus story.

There are five volumes of Orange in Ichigo Takano’s main story, and an additional two sequels. This review will focus on the second volume.

Naho’s Character Growth in Orange Volume 2

Naho continues to be a kind, thoughtful character. One day, the letter warns her that Kakeru will come to school soaked because he didn’t bring an umbrella that day, so she even brings a bath towel for him.

Naho also continues to increase in her boldness and trust of the letter. According to future Naho, watching the fireworks with Kakeru is one of her treasured memories, and she doesn’t want her past self to miss out on it. However, the present is changing because of the letter, and Kakeru doesn’t invite Naho to watch the fireworks. So what does she do? She takes the initiative and invites him herself. He accepts.

In this volume, Naho even stands up for herself. Ueda, Kakeru’s jealous ex, bullies Naho. Guess what Naho does? She actually slaps Ueda.

Though I don’t support her slapping someone, the event is a turning point for Naho.

This doesn’t last super long because later, Ueda makes Naho carry boxes of juice, which causes Naho to nearly miss the fireworks (to be fair, Ueda blackmails her), but still, this is a huge step forward considering how shy and timid Naho was at the start of Orange.

Naho and Kakeru’s Blossoming Romance in Orange Volume 2

Early in the volume, Kakeru asks Naho to walk home with him. In the past, the entire gang walked home together for the first time in a long while, but in this version of the timeline, it ends up just being Kakeru and Naho because everyone else claims they have plans.

Kakeru tries to stop Naho from inviting everyone, which gives us a glimpse into his own motivations.

Kakeru gives Naho a hair clip to thank her for what she’d done for him. It’s a sweet moment between Kakeru and Naho that shows us the tender side of Kakeru. Naho absolutely loves the hair clip and it becomes one of her treasured possessions, so she rarely wears it, afraid it might break or be lost. Kakeru also admits that his grandma was willing to make lunch for him but he wanted Naho to make it for him. He apologizes for being selfish. His honesty and his gift both clearly reveal his feelings for Naho, even if he hasn’t admitted them outright.

You Get Naho, No You: An Analysis of Orange’s Love Triangle (Major Spoiler Alert)

One of my favorite Shakespeare plays is The Two Gentlemen of Verona which reminds me of the love triangle in Orange Volume 2.

In the play, we have two gentlemen, Valentine and Proteus. Valentine is the boyfriend of a girl named Silvia, and Proteus ends up falling in love with Silvia and tries to woo her, betraying his best friend in the process. At the end of the play, the two friends make up and Valentine offers Silvia to Proteus as if she were property. This ending bothers me because Silvia loves Valentine and Valentine supposedly loves Silvia, but apparently not enough to actually keep her as his own, which is what Silvia wants.

Why bring up a 500 plus year old play? Because Kakeru and Suwa remind me of Proteus and Valentine.

Naho’s entire friend group seems to be setting Kakeru and Naho up and purposefully giving the two of them time alone together. Even Suwa, who, in the future timeline, is actually married to Naho. I am Team Suwa, not Kakeru.

In the past, Suwa is popular but isn’t interested in the many girls who like him. However, when he has the opportunity to give Kakeru and Naho time together, he takes it, even if it means spending time with girls he doesn’t like. The letter predicts this and also says that Naho needs to realize that Suwa is always looking out for her.

Suwa supports Naho and Kakeru’s relationship, right? So why does this remind me of The Two Gentlemen of Verona?

Because Kakeru openly supports a Suwa and Naho pairing. Kakeru isn’t afraid to build up Suwa and comments that, if he were interested in men, he’d be interested in Suwa. He also mentions that he wants things to go well between Suwa and the girl he likes. And who does Suwa like? Naho. And yes, Kakeru is completely aware of this.

Before the fireworks, Kakeru is excited and asks Suwa if its ok with him to watch them with Naho. Suwa hasn’t told anyone about his feelings, so he doesn’t understand why Kakeru is asking him. However, we later discover that everyone knows he likes Naho except Naho herself. Kakeru actually checks that watching the fireworks with Naho is okay with Suwa twice, and the second time Suwa encourages Kakeru to confess his feelings for Naho.

Later, Kakeru asks Naho which of the three guys in their friend group—himself, Hagita, and Suwa—she’d wanna go out with most, and she refuses to choose between them. Then, Azu and Taka ask Kakeru the same question (but between Naho, Azu, and Taka) and he says he will not say. Naho is oblivious to what that could mean, but Azu and Taka, both more attune with the unspoken indication of his refusal, understand.

Later, Suwa gets on Kakeru and says he should’ve said he’d chose Naho. Kakeru asks, “Even if I don’t love her?” Suwa is confused, and Kakeru explains that he is worried about hurting Naho.

So, Suwa and Kakeru are basically trying to be wing men for each other when they both like, and are aware they both like, the same girl. They give each other credit and try to build each other up in front of Naho.

It’s kinda sweet, but it also drives me crazy — which leads into what irritates me most about this story: Suwa’s aggressive passivity.

Suwa in Orange Volume 2: Passive or Protective? (Major Spoiler Alert)

No, Suwa isn’t passive aggressive—he is aggressively passive when it comes to a potential future with Naho. He won’t hesitate to protect Naho, but when it comes to his own romance, he is very passive. Throughout the volume, he is focused on building up Kakeru—not securing his own future.

As I mentioned previously, Suwa encourages Kakeru to confess his feelings, but refuses to confess his own. Suwa builds up Kakeru, which is sweet and kind, but also infuriating because we know what Suwa’s future is supposed to be—married to Naho with a child.

He doesn’t go to study with Naho and Kakeru though he was the only friend invited.

I’m not the only one who is bothered by Suwa’s passivity. Azu and Taka confront Suwa. Azu supports Kakeru/Naho, while Taka expresses that she’s indifferent to which guy Naho ends up with, and suggests that Suwa can still give it a shot. Suwa says he supports Kakeru and Naho, too. In response to Suwa, Taka calls him an idiot, hinting that, deep down, she may prefer Suwa and Naho together.

Of course, when it comes to protecting Naho, Suwa is far from passive. When Ueda bullies Naho (the time Naho slaps her), Suwa steps in, grabbing her hand and pulling her away. He brings her to Kakeru and apologizes for holding her hand—Kakeru, of course, doesn’t think Suwa needs to apologize to him—and gives Kakeru a bandage to put on Naho’s cut. Kakeru, of course, gives Suwa credit for the bandage, and she thanks Suwa for helping her out. Future Naho wants her past self to realize that Suwa is always looking out for her, and Naho’s words make him very happy.

This is painful because Naho’s letter calls Suwa “the precious person who mended my heart,” yet in the past he refuses to act on that role. Instead of pursuing her, he pushes her toward Kakeru, even though his own heart is clearly drawn to her.

Bullying and Friendship Themes in Orange Volume 2

As already mentioned, Ueda bullies Naho on multiple occasions. On one, Suwa comes to Naho’s rescue. However, during another bullying episode, she threatens to take Naho’s hair pin if Naho will not carry the boxes (which will cause Naho to miss the fireworks). However, when Azu and Taka realize that Naho is carrying the boxes, they take over so that Naho won’t miss the fireworks.

I haven’t spent much time talking about Azu, Taka, and Hagita, the rest of Naho’s friend group. Taka and Azu look out for Naho and want what’s best for her. Hagita, with Suwa’s help, protects the pool area so Kakeru and Naho can have their special fireworks date. Hagita even sends Ueda on a wild goose chase to keep her away. Hagita lies to Ueda and tells her that Kakeru is looking for her, which is not something I condone, but I appreciate Hagita’s support of Naho and Kakeru, even if I prefer Suwa.

Even without knowing about Naho’s letter, her friends support her wholeheartedly. Their friendship and support for one another is wholesome and encouraging.

The boxes Ueda made Naho carry were juice boxes—her prize for winning a beauty pageant. Taka and Azu decide to keep them in an act of revenge.

An Explanation of Time Travel in Orange Volume 2

In Orange Volume 2, we finally learn how Naho received her letter, introducing a time travel mechanism that allows her to try changing Kakeru’s fate.

Naho’s teacher gives a time travel lesson during Letter 5 (Chapter 5) after a test, and Naho is able to use this method in the future to send her letter back through a black hole in the Bermuda Triangle. It’s fascinating, and suggests the idea of multiple timelines.

This aligns with an explanation from The Conversation on the theory of branching timelines:

 When I exit the time machine, I exit into a different timeline. In that timeline, I can do whatever I want, including destroying the time machine, without changing anything in the original timeline I came from. Since I cannot destroy the time machine in the original timeline, which is the one I actually used to travel back in time, there is no paradox. Source

This idea of multiple timelines, where changing events in one doesn’t affect another, is explored more deeply in anime like Steins;Gate.

Naho realizes that even if she changes Kakeru’s fate in her present, her future self—the one who sent the letter—will still live with the original regret, since the events occur in different timelines.

Of course, time travel isn’t possible in real life, but within the fictional world of Orange, it becomes a fascinating way to explore regret, choice, and second chances.

Is Orange Volume 2 Appropriate? Fan Service Content Review

Overall, the Orange manga has very minimal sexual content, but Volume 2 does include a few moments of fanservice worth noting.

The biggest culprit of fanservice happens during the culture fest. Azu and Taka are wearing very short flowered shorts. Naho has a pair too, but she wears a skirt over them because the length makes her uncomfortable. Azu calls them the ‘babe squad.’ The guys are confused, and Kakeru asks why only Azu and Taka are wearing the shorts—implying he wants to see Naho in them too.

To prove her point, Azu pulls up Naho’s skirt, revealing the shorts underneath. It’s not explicit, but it’s still highly unnecessary and embarrassing for Naho, who worries that the guys saw her shorts. Kakeru and Suwa say they haven’t (they both care about Naho and her feelings) but after they leave the girls, the guys acknowledge that they saw them.

When Naho gets upset, Azu brushes it off by saying it’s “just a little fan service,” which only highlights how unnecessary the scene really is.

A few other examples of potentially problematic content: a few jokes are made about Suwa and Kakeru being a couple and Kakeru even tells Naho he’d go out with Suwa if he was into guys. Both guys are straight, so these comments are clearly meant as jokes.

Finally, there are group photos of the gang in swimsuits: the guys shirtless, Azu and Taka in bikinis, and Naho in a modest but short bathing suit. These appear at the end of Letters 6 and 7.

Suicide, Depression, and Mental Health in Orange Volume 2 (Major Spoiler Alert)

In Orange Volume 2, the truth about Kakeru’s death is revealed: he committed suicide.

Kakeru, struggling with depression, blames himself for his mother’s suicide.

The revelation that Kakeru took his own life—rather than dying in an accident—complicates Naho’s efforts to save him. Even if she prevents him from committing suicide the night he’s expected to, that doesn’t mean that he’s saved. I understand completely—unless Kakeru finds emotional healing and forgiveness, he will just try again.

She’s just a high school girl, and yet she feels the impossible weight of trying to save Kakeru on her own.

In real life, however, we don’t bear our burdens alone. Psalm 55:22 (ESV) tells us to “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

An Unexpected Ally in Orange Volume 2 (Major Spoiler Alert)

Remember how I said Naho was carrying her burden alone? Well, in this volume, that finally changes. She discovers that she has an ally: Suwa. Turns out, Suwa received a letter, too.

FAQs for Orange Volume 2

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Orange Volume 2 Manga Review: Final Thoughts

Volume 2 of Orange by Ichigo Takano is mature in theme—suicide, grief, romance, and heavy burdens—but it is not explicit.

As noted earlier, there is a bit of mild fan service, some language, and cultural and religious (non-Christian) topics.

Is Orange Volume 2 clean? Mostly, but it’s not child-friendly because of the mature themes.

Overall, Orange Volume 2 balances romance, friendship, and heavy themes in a way that will keep readers invested in the stories of Naho, Kakeru, and Suwa. If you enjoyed Volume 1, you will likely enjoy Volume 2 as well.

See you in my review for Volume 3!

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Content Guide for Orange Volume 2 (Manga)

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes

• The main characters often insult one another and banter playfully.
• Characters slap and shove each other.
• A bully tells a female character to leave the guy she likes alone. The bully tries to steal a special item from this female character.
• Discussion of suicide.

Sexual Content & Romance

• Characters discuss relationships and romance, as well as their crushes and feelings.
• A male character is popular with many girls.
• At the Culture Festival, the girls are wearing their flowered shorts (minus Naho, who thinks they are too short). Azu calls themselves “the babe squad.” The guys are confused and Kakeru asks “Why is it just you two?” Azu says Naho is wearing hers (but under her skirt) and lifts up Naho’s skirt to show everyone. Naho gets embarassed and asks if the guys saw, and they say no. However, after leaving the girls, Suwa and Kakeru admit they saw her shorts. Naho gets upset at Azu and Azu calls it “a little fan service.”
• Taka has a little belly showing in one scene.
• Suwa and Kakeru splash each other, and people joke about them being a couple.
• A character gets asked out by girls and goes off to hang with them, leaving a guy and a girl alone together.
• A character holds another character’s hand, making them feel safe.
• A male character puts a bandage on a female character’s hand.
• Group photos of the gang in swimsuits: the guys shirtless, Azu and Taka in bikinis, and Naho in a modest but short bathing suit. These appear at the end of Letters 6 and 7.
• Kakeru asks Naho which of the three guys in their friend group she’d wanna go out with most, and she refuses to choose. Then, Azu and Taka ask Kakeru the same question and he refuses to answer.
• Characters encourage each other in their romantic lives.
• A character is scared of hurting another character.
• Two characters are playful towards one another, causing their friends to suggest that they should date.
• A character gives a sweet gift to another character.
• A character holds hands with her crush.
• A male character puts a hair pin on a female character.
• A male character says a female character’s hair looks cute.
• Characters try to set up other characters on dates.

Language

• Idiot x4
• “Four-eyed idiot.”
• Moron/you moron x2
• Heck
• Nerd
• Shut up
• *sshole
• B*tch x2
• P*ss (or related) x2
• D*mn
• Jerk
• “Haul your *ss.”
• “Stupid lying nerd.”
•  “You sure it’s not a prize for an ugly contest?”

Spiritual

• It’s been 49 days since a character’s mom died, so this character is speculated to be completing a final ceremony for her.
• Two characters have the same thought, which makes it seem like they are “psychic.”
• Characters visit a shrine and make a wish. One character isn’t sure if they should call theirs a wish or a prayer but they use it to try to talk to a deceased loved one.
• In the afterword, the author says she wants Orange to be popular and so she is “offering up body and soul.”
  

Cover Photo Credit: Volume 2 of Orange by Ichigo Takano. Under fair use for review/commentary/criticism/education. All rights retained by respective copyright owners.