Orange Volume 4 Manga Review: A Christian Perspective on the Heartbreaking Manga

In our Orange Volume 4 manga review, we will explore Ichigo Takano’s story from a Christian perspective.

My Other Orange Manga Reviews

If you haven’t read Orange Volumes 1-3 by Ichigo Takano, please be advised that this review is about Orange Volume 4, and may spoil the previous volumes. Here’s a list of my previous Orange reviews:

Ichigo Takano’s Orange Volume 1 Manga Review

Ichigo Takano’s Orange Volume 2 Manga Review

Ichigo Takano’s Orange Volume 3 Manga Review

Ichigo Takano’s Orange Volume 5 Manga Review

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Synopsis: What is Volume 4 of the Orange Manga by Ichigo Takano About?

Volume 4 of the Orange manga series by Ichigo Takano places suicide prevention at the forefront. With Suwa, Azu, Hagita, and Taka now working with Naho, their chances of preventing Kakeru from committing suicide increase significantly.

However, saving Kakeru’s life isn’t the only goal of Naho’s friends: they all want to see her and Kakeru together.

But are Kakeru and Naho truly meant to be? What about Naho and Suwa’s future?

In Volume 4 of the high school time travel manga series, the group experiences a rainy day, participates in their school’s sports festival, and celebrates the holidays.

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Orange Manga Review Volume 4: A Christian Perspective

Orange Volume 4 (manga) by Ichigo Takano continues to follow Naho, Suwa, Kakeru, and their friends in a journey that permeates both the past and future.

In this review, we will explore Volume 4 of the manga from a Christian perspective. Our entire Orange review will contain spoilers, but we will spoiler tag any major ones.

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My Version of Orange Volume 4 (Manga)

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

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Rainy Day Challenges and Saving Kakeru

Volume 4 of Orange shows the power of working together for a shared cause, which, in this case, is saving their friend Kakeru from suicide.

As we discovered in Orange Volume 3, Naho, Suwa, Azu, Taka, and Hagita all received letters from their past selves. Now that they all know about each other’s letters, they can plan how to prevent Kakeru’s suicide.

They with something simple: bringing umbrellas. The letter warns of a surprise rain shower, so everyone brings umbrellas—everyone except Kakeru, that is, who is unaware of the letters.

*Spoiler Alert* The gang helps orchestrate events so that Naho and Kakeru share an umbrella, leading Kakeru to finally ask Naho out. Their hope is that Kakeru and Naho will be together in the future—even Suwa hopes this.

Though the moment is sweet, it’s a haunting reminder that, in this timeline, everyone is determined to pair up Naho and Kakeru—which means, if everything goes as they plan, in the future, Suwa and Naho will not be together.

Though saving Kakeru from suicide is a worthy cause—no one should ever feel like suicide is their only option—Kakeru and Naho ending up together is an entirely different issue.

Suwa and Naho can still be together even with Kakeru living. If Naho doesn’t end up with Suwa, their future child will not exist—raising questions about the loss of another life.

In my personal opinion, the best case scenario would be save Kakeru—and in the future, Suwa and Naho end up together, leaving Kakeru to find a wonderful girl who is better suited to him.

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Teamwork on Sports Day

In Orange Volume 4, Naho and her friends participate in their school’s sports day, but in the previous volume, Naho and Suwa tried to keep Kakeru from participating.

According to the letter, Kakeru will fail the relay race and take the loss hard, so they’re supposed to protect him from that.

However, after pushing Kakeru to give it up, they question if it’s a good idea to keep him from it. This is another reminder that the letter, though helpful, is not all-encompassing. Instead, the entire group volunteers to run with Kakeru—even Hagita, who is far from athletic.

After the gang’s training and preparation in the previous volume, we finally see their teamwork in action.

Understanding Sports Day in Japanese Schools

If an anime (or manga) takes place in a high school setting, chances are, there will be a sports day episode. Sports Day is a common event amongst Japanese schools, and students participate in various sports activities.

Want to see a glimpse into what sports day in Japanese schools is like? I have embedded a clip below from @thehitobito on Youtube.

Megan is an American living in Japan. She previously taught English in a Japanese school setting, and in this short clip, she shares her experience participating in her school’s field day.

Kakeru and His Mother

Sports day is a big deal for the students in Orange, and everyone’s parents come to watch…well, almost everyone’s. Since Kakeru’s mother passed away, his grandmother is his only family—but he doesn’t invite her.

However, his friends plan ahead, making sure she can attend by arranging a ride for her.

Kakeru is happy that his grandma is there, but he lies to his friends and tells them his mother is at work. This is weird to me because, by this point, Kakeru has talked to Naho about his mother’s death, and maybe even Suwa as well, so the lie seems out of place. However, Kakeru often carries his burdens alone, which is one likely reason for his lie.

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Bearing Each Other’s Burdens: A Biblical Lesson *Spoiler*

One of my favorite scenes in this volume, and potentially Orange as a whole, is when the gang teaches Kakeru about bearing each other’s burdens.

According to a letter, Kakeru injured his leg, causing him to lose the relay.

This time, however, the gang decides to change things.

They go to Naho and Kakeru, who are struggling to carry something that’s too heavy for just the two of them. They acknowledge Kakeru’s injury and remind him that he can share what’s going on with them. He finally admits that his mom has died. They encourage him and then take over carrying the heavy object so that Naho can take Kakeru to first aid.

Suwa then says:

This reminds me of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV):

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

It’s hard to carry your burdens alone. Instead, we should be helping others. Matthew 18:20 (ESV) reminds us, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

We should help carry each other’s burdens and be there for one another. No one should have to walk life alone, especially without the hope of the Gospel.

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Kakeru Faces His Feelings *Spoiler*

In past volumes, we’ve discussed the odd relationship between Suwa and Kakeru. Both young men really like Naho; yet, they both focus on helping the other person be with Naho. And, this relationship between Suwa and Kakeru continues in this volume, at least at first.

Kakeru and Suwa’s Back and Forth (Again) *Spoiler*

Kakeru expresses to Suwa why he doesn’t want to date Naho. Kakeru is concerned that he may not “always be here” and that he could end up moving and hurt her—which we know is an excuse at this point; he’s just trying to avoid hurting her if he ends up committing suicide. Then he admits that he’s fine if another guy, even Suwa, ended up with her. This, of course, further proves my point: both focus on helping the other person in their relationships. I’m not against friends helping each other; it’s a beautiful thing. My issue is with Suwa’s consistent rejection of a future with Naho, a future that he’s experiencing ten years in the future.

At this point, it’s almost as if neither of them truly wants to be with Naho.

Kakeru’s Reaction *Spoiler*

However, shortly thereafter, both of them get wounded in an event and need first aid. Naho is assigned to the first aid station and gives them both first aid…Well, she gives Suwa first aid.

When she tries to give Kakeru first aid, he lashes out at her. This bothers me; Naho is trying to help him, and although I understand he’s emotional, it doesn’t give him the right to lash out at Naho—the girl who is constantly trying to save his life.

Later, he reflects, realizes that he isn’t okay with someone else dating her, and apologizes for treating her poorly. He admits he was jealous because she gave first aid to Suwa.

I’m grateful that he was honest and apologized to her because she was just trying to help them both. However, Kakeru treated her very unfairly.

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Naho and Suwa: Soulmates or Circumstantial Partners? *Spoiler*

So, we know that Naho and Suwa end up married in the original timeline, but up until now, we don’t know much about their love story.

Their future selves are hurting from losing Kakeru, and in Volume 3, we learned that Suwa’s future self told him to get Naho and Kakeru together, which is a pretty weird request considering he’s asking his past self to make sure that he doesn’t end up with his wife.

Orange Volume 4 shows us the future gang discussing the Kakeru versus Suwa situation, and reveals how much regret Suwa feels. He wishes he could apologize to Kakeru for “stealing” Naho, a future Suwa believes belonged to Kakeru. However, Kakeru didn’t necessarily know about Naho’s feelings, and Naho didn’t know about Kakeru’s, so Suwa didn’t actually steal Kakeru’s girlfriend.

Then, the gang acknowledges that Suwa also liked Naho, and Hagita says if they had “known then about Kakeru’s passing…of course we would have supported him.” This conversation causes Suwa to reflect on how he knew about Kakeru and Naho’s mutual feelings, and didn’t do anything about them, and then comments that he thinks Naho and Kakeru would be married if Kakeru was still around.

Naho’s True Feelings *Spoiler*

Naho’s reply is probably the most telling piece of information she ever gives about her feelings. She says, “No…That’s not true at all, Papa [Suwa]. Even if Kakeru were still alive, I still would have married you. When you confessed your feelings to me back in high school…I was so happy.”

She still would have married Suwa—not Kakeru.

This, of course, makes everything even more painful because, at this point, they still haven’t sent the letters.

Suwa has guilt and regret because he ended up with Naho. However, Naho would have chosen Suwa even if Kakeru had lived. Suwa is not Naho’s second choice—he is Naho’s soulmate.

In this conversation, we also learn when Suwa confesses his feelings to Naho: it’s on New Year’s Eve.

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New Year’s Eve: The Turning Point *Spoiler*

In the past, Naho and Kakeru make plans to spend Christmas Eve together, and the entire group makes plans to visit a shrine on New Year’s Eve.*

Suwa, however, bails on them, claiming he has plans. Taka berates him because, according to her letter, Naho and Kakeru have a huge fight, and as a result Suwa comforts Naho and confesses his feelings.

This confession is likely the spark that causes Naho and Suwa to marry in the future (remember how Naho was “so happy” when Suwa confesses his feelings? This is that moment). However, Suwa refuses because it’s unrelated to their mission, risking his entire future with Naho. Suwa’s perspective risks the life of their future child and Naho’s happiness, since she would have chosen Suwa over Kakeru even if Kakeru hadn’t passed in the original timeline.

*(A side note: Many anime and manga that take place in Japan feature a shrine visit. It’s a portrayal of a Japanese cultural event called Hatsumōde, which takes place on the first few days of the Japanese New Year).

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Conclusion: Lessons from Orange Volume 4

Orange Volume 4 shows us what it’s like to work together for a common cause. Five people work together to save the life of one person, their friend Kakeru. It’s a great reminder that we should always work as a team and protect the lives of others. Especially in the world we live in, it’s imperative that we understand the value of human life and the effect our choices have on others. Volume 4 also reminds us to bear each other’s burdens.

The content of Orange Volume 4 is on par with the first three volumes.

See you in the post for Volume 5, which is the final volume in the main series!

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Content Guide for Orange Volume 4

Language

• Oh my g-d x3
• J*ez
• Coward
• Shut up x3
• D*mn/d*mnit x4
• “This sucks.”
• Crap/ Holy Crap x2
• “What the h*ll.”
• Wuss
• Jerks
• “You idiot.”
• “Working our butts off.”
• “Gosh no.” x2

Sexual Content

• Female characters think a male character looks hot/call a guy hot on one or more occasions.
• During Capture the Flag, the guys take off their shirts. The girls enjoy it, and one stares at her crush.
• Female characters encourage a male character to take off everything.
• Mention of pecks.
• Someone says, “This is sexual harassment you know.”
• A female character admits a male character looks good.
• Hagita draws abs on himself.
• Characters comment on looks.
• Girls wear cheer uniforms. You can see a very slight amount of belly. The guys say they don’t look good.
• Naho doesn’t like how short the skirts are. (They’re short, but don’t show anything explicit).
• Later, Suwa comments on the skirts being short; he clearly liked it even if he didn’t tell the girls he did.
• Mention of “babes.”
• Suwa’s dad takes pictures of the cheerleading competition per Suwa’s request. Suwa says he will give Azu’s photo to Hagita and Naho’s to Kakeru.
• Comment about Suwa “sighing” over Kakeru.
• Characters make a bet: if Kakeru wins, he gets a kiss from Naho; otherwise, Suwa gets a kiss. Azu agrees to go out with Hagita if terms are met too.
• A character kisses his crush on the cheek for a reward.
• Characters get shirtless photos of the guys on Sports Day.
• One character chooses a photo of his crush in a cheerleader outfit.
• Someone chooses one of her crush smiling, prompting her crush to suggest selecting a different one because it only shows his neck and head.

Romance

• Naho gives first aid to male characters.
• Two characters (male and female) share an umbrella and walk shoulder to shoulder.
• A character holds hands with a character of the opposite sex.
• Someone asks their crush out.
• A male and female character tie each other’s bandanas.

Violence/Frightening and Intense Scenes

• A character gets hurt and bleeds.
• Characters get wounded playing sports.

Spiritual

• The group plans to visit a shrine; a character bails and asks them to say a prayer for him.

Cover photo source: Cover of Orange Vol 4 by Ichigo Takano. From Amazon.com. Used under fair use for review and commentary; all rights belong to their respective copyright holders. Second photo is a quote from Orange added to Canva. All rights retained by owners and under fair use for review/commentary/education/criticism.