World's Greatest First Love, Vol. 16 (The World's Greatest First Love)

I can now happily say I own every volume of the manga currently available in English, as well as every season of the anime spinoff.As a huge manga fan, I have read more than 1,000 titles over the last few years, but Sekaiichi Hatsukoi will always remain in my Top 10. There is just something about Takano and Onodera's relationship you just don't find in BL manga very often, and Volume 16 certainly does not disappoint -- with the plot, the characters or the art.Desperately now waiting for Volume 17.

I love this series, but I didn’t like this volume. The only reason this volume got 3 stars from me instead of 2 was because of the Kisa/Yukina story. I’ll provide some spoiler space for those who haven’t read the volume yet.****Okay. What the heck was up with that ending to Ritsu’s chapter 31?! He was about to finally confess his feelings to Takano, but suddenly an “I love you” isn’t enough for Takano?! He PREVENTS Ritsu from confessing because he wants a “romantic confession”?! Seriously?! Not even a chapter ago Takano was demanding a love confession from Ritsu AT WORK, but then suddenly won’t accept Ritsu’s confession when he tries to blurt it out?! Takano demanding “more effort” to a love confession was so random that it honestly felt like a tactic to just stretch out the love confession for several more chapters. And by the way volume 18 came out in Japan a few months ago, and from the reviews Ritsu STILL hasn’t confessed!I’m just really disappointed with how Ritsu and Takano’s story has progressed for the last decade. And I’m very annoyed that Ritsu was stopped from confessing his feelings for Takano by TAKANO HIMSELF. The only good thing I can say about their story arc in this chapter is that Nao is gone, because he was really grating my nerves. All in all, knowing that we’re two volumes behind Japan and Ritsu still hasn’t said “I love you” to Takano is frankly making me feel apathetic to their story right now.

I read the Rae’s that’s why I’m buying the English version, there’s some panels missing when Onedera and Takano meets. He wanted to say something with his mask covering his face and pulls it down right when Takona ask him the question. Did I get a misprinted book or is all of them like that skipping panels?