The Quintessential Quintuplets (2019)

[五等分の花嫁]

Volume 9

Author/Artist: Negi Haruba
Publisher: Shounen Magazine Comics

Synopsis:
As the girls are about to start the new school year, Ichika asks her sisters to get part-time jobs to help pay the rent.

Story/Characters:
The girls having to get jobs adds a new wrinkle to the dynamics, especially with the one who gets to work in the same cake shop as Fuutarou. Then we go to the start of the new school year, with the girls in Fuutarou's class and all the fun that comes with it. We get a new rival for Fuutarou in the form of Yusuke Takeda. At first I thought he was going to be a really obnoxious pain in the backside, but there proves to be more to him and I like that. It's not quite as big as what was done with Nino, but he's not as important of a character either.

I don't want to get into spoiler territory, but one of the girls resorts to underhanded means to try to gain an upper hand. Narratively, it takes us into interesting territory, but, man, am I not happy to see it. That's all I'll go into here.

Art:
As always, nothing but good things to say about the art. At the front of the book, there's a two-page spread with the quints back when they're kids, them as they are now, and them as adults. Does it tip Haruba's hand as to who is the bride? You be the judge.

Also, regarding that spoiler point I don't want reveal here, the money shot has some crazy eyes that are super-effective. Really helps drive the point home.

Other:
We get two 4-koma for the bonus comic this time, one about the girls' collective height and the other about what it's like sharing the facilities in their new apartment.

Conclusion:
With us going into Year 3, we're entering the home stretch. There are some major shakeups and one heck of a gut punch if you're a fan of a certain character. There are loads of fine character moments, so the hits just keep on coming. Definitely get this one and keep growing the collection.

Rating:
Own It