I”S: The Agonizingly Pure Teen Romance of Longing and Miscommunication

I”s is a classic romance manga by Masakazu Katsura (known for Video Girl Ai and Zetman) that masterfully captures the exquisite torture of teenage infatuation. The story follows a relatable, earnest high school boy, Ichitaka Seto, who has been quietly in love with his stunning, kind-hearted classmate, Iori Yoshizuki, for years. Iori is a burgeoning teen model and actress—seemingly living in a different, glamorous world—which makes her feel both mesmerizing and unattainable to Ichitaka.

The manga’s core drama revolves around a relentless cycle of near-confessions, crushing misunderstandings, and external interferences. Every small step Ichitaka makes toward Iori is thwarted by his own insecurity, her complicated career, the meddling of friends and rivals, or sheer bad luck. Their relationship is perpetually in a fragile state of “almost,” punctuated by moments of genuine sweetness and profound frustration. The supporting cast adds crucial dynamics: Ichitaka’s sharp-tongued childhood friend Itsuki Akiba, who hides her own deep feelings, and Iori’s fiercely protective best friend Izumi Isozaki, who often acts as a complicating gatekeeper.

Katsura’s artwork is a major draw, renowned for its incredibly detailed and beautiful character designs, particularly in rendering Iori’s idol-like allure with a sense of tangible reality. The emotional expressions are potent, making every moment of heartache and joy resonate deeply with the reader.

While firmly rooted in the 1990s, I”s remains a quintessential and influential work in the romance genre. It is a protracted, often painful, but ultimately heartfelt ode to the vulnerability of first love, the courage required to be honest, and the bittersweet journey of two young people struggling to bridge the gap between admiration and a real, lasting relationship.