I've read nearly all of Inio Asano's mangas since I discovered Oyasumi Punpun back in 2015. But Umibe no Onnanoko was, for me, like finding a hidden gem.

The plot is simple, as we're all accustomed to it: girl meets boy, they became friends and, during the process, it evolves onto something more complex; not quite a romance, not quite a friendship, either.

And just when the story reaches this point, it turns upside down.

Everything you thought you knew about the characters, changes. Their facades start to crumble, destroying our assumptions about them but, at the same time, helping us rediscover how they really think and why do they act the way they do.

I cannot begin to explain how amazing this manga is: the story, the characters, the beautiful scenery that's so characteristic of Asano (with real-life pictures of Japan used for the backgrounds). It all spoke to me in a way that none of his works did, at least not with that strength.

So, if you enjoy Asano's work, this is a must-read for me.