Things are getting switched up in the seventh volume of Nyoijizai’s Harukana Receive, as the teams get mixed around – and not just for beach volleyball, either.
This volume contains chapters thirty-eight through to forty-three.
Front cover of the seventh volume of Harukana Receive, featuring Ayasa Tachibana
Changing things up!
In order to grow as beach volleyball players, Haruka and Kanata decide to participate in a local tournament with different partners! Haruka teams up with Emily, while Kanata pairs up with Claire. It’s friend vs. friend and sister vs. sister in the latest volume of Harukana Receive!
I decided not to include the typo present in the blurb (“witth Emily”) on the printed version, but I will certainly tell you that there was one.
Putting that aside, this volume is ultimately about even more preparations before the Nationals. There’s also the small matter of having to study for exams, but before we get to that point, we get a little focus on Akari.
Akari actually actively participates in a beach volleyball match in this chapter, teaming up with a familiar face from earlier on in the plot. Unfortunately that’s only a temporary thing, but I sure do hope Akari can find herself a more permanent partner sooner rather than later.
I also seem to recall the girls making a big deal out of Akari’s frilly bikini not being suited for beach volleyball early on, yet that’s what she wears for the match.
The main highlight of this volume comes from Team Harukana and Team Éclair switching members. Variety is the spice of life, and we get to see some of that in this volume. It’s not just beach volleyball the switched teams are tackling either; exams are coming up. They make a friendly competition out of those, with a prize on the line courtesy of Akari.
The switcheroo seems to purely be for Haruka’s benefit. She definitely gains valuable experience both on and off the beach volleyball court. It’s tough to say whether Kanata or the Thomas sisters gained anything from the swap with the focus being solely on Haruka.
I would have hoped to see what they gained from that, but perhaps that is something that will come up a little later on.
This volume is capped off with a visit from Haruka’s Mum, and Haruka giving some thought to her future. Haruka has to be encouraged into actually thinking about it, though. Fortunately, that is not dragged out too long, so it won’t be hovering over Team Harukana during the Nationals.
The switched teams offers up a nice change of pace that only serves to increase Haruka’s ability as a beach volleyball player in this volume. It’s also nice to see Akari doing more than cheering from the sidelines.
Of course, you also get plenty of interesting angles of the girls in their extremely form-fitting bikinis, but that is just par for the course at this point.
Great volume, and a very nice lead in to the Nationals.
Rory Muses 