First loves are always the same and always different. The audacity of writer and illustrator Nio Nakatani's "Bloom Into You" lies not so much in the fact that it tells the story of a same-sex first love, but rather an honest take about a coming-of-age story that earnestly explores a complicated but satisfying relationship between two girls. While there have been plenty of romances not unlike this, there's never been one told in such an ambitiously immersive manner.

Bloom Into You focuses on Yuu Koito, a first-year student who is convinced to join her school's student council. She runs into Touko Nanami's mid-love confession, turning down the boy because she has never experienced a feeling of romance as of yet. Yuu discovers that Nanami wants to become the student council president, and decides to help her out. But out of the blue comes an awkward sentence straight from Nanami's mouth: "I think I might be falling in love with you." Although Yuu somewhat shuts down Nanami's sudden confession, she nevertheless still joins the student council to help her out with her campaign for student council presidency. As the days go by, the two start to get closer, with Nanami being more in the romantic sense and Yuu leaning towards a deeper friendship. One thing is certain between the two: In one way or another, they both desire to stay by each other's side.

Yuu and Nanami's love is the element that makes them grow as individuals and as people. Even though it is a story revolving around Yuu, it is more about Yuu helping Nanami find her true self and at the same time understanding for herself what the feeling of love really is. The struggles of both Yuu and Nanami are very real and complex but are understandable and relatable. It depicts all kinds of feelings intricately and maturely that it translates to people who have been unsure of their feelings or sexuality at some point in their lives. What makes it a compelling story is that it is not driven by pure misunderstanding and unnecessary drama as it delves into the more gradual exploration of both the characters' growth and true identity.