“In a world of black, endless rain, the balance of fortune allows Pieta and Danae to lead ordinary, uneventful lives…for the most part. But amidst the repetition of the exact same daily routine, Pieta somehow manages to make a new friend in Chiaro—only to lose her to the Light of Syzygy! Can Pieta and Danae find their way to an actual tomorrow while protecting Chiaro from her own everyday struggles…?!” (Yen Press)
The initial volume of “Coffee Moon” introduced a dingy world set in a darkened, rain-soaked city where a young girl gets caught up in an infinite loop of repeating the same day. The gloomy environment contrasted by the ever-optimistic Pieta, who has spent her 1,000+ days dedicated to making those around her content. However, this changed when one of her closest friends found herself caught up in the very same loop, and volume one acted as an introduction to what Pieta had gone through by explaining the scenario to her friend. The second volume introduces a third cohort into the cyclical mystery, and while Pieta's joy of having people to share in the memories of the previous day, the inclusion of others complicates her dedication to the repetition she had made peace with.
These complexities are key to what makes “Coffee Moon” an intriguing mystery, as Pieta's desire to serve others hides a darkness that is only beginning to be scratched at in the second volume. As the pieces begin to fall into place, Pieta becomes a rather tragic figure whose optimism is a shield against her own sorrow. It is a fascinating and complex character study, and as additional supernatural elements become introduced, questions about the never-ending day start to surface and trouble Pieta and her friends. Consequently, the series focus shifts between volumes in an attempt to interpret Pieta's abilities and why she is at the crux of this anomaly. What keeps the series moving forward, undeniably, is Bota's ability to push the series into a deeper and more intricate mystery/character study with the charismatic Pieta at the head.
The visual direction of Bota continues to resonate with the same style as the previous volume, with dreary landscapes contrasted by the cheery and fashionable girls. The way the mangaka draws eyes, in particular, is both alluring and expressive. Ultimately, those who appreciated the artistic approach in the first volume will be happy to know that the general tone and aesthetic stay consistent. Undeniably, Yen Press's choice to release this in a slightly larger format shows they understand how integral the art is to the narrative and world building of Bota.
“Coffee Moon” is an intriguing title, a unique mystery that exists in its own world. While it fits nicely under the label of ‘seinen', its mature elements are buried beneath the upbeat personas of Pieta and her friends. The book can be uplifting but there is an uncertain darkness beneath the surface slowly bubbling up. There are a lot of surprises in the second volume that really push the book in some intriguing directions, as well as being highly emotional and explorative of who Pieta is. To the joy of fans of the inaugural volume, the series is pushing forward in fascinating ways that are sure to keep readers invested.
