“He's a shy haiku writer who wears headphones to keep people at a distance. She's a streamer who always hides behind a mask. After their worlds suddenly collide, these two strangers find themselves sharing secrets they've been desperate to keep underwraps. Even though their methods of self-expression couldn't be more different, they'll find they understand each other better than they ever expected…” (Yen Press)
Debuting in 2021, “Words Bubble Up Like Soda-pop” was an original anime film from FlyingDog released directly to Netflix. The movie embraced the production company's proven record for creating vibrant and expressive titles with a solid visual direction. Consequently, the manga adaptation, tasked to Imo Oono to reenvision the art, is a cumbersome undertaking in stripping the lush color pallet and relaxing vibes of the anime into a different medium.
Unsurprisingly, the manga adaptation falls short of its source material, as comparing the two favors the overly expressive, gorgeously executed anime. Unrepeatable in the manga style, Imo Ooono's task was, arguably, unattainable from the start. As such, anyone interested in picking up the manga would be better served to check out the anime first, as the work relies heavily on nostalgia for the film. This is also where Oono sees success in this project, as despite the incomparability in visual style due to losing color and general ambiance from the anime, the manga does complement the source material.
Imo Ooono follows the film nearly shot for shot, ensuring readers who want a companion piece to the manga will remain appeased. Moreover, the lack of color does not limit his ability to capture the exuberance of youth that the anime conveyed with clarity. Sticking close to the source makes the title a worthy endeavor for readers who want another way to celebrate “Words Bubble Up LIke Soda-Pop.” All the character's eccentricities and, more importantly, kindness remain intact–giving wholesome vibes and visions of wandering summers most only experience in their youth.
While “Words Buble Up Like Soda Pop” manga fails to be greater than its predecessor– the format of anime-to-manga can work, with Yen Press releasing some phenomenal adaptations that stand on their own, such as “Josee, The Tiger, and the Fish“– it will still tap into the nostalgia of the existing fanbase and is a delightful way to revisit the work.
The passion behind the project is undeniable, a sentiment expressed not only in the afterword from the staff but in the careful approach of honoring the work with as faithful a replication as possible. Still, those who have not experienced “Words Bubble up Like Soda Pop” should check out the film first. If that vibes with your tastes, check out the manga, or you can check out the light novel adaptation, which is set for release in July 2023.
