Just posting to say that Stretch is really a good surprise. I started to read it because I was intrigued by the Stretching theme and how it would work, but then I got hooked because it's character-driven, instead of being theme driven. I love slow paced stories and the author here seems to care a lot about characters depth. I don't care he usually does hentai/lolicon or whatever mistakes he may have done in the past, because his work here is really good stuff.

The relationship between Keiko and Ran is slowly evolving, with the stretching as a background and it just feels natural. That two grown-up women would have their own story, and wouldn't jump in bed together 3 days after living together just feels realistic. I can perfectly picture a woman not really thinking about "being like that", but at the same time finding herself drawn to another person, because she feels lonely and because that person happens to be really likable, even if it's a girl. But even if we got up until now some insight about why Keiko is the person she is, we still have don't know that much about Ran. She's more outgoing but also more shielded.

Anyway, I really love to see this story slowly unfold and I hope it goes on for a while and doesn't get an abrupt end like so many manga that don't meet enough audience. Anyone knows how it's rated in Japan ?

It's rated 'S' for stretching

;)

Well that was kinda disappointing...

The muscle extra was great! Adds flavour to the series, as a good extra should.

The muscle extra was great! Adds flavour to the series, as a good extra should.

Agreed, I also really like looking at how he draws his characters.

The muscle extra was great! Adds flavour to the series, as a good extra should.

Agreed, I also really like looking at how he draws his characters.

Kind of like peeking into Shou's sketchbook, isn't it? Which is something I'd love to do, honestly.

The muscle extra was great! Adds flavour to the series, as a good extra should.

Agreed, I also really like looking at how he draws his characters.

Kind of like peeking into Shou's sketchbook, isn't it? Which is something I'd love to do, honestly.

Totally! And same here, it would be interesting to see what else he's drawn and how he's drawn Keiko and Ran outside of the story...and possibly any other Prism works and non published stuff. Would be pretty cool.

helpful indeed

The soccer player in me rejoiced a little seeing Adductors getting their spotlight

The soccer player in me rejoiced a little seeing Adductors getting their spotlight

I liked seeing a nod to the sternocliedomastoid. Cool muscle with a kickass name.

I'm beginning to think he made this extra just to draw his characters half nude lol

Every condition for ruining your muscles I fulfilled...

Muscles around my eye got a good work out from mention of soccer player though,

This whole time he actually managed to keep any eroticism in check, even when he draws the characters in their undies, and for this, I'm glad. For all of the chapters, there's been some cuteness, some dokidoki/kyun~ moments, but the amount of service stays fairly low and is never out of place. Bonus points awarded!

By the way, I don't want the ex of Keiko intruding in the special relationship building between Keiko and Ran. He seems like a nice guy, but no, just no. The drama will be unbearable.

last edited at Mar 29, 2015 12:33PM

I liked seeing a nod to the sternocliedomastoid. Cool muscle with a kickass name.

A nod to the muscle that tilts head? Yay the stretching puns have finally started after a while

last edited at Mar 29, 2015 2:12PM

I liked seeing a nod to the sternocliedomastoid. Cool muscle with a kickass name.

A nod to the muscle that tilts head? Yay the stretching puns have finally started after a while

Heard this is SHAFT studio's favorite muscle.

last edited at Mar 29, 2015 2:17PM

everything they do is what couples do! well, tone down the stretches perhaps but.... totally gay for each other :p

well, tone down the stretches perhaps

You mean you don't stretch with your partner daily?
Gotta keep a healthy relationship

I'm beginning to think he made this extra just to draw his characters half nude lol

Showing her ankle's muscle in underwear was absolutely necesary, idk what are you talking about sir!!... or madame!!!

Wonder what the author has in mind. As I reread it, there's no clear path to yuri. It's not closed off either, but Keiko gives out conflicting vibes. The author knows what his readership is waiting for, but giving it too soon doesn't seem in his plans, if he's going to give it at all. Keiko and Ran might as well put their lives back on the "right track" (whatever it happens to be) at the end, with the help of each other and that "special time/friendship" they shared, and never actually do anything more than hugging (and stretching).

Anyway, it has a great reread value. When you reread it, you get the hints the author left everywhere. It all gives some feeling of fate between them, that their lives seem to cross at critical moments and it makes them bounce in slightly different directions. Even if there's no yuri til the end I don't care. This is a really really good read.

last edited at Mar 30, 2015 1:00PM

Extra 2 might be the most informative chapter yet. ...though it makes me feel like I'm in terrible shape, when I consider my habits. orz

Wonder what the author has in mind. As I reread it, there's no clear path to yuri. It's not closed off either, but Keiko gives out conflicting vibes.

So far we know that Ran has never showed any interest in men, in fact, we only saw her interested in Keiko (admiring her, checking her out and being affectionate with her), we also saw her competing for Keiko's admiration (attention) when she took up on stretching to one up Keiko's boyfriend...etc. She seems like a typical invisible lesbian femme (If we ever must label her).

Keiko on the other hand has actually fallen in love with a guy and had a fulfilling relationship with him, she dated her fair share of men and seemed to be still interested by the opposite sex. However, she can be bi and we know that if anything she like Ran as a sister, her feelings may or may not get deeper than that. I honestly don't know, I guess she can definitely fall in love with her but so far she seems oblivious to it. I think she likes her companionship with Ran, she likes their routine and is still healing from her miscarriage and break up.

I think Ran will confess her love and Keiko will reject her at first, I think they won't live together anymore, but at some point, Keiko will realize her feelings as well and we will get our happily ever after.

Heard this is SHAFT studio's favorite muscle.

Perfect response.

Wonder what the author has in mind. As I reread it, there's no clear path to yuri. It's not closed off either, but Keiko gives out conflicting vibes.

So far we know that Ran has never showed any interest in men, in fact, we only saw her interested in Keiko (admiring her, checking her out and being affectionate with her), we also saw her competing for Keiko's admiration (attention) when she took up on stretching to one up Keiko's boyfriend...etc. She seems like a typical invisible lesbian femme (If we ever must label her).

So far, we know a lot more about Keiko than about Ran. Between her graduation and the time she got to meet Keiko again, we don't know what she's been up to, beside studying medicine.

And when I said conflicting vibes, I mean that it's ALWAYS Keiko that's been pulling Ran into her orbit. When Ran was jogging, she stopped her and talked to her because of reasons.

When Ran's father died in that earthquake, she offered her to stay because of reasons also.

We always think of Ran as being the one "in love" and of Keiko as not seeing her "like that" (yet), but it's not that clearcut.

The initiative always comes from Keiko, since the beginning. She's been using Ran to heal herself and she's been giving very little back. But isn't it what Ran wanted all along ? Help people, heal them ? Hell, she does that just by being herself.

I think Ran will confess her love and Keiko will reject her at first, I think they won't live together anymore, but at some point, Keiko will realize her feelings as well and we will get our happily ever after.

It's a little too cliche I think. You may be right but I sure hope Akili has something better in stock.

Drama is lurking around the corner, with the ex making a come back, the mother hated for some unknown reason (the "man shoes" beside her mother's shoes in the entrance means I guess she was at least promiscuous with men, so Keiko is an unwanted child ?). Keiko seemed to have a death wish (smiling at the earthquake) and her encounter with Ran seems to have "saved" her. If Ran leaves, for whatever reason, how will that play out ? On the other side, Ran has a huge problem of self-control and that could be dangerous.

There are many many paths the author can lead us to and I sure hope he doesn't deliver one of those "after a grand confession and some drama, both finally accept they are in love with each other, they kiss, make babies and live happily ever after, putting that stretching lessons to good use".

That'd be a waste.

last edited at Mar 31, 2015 5:31PM

Drama is lurking around the corner, with the ex making a come back, the mother hated for some unknown reason (the "man shoes" beside her mother's shoes in the entrance means I guess she was at least promiscuous with men, so Keiko is an unwanted child ?).

We've already had a bunch of reason. A man that the mother brought home hitting on Keiko (maybe always hook up with scum) and the mother treating Keiko badly after her miscarriage
I bet on the unwanted child, when Keiko try to get some comfort from her mother, she get nothing. Instead, the mother put the blame on her.

Keiko seemed to have a death wish (smiling at the earthquake) and her encounter with Ran seems to have "saved" her. I

I don't think she had a death wish, I think she thought it would be great if something bad happened to her mom and got disgusted of herself.

last edited at Mar 31, 2015 5:49PM

I bet on the unwanted child, when Keiko try to get some comfort from her mother, she get nothing. Instead, the mother put the blame on her.

Keiko seemed to have a death wish (smiling at the earthquake) and her encounter with Ran seems to have "saved" her. I

I don't think she had a death wish, I think she thought it would be great if something bad happened to her mom and got disgusted of herself.

^^^^^ that is one hell of a speculation. Same goes for the one above it. From how Prism and the previous chapters of Stretch have been written, I doubt Shou is "that" dark. Now I could be wrong because he has revealed some very dark issues from Keiko's past and when the chapters get dark and twisty (to borrow a phrase from Grey's Anatomy), they are dark, but they are top-layer dark with the one exception of Keiko's dream sequence. By top-layer dark I mean the issues are definitely emotional. in some cases the topic is very painful to either relive or to tell another person. So if you are correct, I will be even more impressed with Shou than I already am. But right now, nothing points to thoughts of death on the part of Keiko nor ill wishes for her mother. (so prove me wrong. which chapters would you be refering to?)