Awajima Hyakkei is not a story that follows only a single protagonist. The setting is the ”Awajima Opera,” reminiscent of the Takarazuka Revue, and its training institution, the opera school. Girls with the singular dream of standing on stage gather there from all over the country, spending their days with different backgrounds and feelings in their hearts. A defining feature of this work is that it is an ensemble drama where the lives of various characters quietly intersect as time and perspectives gently shift. A single event can take on a completely different meaning depending on who is observing it—such a delicate structure draws the reader deep into the story.

At the center of the story are girls like Wakana, who enrolled yearning to become a musical star; Kinue, who supports the dormitory while carrying the feelings of her best friend; and Emi, a scholarship student with an overwhelming presence. Furthermore, each character, including Katsurako—who is strongly attracted to her yet harbors complex emotions—and her family, possesses a distinct weight. It is not a simple relationship of protagonist and supporting character; rather, each life holds equal value, progressing as they sometimes pass each other by and sometimes overlap. The fact that the school, which should be a place to pursue dreams, also becomes a place that breeds comparisons with others and internal conflict gives the story a strong sense of realism.

The charm of this work lies in the depiction of emotions that are not explicitly put into words. Whether it is friendship, love, or mere admiration, feelings that even the characters themselves cannot fully sort out continue to sway within them. The desire to be recognized by someone, the wish to be special, and the weakness of comparing oneself to others—these emotions naturally seep through without becoming overly explanatory. While reading, moments frequently arise where you think, ”This is similar to how I felt back then,” making the story feel very close to home.

There are no flashy incidents or constant dramatic developments, but that is precisely why each event remains carefully in the heart. Casual conversations in the dormitory, rigorous training to stand on stage, changes in the way someone looks at another—these small accumulations gradually transform the relationships and state of mind of the girls. The composition is superb, as the shifting perspectives over the passage of time make you realize that ”that event back then had a different meaning,” and the story gains more depth the further you read.

After finishing it, the work leaves a slowly spreading afterglow rather than an intense catharsis. Along with the beauty of moving toward a dream, the underlying pain and anxiety are never hidden. Even so, they continue to look forward. Their figures overlap with the reader's own memories and experiences, quietly resonating in the heart. A time more ambiguous and complex than what can be summarized by the word ”youth”—I felt that ”Awajima Hyakkei” is a deeply rewarding work that carefully scoops up each and every one of those moments.