having already watched (and loved) the anime, I was quite taken aback by how much more well-paced this part of the story is in the manga than in its adaptation. that being said, I love how this series manages to balance the comedic and lighthearted tone with its darker moments - it doesn’t feel like complete emotional whiplash, but it somehow makes those darker moments hit so much harder because the comedy, in a way, leaves the audience vulnerable. I love this series so much!