What Happens In Catch These Hands!, Vol. 2?

'Catch These Hands!' Vol. 2 doubles down on everything that made the first volume fun: fistfights, bizarre humor, and two girls who refuse to admit they’re best friends. This time, the duo stumbles into helping a little kid find her lost cat, which somehow escalates into a rooftop chase involving a stray dog and a very confused policeman. The way Soramori begrudgingly goes along with Takebe’s nonsense is peak comedy—especially when she ends up carrying the cat home like a grumpy butler. Between the gags, there are these little flashes of character growth, like Takebe realizing she doesn’t miss being feared anymore. The art’s messy in the best way, all dynamic lines and exaggerated reactions that make even a simple argument feel epic. Can’t wait to see where their nonsense takes them next!

Volume 2 of 'Catch These Hands!' is where the series really finds its rhythm. The dynamic between Takebe and Soramori shifts from 'reluctant acquaintances' to something resembling friendship—if your idea of friendship involves constant bickering and occasional wrestling matches. There’s a standout chapter where they get trapped in a mall after hours (don’t ask how) and end up having this absurdly heartfelt conversation surrounded by mannequins. The way the artist draws their expressions kills me—Takebe’s exaggerated grimaces versus Soramori’s permanent scowl that occasionally cracks into a smile.

New characters pop up too, like a former rival who’s now a weirdly polite office worker, forcing Takebe to confront how much she’s changed. The humor’s still gloriously dumb (one scene involves a failed attempt at baking a cake that somehow turns into a food fight), but there’s this underlying theme about outgrowing your past. Soramori’s backstory gets hinted at, and it’s darker than I expected—makes you realize why she’s so protective of their chaotic bond. The volume ends with a cliffhanger where Takebe’s old gang shows up, and I’m already itching to see how that mess unfolds.

The second volume of 'Catch These Hands!' really cranks up the chaos and heart in equal measure! After the hilarious and surprisingly touching setup in Vol. 1, this one dives deeper into the messy friendship between the two main girls—former delinquent Takebe and the gruff but soft-hearted Soramori. Takebe’s still trying to 'reform' her tough-girl image, but old habits die hard, especially when she gets roped into Soramori’s weird schemes. There’s a fantastic scene where they end up working part-time at a maid café (against Takebe’s will, obviously), and Soramori’s deadpan delivery in a frilly apron had me wheezing. The manga’s genius is how it balances slapstick with these quiet moments where you see how much they actually care about each other, even while throwing punches. The art’s got this rough, energetic style that makes every fight or awkward interaction pop. By the end, there’s a surprisingly tender moment where Takebe admits she’s glad they met, and Soramori pretends to vomit—but you just know she feels the same. Classic tsundere vibes!

What really stuck with me, though, is how the series pokes fun at delinquent tropes while also respecting its characters. Takebe isn’t just a gag; she’s genuinely trying to grow, and Soramori’s stubbornness hides her own insecurities. The volume also introduces a rival group that’s more traditionally 'tough,' which makes for some great contrast—especially when Takebe realizes she doesn’t even want that life anymore. It’s a weirdly wholesome story about two people who communicate better with fists than words, but hey, it works for them!