Himuro, a descendant of a snow spirit, has ice powers that flare up whenever his emotions run high. Despite this, he’s your typical Japanese office worker—except for his deep crush on his co-worker Fuyutsuki. She seems aloof and cool, but secretly, she harbors feelings for him too. As the two grow closer, other supernatural co-workers approach Himuro for help with their relationship troubles. Can he offer advice while advancing his own love story?
A Supernatural Romance in the Office
Volume 2 of this office romcom offers ten new chapters and three bonus stories. The story builds on Volume 1, with more moments showing the couple growing closer. Like before, most chapters follow a familiar pattern: Himuro faces a problem—often related to his snow-spirit abilities clashing with the typical office life—and Fuyutsuki finds a creative solution to help him. This brings them even closer as he falls deeper for her, while she discovers more about his charming qualities.
Their relationship sees some development, but it’s subtle. The slow-burn romance continues, which might frustrate readers hoping for quicker progress. The pair remain adorable, and their eventual union feels inevitable, but your patience for slow-burn romance will be tested. Whether you love this trope or not, it’s a central part of the series’ charm.
Introducing New Supernatural Characters
The volume doesn’t solely focus on Himuro and Fuyutsuki. Two new supernatural characters are introduced, adding more life to the office environment. We meet Komori, a female descendant of a fox spirit, and her male co-worker Saejima. Unlike Himuro and Fuyutsuki, these two have more outgoing personalities, which adds a fresh dynamic to the story. Komori’s fox-like powers, including the appearance of tails and ears when she’s relaxed, often embarrass her. However, she isn’t afraid to call others out in the office. Saejima, though blunt, has a soft side, especially when he goes out of his way to collect figurines for Komori.
The pairing of Komori and Saejima provides a new dynamic for readers to enjoy. However, I found Komori’s fox abilities less exciting compared to Himuro’s ice powers. Himuro’s abilities are creatively tied to his emotions and Japan’s weather, making Komori’s simple animal features feel less innovative by comparison.
The Phoenix Co-worker
Another new character, Katori, enters the story. He’s supposedly a descendant of a phoenix, though the manga playfully adds a question mark after “descendant,” hinting he may actually be the phoenix himself. Katori and his female co-worker don’t get much time in this volume, but his potential as a character is intriguing. His mood swings—shifting from despair to optimism after a pep talk from Himuro—add humor. His fire-based powers, being the opposite of Himuro’s ice abilities, suggest exciting possibilities for future interactions.
Katori’s backstory as Himuro’s childhood friend adds depth to their relationship. It raises questions about the world of the manga: Are all descendants of magical beings connected? Do they all work in ‘spirit-friendly’ environments? These are ideas the story could explore in future volumes.
Stunning Artwork and Translation
The manga’s art remains stunning. Fuyutsuki’s hair is beautifully detailed, and close-ups of her face highlight why Himuro is so captivated by her. The artist excels at bringing out the characters’ emotions with visual depth.
Julie Goniwich continues to handle the translation, but I was disappointed to find no translation notes in this volume. One chapter mentions “Golden Week,” and it would’ve been helpful to explain it for readers unfamiliar with Japanese culture. Similarly, the theme park the characters visit in the final chapter seems based on Tokyo Disneyland, with references to character meet-and-greets and advanced planning. It would’ve been nice to get confirmation of these connections.
Conclusion
The Ice Guy and The Cool Girl Volume 2 delivers another charming, slow-burn romance between Himuro and Fuyutsuki. While the pace may frustrate those wanting faster romantic development, the humor and introduction of new characters keep the story engaging. The artwork continues to shine, making this an enjoyable volume for fans of supernatural office romance.
