I really love the second story, Hotaru no Mori E. It was very endearing and had such a beautiful, yet sad ending. The movie actually enhanced the story with the extra bits of how those two continued to play and grow up together. The development between those two is truly amazing. The ending made me feel extremely conflicted; I felt happy the Gin got what he has always wished for, but it's just too sad! And seeing it in animation made it so beautifully heart-wrenching, I ended up crying till snot came out of my nose. I also loved how that mask makes Gin give off that ambiguous and melancholy feeling.

As for the other stories, I wasn't very fond of story 3 at all. I think the ninja part turned me off. Story 1 was okay; it wasn't bad, but it wasn't that good either. I wanted to get to know a bit more about the characters and their history, but that's just me. Story 4 made me cry, it was definitely more realistic than the other stories with a similar plot and that gave it more impact.

I'm way too susceptible so these stories left behind a bawling mess. They are quite beautiful but tragedy and just about any unhappy ending are not my cup of tea. I highly recommend this to all drama lovers out there.

Midorikawa sensei really is like a Miyazaki. The second one shot: Hotaru no Mori E, was purely beautiful. The ending wasn't surprising. But the point of the story isn't to create a surprising plot twist, if that's what your looking for than this story, none of her stories are for you. Midorikawa's stories inspire a fascination for the japanese folklore. She creates compassionate characters and fills the plot line with heartwarming moments that are worth treasuring forever. Into the forest of fireflies is about a boy, Gin, who was turned into a yokai and a little girl whom he helps one day in the summer. As a yokai, he doesn't age or die, but because he was once human, if a human were to touch him, he would disappear. The little girl grows and as her physical ages gets closer to Gin's, she falls in love with him. From here on, its obvious how it will end in a tragedy, but it's the execution of the story from here on that makes it so pure and special. Both characters struggle with their feelings, as Hotaru gets closer to his age, Gin falls in love with her and Hotaru falls in love with Gin. But neither can touch the other. Their longing to be with each other and then realizing that they can never be together- this is executed beautifully...

If you liked Hotaru no Mori E, then I highly recommend you read or watch Natsume Yuujinchou, if you haven't already!!

... Last updated on January 5th, 2013, 2:42pm

is a magician

Even without the magical nor mystic element, she draws stories like performing magic. It captures your heart while you read, almost bewitching.

Why? if you look back, she brought no new theme, just your usual romance, usual shoujo. And yet you find yourself falling in love with the stories anyway.
Especially for me, because I usually avoid "usual shoujo romance" (it is true, I usually give up series when I see the word romance among its genres...)
I my self was surprised when I read the fourth story and I actually thought it was endearing. I usually disgusted by incestious story.

... Last updated on November 22nd, 2012, 8:38pm

Wanna how good the second story is?
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ARE YOU BLIND??!! THEY PERSONALLY MADE A MOVIE JUUUUUST FOR THE SECOND STORY!!!!
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That's! How good it is...
How sweet love can be... For years, you could only see the one you love grow in front of your very eyes. Then, you realise, I can't just stand here and wait for her... I want to be by her side.. But you can never touch her and neither can she touch you...

The separation between Hotaru and Gin during the other three seasons all those years, just brought them closer and closer to each other. This undeniably touching story deserves all the credit it can get for originality, character personality and sensibility. 'Hotarubi no Mori E' is the epitome of a bittersweet love story and the extension the movie had, just made all the fans bawl even more than they already did when reading the manga.

The other three stories are like sprinkles on ice cream. So read them if you wish but just don't miss the second story. Everyone deserves to know the tale of those two and how their love for each other blossomed each summer...

People are very fragile beings. Whatever form of life they take, feelings won't go away that easily. They stay and keep nourishing our souls. Hope for fulfillment is always there. Deep insside. Love can easily be born, but it takes time for it, as it takes for a little bud to bloom. It's presence keeps lingering on even after the material bodies are not there aymore.

Most beautiful and most touching piece of work...Hotarubi no Mori e...

... Last updated on June 24th, 2012, 2:12am

I just realized recently that Hotaru no Mori was probably one of the first oneshots I ever downloaded and read, sometime in 2005. Reading it again, after having gotten many more series under my belt, it strikes me even more as a brilliantly bittersweet tale. Sigh. Doesn't it piss you off to be so happy and sad all at once?

And even though I now have DV's newer high quality release, I think I'll still keep the old SC one too, for nostalgia's sake.

These stories are strictly shoujo, but with a taste of fantasy in between every moment. That's cute^^. But I wish the art was prettier though, that would have made this manga even better! The storylines make up for it though, and that helps! Also, this ,manga reminds me Tsukuba Sakura-sensei's work(she made Penguin Revolution and Mekakushi no Kuni and *fangirl squeal* Amai Kamiato, one of my fave oneshots of all-TIME!!!)
This author has storylines very reminiscent of that.

It wasn't overly unique, but it wasn't bad either.



But it wasn't poorly told; they are nicely done. For story two, which was the best, I'll give it a 7.

This work is okay. I think, the storylines are well thought out and not predictable. The progress of each story was more or less even surpising. But I didn't like Story 3 and also Story 1 wasn't very good. They didn't touch me at all.
But I liked Hotaru no Mori E very much and Deepening the scar was also nice. Personally, I'm not a big fan of depressing stories, that's why this work isn't my favourite, but it's unique. Despite the fact that I enjoy other kinds of stories more, I think that Midorikawa has a very, very huge talent in telling stories. I think I could've enjoy them much more if it had been drawn better (I don't like the scetchy-style). But all in all I liked the manga and would recommend it.

... Last updated on August 10th, 2011, 6:35am