i do like the story, it is quite different from most sport manga, ie the main characters are not some magical beings always winning their match, and theres no over the top technique. but somehow i feel there is no enough soul and feelings, everything felt quite muted. nothing to excite me over, a good thing is is short so i dont feel supremely bored.

This manga is really interesting, the character development is apparent, and there's not much for the boys except like someone else mentioned, "decoration" xD. I'd like to read something like this again. However, Sanae pissed me off in the beginning, like, REALLY pissed me off I was almost scared of myself. She grew on me, but since I hated her so intensely at the start of the story that I never could like her completely. Though I liked Kaori, which is weird since most people would've said the opposite. I guess I look for different things in a character. Nice manga, anyway.

... Last updated on July 31st, 2012, 3:16pm

Not the best sports manga out there but its surprisingly good despite being only a wee three volumes. Story starts from somewhere and goes to a place.. unfortunately ending is very open, still it gives a closure to the story. Art is good enough while there were places i thought it would have been drawn better especially fighting scenes (maybe its the gear they use for kendo tho almost all the excitement you get is from inner dialogs not the action itself since you cant see the faces of the opponents very well). its a good read and recommended i wish there was a bit of love in it too since it has a slice of life feeling in it too although i can't imagine how the two main characters would act when they are in love.. they are.. a bit awkward.. still it would have been interesting to read in a longer manga. anyway if wishes were fishes and all that but still the story leaves you with a good feeling, sometimes makes you laugh, sometimes leaves you wondering what the heck and sometimes makes you want to reach into the pages and give the main characters a bit of smack and if you can't tell already its pretty impressing to pack that much emotion in only 18 chapters.

It's amazing how a story can develop so nicely with only 3 volumes.
You look at the cover, you read the synopsis, it feels average, a washed out idea, something done ad infinitum and ad nauseum in shounen works.
You should definatly read it!
It's so great to see the characters develop in a natural fashion. And it's done with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The characters are definately not cliché, and it shows as the story progresses, it's nice to see the characters show their true colors, expose their fears and conflicts and evolve. It's very light hearted.
A story about friendship and much more.
Also the art is good and clean.
Read it, you won't regret it.

I disagree with the previous commentator. The characters aren't generic at all, nor is the story moe'd up. It's true one is a serious, aggressive and the other a sort of dreamy easy-going person, but they are'nt clichés and develop immensely already in the first sixteen chapters. It's considerably different from, for example, Bamboo Blade. Bushido Sixteen is funny at times, but essentially delving into it's protagonists and the sport. And it is sort of shounenish. Wanting to become a stronger and such; only without the enemies, the pathos, and the silly characters. One of the most interesting mangas at the moment (and scanlations are super-fast).

We really don't see kendo manga being scanlated very often, and being a fan of the sport I'm always eager to see what's available, even if it is a moe'd up comedy. But in all seriousness, this is a fun one, the characters have engaging (albeit generic) personalities and watching them interact on the page has made me laugh a couple times.

Only time will tell if that amusement will die out.