I have to admit that at first I wasn't going to read this. I just thought that it was be a little blah. But after reading one of the comments (which totally made me cry before starting the series lol) I decided to give it a chance. This has to be one of the best mangas I have ever read. I usually go for the mushy girly stuff, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed this.

More than anything I loved the relationship between friends rather than the romantic aspects of this series. When you have true friendships, nothing can beat that happiness. I loved seeing the growth and the developments between the characters. I swear I have been on a roller coaster of emotions since I've started. [color=blue]I've been angry and sad and crying then happy from one chapter to the next. One moment I love this character then the next I'm going that bitch!! haha

I think that the art completely fits this series. And though it's not what I'm usually attracted to, the story is so good and so well written that I don't mind it. It's simple and clean so it goes with the flow. I absolutely loved the ending. It so wasn't rushed. The time skips made a whole lot of sense due to the circumstances of what happened. But I'm extremely happy with this. There are only a few mangas that have made me cry like this haha

... Last updated on January 31st, 2013, 4:12pm

I just wrote a really long review just now but my cat stepped on my keyboards and somehow I LOST the text. ALL of it. So, to keep my words short. Read it! You won't be disappointed. It's a heartwarming story (which for me, make me feel like I was in a roller coaster). I like it how in this story where everything started to crumble down, and a friend would show up and save your day. It had me tasted of many kind of emotions whenever an event happened. (my English sucks and I don't know how to put it into words). I have never seen a friendship manga that is as worth reading as this.

p.s. I can't get out this Moanin' song out of my head now. >.< Gotta check out the anime, I guess.

While I write this review, the intro of Moanin' by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers is playing inside my head. Not just that, for two weeks, all I could hear was pure and awesome jazz songs. Of course it's Sakamichi no Apollon's fault.

Music. Do you know how powerful can it be? C'mon, I bet music changed your life or your day, at least once. Now, jazz songs. Jazz is contagious, you hear it and starts tapping your fingers, moving your shoulders or doing weird footsteps under the table. It's magical! In the end, you're smiling and you don't even know how that happened. You're just smiling, even if you got some problems here and there... And this is what this manga is talking about.

In the late 60s, we got a freshman high school student Kaoru, who not so coincidentally looks like a American jazz pianist, Bill Evans, in the early days. He's our honor student kind of character and just moved to Kyushu to live with relatives. In school, he's not the most social guy, but destiny brings two new friends, Sentarou and Ritsuko. Sen introduces him to jazz music and after being told he can't play other music style, 'cause he's a "piano-classic-songs boy", Kaoru accepts the challenge and try to learn how to play jazz, without knowing he'll not only change his music style, but change inside, change himself.

The story goes by. New characters appear, revelations, some little plot twists that make you feel a tightness in the heart. It's a slice of life, don't expect action or explosions, don't expect the answer to the Universe. This is simple and pure slice of life. Their lives, their thoughts, their feelings (oh, their feelings!) and their problems. That kind of manga you read and say: "oh man, I'm this character" (hey, Kaoru, I'm with you!). The characters aren't ORIGINAL, you have seen a lot of characters like them, "big brother mentor", "childhood friends", "delinquent", "cute girl" and "megane". Yes, they aren't original, but they're UNIQUE. Little details makes you love them... I like how things happen, isn't your "oh, let's put 60 chapters and solve things, I don't know, in the 59th chapter". It's your "Oh my, is this really happening? But it's only chapter 14... Oh, oh, go for it! But wait, oh my" (I'm sorry, that's my inner self talking).

So, you ask me: "Why should I read this manga?" Because it's good. It has quality! Doesn't matter if it isn't the most original one, it's unique. Introduces you to a Japan in the 60s with culture and costumes being corrupted. We got japanese christian, which it's the first time I see it in a manga. We got a imaginary triangule and "love hurts" from a new perspective, not your shoujo-type "He hates me, sniff sniff, I want to die". This is Josei, people are dealing with their problems, they're facing past issues, changing little by little. The art is a little retro too and I like the artist style. The music recommendations are the best too! So, please, give it a try. If you don't like it, I'm sorry, but I'm in love with this story.

... Last updated on August 20th, 2012, 4:40pm

I find this manga very endearing due to it's character development, their daily life experiences with school, love, personal issues and how it explores them little by little. In my opinion I particularly think that the art is suitable for this manga, I applaud it's simplicity and clean style.

The only issue I do have is near the end, where I feel it is rushed, and could've given better explanations to about Sentarou's reasons. However, the rest of the ending was enjoyable and a fresh out take from the usual stories. I do highly recommend reading this manga sometime if you haven't.

An enjoyable reading experience for me.

... Last updated on July 1st, 2012, 8:43am

This manga is just so good, it's well written and the plot and characters are just amazing, well developed, and the story just makes me speechless. I think everyone should read it really amazing!

Honestly, this has truly touched my heart. This is one of those rare stories that's had me bawling my eyes out. It's such a beautiful and emotional story, that is realistic and is well paced. Character development along with many issues are tackled by this manga.

I truly truly am extremely grateful that I came upon the anime, which led me to read the manga.

Beautiful.

The art, the story, the pace.... This manga can do no wrong. I have never read any manga that has the right combination as this one does. Everything about this manga is so unique, so elegant that make you want more and more. Highly recommended !

Sakamichi no Apollon is fantastic and incredible. I don't really know what adjectives to use to fully describe this manga. All of the characters have complex relations with each other, therefore, I believe this story is very character driven, which can be found in later volumes especially. In particular, I admire the deep friendship Kodama Yuki has created between Kaoru and Sentarou. It is so emotional and wonderful. And that goes for all of the characters as well. It is amazing how their love of jazz and music brings them together. There are times in the story where conflict, misunderstandings, and arguments occur, and I think the mangaka handles them realistically. All of the characters have ups and downs with each other as they move through their days.

And the ending was perfect. I CRIED A LITTLE.

The story overall is like a warm wind passing by. It is so nice to read about these characters interactions and thoughts on life. I am so happy that I have been able to read this manga. I have also watched a few of the anime episodes. The anime is very good, the music enhances the experience and the colors and animation are great, however, the manga has more details and scenes whereas the anime is more concise and to the point. The anime, however, is still very good, but I prefer the manga.

Sakamichi no Apollon definitely deserved the 57th Shogakukan Manga Award! Thank you Kodama Yuki for this manga, and I hope to buy it someday!

... Last updated on June 24th, 2012, 4:42pm

Simply stunning. I really connected with Kaoru, Ricchan, Sentarou, and Yurika - I love them all to death. They're so human and endearing, and the way the mangaka articulates their feelings is fantastic.

As the previous reviewer said, this is fairly mature, although it is set in a high school with high-school students as main characters. The characters are very level-headed and you don't really see the stupid angst and other crap you'd find in other josei/shoujo. Ricchan is strong but isn't that annoying class president girl who bosses everyone around - she's got real respect from everyone. Kaoru is just TOO ADORABLE. GAH. TOO CUTE >.<

And man, the story just flows. This has got be the one of the best mangas I've read in terms of how well the author goes from situation to situation. Never does something seem out of place, and never does a character do some random crap that seems weird for them to do.

The story itself is used a lot in mangas about high-schoolers, but I think what sets this apart is the way the characters react to the situations and the overall flow of the story. Go read now if you want a great josei that isn't your typical read. GO READ NOW. Seriously, I'm doing you a favor.

... Last updated on April 13th, 2012, 9:24pm

So hard to find mature manga that is targetted to women and men EVEN in Josei manga there is so much sexist ideas that it makes hentai feel wheeze. If you dislike the manga about a girl wanting a man to tend to her ever need and to take care of her for life AND you want a realistic romantic story with humor this mange is for you!~