I've only read up to Chapter 32, but this manga is amazing. The drawings and story were kind of lagging at the beginning, but as the story progressed, I really began to appreciate the art style. It's not lacking in skill - it is just a little grotesque, sort of. It shows expressions so well even though Natsume and Kou and Ootomo can be such indifferent characters. It's dark, brutal, yet charming and endearing. I love Kou the way Natsume does - I almost feel sucked in by his presence. There is just something about him that you can't put your hand on - "a blazing fire."

The story is also set around pulling at your heartstrings and writing things that normally you wouldn't want to see. In times where we hate the cliche happy endings, this manga really pushes the limits of that desire to see something "different." So many times, we are faced with disappointed in a bittersweet way.



As another person commented, I love how the story progresses through the character's life from since they were little. It's almost like Oyasumi Punpun in that respect as basically a coming of age story. I love their childish responses to their feelings and even danger. They are impulsive, they hate easily, they are violent...I feel like the mangaka captures the feeling of uncertainty and fleetingness so well, and the idea of centering the story around that is just profound. Even down to the jagged and faded lines of the drawings, this manga embodies and speaks a great deal of sense on the matters of passion and the inevitable.



I'm so hyped about this manga that I may start to read chapter summaries...

I picked this manga up, expecting to drop it after 10 or so chapters when I got bored of some crybaby heroine chasing after her prince. Superficially, that's what the manga seemed like in the beginning. But as you read on, things start weaving together bit by bit like a tapestry. At first, the story is told through Natsume, but then you begin to see other perspectives like Hana, Ootomo, and it really adds to the overall understanding of the plot and the attachment you feel towards the various characters.

Throughout the story, the characters change both physically and mentally. Most shoujo mangas people only 'grow' in terms of their relationships to one another, and rarely do they portray characters evolving and being changed by their experiences. With this, I felt like I was watching the characters evolve from kids to adults. Despite being shoujo, the topics are quite dark and profound.

The art is pretty good in general, but I'm not a fan of characters blushing on every panel. The story is really what convinces me to continue reading.

Comments that may contain spoilers up to Volume 14 below:


... Last updated on July 15th, 2014, 10:08pm

This is the kind of story that simply captivates you. It's rich in emotional and situational tension and shines brilliantly in story telling and character portrayal. But what this story does that is so unlike most stories - is that it has this unusual power to overwhelm you. To give you this deep, but modest understanding of youth in all it's shameless glory.

What do I mean by that? It's all those powerful feelings - the elation, the disappointment, the anticipation, and that familiar dreamy longing for time to stand still, to live in seemingly perfect moments. If you've ever been an over-idealistic dreamer in your youth you'll be easily wowed by this as I am.

But apart from my abstract/personal thoughts: It's a great dramatic romancey slice-of-life sort of manga. Natsume is a strong character, but understandably weak too. We hear all her thoughts and watch as time and situations change her perspective of things. And I love the romance. I like that her relationship isn't smooth, but rather unstable and realistic. Her relationships between the main characters are a bit unpredictable (boys and girls alike).

Read it and be taken by it.

... Last updated on July 24th, 2013, 11:57pm

Hmm, I've been meaning to read this for a while now... I was a bit hesitant because the plot's not what I usually go for. I thought it would be melodramatic and cliched, but the story really draws you in. Despite Kyou being the "bad boy" type that I detest, there's just something... magnetic about him. He and Natsume are just strangely interesting... I can't help but want to know more.

Compelling characters, masterful storytelling, layers and layers of complexity not to mention the gorgeous art--This one's a keeper.

First of all, I LOVE this series. Natsume has won my loyalty, and I just want her to succeed in everything. She is not only a strong character with a mind of her own, but she deals with problems in a very realistic way. It is also clear that her ridiculous beauty is a curse rather than a gift. Seriously, her life sucks.

Kou is also one of the most interesting male leads I've encountered in shoujo. He's pretty crazy, but it makes sense in context. And make no mistake, this may fall under the category of shoujo but is no light-hearted romance.

I highly recommend this series for anyone who likes character development, slice of life, coming-of-age, or romance stories. Oboreru Knife is one of my favorites!

... Last updated on November 11th, 2012, 7:13pm

It's very George Asakura. I mean from the art, the expression to the (somehow) storyline and progress. Its purely her.

Up till chapter 19, finally, it breaks out of the routine and ordinary. It finds frustration, tension and intensity within a new context. Some time, I keep telling myself, hey he understands it. Really. And when Natsume was thinking of him with her Polaroid I can see myself imagining and grippingly hoping it was reality too. Asakura knows her audience feelings rather well I suggest.

However, by looking at the translation progress, Evil Flowers is really taking their time. It would be great someday they pick it up again cause I know for some titles I enjoy from them, many are left in progress.

A good read. Sometimes, a real good read like this, I want to criticise and be harsh instead of encouraging like some others. I don't know. I guess it's okay. And maybe I've been reading way too many shoujos these past few months. I need to pick up some shounens or else my head will explode with the tardiness.

cant understand why but the story, the characters and the art feels right. like it had to be this way. it sure is angsty and frustating like most shoujos and its not the best story out there, but it just feels like its perfect on its own.

Hmm.. I'm not sure how I should feel about this manga.
The romance is... different.
It's not the typical shojo romance. Sure, the girl did fell in love at first sight, but it wasn't named "love" at first --more like a deep devotion to something mysterious, unknown, or untamed. She loves him so much; he is her hope, her pride, her light, and her God. It's crazy.
The same thing goes the other way, ... but not as well articulated because it's mostly from the girl's pov.
Even though it may sound like a creepy obsession.. there's something to it that draws the reader in. I don't know what it is, but even though I have my reservations about the girl's ethical morality and mental state (questioned the same about the boy haha), I keep wanting more of their interaction.
The romance is about love gained and lost love. It's not an ideal story, but it's terribly captivating.

Since the girl's a model, we do get to see some glimpses of the entertainment industry.

I don't care too much for the art. Not my cup o' tea.

at first i was a little hesitant to read this cause it's a love story between kids, but as i read, i couldn't help but be drawn to the story. two thumbs up.

I actually totally love this manga. I love the story, I love the love interest and the honesty of their relationship.

This is a story about a 12-year-old model from Tokyo and a young country boy. But don't let their ages dissuade you! Natsume and Kyou are both very mature for their age, and the representation of 12 year old kids is very realistic in this manga (meaning they don't still say mommy, they don't look like they're either eight or seventeen, and they are all in the transition between childhood and adulthood). What starts out as a competition for Natsume becomes admiration and adoration between the two of them.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this manga is the tradition in the town. It is by no means prominent in the love story, but it's nonetheless a cool part to think about.

I've totally fallen in love with Kyou! And it's not because he has the character of a prince or a bad boy, but because he's the best of both and still has his own psychology. He's attentive and wise (for being a twelve year old) and totally bat shit crazy. (That means he's bleeding awesome in my words).

I don't understand someone's comment about how it becomes just a normal shoujo manga after the "big event". I don't think it did. The major difference between a normal shoujo and the post-event 'Knife is that 'Knife is much more realistic about what would happen. I can't wait for the next chapter!!