This manga is wonderful.
I loved reading it every bit of the way
I can not even express how much I connected with a lot of the characters, it truly is sad but it really makes one think about how much we might take our lives for granted. If you just want action, this is surely not for you, sure there is action, but it is not the real exciting part of it.

I took some of my time to read this and i'm glad i did. I really like Psychological manga, mainly because i graduated in philosophy.
There are some very interesting points made by some of the characters. Each has a very distinctive personality, i ended up hating some and liking others, the character development is amazing.
This manga is dark and shows that life isn't easy, something not only shown in the characters lives, but in the whole picture.
The pace is good, the plot and the twists are very well done.
There were however some chapters that just didn't work for me. Because of that i can't give this a better grade, but in conclusion it was a great experience, it made me think, it made me pay attention, and that is what a manga of this genre should do to the reader.

... Last updated on July 19th, 2009, 4:51pm

The action is not the best, but that is not what makes or breaks this manga. To me the psychological exploration of the characters and their development as they fight for what they hold precious is the main course. This is a sad manga that explores human nature. I watched the anime first and that didn't tell the story of the character as well as this manga. Get ready for a tear jerking, heart pounding ride!

Bokurano was written by Kitoh Mohiro. That sentence is summary for the whole series. Kitoh Mohiro has a very unique style of storytelling, characters, drawing and almost everything which you can think of. His works are depressing and even when there is a joke or heart-warming moment you feel like it's just a small spark of hope in a huge sea of hopelessness and tragedy. His stories are psychological and readers are not supposed to enjoy them but to think about them.



One shouldn't ask "How will this end?", "Will they win?", "Is there goind to be some crazy plot-twist?". Instead one should be thinking and wondering about the nature of each child and his/her attitude to family, world, life and death.

Kitoh Mohiro works doesn't force people to think but are written in a way reader wants to think about them. If you like style of Kitoh Mohiro you may like Bokurano. If you don't like his style you won't like this piece either. If you are new then prepare for sober look at given theme and perfectly fitting drawings.

the characterization, the plot, the pace, the atmosphere, the conclusion, etc all is excellent. this story might be depressing, but you dont want it any other way. the only gripe i have is the art where all the kids have the same face, but it is okay since the hairstyle is different enough for me to make a guess. this is a must read.

This manga is definitely a painful and tragic story, but also beautiful in the way that it is told. While the plot does possess many unlikely and unexplained circumstances, and starts off roughly in the beginning, after a couple of chapters I became hooked.
The issues it explores are dark and bleak, but nonetheless riveting and raw. Each of the characters have a story behind them, and the way they respond to their powerlessness over their situation is not only realistic, but heartwrenching. Even though there is a lot of morbidity/death involved, the story is interwoven with hope and bravery that the main characters display. And although it is depressing to read since the fate of each of the characters is already pre-determined, I found myself captivated with every chapter of this manga. I highly recommend it to people who don't mind tragic stories and are unafraid with unpleasant realities.

... Last updated on February 8th, 2011, 8:08pm

This work reminds me of Battle Royale, which is great because I loved it and have always wanted to read something like that again. Apart from the play or die situation with kids, there's not much similarity in plot or even atmosphere, but I love that both works focus on each character and we get to know each character intimately. That's what makes survival or apocalypse works awesome for me: the relationships between characters, how they interact with each other, how they think, and how they make the decisions they did.

While Battle Royale explores morality, the decision of whether to play the game or not, friends banding together or turning on another, Bokurano is a quieter work and explores existential questions. The battles in Bokurano are mere plot devices for the characters to explore the meaning of life and other philosophical questions. After reading it, I just felt empty and hollow, which is in line with its existential themes. I don't think Bokurano will make most readers love it, I certainly can't say I did, because you're not supposed to find it "entertaining" or "exciting". It's a journey for both the characters inside the manga and the readers. You will certainly think and reflect on life as you read Bokurano.

Most survival mangas build up momentum toward the climax and the end but like I said, Bokurano is a quiet work. In other survival mangas, you don't know who's gonna die next and that's where the excitement and the momentum come from. However, in Bokurano you know who's going next and all characters have certain death on neck. No matter how much you're rooting for them, they're going to die. Thus, the tone of the manga can be very depressing for some, but Bokurano doesn't glorify the depressing atmosphere; rather it's about finding hope and meaning in face of the finality of death and the futility of life.

I would recommend not to marathon it because like another reviewer said, it could make you numb to the characters' plights. Once you don't sympathize with them and their impending deaths anymore, it will sap the meaning away from the manga's message and the discussion on life and death. Instead, experience it little by little as you also reflect and find your own answers to the questions the manga posed.

... Last updated on January 21st, 2014, 4:56pm

first of all this manga is just too heavy for one to read just for joy. So emotional and dark and its fun reading but if you try to think more into it its too deep and sad.

Totally recommended but the same time not recommended for all. I recommend it to to those who are just sitting in front of their computer. its good a read to make you understand things more. I don't know much but it sure had lots of things it can taught a person with.

I rarely give 10 to a manga but this one's worth it. Its better than other manga's that are current airing and doesn't have an ending if you ask me.

Great Read

[edit by mod,possible spoiler]

From Narutaru mangaka Mohiroh Kito comes yet another enthralling manga. I read up to chapter 30. It shares much in common with Narutaru as it delves into the psychology of each teenager and the problems they face before they're forced to pilot Zearth. Because even if they win not a happy ending awaits them. In the end of volume 5 more about the game's plot is revealed. The manga will probably have as many volumes as Shadow Star and till know it is as good as the former in making the reader feel like reading a psychological thriller.
Character developement is outstanding as each character has a distinct personality and psychological problems.Some of them manage to overcome them, others dont.

If you liked Narutaru I'm sure you'll enjoy this even more. In terms of character developement it's on par with Evangelion manga and even better in some cases. I dont like mecha manga or anime but for this I'll make an exception