What an intriguing story... very intense, I think. The love making scene is beautiful: partly passionate and partly endearing. I love that. Don't quite know what it is about this manga that makes me want to read more and more. But the fact is, it's very easy to get addicted to this. Maybe it's the art style. The drawings look like they're taken right out of a sketch book. I like that too. It's a lil rough around the edges, but looks incredibly good as a whole.
Character wise, I really love Akira. You seldom meet a female who's so open about her sexuality and honest about her feelings. The whole older women, younger man thing works wonderfully in this manga. Great execution. Aoki is really a lovable guy: kinda moody and temperamental, but also endearingly innocent and inexperienced.

All in all, a great read...Hope there'll be many more volumes of this.

... Last updated on November 5th, 2009, 11:03am

I don't regret reading this manga. To me, it's truly a tranquility.

Art-wise, the sceneries drawn in this manga are all beautiful. And it captures the 4 seasons nicely! Aside of that, I really like the body gestures shown in this manga as well. When it comes to the adult scenes, there is no single unnecessary fan-service. It's romantic. It's mature, in a good way. And there's some little cute part as well XD

Story-wise, it's kind of "divided" to 2 path; romance side, and real-life experience side. I like how the mangaka portrays the male character who wavers between his future path as an artist. I also like the development of the characters, both Akira and Tetsuo, and even the secondary characters....

..........until the love triangle thingy starts. DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN........ If only Hanami stays an "inspiration" until the end, things would have been better. It is such a nice thing that Tetsuo saw the book and cried during the last 3 chapters. It is a good thing that they confront each other for the last time before they say goodbye for real. If there is a continuation of this manga ever, I can only hope that Tetsuo can stay with Akira forever.

Speaking of Akira, I really like the character of this woman. She's gorgeous and mature. But sometimes she can act cute and a little bit over-confident. Still, she is a very strong and understanding, gentle at the same time.

Despite of its ending, it's still one of my best mangas ever. I am quite sad with the ending, but I won't say it's a bad manga just because of that. Why? Because I feel like when their story keeps continuing like this, one day, they might be together for real XD

I love it! Plain and simple. This describes the epitome of a seinen romance, its clear cut, yet wayward, frustrating, but yet it explains the true description of a "real" life beating heart of a human! Akira is my favorite character, there is just something about her that makes you want to read more about her. Though she may look like a kid and tend to act gentle towards others, she's very adamant and steadfast in her decisions, long story short, she is the epitome of a well structured "seasoned" character, who knows when to say when. I didn't like Aoki as much, not because of the fact that he was obsessed with someone else, it was that he acted like a brat through out the whole manga. Arrogant and pretty selfish, not once have he thought about Akira's feelings when he was carelessly thinking about another person. Though he has some good points like that fact that he's ambitious, strong willed and sturdy; not easily moved.
All in all, I'm not really looking for a happy ending for this manga, a logical or an acceptable one will do just fine, as this manga tend to rely heavily on real life experiences with common and everyday relationships. So a card board ending will definitely send this manga downhill.

... Last updated on July 23rd, 2013, 11:33pm

As the title of my comment says,It is one of the best(Mature,if I may add) romance manga. The plot is not only original,it is well planned out. Characters are lovely and realistic as well. The art is completly different from what we usually see in our mangas.
Comments below mine have already said much about the series,so I dont need to say the rest. Its definately worth a try if you like original,realistic and mature romance.

the ending made kinda pissed. The main character is pretty annoying. I don't really get why he was so obsessed with Hanami.

What the hell with the ending?
I am seriously pissed of with how the ending was.

Sorry if my English was bad.

... Last updated on June 22nd, 2015, 11:47pm

The lead characters here don't express their affection for one another directly. This is especially the case for the art student Tetsuo who, despite his growing feelings for successful art dealer Akira, can only resort to intimate encounters when trying to convey his feelings. Akira, on the other hand, is too absorbed on her role as the older one in the relationship that she doesn't want Tetsuo to think that she's so smitten with him hence her constant teasing. Their relationship has not become clear because of their reservations, and is now becoming more complex as Tetsuo begins to be attracted to an unnamed woman. Frustrating as it is, you'd appreciate how their moments of passion speak in their behalf. It's definitely one of the few stories that make you understand why intimacy is a game-changer in relationships.

The male leads personality irritates me: he seems to have a lot going (looks, talent, caring family, hot girlfriend, nice friends, all whom are willing to put up with him) for him yet he's still grumpy and melodramatic. I also don't get the reason he likes Akira (although, Akira's reason for loving him is obvious). He seems more interested in the mysterious Hanami than the woman he "loves".

I think this is a manga artists would identify with and relate to because as a non-artist I don't get his angst at all and, in turn, just get irritated whenever he flips out or says he has no talent when countless people say he does (he might not be trying but it seems like he's fishing for compliments). However, as an average reader, I like the overall feel of the manga and the "Hanami" situation keeps me hooked.

... Last updated on November 25th, 2012, 2:52pm

The story is very capturing. An innocent and realistic story of love. The romance is heartwarming and something that I'll be looking forward to read till the end. Also, the art is very different and it has more of an artistic appeal that makes it that much more realistic. Honestly, like nothing I've read before. I just hope that they scan quickly, fans are catching on. Which isn't a surprise!

ART: 10/10
PLOT: 8/10
CHARACTERS: 10/10

this manga is a perfect example that you dont need a meca magical all girls fighting reverse harem action shonen shoujo to get an interesting story. im captivated by the protagonists i really hope it gets translated further