I was skeptical about this series before I started reading it. What kind of shoujo can a 10 year old female lead create? Although I was expecting a romance manjo, the unexpected content made this manga impressed me much further than expected.

The heartwarming storyline between Hotate and her father, how she helped the spirits that she could see and her connection with Hayami really made this manga almost perfect. I would had given it a 10/10 if the manga haven't ended such abruptly. I understand that this series went on a hiatus due to the mangaka's health problem and it was still completed after her recovery made me salute to her. (well...there are cases of mangaka just dropping the manga halfway without a proper ending..)

Lots of twists and surprises in this manga too.

This is one of those cutesy, touching stories about families and friends, where everything goes well (as with other Maki Youko stories). The protagonist Hotate is 10 years old and the story centers around her, her father, and a ghost-boy named Hayami. She's a very normal girl who just happens to see ghosts... she's cute, kind-hearted, and innocent, but not stupid or annoying.

Overall, it's a fairly episodic story with a light undercurrent of tragedy. The romance is also light--there's a college-aged side-couple which only receives a little screen time, and the protagonist, Hotate, is only 10, so don't expect much on that account. Toward the last volume the story moves toward some backstory and closure for Hayami, the ghost-boy who's been with Hotate since the beginning of the story. The ending is satisfying, if slightly open-ended.

I swear my life to Maki Youko's series - I stand by my eternal love for Taranta Ranta and I loved this as well. She just has a certain way of writing and illustrating the right things at the right time which makes me get teary and emotional . I loved the recent chapter and I could just feel all the love~ Hotate is a cutie but I think I still like Hikaru the best I hope someone releases raws of volume 5 someday!

I was skeptical when I first picked this up, but now I'm obsessed. It's so adorable, and interesting, and even a little tear-jerking. Really, I'm so impressed - I wasn't loving the first chapter or so, but as it's gone on, it's really dragged me in - and it feels like there's some sort of cliffhanger at the end of most of the chapters, so I'm left at the edge of my seat, anxious for more.

From where I am right now, I have no idea how the mangaka is going to tie this up in one volume - but, then again, I'm also not entirely sure how she accomplished so much in just the three previous volumes. I think the characters and their development have been excellent, not rushed at all, which I really appreciate in such a shortish series.

Now as long as this doesn't end (too) tragically, I'll highly recommend this; in fact, I'll probably go back and re-read it a few times

A really touching story! At first i was afraid to read it because it looked like it was a typical shoujo manga, but it's totally not. It had its unique elements! Definitely give this manga a try!!!

I think it's interesting.

@ black.rOses - The boy was referring to the fact that she couldn't understand why her mother didn't go to heaven. She didn't realise that her mother was staying on earth to protect her.

chapter 5&6 were totally awesome. I recommend this to people who likes manga that shows love between families, friends and side romance(romance that doesn't involve the main protagonist) don't know if that's the proper term. But the emotions were clear and for a just a child to hide her feelings at a young age is really a different from what I personally usually read. Give it a try!

... Last updated on November 13th, 2009, 2:15am

Cascade I don't think so.

I mean I was really sad when Taranta Ranta ended so soon too (I'm still sad about it and want more of it), but this manga is just as cute.

Hotate is VERY adorable. Her dad is way too hot and the teacher's very cute herself. And there are some interesting characters I would definetly like to see more of! Like that cute new kid Yuuki (he kinda reminds me of Hotate's dad), her girlfriend at school (which name I forgot), that gost kid (Hayami-kun...?) and the guy that lives with Hotate and Zenjirou.

The storys interesting. There's some mistery, love for all ages (Yay!), cute art and... it's a Maki Youko ^_^ !

Yeah she does have Aishiteru za Baby in this manga as well, but why not? She makes great stories with kids ^_^. So... when she does them good - let her do it!

There will be more like Taranta Ranta (I hope) so cheer up !

... Last updated on June 26th, 2008, 9:44am

Maki Youko really got the adorable-kid thing down with Aishiteruze Baby, and it's nice to see a return to that theme with this series. The art is lovely, the characters are a lot of fun, and the young age of the protagonist gives the series a sweet, unique perspective different from most other shoujo manga. Really adorable and just... nice

cutesy, but not something i would consider romance;
a bit frivolous but endearing overall
look elsewhere for a love story