It was amazing it the beginning as a heart-warming romcom. I watched the Gainax anime forever ago and wanted to read more of the story since the anime sucked in the second half. Well, I'll just summarize what happens in the latter parts of the series after the happy slice-of-life stories in one word, angst. It's all about how Arima is the world's biggest emo kid. I know, he has gone through a lot, but does it really take that long to reach a resolution? I didn't particularly like Tsubasa's story either, I feel like she never did or said anything that was mature throughout the series. In the end, she just relied on her family... It was disappointing especially because everything was so predictable after a certain point. I really liked Miyazawa, but her character seemed to have been subdued in favor of portraying other characters. It felt like she was just a supporting character. Finally, the ending was...well, you could have just read Twilight to reach the same conclusion, that's all I've got to say. Arima's story was just too unrealistic that I got tired. As 10 signifies a perfect series, I cannot give this a ten, judge me.

... Last updated on December 22nd, 2013, 2:13pm

All I can say is read it, you will not regret it at all! The ending is perfect and it shows each characters personality and story. There was no nasty bullying or overlly irritating character. You also get to see some of their adult life, which in most manga it is rare to see. By far one of the best I have ever read! <3 10/10 *****

... Last updated on September 29th, 2013, 4:19am

Sounds like I'm gushing with praise, but I'm not. Kare Kano has some faults (I.E its artwork in the beginning (but she was just starting out), and poor Asaba etc....) The reason its may be my favorite is much deeper.

You wont truly be able to understand how amazing the whole story is unless you've been dead inside, if you've ever felt emptiness before, or a deep loneliness so intense that you can't even cry out for help. When I look at Arima, its painful because I see myself in him. I understand his reasoning and his pain. (Yeah, this is a piece of fiction, but the author conveyed it with extreme realism, so I can't help but feel that she too has felt those feelings.) That is what makes it amazing. It made me realize that I myself was like Arima and his real father. I put up this front and hid what was really in my heart. It reminded me that I tried so desperately not to show people that I was wounded, that I was unable to accept others into my heart. That I'd been unbearbly lonely without even noticing it. Even as I'm writing this, I'm struggling and it hurts, but I want people to know how much this manga made me feel, how much I'd begun to see.... Its amazing.

Back to the story, in the end, even though there is this darkness, with the help of the people that loved him, Arima was able to escape his past and his pain. For me, a person who is still suffering, its like a beacon of hope. I loved the Reiji arc. It showed us that Reiji (Arima's father) was actually a good guy and that his twisted actions were meant to be helpful. I felt so sad about him that I wished that he and Arima would become closer (which was never mentioned in the end.)

I suggest that if you battle with depression and have feelings of hopelessness. If you've been abused, or hurt deeply, that you read this. It will awaken something inside you, I promise.

... Last updated on June 14th, 2013, 4:37am

Kare Kano is a story that tackles about romance, friendship & traumatic pasts. It's not your typical shoujo that after the main characters professed their undying love with each other, they'll have endless trials that includes love rivals / antagonists that will do anything to tear their love apart. This one is different. This manga have realistic characters with good & bad sides, that you'll see their personalities grow as time goes by in the manga. Moreover the author knows how to put a twist on every scenarios and unlike other stories, the premise is getting more & more complex and intense as the story progresses. But Even though there are many conflicts, it will be resolved first by the author before she introduces another one.


    Kare Kano is a real shoujo gem because It will make you feel many different emotions. The story is romantic, funny, dramatic, intense & dark. If you love all those themes, Please try this one. You'll be putting the manga on your top list after you read it, like I did.

... Last updated on January 26th, 2013, 10:53am

I really, really liked the main characters in this, their story was just.. wonderful, really. The whole thing was pretty good actually. Knocked off a few points for spoiler.



... Last updated on December 30th, 2012, 11:10pm

It wasn't bad. It was actually good. It just didn't end the way I wanted. I mostly and rather read angst in yaoi, but it was okay here too.



... Last updated on July 30th, 2012, 8:26am

Kare Kano is one of the best shoujo manga I've ever read. For starters, the main characters are not your typical shoujo heroine and hero. Both seem so perfect at first, but as the plot deepens we are able to figure out their many flaws and observe as some real character development takes place.

The only thing I really disliked about this manga was the whole "DARKNESS" thing. I'm not sure if they should have dragged it on for so long.

Aaaanyway, this one earned a 10/10 with me!

I read this a while ago, but I still remember the plot and the long-lasting impression the characters and the romance left on me. It's dark in some part and light in some part. The humorous parts are not for everyone, though--I personally found it funny. The characters are extremely well-thought out, with good background and deep emotions.

It's a shoujo, but not in the stereotypical light-hearted, fluffy, and lovely way. It's deep. It *will* get darker as it goes along. If you don't like heavy and emotional manga, don't read it. The strong emotions will keep you perpetually engaged even years after finishing it.

I read below that someone was saying that Yukino is weak-minded after 3 chapters-worth of reading. No offense, and their loss, but don't listen. It's called character development. Yukino as well as Arima will grow as the manga progresses. They are not perfect--that's what make this so relatable (to an extent) and engaging--the maturation of these characters. Also keep in mind that this is a 21-volumes manga. It's long, so don't expect them to suddenly become mature and strong right away.

It's one of the classics. You can't really be a manga lover without at least knowing about this one, imo.
I was surprised that I didn't have this on my completed list already. I guess I know it by the name of "Kare Kano" not "Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou."

Yukino and I got so much in common, she's intelligent, got a strong attitude and she's perfeccionist. Arima's struggles about: regaining trust in love after all his childhood trauma, and meeting Yukino (his goddess) was the perfect cure yet something stills holds him back...

This is SOOO MUCH WORTHING an Anime Second Season, it would be SUCH GREAT THING as for other mangas who deserve a second season as Bokuta ga Ita and Fruits Basket.

... Last updated on April 17th, 2012, 7:13pm

This manga is, like said before for another title, "the one who doesn't like it didn't understand the story"
But well, this manga is not for everyone, and not for the one who just like beautiful art with beautiful stories and beautiful emotion.

When I first decide to read it, I think I will read the usual shoujo manga in 20s volumes length, with an art style I don't really like and that didn't make me feel good at all. I dropped it when it goes boring, but then I always wanted to read it again.

The second time I read this, I finnish it, and I didn't regret it at all.
The very first volumes make me think that it's the usual, rather bad shoujo comic with a very dragged story, because hey, what would come next after the changes in the main protagonist and the story seems like that they would live happily ever after? This part of this manga make it seems like a bad shoujou manga
But the stories get heavier and more interesting in later part
Dark, and a bit surreal that it may seem unrealistic, but the ones saying this story unrealistic have never really have a clear and long outlook in live. Or maybe have no life. Or forgetful over problems, or else, have never faced with a 'real' problem yet, or have so great a luck that problems never reached their lives.
The middle-volume was a bit dragging to me, and I didn't really get the point until the lasts volumes, but when I get it, the whole story becomes wonderful and great.

I admit tough, that the story is "boring" for the one didn't like heavy story, and maybe the title 'shoujo manga' doesn't really fit. The long and confusing story line didn't provide beautiful art to look on. Not to say that the plot seems dragged and slow.
Maybe it's not the best for the art and the comedy, but it definitely not fair to say it is bad

This is a great manga for slice-of-life fans who can survive reading it through the end, and actually understand it.