I suppose after writing Fruits Basket, it's not like a mangaka will return to the cookie-cutter beginnings of her earlier work all over again - and so instead of a long, slow build-up, Natsuki Takaya's plunged headlong into a tale of suppressed emotion, parental abuse, and finely-tuned angst. And it's So. Much. Fun! Hoshi wa Utau has been intense from the get-go, and from chapter eight has had my heart totally hooked (Gah! His expression when he does you-know-what!). The artwork's spectacular as well: psychological states are presented pitch-perfectly through page layouts, and honestly stamp all over my heart. She hasn't forgotten how to draw facial expressions, and even though it's still the case that everyone looks in need of a good meal, the character designs are very pleasing to the eye indeed, especially Chihiro.

If you enjoy it when a mangaka plays on your heartstrings like a lute, then this is most certainly your cup of tea.

... Last updated on July 23rd, 2008, 2:39pm

This story gives off a very "furuba" feel. ^_^ I was happy with the ending of that series, and who Tohru ended up with.

In this series, I'm rooting for yuuri >=）
I can't wait for these characters to sink deeper into a good plot.

One of the main things I like about this mangaka is that she makes the story deep. The only thing that bugs me about this story is that she plunged into the deep part of the story too quickly in the story that the characters haven't been quite developed. But as I've read the more recent chapters, I think she's doing a better job of developing and revealing the nature of the characters.

Fruits Basket was pretty good, especially in the later chapters as it got more deep into the story. This one, I can tell I will like more as it goes on too, as it gets deeper into the story. Overall, a good read, and one that I especially enjoy. My favorite character is Kanade (he's the most interesting by far).

I actually like this series...

It has a nice flow to it, slow but steady...

The characters grow on you and you are finding info about them slow but steadily so it works out...

Paradoxically, the ambiguity that enshrouds this series is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. Beginning in the 1st chapter, Takaya-sensei drops us head-first into a murky pool of confusion, drama, and angst -- similar in degree to the latter part of Fruits Basket -- leading the reader to question a million aspects of the story, among these: Who is Chihiro and what is his connection to Saku? Why is he such a jerk? And what is Saku's past?

Initially all of these questions piqued my interest and I was eager for more. Unfortunately -- 15 chapters later -- I still don't really understand what this series is about. The plot-line of Fruits Basket was successful because the characters were developed well from the onset. We were given just enough information -- but not too much -- to care about the characters and what happened to them. In Hoshi wa Utau, the mystery is just a little too thick, the story-line a little too convoluted. As a result, I just don't feel that connection with Chihiro and Saku that I felt with Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo. I know so little about the characters and plot that -- to a certain extent -- I just can't care.

However, there is still definite potential for this series to be better-developed and become more substantial. Hopefully, some serious character and plot development is in store in the next couple of chapters; otherwise, this series may be stuck in its nebulous flatness.

I never really got into Fruits Baskets...the later volumes weren't particularly good, and overall it was too cheesy for me, anyways.

As for this one, after reading the first 6 chapters and skimming the later ones, I simply can't bring myself to like it. It gives a very aloof impression to readers, in my humble opinion. I guess I just can't connect with any of the characters. I think the author is trying to create something deep, without knowing what deep really is.

I'll give it a 4 for now, but I don't think I'll be back to update the rating, though.

I'm sure there are people who enjoy this, but I'm not one of them. Sorry.

I don't understand why everyone is comparing Hoshi wa Utau with Furuba- for one thing, it's about a completely different subject matter and does not have any fantasy elements!!
Please try and consider this manga seperately and give time for the plot to unfold. Try not to judge it by the mangaka's previous and more famous work!
Okay, enough of my rant there...but seriously people!!
I believe this manga ahs a alot of potential and I like the way how in each chapter we discover something new about each character- it's feels like you're reading a jigsaw puzzle and with each chapter you find a new piece and you're closer to completing the story!

This work seems like it may end short, Takaya creates a lot of unanswered questions and only makes things clear towards the latter half of the chapters. This work does seem like a side story within Furuba, and characters do have resemblances to each other.

Takaya does create confusion for the reader for most part of these beginning chapters, and her comedy is lack, while there is more drama. Overall, I think the manga so far is a read when there is nothing more to read, but I have to hold off giving my full critique until vol. 1 is done.

I've read up to chapter 14 but it took me up 'till now to realize why Chihiro "hates" Sakuya! Before it was really bothering me that she was obviously head over heels for him but he was oddly cold to her while the only thing she did to him was worry on his behalf. Still, I really like it and chapter 14 cleared up a lot of confusion with Chihiro.
I still miss Fruits Basket and was kind of expecting Hoshi wa Utau to replace that void in my life and it's almost working. Everything is really interesting and Natsuki Takaya draws really well

Basically, it feels like the later volumes of Fruits Basket. Drama and angst galore, little comedy. Even the characters seem the same, with little tweaks to their personalities here and there to make them "original". The main characters are very similar, and even Sakuya's two friends remind me of Tohru's two friends.

Despite being a huge FB fan and a Takaya fan, I'm having a problem reading this series. I don't care for the protagonist and I absolutely hate her love interest. Her funny and cute friend likes her but she's oblivious and follows Chihiro like a lost puppy, despite the fact that he's unnecessarily cruel to her. Why do shoujo girls always go for the total jerk

... Last updated on February 14th, 2008, 8:03pm