Plot/Story
Hikari no Densetsu revolves around Hikari Kamijo, 14 years old and a big dream: competing in rhythmic gymnastics against her idol, Bulgarian athlete Diana Groicheva, in whose footsteps she started this sport. Hikari joins the team of Aikoh Middle School, where she meets senpai Hazuki Shiina, a rising queen she immediately starts to admire, and Takaaki Ooishi, an aspiring champion of artistic gymnastics she falls in love with. Being both in love with Ooishi, Hikari and Shiina become rivals in love and sport, while still being friends. A new mysterious boy, Mao Natsukawa, soon enters the scene, proposing himself as composer for Hikari's performances. A versatile artist, with his music Natsukawa manages to enhance her athletic qualities, falling in love with her. The story follows Hikari and her friends during the four years that separate them from the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

Characters
Hikari no Densetsu has four main characters and a bunch of side characters, most of whom are Hikari's new rivals over the years. There are only three important males, Ooishi, Natsukawa and Hikari's coach, Togashi. Each character has its own temperamental peculiarities and sports skills, making him or her different from the others.

Hikari Kamijo is a cheerful and nice girl, the kind you can't hate even if you want. She seems to be unable of loathing someone, indeed she sincerely admires all her rivals for their ability. She never gives up and always does her best, trying to entertain the audience, regardless of the score.

Hazuki Shiina is beautiful, polite and mature, and her elegance is the buttonhole of her performances. Shiina is seriously ill with anemia, but risks her life to continue to compete.

Takaaki Ooishi is the charming kind boy Hikari immediately falls in love with - being secretly requited. He's the first who realizes her capabilities, supporting her with his advice. He has the gift to make her relax. Ooishi's dream is becoming a champion of artistic gymnastics and he works hard to make it happen. He's a close friend of Shiina's and everyone believes she's his girlfriend.

Last but not least, Mao Natsukawa. He dropped his rising rock star career after seeing Hikari, firmly convinced that he will be able to make her shine with his music. Natsukawa is actually right, and, as time passes, he becomes indispensable to Hikari, falling in love with her, however being aware of her feelings for Ooishi.

Drawing Style
Izumi Aso style is fresh and extremely accurate. She manages to represent perfectly a character's growth and feelings during the performance (for example, Nanako Sakura, one of the athletes, looks far more adult while performing, and this is her peculiarity). Moreover, performances are often drawn "frame by frame", allowing the reader to follow the movements of the body (talking about "body", Izumi Aso has a strong knowledge of anatomy). Character design changes during the story, reflecting the age of the characters. Only Hikari seems to be always the same - but she says herself that she will always try to depict a fourteen-year-old girl during her performances.

Enjoyment
Hikari no Densetsu is addictive, touching, intriguing and compelling. While reading, you constantly support Hikari during her sports competitions ("Go, Hikari, go! Don't miss it!" was my recurring thought), you perform with her and sometimes it leaves you upset.

Overall
Hikari no Densetsu is an old manga, almost unknown to the world - as far a I know - but a true gem in the mud. It's a shojo, but more than love, it talks about sport: there's a touch of romance, but performances are more important and are given more space. I think that boys may like it too. To me it is a classic and worth reading even just for the unexpected ending.