I loved this. I stand firm with other people's comments, but of course, faults always hit the hardest. I want to point out that some elements would just fade in and out like the manga could only focus on one thing at a time. For example, a great deal of attention would be placed on Kira's ability to draw and her art p, but that aspect of her life just faded out and only briefly returned in the end. Her fear of boys was briefly mentioned at the beginning, but faded out for a decently long time.

However, as I said, the manga was still awesome. I could complain about the ending, but it wasn't bad... On a further note, it was good enough that I finished the manga in one day...

Edit: Nine months later, I have no idea what this manga is about. I don't remember it at all....

... Last updated on October 31st, 2013, 8:39pm

I love this manga. I read it almost obsessively (I hardly stopped reading long enough to take care of basic human needs) and finished it in two days. Though the love story is really sweet and makes you want a much less disturbed Rei for yourself, the story is so dark. It's definitely going to stick with me a long time. The art was gorgeous and perfectly portrayed the mixture of light and darkness in everyone. I'll admit that Rei had one heck of a past, but so did Kira, and often the past would mess with the two of them in the form of Sei, Shiori, Takayuki, the step-dad, and worst of all Masao, just to name some. I won't say who exactly these people are (spoilers would ensue if I did, and you really have to read this manga all the way through to get the full effect). I will say that Kira and I have a very similar past, so I know that her reactions were very realistic even though I don't have anyone like Rei to protect me. This manga is a definite must read for older teens and young adults. I absolutely believe that fourteen year olds and under SHOULDN'T read this. It's too intense and horrible and sad, while at the same time beautiful and moving and bittersweet. All in all, a 10 for all the things mentioned above. I wanted to give only a 9 because of how heartbreaking this story is (with a happy ending, of course) but just couldn't. It left too deep of an impression on me.

... Last updated on November 23rd, 2012, 12:14am

The way it stars out in the very beginning you see it as being a typical shoujo, but then things start getting serious. The characters both have dark, dark pasts that haunt them. But that's also why they're so drawn to each other. They're both messed up in their own ways, yet, they manage to change each other for the better. They heal each other as the story progresses.This is what love is. Being able to change someone so that they are able to look past their darkness in themselves. Screw everyone else.

... Last updated on November 4th, 2012, 2:14am

This manga changed my perspective of shoujos 180 degrees.

Up until reading this manga I was reading the cliche romance stories and I was getting bored. Then I stumble across this manga. From the art I could tell it was old and that made me ignore it for a while. I came across it again later and did a little research (I hate devoting time to something I think I'm going to hate) and found that it had a psychological genre.

Now, note that this was YEARS ago when I was first getting into mangas and from the ones I had read so far I thought it was funny that these childish love stories could have any psychological depth to them. So, I decided to give it a go.

My goodness did I fall in love. Since then I have read countless mangas, some ranging from the usual cliches to the deep and tragic and none, so far, have surpassed this. I believe this is something every mangaka should look up to and every manga should strive to be like. To have a story that plays with fire, that dangles you over an emotional edge just to bring you back again, and to just make you fall in love with the characters from first sight.

It's simply amazing and I enjoyed EVERY SINGLE PAGE! The plot was amazing, the characters were engaging and it was so...real. To those who do not like the "dramatics" then you do not understand good literature. It's one of the bases of a good love story because there is no love without problems.
To those who did not like the psychological part, then you cannot fully grasp the story or characters without understand that these "issues" are what makes the characters so frighteningly real.

No one's perfect, but even so, I thought Kira and Rei were. Separated they were pathetic people, together those two could face anything and that's why I loved it so much. They were like yin and yang, they completed each other. One gave strength while the other gave brains. One gave violence while the other gave calmness. It was like light vs dark but somehow they intermixed to create something beautiful.

I'm getting all hallmark with this comment, but let me just say that I love this manga and everyone should give it a try. Even if you don't like it, this amazing piece of work AT LEAST deserves a chance. It's too good to ignore.

... Last updated on June 19th, 2013, 7:14pm

It didn´t felt like an end AT ALL!! XD But I loved the whole concept of MARS. It was TRULY realistic, but it´s interesting seeing the mangaka´s point of view about human beings and their physological complexity. I also loved how the story talked about wounds, locking up yourself in your own world, protect and being protected, the life´s path and the magnitude of the people you meet in that path and their influence in that path, etc. Because sometimes it seems coincidence, fate or something unavoidable, but the paths of life are intertwined, for better or for worse.

What I also LOVED about this manga, is that it´s not all about sadness, or drama. It´s also about LIFE. The story also talks about art and races, the difference betwen them are enormous, but how two people from their little worlds, came with their special thing to each others world, and understood each other special thing, was amazing.

The art was AMAZING, it´s redundant to say it XD. Sometimes when I saw Rei I thought I was seeing a real person o.o! that´s how AMAZING! this manga´s art is XD

And is interesting to read the comments, because of the psychological background of the story, somehow you identify yourself with the story, like how deep the human nature is, the search for a safe place, etc

While I was reading the manga, I was hearing the City Hunter´s Dorama OST, it was the perfect background music, it fit so perfect the storyline and the scenes ^^

PS: I would love to see Kira´s baby ^^

... Last updated on July 12th, 2012, 9:35pm

Well I've read this like 1 week ago. Didn't expect it to be that good. But then I was reaaaallllllyyyy blown away by the story cause its really unpredictable. Everything. I just loved it. Every arc is just so good. I love their relationship. But the downside is that, it not that the ending was bad, but its just so plain. I wanted them to alteast kiss haha. But all in all, it was good. One of the best shoujo mangaas everrr. Im giving it a 10. Wish there are more mangas like this.

Honestly, I can read this over and over again. I first read this series in high school circa 2003/4 and I couldn't help but re-read it. Definitely one of my top 5s. This series is definitely a classic. You can't help but love it.

Don't get me wrong but I'm into this stuff. It makes my mind work up all the time. That I have to read every single lines so I could understand the story as a whole

Family problems, Phobias, Chasing dreams, they just appeal to me so much. And putting romance and making LOVE to conquer all this problem just made it more amazing.

The art was beautiful. Classic. Not like nowadays Overload cuteness a-lot-chibi-like characters.

All in all. It's just a masterpiece. And I'm glad that I had the chance to read it

The character development is phenomenal. Character development implies the growth of characters over the expanse of the manga series. Stopping after what--one volume?--is trying to take a swim in the pool with only one foot in.
PLEASE, for the life of me, look up Antisocial Personality Disorder before you read this, or in the midst of reading it, or have finished reading it. Just look it up. It's very intriguing and adds so much depth to Rei's character. You'll understand how he charms so many people yet does not recognize the "morality" of whatever he does until it manifests itself in Kira or his nerves. He does not recognize the line one shouldn't cross to protect someone's individual rights. The neurotic aspect to Rei is a nice contrast to this disorder. Yes, Rei is a psychopath, a sociopath.

... Last updated on April 8th, 2012, 7:29am

Mars was the third multiple volume manga that I read and definitely didn't disappoint me at all. It's a classic manga that will make you fall in love with the characters and the stories. The change in the main characters is well done. Every volume leaves you hanging for more. The depth of the story is something that i cant forget and definitely recommend it!!!