If I was an impressionable teen, reading this manga will probably give me all the feels and "realism". I think I did, because I read it way back then; but never finished as it was dropped.

Now, as an adult, it is somewhat old-fashioned and the type of shoujo that can be too much. Too much drama. Too much needless exaggeration. And too much pointlessness in the plot lines. In sum, it's an angsty teenage romance. I have to give it to the author for her excellent story and drawing. She really pulls the heart-strings of the readers. Even when it is not my taste, I still go with the flow of the characters' emotions.

I have yet to finish it, cause it's a chore. But I might skim to the end.

Edit: The author is pretty skilful in showing the readers (I hope this wasn't her thought/judgement) how cruel the people and society were towards Ann's mother. She committed suicide and was never allowed to shed a part of why she did so, how she felt, what drove her to end her life like that. Most everyone didn't at the very least sympathise with her. Most said: How could she leave her child behind?
I think our society has progressed through the ages and the 2000s to now, that we can care more about women, about the mothers, about their choices and share what might have been their deep, secretive thoughts to the world. No one is to judge another person's choice when they don't even care, don't even want to know or listen. I hope Japan is better now. I hope the world with progress even further, that we can sympathise, empathise with one another and come together.

... Last updated on March 2nd, 2023, 7:17am

When I first read it, it wasnt completlt translated. I was a teen, and remember really enjoying the first chapters where the main girl meets everyone in town and makes friend, and grow.
Years later I finished, and I felt pitty for what Ann maked to jer other friend, even using him. But well, its enjoyable

I started reading this, I kid you not, about 12 years ago, in a spanish translation page, and sunadokei was just licensed in spanish, at that time, I didn't know english, the time passed and I read some other chapters in english. I found today that there were scans of the english licensed version. I really liked this manga, is a typical coming of age story, but it's pretty good. I think it was never popular only because it was always licensed, instead of other shoujos of that time (that no one cared if they were licensed) like Hana Kimi or KareKano.

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This manga was one of the first manga i bought when move to America so it has a special place in my heart. The story is just damn beautiful!! But unfortunately, manga in America is way too expensive for a poor gal, so i result to reading it online (i will buy all of them one day!!! When im a millionaire!).. But this manga isnt finish translating yet! ARGHHHHHHH! The movie didnt give me much hope either.. i just want to know what happens!!

A little cliche at times, but reads well and certainly involves a level of character development. I like who Ann, Daigo, Fuji, and Shika become by the end of the series. They're older and wiser and lament over their decisions less often.

I do wish Ann was less of a stereotypical ditz, though.

finally got around to finishing this thanks to later volume scans, viva google.
how nice would it be if people with mutual feelings could weather all. fact is they can't, life gets in the way. deep stuff. always remember, people's feeling are a witch, and life is all curveballs - people act out of character and no matter how deep sometimes you have to grow apart to come together.

... Last updated on August 24th, 2015, 4:06am

As the saying goes, first love never dies and so it is true in here. I am a romantic at heart and this slow development and time progression story of Ann and Daigo captured me and filled my longing. Art has a charm of its own that fits perfectly with the story. This mangaka also became one of my fav in my few list in shoujo genre.

This wonderfull manga starts as a good and kind of real take on the whole shojo firts love/comming of age thing, that by this point is completly done to death. Still, it is a good start. The narrative it keep on giving and the characters starts acting far more real world than you would expect. Relationships aren´t overromanticized too much and break down over time. There are even uncreepy and very apropriate sex scenes here and there and beleavable character groth takes place. Because of timeprogression the characters have to dead with mariages or lack thereof, shitty jobs and later even burnout. Workrelated stress is one seriouse problem you all and i am not kidding.
Just work 55 hours a week for some time and you will understand. No kiddy/dreamy fluff here (ok a little) so i have to wonder why a shojo magazine published this manga. So read and enjoy and move on to her next manga Piece (8/10), Nana (8/10) and my darling Mars (10/10) which i also reviewed for further "unshojo" goodness.

... Last updated on May 5th, 2015, 3:24am

by the end of volume four. Characters act out of character, they all blame, accuse and scheme.. all what made the first volumes fun and lighthearted turned into stupid nonsensical drama, real shallow.

I really like it because, even if the plot is a little bit predictable, it goes smooth and fast without all those school festivals that only make you read pages and pages of the same shit. The characters are really realistic and somebody says that An is annoying but is more like she not sure of her future. .