I have never been much for a drama series, but this was THE drama series. From the first chapter in the church I was just sucked in. A young girl who was raped, had an abortion and gave birth just pierced my heart (I feel so bad for the characters which is why I don't usually read dramas). I like the way the hero deals with all his problems and still keeps me wondering about how he deals with it, and how the heroine deals with everything as well. It also had a satisfying ending, so I recommend this to people who need a good read.

This manga has a great premise that revolves around the serious issue of child rape. Despite its potential, the manga is superficial and needs lots of improvements.

The pacing is too fast. Characters have such dramatic and sudden changes in their views that this feels like a summary of a story instead of an actual story.

The story also glosses over the serious issues. Instead of focusing on all the possible fear, confusion, pity, and social expectations, the manga chooses to cop out and present Daisuke's inherent and unconditional acceptance of Hinako's past. Even the other characters that find out about Hinako's past don't make a big deal of it and all of the social stigma is just swept under the rug.

Overall, the manga is decent, but nothing to write home about. It's a shame because the premise allows for a much more exciting and dynamic story than the one that the manga tells.

... Last updated on August 24th, 2008, 3:32pm

One of he best manga I have read in a long time. The characters are great, and realistic. The overall plot is great, but its one of the subplots that makes this one stand out.

I'd recommend this to everyone. It's four volumes, what do ya got to lose?

Ok, the manga has ended, and i feel its one of Kusunoki-sensei best work bar none. Dealing with the issues of rape, teenage pregancy, child abuse i could feel all the emotions coming out of every chapter i read, you can tell that Kusunoki-sensei really brought her real life experience as well. Art work is great, story is fantastic, charaters are intresting to follow. I give this a big recommendation for everyone to read and it also deserves a re-read if you like the story alot.
I'll be expecting this level of greatness from Kusunoki-sensei from now on.

... Last updated on August 24th, 2008, 7:04pm

i just finished reading the manga i really liked it..to me it is one of my favorites although it went a little to fast in the last volume but i still give it a 10

hrmm no matter how much i give this manga a try i cant seem to get myself to like it. Theres too much contradiction in the main female character's personality and behavior. What i am trying to get at is that for a slice of life manga i can't shake of the feeling that i am just reading a quaint, overly dramatized manga story. slice of life is basically supposed to display a realistic perspective of a person's life, which in this manga is not easily observed. sure the girl was raped and had horrible thing done to her which is more or less common in our society today. But my problem isnt with the basic plot. It has more to do with the unrealistic/ contradictory psyche, character behaviors that leaves them somewhat lacking severely in human quality department. Dramatization worsens the realistic view point of the whole manga and I can't seem to justify it under as slice of life. He should have stuck with his comedy routine of girlasaurus rex or whatever he used to draw because he cant really capture tragedy in realistic perspectives to pass.

One of the few romance seinen/shounen mangas that does not focus on vast amounts of overly erotic fanservice ,and a scenario where the loser type character is being surrounded by hot girls in a cheesy romance/comedy plot. The raw emotion added into the plot is what makes it so interesting and compelling rather than the use of panty shots and border line pornographic scenes as selling points. So if your looking for something fresh and serious I suggest you give Bitter Virgin a try.

It's odd for me to read this one from Kusunoki Kei since I'm used to her gag manga. Even though there is next to nothing to laugh about you do see her comedic art style peek through here.

In a sense you could see the same type of pacing for the story in that it goes relatively quickly. This isn't that good since much of the time it is rapid shots of drama that can leave a person a bit dazed. A good read from chapter to chapter though since it maintains interest fairly well.

The (main) characters themselves are fairly complex considering the quick progression of the story. There are times you can hate them and others where you can like them. Most of the time, though I just pity them. The world of Bitter Virgin has been pretty hateful so far.

As the titles said, not my preference but worth a look.

... Last updated on August 19th, 2008, 12:41am

Despite it's dark theme, I find this manga to be quite uplifiting. The relationship between Daisuke and Hinato is simple at the moment, yet very sweet. I can't wait to read the next chapter.

Edit: OH MY GOD IT ENDED, AND SO SOON. Yet I think it was the smartest move. One of the very few shoujo like mangas that didn't piss me off because of the characters indecisiveness. Highly recommended.

... Last updated on August 24th, 2008, 8:14pm

Put away your Super-Critic Goggles for a bit and read a story for the sake of the story. Admittedly, Bitter Virgin is lacking in a few key areas -- the characters lack some depth and uniqueness, for example, but that's far overshadowed by the significance of the story being told. This story deals with a couple of VERY touchy subjects (rape and stillbirth), and does so gracefully, and in a way that lets you really feel connected to the characters.

The ending was unrealiztically optimistic, but if it was accurate to real life, probably most people would be angry. The type of treatment Aikawa experienced does not leave one so well-adjusted to people and society in general, much less able to function normally in intimate relationships.

This is an accurate and moving story worth anyone's time, and you should read it.

... Last updated on September 6th, 2008, 1:32am