Same as Yuenchi, this is also my first shoujo manga. Along with Doraemon, this manga began the "manga invasion" (lol) in my country about almost 20 years ago, but it was published as "Pop Corn". And until now it's still there in my comic shelf.

I think the main point that made me love this manga so much is the characters development. At first, Nakki seemed so perfect, but she's not. She could be so childish. And she also felt envy. She gave courage to others, but she also received from others. And although she's the main character, other characters had their own stories as well. The other lovable point is, of course, the story. It's so realistic. I could relate myself to it. Not to the plot, but to the essence of it.

I cried and laughed with this manga. And by the time I finally close the 24th volume, I smiled Similar to Cliff, this is one of the manga that I will always remember.

A long.. manga. About 20+ volume but worth it. Sad sometimes but this is the manga that I will always remember. In some ways, affect how I think about life in general. Nice read!

Beware: there are some heartbreaking scenes in here. Scenes that can make you cry and curse the mangaka. lol well, at least that' what happen to me

It was, I think, well at least my few first manga, and boy did I start super strongly. It's truly a classic, one of few reasons why I'm not so sad being older, coz I got to read this kind of manga during my preteens. The once young readers in Japan literally grew up and grew old together with this manga, not exactly my case but the emotional connection was something close to it.

First few volumes the artwork wasn't very good, then it got perfect in the middle but the artwork of the last few volumes are worse. Still it's not a manga to be missed. The characters and story really grew, not a single chapter (I would say page) was wasted for any unnecessary twists. it's 24 volumes but no dragging whatsoever, in fact it's really not long enough. It's a deep, serious yet cheerful story of wonderful people from the time they were little cute junior high students till they became working adults. Lots of sad events, really sad events, but you'll feel everything was unavoidable, all parts of the things that must happen in the characters' lives. They are not over dramatic, they are wonderfully told.

Four thumps up ;_;