I liked it, for the most part. Would not recommend it though (unless you like only one plot-line that actually worked throughout a story which is surrounded by filling/mini stories that move the plot forwards only slightly).

I don't think this was originally meant to be more than the first volume (which is jumpy). Because things happen in it that are oddly forgotten (like the first kiss and confession). So after we "continue" the manga there are moments that shouldn't be there. Plus more plot/character depth is added to the story. We go through all the relationship steps with them (again), but his time slowly (a more realistic pacing)... with the added background stories (which are not all bad). The full plot has a lot of good points, which make for an ok read.

I like the main characters and most of the side ones. The main characters change depending on what the plot needs, which most of the time is still something their characters would do, but not always. So when you read those off times they stick out like a sore thumb. And their growth is off, if you ask me. They change (I'll give you that), but growth? Not too sure that's what I'd call it. It feels like the "growth" they do is purely for plot reasons and not for personal ones. Only reason I stuck through it was because I wanted to know more about Akira. He (his back-story) is complex and the main plot centers around him (even if it's told through Takami).

I don't mind the clichés, although there are many. The drama is a drag. So much mini dramas (almost every chapter has some sort of an issue that needs to be worked through, that is resolved within that chapter). Plot has holes, but as a whole it's an ok read. There are a lot of chapters (or rather characters) that are not truly needed to move the plot forward. They feel like fillers. The story has at times that "after school special" feel to it, which is not to my liking.

I think this story would benefit from taking out the romance and making it a story about 2 friends instead. That would have helped a great deal on how people view this manga.

Akira's story is truly interesting (and it's the reason people have chosen 8-9-10 as a rating for this manga). Because the romance is not there for those rating, the whole plot (and plot flow) is not there for those ratings, the character development is not there for those ratings. Akira's plot-line is the reason you read you this manga, and the reason I liked it.

How did this get hundreds of votes saying that this was good? I went into this with high expectations, and I was thoroughly disappointed. The only parts I did like we're the few pages where their personalities were switched. I have a feeling that this may have been the first manga of many girls, since there are so much better than this.

The characters are extremely cliché and predictable. You could easily tell what they were going to say or do next. There weren't any interesting or new romantic events. It was mainly catching her from falling down the stairs. I believe that happened three or more times. Yea that's how the romance develops.
Sure, the art's alright. It's nothing special, and I don't remember any great backgrounds. Akira's cute but Takami was really annoying. I guess if you want to read a romance between a blonde pretty boy with a loud tomboy, you can read this, but there are better ones out there.
Also, the climax of the manga was awful and the reasoning was really really bad. It was poorly paced and rather unrealistic.
Every page I turned was me with a furrowed brow trying to understand why this is so well liked. Basically, this was just your average generic shoujo so read this if you want.

Wonderful read, but it can get a bit dull since it's a bit realistic - real life doesn't bring you amazing plot lines like One Piece, after all. But I didn't like the male lead having some kind of a European background - way too typical. I somehow still like this, though...not sure quite why. Perhaps it's the way the story was told, the atmosphere and mood that the story created that drew my attention...
And as usual, the girl's as dense as ever, but at least she's not a crazy over-achiever with inhumane abilities like in so many shojo mangas.

... Last updated on January 30th, 2014, 4:05pm

The story is sweet, but I wouldn't expect much from it. The story was cliche and the characters were very unoriginal. It's just a typical shoujo read. There have been better and worse manga's.

^ as said in the title, I think what really sets this series apart from the rest of the stories in this genre is that it actually feels realistic. How both of them are close as childhood friends is evident by how comfortable they are in each other's presence and also brutally honest with each other when they have to be. But breaking out of that comfort zone into becoming lovers, the awkward yet sweet journey it is because underlying the new relationship is their former more deep relationship as childhood friends... yup, I think this one's done it right.

Don't get me wrong, there are a bunch of stock characters and cliched setups here and there, but there are certain moments too which really made the characters resonate with me. I think my favourite character out of everyone is Akira. Poor boy is so sweet and innocent, yet wants so badly to break out of the (i wouldn't say "friend" cuz its worse than that) brother-zone, that I find him really different from all the other shoujo male heroes out there.

Plus, the piano thing isn't a gimmick. Lots of chapters deal with the characters' insecurities regarding advancement in their piano skills, and it very effectively develops the characters, especially Akira's, throughout.

So yeah, I'd say that there are certain chapters that lag and make you go "oh whatever, I'll finish this some other time", but suddenly it hits you with these sweet moments that it makes you want to keep reading, cuz their friendship/love is that believable.

... Last updated on August 2nd, 2013, 4:06pm

It's true that there wasn't much plot, but I still couldn't drop this series. Both main characters were immensely likeable. The main girl protagonist was strong-willed and determined, and complemented the almost fragile and elegant personality of the main male protagonist perfectly. Being a piano player myself, I enjoyed the way the theme of the piano was presented throughout the series, and how the characters used piano music to express themselves and communicate with each other. The assortment of characters throughout is also quite nice, although the main protagonists are the most strongly developed characters, so don't expect much character development other than that. It should be noted that the two main characters grow on you throughout the series. I liked how they weren't just transparent characters who didn't change and improve along the way.

Overall, it's a refreshing, uplifting manga. If you enjoy shoujo manga or play the piano (or any musical instrument for that matter), I'd recommend reading this manga. Give it a try!

... Last updated on December 27th, 2012, 5:01pm

I guess my review's going to be one big spoiler.


It really isn't much of a read, unfortunately, and it's a shame to see such nice artwork go to waste.

Admittedly, there wasn’t a plot. But for some reason, I liked this manga. It’s not a classic by any means and is a quick read so I read it. The girl is a tomboy (a real one, not the supposed ones in many series) and her personality fit my taste, while the guy is feminine but elegant/composed (and more in love with her than she is with him) and I unexpectedly liked him too. Really weird. Anyways, they were enough to keep me entertained and the focus on their music also helped a bit. I’d recommend this but don’t expect too much. It’s a decent, speedy read that you might find cute.

I read so many mangas that i can hardly remeber them i find myself rereading manga thinking i ve never read them but realize i have with in a few chapters. Venus capriccio is one of the ones i always remeber and reread a lot. its absoulutly one of my favorite a great manga that ill always remeber!

Maybe it's just me but I really loved this manga.

The art is actually really nice and I didn't expect it because Nishikata Mai's art in Hana no Kishi wasn't that appealing to me... there's something weird with the way I view things. I don't know. It just seems to me like Venus Capriccio's art is better than her most recent work.

As for the story, I find it quite cute that the progress is slow and that throughout the whole manga, there was only 1 kissing scene. Being a pianist myself, I loved how they used the piano as a form of communication. The character personalities are indeed cliche, but I still found it quite entertaining. The comedy came out naturally and not forced, for me, and that's a good thing.

Hated the ending, honestly, but I usually hate the endings of most manga. This story's ending was a bit annoying for me because I would rather they ended the manga with a scene where Takami is already a successful concert tuner and Akira is the one playing in the concert, not with Takami and Akira only achieving half-way.

Typing this serious is seriously killing my brain and fingers.

AKIRAAAAAA~~~ <3

... Last updated on July 25th, 2011, 9:29am