PLEASE just give this manga a chance. It's decently long (page count 40-50 pages per chapter, 81 chapters long) but it's definitely worth reading. Even though it was long, it didn't ever feel boring. I also thought the ending was pretty satisfying.

I'd especially recommend this to anyone new to BL manga. This manga is *technically* BL (shounen-ai), but there isn't any kissing or smut. A relationship is implied, hence why there is a shounen-ai tag, but this manga is more about the plot than anything else, though the romantic parts aren't at all out of place imo.

One thing I will say is that, if you're a person who suffers from reader burnout easily, maybe read slower than I did, or read 5-10 chapters at a time and take breaks in-between. I binged the whole thing in about 3 days and kept reading more manga afterwards without stopping. I'm still taking a break from reading anything lol

... Last updated on November 30th, 2020, 9:34pm

It wasn't a mistake to pick up this manga and enjoy it over a cup of tea after all. The storyline is actually very interesting and I love the plot twist, especially during the climax. It was truly unexpected. Some of the parts is a bit complicated and I had to re-read it like, two to three times, stopping and thinking of the story. The characters are all equally unique, whether it's the protagonist or the antagonist, they all have backstories to tell. I love the intensity of the plot and the artwork is not bad, good enough for you to read the whole manga at ease. (I think the art style kinda reminds me of Odagiri Hotaru's work tho.)

... Last updated on July 23rd, 2017, 6:03pm

This is one of those manga's which you just really upset you because they have this HUGE potential but it is not executed. There are some Amazing parts. Really, truly beautifully written especially Narushige part.

If there's better word than Perfect, then that's what is suitable for this manga. Because this manga is just too Beautiful and so Wonderful! It started nice and fun and ended so Lovely Awesome!
It deserve to have Drama CD or Anime! I wish the author think like that...

This is a solid 7/10 manga.
This manga tries to tackle a very big range of themes but rarely successes at exploring a theme before jumping to the one after it. The story is pretty nice but there is a part of the way it was told that made me uncomfortable, the author keeps jumping from an event to other without a proper transition, she omits some important transitions but sometimes is very repetitive with words and has to narrate everything that's happening in thoughts bubbles, which is quite very painful to read, some part were outright strange like when

I quite liked Narushige, his inner conflict was brilliantly written, I love this sort of stories
In fact, the problem with this manga that it doesn't stir readers when bad things happen because the author never tried in this manga to betray her reader's expectations, when a character dies, they get brought back to life, if they're gravely hurt they heal in a way or another, when they stray they return to the right path. You always expect things to end on a good note. This is a very common in manga, I personally don't like knowing beforehand that everything will be alright at the end.

Well but at the end I did enjoy this and its attempt at tackling several intresting themes, thus 7/10 is my rating even though this manga is definelty not very well written.

That latest chapter (ch 68) had such a boss fight feel to it, just when you think you've beat 'em, along comes the final boss haha.... Seriously though, this manga has me hooked. I usually prefer my 'BL' manga to be yaoi rather then shonen-ai, however I have completely gotten hooked on the cute and hilarious flirting. I Adore all the characters! They all have personality and depth. Totally likable..... And let's not forget the abundance of bishonen eye-candy! <3 - hot boys and shipping aside, this manga also has an amazing storyline and really nice art. So pretty /(*o*)/ <3 I totally recommend everyone reads this whether you like BL or not (it doesn't play too big of a role)... 10/10 .... Can't wait for next chapter to be scanlated!

Geeeez, this should have been adapted to anime ages ago! Now that Hakkenden has been, maybe someone will think to adapt Silver Diamond too, since they have more or less the same light 'shounen-ai' content (well, up to the point I'm at, at least, i.e. beginning of volume 9).

After the initial buildup--get past the first chapter or so, basically--it has a good pace, incredibly touching character development and relationships, a plot planned out extensively, considering numerous foreshadowing the author drops from the first few chapters on--for reveals to come dozens of chapters later--and an expansive fantasy alternate world with recurring secondary characters, let alone the main groups (she keeps track of every townsperson of every town she draws, I swear), and establishes its culture, creatures, and materials in detail.

Aside from the steadily strengthened friendships and bonds between Rakan, Chigusa, Narushige, Touji and those to appear later, there's another thing I love about it--I rarely find myself genuinely laughing aloud in non-screwball, slapstick comedy type of manga (such as Gintama, though there are less humor-oriented manga and anime out there that have gotten me laughing), but this manga left me chortling several times, which I hadn't expected at all when I began the series. I hadn't expected much, in fact, and am so glad I continued past the first few chapters.

One of the best things about it is that Rakan, despite the impression he might give in the first chapter (I thought he was a flowery sweet pretty boy type protagonist when I started), is actually really a levelheaded, determined, deadpan snarker, sometimes fiery type of main protagonists, which is much more alike to Shino from Hakkenden than what I'd expected on first look (which was Luka from Uso-something, who was...kind of weak-willed and foolish in my opinion, and part of the reason I never got around to continuing the series), while still very kind and sincere. His design subtly changes later on (even in the first volume) to reflect that, to be honest (at first he's drawn much shoujo princy kind of prettier, but that's reduced once he starts getting snarky and monotone at Chigusa's antics).

I liked the characters from the beginning, but by volume 7 and 8 they'd ensnared me in the way well-loved and familiar protagonists do, with me going "eeeeee" inside my head (and a little out loud) over every awesome or heartfelt move they made, and it'd deeply affect me if something even more painful--or tragic--than most of them had been left with happened to them. Nonetheless, the villains, too, are well developed, with dark depth in their hearts that's hard to see through. I still wonder what turned Kingen into what he is today, to cause such dire circumstance, and to do what he plans to do to the world. They leave me pissed a lot, though they aren't the only people covered in mystery--much of the cast is, still, by volume 8, whether it has to do with their origin, former life, or heritage.

The author obviously put a lot of heart into this, and I'm glad to see way more readers than I thought, since I'd seen the title several times and had not until today, when I decided to give it at least one chance, realized its fantasy action adventure drama mystery gloriousness until I got hooked. It especially came over me when I realized the fantasy counterpart world WOULD be explored at some point--however, at some point within volume 1 or 2, the characters come to mean too much to you for that to be as much of a concern until it becomes one.

... Last updated on June 26th, 2013, 8:35pm

Though my most favorite is Koori no mamono, but I do really really really love SD. It's almost the Same like what I said before on Koori no mamono section; There are Characters development, the well packed story about adventure, drama, humor, you will get some of shocking story like
It's not as dark as Koori as there aren't many people died here. LoL. The hint of BL here wasn't as clear as Koori (I mean kissing), but there are a lot of words that contain the elements of BL. Chigusa obviously won't hit another woman since he dedicated himself into one person only..(you know who xD). And Rakan WON'T get a woman since . So I think it's only a matter of time till they confess to each other as lovers. LoL

Highly recommended for bromance and shonen ai lover.. and woman character haters since there are no heroine here xDDD

Psst : I want the actual BL between the prince and Kinrei!! That servant is obviously fallin inlove with him!

... Last updated on June 20th, 2013, 7:15am

I kinda wish Sugiura Shiho would get wilder with the BL subtext, as in all her other series, but it's a great read nonetheless.

As usual the lead is cute and pure, but not too much, and very likeable. Sugiura is one of the few mangaka that can pull a "don't kill people anymore" gambit on me, without me losing all interest in the manga. I love how her mc, even when they seem to be stereotyped at first, can still have unexpected -- and very refreshing reactions.
Chigusa is also an extremely lovable character, he's both strong/cool/manipulative and cute/cuddle-able. ^^
The comedic undertone is a big plus, and the story is rather well thought and well-paced. Can't wait for more scanlations to know the end of the story!

... Last updated on October 9th, 2012, 1:11am

It's mangas like this that make me wish I could read Japanese. Is very enjoyable and the characters are likeable. I'm hooked >_< I'm praying for the scalations to continue, I want to keep reading this manga so much!!
I definitely recomend it!!