The first couple of chapters struck me as humorous and the tone was different than the usual shoujo fare. The premise is nothing new (girl going to live in potential love interests' house) but the execution made it forgivable so I was interested in reading. This may be a typical shoujo set-up, but the way the story is told is anything but. The characters have personality and there are funny moments galore (in my opinion, anyway). The more I read, the more I loved it and I was dreading the 34th chapter because I didn't want it to end. I wish more people would enjoy this series, the mangaka is excellent at her red herring romances and the way she developed the main love interest was just pure joy to read.

The drawing style and tone evolved; the former into more tight lines and overall attractiveness (and wonderful facial expressions!), the latter into more familiar romance-y will-they-won't-they waters. But I've grown to love the characters (and I was ecstatic that my intuition as to the true pairing was spot on) so I don't condemn this series for it.

I agree with reviewer PansyWansyLinsy in that this shoujo is shoujo done the right way. Part of the reason I read through the practical set-up of the beginning (the predictable love interest, Asahi) is that I had a sneaking suspicion that the story WASN'T going to continue that thread... and I was right - Takano Ichigo has a magical way with the story and the characters and the way she lets them interact and grow. The heroine undergoes a maturation and her evolving love interests represent that: I could go on and on about why I love Shimana and Taiga..

... Last updated on August 20th, 2012, 10:33am

I came here expecting a couple of pages of reviews and I’m surprised to see that there’s hardly a page’s worth. Yume Miru Taiyou is probably what you would classify as your typical shoujo - all glittery hearts, sparkle and cuteness, but to say it’s just a normal shoujo doesn’t quite do the series any justice. It’s so tooth-achingly sweet in almost every aspect that it’s hard to dislike the story or its characters, despite whatever flaws there are.

The first couple of volumes are probably the most difficult to slog through as it’s pretty much by the book shoujo at the beginning, what with the red herring love interest and the predictable set-up that leads to the love triangle. A couple of characters seem rather unlikeable at first, but they really grow on you. It’s a story about friendship, romance, and family - all told in a humorous and heart-warming fashion that doesn’t feel forced or too contrived.

Shimana, the main female character isn’t all too different from your normal heroine, but she’s very likeable. She’s earnest and honest about her feelings from the get-go, and as someone who’s read too much shoujo, I’ve come to appreciate that trait in characters. The Landlord starts out as this rather grouchy fella, but as the story progresses, we get to see more of his thoughtful side. I found Zen to be a very unique character playing the love rival and best friend at the same time. It can be difficult pulling off that type of character, but Zen suits the role quite perfectly.

More than anything else, I appreciate the pace of the story. So many shoujos fail at creating an even pace, often times resorting to [uninteresting] secondary character arcs just to fill the void or to stretch out a popular story. Although we tend to go around in circles with Shimana and the Landlord, it never feels too drawn out. The ending, while I won’t spoil it here, was pretty perfect for me (had me in tears in a couple of spots).

While it offers nothing new in the way of story or characters, I can at least say with great confidence that this is still shoujo done the right way. It’s rare that I’ve come away so content and pleased with a series. I am looking forward to the next one Takano-sensei!

... Last updated on November 8th, 2012, 12:58am

The set up is very shoujo/cliche. Girl moves in with a bunch of guys, falls for one, while one of the guys falls for her. The usual love triangle. BUT as the story progresses it becomes something more, less cliche. It's almost like she was just taking a safe route until the mangaka finally got permission to write what she wanted--or something.

Anyways, what makes this such a great Shoujo is the characters and humor. Zen, is hilarious. I mean, you can't help but smile and laugh at his panda obsession and reactions. He's not your typical shoujo guy and he really makes the manga great. The girl lead is nothing special but at the same time you can't help but like her. She's not dense, nor super smart. She's not over emotional or cold. She's not your typical shoujo girl--more like your typical girl--as typical as a fiction character can get. She's all around relatable, just what the main lead is suppose to be.

Also, the development is nice and realistic. Nothing seems to drag or just stay stoic. Each chapter you get something out of someone. No dansels in distress or overly used cliche plots/subplots. Everyone seems to fit well with realistic things--even if it sounds unreal. (Yea, sorta contradicted myself, but you'll see if you decide to read.) Good development all around, and hopefully it stays consistent.

Oh, and the drawings are amazing. Especially the expressions. Spot on, detailed and hilarious.

... Last updated on December 30th, 2010, 12:16am

Try reading it a second go.

I gave it a second and admittedly loved it. The first time I read this was way back in high school. I pretty much have the exact reaction with you guys, Shimana is weak, Zen is cute, Taiga is weird haha. Then I gave it a second read.

What I love the most is the bond with the characters. They all seem like a real family. There's no small drag out emotion. HONESTY, is what makes this awesome.

Zen's pushiness can be annoying at times but he gave it his best.
Shimana's weakness is also her strength and I love how she is honest and fully rejected Zen the first time.
Asahi is the probably the coolest of them all.
Miura is GODDAMN FUNNY!!! One of my faves.
Saeko is perfect.
others etc etc....

LASTLY, Taiyou Fujiwara a.k.a LANDLORD
He's a young adult but has a childish thinking when it comes to love. Again throughout the series you could witness how he becomes open and admitted to liking Shimana and how he was pathetic and all. My favorite character.

All in all After reading it again, I had a different view. Like Taiga I grew up and see some of the other details of the stories and how it was portrayed.....
There was no mushiness and those usual Shoujo shitty fluffs just pure flow sweetness.

Let me say that I love the art for this manga. Characters actually have teeth for once! This is especially noticeable with the character Zen, a guy who loves pandas and is usually shown with his mouth open and baring his fangs. I don't know why, but it looks extremely cute. The design for the main female character is very ordinary though, nothing special at all.

Anyways, enough about the art. The story is cliche, redundant, and annoying. But enjoyable nonetheless. The main girl moves into this house with three guys. One of those guys happened to be her crush. The main girl cries every now and then, then gets cheered up by the oldest guy in the house. She confesses to her crush she likes him, but knows he likes someone else already. Then she crushes on the oldest guy, while the youngest guy (panda lover) crushes on her instead. She of course, rejects him.

Anyways, it's your typical shoujo romance, Though the story does make you wonder who'll she'll end up with (but after that, it's pretty obvious). I guess I just couldn't stand to see her cry anymore that I stopped reading.

But that's just my own personal opinion, everyone else will probably keep on reading and enjoy it. For that, I give it an 8.

... Last updated on August 19th, 2010, 2:10pm

Takano Ichigo's art is just so adorable! She draws using thin lines, and her female leads are usually super cute...like strawberry, polka dot, and pom-poms type of cute. They aren't annoying, either, and I wouldn't say that her stuff is typical light-hearted omggorgeousguy type of shoujo manga, but it's not exactly out-of-the-ordinary either. Yet there's something she does that makes her stuff so fresh!

Anyway, back to this manga. It's a different (or similar?) take on a girl-moves-into-houseful-of-guys. And to be expected, But what keeps me reading is to see who she's going to end up with. You could say that it's unpredictable (for once). And of course, the art...which is just soo cute, is too good to pass.

... Last updated on July 24th, 2010, 9:26am

If you're looking for a major flaw, well it's right at the center of the story: The protagonist is a rotten spoiled brat. The premise of the story hinges on that, in fact. She runs away from home and ends up living in a house with 3 guys (reverse harem), but in reality there is no reason for her to run away from home as everyone loves her and wants her back. But no, the protagonist is an egotistical brat that will have her way no matter what.

Speaking of having her way, she meets a girl who she admires and the girl immediately becomes friends with her, is very kind to her, gives her a makeover and pays for all the clothes etc.... What does our heroine do? Go for the guy that the other girl loves of course! Forget about the fact that this girl has explicitly told her she's loved this guy forever.

There is a guy who is in love with the protagonist but keeps getting rejected. When he finally says enough is enough and tries to get over her, the protagonist is seriously displeased and sad at this, despite the fact that she is in love with someone else and has no feelings for this person. Yup, the protagonist is the kind of girl that wants to keep these guys bound to her. In general, every character in this manga is serving as a "courtier" to the main girl. It's as if they have none of their own lives, wants or desires, it is all about her her her, and everyone else is a cardboard cutout.

The only positive thing I can say about this story is that it reads relatively quickly and it is not boring. I am not exactly sure how the mangaka managed to turn an annoying storyline with idiotic characters and no justice at all, just a puffed up female lead into something other than boring, but somehow she did. That's some talent right there. Still, I do not recommend you read this. It might not be particularly boring, but it sure is very annoying and completely unrealistic.

One of the most beautiful artworks; beautifully designed characters, beautifully contrived stories.
All of the characters, the main ones, are really interesting, likable and realistic. The art is impressive, but more distinctive in that manner which somehow gives you a feeling that you're looking at the real images of the Japanese.
Beside the -sympathetic four- the character I like the most is Miura - the mystic policeman.
He's drawn just the way I like it the best, and of course, his personality is something really special. He is a queer fellow, but has an interesting story behind himself.
You shouldn't judge this manga just based on a scene or two that could be unpleasant and annoying at the time, cause it has its peculiar essence in it.
The Dreamin Sun's story is trickling, just as if you were reading a particular book you've discovered, and can't even take a breather because the plot won't let your curiosity take a rest
Enjoy!

... Last updated on April 11th, 2012, 5:17pm

I was a bit hesitant to try the series out, given the summary sounds very cliche and typical of a shoujo.

But then I decided to give it a shot since I was bored.

I was pleasantly surprised! Sure, it's a little cliched but the approach to the plot is not overused. The characters are refreshing and the female lead is not annoying, thankfully.

At the moment, a 9 but I shall have to see how it progresses Give it a shot!

This is one of those frustrating readings. The main couple (the one the author decided to go for, for some reason) is just horrible and with no kind of logic or development. Their relationship of friends, or at least a mature guy who showed her the way to an independent life and teaches her somehow about family, teenage love and stuff was great, but for some reason the author decided to ruin it and force a romance between them. Like, first the landlord reacts negatively to her feelings (as expected from any normal person), while he tries to push her to be with Zen, supporting him as well, but then he suddenly changes his mind and decides to be with a minor that he barely knows. He literaly spends more time pushing her away than anything. Why did he change his mind?
Poor Zen turns into a punching bag and he doesn't deserve it. Not too mention that the author makes him so OBSESED with the protagonist (which I can't see why if she's the most plain character in the series) that he ends up looking like an idiot. He really deserved better. Like, why do you spent time and effort making him into a carring and genuine guy, if you're going to waste it?