It was ok, I would of preferred a more romantic ending. One thing that bugged me though was

... Last updated on May 6th, 2014, 12:23am

It was deep and heavy at times, but I did enjoy it.
Usually I'm used to more superficial story-lines, but this too does the work, even though there's no smut, nudity, sweet-talking or air-headed women and mischievous men.
I guess that some things are better off unsaid.
Overall I do recommend it if you're in the mood for something less chirpy.

... Last updated on March 13th, 2016, 10:00am

Okay, so what exactly is wrong with him in the first place? I mean, I get really confused when they talk about being "deep" or what not and then there's some talk about flowers and such. I understand he wrote Hana because he fell in love with Chouko but what's the problem between him and Akiyama's childhood friend? That Yui or rui whatever her name is. I seriously have no idea what's going on after two volumes.

But nevertheless, the one that I love the most is definitely Chouko! As well as Akiyama! Behind that cheerful face lies a sad and burden past. /sigh. Honestly saying, i wouldn't really recommend this since the storyline is quite confusing but you can always try giving it a shot I guess.

I loved it. It was much of a painting rather than a story; the pace was incredibly slow even though the events spanned over a long period of around three years. Sometimes it even felt like time just stopped. I don't know how it is for the rest of the world, but for me time froze and did for a long time when my loved ones passed away. So I felt that this rhythm was perfect, for it portrayed beautifully well the fear of losing and of falling in love, the feelings of not wanting to let go, to forgive oneself, and to move forward, and the quiet struggle of all the main characters. I would not want it any faster or any other way.
Unlike most, I think the ending was a revolutionary step for Kei. He finally faced his past, represented by his brother, and even though we didn't really know for sure whether or not he has started to forgive himself, he was at least eager to protect things that he treasured, and took his first step to salvation. The whole story he struggled, just to go back to the exact same place, but now finally he could move a bit forward.
Pardon me for ranting like this. I just loved it. The art was also beautiful, with a sketch-like and painting-like feeling to it. Ah, I loved it.

This was so pure and beautiful. I thought the love between the two was so innocent to the point I wanted to wring my hands haha But the darkness was so beautiful, the way they clung to each other. I thought the story was very endearing. It wasn't as dark as I was expecting it to be, which I guess is a good thing. But The the dark moments were simplistically beautiful.

The protagonists of this story is too dark and have a big inferiority complex. It is so that I found it too slow and boring. I had almost dropped it, but I wanted to finish it and see if maybe it would turn out good, which didin't. Kei is always sullen and cold. I couldn't find a good reason for Chou-chan to like Kei 'cause he never treats her well and is not caring at all. I'd hoped she'd end up with the editor or with Paa-kun, which are more likable and cute.

Honestly speaking, I absolutely love this manga! I would not care of whatever things the other users are saying regarding this manga, but one thing is clear for me, I absolutely love this manga. It would be a first for myself to read such a dark themed manga till the very end. It wasn't difficult for me to finish it, though there were moments where my precious tears flow down like those of a waterfall and filled buckets to the brim. However, there is one thing that I has been bothering me ever since the Mangaka unravels Kei's past... Why are there many sadistic characters? Maybe it was just my view on the reactions displayed by the other characters but everybody seems to be so indulged in being swallowed by darkness and pain. They refer these elements as 'beautiful' and such that I had to try so HARD to understand what is so very attractive about being depressed. But putting all of that aside, this manga was refreshing for me as I am not one who would often read dark themed mangas. I was absorbed and I actually felt pure bliss and relief after the last bonus chapter. Way to go, Saito Ken-san!

Considering the potential of the material, the beginning was weak. It fails to grab your attention. It would've been much better if the author showed the death of the parents, how she came to live with Kei and her coming out of the darkness in the 1st volume. Instead, by skimming over the events and then randomly using flashbacks to fill in the pieces, most of the emotional impact is lost. In fact that's the biggest weakness of the story, you are left to figure out what the author is trying to portray instead of feeling and going through it with the characters most of the time. The only characters that have any significant emotional impact are side characters (the editor and the kid from the club who was my favorite character, too bad there was almost no background info on him). The part of the story with Iori should've been either fleshed out more or given less significance, the way it was shown it was neither here nor there. Some other minor things bothered me like why Kei had to go to his father's house to beg for pills, no matter how much they were shunned, I doubt his mother's health would've been ignored. Also, Chouko's parent's going away for TEN years leaving her behind and her dad caring more for Kei than her did not really match up with their personalities as shown by the author. It is these types of things that made it hard to relate to the characters.

Ultimately, no matter how it is done or how much of the actual events are shown, the best stories of this particular genre take the reader inside the character's hearts and make them feel what the characters feel, unfortunately this manga mostly fails in that aspect. I would recommend this only if you like the psychological genre and read everything else that's at least decent within it.

... Last updated on May 22nd, 2012, 11:33pm

It's really good.. but not recommended for those who prefers normal shoujo romance stories..

Read it if you think you'll enjoy dark twisted protagonists, with slow progressing story (which takes alot time in re-reading a certain page to understand stuffs)..

Definitely not for everyone, but once you're hooked, you will totally enjoy it.

I read the description (but not any of the comments) and was expecting it to be like Faster than a Kiss; similarly light-hearted, airy, and taking an extra-ordinary long time for the main characters to get together. Having read it, if I was forced to pick another manga it was like, I'd probably say the darker parts of Mars were akin to it.
To be honest, I didn't really understand this manga. For example

I think a more mature reader will appreciate it to a fuller extent. It leaves a kind of nostalgic, bitter-sweet aftertaste. I'm glad that all four volumes have been scanslated, without the ending it's, well, not exactly depressing, but heavy. Don't read this expecting a light shoujo.

... Last updated on April 5th, 2012, 2:29pm