A little embarrassed to say, I've only finished reading this about a day ago. Because of it's popularity, I've come across this manga several times years ago, but never bothered to read it due the given plot synopsis putting me off. I was like, "'F4'?? You gotta be kidding me".

However, years later, with all the hype going on with the drama being aired on our local channel, I had to give it a try.

And boy, am I glad I did.
This is officially one of my faves. I won't even talk about the art, as i'm sure it's already been mentioned in past posts (surprisingly, I didn't have such a big problem with it) ---in fact, the art made it much funnier to read.

This is one intensely emotional manga. Whenever I read this, I was either laughing, smiling at myself, or even crying (or on the verge of -).

Hana Yori Dango is a very typical shoujo, with it's cliché plot and scenes, but it's the detail within and in the characters and how they respond to the situation that makes it truly a great read. It is, without a doubt, the characters and their development throughout that give this manga it's charm. Never before have I cheered on both sides of a love triangle (sort of) as both Doumyouji and Rui are two very alluring male characters. Rui is the emo-loner-man who we see open up and show us the ever-caring and understanding person he is, while Doumyouji is the spoiled, violent brat who undeniably changes from boy to man as we see him become one of the most loving and determined men I have ever read. The heroine, Makino, is very appealing, herself. Unlike most shoujo heroines, her strength and independence despite her situation and confusion is truly admirable. I could go on about each character, but I'm sure that would eventually bore you.

It's true, this manga is very long, but once you find yourself enjoying it, 241 chapters fly by, and before you know it, you'll be on the last chapter hoping it doesn't end.

The one thing I loved most about this manga was the comedy. It definitely balanced out the drama, and I even enjoyed how it sometimes ruined the romantic moods.

Hana Yori Dango, overall, is an enjoyable read for those who are patient enough to read through it's flaws. Now I see why it is so popular.

... Last updated on October 26th, 2009, 10:07am

I had heard this was good, and I saw it recommended at the same time as Skip Beat. I read both, but while I very quickly caught up on Skip Beat.. this series just killed me. As others have stated, the art is horrible and it does NOT get better. I don't know what later chapters others read, but as of chapter 71, the art skill sucks. The eyes are just... like half full fish tanks.

The story is annoying, and while I gave this series a serious try due to not wanting to say something is horrible based on only a few chapters, by 71 chapters and not much has actually happened and impacted the story... I just have to put it away. It isn't the worst series I have ever read, so it doesn't get a 1 or a 2, but I can't in all honesty give it more than what I do. The characters are uselessly annoying, the story is bland and goes nowhere quickly, and the art is already talked about.
Read if you are a -hardcore- shoujo only type person, or someone who can forgive no story, bad art, bad characters, and generic bubbley backgrounds every other frame.

Oh yeah, and the eyelashes on these people.. they are almost scary. I would run from someone who walked up to me with eyelashes like that. >_<

... Last updated on September 12th, 2009, 8:29pm

Seriously, I've never wholeheartedly supported the main couple as much as I have for Tsukasa and Tsukushi. They are adorable together <3 and Tsukasa is such a perfect man. Don't let the length or art scare you away. Once you actually start reading it you'll be wishing for it to never end and the art improves radically throughout the 36 volumes. You don't notice as you're reading but if you compare art from the first volume to the last, it looks like a completely different mangaka!

The story is amazing; so romantic so touching. Tsukushi and Tsukasa are their own categories of main characters. Rui is adorable as well. Not to mention Sojiro <3

I enjoyed the story line! You can see the art as well as the character's grow through-out this manga! Love it!

Well, I think I'm just repeating the others because I 100% agree with them that this manga is a masterpiece, My mother is a fan of the taiwanese drama and so was everyone in my class back when I was still in the 6th grade (6 years ago) but I wasn't into all the hype, I didn't like the Teli that much. Then my mum bought the manga (because she was so crazy about it) she only bought 2 volumes, I tried reading it and I got so attached. But I looked for it everywhere and could not find it, I was devastated and tried to distract myself with other mangas.
6 years later it was summer and I was bored (yes it is sad) so I read the whole manga online in 2 days, not sleeping at all at night. It was a great experience I tells ya, I love tsukasa! I think this manga is pretty unpredictable at times, so that's a great point. But at the same time it get's overrated like a little bit impossible/unrealistic things and cliches there, but still captivating enough to keep me reading on. TRUST ME, even if you have had watched the drama or whatever (Which I haven't) READ THIS ! GO ON !

* I'm so sad that it has ended now ;( I'll save the re-read in the future. Cheers x

... Last updated on August 17th, 2009, 1:10am

I have to say I was a bit wary when I started this manga and then I fell in love with it. It cracks me up and Tusaka and Makino are not the typical shojo couple. In fact they're rather off the beaten path but it's cute. I like how the author was able to show the growth of the characters through various situations and still have some humor with the drama. Happy reading cheers.

The manga has some weakpoints (bullying aspect like another reviewer mentioned and the length--what the heck was the mangaka thinking? 30+ volumes is ridiculous), no doubt, but other than Girl Got Game I've never laughed so hard aloud from a shoujo. I also think the anime is just as good/funny. The characters are strong and develop beautifully over time. My yaoi, boy-love fan sister loves this manga because it's hilarious and not as typical as many shoujo are. Definitely one of my favorite manga!

It turned out to be one of my favs! I just hated the first 100 chapters. I mean, gawsh! So dramatic! It reaches the point where it's so unrealistic. Of course, the next 141 had its dramas too but you appreciate it because it's the ROMANTIC kind of drama. Yep, yep! Worth my time, worth the read.
Also, the drawings became so cute that I actually paused my time to just stare at it. <3 Definitely one of the best!!

Ok, to start off. I know theres probably about a truck load of "the art is terrible" since theres at least 2 million people who've read this series. But we can all guarantee just by looking at the current volume preview, the art gets a truck load better. I mean, if you resist the ridiculous art style for the first around 30 chapters the art will get better bit by bit (by the time you get to around 60 or 70 you'll have some really nice art)

I just finished the series yesterday, and I immediately went on to Ore no Hanashi wo Shiyouka to see the sequel of hana yori. I'll say this manga is undeniably long, but it's worth your time (although Tsukasa's random anger outbursts can be slightly overused.) and as the series goes on the characters become alot less jerky (sakurako, sojiro, akira and rui)

at first when I read the story I supported the whole Tsukasa and Tsukushi pairing with absolutly no doubts and regrets... till around the time Rui started looking unbelievably caring and hot. (then I was like yay Tsukasa!... wait no. Yay Rui! wait no...)

despite some not so major flaws (like the bullying tactics were a little far... car dragging?) It's really good and touching manga (every manga has its flaws. deal with it.)

This manga is great. Granted the art isn't the best at first but it gets way better as the manga goes on. The story itself is only beaten by one shoujo manga (nodame). I say this as a faithful seinen fan (i'm a dude and i'm genneraly not reading shoujo mangas).

Still i can't help feeling touched by this manga. The main story is good but the small stories about the secondary characters is even better. What touched me the most was the story about Sara, yuuki and Soujirou. It was simpel, sweet and very realistic. Speaking in general terms the charakter develoment is superb.

Read it. It is the only shoujo manga i have ever given this high a rating (i won't give nodame a rating until it is finished, but so far its one of the only 10/10 i could ever imagine giving).

9,8/10

... Last updated on April 22nd, 2009, 1:28pm