GOD this manga is good. I started about 7 hours ago, and thought I would stop in the afternoon, but I continued until bedtime. I just had to keep reading!!! The romance in this manga is mostly bittersweet, but the angst isn't so overwhelming that I would want to slam the computer down a trashcan. Thankfully.
PLOT OF MANGA -- 7.5/10
Whatever you do, guys, don't read those spoilers. The spoilers really gave away the climax of the whole series. Well, I read the spoilers and still really enjoyed the manga and ending, but if I hadn't read them, I would've been more affected by the author's twists and stuff.
The overall plot is pretty predictable from the beginning. A girl has an angelic voice while singing on a snowy day, and a popular singer happens to pass by and hear her sweet tunes. And yup she's got her career set for life--singer. Anyways, I don't want to spoil anything else, but let me just say that the angst/troubles surrounding music industry was mostly glossed over. Instead, the story focused more on the characters' relationships, friendships, and etc.
Unfortunately, there were some scenes and drama here and there that weren't necessary to the main plot at all. Like, what's the deal with Ashley/wutever and her nonstop involvement with On? If her background had been expanded a bit more, it would've been acceptable. But she was one dimensional.
CHARACTER DEPTH IN MANGA -- 6/10
I didn't really like Mayu, but she didn't really bother me, and I* came to like her more by the end of the series....*. The story centered specifically on Mayu, the main girl, and her relationships with those she comes in contact with (mostly potential love interests). She is very sensitive to others' reactions and feelings, and can be heavily affected by their moods. In fact, the characters in the manga even criticized her directly for being so sensitive. So, we just gotta accept it as is. She's a sensitive girl.
I came to like her for her determination. Despite her easily influenced mentality, she never gives up and has people who cherish her and wish for her success. I came to really like the advice given by the "side characters."
My favorite characters are: Yuya, Touga, Kei, the photographer woman, and On.
The one thing I dislike the most is the lack of development among the side characters and male leads. Actually, I'm really disappointed the author didn't further feature my favorite characters....or any other character for that matter. Sure, the love interests were given history and some personality, but we only see those traits when a necessity for teenage angst comes along. Also, we don't see how these people act in normal, daily situations.
And as for the side-characters? They were barely remembered...and I forgot all of them by the end of the series even though I read everything in one day.
RELATIONSHIPS IN MANGA ** -- 10/10
On a brighter note, the dynamic relationships were my favorites throughout the manga. There were quite a few potential love interests, and they all had a somewhat * REASONABLE cause for finding Mayu attractive. Three of them had especially nice bonds with her, and* I would've had to guess throughout the manga for the love interest if I hadn't read the spoiler alerts.**
** Overall, this manga didn't break any grounds** or make me understand more about life. It wasn't registered in my brain as something to remember forever (such as Skip Beat, One Piece, and etc) but I definitely found it entertaining.
So, give it a try. You might love it more than I did.
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