This is a really sweet story. What makes this story remarkable to me is that both characters are well adjusted, mature adults who actually tell each other (not just the reader) their problems.

Both characters grow emotionally! This is opposed to many yaoi stories where author's tend to simulate growth by "accepting each other," when really the characters accept an unhealthy relationship.

I also love that their is no rape or dubious consent. Their's actually a really great scene where one of the characters sees that the other is not really into it and ask why and if they should stop. For me, it's really exciting to see a healthy relationship depicted in manga.

The artwork is gorgeous and very consistent. It was exciting to see that they both looked and acted like men, gay but men, inside and outside the bedroom. There was no uke crying no.

first of all i read the side story first, and is a good thing i did it, cz Akira appears here way more than i thought he would.
I liked From yesterday a bit more(the story from where akira is) than this one, but utsumuku was also fine.
I couldnt help but laugh at the last chapter XD im just a kid lol

... Last updated on January 31st, 2011, 12:17pm

The plot is an attempt at making a deep story with a serious past but I did not feel involved in their painful stories, nor in their love. It was approached in a superficial way, you are not given a reason for their behaviour and it doesn't move you.
Besides it's like there's no timeframe, they look like disconnected scenes. And their love blooms without an explanation.

However three of the four characters are lovable: Yoshiyuki is so cute it hurts, Akira is fun and his boyfriend studying to become a teacher is the only good (and funny) point of the story.

The art is rough with no detail in the backgrounds, it looks more like a sketch than a finished work and the yaoi scenes are even rougher so not to give away juicy bits.

I loved this manga. <3 Definetly a memorable one for me, maybe it's because of the seemingly depressing undertone of this story at the beginning, the end was a happy ending for the couple, and I'm glad that it is. I definetly recommend this manga. :3

I loved it. This story is so sweet and sad. I cried a couple times while reading their story. I especially like how Takaku-sensei really takes her time with scenes to flesh out the moments and the characters' feelings. That's what makes her characters seem real to me.

The comedic moments are really well done, too. Shinai-space, FTW! xD Oh, and you must read the extra at the end. O...M...G. I didn't think she would go there, but she did. So funny! xD

... Last updated on November 30th, 2008, 8:54am

Very cute story. Yoshiyuki is such a beautiful uke. I'd want to stalk him too. I love the elevator scene.

I was a little confused by the title "The Look That Looks Down" but I understood it as soon as I read the first chapter or so.

As I look at the art in pieces, the faces, the hair, the bodies, the clothes, nothing seems to look very good. But somehow, on a whole, the style is gorgeous, though I couldn't tell you why. I suppose that's part of the allure.

The story was sweet and a little sad, but it seems like they will be doing alright in the end.

I particularly liked the part where Niiya assumes Yoshiyuki will be embarrassed to hold hands in public and Yoshiyuki just turns around and kisses him.

What a cute story i just loved it, now i must re read the spin off to read more about the other couple. The art is also quite beautiful as usual with sensei's work.