I read it and decided to get a hardcopy 'cause it was that good!! It's unfortunate that TokyoPop is gonna drop all their mangas, so I hope some other company will pick this up.
I'll say this manga is more shounen than shoujo. It have its cool epic moments like the fights and its sweet moments with the romance. Storyline is fluid and hooks you on. Character developments gradually grows and you don't feel like you got cheated out of anything. I can't wait for the next volume!!
---Edit---
Finally got a chance to finish this up. Again, I wish some other company pick this up. I really REALLY want to complete my set in hardcopy.
Rain's character development was really deep for me. As we get to know his story, I feel that's how his personality came from. Some people might call him weak and pathetic, but i think he's just your typical strong-but-very-kind guy that is trying to protect his precious people. He's simple-minded and kinda dense, just like me. I don't like to think of really complicated stuff. If I like it, I like it. If I hate it, I hate it. He puts others first and is a really REALLY caring guy. I'm not going to spoil it for people, and I think he thinks of that PERSON as his own brother, like familiy. It's like having a family member who does something selfish and stupid, yet still forgive that person. I totally could relate to Rain and for someone to call Rain STUPID should try to understand Rain where he's coming from
And as for Machiko, I think shes your typical girl who is very emotional. I can relate to that. She's a young girl, why can't she be a crybaby? At the age of 14, girls goes through emotion. They are happy, sad, etc etc etc. I remember I was quite a crybaby when I was young. It helps explain Machiko's insecurity sometimes. Her only close person to her, grandfather, died already and now she doesn't want Rain to leave her. I can see that as being real. She's not annoying.
Anyway, if you wanna read and give it a try, go ahead. For me, this is among the best I've read and it was among the first hardcopies I've bought. I'm still hoping for a miracle that the rest of the volumes will be licensed so I can happily put the rest of the set on my bookcase.