So I'm trying to finish this after ten years. I remember not much so i'm starting from the beginning again. I do remember that it was inferior to Ao Haru Ride (a manga by the same author 5 years later, and an excellent series, 9/10. Also it ends with an epilogue chapter of Strobe Edge). Not sure if I dropped this out of disinterest (I suspect so) or some other reason
I just wanted to stop by and say that do not read the scanlation for the volume 2 extra Another Light The translation is bad and confusing. Read the official version.
I'll come back when I've finished the series. I'm pretty sure first time around I read quite a few volumes but idk how many exactly.
Edit: ok as of volume 4, she's used some things in this story that were later used in Ao Haru Ride, only in the latter they were used better. So at this point I'd say just read Ao Haru Ride instead.
But I'll edit when I've read more.
edit 2: ok vol 5 the
breakup scene was tearjerking
but it makes no sense how that character knew that. We never saw her get any indication of it more than once, it makes no sense.
Young Ren talking to Now Ren was genius, loved it.
edit 3: Ok the end of volume extras for 2,5,7 that show the character backstories are all really good. ESPECIALLY volume 7's that shows Sayuri's story. Like if this story is a 7/10, those chapters would be a 7.5, 7.5, 8.5.
Not sure about volume 10's but I doubt I'd care cos Mayuba is a major asshole and the most hateable character in the series. What an asshole
edit 4: Ok Mayuba's (which was actually published around volume 7? Whenever the Christmas chapter is, so you can read it after that) was also really really freaking good. I mean I still abhor the guy but the heroine in the chapter was so so likeable I want there to be more of her. Really really want it. And the overall story of the chapter is just great, too, done so well. Unfortunately she's not in any other extras, not even the extra epilogue in Ao Haru Ride (which is about Toda's romance with the MCs there, too, it's nice)
Ok so. Done with the series. Overall I'd say Ao Haru Ride should be read first, as there area couple of concepts that are used in both but used better in Ao Haru Ride (~9/10, compared to this 7.5/10). Then if you like you can come to this.
There were times where I thought 'reading this isn't worth it...' so I can see why I stopped reading it ten years ago at volume 5.
That said there are some parts of this series that are done EXTREMELY well.
Mayuka&Ren's relationship is done very well. Though as I said earlier, doesn't make sense how she knows one particular thing which is integral to their story, so...
The second last main chapter, chapter 32, was also really well done, it was powerful, so you know the ending is decent. It's not one of those series where it's ok and then the ending sucks.
Andou's whole story as the rival MC is sucky. I didn't like it. It sucked overall. However his backstory and his friendship with Ren were very nice to see and a good story.
The girl from their past, Mao, I mean...you're gonna hate her. And I was kinda tired of the unoriginality.....until she wasn't unoriginal anymore. And I really want a miniseries that focuses on her in the coming year or so. She actually ended up giving me one of the favourite scenes/chapters of this series.
Also Sayuri is sooooooo freaking cute!!! Serious FMC energy.
I don't like how Ninako looks like a kid. I don't like how it's the 2 noteworthy hot guys into our meek heroine, at least mention 1 or 2 other hot guys existing rather than have background characters only gush on the male MCs
Overall, it's hard to entirely recommend it because there's better stuff to read. Because it's a decent series with some parts that are boring but some handful of parts in 10 volumes that are very very good. So it's a question of whether those parts are worth reading 10 volumes for.
But if you feel that you've read the top-tier, this is probably in the tier below that, or maybe maybe third.
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