The art isn't anything to rave about but the plot is!

The events leading up to the major conflicts were well developed and the importance of each character was really stressed. Its not hard to fall in love with the characters and be absorbed into their struggles. The main plot was a pretty big hurdle but when it was wrapped up at the end you really felt like this was going to be a manhaw that left an impression.

Don't be put off by the art! Sure it's not amazing but the story makes up for it 10x over. It's got a great plot, Although it does become a wee bit rushed. But it's a really gripping read, I get abit annoyed with his girlfriend but it only really comes into the main story a couple of times. But the relationship between the three of them is great. Definitely read it!

... Last updated on July 29th, 2011, 4:51pm

I absolutely love this series so so so so so so much.
People say the art is a BAD point of the manga? crazy. The art is one of the many great points about this manga. It's beautifully flowing, and the action scenes are amazing- the fluidity is beautiful too. I love how all the characters are drawn rough but manly too- it emphasizes the toughness of the mercenaries, but doesn't take away the potential for fangirling :3
All the characters are cool... and they develop and grow and really the reader can't help but get so attached to them. I didn't think they were all that in the beginning, but that changes FAST. I became a diehard fan of Baruna, Ares, Mikael, Robin, Icarus, Cygnus, Carnival XD, and more.
The plot was so intricate and amazing- although there is quite a bit of politics/strategy between countries involved in between all the fighting going on, so if you prefer not to read too many little blurbs..... jk LIVE WITH IT it's worth it I hated reading them at first too, but eventually I realized they are actually quite important as well as interesting, and I grew to embrace and accept them Plus, the action scenes and overall plot make reading them 1000% worth it.
The action scenes are a work of art, and are absolutely beautiful and stunning and compelling and awe-inspiring.
There is a bit of comedy in this manga too, along with parts that are just plain TRAGIC and so many parts that made me hold my breath or hyperventilate
Overall, if you are an action fan, READ THIS MANGA!!

I have a very hard time sticking to mangas. I find myself bored easily. I read Ares all the way through with very little breaks. It is definitely one of the best I've read. This manga spares no one's feelings. It has the feeling of doing what it wants, and the best part about it, is it doesn't waste time! There are no drawn out fights or anything. Read it while you can

Honestly one of the best mangas/manhwas I've ever read. The story is great, concise, it knows what it wants to accomplish and it does it ever so eloquently.

I know some people get turned off by the art, but give it time. The story is the real gem of this manhwa.

Having following it for years.. i'm a bit saddened to have finally put it on my complete list...

... Last updated on June 27th, 2011, 1:46pm

The art is not so good since it's an old manhwa, but the plot is great! There were intense scenes where nothing but raw emotions drove me to reading it until its end. This is not your typical shounen where the main character has an unfailing sense of justice. It spares no time in giving war readers such as me a fair share of justified blood bath in the name of true justice, which is vengeance. =)

The plot is awe inspiring. It is war, complete with, betrayal, revenge, battles on the scale of thousands, Strategy, tactics, and that final little bit comedy that adds a realistic flare to the lives of the characters. Yes, the plot can be a bit confusing at times, but that is what war is like. No single person ever knows every little detail about what is happening. The King or the General may know the overall state of the battle, but what exactly his soldiers are experiencing he knows not. If the reader wishes to really know what is going on then they should not skip the pages where the author explains the geography, or the politic state of one of the countries, because usually that is important, and he only goes into detail about them when that country becomes important( like they are about to become a major ally or enemy). If the little details of the plot are confusing try focusing on the big picture. That happened to me the first time I read ARES, but the next time I went to go back and read it everything was easily understandable.( I've probley read this manhaw about 12 times now.)
As to the art, yes it is different. It is not the uber realism of Vagabond, or Vinland Saga, nor does it have the ultra-reflective absurdly large eyes of many shojo manga; it is not even the somewhere in between of naruto. Instead it is a loose style that perfectly fits the setting, and the emotions that are involved in ARES as a whole. Yes at first the art is a little acward, especially to someone who really only reads the mainstream mangas like Naruto, bleach, or say Skip Beat.( especially Skip Beat) but you will get used to it. Whether it is because your brain gets corrupted by it, like someone said awhile back, or it is because you actually begin to enjoy and appreciate it. I, personally, love it, and as someone who is majoring in art, and minoring in lit, truly admire the freedom in which the author possesses in his style.
Truly, despite what others might believe, there is actual skill in his art. They are not doodles. I personally favor they uber-realism in my art. I can draw paractly anyone's portrait, shaded and everything and you can easily tell that it is indeed so-and-so. His style is almost a mixture of realsim, anime/manga style, and surrealism ( for anyone who does not know what surrealism is go to Google and type in Dali)
Overall I really love ARES. It is my absolute favorite manga/manhaw of all time. I have been following it for about 5 years now and am sad it is over, but I absolutely loved the ending. Do not stop after the first chapter. Like any prolonged manga the art evolves with the storyline.

... Last updated on April 19th, 2011, 1:45pm

This was quite a good manwha. The art itself was most likely intended to be drawn that way, but even so contributed to the epicness of the storyline. I can easily say this is one of my favorite series, and I hope the author quickly comes out with a sequel, or something of this caliber. Brilliant.

This is one of the best manhwa/manga series that I ever read!!!! It has a great story and very good characters. I`m a little bit disapointed about the ending, it seems a bit forced. Hope that they to a sequel to this!

I don't get it....why do people like this manga? Why is it rated so high? I don't like the art...it's more like doodle. I can't even tell the characters apart. Also the characters seem more android than human, no feeling.....and of course....what's up with the plot? It's like...wth?!?!