At first I was skeptical about this one: usual plot, usual characters, etc. (and don't get me started about the art, it is definitely not to the taste of people these days)... but don't let any of that fool you! It is funny + romantic, has great characters, and just makes you want to re-read it over and over again. It truly deserves the title of a romantic comedy! Plus, this one is so good that I looked for the raws for this for about 7 hours before rejoicing when I found it.

I know that Kotoko is probably the dumbest girl in manga history, but I think it sort of gives her this cute charm and is also a great way to create some hillarious comedy. Naoki is just... oh man, AWESOME ha ha Although he can be a huge jerk, you'll love him to bits once you get to understand him + he gets to know Kotoko better You can't expect characters to grow in just a few chapters or volumes like in most shoujos, so don't be frustrated when the characters are a bit...overwhelmingly either dumb or arrogant. Kotoko doesn't stay stupid and Naoki doesn't stay a pompous prick. It takes some time for people to grow/develop like in real life!

And where else are you going to find a shoujo where it doesn't end after they get married? It brings you along on their journey through the ups and downs of their marriage. And the romantic scenes are so...ah, they make me squeal each and every time! So, there may not be a lot of them, but they're worth it! Plus, it makes it so that the two main characters are not all over each other every chance they get like some mangas out there.

If you're worried about how it never finished because of the author's death, the anime ended with some of the notes she left behind and closed all the loose ends There's also a Japanese (Itazura na Kiss), Taiwanese (It Started With a Kiss, They Kiss Again), AND Korean (Mischievous/Playful Kiss) drama available! X)

Seriously....just read it!

... Last updated on December 10th, 2010, 4:06am

At first, when "shoujomagic" introduced this series, I backed off due to its old-fashioned art. However, it started to gain me some interest when a friend of mine told me that this series is so much fun, but it never got completed due to the tragic death of the author which is very regrettable. The good thing is that the 23rd volume was completed and Kaoru Tada-sensei told the ending to her husband, in which the ending was developed into anime. Also, the Taiwanese drama "It started with a kiss" comes from this manga, and it was a huge success. So I gave it a try when the licensed manga came out. I never got disappointed with it! I'm reading the manga in English version (omnibus), and I got hooked! It is very enjoyable, so hilarious. Every chapter has memorable events.

This manga gives me all the pleasure of reading because it presents a unique love story. The romance, comedy and humour, touching, and sad moments are all blended into one.
Although the art looks old fashioned and set in the 90s, the story is too good to be missed out. The dialogues, the pace of the story and the timeline fit together perfectly. And I think that the feeling of reading this manga is way different from watching the adapted live-action. In the manga, we watch the characters grow, develop, and the readers will grow fond of them too especially when each of them have their unique likeable individuality. Added to this, facial expression is Kaoru Tada-sensei's biggest manga asset. Her art may be sharp but all types of facial expression and body movement are well shown.

I've tried the scanlated version too, but I recommend the DMP licensed version over the scanlated one, because the licensed version's translation is superb and doesn't turn you off, it keeps you hooked! Let's buy the real version to spread the love of this manga, especially paying a tribute to Kaoru Tada sensei! ^_^ Sad that she died unexpectedly, leaving the remaining volumes uncompleted. Anyway, don't miss out this great manga, it is highly recommended ^_^

Something about it pissed me off when I watched the KDrama, so then I moved onto the anime and this, and I LOVED it! Typical shoujo yet something entirely lovable. Not sure how it inspired Fruits Basket though, but I liked it none the less. It's so sad, though, how the author never got te see the manga's success.

This is an interesting read that follows the two main characters and their friends from highschool till they start their careers. A pity the mangaka Kaoru Tada sensei passed away before the manga could be completed.

OMG!! This manga surprise me!
never expect that it will be a good one shojo I ever read!
This manga is one of the rare manga which The Main Female Chara not annoying [for me]

sadly, it wont be release in my country,
and the scanlation team working on it seems died.
It will be a nice Valentine Present if there is someone out there continue scanlate it >.<!

anyway, this manga worth to read!!!!
recommended!

It's a very nice shoujo. Other people may not like the art...I didn't at first, now it's one of the things that I like about it.

The romantic scenes are a bit scarse but when there is one my heart flutters!!hehehe

If you're not patient this isn't for you as it takes quite a while for something to develop between them but it was worth the wait for me.

I first watched the Taiwanese version one of my favorite series, then I got curious and watched the anime and also love it that I watched it 4 times. But it took me a long time to read the manga because I admit at first I don't like Naoki's art here. But when I tried recently just until volume 11 because I read scanlation, it doesn't really bothered me at all even though I'm picky when it comes to art because the story overcomes it (but kotoko and Yuuki here are really cute). I even like it better than the anime because it is funnier and the original story.

I really enjoyed reading it always makes me laugh, feels good and doki doki. Though some may find Kotoko and Naoki's mom annoying, I find them really funny! Kotoko's love was just pure and innocent and we can't just force her to love kinchan if she only feels friendship for him (put yourselves in Kotoko's shoes specially when you already has a special feelings to someone). Though she's dumb these are the traits I really like about her: she has a pure big loving heart. She's not selfish, she really knows how to give up if she thinks that makes Irie happy (many times). She's very enthusiastic and always do her best but it's just that she always failed because of her clumsiness. She's cute, funny and adorable, has a cheerful personality that always makes Irie's house full of life. Kotoko is clingy? well I can only say that it is not entirely her fault Naoki's mother and sometimes her friends are the one who pushes her. She's also very thoughtful to others like to the little patients in the hospital I always thought that's the reason why Irie surrender his heart to her.

While in Irie's case in truth I pity him while reading this because he's always a victim of kotoko's clumsiness and stupidity that always made him embarrassed. That's why I can't really blame him if he's always angry with her (though he can also be teasing and encouraging to her). But he's always there and picking her up in times of trouble, I thought him really thoughtful the way he helps her even though it is not his nature that's why Kotoko's love grows more and more for him. He's just never been in love before that's why it is hard for him to express his feelings (not to mention his big pride and a pushy mother because he doesn't want to be controlled around).

Whenever I read this I always felt that I'm also a part of their family.
If someone is wondering why it was so popular and has many adaptations, well I can only say that there are more people who can appreciate it than those who don't.

I think there is more in the story and characters than what is in the surface. I love this lighthearted and heartwarming series even though it never ends the final from the anime series ends well. :-( that I really cried.

Go Kotoko, Naoki, Kotomi!

Happy Ending!

Chase Your Happiness, Always do your Best! Good Luck!

But in the end I still believe that it is how you perceive the manga some will like it and some will not.

Now I will add this to my favorite manga list: Rurouni Kenshin, Genbu Kaiden, mars, honoka ni purple, imadoki, skip beat and hakushaku to yousei!

... Last updated on July 26th, 2013, 10:20pm

Every now and again I hit a series I want to re-read again and again, and INK is one of them. Although I think that Konoko is too friggin' stupid to survive, and Irie too smart not to have been killed by someone for his arrogance, I still love them both and I always regret when I get to the end that the mangaka passed prematurely.

My favorite things about this manga are that it's silly, but watching Konoko struggle for her love is bother heartbreaking and lovely. Irie's apparent affection for her, that he keeps under tight wraps, is also sweet, until the 10th volume when everything (seems) to culminate into what we hope for.

Still, the series goes on to vol 23, and we get to see Kotoko and Naoki grow up in various ways, as well as Yuuki and every one else. It was such a pleasure to watch them all grow up, and, really, every time I hit the last page, I'm just sad there's no more.

It does get a bit repetitive in its jokes about how clumsy and stupid Kotoko is, and how brilliant Naoki is, but... you also get to see how they fill each other out, with his brains and her heart. He can't do without her, and she can't live without him. By the end, it makes you feel like you've really endured a ride with them, like any GOOD shoujo does.

It's not the most awesome manga out there, but it's definitely one of my favorites for the rivalries, watching the "perfect" character grow as much as the "imperfect" one, and both struggling to find their way. I think that every time I re-read it... what a wonderful story (because regardless, it still ends well), but how sad it is...

This manga is incredibly sweet and funny. The art isn't that good, but this style was very popular in the 90s I believe. Don't let the illustrations get you down, for the story is ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL AND CUTE.
It's too bad that it was not completed because the author died. It's also sad that the scanlating groups have stopped working on this title.
Well, anyway, I hear that it's already licensed so when it's in your area, you better buy this series! I absolutely love it and I can only hope that some group would start working on this soon!!!

... Last updated on April 1st, 2010, 11:14pm

Wasn't impressed on the first read but really draws you in. Very funny and cute.