Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte

PSME is undoubtedly one of the best manga I've read so far, and even the anime, which isn't nearly as good due to its omission of much of the original storyline, outshines most other anime I've seen in recent years. It strikes just the right balance between "typical shoujo" elements, sci-fi, and drama. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, which can be a bit confusing initially, but this shouldn't pose a problem after a few chapters. All the characters, including past and "present" forms of the main cast along with others introduced as the series progresses, are interesting and somewhat relatable. Everyone should find a favorite character, and you genuinely empathize with them as you learn more about their past and present situations. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys shoujo as well as sci-fi stories and appreciates being surprised by a series—because (for me at least) PSME is full of surprises and plot twists. I rated the artwork as "good" (while everything else was rated "outstanding") because this series was published in the 80s and 90s, and it shows in the art style, especially in the early issues. However, it's fascinating to observe how Hiwatari Saki's skills as a mangaka significantly improved over the course of working on this series.

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with "Please Save My Earth," but I suspect it's not many unless you're into 90s shoujo manga, given the age of this series. Well, I'm here to try and change that and convince you to read it! ~(＾◇^)/

Simply put, due to its age, this series does have some flaws in the art department. At times, you can tell it's both old and wasn't very good or was still rough, but the characters and story more than make up for it. However, the art does improve over time, so it's great to watch a mangaka grow; props to Saki Hiwatari for improving!

This isn't your typical love story. I'm not even sure if it's a love story per se; it just happens to have some romance. The main character, Alice, is a young 16-year-old girl who starts having dreams about space with people she doesn't know. From there, it quickly evolves into one of the most compelling shoujos I've ever read, rivaled only by CLAMP's X/1999 in terms of content and handling. Beware: this series will mess with your feelings!

I won't spoil anything, mostly because I don't remember everything 100%, and this is one of those series I can't reread because it's too deeply ingrained in me, much like "Alive - The Final Evolution," another manga I want to talk about but find hard to.

Suffice it to say, this manga has characters just like I love them: realistic, human, flawed, making mistakes, and can be stupid, naive, and punished for it, but never in a mean way. In fact, I found it tackled a lot of subjects I wasn't expecting, and one of the main casts is even gay.

Besides the characters, what I loved about this was how well-thought-out and introduced the plot was. Mysteries start small and grow, evolving into big proportions until finally culminating into one of the most gripping climaxes I've experienced. I was crying by the end of this manga, so touched by the sacrifice, pain, and heart of these characters. How could I not be?

/sighs lovingly

The ending is hopeful and feels like a big warm hug after an epic fight, and I couldn't be happier that this series exists. It's a pity more people don't know about it, and it got a pretty heavily condensed OVA that didn't do it justice. If I could campaign for a series to get an anime adaptation, this would be the one!

Well, and "After School Nightmare"...and a lot of others, but you get my feelings! （＾＿－）≡★

I'll also say it covers a very interesting sci-fi element I don't usually see in shoujo, and it's superb.

If you like a good plot-heavy series with characters that grow and learn and evolve, then definitely pick this one up! Plus, the romance was both tragic and sweet; how could anyone not like this???! Get on it! ヽ(*⌒∇⌒*)ﾉ

I have never encountered a manga series as remarkable as this one. The characters felt incredibly real, and the storyline was simply outstanding. For years, I had seen this manga on various websites but always skipped it because the artwork didn't seem particularly appealing. However, when boredom struck, I decided to give it a chance, willing to read anything to pass the time.

It didn't take long for my boredom to fade away, and soon I found myself deeply engrossed in Saki Hiwatari's tale of seven scientists reincarnated on Earth. The story was so captivating that I barely noticed the older art style, which eventually grew on me and became quite impressive. Each character was intricately developed, and uncovering their pasts was both fascinating and enthralling, especially the histories of the two main characters, Arisu and Rin. Their tragic backstories brought me close to tears multiple times.

The ending was superb, tying up all loose ends beautifully. My addiction to the series was such that I finished the lengthy series in just two days. To those who might have overlooked this incredible manga due to its art style, I strongly urge you to reconsider and dive into this amazing story. You won't regret it. :D

Don't let the sci-fi label fool you; this manga delves deeper into the intricacies of human nature and relationships more realistically than most others. It's a hidden gem, long lost in time. Nothing feels rushed here; it meticulously unravels each character's backstory, leaving readers to decipher the truth for themselves.

Unlike many contemporary mangas, this one portrays raw emotions with striking realism. You'll be surprised by how these emotions drive the narrative, pulling you into each character's past and revealing their thoughts during pivotal moments. Initially, the story presents its tragic elements, making you believe that the climax has been reached and all sorrow is laid to rest. However, it's after this so-called peak that the true tragedy unfolds—not through events, but through the characters' thoughts, feelings, and interactions.

This realization brings forth the urgency and profound sadness the author aims to convey. Don't misunderstand; this isn't a depressing read. Instead, it's an engaging journey filled with twists, turns, and shocking revelations that will keep you captivated from start to finish.

Please Save My Earth is a manga that dives deep into the intricacies of human relationships and the weight of sin. A group of high school students, including one younger boy, start having bizarre dreams that hint at their past lives as alien scientists stationed on a secret moon base. This concept may seem audacious or even absurd, but once you begin reading earnestly, it feels completely natural, a testament to the organic storytelling. Over time, these dreamlike memories unravel an epic tragedy, threatening to strip away the characters' current identities. Initially, character introductions might feel overwhelming, and the story can be hard to follow, but once you grasp the essence, everything flows seamlessly, making it impossible to look away.

As you delve deeper into Saki Hiwatari's narrative with its peculiar storytelling devices and interconnected twists, the story starts to take shape, transforming from bewildering to unexpectedly coherent and significant. The science fiction world-building progresses at a measured pace, fitting perfectly with the overarching plot. Gradually, you learn about the mechanics and intricacies of a complex alien society. However, the crux of PSME's story revolves around a more intimate event that profoundly impacts the scientists' lives and torments the students who inherit their memories. Describing this is challenging because nothing else matches its unique narrative structure and layering.

The cast brims with depth and nuances that propel the series forward. Characters like Rin, Alice, and Jinpachi undergo significant development as they grapple with their mysterious pasts and inherited guilt. Flashbacks in PSME are layered, shifting between the characters' present selves, their lives on the moon base, and their upbringings in an alien society before becoming Earth-studying scientists. These experiences create a perfect storm of complex human interactions testing morality and self-identity. The retroactive unveiling of the "critical event" and its emotional and societal precursors depict a haunting blend of love, loathing, and regret.

The most integral motif in PSME is loneliness. One scientist, Shion, a war orphan, shuns others out of spite for their innocence. Another, Mokuren, is a seemingly angelic deity blessed with supernatural powers and beauty. Her immense societal value isolates her, making it difficult to form meaningful relationships. To Shion, Mokuren embodies everything he hates, while to Mokuren, his coldness proves she is not just a doll. Their mutual loneliness intertwines their fates forever. These flawed characters with realistic complexes make PSME inherently human. Hiwatari’s core characters constantly struggle between magnanimity and transgression under moral duress, allowing readers to witness decay and rebirth in defiance of the oppressive story gravity.

The art is somewhat dated, lacking the detail found in modern manga, but it is artsy and effective in conveying visuals necessary for the entrancing narrative. PSME is an unrelenting emotional roller-coaster adorned with intricate details and profound psychological examinations of the human sense of self and belonging. It's so grounded in psychological realism that the sci-fi exterior becomes more of a pretense than a premise. From this pretense unfolds a majestic tale of love and loss. It's in deconstructing traditional genre lines and tropes that PSME's brilliance shines. Hiwatari's calculated ensemble of thematic and narrative chaos is spellbinding, soliciting emotional resonance and philosophical propositions while never losing sight of what it means to be human.

I was introduced to Please Save My Earth through the anime, which doesn't even come close to how amazing the manga is. I absolutely loved it. This manga might just be the best shoujo manga I've ever read - the plot keeps you guessing, every character is fascinating, and they all have rich, intricate backstories (especially in their past lives, but the present-day characters are captivating too).

The only drawback to this series is that the artwork looks a bit dated - but honestly, that doesn't really matter. The series is just THAT good, making you overlook any artistic shortcomings. I highly recommend this series, and if you're a fan of shoujo, you should buy this series right now.

This tale had immense potential, yet it suffers from two MAJOR flaws that cannot be ignored. What I'm about to share are spoilers, but I believe it's essential for people to be aware before diving into this narrative. I genuinely wish I had known earlier to avoid wasting time on this nonsense. (All sarcasm in this critique is directed at the story’s presentation.)

1. The romanticization of rape. The central relationship starts with a rape incident. Yes, you read correctly. Shion rapes Mokuren and 'defiles' her (his words), because she is just sooo perfect, and he despises her for it. And guess what? She forgives him. Despite crying throughout the ordeal, she pardons him and even announces their engagement to protect him. Eventually, they develop genuine affection for each other.

But that's fine because he's just a troubled handsome guy, right? And Mokuren is overly empathetic, such a boundary-less sweetheart! Forbidden love and the ideal woman right here! <3

If the first point wasn't enough to deter you, perhaps Shion and Mokuren's reincarnated romance will.

Their love transcends to another lifetime - now known as Rin and Alice. Rin is 8, while Alice is a high schooler, and they're engaged. Initially, it was a forced engagement (typical Shion, manipulating and coercing Mokuren even in another life!) - but don't worry, they eventually get genuinely engaged. Yes, by the end, 12-year-old Rin marries adult Alice. But that's alright too, because Rin is mature and tall for his age. Not to mention, Alice felt romantically drawn to 8-year-old Rin... because he was Shion.

Both these plot points are pivotal in the story and utterly disgusting. I couldn't appreciate any other aspects of PSME. 'Complex relationships' mean nothing when overshadowed by rape and pedophilia. Furthermore, Shion/Rin and Mokuren/Alice's connections were highly toxic in both lifetimes. Shion continued to lie and manipulate Mokuren even in their reincarnation, showcasing the author's knack for romanticizing abusive relationships.

If these issues matter to you, I do not recommend reading this manga. There are numerous excellent manga out there that don't perpetuate the garbage this story does.