Full Moon wo Sagashite

Wow. I'm not usually a big fan of supernatural stories because they often become so outrageous that the characters lose believability, and the story suffers as a result. However, this work is a significant exception. I didn't notice any "fluff" characters; even the supporting ones had their own backgrounds and felt real. Unlike many similar works where you have to suspend disbelief for everything, here you only need to accept the existence of shiragamis. After that, everything flows naturally, and the characters behave exactly as you would expect them to, given their personalities.

I laughed, I cried, and I cheered them on. By the end, I felt like I had learned a lot about life too. All this despite my initial reluctance to read it, suspecting it might be too short to accomplish what needed to be done (I was wrong; it concluded beautifully and naturally). Whatever reason you think you have for hesitating to read this manga, forget it. I've read many manga, both shorter and longer, but this is the first one I took the time to review.

In conclusion, read it. The story and characters are fantastic, and you grow and learn right along with them. The art is good, though my only possible criticism is the typical shoujo style where the eyes take up half the face. But, it doesn't detract from the fabulous overall work.

Story: 10/10

A girl and a boy promise each other to fulfill their dreams. Her dream is to become a singer, but unfortunately, she suffers from throat cancer. With the help of two shinigamis, she is able to sing once again. This is a unique story; I don't think I've ever read anything like it before. It was definitely a childhood favorite, and WARNING! It will make you cry.

Art: 8/10

The art style is typical of shoujo manga from the 2000s, with big eyes and relatively small heads. However, the character designs are unique and easily remembered.

Characters: 9/10

There's a lot of character development, and you get to know more about the characters' backgrounds, allowing you to connect with them and feel sympathy. They'll make you cry so much.

Enjoyment/Overall: 10/10

Losing a lot of those tears was worth it. This is such a unique manga, and you won't regret reading it! Watch the anime too!

Dramatic but somewhat shallow.

Full Moon is the story of a 12-year-old girl aspiring to become a singer because of a promise she made to someone she loves. However, her grandmother despises music and she has throat cancer. She also never attended school, and her father was a top-tier singer. Additionally, two death reapers attempt to reap her soul since she is supposed to die in one year. But she convinces them to help her instead, transforming her into a model-looking woman who becomes an idol.

The story moves at a fast pace, which is for the better. If you pause and reflect on the series, you'll notice how shallow most of the characters are. Many of the women seem motivated by romantic interests. Every character seems to be in love, making it feel superficial. Some get much-needed backstories, but others come across as incredibly vain.

Despite this, I surprisingly enjoyed most of the series. Combined with the art, the author manages to convey the right emotions, albeit barely. As mentioned, due to the somewhat shallow behavior of the heroines and heroes, the dramatic moments feel a bit hollow. However, the art is good enough to still deliver an emotional impact, at least initially.

The story is interesting for the most part but gets convoluted near the end. The author does a good job of keeping you engaged. The series is a sad story, but it never overwhelms the reader. Lightheartedness and playfulness are woven throughout the manga. The cheery atmosphere adds to the emotional punches later on, while these gut punches also contribute to the series' levity.

TLDR: I enjoyed this series. Despite four out of five heroines being major simps, the art is good enough, the story is interesting enough, and the characters are likable enough to make me want to keep reading. 7/10

Full Moon wo Sagashite was a romantic "suspense" manga that kept me surprised and frightened with every page turn, wondering what would happen next. The story isn't bad for a fantasy/romance genre, though the fantasy elements could have been more original and imaginative. The romance, however, was amazing and truly stood out as excellent. The artwork was beautifully drawn, typical of the 'always original shoujo art,' with large eyes and somewhat similar-looking bodies, but it worked well. The characters sometimes felt detached from the story and seemed like unoriginal rip-offs, though they were slightly altered to make them more unique. With its mix of "fantasy-violence" and plenty of drama, the series delivers excitement. Overall, it's not a bad read, and if you enjoy romance, betrayal, and death, it should definitely be on your manga list.

This is one of the best shoujo manga ever. Initially, I thought it would be just another typical girl-meets-boy, happily-ever-after story. I wasn't particularly excited when I found out the protagonist was a singer since I don't usually enjoy celebrity-themed manga. However, once I started reading, I realized it was so much more than a standard shoujo tale. This story delves into themes of pain and loss, and at times, especially when reading the lyrics Mitsuki sings, I find myself on the verge of tears. Her love is so profoundly sad and moving that it's heartbreaking to see her put on a brave face.

The art—what can I say? Arina Tanemura at her finest. Her illustrations in this manga are simply stunning; the details truly help convey the emotions and situations the characters experience. Arina's artwork in this series has significantly influenced me and raised my standards for what constitutes great manga.

The characters are exceptionally well-developed, and this is the only manga where I genuinely like every character. Mitsuki stands out as one of the few main characters in shoujo manga that I truly admire. But honestly, who could dislike her? She is incredibly sweet and caring, and it's painful to know she's merely pretending to be strong. Her character depth makes you reflect on the things you have in your own life. Even though Eichi isn't physically present, his character evolves throughout the story. The love between him and Mitsuki is profound and utterly heartbreaking. The shinigami characters—Takuto, Meroko, and Izumi—as well as their bosses, are also well-developed. Takuto's impulsiveness and energy make him the perfect character to lift Mitsuki's spirits. Despite being rivals for Mitsuki's affection, both Takuto and Eichi are portrayed in such a way that it's impossible to hate either of them. You can empathize with both of their situations, making this manga rare in that you don't mind which one Mitsuki ends up with. I was quite upset when Izumi was depicted as evil in the anime. He is my favorite character in the manga and is far from evil. Sure, he's sadistic and even a bit masochistic, but when he reveals his true feelings, he becomes heartwarming. Meroko is somewhat obsessive, but her backstory is compelling as well. All the main characters' pasts are explored in detail, so even though the story centers on Mitsuki, you get to understand and appreciate the other characters deeply.

This is one of the most enjoyable manga stories out there. It's complex but not confusing like some other manga (Vampire Knight, for example). It doesn't drag on unnecessarily just to extend its length, although I would gladly read more if it did. Everything happens for a reason, and there is never a dull moment. While it is a shoujo manga, it's nothing like other shoujo stories. The romantic elements are tender and sad, complementing the overall narrative rather than overwhelming it. This story will definitely make you think about life and appreciate everything in it, especially when comparing your life to Mitsuki's—no love is more tragic than hers. Please read this manga; I swear you won't regret it.

My eyes are still brimming with tears from this story. I laughed and cried; it was incredibly moving. The narrative is amazing and truly makes you reflect on certain aspects of life. Often, there isn't just one clear answer, and that's what makes it so intriguing. I wish I could hear the songs she sings because they would be filled with such deep emotions. It concludes so beautifully.

Read it.