Hana yori Dango

I wasn't quite sure about this manga at first, but my curiosity about what's popular in Asian countries led me to give it a chance. I'm glad I did!

Starting with the story, I found myself deeply engrossed, experiencing its highs and lows like an emotional roller-coaster. There were minor flaws; some parts seemed illogical, yet the overall plot from start to finish held together well. The narrative also touches on several underlying themes such as bullying, societal appearances, wealth, and more that I can't recall off the top of my head.

The artwork was commendable for its clarity, and the male characters were portrayed fashionably, which added to the appeal.

Regarding the characters, Tsukushi stands out as a strong female lead, bravely navigating through her challenges. While I can't understand how she fell for Tsukasa, the author strongly emphasized the unpredictability of love, adding a tragic element to the tale. The story features other strong female characters like Shizuka, Tsukasa’s sister, Shigeru, and the older maid, all willing to support Tsukushi because of who she is. As for the boys, while the main ones are handsome and stylish, they mostly come from wealthy backgrounds. Significant character development is primarily seen in Tsukasa and Rui.

Despite its length, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. It made me feel annoyed, cry, laugh, and get completely absorbed in the storyline.

In summary, if you enjoy romantic dramas, this manga is definitely worth your time!

Well, what can I say? I didn't start with the manga; instead, I watched the anime first, then the live-action show, and finally decided to read the manga. It’s similar to the anime but offers more detailed content.

Initially, I wasn’t planning to read it since I had already seen the anime, but now I’m glad I did. What I liked about this manga was its storyline, which differed from your typical boy-meets-girl-and-they-fall-in-love scenario. This manga includes love triangles, fights, moments that make you sad, others that make you want to yell at Makino, and times when you find yourself smiling without even realizing it.

Sometimes, in the manga, Makino (a poor girl attending a rich high school) can be quite annoying because of her attitude, but I still liked her character very much. She was nice (except to Tsukasa, whom she disliked from the beginning, although feelings change), had a strong character to endure all the bullying, and possessed her "weed power" – if you’ve read it, you know what I mean. Then there's Tsukasa or Domyoji (the leader of F4 and someone Makino just can't stand – or can she?). He was quite aggressive, but he also had his funny moments and could be nice when he wanted to, though most of the time he was an ass.

Rui (Makino’s savior and crush) was a mysterious character. While reading, you’ll want to learn more about him and why he’s so silent. Rui also had many funny moments and acted like Makino’s prince in shining armor.

I guess I like this manga because of its characters and plot. This manga can evoke so many different emotions. Many times, I found myself laughing, feeling sad, worried, angry, and happy. I could explain in detail why I felt these things, but that would spoil the story, which I won’t do.

Writing this review, I want to say so much more, but as mentioned, I don’t want to spoil it. I highly recommend reading this manga as it tells a great story. If you prefer not to read it, you can watch the anime (though the graphics are a bit dated, it didn’t stop me). You can also check out the live-action version.

Hope this review was at least somewhat helpful.

I had a fantastic time reading this manga. The main character is incredibly strong and self-assured. I admire her greatly. Enough with the excessive adverbs. There were countless moments when I experienced happiness, sadness, and anger alongside the character. This manga has definitely become one of my favorites.

When I was first recommended this manga, my initial thought was, "Wow... why would anyone want to read this story? For one thing, it's too long. And for another, one of the guys has the weirdest-looking hair I've ever seen in a shoujo manga." However, I soon realized that I'd have to eat my words.

Hana Yori Dango is by far the best manga I've EVER read, and trust me, I've read tons of shoujo manga. The storyline might be typical, but the characters are incredibly unique. Tsukushi, the female protagonist, isn't afraid to speak her mind. Unlike most females in manga, she isn't clingy. She's upright and self-reliant, capable of handling tasks that no one else, male or female, could manage. She's amazing both mentally and physically. Then there's Domyouji Tsukasa, the male lead. He's violent, self-centered, hot-tempered, and doesn't know how to treat the woman he loves. But deep down, he's extremely caring and reliable. He's willing to sacrifice his fame, wealth, and family name for love, a feeling foreign to him due to his cold childhood. Though not the ideal image of a shoujo male who can sweep a woman off her feet, he's definitely sweet with his nice moments.

Another aspect I loved about this story was its focus on building upon an existing relationship rather than starting one. Most shoujo manga revolve around a girl and a guy who like each other but can't admit it until the last chapter. This trope is so boring and overused. Hana Yori Dango contrasts this by initiating the main characters' relationship from the beginning chapters. The rest of the story focuses on strengthening their bond against outside forces trying to break them up. It teaches readers to keep their heads held high and hopes ignited even when love seems lost in shadows and despair. The lessons of love, life, friendship, family, unity, and acceptance will forever hold a place in my heart.

I read Hana Yori Dango in less than three days [it's over 240 chapters!]. Even after reading top-rated shoujo manga like Vampire Knight, I still prefer this one for its lovable storyline and unforgettable characters. I'm currently watching the Japanese drama adaptation, and it's wonderful as well.

DEFINITELY WORTH READING. This manga will remain on your list of best mangas for years to come :D

When I first started reading the manga, I didn't think it was anything special. I was really trying to get into it, but after what I believe was the first volume, I began to love it and couldn't put it down. I read it all the time! It's truly an amazing story and the best shoujo, romance drama manga I've ever come across. I would highly recommend it!

Don't be discouraged by the fact that the characters are drawn in a peculiar way at the beginning. The artwork improves as you go along, and by the middle or even before, they all look much prettier. So don't be fooled by their initial appearance because the story is a masterpiece. :)

I absolutely despise this manga. I hate it with a passion. I read the first half during Christmas 2020 and had to take a six-month break just to recover from the endless torment it inflicted on me. But much like Tsukushi, I have a thing for toxic boys, so I had to finish it. I love them all. Every single one of them. You're all terrible people. Objectively awful. "Oh, they're teenagers though," yeah, okay, but when I was in high school, I wasn't planning some fake rape prank on a girl who barely slighted me. I don't even know if I'm remembering that part correctly. All I remember is how utterly ridiculous it was.

Look, I get it. Drama. Tension. Blah blah blah. They should have had sex, though. Honestly, it would have done more for me than it would have for them. I needed that closure. But no, she gets a "cold" and he suddenly becomes a gentleman? Get outta here. I could go on for hours. Days. Years. I hate it so much. It's everything wrong with shoujo manga. But then again, I'd probably read it again. It's like Love Island. Trash, yes. But it's my trash. I love her, I hate her. Do I like Tsukasa or do I want to beat him senseless? To be decided.

ALSO, the way Tsukasa gets all mature at the end? Uh, no. Not this kid. He's not like that. 10/10 great hate-read, but it would be a lie to say I didn't enjoy it and hold all the characters close to my heart.

Hana Yori Dango was the first shoujo manga I ever read, and it has always held a special place in my heart. If you've watched the anime or any of its drama adaptations, you should definitely give this manga a chance as well.

In an era where feminism had yet to take root in Japan, Makino Tsukushi, our heroine, fights back against the bullying from the F4. While she doesn't have the combat prowess of Wonder Woman, her strength lies in her indomitable spirit. She's spirited, independent, hardworking, refuses to be humiliated, and stands up for what she believes is right—traits that make her a perfect embodiment of a "weed." Despite all this, Makino possesses a warm and forgiving heart, seeing people for who they truly are. True, she had moments of weakness, but these only made her more human and relatable to me. However, the bullying aspect only covers about 20% of the manga—the rest follows a typical shoujo/romance plot between a rich troubled guy and a poor plucky girl.

It's no surprise that many readers complain about how cliché it is. This manga is a CLASSIC, and being the best-selling shoujo manga of all time, it's not surprising that it inspired many of the clichés found in mainstream shoujo titles today.

What makes this manga stand out for me, though, are the CHARACTERS. Each one is multi-faceted and well-rounded, drawing me into their emotional journeys more than the plot itself. They have both good and bad traits that can evoke love or hate as the story unfolds.

Few might know that Hanadan was Yoko Kamio's "experimental" work. Initially, she planned for Makino to end up with Rui, which explains why the Domyouji/Makino pairing didn't seem like a "match made in heaven" early on and might not appeal to staunch feminists.

But once the mangaka changed course, transforming Domyouji from a mess to a decent human being (so Makino could change her opinion about him) became central to Hanadan—and I believe it's one of the manga's greatest strengths.

The character growth, especially Domyouji's, and the development of the pairings are impressive. For every mistake and transgression he caused Makino, he pays dearly. How does he do it? Apologies are tough, especially from someone with such immense pride—but he shows it by risking his life for her multiple times. Not to mention the emotional rollercoaster he goes through just to win her over. He suffers as much, if not more, than she does. I wouldn't date a guy like Domyouji in real life, but since Makino is a character neither you nor I can insert ourselves into, I believe they suit each other well.

The change wasn't one-sided; you see it in Makino too. Throughout their relationship, they both matured and became better people. Compare Domyouji at the beginning and the end, and you'll find two different people. And it's not just Domyouji—Makino's influence extends to the rest of the F4 as well.

As for the art, I'm probably among the minority who wasn't bothered by the earlier style since I started reading this in the '90s. Trust me, though—the more you read, the more you'll notice how much both her art and storytelling improve.

This manga series has always been a love-hate affair for me. Initially, I was deeply engrossed and adored the comedy and romance that unfolded effortlessly. The characters felt genuine, and the challenges faced by the protagonist were relatable and heartfelt. However, as the series progressed and became increasingly serious, the plot started to feel monotonous and uninspiring. The conflicts grew repetitive, and eventually, I found myself disliking a character due to his treatment of the main character. I wish the author had stuck with the elements that made the series so enjoyable from the start, as I wasn't entirely convinced by its direction towards the end.

Overall, I would recommend this manga to fans of the Shoujo genre but not necessarily to newcomers looking to explore it.

STORY - 8

ART - 6

CHARACTERS - 8