Hana yori Dango

I read this after watching the drama, and having enjoyed the drama quite a lot, I didn't think the manga would be as good.

My expectations were completely surpassed; the manga is absolutely fantastic. Despite being older compared to newer dramas and films, it still shines brightly. The characters are outstanding - Kamio Yoko managed to revolutionize the high school genre and created a female teenage protagonist that truly WORKED. She was an excellent character with her own flaws and strengths, definitely someone I and others can look up to, unlike the flat 2D characters typical in high school manga.

The love interests were brilliantly crafted; a main female character amidst an anti-harem of attractive, respected males in a school where everyone despises her? It doesn't sound very original, yet Kamio executes it magnificently.

It's fascinating to watch her progression; at the beginning, the artwork wasn't the best, but over time it improved immensely. Comparing the art from the start to near the end, it's almost unrecognizable.

The plot was brilliant and as original as you can get within this genre. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and plan to re-read it at some point - considering how rarely I re-read manga and its length, that's quite an achievement for this manga!

If you've seen the drama or watched the anime and are interested in the manga... this is a must-read.

And if you haven't seen any part of this series at all, then this is also a must-read!

I'm so thrilled to finally write a review for this manga!

I began reading it last week and finished it by the end of the week, this past Friday. All I can say is that it's a magnificent manga. If you haven't read it yet, you definitely should. Sure, it might seem a bit old, but don't let that fool you. I was fooled too. I would have started reading it earlier, but the cover just didn’t inspire me enough. I had come across this title many times but always thought it wasn't worth my time, until I decided to give it a try a few days ago. After all, what did I have to lose, right?

It was nothing like I expected; it was way better, and I'm glad I gave it a chance.

So, after expressing all my enthusiasm, let’s dive into the actual review.

Story: 9/10

I would have given it a perfect score, but it's not entirely original by today's standards. Back when it first came out, it must have been groundbreaking. We've all seen the story of the poor girl falling in love with the rich guy. That’s the only thing that bothered me, but the whole F4 dynamic was a pretty good mix. The twists were also entertaining. The story is well-told and has some fun moments. I'm also glad it’s not overly romantic because it handles mature themes quite well. That’s what I liked the most about it.

Art: 9/10

I might have given it a ten, but initially, it really didn’t appeal to me. Sorry if I offended anyone, but I want something visually pleasing, and Tsukasa’s hair looked a bit weird at first, though it was funny. As you progress through the chapters, it improves significantly and becomes enjoyable and beautiful. The character designs were interesting too, except for Tsukushi’s, which was simpler but fitting for her role.

Characters: 10/10

All the characters had depth, especially the protagonists. You could understand them and empathize with them or feel sorry for them. I actually fell in love with Tsukasa, haha. Perhaps the only ones lacking background were the mean girls trio, but their roles weren’t crucial later on. Maybe the only disappointment in terms of character development was Tsukushi’s. She should have remained strong even after falling in love with Tsukasa. Her crying seemed a bit exaggerated to me, but that’s probably personal preference. That’s all I had to complain about. The rest of the characters were very interesting—Tsukasa, Rui, Soujiro, and even Akira (though we learned more about his background much later in the manga).

Enjoyment: 10/10

I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that I finished it within a week. I even neglected some homework just to keep reading. Haha, that’s how much I loved it. I’m even considering rereading it and falling in love with it all over again. Plus, it has positively affected me. It’s been a long time since I felt this optimistic about something. Long live Hana Yori Dango!

Overall: 10/10

This manga is now listed among my favorites, and I’ll always cherish the sweet memories of reading it. It was fun, and I didn’t expect it to be this good. I’m so glad it surprised me.

Never have I read a manga that left me so conflicted about whether or not to recommend it.

https://myanimelist.net/reviews.php?id=371863 Anime review, which adapts the first 18 volumes. I'm writing this review assuming you've read the anime review.

"Boys Over Flowers" is a reverse harem romance comedy series about a heroine who is extremely poor and attends an incredibly wealthy school. In this school, there are four top dogs known as the F4, along with the very poor female main character (FMC) who has some of the worst parents ever. The story revolves around her presence and how it changes not just the F4 but also the people around her.

The beginning part of the story sucks, really hard. In my anime review, I talked about how much of a mess the characters were, and this remains true. The first 15 volumes of this series are trash. Although there are some light-hearted moments and enjoyment to be had, it's just too little compared to the absolute garbage the characters usually do in the series.

So imagine my surprise when this series starts improving and keeps going, albeit with some bumps on the road. The series takes a massive turn when the male main character's (MMC) mother shows up. This woman is easily the best character in the series. She pulls off such significant plots to ensure her son doesn't date the FMC, but she has such a dominating presence that I can't wait for her to show up. She effortlessly carries the series and is responsible for many femdom fetishes to come.

But it's not just her; the characters grow noticeably but not ridiculously. They mature and grow at a reasonable rate to the point where you notice, but the author wouldn't dump 1000 words of exposition to make sure you know they've changed. This is one of my favorite parts about this series. The character change in both main characters is astounding yet subtle. It is incredibly well done.

However, it's hard for me to recommend this series. The FMC actually starts making rape jokes... WHEN SHE WAS THE VICTIM. Maybe the comedy is too high for my brain to truly understand. Some other issues include the amnesia arc, which seemed entirely pointless. Even the new character introduced was just... weird. She practically served no purpose. Also, how the amnesia arc is resolved is pretty damn stupid too.

Two more things I'd like to talk about: the importance of a series picking itself back up rather than starting strong but losing steam. It's harder to get hooked on this manga because of its weak start, but the overall experience feels better. Another thing I want to add is that the age of the series does not matter. Berserk, Hajime no Ippo, Lone Wolf and Cub - these are all series I hear are phenomenal, yet I've never heard anyone say, "You have to cater in the fact it was released in the 80s." When I reviewed Love Hina, the whole catering-in-cuz-it-was-old argument was something I heard a lot, which is weird because when people say that, they're practically admitting it's a piece of shit if you read it now. So if you've reached this far in the review, I would like you to know that I'm reviewing Boys Over Flowers not as if it was released in the 80s but rather based on the quality of the manga now.

Back to the review, would I recommend Boys Over Flowers? I don't know. Is it worth wading through 15 volumes of crap for 22 volumes of fun? 2/5ths of the manga sucks. But the question is, is 3/5ths of the manga good enough to forgive the 2/5ths?

I have no idea.

I did enjoy the manga. I did start liking the characters. The romance made more and more sense as the series progressed. The ending is a bit disappointing but nothing majorly upsetting. The series still has its downs, but goddamn, I could not stop reading this manga. I tried to put it down, but I just wanted to know what happens. What keeps it going. I could not wait for what happens, which is such a massive difference from the first 15 volumes.

TLDR: If you are willing to wade through garbage..... 15 volumes. Then you're in for a solid albeit a bit of a broken series. 6/10

Fuck me.

Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) serves as a prime example of why popularity does not necessarily equate to quality. In fact, it often signifies the opposite.

This long-running manga is considered one of the best in Japan's Shoujo genre, spawning numerous TV dramas across different countries, an anime series, and three movies, including an animated version. Its story is well-known and beloved in many Asian countries.

It also holds the title of the best-selling Shoujo manga in Japan, with 54 million copies sold by 2005. However, this accolade is entirely undeserved. Why? Read on to find out.

★ Story (1) - If there was ever a plot constructed solely from Shoujo manga clichés, this would be it. What initially appears to tackle bullying in a prestigious school quickly devolves into a tangled mess of tropes.

Bullying is a severe issue globally, especially in places like Japan where suicide rates are high. The author trivializes this serious topic by using it as a "romantic" device. The protagonist starts off strong and independent, vowing to stand up against bullies. Guess what? She doesn't. She quickly capitulates and feels constantly at fault, repeatedly apologizing to her tormentors. Even when dating one bully who abuses her both physically and emotionally, she still believes she is in the wrong. She apologizes countless times, while he says sorry only twice throughout the entire 36-volume series.

Beyond the mishandling of bullying, the main plot suffers from excessive reliance on clichés:

• A good girl falls for a bad, abusive boy who bullies her to show his "love."
• The boy is fabulously wealthy, while the girl is dirt poor.
• There's attempted rape.
• A stolen first kiss, followed by the overused line, "Oh no, that was my first kiss!"
• Another bully falls for the main girl.
• The girl loses her house and then works as a maid for the male lead.
• The male lead's mother hates the girlfriend, causing predictable drama.
• Relationship troubles: slap, kiss, fight, break up, repeat endlessly.
• The male lead rescues the girl multiple times.
• They see each other naked due to contrived circumstances, leading to awkward solutions.
• Every conceivable cliché you can think of.

The story is so predictable that reading isn't necessary to know what happens next.

★ Art (8 and 5) - The artwork varies significantly over time, necessitating two scores.

• (8) Early volumes feature detailed, unique art characteristic of the '90s. Character designs, clothing, and makeup are distinct and well-executed, with vivid shading and textures.
• (6) Later volumes lack the uniqueness of earlier ones. While clean and neat, they are washed out and dull, lacking texture or detail. The pages look smooth but plain and boring, with nothing memorable about the characters or setting.

★ Characters (1) - Reflecting the clichéd story, characters are stereotypes. There's not a single unique personality among them, all falling into predetermined roles.

★ Enjoyment (2) - Only enjoyable if you love clichéd, predictable series. Otherwise, skip it.

★ Overall (2) - Avoid this manga. It's far from the worst but comes close.

For a unique cast in a school setting, try Honey and Clover. For a realistic portrayal of abuse and troubled relationships, read Mars. For a comedy about a high-class high school, check out Ouran High School Host Club. Many worthwhile manga exist; don't waste time on mediocre ones like this.

Hana Yori Dango. What a fantastic manga to dive into. This manga is genuinely outstanding, and words fail to capture the true beauty of its entire narrative. Essentially, the story revolves around a poor girl named Makino Tsukushi (however you spell her name), who enrolls in an elite school. Along her journey, she encounters the F4 (Tsukasa, Rui, Sojiro, & Akira), a group idolized by nearly all the girls at the school. Conflicts start brewing between Makino and the snobbish wealthy students; however, the climax of the story occurs when Tsukasa, "the almighty leader," also known as the invincible one, begins to fall for Makino Tsukushi. It's incredible how a rich, handsome, and unique guy can develop feelings for a wonderful, kind, and genuine girl. The only drawback about her that other girls might see is her social status since she's poor. BUT, who cares?! True happiness isn't solely determined by status, beauty, or intelligence. It's based on how you choose to live your life. If wearing loose clothes and reading manga makes you happy, then so be it! And that's exactly what Tsukasa did in this story! He didn't care about the attention he was receiving from those annoying admirers at Eitoku (however you spell that) or his wealth! The only thing he cared about was Tsukushi Makino; as stated in the manga, she was his dream! I simply envy Makino even though she doesn't exist. To me, I think she exists in this complex world. Makino is one lucky girl, and one day I'd like to experience the hardships and wonderful moments she endured.

Overall, this manga is extraordinary. I respect the mangaka for creating such a beautiful story! It's amazing! I love it! And if I ever meet her, I will thank her for the wonderful excitement she provided me! This manga made me realize that anyone can lead a decent and happy life. Everyone deserves their moment in the spotlight, and fortunately, we all get to meet that special someone someday. Hopefully, I'll meet someone like Tsukasa someday, if not someone as wealthy as him ;) Good luck everyone, and I definitely recommend this manga! I also recommend the anime, J-drama + the movie, and the K-drama! The Taiwanese drama wasn't bad; it was just their accent, I guess. I tried to endure their accent, but it was really tough. I just can't listen to Taiwanese people talk in dramas o.o I attempted watching Playful Kiss in the Taiwanese version, but apparently, I gave up within the first 3 minutes of the episode LOL. Anyway, this manga is amazing, and any hater who criticizes it surely doesn't have a life. Toodles! :p

Don't underestimate old manga!
I myself avoided it, because it seemed so old fashioned and out-of-date.
The first several chapters might feel off-putting if you're not used to the old style, almost making you feel disgusted. But hold on; your dissatisfaction will be swept away later. I can't pinpoint when I got hooked on this manga. One thing is sure: after reading it, I reread it two months later with even more pleasure.
One of the series' strongest points is its very composed and consistent character development.
Story----> 10:
It may seem quite ordinary due to the cliché of a girl falling for her savior. However, this manga scores 10 for its great plot twists and smooth story progression. It drags you in and never lets go. There are no chapters I wish didn't exist. The story's pace is neither too fast nor too slow. Character hesitations, decisions, and progressions are well-balanced—not overly exaggerated or cut short. The entire story is dramatic enough to captivate you completely.
Art---->7
Initially, I considered it a weak point of HYD. On the other hand, it gives this manga a unique flavor, unlike anything else. It's comparable only to Gokusen. The simplistic face drawings leave room for your imagination. All characters have distinct attributes, making them easily recognizable, which makes following the story a pleasure. Interestingly, the main bully's hair initially irritated me, but I ended up loving it. Also, note that the art improves significantly throughout the series.
Characters ---->10
As mentioned earlier, character development is one of the manga's strongest aspects. It's rare to find such consistent, logical, multifaceted, yet compact character growth. You can follow a character's development not just through their environment and circumstances but also through their lover's influence, support, and decisions. I also appreciated the supporting characters. The author utilizes them fully, sometimes to highlight issues or offer different perspectives, other times to resolve problems. In summary, while the story revolves around the couple, it's well-balanced with the surrounding manga world.
Enjoyment----->9
I'm tired of typical shoujo manga where differences might exist, but they usually boil down to the same old "prince-princess" fairytale. Hana Yori Dango stands out with its uncommon depth and offers a very warm, satisfying feeling.

Hana Yori Dango is likely the most flawless shojo manga and anime series ever made, haha! I started with the manga and instantly became hooked on its wild drama and romance. It's undoubtedly the manga that holds a special place in my heart. If you're a fan of shojo like me,

I genuinely enjoyed this manga, but it did get a bit irritating at times. The most frustrating aspect for me was that nearly every guy seemed to fall for her. Seriously? While I understand that many mangas aren't exactly realistic, this felt like it was pushing the boundaries too far.

Although I appreciated the main female protagonist, she could be quite vexing at times.

"Do I like him?"

"I don't like him!"

"I do like him!"

"No, I don't like him!"

"Wait... I'm not sure."

Honestly, it felt like she was confused about her feelings for more than half of the manga.

Overall, though, it's a fantastic read.

I really liked the main male protagonist, and I enjoyed how his character evolved as the story progressed.

(But let's be real, the guy is seriously messed up without Makino, and he needs to stop slapping girls.)

I also loved how lengthy the manga was, particularly Makino and Domyouji's relationship and the characters in general.

Hana yori Dango, or "Boys over Flowers," stands as one of Japan's best-selling shoujo manga ever. It’s straightforward, predictable, and honestly offers little new for a seasoned shoujo reader. Yet, it remains highly enjoyable and its popularity is well-deserved.

There's nothing that elevates Hana yori Dango above others in the same category because it truly is your typical shoujo manga—a poor girl enrolls in a rich high school and inadvertently makes the wealthiest guy her enemy. Consequently, her quiet life takes a 360-degree turn, and the rich guy also discovers that she's "different from others" once he "gets to know her."

This sets the stage for 244 chapters of love drama that you've likely seen before in another shoujo. The only distinguishing feature might be the two main characters' personalities and their relationship. A poor, tomboyish, violent, and strong-willed girl paired with a rich, incredibly immature, violent, and short-tempered guy? Watching them converse is quite something—sometimes amusing, sometimes frustrating.

Hana yori Dango also touches on heavy themes like attempted rape and abuse. These later elements are often portrayed jokingly, much like kids fighting over trivial things. I understand if people feel offended since these themes aren't always handled delicately.

At its core, Hana yori Dango is just a typical shoujo manga doing what it's meant to do—entertain the reader. And I think it does an amazing job at that.

If you're looking for an incredibly fun and romantic read, this is the one. Turn off your brain, don't overthink it, and simply enjoy. :) Because entertaining the reader is where it truly shines.

For me, the artist's drawing style is crucial. Initially, the characters were drawn very poorly. The F4, known as the hottest guys, were depicted awkwardly, to put it bluntly, horribly! However, I got past the drawings, and gradually they improved, eventually looking quite cute.

I genuinely enjoyed the story; it had drama, romantic scenes that made you say, "aww!" and it brought smiles. I wished for a happier ending, but it was still good. The characters have depth, and you start to really like them. The heroine here is a bit slow, but it all feels real because, in real life, people sometimes take time to realize their feelings and figure out what to do next. I highly recommend this manga to anyone who wants to read a sweet story.

Hana Yori Dango, or Hanadan as I prefer to call it, might seem like a typical shoujo manga at first glance. However, it’s actually the originator of many stereotypes that modern shoujo manga follow today. This series is internationally renowned and has inspired numerous drama adaptations across Asia, as well as an anime version. This is where it all began.

Story - 10
This manga follows Makino Tsukushi, a middle-class girl attending a school for the wealthy. Her only desire is to fit in and graduate, but everything changes when she encounters the F4, a group of popular and rich boys who command respect and fear. One day, Makino's friend falls down some stairs and accidentally injures the leader of the F4. In standing up for her friend and insulting the F4, Makino catches the attention of Doumyouji Tsukasa, the F4's leader. Impressed by her courage and independence, he develops feelings for her. Meanwhile, Makino harbors a crush on Hanazawa Rui, the quiet and reserved member of the F4.

The 1990s saw significant changes in shoujo manga, with hits like this one and Sailor Moon leading the way. For its time, Hanadan boasts a unique plot. At times, though, I felt the story was unnecessarily stretched out and could have been more evenly paced over a longer period (considering the shift from pagers to phones).

Art - 6
Given that this manga debuted in the late '90s, the art style and character designs look quite dated. However, the artwork improves significantly throughout the series, eventually resembling contemporary styles by the end.

Characters - 10
The characters are undoubtedly the strongest aspect of the story, showing remarkable development throughout the manga. Even though Japan hadn't fully embraced feminism in the '90s, we see strong female characters like Makino Tsukushi and Shizuka Toudou.

Makino epitomizes the "poor, hardworking girl with immense perseverance" trope used today. She's kind-hearted, with a strong sense of justice, making her instantly likable. The protagonist, Doumyouji Tsukasa, starts off as violent and cruel, treating Makino more like a pet than a person. Yet, his character evolves into a gentler, kinder individual, albeit with occasional outbursts. Other notable characters include Shizuka Toudou, who defies social norms, and Tsubaki Doumyouji, who stands equal to her brother without succumbing to his tantrums.

The rest of the F4 also undergoes substantial growth. Hanazawa Rui transforms from an introvert into someone who opens up to Makino after sorting out his emotions. Mimasaka and Nishikado deserved more focus, but their interactions with Makino show how she influenced even these four privileged individuals.

Enjoyment - 10
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this manga and found it impossible to put down. I laughed and cried with the characters, feeling both happiness and warmth inside. Closing the book left me with a smile.

Overall - 10
This manga is definitely worth reading. Don’t dismiss it as stereotypical just because it’s older. Instead, appreciate its strengths: being such an influential work that has shaped countless other stereotypes. Hanadan is an emotional rollercoaster, and I would gladly read it again and again. If you're not keen on manga, consider checking out the various drama adaptations or the anime instead.

Thank you for reading!

What can I say? I absolutely adore this manga. I love it so much that I decided to write my first review for it.

I should start by saying that in order to read Hana Yori Dango, I feel like I had to overcome a few crucial things.

First: the art. I'm quite particular about beautifully drawn manga (I admit, I'm shallow, haha), so when I first saw HYD, I was skeptical. It seemed a bit outdated, with characters looking somewhat heavy. But the story was so funny and engaging that I couldn't stop reading.

Second: the shoujo "cliches". Yes, they are expected in this genre, but when I encountered the first one in HYD, I wondered how it would be handled. Yokio Kamio knows how to incorporate cliches with flair and a lot of humor, trust me. Her characters transform what could be mundane situations into something funny, heartfelt, and marvelous. And so I kept reading...

Third, and finally: translation gaps. This wasn't an issue with the manga itself, but rather with my resources. As I'm not a native Japanese speaker, I relied on English Scanlations found online. Around volume nineteen or twenty, there were many empty speech bubbles. Understandable, since the manga is long and translating it all must be challenging. Initially, it frustrated me, especially since I was so engrossed in the story, but I continued, drawing my own conclusions from the pictures alone. Thankfully, these weren't very crucial scenes. I kept reading.

And was it all worth it? Absolutely. The art improved significantly, the plot just got more exciting, and the translated speech bubbles returned (side note: the missing bubbles actually encouraged me to buy the manga even more!).

Before I knew it, three days had passed, and I had read all 200+ chapters and extra side stories. Since then, I have reread some chapters too.

Overall: I love this manga. It is one of my favorites. I love the characters, the story, the art. It is a masterpiece. No wonder it's Japan's bestselling shoujo manga of all time. Bravo, Yokio Kamio, bravo!