IO

Gosh, it must have been during my college years when I first read this manga. Fast forward a few years, and with some free time on my hands, I stumbled upon it again in my browser history (yeah, yeah, I really need to clean that up one of these days). I couldn't resist diving right back into it (you see what I did there? *wink* *wink*).

I can tell you one thing: it was a mistake. A horrible mistake.

No, not because it was terrible. I fell in love with it all over again (as much as one can with something on paper or your screen) and found myself unable to stop reading. Damn you, Minato Koio, for taking away my social life these past few days. But thank you for bringing this story too!

Let's start with the story (or plot, if you prefer): 8/10

Taiyo visits an island. The temperature isn't as high as expected, but his hormones are working overtime. The tropical setting is perfect for a tale filled with romance, a harem (a secluded place where girls have little contact with the opposite sex), and mystery. Reflecting on it, this story made me wish for a quieter island life (I once visited a Dutch island; it was peaceful, though sadly lacking beautiful bikini-clad women... but let's get back to the review).

The island is the ideal backdrop for this 'adventure'. Romance plays a significant role, enhanced by mysterious events (thankfully, not aliens). While the plot might be a bit far-fetched, I preferred the character development more than knowing the main character's tragic past (because we all know about the amnesia).

Art: 8/10

I adore the scenery in this manga. It feels almost real, like looking at a photograph. Wait, it actually is a photo! The author doesn't even try to hide it. The first page opens with one! It wasn't disturbing; I appreciated the variety.

The characters weren't always drawn perfectly. Sometimes, I had trouble differentiating between the sisters. Not a major issue, though. Their faces (especially Mio's) conveyed the necessary emotions when needed.

Characters: 8/10

The characters were interesting and well-developed, not just for a harem manga but for any manga.

Taiyo, the protagonist (if you forgot his name, like I often do), is one of the more irritating characters: acting like a playboy from the start. This 17/18-year-old still behaves like he's just hit puberty. Yes, teens talk about girls and enjoy seeing them in bikinis, but why repeat it loudly so often (especially with strangers around, like on a plane)?

His indecisiveness can be annoying (the classic harem cliché!), but it doesn't ruin the story. There's plenty happening, and he acts normally when necessary.

Mio, the youngest sister, intrigued me the most. She's clearly different and worries that becoming normal would end her bond with the main character. Her actions feel genuine (except maybe for throwing people off cliffs).

Shibuki, the second sister and primary love interest, is undoubtedly jealous. One particular page encapsulates Shibuki's inner conflict regarding her relationship with Taiyo and Mio (no spoilers here). She's uncertain, a bit violent, but fundamentally good.

Nagisa... not worth discussing much. If you're interested in an adult who's always drunk, she'll fascinate you. I didn't find her compelling. I enjoy drinking (five, six, seven beers...), but not when I'm short on cash.

Other characters have their stories, some surprising, others predictable. Isn't that how real life works? The final chapters tie up loose ends, revealing new insights into characters' personalities and decisions, culminating in an unexpected ending. It surprised me the first time, and it might surprise you too. Or not.

Enjoyment: 10/10

Yes, a perfect score. I don't want to sound like a fangirl (hard for a guy without certain girly attributes), but I genuinely enjoyed rereading this. If you seek a story where you can relax, watch love bloom, and still experience adventure, this is for you. Beware of the nipples (yes, there are naked women)!

This is my first review on this site. English isn't my native language, so please forgive my bad usage. Heck, you probably don't care anyway, given the girl picture at the top of this page.

IO begins with the protagonist embarking on a school trip to Okinawa, only to take an unexpected detour after encountering three girls claiming to be her sisters. This manga blends romance and mystery with elements of comedy, harem, and supernatural themes.

Art: 10
For those who appreciate stunning depictions of underwater and scenic beauty, this manga is highly recommended. The artwork in the initial chapters alone is captivating enough to draw you into the entire series. The character designs are also well-executed. There were occasional moments where it was easy to confuse Taiyo and Shibuki due to their similar faces and shoulder-length hair, but overall, the art is exceptional.

Story: 7
This is where the series falls short. While the overarching plot is intriguing, starting off with a strong buildup of suspense, there are points where the pacing falters. Sometimes the story accelerates too quickly, while at other times it drags unnecessarily. The numerous plot twists can be either a positive or negative aspect depending on your preference; personally, I found some of them frustrating. The final arc started with a significant revelation but ultimately failed to meet my expectations, leaving me somewhat disappointed. Despite these issues, it's still a great manga.

Character: 9
The character design is excellent, particularly for the Miyara girls and Taiyo. The true intentions of the researcher and various associations, as well as the side characters, were not fully revealed until the end, which added depth to the story. However, I found Mars' character somewhat unsatisfying, and it was odd that there were no male characters around Taiyo's age throughout the series. These minor flaws are easily overlooked.

Overall, it's a great manga. I recommend giving it a read, especially for the breathtaking underwater scenes.

This was one of the most distinctive narratives I've had the privilege to experience in a long while. It blended elements of harem, mystery, romance, and sport—if you consider scuba diving a sport, that is.

Story:

The tale begins with a class trip to some tropical islands where our main character encounters a girl who holds him responsible for her mother's death. One thing leads to another, and soon he finds himself learning how to scuba dive with some long-lost friends whom he seems to have forgotten. This story essentially has two phases. It starts with the very technical aspects: setting up character dynamics, relationships, and an introduction to the primary plotline, as well as all the technicalities of scuba diving. Being a scuba diver myself, seeing everything I learned incorporated into this story, and quite accurately too, was really cool. However, for those not interested in such details, it might seem a bit dull.

Then, the story amps up to the real mystery and plot. Without giving anything away, this is when the characters truly begin to evolve and grow, and for most readers, this is when it starts getting good.

However, this story does have its drawbacks. The narrative tends to pull in every direction until the very end, which can make the story both exciting and confusing at the same time. The main issue was the fan service included. While not overwhelming, there was still a significant amount that seemed pointless to the story except for being there, and it also detracted from the pure romance element.

In the end, this was one of the most enjoyable manga I've read so far. It featured great and compelling characters that stayed with you, even if they drove you crazy at times. It also had a plot that made you want to keep reading until the very end. I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a fun and engaging read.

IO essentially begins as a unique Harem, Romantic Comedy manga, but as you progress, you'll find that there's more to it once the Supernatural and Mystery elements emerge. It follows the adventures of an average city boy named Taiyo, who visits Okinawa and ends up meeting three girls. He seems to have known the sisters in the past, though he can't remember any of it. This is how the story starts, and behind what appears to be a typical Rom/Com lies a fantastic tale of supernatural mystery, scuba diving, and ancient relics. The storytelling is simply amazing because you never know what to expect next. However, you need to get through the first five volumes before it becomes truly engaging. Despite this, there are plenty of twists and turns, and everything eventually comes together in the end.

The artwork is one of the most remarkable features of this manga. Initially, you might not think so, but gradually, the artwork becomes almost flawless, especially the water effects. There is so much detail on every page that you start noticing minor flaws, like character eye lines or how one of the girls tends to look like a boy (Shibuki, for example). The few beautiful, colored pages with amazing fan service help make up for these little issues.

The characters are incredibly well-defined, making it easy to notice their mannerisms and interactions. Some of them are quite mysterious, leading you to wonder who's trustworthy. The only real problem is that some characters' actions can come across as foolish or annoying.

I initially thought this would be just another average manga, but IO surprised me greatly by surpassing my expectations. The romance was believable and blended well with the rest of the story. After the slow start, the story unfolds and becomes incredibly interesting to read. It draws you into all the mystery, compelling you to keep reading to uncover more. Unfortunately, the ending leaves many questions unanswered. If the story doesn't capture you, you probably won't enjoy it as much as I did.

^_^