"Kare" First Love

This tale was marvelous. It genuinely narrates a story about authentic love and its challenges. I truly relished reading this narrative.

I began reading this manga with the expectation that it would be a delightful and charming story, featuring a cool guy falling for a geeky girl. For the first sixteen chapters or so, it seemed to fit that bill.
However, I soon found myself getting increasingly frustrated. The plot became fixated on a single issue, and my patience wore thin with the main character, Karin. The narrative lingered on this problem for far too long without any significant progress.
This story might appeal to readers who enjoy innocent, somewhat naive protagonists, but personally, it became overwhelming for me.
Up until chapter sixteen, I would have rated it a 7, but after finishing, I lowered it to a 6 because the manga simply didn't resonate with me.
I do appreciate the artwork, though. As I mentioned, the story should have advanced more swiftly instead of stagnating in one place.
Of course, this is just my opinion; there will undoubtedly be others who hold the opposite view.

This was one of the manga I read during high school. I revisited it about seven years later and found it just as enjoyable. It's a sweet story, and the way the characters' relationship blossoms is heartwarming. The narrative touches on many issues that girls often face with strict families and upbringing, helping them understand that it's okay to have a boyfriend. It also highlights how the female protagonist deals with a teenage boy's libido in a realistic manner, showcasing insecurities that make the story feel very genuine. It felt like a slice-of-life tale but without the usual heaviness.

I also appreciate the male character's perspective, where the story isn't solely focused on the girl. He has his own life and ambitions, pursuing them actively. His passion for photography adds depth to the story, making it more engaging.

Oh my gosh, STAY AWAY!
Seriously, I completely wasted half my life watching this garbage T_T.
Well, I wasted maybe an hour, so do yourself a favor and don't read this, okay?

The reason I even read this was because it was on Mars' recommendation list (awesome manga you've probably read it? If not, GO READ IT NOW!!!!!!).

Umm, yeah, what's the story about?
There's a hot guy, he's popular and a playboy, and there's a plain girl who's shy or whatever.
Anyway, they start to like each other, but the girl can't be with the boy, so she gets depressed and goes to a club, gets wasted, and almost gets raped. (She's 16, by the way >.

I have encountered individuals who either adore or despise this manga. I am among those who love it. Admittedly, it is clichéd and predictable. However, it is incredibly charming, and the artwork is stunning.

The artwork was what initially grabbed my attention when I was searching for a new manga to read. I picked it up and instantly fell in love with the cover. So, I decided to give it a read, figuring that if I didn't like it, I could stop. It turned out that I loved it more than I expected. I read all ten volumes within a week, only pausing because I had to order volumes five through seven.

Regarding the story, yes, it is clichéd, but it perfectly complements the plot of the manga. If it were any different, I don't think it would be as adorable.

I'm not usually someone who reads much romance in any form, but this is one that I will revisit time and again. When I need an escape from life, this is the manga I turn to.

So, if you enjoy a cute little story that doesn't require much thinking—just a piece for escapism—then check out this manga.

My review might be a bit biased since I stopped reading after about three chapters.

But I've never wanted to be a character in a book so badly before (okay, maybe I have, haha).

If I ever met Kara, here's what I would do: *knock knock tok tok* on her head. "Excuse me, where's your brain? Have you tried looking in the trash can?" *opens trash can* "Oh wait, even the trash can doesn't want your brain!"

I was so frustrated with her. Ugh. I just cannot understand why she was so submissive to the mean girls but towards the ML (sorry, can't remember his name) she was so aggressive. The difference in attitude is just wow.

I'm not hating on the author; it's just that I didn't really enjoy this book. I hope I didn't offend those who loved this book! See you all :)

Kare First Love is just another shoujo manga. While it tackles subjects rarely seen in other works, the uninspired leads somewhat detract from the overall story.

Story: The plot feels fairly average. It touches on themes such as dating older men, teen pregnancy, and overbearing parents, with characters that perform their roles adequately. However, there's a noticeable lull in the middle where the story seems to plateau. Nonetheless, it remains an engaging narrative overall.

The main issue I encountered with this series lies with the characters. The two protagonists lack any compelling qualities. Karin, our female lead, undergoes minimal development from start to finish. As for the male lead, you either love him or hate him; there's no real depth to his character. On the other hand, the supporting cast shines more brightly, especially Nanri. Sensei Miyasaki infused her character with numerous layers, making her truly dynamic.

In summary, read this manga if you're biding time waiting for another release or simply looking for something to pass the time. Otherwise, it may not be worth the effort to seek out.

Maybe I've grown old and cranky, not feeling as sentimental or "moe" as I once did, but a spineless character always having glassy eyes, crying easily, and constantly needing reassurance, pulling the damsel in distress act, fixated with her boyfriend, really annoyed me in this story.

On the positive side, the male lead is portrayed quite realistically, though a bit too affectionate and obsessed, which I suppose is typical of shoujo. The mangaka has clearly considered almost every dilemma and heart-wrenching issue that adolescents face and handled each situation very maturely. So yes, for the right age group, I'm sure this story will hold much appeal and fascination. The humor and subsequent facial expressions, chibi versions, and dialogues at many points made me unexpectedly laugh out loud, which is always a bonus.

There are plenty of intimate and touching scenes drawn very sweetly and appropriately, but sometimes you just want to see what's happening from a different angle or perspective. The close-ups for Aoi (who after one year into the relationship is still called by his surname by Karin!) are disarmingly ethereal, as are Karin's.

However, my main gripe with this otherwise well-made story is the two leads' first kiss. I don't know if that can ever happen even in the manga universe, but it felt a little far-fetched to me. I suppose it was essential to character development though, and made the story all the more charming.