Mars

I can't find the right words to describe this manga other than it's absolutely FANTASTIC! I'm giving it a flawless 10 out of 10. The plot is packed with so many unexpected twists and turns that I found myself constantly amazed, my jaw practically on the floor while reading. Once I started, there was no stopping me. It's thrilling beyond belief, and it held my attention from start to finish. This manga is nothing short of a masterpiece. The author did an incredible job illustrating the struggles of life in such a genuine way. The story feels incredibly real and relatable. This is a must-read for everyone!

I became so engrossed in the story that I completed all of it in a single night. Each of the fifteen volumes is incredibly captivating, progressively adding more depth to the characters. The narrative is filled with numerous plot twists, despite adhering to some conventional shoujo themes. It's a shame this manga isn't more widely recognized, as I haven't seen much discussion about it within fandoms. If you're on the hunt for a beautifully crafted and illustrated tale, I would highly recommend it. My only gripe is the rushed conclusion in the final few chapters. Rating: 9/10.

Mars is a manga in the drama and romance genre, penned and illustrated by veteran author Fuyumi Souryo. It spans fifty-nine chapters published from 1996 to 2000. Souryo has been active since the 1980s and continues her work today, with her latest project, Cesare: Hakai no Souzousha, concluding in 2021. She earned the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo manga with Boyfriend in 1988, a story reminiscent of Mars, though I haven't read it yet to confirm.

Through Mars, Souryo's "voice of experience" shines through with well-grounded psychological themes and dramatic elements. The manga delves into suicide, mental health, and family issues, questioning distorted love and life's lack of attachment. The title references Mars, the Roman god of war, known for destruction and stabilization. This resonates with protagonist Rei King, whose character embodies both chaos and peace. The story reflects societal changes around the turn of the millennium, blending nostalgia for the past with hope for the future.

The main characters and their romance are developed satisfyingly. With a painter as the protagonist, Souryo draws inspiration from real art, such as Gustav Klimt's "The Three Ages of Women." This showcases artists' unique perspective on capturing life's beauty. Rei, on the other hand, is portrayed through motorcycle racing, symbolizing his free spirit and destructive tendencies. The 90s aesthetics and beautiful illustrations make reading enjoyable.

Mars also includes a prequel in the form of a compilation titled Mars Gaiden: Namae no Nai Uma, featuring three stories. Only the first story directly ties back to the original manga, recounting how Rei met his best friend.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING IT!

April 04, 2023, Tuesday

Mars:
Please don't be harsh, this is my first review ^o^

Mars is one of those rare, once-in-a-lifetime manga that you seldom encounter. Alongside Koizora, it's the best manga I've ever read. The story carries a profound meaning, the artwork is stunning, and the characters evoke such empathy that you feel compelled to comfort them. I won't give anything away, but trust me, this manga is absolutely worth your time.

I've already re-read it three times. If you haven't experienced it yet, do yourself a favor and dive in; I guarantee you won't be disappointed. :)

This manga deserves a perfect 10 out of 10 for everything :p

I first came across this through its live-action Taiwanese adaptation, and I absolutely loved it!! While the love story is great, the show doesn't solely focus on that. The characters develop as individuals, and the conflicts are intricately woven throughout the narrative.

Well, my English isn't excellent, and many times I'm not good with the words, but I'll try to write my first review about Mars, one of my favorite mangas.

I almost haven't words to say how amazing this manga is.

The author portrays with mastery the universe that we confine inside ourselves, and with extreme accuracy, she captures the subtlety of the nuances of a human soul... Our fears, our desires, the secrets we don't confess even to ourselves; our selfishness, our lack of humanity, and our need for love and salvation.

When I started to read this story, I got deeply attached to the main characters, a kind soul and a troublemaker: the perfect couple. We might think at the beginning that Rei is the one protecting Kira, but when you read this manga, you realize that Rei is the one asking for redemption.

It's pure love from the beginning to the end.

STORY: 6
The manga begins with a typical boy-meets-girl scenario. We are introduced to the main love interest, Rei, and the protagonist, Kira. The highlight of the story is the relationship that blossoms between these two characters. You can genuinely feel the love they share for each other. However, the absurd situations that frequently arise throughout the manga make it feel more like a soap opera than something grounded in reality. These over-the-top scenarios slightly detracted from my enjoyment, leading to a lower overall score.

I wished the creators had expanded on the racing aspect and explored the characters' perspectives on their relationship and the risks associated with the sport. It's hinted at occasionally, and you see glimpses of characters wanting to voice their opinions, but nothing is ever fully resolved. The issue remains unresolved and forgotten.

ART: 8
The artwork is beautiful and suits the tone and characters of the story well.

CHARACTER: 7
I was tempted to give this an 8 because I genuinely liked the characters in the manga. Tatsuya and Kashino, the two friend side characters, were perfect for the story, and I only wished their arcs were more developed. The two main characters are good but not outstanding. While many personal issues are overcome by the duo, their relationship dynamics remain largely unchanged. Rei tries to understand Kira’s feelings but never truly listens, while Kira wants to express herself but keeps her thoughts bottled up. A common problem in romance manga is communication issues. Although it seems like the characters make progress in communicating and sharing with each other, later in the story, the same communication problems resurface, causing conflicts. Despite being in love, the relationship never felt equal to me. Kira remains submissive, while Rei always gets what he wants in the end. Speaking of Rei, I wanted to like him, but he ends up getting everything he desires, whereas everyone else, especially Kira, has to make sacrifices.

OVERALL: 7
I did enjoy the manga and wanted to rate it higher. However, it left me with some mixed feelings that lingered in the back of my mind.

My heart was racing, and my eyes were brimming with tears as I delved into "Mars" by Fuyumi Soryo. The manga was so captivating that I couldn't stop reading, only managing three hours of sleep that night. It's an incredibly engaging story.

The pairing of the outgoing playboy/bad boy with the quiet, artistic girl might be a cliché, but the narrative quickly moves beyond the typical high school drama and love triangles seen in shoujo manga after the initial volumes. As the story progresses, it matures, revealing personal traumas and exploring darker themes. There's a constant sense of dread, as the characters always seem to be on the brink of death, especially when motorcycles come into play. Despite having no knowledge of motorcycle racing or even riding one, Soryo manages to convey the adrenaline rush vividly on paper. I truly admire Rei and Kira, though I did wish for a bit more focus on their romantic relationship. I'm satisfied with the ending, even if they didn't literally ride off into the sunset.

The artwork is beautiful too. Rei bears a striking resemblance to Björn Andrésen in "Death in Venice" (1971), which was somewhat distracting. I stumbled upon this manga after seeing a scene of Rei kissing a statue on Pinterest, where I've had quite a bit of luck discovering new manga recently.

"A human life lasts such a small amount of time. But humans' minds are limitless, like space."

Mars... I absolutely loved it! The dynamic between Kira and Rei is fantastic, and their interactions are captivating. It was refreshing to see that Rei wasn't just another "bad boy" from the beginning; we get to witness him engaging with Kira in a completely innocent manner. Despite being labeled as a bad boy, Rei has layers to his character, giving him depth. Kira, too, stands out with her own distinct personality. Unlike many other stories, she doesn't alter her core self but rather enhances it as the narrative unfolds.

As the story progresses, Kira reveals aspects of her personality that have always been there but were overlooked by others. This gradual unveiling makes her character even more compelling and relatable. The evolution of both characters and their relationship keeps the reader engaged and invested in their journey.

"Mars" is a manga series penned by Fuyumi Soryo back in 1996. The narrative begins with the timeless trope of an innocent girl meeting a rebellious boy. Kira, our protagonist, is a reserved girl with a fervent love for art, while Rei, her romantic interest, is her polar opposite. He's a charmer who attracts girls effortlessly and is frequently seen cruising around on his motorcycle. Although this initial setup might appear cliché and reminiscent of "Grease," the story evolves into something much deeper. As you delve further, you uncover the characters' profound secrets that encompass themes like suicide, sexual violence, murder, and more. This tale is undeniably a page-turner; I consumed all fifteen volumes within four days. Gradually, readers unravel the mysteries of the characters' pasts. The unpredictability of the plot is one of its defining features, revealing that appearances can be deceiving. Despite the heavy themes which could seem depressing, they ultimately prove inspiring as the characters learn to grow, accept their pasts, and embrace love.

Although this isn't a light-hearted romance, the bond between Rei and Kira is profoundly intimate. While Rei encourages Kira to step out of her comfort zone and not let her past define her, Kira helps Rei confront his own demons. Their mutual support in becoming the best versions of themselves is genuinely heartwarming. The art style mirrors this sentiment as well. Being a fan of 90s manga art, I found "Mars" to be no exception. The panels are simple yet captivating, and the mangaka's utilization of space is truly unique. The beautiful craftsmanship of the manga only enhances the already incredible story.

If you're searching for an exciting, shocking, and suspenseful drama, "Mars" is perfect for you. If you're looking for an intimate and heartfelt romance, "Mars" fits the bill perfectly. This seamless blend of these two genres offers an incredibly passionate and memorable experience for the reader, making it a must-read.

I'm saddened to see that this manga isn't very well-known among fans of the genre. I discovered it on this site while browsing around. After reading one of the reviews here, I thought, why not give it a try? It had received a really high rating and seemed promising. However, sometimes highly-rated works can be misleading, so I wasn't overly excited at first and didn't expect much from it. Boy, was I wrong... And now for my review of this manga. Story: 9/10 I didn't give it a perfect score because the story is quite common—you know, the girl transforms the bad boy into a sweet one. We've seen this before. So, why didn't I give it a lower score? Honestly, even though it's not groundbreaking, the story grabs your attention right from the start. The way the characters meet, everything—it's all engaging. The mangaka manages to keep the story from dragging and introduces some creative elements later on. Art: 10/10 At first, you might doubt me, but as you continue reading, the art improves significantly. The style is unique and has become one of my favorites among shoujo manga. My favorite part of the art is how the mangaka draws the faces—I don't know why, but I just love it. I also appreciate that she doesn't make the boys look like girls. Characters: 10/10 The characters are incredibly deep. In my opinion, it's the characters that draw you in so much that you want to keep reading. No matter how good a manga's story is, if the characters are uninteresting, it will discourage me from continuing. While it's not hard to find good character development and interaction in shoujo manga (which I think is where shoujo outshines shounen), this one presents another perspective on its characters. Here, we're shown the very dark side of both protagonists. And when I say dark, I mean it in every sense of the word. That, of course, makes the characters even more realistic. Enjoyment: 10/10 Admittedly, at first, I thought, "Another highly-rated manga; I hope it's worth it." But honestly, it hooked me from the start. I enjoyed every moment throughout the manga. The only thing that discouraged me from wanting to read it all in one day was that it had many chapters, and I thought I'd get bored with so much to read. Again, I was wrong. You don't even realize how many chapters you've read because you're so focused on the story—at least, that was my experience. When I finished it, all I could think about was how great this manga was, and I wanted more. Even the next day, when I had nothing left to read, I felt like something was missing from my day, and I was pretty sad. I still feel that way when I remember this manga and that I've finished it. Overall: 10/10 I give it a perfect score in all aspects. It has become one of my all-time favorites. If someone were to ask me to recommend a manga, this would be the first one I'd suggest. But be warned—if you're a fan of romantic stories filled with lovey-dovey stuff and cuteness, stay away from this one. This is a heavy manga, and some events in it can be pretty shocking for certain types of people.

Reading "Mars" feels like being swept up in a hurricane of emotions. The story draws you in with the common trope of high school romance; popular bad boy meets extremely shy girl. Yet, there is a certain "grit" that makes "Mars" much more mature than most of its genre, without forgetting that the leads are still teenagers. I'd say it leans more towards a psychological, coming-of-age drama with a complex love story. What I find to be the hidden theme of "Mars" is violence and the human instinct to hurt others; how it affects the victim, but also warps a person deeply.

First off, Rei is an ML who is far from your dreamy "I can fix him" kind of trouble. Despite having a carefree charm, Rei can also be downright unhinged. He is the titular "Mars" of the story, as in the god of war. Rei will crush anyone who goes against him, and I mean ANYONE, without remorse. His main passion is motorcycle racing, and it's a driving force for many of his life decisions. Kira at first glance feels like your typical timid girl MC. Yet she has this inner strength that makes you root for her. She does cry a lot and can be very naive, but the cause of her emotionally stunted state is slowly revealed throughout the story. Both leads face much drama and trauma, but the story doesn't justify their actions. They can mess up, just as you do when you're young.

Still, "Mars" has one of the most natural chemistries between the leads. They have this pure empathy and care for each other that goes beyond the "doki doki." You can feel they genuinely enjoy each other's company and just feel comfortable together. Their dynamic is less "I can fix you" and more "You are not alone in this sh*tstorm of problems." The amount of trauma dump can feel quite melodramatic, but their trials and tribulations make the character development throughout the story so fulfilling.

The art itself is some of the best I've seen in Shoujo. The style is realistic and vivid, but the panel work really drives home the emotional state of each character. That, accompanied by dialogue that cuts deep, just makes reading so engaging.

Overall, it's a great character study and a mature love story. Despite going melodramatic, the characters felt raw and real. I would not recommend reading if you don't like morally gray characters or want to avoid triggering subjects. Honestly, I don't understand how this manga is considered Shoujo and not Seinen based on the mature themes and how dark it went. I'm glad I didn't read it as a kid when it was popular; the amount of angst would've scarred me, and I wouldn't have appreciated the nuances. Reading "Mars" now, I can't help but feel touched by the journey.

Ps. The races are so well drawn! The racing fan in me feels so hyped every time.