Finally, I am free of this manga. I thought I'd develop ulcers after the amount of stress it gave me. The artwork is stunning, and I read it in one sitting. However, my God, none of these characters have any common sense, and the miscommunications between them were driving me up the wall. Typically, I drop mangas with annoying characters, but despite all of them being incredibly irritating, I couldn't stop reading. And surprisingly, I don't regret finishing it.
I have very mixed feelings about this manga. Honestly, I don't even know what more to say about it other than that I never want to put myself through it again. A one-time experience was more than enough for me. It's a strange mix of captivating art and frustrating storytelling that left me both relieved and bewildered by the end.
Peach Girl is the kind of story that can make you really hate it, but also still make you want to finish it. The drama is just that ridiculous, absurd, and engaging. This manga has its good points, but also has a lot of bad points, too.
As the plot summary describes, Momo is a girl who seems a bit misunderstood and is constantly targeted by her classmate Sae. All Momo wants is to have a normal high school experience and crush on boys, but jealous Sae is determined to prevent that. Sae is a character that every reader comes to hate, but that is her role in this melodramatic manga.
Without Sae, this story wouldn't be what it is. Even though she is infuriating, she was necessary to create the theatric level of drama found in Peach Girl. Truthfully, the drama is what makes this story, as there isn't much character development. As long as you are looking for a dramatic romance and a wild rollercoaster of a plot, you may enjoy Peach Girl.
However, as other reviews have stated, there's a lot of triggering content in this story that is often brushed off (mostly frequent accounts of SA and age gaps). So please be warned before you read.
Besides the drama and crazy events, the romance in this story is actually very sweet. I won't spoil it obviously, but I actually really enjoyed the different romantic moments and how they are portrayed in this story amongst the main characters (not including any age gaps, as I don't enjoy those). Both the suitors in this love triangle are (for the most part) likable in their own way. They each have their own pros and cons to their characters, but in the end their devotion is nice to see.
I also personally love the art style of Peach Girl, but I personally love the style of 90's and 2000's manga, so I could be a bit biased. I think the way their eyes, hair, and mouths are drawn are just so different from how modern manga is now, and I honestly really miss this style. I think it has a special feel to it, and Momo's design definitely stands out from other manga heroines.
To close, I think that readers who enjoy the older manga vibe and art style may like Peach Girl. It definitely has some unlikable elements to it, but the story overall is still pretty entertaining if you enjoy melodrama. It isn't a story I would necessarily recommend to someone who is really new to manga, but it could be a recommendation for readers who may have already seen their share of weird things in manga, haha.
Characters - 5.5/6
Momo Adachi stands out as a unique shoujo protagonist, one I've never encountered before. She is both powerful and emotional, embodying the message of self-love for everyone. Her dark skin and experiences with sexual harassment add depth to her character. Sae Kashiwagi, on the other hand, is a wonderfully written antagonist, despite being truly terrible. Her character resonates well with those who have faced similar antagonism. However, the male characters are disappointing. Toji feels like a cardboard cutout, inexplicably cast as the love interest. He comes off as stale and clueless, which can be quite frustrating. Kairi/Kylie fares slightly better but his hypocrisy is equally annoying. You'll understand if you read it.
Art - 7
The art style is commendable, breaking away from traditional norms, especially from the 90s and early 2000s anime aesthetics. The colored manga cover art, however, feels somewhat unappealing and out of place, potentially deterring modern readers. The artwork is very expressive with no issues regarding anatomy. Yet, the cover art remains... questionable.
Plot - 6.5
The plot is generally strong, but some protagonist actions feel completely out of character, leading me to give it a 6.5 instead of a higher score. Avoiding spoilers, much of the drama feels overblown. Having no firsthand experience with Japanese high schools, I can't judge how realistic the drama is. It's hard to see why Momo would maintain respect for Toji after all the turmoil. Just move on, girl! Despite these issues, I rate it 6.5 because problems didn’t start until halfway through the series, and I can overlook some flaws.
Enjoyment - 8
Honestly, I couldn't put the series down despite its flaws!
I recall reading this manga some time ago, and it was a chaotic mess from beginning to end! I must admit, I personally liked Sae. Not as a person, because she was honestly terrible. However, I did appreciate her character. Her character made me angry because she was so messy and had so many schemes. That’s what made this such a stressful hot mess, and I loved every bit of it! lol. Sae would go through hell just to create chaos and scheme in Momo's life. She thrived on Momo's misery, and I lived for the drama as Sae plotted her schemes! We genuinely need more villains like Sae. Not those boring villains from Yumeiro Patissiere who are just jealous girls with a crush. I want more unhinged female villains like Sae! There was never a dull moment with her, and she carried the entire manga! Seriously!
Besides the delightful chaos that was Sae, I related to Momo. Momo gets bullied due to her naturally dark skin. People either mock her or fetishize her by seeing her as overtly sexual because of it. As a black person, I can relate to that. I understood her frustration when her friends lied to her, gossiped behind her back, and the cruelty she faced. It frustrated me when her own boyfriend believed another woman over her. It was an emotional rollercoaster that I experienced alongside her.
I highly recommend this manga. I’d suggest it for various types of readers. For those who face unfair treatment because they look different. Also, for those who enjoy chaotic characters like Sae, full of schemes. Seriously, Sae is a real villain. She’s a hot mess.
SPOILERS! DON'T READ AFTER THIS!!!
I was happy when she ended up with Kairi. This is one of the rare times I actually supported the second male lead. The first male lead, Touji, was very frustrating. He contributed to the gaslighting and abuse Momo endured. I was thrilled when she left him behind. He's too oblivious, and it hurts to be that clueless.
I first encountered Peach Girl when I was 13, watching it with one of my cousins. I absolutely adored it back then. Many anime and manga that I enjoyed at 13 turned out to be terrible upon rewatching them as an older teen or young adult. Knowing this pattern, I was wary about revisiting the Peach Girl anime, so instead, I decided to read the manga. Recently, feeling nostalgic, I couldn't resist diving back in. My conclusion: I hated reading it.
Is it the worst thing I've ever read? Absolutely not. But is it exhausting? Very much so. The characters are far more irritating than I remember. Particularly Momo. Usually, I like characters like her, and I did initially. However, as the story progressed, she became incredibly unbearable. The same goes for Kairi. I used to love him, but he becomes unbearably annoying in the last few volumes. It's not just a couple of chapters; it's several volumes filled with obnoxiousness and tedium. The plot is standard high school drama, but it feels like the mangaka threw everything at the wall to see what would stick. There's so much unnecessary drama, making it exhausting to read.
In case you hadn't noticed, I find this manga utterly draining.
Although I enjoy cheesy melodrama and have a soft spot for nostalgia, I can't entirely hate it. Still, it's much worse than I remembered. I even read the sequel manga, which isn't any better. If you didn't like the original, you won't like the sequel either—skipping both is perfectly fine.
TLDR: It's not horrible, but it's far from life-changing.
This manga is an absolute must-read for anyone who adores romance! With its captivating storyline, it draws you in effortlessly. Prepare to be enchanted by some characters and utterly frustrated by others, making this manga truly remarkable. It will have you laughing one moment and crying the next, and you'll find yourself wishing you could give Sae a piece of your mind repeatedly. My only gripe with this manga is the way the mouths are illustrated, but that's hardly a reason to miss out on such a fantastic read. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into this incredible story now!
Popular Reviews
Finally, I am free of this manga. I thought I'd develop ulcers after the amount of stress it gave me. The artwork is stunning, and I read it in one sitting. However, my God, none of these characters have any common sense, and the miscommunications between them were driving me up the wall. Typically, I drop mangas with annoying characters, but despite all of them being incredibly irritating, I couldn't stop reading. And surprisingly, I don't regret finishing it.
I have very mixed feelings about this manga. Honestly, I don't even know what more to say about it other than that I never want to put myself through it again. A one-time experience was more than enough for me. It's a strange mix of captivating art and frustrating storytelling that left me both relieved and bewildered by the end.
As the plot summary describes, Momo is a girl who seems a bit misunderstood and is constantly targeted by her classmate Sae. All Momo wants is to have a normal high school experience and crush on boys, but jealous Sae is determined to prevent that. Sae is a character that every reader comes to hate, but that is her role in this melodramatic manga.
Without Sae, this story wouldn't be what it is. Even though she is infuriating, she was necessary to create the theatric level of drama found in Peach Girl. Truthfully, the drama is what makes this story, as there isn't much character development. As long as you are looking for a dramatic romance and a wild rollercoaster of a plot, you may enjoy Peach Girl.
However, as other reviews have stated, there's a lot of triggering content in this story that is often brushed off (mostly frequent accounts of SA and age gaps). So please be warned before you read.
Besides the drama and crazy events, the romance in this story is actually very sweet. I won't spoil it obviously, but I actually really enjoyed the different romantic moments and how they are portrayed in this story amongst the main characters (not including any age gaps, as I don't enjoy those). Both the suitors in this love triangle are (for the most part) likable in their own way. They each have their own pros and cons to their characters, but in the end their devotion is nice to see.
I also personally love the art style of Peach Girl, but I personally love the style of 90's and 2000's manga, so I could be a bit biased. I think the way their eyes, hair, and mouths are drawn are just so different from how modern manga is now, and I honestly really miss this style. I think it has a special feel to it, and Momo's design definitely stands out from other manga heroines.
To close, I think that readers who enjoy the older manga vibe and art style may like Peach Girl. It definitely has some unlikable elements to it, but the story overall is still pretty entertaining if you enjoy melodrama. It isn't a story I would necessarily recommend to someone who is really new to manga, but it could be a recommendation for readers who may have already seen their share of weird things in manga, haha.
Characters - 5.5/6
Momo Adachi stands out as a unique shoujo protagonist, one I've never encountered before. She is both powerful and emotional, embodying the message of self-love for everyone. Her dark skin and experiences with sexual harassment add depth to her character. Sae Kashiwagi, on the other hand, is a wonderfully written antagonist, despite being truly terrible. Her character resonates well with those who have faced similar antagonism. However, the male characters are disappointing. Toji feels like a cardboard cutout, inexplicably cast as the love interest. He comes off as stale and clueless, which can be quite frustrating. Kairi/Kylie fares slightly better but his hypocrisy is equally annoying. You'll understand if you read it.
Art - 7
The art style is commendable, breaking away from traditional norms, especially from the 90s and early 2000s anime aesthetics. The colored manga cover art, however, feels somewhat unappealing and out of place, potentially deterring modern readers. The artwork is very expressive with no issues regarding anatomy. Yet, the cover art remains... questionable.
Plot - 6.5
The plot is generally strong, but some protagonist actions feel completely out of character, leading me to give it a 6.5 instead of a higher score. Avoiding spoilers, much of the drama feels overblown. Having no firsthand experience with Japanese high schools, I can't judge how realistic the drama is. It's hard to see why Momo would maintain respect for Toji after all the turmoil. Just move on, girl! Despite these issues, I rate it 6.5 because problems didn’t start until halfway through the series, and I can overlook some flaws.
Enjoyment - 8
Honestly, I couldn't put the series down despite its flaws!
Total - 7
I recall reading this manga some time ago, and it was a chaotic mess from beginning to end! I must admit, I personally liked Sae. Not as a person, because she was honestly terrible. However, I did appreciate her character. Her character made me angry because she was so messy and had so many schemes. That’s what made this such a stressful hot mess, and I loved every bit of it! lol. Sae would go through hell just to create chaos and scheme in Momo's life. She thrived on Momo's misery, and I lived for the drama as Sae plotted her schemes! We genuinely need more villains like Sae. Not those boring villains from Yumeiro Patissiere who are just jealous girls with a crush. I want more unhinged female villains like Sae! There was never a dull moment with her, and she carried the entire manga! Seriously!
Besides the delightful chaos that was Sae, I related to Momo. Momo gets bullied due to her naturally dark skin. People either mock her or fetishize her by seeing her as overtly sexual because of it. As a black person, I can relate to that. I understood her frustration when her friends lied to her, gossiped behind her back, and the cruelty she faced. It frustrated me when her own boyfriend believed another woman over her. It was an emotional rollercoaster that I experienced alongside her.
I highly recommend this manga. I’d suggest it for various types of readers. For those who face unfair treatment because they look different. Also, for those who enjoy chaotic characters like Sae, full of schemes. Seriously, Sae is a real villain. She’s a hot mess.
SPOILERS! DON'T READ AFTER THIS!!!
I was happy when she ended up with Kairi. This is one of the rare times I actually supported the second male lead. The first male lead, Touji, was very frustrating. He contributed to the gaslighting and abuse Momo endured. I was thrilled when she left him behind. He's too oblivious, and it hurts to be that clueless.
I first encountered Peach Girl when I was 13, watching it with one of my cousins. I absolutely adored it back then. Many anime and manga that I enjoyed at 13 turned out to be terrible upon rewatching them as an older teen or young adult. Knowing this pattern, I was wary about revisiting the Peach Girl anime, so instead, I decided to read the manga. Recently, feeling nostalgic, I couldn't resist diving back in. My conclusion: I hated reading it.
Is it the worst thing I've ever read? Absolutely not. But is it exhausting? Very much so. The characters are far more irritating than I remember. Particularly Momo. Usually, I like characters like her, and I did initially. However, as the story progressed, she became incredibly unbearable. The same goes for Kairi. I used to love him, but he becomes unbearably annoying in the last few volumes. It's not just a couple of chapters; it's several volumes filled with obnoxiousness and tedium. The plot is standard high school drama, but it feels like the mangaka threw everything at the wall to see what would stick. There's so much unnecessary drama, making it exhausting to read.
In case you hadn't noticed, I find this manga utterly draining.
Although I enjoy cheesy melodrama and have a soft spot for nostalgia, I can't entirely hate it. Still, it's much worse than I remembered. I even read the sequel manga, which isn't any better. If you didn't like the original, you won't like the sequel either—skipping both is perfectly fine.
TLDR: It's not horrible, but it's far from life-changing.
This manga is an absolute must-read for anyone who adores romance! With its captivating storyline, it draws you in effortlessly. Prepare to be enchanted by some characters and utterly frustrated by others, making this manga truly remarkable. It will have you laughing one moment and crying the next, and you'll find yourself wishing you could give Sae a piece of your mind repeatedly. My only gripe with this manga is the way the mouths are illustrated, but that's hardly a reason to miss out on such a fantastic read. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into this incredible story now!
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