I completely agree with mcjazzman32... If you haven't read this manga, be prepared for a lot of confusion.
This is the first time I've been on an emotional roller coaster and not enjoyed it. Suzuka is totally indecisive, and Yamato makes so many mistakes that while it might seem normal for a 15-year-old, his sheer quantity of errors makes him seem downright clueless when it comes to girls.
Art: 8. I give the art this score because most of the time, Yamato's over-the-top reactions made me think he was having an aneurysm right then and there.
Story: 6. I hated how the story started fun and flirty, full of ecchi moments, then plunged into intense drama for many chapters (like 35+), then briefly became fun again, only to dive back into heavy drama. The pattern repeated: fun, intense drama, fun, intense drama, and then a SH*TLOAD of drama. You get the point, xD.
SPOILERS
Character: 7. Sigh... I gave it a 7 because Yamato isn't the only character. Also, don't believe anything Yamato promises; in the end, he will disappoint you. Throughout all 166 chapters, somewhere around the middle, you hoped Yamato would become more mature or at least deliver on his promises—basically, "grow some balls." Don't bother. xD.
"His balls" arrive around chapter 145 or 150... I don't remember exactly... but they don't last long or come and go because I think he got cold feet after dealing with Suzuka, who knows what she did with them.
Enjoyment: 6. Although I read all 166 chapters, it was mainly because I saw the anime back in 2004 or 2005—I can't remember which—and it was one of the first anime I downloaded. I never lost hope. I was like Obama's campaign motto, except instead of "Yes we can," it was "Yes he can... grow some balls."
Reading this is one of the most torturous experiences you can endure. I wouldn't wish reading 85 chapters of this on anyone, let alone all 171. Please don't read this—for both our sakes.
And I know what some might argue: "But, but, you just have to finish it! Then it will get good!" I hate to break it to you, but this isn't One Piece or Berserk, or any other life-changing story that takes time to get into. This is the most frustrating kind of romance, where both characters in the relationship are insufferably toxic towards each other. I'm not going to slog through over 100 chapters just to see them become normal.
I'll admit, the art looks decent for an older manga. It won't blow you away, but it hasn't aged terribly either. If you like Kouji's style, this fits right in.
However, the story has been sour milk from the start. As others have mentioned, the melodrama in this series is enough to make your head explode with frustration. I've never had to drop a series out of sheer anger before, but this one did it! Characters fight for the most ridiculous reasons. The worst part? It's not just one character—it's all of them. They're unanimously terrible, which forced me to abandon the series.
If you decide to read it all the way through, you might end up feeling differently than I do. But my god, the journey to get there is something else entirely.
My take? It's a rubbish story with mediocre art, packed with melodramatic high school drama. If that's your cup of tea, great. Everyone has their own opinions, and mine is that this is garbage. The main plot is overly predictable, which could be tolerable if the journey were any good (but it's not). Like much of this genre, the story is full of nonsense and irritating characters. Clearly, I'm not the target audience, but for some reason, I decided to read this... all of it. Compulsive habits can be a powerful motivator. If you're using this as an introduction to this type of manga, I suggest looking elsewhere. If you're into cheesy romance novels, this will be right up your alley.
The drama in this series is poorly executed. Characters frequently contradict themselves right after saying or doing something. Moving on to the review:
Story (1/10):
Before criticizing the story, I acknowledge that crafting a quality romance is challenging. Many authors believe melodrama equals realistic romance. However, my issue with this series is its lack of direction. It introduces themes like progress, competition, and success but ultimately contradicts all these concepts by the end. The ending was the worst I've seen in any romance manga—sexist, ugly, and pathetic. Pacing issues plague the story due to the author's indecision. For instance, characters suddenly go to the beach for ecchi scenes amid important arcs. There's nothing redeeming about the story; I felt relieved when it ended.
Art (5/10):
The art isn't terrible but certainly not impressive. While visuals can be overlooked if other aspects shine, even as a strong point, the art here is mediocre at best. Over time, the artwork deteriorates, making the series visually unappealing. Despite being a sports romance manga, races aren't well-drawn, with focus instead on pointless ecchi scenes. If you're into that, maybe it's enjoyable, but it adds nothing substantial.
Character (1/10):
The worst aspect. Characters are annoying, weak, and over-the-top melodramatic. This wouldn't be an issue if the manga didn't take itself seriously, but it did. Poorly written and developed, they become utterly unlikable. The love "triangle" was frustrating, with characters changing personalities abruptly and avoiding communication for long periods. They repeat the same mistakes endlessly, leading to extreme frustration. An unpleasant experience I don't wish to repeat.
Enjoyment (1/10):
I was incredibly frustrated throughout the series. Characters, melodrama, and especially the ending were infuriating.
Overall (2/10):
Almost nothing positive about this series. I'll avoid anything else from this writer; they clearly have no idea what they're doing.
Right, I have a particular code of ethics, and that is to read an entire manga series before writing a review. However, the issue here is that I don't think I can finish this one without wanting to punch my screen out of frustration. And I definitely don't want to do that because, honestly, this computer was quite expensive.
Quick Synopsis: A country boy moves into his aunt's bathhouse/girl's boarding house in Tokyo so he can attend high school there. He has to help out sometimes, leading to some unfortunate situations (the usual ecchi "slips," we might say), which doesn't improve his popularity much. He scouts the school and sees a vision: a beautiful girl doing a high-jump, and he falls in love. Guess what? She also lives at the boarding-house and hates him from the start. Enter a perverted childhood friend (boy) and another childhood friend (girl) who has had a crush on him for years. The main character tries to get close to Suzuka, the main female character, who turns out to be a level 100 tsundere constantly putting him down when he tries to seduce her. School life ensues.
This is where I start having problems: the fact that this (obviously demented) main character keeps pursuing Suzuka, even though he knows there's a good chance a really kind and loving girl is right there. Now, I know many of you reading this are extreme fans of the tsundere type, but after dating one for three years (a bit less hardcore than Suzuka), I can assure you that unless you enjoy being put down constantly, it's not worth it. To be honest, among all the characters (including side characters), the only person I'd root for would be the nice, loving childhood friend. But then again, what do I know? My tastes in women are my own, I suppose.
Let's wrap this up before I rant any more. The art is possibly the best thing here, so I'm giving it a 9; the characters, well, I have nothing else to say but a 5 (the few good characters try to compensate for the many bad ones); story, 3 with no other comment; enjoyment 4, so overall, I'll be generous and give it a 5, keeping in mind I haven't really read it, but I ultimately know how it's going to end, and it sounds far too familiar.
If you like seeing masochistic guys go after level 100 tsunderes, totally ignoring the one potential partner who would genuinely love him for who he is and not what he could become with considerable effort, and then ruining both their lives along with most of the nice girls' high school experiences, feel free to read this manga. Just don't say I recommended it.
On that note, cheerio and thanks for reading this long rant of a review.
Honestly, this is one of the finest mangas I've ever come across! It left me with a profound sense of satisfaction, wrapping up everything beautifully in the end. I detest mangas that rush through their plots just because they are limited to around 80 chapters; Suzuka did not fall into that trap. Instead, it developed its characters exceptionally well. Even when there were time jumps, you could still see the characters' growth and evolution.
Suzuka stands out as the most realistic manga I have read. It captures genuine issues between people who like each other, and the sarcasm was brilliantly funny. The realism struck a chord with me. While it does have that dreamy manga flair, the way it presented and handled problems was outstanding. The author must truly understand how young minds work, as I recall facing some of these issues myself!
All in all, Suzuka genuinely uplifted my spirits and left a lasting impression on me. Its messages about young relationships resonate with anyone who reads it. I recommend it to everyone, given its valuable insights into youthful connections.
I don't give perfect scores to anything since nothing is flawless, but this definitely earns a 9.9.
This is one of the finest mangas out there, featuring a compelling story and stunning artwork. It truly immerses you in its world, drawing you in irresistibly. You can't help but root for Yamato to end up with Suzuka. The manga surpasses the anime by far, offering twice the narrative content and capturing the best aspects of the story.
I wasn't planning to write a review because I'm not great at it, and my grammar isn't perfect. But this manga left me with an odd feeling, so here goes. I did my best, hoping you find it helpful.
Short version:
The good:
- The art is nice.
- The girls are all well-drawn and cute.
- Emotional moments really hit hard and pay off.
- I enjoyed the later part of the series and the ending.
The bad:
- Characters can be annoying and do stupid things.
- The reason for conflict gets repetitive.
- The first half of the series is slow and frustrating.
Summary and longer version below.
The story
When I started reading, I got annoyed by how characters treated the main character. I felt bad for him. The jokes felt forced and cliché. This is from 2007, so maybe it was normal then, but now they don't hold up. Later on, it gets much better. The story seemed to lack new ideas, as the reasons for conflict felt repetitive. If that doesn't bother you, no problem. Initially, I didn't enjoy it; the main girl was mean, but the emotional moments kept me going. By the latter half, I was invested in the characters.
The art
There's not much to say except it's nice. It has plenty of fanservice if that's your thing. Character designs are easy on the eyes, and aside from two characters, they're distinguishable.
Enjoyment
In the beginning, I didn't enjoy the manga at all. But later, that changed. I started enjoying it and kept reading until it ended. There's a sequel, but I'm unsure if I want to read it. Right now, I speak highly of this manga because I loved the ending. If I consider the early parts, it's not that great. To summarize: a manga that takes time to get into but is worth it. If you lack patience, stay away. But if you don't mind, go ahead and enjoy, just be warned.
Okay. After going through the current reviews for this manga and reading some of them, I honestly believe it gets more criticism than it deserves. Sure, manga is very subjective, but if you don't like it, simply don't read it. And while I understand your desire to finish the manga to see how the story ends, if you're flipping tables and hurting yourself in the process, why bother?
Time for my review.
About the story. Yes, it's pretty cliché—a high school guy moves to another city with hopes and dreams and ends up living next door to the girl he likes... Typical, right? It’s not groundbreaking, but what I genuinely liked about this manga (I read the manga, not watched the anime; personally, I prefer manga because you can skim over the cheesy parts) was the main character's relentless efforts to win over the girl he liked. This guy went through hell and back, suffering and losing along the way. Without giving spoilers, even if some might find his journey cliché, I enjoyed it. (Again, it's subjective.) Having read quite a lot of romance and drama manga, I think this one doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
About the art. Personally, the artwork and character design are standout features. True, the character designs are somewhat generic (as with most manga/anime), but the drawing and artwork surpass anything else from its time period (circa 2004). I love Seo Kouji's drawing style (having read Kimi Machi), and he does an excellent job representing characters' emotions. Initially, I wasn't fond of anime/manga girls with short hair, but eventually, I grew to appreciate Suzuka’s character design.
Character...
Character development is *hands down* the most crucial part of a romance manga (alongside the story). Again, what I loved about this manga was Yamato’s perseverance—not just in sports but in his quest to be with Suzuka. It’s truly cool, and once you read it, I hope you’ll see what I mean.
Now, about Suzuka. Many people call her a bitch, and I get their perspective. However, when reading, I didn’t really feel that way about her. Yes, she gave Yamato a hard time, but considering her past experiences, you can understand why she’s hesitant about relationships. Somewhat. In any case, Suzuka isn’t often mean to anyone except Yamato, and as her relatives commented, “she only shows her moody side to people she likes.” This moody, exaggerated tsundere adds a twist to the overly cliché romance where the girl falls for the guy instantly. If Suzuka had accepted Yamato’s confession immediately, it would’ve been just like any other manga.
The other characters are somewhat generic—from the typical pervert friend/wingman to the girl’s friend who gives advice on love life. But those are necessary elements in a romance manga.
Overall, if you haven’t read this manga, understand that I respect others’ opinions, but honestly… Don’t listen to those who say it’s terrible. Because it’s not. I really, really, REALLY liked this manga. Overall overall, if you have some free time (I read it in about two weeks), why not give it a try? It’s fascinating to read about Yamato’s struggles, the challenges he faces to be with his dream girl, who is initially annoying but whom you WILL come to love.
Oh yeah, before I forget, the subplot involving sports significantly enhances the story and provides purpose to many of the characters' actions. In other romances, you usually see the guy and girl always in high school without any subplot. Here, learning about Yamato’s determination and why he joined the track team adds depth. (Yes, his success is unrealistic.) Anyway, I digress.
WOW! I just finished reading it, and I don't think it's odd for me to shed tears over it. If you've watched the anime, you absolutely must read the manga. The anime barely covers half of the entire story.
This manga mirrors the issues couples face around the globe today. It doesn't portray all problems magically disappearing and everyone getting a traditional "happy ending," but isn't that what we all hope for? Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend it. I never imagined I'd prefer a manga over an anime, but such is life, and I'm thrilled I spent those hours reading this. It's incredibly amazing, and everyone should dive into it. So, for all of you out there, READ THIS MANGA!!!!!! IT'S THE MOST ASTONISHING THING I'VE EVER READ, INCLUDING BOOKS, FANFICS, AND ANIMES!!!!!!
I wasn't planning to write a review since there are already six others for this manga. However, after noticing that all the other reviews are overly positive without delving into the core issues, I felt compelled to share my thoughts.
This series is essentially a slice-of-life "love story" centered around one guy and one girl in high school track and field. Yamato lives in a women's bathhouse with his aunt, who owns it. Suzuka, a talented high-jumper, also resides there, right next door. She's a perfectionist, while he's clumsy but hard-working. You get the picture.
The crux of this manga can be boiled down to one simple issue. The creator, Seo, is an excellent storyteller. The artwork surpasses average quality, the plot is complex and well-crafted, and the characters are nuanced, albeit somewhat clichéd. (Though sometimes a few characters look too similar.) The world-building is remarkable—after 50 chapters, you feel like you know Tokyo inside out and every corner of the bathhouse and school. Seo masterfully shifts perspectives and angles to keep the experience fresh. His grasp of human anatomy makes the characters almost come to life on the page. Yet, there is one crucial aspect every reader should be aware of before diving into this manga—a detail I wish someone had told me beforehand.
Suzuka is a total bitch.
For some readers, maybe even most, this might be fine or even appealing in a quirky way, especially when she lets her guard down and shows a softer side. But for the majority of the time, she treats Yamato terribly. And I don't mean in a typical tsundere fashion. There are numerous instances where she is outright cruel, vindictive, stubbornly unyielding, and barely appreciative of Yamato's efforts to win her over. It reached a point where I was genuinely angry at her, yet I couldn't stop reading because I was already deep into the story and wanted to see how it ended. Readers must be forewarned about this before starting the manga, and hopefully, my warning will help some people prepare for what they're getting into. In the end, I didn't hate Suzuka completely, but I came close because I knew—absolutely knew—that Suzuka didn't deserve Yamato, not by a long shot. Despite her terrible treatment of him, he remained oblivious.
All things considered, this is a good manga, especially if you're looking for a character to despise. While it may spoil some aspects, the romance still holds up with several original moments. This comes with a recommendation—but a recommendation with a warning.
This is one of my all-time favorite manga. The relationship between the two main characters isn't a straightforward journey from point A (not together) to point B (together). It's a winding, curving road filled with excellent drama. My favorite aspect of this manga is that it doesn't just focus on the couple getting together; it continues to show their relationship through its ups and downs. In fact, the best drama unfolds after they're officially together.
Now, I truly love this manga, but I'm not blind to its flaws. One significant weakness is how the track/sport element is handled. Yamato's attitude towards track changes frequently: from not caring at all, to being extremely serious about it and aiming for the top, to once again disregarding it. This didn't bother me too much since I was more invested in the romance and drama than the sports aspect. However, seeing him be so indecisive did affect my perception of the main character. On the other hand, this attitude might be more realistic for an average teenage boy rather than having him completely dedicated to track just to impress a girl. Another drawback for me was the ending. While it wrapped up the romance and drama nicely, it left the track storyline unresolved. Ideally, the author could have either dropped the sport part entirely, emphasizing family and love over track, or given a definitive conclusion. Instead, the last scene suggested that Suzuka wasn't quite done with Yamato's track ambitions. Personally, I'd love to see a sequel where Yamato returns to track and explores its impact on his family, but as far as I know, only a few four-panel comics were released as a bonus in another manga. These probably wouldn't provide the closure this story deserves.
Popular Reviews
I completely agree with mcjazzman32... If you haven't read this manga, be prepared for a lot of confusion.
This is the first time I've been on an emotional roller coaster and not enjoyed it. Suzuka is totally indecisive, and Yamato makes so many mistakes that while it might seem normal for a 15-year-old, his sheer quantity of errors makes him seem downright clueless when it comes to girls.
Art: 8. I give the art this score because most of the time, Yamato's over-the-top reactions made me think he was having an aneurysm right then and there.
Story: 6. I hated how the story started fun and flirty, full of ecchi moments, then plunged into intense drama for many chapters (like 35+), then briefly became fun again, only to dive back into heavy drama. The pattern repeated: fun, intense drama, fun, intense drama, and then a SH*TLOAD of drama. You get the point, xD.
SPOILERS
Character: 7. Sigh... I gave it a 7 because Yamato isn't the only character. Also, don't believe anything Yamato promises; in the end, he will disappoint you. Throughout all 166 chapters, somewhere around the middle, you hoped Yamato would become more mature or at least deliver on his promises—basically, "grow some balls." Don't bother. xD.
"His balls" arrive around chapter 145 or 150... I don't remember exactly... but they don't last long or come and go because I think he got cold feet after dealing with Suzuka, who knows what she did with them.
Enjoyment: 6. Although I read all 166 chapters, it was mainly because I saw the anime back in 2004 or 2005—I can't remember which—and it was one of the first anime I downloaded. I never lost hope. I was like Obama's campaign motto, except instead of "Yes we can," it was "Yes he can... grow some balls."
Reading this is one of the most torturous experiences you can endure. I wouldn't wish reading 85 chapters of this on anyone, let alone all 171. Please don't read this—for both our sakes.
And I know what some might argue: "But, but, you just have to finish it! Then it will get good!" I hate to break it to you, but this isn't One Piece or Berserk, or any other life-changing story that takes time to get into. This is the most frustrating kind of romance, where both characters in the relationship are insufferably toxic towards each other. I'm not going to slog through over 100 chapters just to see them become normal.
I'll admit, the art looks decent for an older manga. It won't blow you away, but it hasn't aged terribly either. If you like Kouji's style, this fits right in.
However, the story has been sour milk from the start. As others have mentioned, the melodrama in this series is enough to make your head explode with frustration. I've never had to drop a series out of sheer anger before, but this one did it! Characters fight for the most ridiculous reasons. The worst part? It's not just one character—it's all of them. They're unanimously terrible, which forced me to abandon the series.
If you decide to read it all the way through, you might end up feeling differently than I do. But my god, the journey to get there is something else entirely.
My take? It's a rubbish story with mediocre art, packed with melodramatic high school drama. If that's your cup of tea, great. Everyone has their own opinions, and mine is that this is garbage. The main plot is overly predictable, which could be tolerable if the journey were any good (but it's not). Like much of this genre, the story is full of nonsense and irritating characters. Clearly, I'm not the target audience, but for some reason, I decided to read this... all of it. Compulsive habits can be a powerful motivator. If you're using this as an introduction to this type of manga, I suggest looking elsewhere. If you're into cheesy romance novels, this will be right up your alley.
The drama in this series is poorly executed. Characters frequently contradict themselves right after saying or doing something. Moving on to the review:
Story (1/10):
Before criticizing the story, I acknowledge that crafting a quality romance is challenging. Many authors believe melodrama equals realistic romance. However, my issue with this series is its lack of direction. It introduces themes like progress, competition, and success but ultimately contradicts all these concepts by the end. The ending was the worst I've seen in any romance manga—sexist, ugly, and pathetic. Pacing issues plague the story due to the author's indecision. For instance, characters suddenly go to the beach for ecchi scenes amid important arcs. There's nothing redeeming about the story; I felt relieved when it ended.
Art (5/10):
The art isn't terrible but certainly not impressive. While visuals can be overlooked if other aspects shine, even as a strong point, the art here is mediocre at best. Over time, the artwork deteriorates, making the series visually unappealing. Despite being a sports romance manga, races aren't well-drawn, with focus instead on pointless ecchi scenes. If you're into that, maybe it's enjoyable, but it adds nothing substantial.
Character (1/10):
The worst aspect. Characters are annoying, weak, and over-the-top melodramatic. This wouldn't be an issue if the manga didn't take itself seriously, but it did. Poorly written and developed, they become utterly unlikable. The love "triangle" was frustrating, with characters changing personalities abruptly and avoiding communication for long periods. They repeat the same mistakes endlessly, leading to extreme frustration. An unpleasant experience I don't wish to repeat.
Enjoyment (1/10):
I was incredibly frustrated throughout the series. Characters, melodrama, and especially the ending were infuriating.
Overall (2/10):
Almost nothing positive about this series. I'll avoid anything else from this writer; they clearly have no idea what they're doing.
Right, I have a particular code of ethics, and that is to read an entire manga series before writing a review. However, the issue here is that I don't think I can finish this one without wanting to punch my screen out of frustration. And I definitely don't want to do that because, honestly, this computer was quite expensive.
Quick Synopsis: A country boy moves into his aunt's bathhouse/girl's boarding house in Tokyo so he can attend high school there. He has to help out sometimes, leading to some unfortunate situations (the usual ecchi "slips," we might say), which doesn't improve his popularity much. He scouts the school and sees a vision: a beautiful girl doing a high-jump, and he falls in love. Guess what? She also lives at the boarding-house and hates him from the start. Enter a perverted childhood friend (boy) and another childhood friend (girl) who has had a crush on him for years. The main character tries to get close to Suzuka, the main female character, who turns out to be a level 100 tsundere constantly putting him down when he tries to seduce her. School life ensues.
This is where I start having problems: the fact that this (obviously demented) main character keeps pursuing Suzuka, even though he knows there's a good chance a really kind and loving girl is right there. Now, I know many of you reading this are extreme fans of the tsundere type, but after dating one for three years (a bit less hardcore than Suzuka), I can assure you that unless you enjoy being put down constantly, it's not worth it. To be honest, among all the characters (including side characters), the only person I'd root for would be the nice, loving childhood friend. But then again, what do I know? My tastes in women are my own, I suppose.
Let's wrap this up before I rant any more. The art is possibly the best thing here, so I'm giving it a 9; the characters, well, I have nothing else to say but a 5 (the few good characters try to compensate for the many bad ones); story, 3 with no other comment; enjoyment 4, so overall, I'll be generous and give it a 5, keeping in mind I haven't really read it, but I ultimately know how it's going to end, and it sounds far too familiar.
If you like seeing masochistic guys go after level 100 tsunderes, totally ignoring the one potential partner who would genuinely love him for who he is and not what he could become with considerable effort, and then ruining both their lives along with most of the nice girls' high school experiences, feel free to read this manga. Just don't say I recommended it.
On that note, cheerio and thanks for reading this long rant of a review.
Honestly, this is one of the finest mangas I've ever come across! It left me with a profound sense of satisfaction, wrapping up everything beautifully in the end. I detest mangas that rush through their plots just because they are limited to around 80 chapters; Suzuka did not fall into that trap. Instead, it developed its characters exceptionally well. Even when there were time jumps, you could still see the characters' growth and evolution.
Suzuka stands out as the most realistic manga I have read. It captures genuine issues between people who like each other, and the sarcasm was brilliantly funny. The realism struck a chord with me. While it does have that dreamy manga flair, the way it presented and handled problems was outstanding. The author must truly understand how young minds work, as I recall facing some of these issues myself!
All in all, Suzuka genuinely uplifted my spirits and left a lasting impression on me. Its messages about young relationships resonate with anyone who reads it. I recommend it to everyone, given its valuable insights into youthful connections.
I don't give perfect scores to anything since nothing is flawless, but this definitely earns a 9.9.
This is one of the finest mangas out there, featuring a compelling story and stunning artwork. It truly immerses you in its world, drawing you in irresistibly. You can't help but root for Yamato to end up with Suzuka. The manga surpasses the anime by far, offering twice the narrative content and capturing the best aspects of the story.
I wasn't planning to write a review because I'm not great at it, and my grammar isn't perfect. But this manga left me with an odd feeling, so here goes. I did my best, hoping you find it helpful.
Short version:
The good:
- The art is nice.
- The girls are all well-drawn and cute.
- Emotional moments really hit hard and pay off.
- I enjoyed the later part of the series and the ending.
The bad:
- Characters can be annoying and do stupid things.
- The reason for conflict gets repetitive.
- The first half of the series is slow and frustrating.
Summary and longer version below.
The story
When I started reading, I got annoyed by how characters treated the main character. I felt bad for him. The jokes felt forced and cliché. This is from 2007, so maybe it was normal then, but now they don't hold up. Later on, it gets much better. The story seemed to lack new ideas, as the reasons for conflict felt repetitive. If that doesn't bother you, no problem. Initially, I didn't enjoy it; the main girl was mean, but the emotional moments kept me going. By the latter half, I was invested in the characters.
The art
There's not much to say except it's nice. It has plenty of fanservice if that's your thing. Character designs are easy on the eyes, and aside from two characters, they're distinguishable.
Enjoyment
In the beginning, I didn't enjoy the manga at all. But later, that changed. I started enjoying it and kept reading until it ended. There's a sequel, but I'm unsure if I want to read it. Right now, I speak highly of this manga because I loved the ending. If I consider the early parts, it's not that great. To summarize: a manga that takes time to get into but is worth it. If you lack patience, stay away. But if you don't mind, go ahead and enjoy, just be warned.
Okay. After going through the current reviews for this manga and reading some of them, I honestly believe it gets more criticism than it deserves. Sure, manga is very subjective, but if you don't like it, simply don't read it. And while I understand your desire to finish the manga to see how the story ends, if you're flipping tables and hurting yourself in the process, why bother?
Time for my review.
About the story. Yes, it's pretty cliché—a high school guy moves to another city with hopes and dreams and ends up living next door to the girl he likes... Typical, right? It’s not groundbreaking, but what I genuinely liked about this manga (I read the manga, not watched the anime; personally, I prefer manga because you can skim over the cheesy parts) was the main character's relentless efforts to win over the girl he liked. This guy went through hell and back, suffering and losing along the way. Without giving spoilers, even if some might find his journey cliché, I enjoyed it. (Again, it's subjective.) Having read quite a lot of romance and drama manga, I think this one doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
About the art. Personally, the artwork and character design are standout features. True, the character designs are somewhat generic (as with most manga/anime), but the drawing and artwork surpass anything else from its time period (circa 2004). I love Seo Kouji's drawing style (having read Kimi Machi), and he does an excellent job representing characters' emotions. Initially, I wasn't fond of anime/manga girls with short hair, but eventually, I grew to appreciate Suzuka’s character design.
Character... Character development is *hands down* the most crucial part of a romance manga (alongside the story). Again, what I loved about this manga was Yamato’s perseverance—not just in sports but in his quest to be with Suzuka. It’s truly cool, and once you read it, I hope you’ll see what I mean. Now, about Suzuka. Many people call her a bitch, and I get their perspective. However, when reading, I didn’t really feel that way about her. Yes, she gave Yamato a hard time, but considering her past experiences, you can understand why she’s hesitant about relationships. Somewhat. In any case, Suzuka isn’t often mean to anyone except Yamato, and as her relatives commented, “she only shows her moody side to people she likes.” This moody, exaggerated tsundere adds a twist to the overly cliché romance where the girl falls for the guy instantly. If Suzuka had accepted Yamato’s confession immediately, it would’ve been just like any other manga.
The other characters are somewhat generic—from the typical pervert friend/wingman to the girl’s friend who gives advice on love life. But those are necessary elements in a romance manga.
Overall, if you haven’t read this manga, understand that I respect others’ opinions, but honestly… Don’t listen to those who say it’s terrible. Because it’s not. I really, really, REALLY liked this manga. Overall overall, if you have some free time (I read it in about two weeks), why not give it a try? It’s fascinating to read about Yamato’s struggles, the challenges he faces to be with his dream girl, who is initially annoying but whom you WILL come to love.
Oh yeah, before I forget, the subplot involving sports significantly enhances the story and provides purpose to many of the characters' actions. In other romances, you usually see the guy and girl always in high school without any subplot. Here, learning about Yamato’s determination and why he joined the track team adds depth. (Yes, his success is unrealistic.) Anyway, I digress.
You have to read this manga. Give it a try.
WOW! I just finished reading it, and I don't think it's odd for me to shed tears over it. If you've watched the anime, you absolutely must read the manga. The anime barely covers half of the entire story.
This manga mirrors the issues couples face around the globe today. It doesn't portray all problems magically disappearing and everyone getting a traditional "happy ending," but isn't that what we all hope for? Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend it. I never imagined I'd prefer a manga over an anime, but such is life, and I'm thrilled I spent those hours reading this. It's incredibly amazing, and everyone should dive into it. So, for all of you out there, READ THIS MANGA!!!!!! IT'S THE MOST ASTONISHING THING I'VE EVER READ, INCLUDING BOOKS, FANFICS, AND ANIMES!!!!!!
READ IT!
I wasn't planning to write a review since there are already six others for this manga. However, after noticing that all the other reviews are overly positive without delving into the core issues, I felt compelled to share my thoughts.
This series is essentially a slice-of-life "love story" centered around one guy and one girl in high school track and field. Yamato lives in a women's bathhouse with his aunt, who owns it. Suzuka, a talented high-jumper, also resides there, right next door. She's a perfectionist, while he's clumsy but hard-working. You get the picture.
The crux of this manga can be boiled down to one simple issue. The creator, Seo, is an excellent storyteller. The artwork surpasses average quality, the plot is complex and well-crafted, and the characters are nuanced, albeit somewhat clichéd. (Though sometimes a few characters look too similar.) The world-building is remarkable—after 50 chapters, you feel like you know Tokyo inside out and every corner of the bathhouse and school. Seo masterfully shifts perspectives and angles to keep the experience fresh. His grasp of human anatomy makes the characters almost come to life on the page. Yet, there is one crucial aspect every reader should be aware of before diving into this manga—a detail I wish someone had told me beforehand.
Suzuka is a total bitch.
For some readers, maybe even most, this might be fine or even appealing in a quirky way, especially when she lets her guard down and shows a softer side. But for the majority of the time, she treats Yamato terribly. And I don't mean in a typical tsundere fashion. There are numerous instances where she is outright cruel, vindictive, stubbornly unyielding, and barely appreciative of Yamato's efforts to win her over. It reached a point where I was genuinely angry at her, yet I couldn't stop reading because I was already deep into the story and wanted to see how it ended. Readers must be forewarned about this before starting the manga, and hopefully, my warning will help some people prepare for what they're getting into. In the end, I didn't hate Suzuka completely, but I came close because I knew—absolutely knew—that Suzuka didn't deserve Yamato, not by a long shot. Despite her terrible treatment of him, he remained oblivious.
All things considered, this is a good manga, especially if you're looking for a character to despise. While it may spoil some aspects, the romance still holds up with several original moments. This comes with a recommendation—but a recommendation with a warning.
This is one of my all-time favorite manga. The relationship between the two main characters isn't a straightforward journey from point A (not together) to point B (together). It's a winding, curving road filled with excellent drama. My favorite aspect of this manga is that it doesn't just focus on the couple getting together; it continues to show their relationship through its ups and downs. In fact, the best drama unfolds after they're officially together.
Now, I truly love this manga, but I'm not blind to its flaws. One significant weakness is how the track/sport element is handled. Yamato's attitude towards track changes frequently: from not caring at all, to being extremely serious about it and aiming for the top, to once again disregarding it. This didn't bother me too much since I was more invested in the romance and drama than the sports aspect. However, seeing him be so indecisive did affect my perception of the main character. On the other hand, this attitude might be more realistic for an average teenage boy rather than having him completely dedicated to track just to impress a girl. Another drawback for me was the ending. While it wrapped up the romance and drama nicely, it left the track storyline unresolved. Ideally, the author could have either dropped the sport part entirely, emphasizing family and love over track, or given a definitive conclusion. Instead, the last scene suggested that Suzuka wasn't quite done with Yamato's track ambitions. Personally, I'd love to see a sequel where Yamato returns to track and explores its impact on his family, but as far as I know, only a few four-panel comics were released as a bonus in another manga. These probably wouldn't provide the closure this story deserves.
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