Alpha's Fated Mate

More people should read this manga. There are many reasons to do so :)  
At this point, I have read all 10 volumes of Sand Chronicles, released in Italy.  
This manga became one of my favorites from the start though :)  

Story: The story revolves around the life of a young girl named An. It is primarily a drama-romance, with other genres mixed in as well. An, at the beginning of the story, visits the village where she was born with her mother. Her parents had just divorced. An's life takes an unexpected turn when her mother commits suicide, leaving her alone. However, at that same moment, she meets her first friends and the love of her life. An grows up a little more with each chapter and each season. The other characters also play significant roles in the story. The manga is written like a diary, filled with memories from each season of An's life since she was 12. By the end of volume 8, there is essentially the conclusion of the main storyline. In the last two volumes, the author decided to include all the missing details, answering any questions fans might have about the past, other characters' stories during that time, the future, etc. Basically, the story is so sweet that it warms your heart, and many times, it brought tears to my eyes :P  

Art: The artwork is simply spectacular, featuring classic shoujo-style illustrations with highly detailed eyes and hair. I haven't seen much better than this.  

Characters: The main characters are four: An, Daigo, Fuji, and Shiika. An is the protagonist, as mentioned before, and Daigo is her first friend and her first love. He promises to protect her after what happened with her mother, and their love grows quickly and remains unbroken. Fuji is a friend of An and Daigo, a wealthy individual they met when they first worked at his villa, and Shiika is his sister, one year younger than the others. Fuji is attracted to An, and a lot of complications arise... Everyone's life is a bit complicated too :P  

Enjoyment: A 10 is a 10. You can't stop reading this manga; it evokes so many emotions. And, the story isn't like every other shoujo out there. It's special.  

Recommended, read it now if you're into this genre, and even if you're not :P

Maybe they forgot to tag this under the psychological genre.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

This manga starts off lightly, but things take a drastically unstable turn right after her first breakup with the boy she thought was everything she needed. The plot delves deeply into the emotional development of a girl from age 12 to 30. As I read the entire story in one night, I came to understand that the whole emotional roller coaster was driven by the psychological trauma she experienced following her mother's suicide. The more she tries not to become like her mother, the more she ends up resembling her. The pain builds slowly but leaves a haunting impression. I'm glad that she eventually overcomes all the obstacles, even after hitting many wrong paths.

There are three aspects of the story that I didn't quite agree with:

1. I didn't appreciate Chapter 16 (the part about her cold-hearted ex - "he can disappear for all I care").  
2. Fuji-kun's relationship with his cousin left me very skeptical. This new romance developing so soon after his breakup with Ann felt rushed and questionable. Initially, I thought the cousin was genuinely concerned as family would be. Honestly, I'm also biased towards Fuji over Daigo, perhaps because he was always there for Ann and tried so hard. But then he chooses to marry his cousin? Come on, you shouldn't just settle for someone close when you're vulnerable.
3. I think the ending could have been more detailed regarding her emotions. After the suicidal incident and reunion with her old love, the manga skips straight to their married life where she appears more composed and settled, almost as if she has accepted her fate. I'm confused. I wanted to know how she dealt with her tumultuous emotions. Haha

P.S: This manga isn't your typical rosy shoujo. It's considered rather dark, subtly disturbing, and demands a lot of emotional energy. These are my personal tags for this manga: Shoujo, Romance, Melodrama, Psychological.

I would still prefer Cat Street.

<p>Sand Chronicles is a realistic manga that delves into themes of love, relationships, and abandonment. It follows a girl named Ann who resides in a place called Shimane. When her mother takes her own life, Ann is left in the care of her grandparents, along with an hourglass given to her by her mother, which holds immense value to her. Not long after, she encounters a boy named Daigo, and they develop feelings for each other. However, will their relationship remain stable, or will Ann's emotional state unravel due to her mother's passing? Overall, I believe this is an exceptional manga as it resonates with readers due to its realism. The sole aspect I find less appealing is that it becomes overly dramatic at certain moments.</p>

<p>So, here's my review for the first three chapters I've read.<br>Honestly, this manga seemed a bit plain to me initially. But I'm not really sure why it drew me in. Maybe it had a certain charm. Perhaps it was the way the author connects it to reality. It's not your average lovey-dovey, cheesy shoujo manga where the girl meets the guy, they fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. Instead, it's a manga centered on how tough life can be and how challenging decisions can be to make. I'll keep reading and hope it turns out to be worthwhile.</p>

Memories can be blinding, often bringing pain and sorrow. As you prepare to move, sorting through your belongings and distinguishing the valuable from the unnecessary, you come across an item—a photo album, maybe—that triggers a flood of memories. "Look how much I've grown since then," you smile, acknowledging your progress since those days. However, "Sunadokei," or "Sand Chronicles" in English, doesn't focus on the gratifying feeling of surpassing your past self. In fact, it does the opposite.

Hourglasses are recurring symbols in this story, representing the unstoppable flow of time as we follow the protagonist, Ann Uekusa, from childhood through adolescence into adulthood. Yet, something remains constant; ever since tragedy struck when she was young, Ann has never been the same. Despite her attempts to rebuild herself as her environment and the people around her evolve, she remains trapped in a cycle. Readers typically cheer for heroes who grow, improve, and gain wisdom. But Sunadokei's heroine defies this expectation. Ann isn't someone to root for; there are no arcs of development or redemption for her. Instead, you find yourself frustrated by her lack of progress, even as you empathize with her situation. "Why can't she just move on?" "Why can't she appreciate what she currently has?" These questions arise within the story itself, and the answers remain unclear until late in the narrative. By then, it becomes painfully evident that this isn't the point of the story. It never was.

The narrative of Sunadokei is tiresome. Reading it from beginning to end is a constant struggle between your frustration with the protagonist's complex inner world and your impatience to reach a satisfying conclusion. Ignoring the narrative's intent would be a mistake—you're meant to feel frustrated with Ann! Processing trauma is neither pleasant nor logical. The truth is, you can't simply "get over it" because someone else says so; something broken can't be fixed just because others wish it, or even try to help make it "better." Ann's journey isn't about setting her up for a satisfying ending. It's about an intimate exploration of the self and accepting that the unstable ground she stands on might be all she has to continue her path for the rest of her life, with no amount of time in the world to "fix" it. Ultimately, the idea that "time heals all wounds..." doesn't apply to everyone, especially when you feel like time is moving forward for everyone else except yourself.

Sunadokei is an emotionally intense story, laying bare the hearts and minds of its characters. Despite some slow moments and unnecessary subplots, it powerfully conveys one of the most delicate aspects of the human psyche. Each volume is quite long, so don't be fooled by the low chapter count. If you choose to read this, take your time.

Sand Chronicle is one of those manga that gripped me from the start and wouldn't let go. The story revolves around a girl named Ann, who moves back to her hometown with her mother. After spending a few days there, her already troubled mother vanishes, only to be later discovered as having taken her own life. This tragic event leaves a profound mark on Ann's personality moving forward. In her grief over losing her mother, a boy named Daigo steps in and helps Ann overcome her struggles. Eventually, they fall in love and begin dating. However, their happiness is short-lived when Ann's father reappears, asking her to move to Tokyo with him. This leads to a long-distance relationship between Ann and Daigo, which soon faces numerous challenges.

In my view, Sand Chronicles stands out as one of the most realistic manga I've ever encountered. The way it portrays long-distance relationships, the arrival of a third party, and how characters cope with their individual traumas feels incredibly authentic.

The manga highlights three key characters. First is Ann, our protagonist. Her journey through making difficult decisions and overcoming obstacles in her relationship with Daigo makes her an intriguing character. Her development is well-crafted; initially traumatized by her mother's death and fearful of losing someone she loves, she gradually learns to move forward and become more independent. Then there's Daigo, Ann's childhood friend and first love. Daigo is kind and unwaveringly loyal, even when Ann's actions hurt him. He's definitely my favorite character in this manga because he breaks the mold of typical male leads found in other shoujo manga. He's neither a bad boy nor a playboy, nor is he overly popular—just an ordinary yet compassionate and faithful boy.

Lastly, we have Fuji, the third wheel in Ann and Daigo's relationship. To be honest, I can't stand this character. He fits the stereotypical rich, handsome shoujo male lead with a dark past. Many of the problems in the manga stem from Fuji's cowardly and manipulative behavior. He exploits the weak moments in Ann and Daigo's strained relationship for his own gain.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. It was frustrating at times, but I simply couldn't put it down until I finished every last chapter. The ending left me satisfied, though it might feel slightly rushed. Still, all conflicts are resolved, which makes it forgivable. For anyone seeking a story about realistic relationships, this manga is highly recommended.

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This manga takes you on a journey through the lives of four children. As you read, you can almost empathize with the emotions the characters experience. This isn't a saccharine manga where everything falls into place effortlessly. The mangaka presents the harsh realities of life, leaving you craving more. This is a manga that you shouldn't miss.

Story: 9/10  
At first glance, the manga appears to be just another shoujo manga. However, as you continue reading, the development proves to be quite original. The story feels believable and could easily happen in real life. The mangaka effectively crafts a narrative that mirrors reality.

Art: 7/10  
I admit, the art isn't the best out there. Nonetheless, it's decent compared to other (shoujo) mangas.

Characters: 10/10  
This is the aspect I loved most about Sand Chronicles. The character development was outstanding. The mangaka skillfully delves into the pasts of all four characters while simultaneously advancing the storyline. The flashbacks are concise and do not hinder the story. Instead, the author highlights that pain from the past doesn't fade until you let it go. I was captivated by Ann's resilience, Fuji's faux cool exterior, Daigo's indecisiveness, and Ann's persistence.

What I appreciated most was how the mangaka didn't portray the characters as weak or dependent. They all faced painful and sorrowful moments but overcame them. The characters didn't need to rely on anyone or anything. Their personalities felt genuine.

Enjoyment: 10/10  
I thoroughly enjoyed this manga, immersing myself in its storyline. It showcases the highs and lows of life. It is undoubtedly a manga worth reading.

Overall: 10/10  
I love this manga.

I hope you'll give it a chance by reading at least chapters 3-4 before forming an opinion. It truly is an incredible manga that you shouldn't miss.

Daaaaamn!  
If you are reading this review, don't waste any more time—just start reading. Chapters are roughly 90 pages each, with some stretching to around 120 pages.  

Funny and lovely, poetic and melancholic, silly and simple!  

What I've already said is plenty. I'd use this space to protest MAL's restrictions on the length of my opinions. I just enjoy ranting—they're cool like that.  

According to its genre, it’s labeled as shoujo, but it excels in comedy and poetic expression. Visually, everyday scenes are occasionally depicted with a slight twist or shift.  

Character-driven? Not really—I mean, others might argue otherwise.  
Plot-driven? Not exactly. It’s not plot-heavy, but this story, in its simplicity, prepares to pierce straight to your heart in 1 or 2 pages like a needle, bro.  

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