I think this question has been asked countless times since its conception. To be honest, even though I've experienced my fair share of unconditional love, I've never had a girlfriend whom I would say I loved as more than just a friend.
This manga revealed to me that true love is something that builds and evolves over time, much like some of my favorite anime have portrayed. At first glance, it seemed like a typical cliché ecchi manga, but something shifted around Volume 2. I began to grow attached to the characters, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. Initially, I didn't care for them, thinking I was in for some sort of disappointing joke. However, I soon found myself cherishing every single moment.
The two main characters, Sahana Kurumi and Hideo Aiba, are wonderfully developed throughout the story. While there are moments where the plot feels repetitive and somewhat silly, these elements contribute to the growth of their relationship. This manga handles character development far better than most mainstream romance films, novels, or other manga.
The supporting cast is also well-fleshed out, with a few making some good, albeit repetitive, ecchi jokes.
The artwork is generally solid and satisfactory, with only minor hiccups here and there. However, at certain pivotal moments, the art delivers some of the most breathtaking visuals and scenes I've ever encountered. It perfectly captures the characters' emotions and the beauty they perceive through their eyes.
Sundome might just be one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. It's not the best story, nor the most beautiful or intricately developed, nor even the greatest ecchi manga. But it does something I've never felt before—it makes me feel like I've embarked on a journey of love. By the end of the story, I genuinely needed to cry and reflect on my own life.
Truly, the things that are special in this world are often the ones we overlook, yet they are so obvious and simple. Like simply appreciating the time we have with those we love.
Please, please, please do yourself a favor and read this story. Also, thank you for existing—I wish you all the best.
I wrapped up the manga quite a while ago, but just now I recalled it as if it were an anime. It's like I perceived motion within the manga; it didn't feel like reading a manga at all—maybe I'm delusional or something. I'm not sure what this adds to my review, but I swear it felt like watching a real anime. There were colors and everything, and the eerie part is that I even heard voices. I don't know if that's weird, but man, I want to experience it all over again. The feeling when I remembered this is like there's no tangible evidence of anything, yet why does it impact me so profoundly? There's really no trace of its presence left behind, but still...
I'd like to say it's one of a kind, but given my limited experience, I hesitate.
The story is outstanding.
The characters are exceptionally developed.
The art was decent—I can't really say it's bad.
Sundrome is a manga that faces harsh judgment due to its content. Sundrome is indeed a very risqué book, featuring themes of masturbation, graphic sexual content, and even a golden shower scene (R-Kelly style). However, if one approaches it with maturity, they can appreciate that Sundrome is a humorous book capable of making you cry, with a brilliantly crafted storyline.
The main characters of Sundrome are Kurumi Sahana and Hideo Aiba. Hideo is a high school student and also a member of a club run by a former member who has already graduated. The club operates under one crucial rule: members must abstain from having sex throughout their high school years. Due to this, Hideo isn't very popular; no girl likes him, and he doesn't find any of the girls in school meeting his expectations. That changes when he meets Kurumi, the new student and fellow club member. Kurumi is a slim girl with short black hair and frequently absent from school.
When Kurumi Sahana and Hideo Aiba are alone in their club room, Kurumi makes it clear she will never have sex with him, marking the beginning of the story.
Throughout the story, we encounter various characters, and the club embarks on numerous trips, revealing something intriguing about Kurumi. While reading, I consistently pondered three questions: Does she truly like Hideo or not? Is she involved with that man? What's wrong with Kurumi?
This manga became my favorite after finishing it. It's funny, romantic, beautiful, perverted, and genuinely heart-wrenching. This manga is awesome, and more people should read it.
Having just finished another manga filled with characters who had some kinks and perversions that didn't lead to happy endings, leaving me quite upset, I chose to dive into Sundome, which was recommended in the reviews of the previous manga. And boy, am I glad I did! I ended up reading the entire thing in a single day.
This story is packed with humor and charm, along with a few hentai elements, but they all feel surprisingly plausible and grounded in reality.
There’s significant character development here, and you get to witness multiple relationships evolve over the course of several months.
Additionally, there's a part that begins to fill you with an intense wave of sadness, but it truly pays off by the conclusion.
So, on the Richter scale of humanity, if 1 is the complete absence of emotion and 10 is crying my eyes out, this must be a 9.9 because it's physically impossible to cry any harder. I've never encountered a graphic novel that made me feel so deeply saddened. Seriously, industry? This is just porn.
That leads me to my first warning—Sundome is for all you deviants out there. If you can't handle scenes involving piss, snot, saliva, and post-climactic messes, then don't read it because these elements make up at least half of all the sexual content in this manga. The other 49% revolves around various forms of self-stimulation. And yes, I intentionally left out 1%...
Story - 8
Sundome means "stopping the moment before" (according to Wikipedia). This is the main, and only, solid plot device. The rest of the story weaves through school clubs, ghost hunting, virginity, and one-sided breast popularity contests. Yeah, it gets pretty bizarre. It's somewhat confusing and scattered. Some side plots are lighthearted, like UFO summoning and voodoo doll catfights, while others are darkly moralistic. But the core of the entire story—Kurumi's relationship with Hideo Aiba—is masterfully crafted. It's hilarious, depressing, wonderful, and multi-layered like a chocolate cheesecake.
Art - 7
Perhaps I'm being generous here. This is clearly Sundome's weakest aspect. The art style is very cartoonish and occasionally feels sloppy. It works well for our Roman Club characters, but it makes the main characters less attractive than they could be. And it diminishes the allure of the sexy scenes. However, before I sound too elitist, I must say that, personally, it worked for me. It's not polished like commercialized ecchi, but it gives the story an edgy, underground vibe. Kurumi isn't your typical purple-haired hentai girl; she's almost sickly thin, long-legged, and blue-eyed. On the flip side, there's Kyouko, the self-proclaimed "masturbation idol," whose nipples are permanently hardened. Corny, but fitting. She also sports a cheap fake tan and limp blonde hair; none of that ridiculous Lady Oscar weave stuff. One guy has lips twice the size of Lana del Rey's. It's actually great.
Characters - 10
So good. Soooo good. At first glance, Aiba appears to be the typical horny loser, and Kurumi is the A-cup goddess of desire. Coming from Onani Master Kurosawa and Watamote, you know I already adore flat-chested protagonists and loners, but these two completely subvert the tired setup. For me, the girls plus Aiba steal the show, but the male Roman club members, who serve as comic relief throughout the emotional journey, have their own unique charm. Every single member of our main cast is well-developed and easy to empathize with, possibly excepting that one candyass motherfucker with the doll waifu.
Enjoyment - 10
What else can I say? I love Sundome. It made me laugh and cry. Physically. The ending is ambiguous, leaving you with an empty hole in your heart yearning to be filled by... something. Something beautiful. Something life-changing. Go outside for a run. Donate to charity. Fall in love. Have a baby. Invent the next LSD. I don't know, do something amazing. You owe it to this manga.
This is my first review, so bear with me on this one.
Before I begin to write this review, I would like to say that this manga captivated me so much that I read the entire 76 chapters in one sitting. I started with the intention of reading just 3 chapters before bed to see if it would interest me, but then I spent the following 7 and a half hours reading it. I couldn't put it down, so be aware—it's highly addictive!
I’m trying not to include any spoilers in the review because it’s such a good story, and I don’t want to ruin any of the surprises.
Story: 10
Where to begin? I guess I should start by saying that Sundome is not a manga for everyone. It contains severe graphically almost sexual scenes that are borderline hentai (To make this clear, this manga is NOT HENTAI, but close to it). I would dare to say it’s not for most people, seeing as the main story basically revolves around a high school boy masturbating in front of a high school girl, which would scare most people away. However, if you look past that unique and quite odd part of the story, you are left with a mix of romance, drama, and comedy. There were parts where I couldn’t stop laughing.
The story focuses on the somewhat twisted relationship between the main characters, Aiba Hideo and Sahana Kurumi. The narrative is mainly centered on Aiba Hideo, the male lead, and his growth throughout the relationship with Sahana Kurumi. Throughout the story, there are small subplots involving the supporting characters.
The only thing that I didn’t really agree with was the progression of the story. It escalates quickly at the start, mellows out in the middle, and then feels a bit rushed towards the end. I would have liked to see an extra 10 chapters or so, but that might be because I really fell in love with the story and didn’t want it to end. That’s the only thing that bothered me about the manga.
Artwork: 8
The artwork is crisp and sharp, well-drawn, and everything is in good proportions. Movement is well-rendered, and the emotions of the characters are depicted effectively.
The "graphic" scenes in Sundome are well-drawn, and every time one of these scenes came up, I could kind of feel the emotions the characters were experiencing.
As I stated before, there are some real "graphic" scenes that may not be suited for people under 17 or sensitive types.
Notes
I have enjoyed reading Sundome so much that I’ve ordered the complete Japanese set from Japan, just so I can enjoy the quality of the product.
An additional note is that if you are reading it via a scanlator group, the quality will be great for the first 30-40 chapters and the last 55 to 76. There are some chapters that seriously lack quality due to bad raw scans, translation grammar and spelling errors, poor cleaning, and typesetting.
Final Verdict: 10
I’m giving Sundome a big fat 10 because I enjoyed it so much. This is the only manga (of more than 10 or so chapters) that has made me pull an all-nighter. I’m basing my score off of the enjoyment I had while reading the manga.
If you have any suggestions regarding my review or you want to know more, shoot me a message or leave me a comment on my profile.
I hope you enjoyed my review, and I hope you take the time to try out the manga.
"Sundome" is a distinctive and compelling manga that narrates the tale of Hideo Aiba, a high school student who joins the school's "Roman Club" and develops romantic feelings for the new transfer student, Kurumi Sahana. This manga examines themes of love, obsession, and power struggles, often categorized as a dark romance.
The narrative centers on Hideo's masochistic relationship with Kurumi, who denies him sexual fulfillment while controlling his actions. The manga delves deeply into the characters' minds, exploring their motivations, fears, and desires, along with the intricate dynamic between them.
One of "Sundome's" key strengths lies in its character development. The main characters are well-rounded, possessing distinct personalities, backstories, and peculiarities, making their interactions feel authentic and layered. The manga also addresses broader issues such as societal pressure to conform, the challenge of discovering one's place in the world, and the pursuit of meaning and purpose.
However, it is important to note that "Sundome" nearly contains explicit sexual content, as well as themes involving BDSM, domination, and submission, which may not appeal to all readers. Furthermore, the ending has sparked controversy, with some readers finding it fulfilling while others believe it detracts from the story's intended message.
Sundome... The Manga that Left an Indelible Mark on My Mind...
Yes, it does have ecchi. That's exactly how I like it—ecchi blended with whatever else the genre offers (Romance, Action, etc.).
I admit I started reading it because I'd heard it was packed with ecchi and fetish content. But as the chapters unfolded, I found myself deeply invested in the characters. By the end of the final chapter, I couldn't help but shed a few tears.
The Story:
It begins with the familiar trope of a perverted high school guy indulging in his fantasies, but as the story progresses, the characters grow more complex. You can see their development chapter by chapter. The bond between the main characters reaches its zenith as the narrative approaches its conclusion.
The Art:
There’s nothing particularly outstanding about the art in this manga.
The Characters:
In one word: Awesome. You need to read it to grasp what I mean.
Enjoyment:
It will undoubtedly keep you engrossed with its characters and storyline.
Overall:
I would recommend this manga.
Note:
If you're not a fan of ecchi and fanservice, it might be best to steer clear of this manga.
This is not bleach. This is not naruto. Sundome stands out due to its unique story and its capacity to maintain high levels of suspense while consistently developing characters and plot. Readers who have only gone through the first two volumes might label this as a tease manga, but if you've delved into the moonrunes of volumes three and four, you'll discover it's far from it. Four volumes are available, two with English releases, the third expected any day now (around September 20th, 2008 at the moment), and random scans from chapters in volume five are starting to appear on /a/. If you're seeking endless power levels and dramatic proclamations like ILL PROTECT YOU, or large harems filled with fanservice galore... Sundome isn't for you. If you're looking for a romance unlike anything you've read before, you'll truly appreciate this series.
I read this manga twice. The first time, I approached it as a romcom, finding it quite funny and very erotic. However, I missed much of the foreshadowing until near the end, which made the conclusion feel rushed and lessened my enjoyment of the series.<p><p>Years later, I revisited it, having forgotten most of the specifics but retaining a general sense of the ending. This awareness helped me pick up on the underlying details, making the finale deeply emotional. The author clearly mapped out the story meticulously, transforming what seemed like a fanservice-driven series into something truly heartfelt.
Now first and foremost, I must say that I absolutely love Sundome. It's crude, it's absurd, and yet it's surprisingly heartfelt.
I stumbled upon it via the recommendation section from the manga series Mysterious Girlfriend X (another one of my favorites), and after reading the first few chapters, I decided it wasn't really for me. And then its tab stayed open on my phone for a few months. One afternoon, being extremely bored, I decided to give it another try, and I'm so glad that I did. Sundome is surprisingly profound with complex characters and well-crafted relationships. Its humor is quite bawdy, but if you're into that or can at least overlook it, then I wholeheartedly recommend it. I can't elaborate much without spoiling it since it's the kind of story that's best experienced knowing as little as possible. It also helps if you're into at least one of the fetishes in the story (it's mainly S&M and urolagnia) but it touches on a lot of different ones. Then again, if your tolerance for weird content is higher than most people's, then you shouldn't have any issues with the content of this manga.
The art in it is... average. I don't adore it, but I don't detest it either. On my second read-through, I didn't mind it as much as I did the first time. The chapter cover art usually features a pin-up of the main character Kirumi, and that's always well-executed. Within the actual story, most sexual moments are depicted quite darkly with striking highlights on the characters. This makes them appear oddly shiny at times, but I wouldn't dismiss it as completely terrible. In fact, I think this artist uses contrast brilliantly. So while the art isn't the best at times, it's not awful and shouldn't deter you from reading this manga. My only complaint is how when the girls wear their casual clothes, the shorts are always incredibly tight around their... area. As someone in the comments on one of the chapters put it best: "Goddamn, whenever they are in their casual clothes they really make that cameltoe look like double mountain meat."
Alright, spoiler warning for the next two paragraphs. Nothing major, but if you want to fully appreciate Sundome as it should be appreciated, you might want to skip this part. Again, it's best enjoyed knowing as little as possible.
Sundome is heart-wrenching. The buildup and foreshadowing in this are impeccable. Even though you know the ending is coming, you can't help but feel devastated when it actually happens. What surprised me the most during my first read-through was how unexpectedly sad I became. For what it is, it does its job well and conveys its message effectively. It's about teenage relationships and how nothing lasts forever. The first time I read it, I was much sadder during the buildup. I cried at all the hints leading up to the final few chapters and then throughout those final ones. On the second read-through, I felt like the final few chapters hit me even harder, even though I knew what was coming. It seems the main criticism of Sundome is that the main two characters are in a toxic relationship, which is simply untrue. In fact, their relationship is incredibly endearing. They genuinely love each other, and you can tell, and I think that's what gives the last few chapters their impact.
However, I believe the last few chapters can be interpreted differently. The manga ends very sexually. I mean, the main female character [spoilers] during intercourse. If this manga stimulates you more, then perhaps the last few chapters would be interpreted differently. Still sad, but differently. I was sobbing through the last few chapters, but then again, I was also listening to sad music to enhance the story. During my first read-through, I had listened to "My Blueberry Life" by the Current Joys, and then for my second read-through, I listened to "Hello-Sin-Nation" by The Red Pears. I feel like both songs gave a slightly different tone to the ending, so if you're going to listen to music towards the end, go with "My Blueberry Life." "Hello-Sin-Nation" seems more reflective of the final chapter's events rather than the emotions at the moment, which works well for a second read-through but not so much the first.
Alright, spoilers over.
To sum up, I adore Sundome. It accomplishes exactly what it aims for, and it does so flawlessly. It's gross, it's funny, and it's moving. If you're willing to endure weird stuff or are into any of the elements in Sundome, then I highly, highly recommend it. You'd be surprised by how good it is.
<p>tl;dr: A tale rich in smut, yet it draws significant depth from these elements and portrays a compelling relationship.<br /><br />Sundome is a manga filled with ecchi and can be considered quite perverted, but simultaneously, to a great extent due to this, it conveys emotions with incredible strength. Over the course of the manga, Aiba experiences tremendous growth physically, mentally, and emotionally, while some core aspects of him, like his attachment to Kurumi, remain largely unchanged. That's not to say their relationship doesn't evolve; it builds up slowly throughout the manga into something that, despite its initial entrenchment in ecchi, where any scene out of context might seem distasteful, appears rather beautiful. Kurumi doesn't undergo much change over the course of the manga but starts with a desire she gradually fulfills as Aiba grows, allowing them to complement each other exceptionally well. Similarly, Kyouko and Katsu also interact well and grow together, albeit at the level of a side story. The outcome for Kurumi was predictable from the start, and having this knowledge from the beginning somewhat mitigates the sadness. Nevertheless, the ending still has a profound emotional impact. To some extent, I feel they didn't handle it perfectly; while the events surrounding Kurumi's conclusion felt fitting for the manga, the way it was narrated seemed messy and confusing. Generally, I appreciated how the manga avoided explicitly stating many crucial plot details, instead alluding to them consistently enough for the reader to understand. However, this approach didn't work as well with the ending because there wasn't sufficient time to convey things through subtle repetition. Despite this, it still had a powerful effect. The epilogue, I thought, was handled exceptionally well, quickly showing everything necessary for all characters, especially highlighting how Aiba had moved on without forgetting what happened, retaining everything he gained and using it to move forward. The manga heavily relies on comedy, which is mostly fine, but due to the lack of variety and the manga's heavy dependence on it, it does start to feel drawn out as it progresses. The art was good, never truly stunning, but fitting the tone excellently—dirty when needed, humorous for comedy with expressive faces, and adeptly combining both elements when required.</p>
Popular Reviews
I think this question has been asked countless times since its conception. To be honest, even though I've experienced my fair share of unconditional love, I've never had a girlfriend whom I would say I loved as more than just a friend.
This manga revealed to me that true love is something that builds and evolves over time, much like some of my favorite anime have portrayed. At first glance, it seemed like a typical cliché ecchi manga, but something shifted around Volume 2. I began to grow attached to the characters, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. Initially, I didn't care for them, thinking I was in for some sort of disappointing joke. However, I soon found myself cherishing every single moment.
The two main characters, Sahana Kurumi and Hideo Aiba, are wonderfully developed throughout the story. While there are moments where the plot feels repetitive and somewhat silly, these elements contribute to the growth of their relationship. This manga handles character development far better than most mainstream romance films, novels, or other manga.
The supporting cast is also well-fleshed out, with a few making some good, albeit repetitive, ecchi jokes.
The artwork is generally solid and satisfactory, with only minor hiccups here and there. However, at certain pivotal moments, the art delivers some of the most breathtaking visuals and scenes I've ever encountered. It perfectly captures the characters' emotions and the beauty they perceive through their eyes.
Sundome might just be one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. It's not the best story, nor the most beautiful or intricately developed, nor even the greatest ecchi manga. But it does something I've never felt before—it makes me feel like I've embarked on a journey of love. By the end of the story, I genuinely needed to cry and reflect on my own life.
Truly, the things that are special in this world are often the ones we overlook, yet they are so obvious and simple. Like simply appreciating the time we have with those we love.
Please, please, please do yourself a favor and read this story. Also, thank you for existing—I wish you all the best.
<p>
I'd like to say it's one of a kind, but given my limited experience, I hesitate.
The story is outstanding.
The characters are exceptionally developed.
The art was decent—I can't really say it's bad.
9/10 considering my lack of experience.
The main characters of Sundrome are Kurumi Sahana and Hideo Aiba. Hideo is a high school student and also a member of a club run by a former member who has already graduated. The club operates under one crucial rule: members must abstain from having sex throughout their high school years. Due to this, Hideo isn't very popular; no girl likes him, and he doesn't find any of the girls in school meeting his expectations. That changes when he meets Kurumi, the new student and fellow club member. Kurumi is a slim girl with short black hair and frequently absent from school.
When Kurumi Sahana and Hideo Aiba are alone in their club room, Kurumi makes it clear she will never have sex with him, marking the beginning of the story.
Throughout the story, we encounter various characters, and the club embarks on numerous trips, revealing something intriguing about Kurumi. While reading, I consistently pondered three questions: Does she truly like Hideo or not? Is she involved with that man? What's wrong with Kurumi?
This manga became my favorite after finishing it. It's funny, romantic, beautiful, perverted, and genuinely heart-wrenching. This manga is awesome, and more people should read it.
This story is packed with humor and charm, along with a few hentai elements, but they all feel surprisingly plausible and grounded in reality.
There’s significant character development here, and you get to witness multiple relationships evolve over the course of several months.
Additionally, there's a part that begins to fill you with an intense wave of sadness, but it truly pays off by the conclusion.
That leads me to my first warning—Sundome is for all you deviants out there. If you can't handle scenes involving piss, snot, saliva, and post-climactic messes, then don't read it because these elements make up at least half of all the sexual content in this manga. The other 49% revolves around various forms of self-stimulation. And yes, I intentionally left out 1%...
Story - 8
Sundome means "stopping the moment before" (according to Wikipedia). This is the main, and only, solid plot device. The rest of the story weaves through school clubs, ghost hunting, virginity, and one-sided breast popularity contests. Yeah, it gets pretty bizarre. It's somewhat confusing and scattered. Some side plots are lighthearted, like UFO summoning and voodoo doll catfights, while others are darkly moralistic. But the core of the entire story—Kurumi's relationship with Hideo Aiba—is masterfully crafted. It's hilarious, depressing, wonderful, and multi-layered like a chocolate cheesecake.
Art - 7
Perhaps I'm being generous here. This is clearly Sundome's weakest aspect. The art style is very cartoonish and occasionally feels sloppy. It works well for our Roman Club characters, but it makes the main characters less attractive than they could be. And it diminishes the allure of the sexy scenes. However, before I sound too elitist, I must say that, personally, it worked for me. It's not polished like commercialized ecchi, but it gives the story an edgy, underground vibe. Kurumi isn't your typical purple-haired hentai girl; she's almost sickly thin, long-legged, and blue-eyed. On the flip side, there's Kyouko, the self-proclaimed "masturbation idol," whose nipples are permanently hardened. Corny, but fitting. She also sports a cheap fake tan and limp blonde hair; none of that ridiculous Lady Oscar weave stuff. One guy has lips twice the size of Lana del Rey's. It's actually great.
Characters - 10
So good. Soooo good. At first glance, Aiba appears to be the typical horny loser, and Kurumi is the A-cup goddess of desire. Coming from Onani Master Kurosawa and Watamote, you know I already adore flat-chested protagonists and loners, but these two completely subvert the tired setup. For me, the girls plus Aiba steal the show, but the male Roman club members, who serve as comic relief throughout the emotional journey, have their own unique charm. Every single member of our main cast is well-developed and easy to empathize with, possibly excepting that one candyass motherfucker with the doll waifu.
Enjoyment - 10
What else can I say? I love Sundome. It made me laugh and cry. Physically. The ending is ambiguous, leaving you with an empty hole in your heart yearning to be filled by... something. Something beautiful. Something life-changing. Go outside for a run. Donate to charity. Fall in love. Have a baby. Invent the next LSD. I don't know, do something amazing. You owe it to this manga.
Before I begin to write this review, I would like to say that this manga captivated me so much that I read the entire 76 chapters in one sitting. I started with the intention of reading just 3 chapters before bed to see if it would interest me, but then I spent the following 7 and a half hours reading it. I couldn't put it down, so be aware—it's highly addictive!
I’m trying not to include any spoilers in the review because it’s such a good story, and I don’t want to ruin any of the surprises.
Story: 10
Where to begin? I guess I should start by saying that Sundome is not a manga for everyone. It contains severe graphically almost sexual scenes that are borderline hentai (To make this clear, this manga is NOT HENTAI, but close to it). I would dare to say it’s not for most people, seeing as the main story basically revolves around a high school boy masturbating in front of a high school girl, which would scare most people away. However, if you look past that unique and quite odd part of the story, you are left with a mix of romance, drama, and comedy. There were parts where I couldn’t stop laughing.
The story focuses on the somewhat twisted relationship between the main characters, Aiba Hideo and Sahana Kurumi. The narrative is mainly centered on Aiba Hideo, the male lead, and his growth throughout the relationship with Sahana Kurumi. Throughout the story, there are small subplots involving the supporting characters.
The only thing that I didn’t really agree with was the progression of the story. It escalates quickly at the start, mellows out in the middle, and then feels a bit rushed towards the end. I would have liked to see an extra 10 chapters or so, but that might be because I really fell in love with the story and didn’t want it to end. That’s the only thing that bothered me about the manga.
Artwork: 8
The artwork is crisp and sharp, well-drawn, and everything is in good proportions. Movement is well-rendered, and the emotions of the characters are depicted effectively.
The "graphic" scenes in Sundome are well-drawn, and every time one of these scenes came up, I could kind of feel the emotions the characters were experiencing.
As I stated before, there are some real "graphic" scenes that may not be suited for people under 17 or sensitive types.
Notes
I have enjoyed reading Sundome so much that I’ve ordered the complete Japanese set from Japan, just so I can enjoy the quality of the product.
An additional note is that if you are reading it via a scanlator group, the quality will be great for the first 30-40 chapters and the last 55 to 76. There are some chapters that seriously lack quality due to bad raw scans, translation grammar and spelling errors, poor cleaning, and typesetting.
Final Verdict: 10
I’m giving Sundome a big fat 10 because I enjoyed it so much. This is the only manga (of more than 10 or so chapters) that has made me pull an all-nighter. I’m basing my score off of the enjoyment I had while reading the manga.
If you have any suggestions regarding my review or you want to know more, shoot me a message or leave me a comment on my profile.
I hope you enjoyed my review, and I hope you take the time to try out the manga.
The narrative centers on Hideo's masochistic relationship with Kurumi, who denies him sexual fulfillment while controlling his actions. The manga delves deeply into the characters' minds, exploring their motivations, fears, and desires, along with the intricate dynamic between them.
One of "Sundome's" key strengths lies in its character development. The main characters are well-rounded, possessing distinct personalities, backstories, and peculiarities, making their interactions feel authentic and layered. The manga also addresses broader issues such as societal pressure to conform, the challenge of discovering one's place in the world, and the pursuit of meaning and purpose.
However, it is important to note that "Sundome" nearly contains explicit sexual content, as well as themes involving BDSM, domination, and submission, which may not appeal to all readers. Furthermore, the ending has sparked controversy, with some readers finding it fulfilling while others believe it detracts from the story's intended message.
<p>
Yes, it does have ecchi. That's exactly how I like it—ecchi blended with whatever else the genre offers (Romance, Action, etc.).
I admit I started reading it because I'd heard it was packed with ecchi and fetish content. But as the chapters unfolded, I found myself deeply invested in the characters. By the end of the final chapter, I couldn't help but shed a few tears.
The Story:
It begins with the familiar trope of a perverted high school guy indulging in his fantasies, but as the story progresses, the characters grow more complex. You can see their development chapter by chapter. The bond between the main characters reaches its zenith as the narrative approaches its conclusion.
The Art:
There’s nothing particularly outstanding about the art in this manga.
The Characters:
In one word: Awesome. You need to read it to grasp what I mean.
Enjoyment:
It will undoubtedly keep you engrossed with its characters and storyline.
Overall:
I would recommend this manga.
Note:
If you're not a fan of ecchi and fanservice, it might be best to steer clear of this manga.
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I stumbled upon it via the recommendation section from the manga series Mysterious Girlfriend X (another one of my favorites), and after reading the first few chapters, I decided it wasn't really for me. And then its tab stayed open on my phone for a few months. One afternoon, being extremely bored, I decided to give it another try, and I'm so glad that I did. Sundome is surprisingly profound with complex characters and well-crafted relationships. Its humor is quite bawdy, but if you're into that or can at least overlook it, then I wholeheartedly recommend it. I can't elaborate much without spoiling it since it's the kind of story that's best experienced knowing as little as possible. It also helps if you're into at least one of the fetishes in the story (it's mainly S&M and urolagnia) but it touches on a lot of different ones. Then again, if your tolerance for weird content is higher than most people's, then you shouldn't have any issues with the content of this manga.
The art in it is... average. I don't adore it, but I don't detest it either. On my second read-through, I didn't mind it as much as I did the first time. The chapter cover art usually features a pin-up of the main character Kirumi, and that's always well-executed. Within the actual story, most sexual moments are depicted quite darkly with striking highlights on the characters. This makes them appear oddly shiny at times, but I wouldn't dismiss it as completely terrible. In fact, I think this artist uses contrast brilliantly. So while the art isn't the best at times, it's not awful and shouldn't deter you from reading this manga. My only complaint is how when the girls wear their casual clothes, the shorts are always incredibly tight around their... area. As someone in the comments on one of the chapters put it best: "Goddamn, whenever they are in their casual clothes they really make that cameltoe look like double mountain meat."
Alright, spoiler warning for the next two paragraphs. Nothing major, but if you want to fully appreciate Sundome as it should be appreciated, you might want to skip this part. Again, it's best enjoyed knowing as little as possible.
Sundome is heart-wrenching. The buildup and foreshadowing in this are impeccable. Even though you know the ending is coming, you can't help but feel devastated when it actually happens. What surprised me the most during my first read-through was how unexpectedly sad I became. For what it is, it does its job well and conveys its message effectively. It's about teenage relationships and how nothing lasts forever. The first time I read it, I was much sadder during the buildup. I cried at all the hints leading up to the final few chapters and then throughout those final ones. On the second read-through, I felt like the final few chapters hit me even harder, even though I knew what was coming. It seems the main criticism of Sundome is that the main two characters are in a toxic relationship, which is simply untrue. In fact, their relationship is incredibly endearing. They genuinely love each other, and you can tell, and I think that's what gives the last few chapters their impact.
However, I believe the last few chapters can be interpreted differently. The manga ends very sexually. I mean, the main female character [spoilers] during intercourse. If this manga stimulates you more, then perhaps the last few chapters would be interpreted differently. Still sad, but differently. I was sobbing through the last few chapters, but then again, I was also listening to sad music to enhance the story. During my first read-through, I had listened to "My Blueberry Life" by the Current Joys, and then for my second read-through, I listened to "Hello-Sin-Nation" by The Red Pears. I feel like both songs gave a slightly different tone to the ending, so if you're going to listen to music towards the end, go with "My Blueberry Life." "Hello-Sin-Nation" seems more reflective of the final chapter's events rather than the emotions at the moment, which works well for a second read-through but not so much the first.
Alright, spoilers over.
To sum up, I adore Sundome. It accomplishes exactly what it aims for, and it does so flawlessly. It's gross, it's funny, and it's moving. If you're willing to endure weird stuff or are into any of the elements in Sundome, then I highly, highly recommend it. You'd be surprised by how good it is.
TLDR; Book good! Book sad. Read book.
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