In what chapter will the translation get better after chapter 436? Its really hard to read. If you have read this please let me know because im really considering to drop this.
The ranking is b*llsh*t... believe me this is really good novel, if you've read warlock of the magus world then it's kinda similar atleast in terms of world building... But the development is totally different and amazing... imo it deserves to be in top 50 at the very least...
What happened this book has not been updated in awhile. Really enjoying the story and really want to find out who this person is that is lurking in the dark. Also what does Floyd know about her brother that she does not know? One more question it says 6 stories for the author but not listed?
It began so promisingly in the first two volumes, the initial omnibus. There was an air of mystery, and Chihiro appeared complex, embodying duality. Chihiro encounters Kanade on Saku's birthday. He is holding a gift and, upon meeting Kanade, claims to be her boyfriend. When Saku arrives home, she meets Chihiro for the first time. She assumes he is merely a close friend of Kanade's, while Kanade presumes he is her boyfriend.
Later, she discovers that neither assumption is accurate. He is neither her boyfriend nor a close friend of Kanade's. Reluctant to reveal his true self, he tells her he can be whoever she desires him to be—except himself. Initially, I found the writing to be excellent. This series seemed poised to rival Fruits Basket.
I anticipated that the story would delve into the duality within individuals—the personas we wish to project versus who we truly are. It could have explored the roles we assume in our everyday lives. The narrative subtly depicted bullying and illuminated the darker aspects of human nature, even within the confines of a classroom.
However, too much is disclosed too swiftly, and Chihiro loses the intrigue that made him enigmatic. What once made him difficult to approach fades, rendering him bland. Before, he was sarcastic, somewhat rude, yet blunt and honest. He refused to divulge details about his life in Tokyo. To me, his character became inconsistent once the truth came to light. Moreover, Sei-chan, the affluent girl, somehow uncovers his file. How is this plausible? It mirrors the scenario where Tohru's relatives hire a private investigator to scrutinize her living situation. Once this information is revealed, all the mystery evaporates.
Good storytelling doesn't need to be explicitly told; it should be demonstrated. It shouldn't rely on revelations from a file.
The series then descends into melodrama, rife with shoujo clichés: the wealthy girl with a butler, a love triangle, a student with feelings for a teacher, fireworks, and ultimately, a girl in a coma. These tropes have been overused in the "romance" genre to the point of feeling tired and uninspired. Predictably, I had seen or read similar narratives, including Bokura Ga Ita.
Everything that made the first omnibus compelling unravels, transforming it into another tale of an angsty boy burdened by emotional baggage who cannot be with his one true love due to contrived circumstances. Naturally, there is a moment when he lashes out at his love interest for added drama. While he could be abrasive, it was unnecessary for him to place her in potential physical danger. Essentially, it becomes another iteration of Bokura Ga Ita, albeit with superior art. The storyline unfolds almost identically to Bokura Ga Ita, with Chihiro resembling Kakeru from Orange and the whimsical protagonist from Bokura Ga Ita.
I was deeply let down. It started so well but deteriorated into a disorganized heap of melodrama. The introduction of the "coma girl" signaled the predictability of the plot. It was so foreseeable. I regret dedicating time to reading it or investing emotionally in it. The series overstayed its welcome.
Stick with Fruits Basket. This conclusion was abysmal.
To begin, I must say that the English title really bothers me. It seems like such an obvious mistranslation; it should have been "Twinkling Stars" or something similar, right? How did no one catch that?! Anyway...
I’ll be honest. I picked this series up because I’m a huge Fruits Basket fan. If I wasn’t already in love with Takaya’s work, the summary alone wouldn’t have caught my attention enough to even try the first volume. But I had faith that there would be more depth, and I think that faith was rewarded. The romance wasn’t what resonated most with me in this story, and I’ll admit upfront that I’m not typically one for romance anyway. And to get that out of the way...
This isn’t the best love story I’ve ever read. There were some touching moments, but overall, something felt missing. To name a few things that stood out to me, Sakuya and Chihiro got off on the wrong foot from the start. The mystery surrounding Chihiro was intriguing, and it certainly sparked enough curiosity in Sakuya to make her want to track him down and get to know him better. Especially after he leaves her that night with some heartfelt words (even if he couldn’t have known how deeply those words would affect her at the time). However, I think Sakuya jumps to the conclusion that she’s in love too quickly. Additionally, Chihiro’s intense angst—especially when we’re just getting to know him—was a bit off-putting. That overused romance trope where a love interest is perfectly normal one day and then suddenly declares “I hate you” the next? Not a fan, and it wasn’t necessary here. That said, their love story does wrap up nicely by the end, and the night they spend together before Chihiro returns to Tokyo genuinely moved me.
On the other hand, I did enjoy all the characters (with the exception of the parents, who were written as one-dimensional villains). This was the aspect I was most excited about—Natsuki Takaya’s ability to craft characters with emotional, dark backstories. All the characters felt well-developed, and more importantly, we see them grow and evolve as people throughout the story. I loved the family dynamic between Sakuya and Kanade. While the "twist" involving Sakura was predictable, I still enjoyed her character. And Chihiro played his role well, even though he occasionally came across as a bit bland. In this regard, all my expectations were met.
In conclusion, I did enjoy this series. The intended romance didn’t quite land for me, but I wasn’t really invested in the love story anyway. If you’re a fan of Fruits Basket and its focus on dark narratives and character development, I think you’ll appreciate this series as well.
I might be biased since I'm a fan of Natsuki Takaya's previous work, which is Fruits Basket...
Even so, Hoshi Wa Utau does not cater to a mainstream audience because the plot progresses quite slowly. The intricacy and drama are strong, but the comedy is minimal. Don't expect the same humor as in Fruits Basket...
I recommend this manga to those who enjoy a slow yet meaningful story; that is Hoshi Wa Utau.
Perhaps at first, you might find the characters typical, after all, the heroine is a typical cute but foolish girl... But as I continued reading, she grew on me. She has many flaws, but her strong will to live and her love for the stars truly touched me.
And for the hero of the story, Aoi Chihiro, aside from being very good-looking and intelligent, he carries the pain from his past love, which naturally leads to the unrequited nature of the story...
However, for me, the character Kanade interests me more than the main male lead. Kanade, or better known as Kana-chan, acts as Saku's guardian. He's quite a grumpy character, and I can't wait to learn more about him in the future chapters.
Overall, it is a good read for me. Be patient when reading because the drama starts around chapter 17 or 18... but you might be intrigued by it from chapter four if I'm not mistaken. Hope you'll enjoy this manga as I did!
^^
Twinkle Stars Review. From the Author of Fruits Basket.
If Fruits Basket is half as good as this, I'll probably hate it because this manga isn't that great either.
Twinkle Stars revolves around the theme of stars, as the title clearly suggests. Our female main character (FMC) is currently living with a family friend since her parents dislike her—because, you know, this is a manga where loving parents are practically unheard of in Japanese stories. She meets the male lead (MMC), and she instantly falls in love with him because he's the male lead and he says something no one has ever said to her in her entire life, given that everyone around her is an absolute jerk.
Seriously, the manga has a significant issue with making most of its characters complete morons... or whatever the plural form might be. They're just the worst people imaginable. God forbid you're a parent in this series because you're useless, a pushover, a terrible person, or someone who could easily drive someone to the brink of suicide.
The series features over-the-top comedic villains, which are almost every parent in the story. I think one couple is the only decent set of parents in the series. Even then, their child is incredibly annoying.
The reason I'm emphasizing these problems so much is that the author attempts to justify the MMC's behavior. As I mentioned, this is a shoujo manga, and no shoujo manga is complete without a jerky male lead who slowly opens up throughout the series. While I understand his behavior, considering the kind of parents he has, it's still extremely frustrating. There are other series that do the exact same thing but execute it with far greater success. This isn't one of them.
The series is at its best when it isn't dealing with parental drama. The parental drama significantly weakens the story. Even the dramatic crying moments from running away from home because your parents don't love you didn't tug at any heartstrings.
The series fails in this aspect because I simply don't have the emotional connection the author tries to establish between the characters and the audience. So, I can't cry with him because, frankly, I don't care.
The series later evolves into a decent love triangle. By this point, either it's Stockholm syndrome or the sunk cost fallacy, but I've become somewhat attached to the characters. Even the male lead transforms into someone I actually enjoy reading about by the halfway point. However, the love triangle is a bit odd. The FMC compares the male lead to a star and the other guy to the sun. But here's the thing: the sun is a star. So what the hell? I get that she means one brightens up her world while the other represents a dream (shooting star concept), but I found it hilariously contradictory.
In the end, I'm somewhat disappointed with this series. It's made by the author of Fruits Basket. I haven't personally read Fruits Basket, but that was the main reason I picked up this series.
I think the fact that the author didn't try to redeem the parent characters was a positive choice because, after everything they've done, I would've thrown my device if they suddenly turned good for no reason.
The main cast is solid (though shaky) enough for me to continue reading this series. It's probably going to be enough for you too. Some of the characters are downright monstrous, while others are fun to hang out with. The art is great; the main story kinda sucks. The ending is uneven.
Overall, mediocre with some fun moments. But mostly mediocre. 5/10
Popular Reviews
Later, she discovers that neither assumption is accurate. He is neither her boyfriend nor a close friend of Kanade's. Reluctant to reveal his true self, he tells her he can be whoever she desires him to be—except himself. Initially, I found the writing to be excellent. This series seemed poised to rival Fruits Basket.
I anticipated that the story would delve into the duality within individuals—the personas we wish to project versus who we truly are. It could have explored the roles we assume in our everyday lives. The narrative subtly depicted bullying and illuminated the darker aspects of human nature, even within the confines of a classroom.
However, too much is disclosed too swiftly, and Chihiro loses the intrigue that made him enigmatic. What once made him difficult to approach fades, rendering him bland. Before, he was sarcastic, somewhat rude, yet blunt and honest. He refused to divulge details about his life in Tokyo. To me, his character became inconsistent once the truth came to light. Moreover, Sei-chan, the affluent girl, somehow uncovers his file. How is this plausible? It mirrors the scenario where Tohru's relatives hire a private investigator to scrutinize her living situation. Once this information is revealed, all the mystery evaporates.
Good storytelling doesn't need to be explicitly told; it should be demonstrated. It shouldn't rely on revelations from a file.
The series then descends into melodrama, rife with shoujo clichés: the wealthy girl with a butler, a love triangle, a student with feelings for a teacher, fireworks, and ultimately, a girl in a coma. These tropes have been overused in the "romance" genre to the point of feeling tired and uninspired. Predictably, I had seen or read similar narratives, including Bokura Ga Ita.
Everything that made the first omnibus compelling unravels, transforming it into another tale of an angsty boy burdened by emotional baggage who cannot be with his one true love due to contrived circumstances. Naturally, there is a moment when he lashes out at his love interest for added drama. While he could be abrasive, it was unnecessary for him to place her in potential physical danger. Essentially, it becomes another iteration of Bokura Ga Ita, albeit with superior art. The storyline unfolds almost identically to Bokura Ga Ita, with Chihiro resembling Kakeru from Orange and the whimsical protagonist from Bokura Ga Ita.
I was deeply let down. It started so well but deteriorated into a disorganized heap of melodrama. The introduction of the "coma girl" signaled the predictability of the plot. It was so foreseeable. I regret dedicating time to reading it or investing emotionally in it. The series overstayed its welcome.
Stick with Fruits Basket. This conclusion was abysmal.
I’ll be honest. I picked this series up because I’m a huge Fruits Basket fan. If I wasn’t already in love with Takaya’s work, the summary alone wouldn’t have caught my attention enough to even try the first volume. But I had faith that there would be more depth, and I think that faith was rewarded. The romance wasn’t what resonated most with me in this story, and I’ll admit upfront that I’m not typically one for romance anyway. And to get that out of the way...
This isn’t the best love story I’ve ever read. There were some touching moments, but overall, something felt missing. To name a few things that stood out to me, Sakuya and Chihiro got off on the wrong foot from the start. The mystery surrounding Chihiro was intriguing, and it certainly sparked enough curiosity in Sakuya to make her want to track him down and get to know him better. Especially after he leaves her that night with some heartfelt words (even if he couldn’t have known how deeply those words would affect her at the time). However, I think Sakuya jumps to the conclusion that she’s in love too quickly. Additionally, Chihiro’s intense angst—especially when we’re just getting to know him—was a bit off-putting. That overused romance trope where a love interest is perfectly normal one day and then suddenly declares “I hate you” the next? Not a fan, and it wasn’t necessary here. That said, their love story does wrap up nicely by the end, and the night they spend together before Chihiro returns to Tokyo genuinely moved me.
On the other hand, I did enjoy all the characters (with the exception of the parents, who were written as one-dimensional villains). This was the aspect I was most excited about—Natsuki Takaya’s ability to craft characters with emotional, dark backstories. All the characters felt well-developed, and more importantly, we see them grow and evolve as people throughout the story. I loved the family dynamic between Sakuya and Kanade. While the "twist" involving Sakura was predictable, I still enjoyed her character. And Chihiro played his role well, even though he occasionally came across as a bit bland. In this regard, all my expectations were met.
In conclusion, I did enjoy this series. The intended romance didn’t quite land for me, but I wasn’t really invested in the love story anyway. If you’re a fan of Fruits Basket and its focus on dark narratives and character development, I think you’ll appreciate this series as well.
Even so, Hoshi Wa Utau does not cater to a mainstream audience because the plot progresses quite slowly. The intricacy and drama are strong, but the comedy is minimal. Don't expect the same humor as in Fruits Basket...
I recommend this manga to those who enjoy a slow yet meaningful story; that is Hoshi Wa Utau.
Perhaps at first, you might find the characters typical, after all, the heroine is a typical cute but foolish girl... But as I continued reading, she grew on me. She has many flaws, but her strong will to live and her love for the stars truly touched me.
And for the hero of the story, Aoi Chihiro, aside from being very good-looking and intelligent, he carries the pain from his past love, which naturally leads to the unrequited nature of the story...
However, for me, the character Kanade interests me more than the main male lead. Kanade, or better known as Kana-chan, acts as Saku's guardian. He's quite a grumpy character, and I can't wait to learn more about him in the future chapters.
Overall, it is a good read for me. Be patient when reading because the drama starts around chapter 17 or 18... but you might be intrigued by it from chapter four if I'm not mistaken. Hope you'll enjoy this manga as I did!
^^
If Fruits Basket is half as good as this, I'll probably hate it because this manga isn't that great either.
Twinkle Stars revolves around the theme of stars, as the title clearly suggests. Our female main character (FMC) is currently living with a family friend since her parents dislike her—because, you know, this is a manga where loving parents are practically unheard of in Japanese stories. She meets the male lead (MMC), and she instantly falls in love with him because he's the male lead and he says something no one has ever said to her in her entire life, given that everyone around her is an absolute jerk.
Seriously, the manga has a significant issue with making most of its characters complete morons... or whatever the plural form might be. They're just the worst people imaginable. God forbid you're a parent in this series because you're useless, a pushover, a terrible person, or someone who could easily drive someone to the brink of suicide.
The series features over-the-top comedic villains, which are almost every parent in the story. I think one couple is the only decent set of parents in the series. Even then, their child is incredibly annoying.
The reason I'm emphasizing these problems so much is that the author attempts to justify the MMC's behavior. As I mentioned, this is a shoujo manga, and no shoujo manga is complete without a jerky male lead who slowly opens up throughout the series. While I understand his behavior, considering the kind of parents he has, it's still extremely frustrating. There are other series that do the exact same thing but execute it with far greater success. This isn't one of them.
The series is at its best when it isn't dealing with parental drama. The parental drama significantly weakens the story. Even the dramatic crying moments from running away from home because your parents don't love you didn't tug at any heartstrings.
The series fails in this aspect because I simply don't have the emotional connection the author tries to establish between the characters and the audience. So, I can't cry with him because, frankly, I don't care.
The series later evolves into a decent love triangle. By this point, either it's Stockholm syndrome or the sunk cost fallacy, but I've become somewhat attached to the characters. Even the male lead transforms into someone I actually enjoy reading about by the halfway point. However, the love triangle is a bit odd. The FMC compares the male lead to a star and the other guy to the sun. But here's the thing: the sun is a star. So what the hell? I get that she means one brightens up her world while the other represents a dream (shooting star concept), but I found it hilariously contradictory.
In the end, I'm somewhat disappointed with this series. It's made by the author of Fruits Basket. I haven't personally read Fruits Basket, but that was the main reason I picked up this series.
I think the fact that the author didn't try to redeem the parent characters was a positive choice because, after everything they've done, I would've thrown my device if they suddenly turned good for no reason.
The main cast is solid (though shaky) enough for me to continue reading this series. It's probably going to be enough for you too. Some of the characters are downright monstrous, while others are fun to hang out with. The art is great; the main story kinda sucks. The ending is uneven.
Overall, mediocre with some fun moments. But mostly mediocre. 5/10