The Crazed Players Are Going Wild, But I Cant Log Out

"Ene?"

Mod Edit: This review has been relocated because That Summer and Kiss have been merged.

This was a pleasant read. It wasn't the greatest one-shot I've encountered, but it offered something unique.

The artwork wasn't particularly impressive; it seemed like minimal effort was invested. The visuals were very basic, nothing flashy. The characters also didn't stand out much, but they felt genuine—they didn’t overthink situations as many one-shot characters tend to do.

The storyline, however, was quite charming. It revolves around an army brat and a Japanese girl who meet and form a bond that evolves from friendship into a crush.

In conclusion, reading this wasn't really bad. This is a story closely tied to real-life experiences. It's not a waste of time—just give it a try, and if you don't enjoy it, so what? You'll have only spent 20 minutes.

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Kiss is currently my favorite manga, and while I won't give a biased review, I'll be completely honest about my thoughts and the flaws.  

At first glance, reading the synopsis and starting the manga might make you think it's just another stereotypical romance story where two people are oblivious to their feelings until the end. However, Kiss is far from that. From Chapter 1 onwards, Matsumoto highlights the numerous challenges the characters face, which is what captivates me—not because of the drama, but because it feels so genuine. The issues they tackle are incredibly realistic, creating a strong connection for me with the manga.  

I believe this is Matsumoto's true talent as a mangaka. Her artwork may not be the most refined I've encountered, but her choice of wording and shading adds depth, making even a simple glance between the protagonists carry significant meaning. You can instantly sense the passion in the characters.  

While the plot itself is somewhat conventional, it's the characters that truly make me adore this manga. Matsumoto excels at developing her characters' personalities, making them feel real. Her subtle emphasis on their emotions encourages readers to reflect on the deeper meanings behind the words and expressions. It's almost as if I know these characters personally, which keeps me coming back for more. Truly, Matsumoto is a mangaka I deeply respect and admire.

Great music talent. But wasted on an infuriating MC and a disjointed storytelling approach.  

"Kiss" is a shoujo romance series about a 15-year-old girl who has been studying music for around 10 years with her 22-year-old piano teacher. In the very first chapter, the heroine confesses, and the main male and female characters start dating. The story then delves into the challenges of their age gap, as well as recurring references to past events.  

To me, this series squanders its potential. It has bright moments, but they're overshadowed by a sea of blandness and typical shoujo clichés. I enjoyed the kiss scenes and the piano performances, but I couldn't stand the romance between the main couple. It felt manipulative, especially given her age. He constantly pushes and pulls her, exuding a "I hate you" vibe. He was unlikable from the start and remained that way throughout. While some of his anger and harshness were understandable, it didn't excuse his atrocious behavior. He consistently acted cold and repeatedly hurt the female protagonist.  

However, my primary issue with the series isn't the uninteresting characters but rather the disjointed storytelling. The series essentially begins with "we are a couple now," after which the plot takes a backseat to explain the characters' backgrounds, including how the main character fell in love. If the author intended to include this information, it would have been far more effective if the story had been told chronologically. There are also numerous side stories about other characters and their pasts, which I found utterly irrelevant. Flashbacks can work, but in this case, they detract from the narrative. Uncertainty about the future often makes storytelling more engaging, and this series lacked that tension.  

There's plenty of other filler content in the series that I don't care about. I literally forgot one of the heroines until I started writing this review. I can't recall any of the characters' names, except for the decent piano performances, which were enjoyable but not exceptional.  

Some people appreciate that the main couple forms early on, but what's the point if most of the story revolves around flashbacks and side characters? There are hundreds of stories where the protagonists get together at the beginning or midpoint, and many of them are just as lackluster as this one.  

TLDR: Asshole characters, disjointed storytelling, but nice kiss scenes and piano playing. Unfortunately, the negatives outweigh the positives. 3/10

This is quite a neat shoujo manga, especially considering it was published back in 1996. At the beginning, it doesn't feel that way, but as the chapters progress, so does the art style. That was actually one of the reasons I hesitated to read it for so long. However, now that I've gone through it, I'm glad I did—and you should be too! Just like in Tomo sensei's other works, the main characters radiate charisma. The plot is pleasant as well; while not much happens, everyone is likable. The uncle character was somewhat annoying, but he was just playing his role, so it's all good.

I'd give this an 8 because the romance aspect felt a bit off. Things seemed to happen without much development leading up to the romance. They just became a couple, which is typical given her age (16) and his (24). It’s more of the "I'll wait for you until you grow up" kind of story, so their interactions are pretty tame—like kissing at most, as the title also suggests. Haha.

Overall, it was a nice read. Plus, I think the mangaka might have drawn inspiration from Hollywood movies of the '80s and '90s because the characters, their fashion sense, and even their behavior remind me of that era.

Oh, and the panels showing the main lead playing the piano were really well done. Even if you can't hear the music, it still feels exceptional somehow. Haha, does that make sense?

Kiss is a truly exceptional romance, crafted by a talented mangaka.<br /><br />The plot is straightforward but compelling: a piano student develops deep feelings for her charming piano instructor. Although this premise might initially seem superficial and characteristic of typical shoujo manga, I urge you to give it a chance. It's not filled with explicit content but rather explores the nuances of first love. While it may appear that I am exaggerating its merits, it genuinely stands out as an excellent romantic tale.<br /><br />Matsumoto Tomo is an exceptionally skilled mangaka. However, "Kiss" represents one of her earliest works, and the artwork doesn't reach its full potential until later chapters. Around chapter 20, the illustrations become significantly more anatomically precise. I've always appreciated Matsumoto's artistic style—subtle yet expressive and powerful in its simplicity. Her laid-back, naturalistic approach resonates deeply with me. She possesses a keen eye for capturing movement, rendering the characters with remarkable authenticity.<br /><br />While the characters aren't entirely original, they harmonize well within the narrative. The protagonist is a determined young woman whose strength makes her easy to empathize with, as she refuses to conform to the damsel-in-distress archetype. The piano teacher exudes aloofness and a chilly demeanor but gradually softens toward her.<br /><br />The story is thoroughly engaging, with constant developments that beautifully illustrate the evolution of their romance. It evokes the delicate and uncertain nature of first love. The palpable tension between the two protagonists adds suspense, keeping readers hooked and eager to proceed. Thus, the overall enjoyment derived from this manga is commendable.<br /><br />To me, this manga holds a special place, given my admiration for Matsumoto's style and her other works. Nevertheless, whether you're a fan or not, I highly recommend giving it a try. Please overlook the early chapters' artistic shortcomings, as the quality improves significantly in later parts.

so far I like this book very suspenseful, heart breaking and weak to strong female character

same bro, as a non native english speaker, i don't find so many errors if i read fast, ans if i see them, they are mostly related to the verbal tenses xdd