I didn't remember pretty much any of it...but I did remember I considered it at least good.
So I decided to binge the anime for a refresher as it goes to ch15. And my god, the anime is AMAZINGLY well done. The art is freaking fantastic, the voice acting is peak, the music is a perfect match (with the OP being specifically written for the characters and quoting actual lines of dialogue). It's really really well done.
It's a bit weird that the root of the story is what happened when they were in grade 7....That's like...12 years old? 13? That's weird. And now the story is about them at 16/17. But eh, I guess that's an issue that's common with manga.
Ok I'll write more when I re-read the rest and then finish it.
Edit: Ok, I caught up to where I was before and then just kept reading til the end.
Note: Remember to read the 3 extra chapters that were released with the blu-rays at volume 12. They're all prequel chapters, but very touching when read together, this is a really great story, guuys. They're called Awaken, you'll find them with a quick google. (some websites have them listed as being after vol 13 ch 49 as ch49.6-49.8 but really they were released at time of volume 12.)
Ok, so This story was really really good!
During the re-read I can see a little of why I stopped reading at ch29 but tbh, now that I've a new perspective on things I actually wholeheartedly appreciated the plot events up to that chapter and did not feel bored with them at all. The events of volume 10-ish, which is like ch30-35, I did feel was a dip in the quality of the overall manga, but it recovers and STILL is very very much worth a read.
And fuck, man, that fucking art is so freaking beautiful!!!! She says in her author commentaries how she'd look back at her previous works, even volume 1 of this manga, and be disappointed with her quality of artwork compared to now but man even volume 1 is amazing art-wise. And again I stress you should watch the anime, the art is amazing, music amazing, VA work great, it all elevates the work.
Anyways, some characters actions/motivations were criticised in previous reviews. But the thing is, from a literary standpoint, they don't deserve criticism. I mean as people they've done some bad things, mostly Yui and Kou, but the point of this manga from very beginning, as written expressly in the author's notes, was to write about flawed humans growing up in high school who are learning from their mistakes and pushing forward. Yeah, Yui is selfish but you can completely understand why. Kou himself completely understands why and can't blame her for it, he understands. Yeah Kou is kinda a bastard at the end (and asshole at the beginning) but though I can't condone, I can still understand, the mangaka makes it very clear his mindset and struggle and motivations behind the actions.
These are some very well-written characters.
I was dissatisfied by the Maruo plot's end, tbh. Though she's one of my favourite characters. But her side plot is a minor thing.
I really really liked how the friends are genuinely good friends in this, overall. They speak up, they're supportive, they're critical.
And how the second male love interest is a genuinely good guy, who's just a little desperate but very aware of what he's getting into.
don't feel so bad for him, he knew what he was doing and getting into from the very beginning. He played underhanded by pushing the decision and even then knew he's probably lose. He even makes that clear in that chapter towards the end
This is a solid 9/10 series. It loses a couple points because occassionally things/dialogue are a bit overdramatic (mangaka felt that romance manga need that) and because one or two events are a bit too big on coincidence. Characters seeing each other in the neighbourhoods by chance, that type. Just a bit.
The review by meniel that makes it sound like the interruptions to the romance are far too contrived is exaggerated. One or two are, but mostly it's done well and when the characters don't communicate, care is taken to make it clear to the reader why they haven't done so.
Final edit: The author's final afterword gives a very good idea of what this story is about:
"I decided I wanted to draw a girl who was like a hero and a boy who was imperfect. Rather than a heroine who is always saved by her hero, I wanted her to sometimes be a hero for the boy she likes. [...]I wanted them to make mistakes and experience pain so that they would value each other even more. That meant some people would have to get hurt, but I'm fine with that. I really do like illustrating the sadness that comes during the period when innocence ends."
She 100% succeeded in this. You should read it.
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