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Ever watched a show that makes you feel warm inside?

Like, you just had warm cocoa and cookies and it's snowing outside? Or you were so sad a moment ago, but someone gave you a hug?

Well, Taiyo No Ie is one of THOSE series.
The story is easy to understand and, as I'd like to add, very realistic at portraying today's societies.
Mao is a young girl, whose parents divorced when she was still a kid. As a result, she has experienced being neglected and ignored by her parents, lonliness and bitterness.Her only escape was her neighbor's house, The Nakamuras' Household, where she'd go and ... play, until a certain tragedy changed everything.
After the divorce, she chooses to live with her father, who soon starts a new family, making Mao feel unwanted. When Mao meets the eldest son of the Nakamuras, Hiro, who now lives alone in that huge house, she is offered a new place to stay.

When one reads the story, they tend to misinterpret things. It's true that if you just read a summary, it seems a bit cliched and uninteresting, but the key to escape from that is the characters.
Up till now, it sounds as tragedy/drama to you, but the unique way the characters are built makes it refreshing to read.
Mao's not the type of Heroine who's grown to be unfeeling or a helpless crybaby. She's strong , but as all humans, has her weak spots. She's a pleasure to watch, just because she tries so hard.
Hiro is the type of person you'd love to have as a brother. He's kind and caring, but also disciplined and smart. He can read the atmosphere very well, and even though Mao's holding back her emotions and sadness, he can see that and act suitably. Hiro's goals are what I believe to be a major point for the plot, so he keeps the story going.
Another character we're introduced to is Mao's friend from school, Chiharu. I won't say there's something striking about her, but she definately cares a lot about Mao and does her best. So she's certainly a likeable character.
Last but not least, one of the major characters, introduced later on, is Daiki, Hiro's younger brother. Daiki's arrival, as well as contibution to the plot is Major, but I'd aslo like to highight the fact that his seriousness gives a realistic vibe to the events that follow. When reading the chapter of his arrival, you don't think to yourself "oh another character is introduced". It's as if you really live in that house and get to see "hiro's brother,Daiki" come back.

Now, when it comes to the art of this manga, I'd give it a 8/10. Let me explain though. There's nothing I dislike about it. The characters are drawn very nicely, their figures are obviously carefully portrayed. The backgrounds are good, it's easy to understand what's going on in each panel. I give it credit for not using the "shoujo-type" art. There's nothing wrong with that, but this style fits the series the best, I believe. It's, as I have already said, close to reality.Other than that,though, it's very cute, even if there are no chibis or anything like that. Sticking to reality.

I thoroughly enjoy reading this manga. It's funny, but also serious when it needs to be. It's heart warming and let me tell you, the Romance part is obviously there. It's just that there are so many possible pairings (and I'm not saying crack pairings, but deadly canon ones) you can't help but root for each and every one character.
Wow, the fashion sense is actually outstanding. Mao's outfits seem to be carefully designed and damn, they inspire mine!
The comic relief is great, too.
I appreciate the mangaka's hard work, which is definately easy to see.
Every arc has its memorable moments.
Let me note that this series doesn't make me think "now they're trying hard to sound deep."
However, I don't know how, they just manage to make it sound deep. Not overly deep and dramatic, but realistically.
Overall, I think this is an amazing series. I definately recommend it to anyone who loves this genre and to anyone willing to read a well-built, heart-warming story.
I hope you guys find your "House of Sun" in this series.