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Relationships are always complex, they never go smoothly, but so does life. As the title suggests, this manga’s story revolve around eight men all linked aka connected with each other through circumstances, profession, and personal relationships. Links talk about these men trying to live their lives and hoping to find happiness and maybe love.

Art
One word...beautiful. I have just started following Kizu Natsuki sensei's work and the enamoring art style and well defined features of the characters, especially their eyes takes you in the story. Its the art that talks, and the story is defined by the art or is an extended version of the art ... (if you know what I mean). Also "ikemen" gorgeous Seme and lovely (to an extent of girlish-like) looking Uke. But the background design and the variation created for all characters in the story including supporting characters, just amazed me. Not every mangaka can create such variation and still remain connected to the story.

Characters
Have you ever waited to listen to your favorite radio show/TV series with baited breath just to hear or watch your fave RJ or TV actor speak or perform. The first couple featuring in the story is of Sekiya Masahito and Shibata Ryou and their link is established when the young radio jockey with a suave voice ^^ meets a 30 yr old shop manager with a koe/voice fetish. Sekia gets irritated by this overly enthusiastistic, extremely friendly, bothersome ossan and his persistent requests of friendship. Shibata san is too dense to understand that Sekia kun does not want to get along. How will Shibata san manage to get the unsociable Sekia's attention?

The second couple's relationship is of two people having a link through professional/personal connections. Tsubame Yahiko is Sado Takaaki's Secretary (a Yakuza boss), and his bodyguard, and he is head over heals for Niitsu Akiha, Sado's senpai and his dead brother's ex lover. No one can replace the memories of the past and if someone is not ready to move on, its even harder for the ones who love them. This is the reality of Yahiko and Akiha. Will Akiha ever understand that his happiness time has finally arrived; that sometimes its better to let go of the past and accept to give love another chance?

Our third couple did not even started as a couple, they were just two people who got linked through a cat. Yup, Ogikawa Yuusei is a sales man who tried to rescue a cat from rain, but collapsed because he was drunk. In came the knight in shinning armor, Kameda Aoi, a metal engraver who was just walking by. He sees the drenched /sorry looking fellow and his cat, picks them up and brings them to his home. Their friendship is a quirky one, but is their a scope of developing a relationship?

Our final couple looks like two people always on bad terms (seen mostly arguing or fighting with each other). How are they linked…Nakajou Shinobu is a Yakuza's son, although he does not do any Yakuza work and he is Sado Takaaki's partner who is a Yakuza boss and has been working under Shinobu's father. They share a connection through a tragedy that happened 10 years ago, which brought them together and started a relationship with no expectations, but somehow they are still together. Will one of them break the fragile thread that binds them or will they hold on to it, and to each other desperately?

Enjoyment
As you can see the characters truly unique, but here is the enjoyment element - Links BLCD. Yes, you will feel the effect of the manga triple fold with the drama cd. There is no question that the whole voice cast has done a wonderful job. We have an awesomely cool regular fave BL seiyuus - Meano Tomoaki, Shingaki Tarusuke, Hatano Wataru, and Nojima Hirofumi in lead roles. But the new comers in BL, Taishi Murata and Saito Soma are amazing enacting their roles too. Taishi Murata is super hilarious portraying the awkward, Happy go lucky Shibata; while Saito Soma blew me over when I heard him playing Shinobu (totally different avatar from his anime roles). Another noticeable seiyuu is Furkuwa Makoto. Forget One Punch Man anime please and behold his BL seiyuu version. Although he portrays a quiet character of Kameda Aoi, the acting is too funny and so is his chemistry with Ogikawa's seiyuu Hanae Natsuki who is sounding surprisingly mature in his BL voice acting work. Tamaru Atsushi did a good job as a supporting seiyuu enacting the dead brother's role whose presence has remained throughout the series. So do listen to the BLCD!

Overall
All four stories have something in common, they touch your heart and all four couples will become your fave. I loved Sekiya and Shibata…they are just too cute to ignore, but its Shinobu and Sado whose constant banter, yet extreme feelings for each other stole my heart. My recommended must read and a keeper. I hope Natsuki Kizu sensei brings us a sequel of this series.

Why...Why...oh why I waited this long to read this manga. Well, maybe because I was not too fascinated with the art style. But then, Nakamura Asumiko sensei's art is not the typical art you see in a Yaoi manga. The line drawing style, the not so perfect faces or the blank expressions...yeah at first glance they will not fascinate you. But as you start reading, you get immersed in the story and the characters and you feel that the drawing style suits the story perfectly.

Story - 8: For all those who have read the "Doukyuusei" series...this is a continuation of Hara Sensei/Hara sen's story, ... the music teacher, and how he moves from a heartbreak to getting a chance in love. The story starts where one broken hearted person - Hara sen, meets another broken hearted person - Sora/Sorano. From that point onward starts the journey of Hara sensei trying to ward of his overly enthusiastic student Sorano from minding his own affairs and leaving the poor Hara alone. Well, as the old saying goes "love happens when you least expect it". Our Hara sen has a rule "not to get involved in relationships with his students", but Sorano had some other plans. There are parts of this story, especially the part of an "old flame" coming in, I felt that the story had a bit of a disconnect, but the author brought all the characters together quiet well in the end. I hope I'm not giving any spoilers, but to see the sweetness of how an unusual love story can develop between two very different people, you have to read this one (although you will not be getting a lot of Yaoi action, its a Shounen-ai -.-).

Art - 7 : As mentioned before, the art style is way different from the usual style you have seen in BL/Yaoi mangas. But, I think you can get used to it once you start reading the story. The art blends well with the story and its characters. I'm not sure how much I can like the flowing line drawing style, but the face and expressions were clear and good. Shounen-ai's do focus more on the dramatic aspect of the story and you can see that in their art.

Character- 7: Well, for those of you who have read previous series, Hara sen has been a constant character and I always wanted to see his "happy ending". I'm glad that we get to see a side of Hara sen that previous mangas did not portray, his "desperately and idiotically in love" side ^.^ Sorano is a refreshing change from a typical uke, although I wanted to see many more moments of his with Hara sen, that's why I felt his character development lacked something. Maybe pulling in other characters help in understanding Hara sen's past relationships, but Sorano and Hara sen's ending up together to me looked a little rushed.

Enjoyment-7: Enjoyment is definitely there, especially the conversations between Hara sen and Sorano. I love the way Hara sen gets flustered in front of Sorano whenever he tries to act like an adult, but not so convincingly:D

Overall - 8: The story is a good continuation and conclusion of a wonderful series. Of course, it leaves a lot to be desired from the Yaoi part, but if you are into Drama CD's, I highly recommend listening to it. The voice acting cast is awesome ♥♥♥ - Fukuyama Jun (Aoto Sorano), & Ishikawa Hideo (Hara Manabu).

This is the first manga of Mizuki Kawashita that I've read and I must say "Sensei you certainly know how to create beautiful love stories" :). That said, I also like the punch line "Have you ever been in love?". Its a light-hearted manga, which throws in some serious shades of real-life too.

Story -8
This manga features 8 short first-love stories of girls from middle and high school, mainly focusing on their relationships with their classmates and family members. Each chapter is focusing on one main girl character. All the stories are connected with each other and eventually lead to a practical and acceptable ending involving ... the whole cast (so don't be fooled by the length of the manga).

Art -8
The characters are well-drawn, especially the girls. You can easily
identify the cute looking ones like Chikura and the awesome beauties (hotties to be exact) like Enamoto & Misaki. Even the guys have their uniqueness, we have boy-next-door guys like Mamoru, to dumb-looking guys such as "kappa-faced" Kosuda and Sogabe to handsome-looking ones like Renjou senpai. Because the story is character-oriented, it helps each character to self-identify itself.

Character -8
What can I say, its a harem, so there's no one particular lead here. But I guess the author managed to balance all the characters admirably. The scenario around every character is well-built and even if the center plot focuses on the girls as lead, still the male characters also got fair enough character length in the script. The author has very beautifully shown the good/bad points of every character, so you can relate to them as well.

Enjoyment - 8
Its w well balanced romance-comedy manga. My personal favorites are the bittersweet moments between Kosuda and Enamoto. I consider them the most opposite couple of the whole lot. Other character stories are also enjoyable, and even if its a short manga, I will not consider it incomplete.

Overall- 8
I'll recommend this manga to those who haven't seen the anime as well as to the ones who crave to read a light romance book. Of course, I enjoyed the anime more than the manga, but the manga gives us a follow-up story for what happened after episode 12. There are some extra stories also (that is if you are interested). But overall its worth a read!

Recently I have gotten into this rage of reading Manga, thanks to my craving to read and right now its focused on Japanese graphic novels alias “Manga“.

Anyway, coming back to the point which is the review of the Manga “Kimi ni Todoke” which means “reaching you“. At first, Kimi ni looks like just another Shoujo Manga, but that’s where the similarity ends. This Manga series mainly focuses on love and friendship. It has very beautifully created some of the most outstanding moments that happen when the seed of first love sprouts in a teenage heart. It certainly made me nostalgic about my teenage years and ... school life. The slice-of-life that has been depicted between the main protagonist Sawako and her friends, both male and female is just too cute and innocent.

**YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
For those who have not yet read the manga (or seen the anime), this will be a bit of a spoiler summary for you.

The plot/story goes like this – Our main protagonist female lead Sawako Kuronuma is called “Sadako” by her classmates because for her resemblance to the character from The Ring horror stories, and has always been feared and misunderstood because of her appearance. There are also rumors floating around the school that Sawako can see ghosts and curse people. However, despite her appearances, she is a sweet, a bit naive and timid girl who longs to make friends and just blend in with the crowd like a normal high school student. Everything takes a new turn in Sawako’s life when the popular boy of her school Kazehaya begins talking with her. With the help of Kazehaya, Sawako tries to make friends and starts talking to different people. With all these changes happening around her Sawako can’t thank Kazehaya enough for giving her these opportunities. Slowly, but surely a sweet, innocent love story is also blossoming between the two. This manga is their journey of love while overtaking any obstacle that come in their way… (with a little help from their friends of course!).

Whether you like romantic genre in reading or like to dig in once-in-a-while in the leisure of romance then give this Manga a shot. I know it’s a graphic novel/comic but hey nobody created an age bar when it comes to a “good read” or you can watch the anime :).

its still too early to say how the anime will turn out to be, I mean we are just through with episode 1. I am already seeing mixed to awesome reviews for this anime series. And why not? Its a famous "Neo-Romance" game, which has been turned into an anime now, with Bishies as the center point. Although I do have mixed feelings for this one as we already know how the previous Neo-Romance animes have ended, for example La Corda D'oro. The female protagonist never ends up with any guy, a real DISAPPOINTMENT for romance enthusiasts like me :(. I am hoping this isn't ... gonna happen here because even if the anime is having Romance as the central point, the historical & Political plot makes it more interesting (at least compared to a musical romance like Corda).

Story -9
The main plot is about the main protagonist searching for her missing father and gets the help of the Shinsengumi. While helping her almost all the guys fall for her. Sounds very much like Corda, but here comes the difference, there are some mysterious secrets that the Shinsengumi are hiding for Chizuru, our main female lead. What is the Shinsengumi being so secretive about? Why keep a female disguised as a male in their group? And why are the Shinsengumi so keen on discovering Chizuru's missing father? What do they really want from Chizuru? These are some questions like these that left me hanging and craving for more :).

Art - 10
In one word the art is beautiful (Kire desu). Its awesomely gorgeous with the way the creators have captured the background of historical time Japan. I'm sure we can look forward some more marvelous action sequence and pictorial beauty in the coming up episodes.

Sound - 9
Sound seems very apt with the anime, especially the fight sequences. Although its still the start but the OP and ED are really cool songs and maybe you can check the soundtracks of this PS2 game online. I have heard some of the OST's and they are really good. Five stars ***** for music

Character -9
Well I could have given it a 10 because of the bishies, but let's be real, bishies always look so dishy, especially in dating Sim changed into an anime series. So I tried to hold my bias here, but yes the characters look more real then in a 2-D game for sure :D.

Enjoyment - 9
OK, Bishies, history,politics with romance being the center plot and some comedy, drama and action thrown in between, you've got an almost perfect "Gourmet Delight" of entertainment served.

Overall:8
Yeah, the rating may change because we are just minus one episode so you never know ;)!!! I am looking forward to it, cant wait for the next one. MUST WATCH, that's all I can say for now.