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“There is one key to protecting the throne. And that is not to misjudge the ambition of the young.”
This is a political strategic mind-battle manga dappled with intrigue, violence and provoking messages to the reader. It doesn’t mean this series is something overwhelming and stilted, though. The scope is indeed epic: from one’s dignity and pride to ideological inconsistencies and the world peace, - however downright realistic.
Pros:
Just the right size and pace. No dragging on the plot development. Once the tempo is set in the beginning, it proceeds till the very end. Smooth storyline makes it really easy to read and comprehend.
Art is simply amazing.
The ... depth of manga. On political level Sanctuary covers two worlds at once – the yakuza underworld and politics environment. It depicts their similarities and differences to the fullest. Politics/politicians go around behind the curtains, and at the same time, yakuza people respect pride, dignity and truth. And though these are the lower and the upper worlds, they co-exist and entwine with each other. On the social level Sanctuary covers contemporary problems of youth nonchalance, lack of ambitions, and stagnation of older generations. Describing all you can get a glimpse of in this manga can go on for a couple of pages.
Scope. Once again I have to emphasize that Sanctuary has a wide range of aspects implemented and balanced properly in it: a dream, friendship, love; violence, lust, fear; dignity, loyalty, trust; ideological conflicts, corruption, manipulation, change of generations, etc. In the end all those serve as a background for the two men struggling to reach their goal.

Cons:
They cry and pretty often it’s out of place and mood. Though maybe it has connection to the next disadvantage listed.
Some may find art lacking in facial expression dpt.. Although, the portrait art is mind-blowing, it is somewhat static. Maybe, the artist decided to use crying so that, at least, characters’ suffering emotions could be distinguished.
Weak representation of female characters in the manga. The female characters in this manga are simply useless and one can keep wondering, the whole purpose of introducing them in the first place. They contribute neither to the plot development, nor do their personas possess any distinctive features.

This series undoubtedly deserves the place among top ten manga titles, which it currently has on MAL.
Though the film is failry good, it does not cover even half of what is depicted in manga. There are a lot of post-apocaliptic series about humankind trying to make ends meet in severe conditions of wreched world. But they are not as deep and moving as this one. Of course, you should keep in mind that bringing up a topic of world's balance, of our race's place in it, is Miyazaki's forte, be it manga or animation.
This series not an easy read, it has a lot of ideological ... clashes. However in contrast to all the violence and agression we have right now emerging in manga, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind remains a pivotal oasis of its genre.

Don't underestimate old manga!
I myself avoided it, because it seemed so old fashioned and out-of-date.
First several chapters, if you are not accustomed to the old style, you'll feel almost disgusted. Save your dissatisfaction for the later to be completely swept away. I don't remember the point when I got hooked on this manga. Tell you one thing. After reading it I reread it two months later. Even with more pleasure.
One of the strongest points of this series is a very composed and consistent development of characters.
Story----> 10:
May seem quite ordinary due to the pattern setting, of a girl falling for her savior. However this manga ... got 10 for its great turnover and smooth story development. It drags you along and never lets go. There are no chapters I would like not to exist. Not fast nor slow development of the story. Not much, nor too little space given to characters hesitation, making decision and moving on (hate it,either if too exaggerated or cut off). The whole story is enough dramatical to capture you completely.
Art---->7
First of all I considered it a weak point of HYD. But on the other hand it gives this manga a peculiar taste, never met anywhere else. Can only compare it to Gokusen. Quite simplistic face drawing leaves room to your own imagination. All the characters have their attributes, for which they are recognized easily, so it really a pleasure to follow the story. By the way the hair of the main bully actually made me seriously irritated at the beginning, although I came to love it in the end. Also keep in mind that throughout the series art develops a great deal.
Characters ---->10
As I said earlier the character development is one of the strongest points of this manga. It is really rare to meet such a consistent, logical and multifaceted, yet compact development of characters' persona. You are able to follow the growth of person not only due his/her environment and circumstances, but also because of his/her lover's influence, support and even decisions. Also liked the setting of supporting characters. The author uses their presence and actions to the fullest, sometimes to emphasize the problem or look from different angle, sometimes, to resolve it. In a nutshell, the story revolves around the couple, but it is well-balanced with the surrounding world of manga.
Enjoyment----->9
Really tired of same shoujo mangas. There sometimes can be several differences, but in the end almost all of them roll down to same old "prince-princess" fairytale. Uncommon and deeply elaborated Hana Yori Dango wins a lot over them. And gives a very warm and satisfied feeling.

Quite a dreadful attempt to imitate Kuroshitsuji art, theme and whole mood.
The story is 'sucked out of the finger'. The characters are quite 'one-sided' and lack any kind of logic in their actions and thoughts. If a person intends just to watch something amusing, why would he or she bother getting worked up over the worries of his amusement object?! That's the major irritating point, which completely turned me off. If one of the main characters is badass, let him be badass till the end.
Even if it's shoujo.
After 5 chapter it is already clear who will fall in love with who, what obstacles they will ... conquer to get to their frilly dreamy future in the arms of each other.

That's a very strange series, I even can't name it a story or else... The art is nasty, the arrangement is unusual! The boy is an average gamer and the girl tries to be too. They should be boring. But they are not!!!
I really was moved by this simple plot and the characters.

The stories are very bright, I liked the art a lot. Aside from that, though it's a common shoujo, I never thought of it as something ordinary. People we fall in love with may be younger or unapproacable for us, but we would still like them. And make some effort. That's a reassuring thought.

A considerable half of shoujo is about a playboy, who falls in love with some girl and stops being a playboy. The girl is so fragile, helpless, akward and so on, o that he has to protect and reassure her. But not here. Meet a reserved and well-composed Yumi Sakashita.
If he thinks that he can get any girl, he finds out that not in this case. But even if he finally manages to, he is the pet, not a even-ranked boyfriend.
The story tells us about the fussiness, that a playboy would feel if everything went just the way round to the situation we are accustomed ... to. Girls should think over the fact that in fact all boys are masohists ))
I really admired the scenes of sex (attempts of one, if precise), though for boys it IS frustrating.
I dared to put some extremely high marks for this manga due to its paculiarities, that make it outstanding (any other word wouldn't be suitable)
IMHO