Ranked #200

Sakura Gari (Manga)

This is absolutely good. Likely the best yaoi manga I've ever read, well partly because I just can't bear nonsensical plot, characters and effortless art many can find in most yaoi manga.

Plot is very intense and dramatic, dealing with the ugliest part of individuals in terms of relationships all the while being coated with realism. It is a tragedy, a matter of sin and forgiveness, torture and comfort. Sex are not there to be drooled over, it is mostly very heart-wrenching and emotional. This storytelling is well planned, straight to the point and smooth.

Art is hands down gorgeous. 10 years in the making, they say. I don't read much of Watase sensei's work, but after Imadoki, Aya, Alice 19th and Fushigi Yuugi I may say that this is her best work. Details are there, very intricate, but not overpowering. Empty panels are there in the right space. Emotions are there, properly channeled. Characters are beautifully drawn (Personally my heart melts seeing Masataka smile, something I rarely experience in 2D world,) bodies proportional, and fashion lovely. Also the scenery, buildings, vehicles... I can go on and on saying how well she put history into her drawings.

Characters are no less intense, their dialogs spoken with meaning. Their development are wonderful. Through traumatic experiences, the way they seek for advice and face the cruel world (yeah this phrase's clichee,) are something worth seeing. It isn't sweet nor happy, they're unfortunate, but they deal with it.

Despite description and reviews, this manga is really romantic in the meaning which are not find today; if there is a word 'love' there, then it really means it. Hard to describe, strong enough to be felt. However after reading there's a chance you'll feel totally depressed, most people wouldn't like it, but this is a good hint that this manga is THAT good. I find it quite impossible to cut reading in the middle of the story, since it haunts my mind. If you're mature enough to open your mind and swallow the best part of this series (which is big,) I can't recommend this enough. read more

It is well drawn and has some really good shounen-ai poses and scenarios. But be warned, it's not cutesy. If you want Fushigi Yuugi, this is NOT it. Rather, it is very serious and graphic. No, you won't see any private parts but you will get as close as possible and its not entirely the happy kind of love-making. It's very raw. Bitter as opposed to sweet. It's a high-drama type manga.

As for some background information, it is set in what looks to be early-mid 1900's Japan. You see some very traditional relationships and buildings. I really appreciate seeing Yuu Watase taking on a serious art style and it turns out stunning.

As dark as it is, if you can swallow your tongue, you really start to want to know what will happen. That is what has kept me glued to this series: how will the characters develop? What will the main character ultimately feel towards the world and his past?

I say the type of person who wants to read Sakura Gari is someone who loves good art and intense characters and does not mind seeing blood, sex, etc.

With that, I hope you can decide if you want to read it. If you think my review should have included something else, mention it to me so I can rewrite it so it is helpful! read more