Unlike you, I am late bloomer to the series (read it this year, 5 times), so far it is my favorite magna and I am trying to search for better one to top it. I've been a fan of anime/manga for past decade.
The development of the main characters were astonishing and not just that, the side characters are amazing as well. If you have read KNIM by Seo, you notice the big differences between the side characters. Actually even main characters in KNIM are 1 dimension and force drama kept the series surviving..
Anyways back to Ichigo 100%, here are my thoughts, be warn it was recently written toward a person who was bias for Aya to win the ending. I understood that she was first girl to appear, but that doesn't hold any ground, because Nishino was shown in the 2nd chapter. Both girls are the heroine, but only Nishino had the development and all the memorable moments with Junpei (w/ meaning). Nishino was the driving force in Ichigo 100% for romance.
Wall of Tex: warning
I had fun reading your thoughts about the series, here what I felt about it.
I disagree Aya would be perfect for Manaka, there two were indeed close reflections of each other, but that doesn’t mean they’re compatible. First the two don’t communicate very well outside of the topics of movies and novels. There were many misunderstanding between the two of them, she never clear up the problems until it arises, like her little brother going out with her to the festival and Amachi being around her. Manaka true attraction to her was the interest they shared, which is a good starting point for relationship, but it never extended further. She never pries more into his life and to understand him better outside of school related activities. She had 3 years to confess, but expected Manaka to confess to her like he did to Nishino (my take).
http://
http://i19.mangareader.net/ichigo-100/138/ichigo-100-385535.jpg
Manaka upfront had bad character traits like all harem protagonist do. He was insecure and had an inferiority complex, which is displayed more around Nishino. Similar to Aya, he doesn’t take the lead with relationship with all the girls. The subtle changes in his development were revolving around Nishino relationship with him. First the break-up in 10th grade, when he couldn’t response to her feeling like proper boyfriend (he had 2 other girls in his mind). Positive out of break-up for Nishino/Manaka was learning from this experience. Manaka kindness overshadowed his greediness for having all 3 girls love him and not making up his mind. Manaka greediness was acknowledge when he told Satsuki that he had a girlfriend and he only wanted Satsuki to talk to him still, because she was the first to confess to him (he enjoy that feeling).
Here he thinks Aya is close to loser status as himself, which is untrue.
http://i19.mangareader.net/ichigo-100/138/ichigo-100-385535.jpg
Satsuki in realistic situation would win over majority of guys with her sex appeal. Her approaches toward Manaka were her downfall in their relationship. Few reasons why Manaka and Satsuki weren’t compatible, she like Aya didn’t understand Manaka feelings on things, her sexual approaches in a relationship made Manaka awkward, and she sometime vaguely hurt Manaka without intentionally knowing it. Manaka is sensitive teenage boy with problems after all. Not trying to pile garbage on Satsuki, she does have some good moments with Manaka, like talking casually with him on certain topics and she did help/worsen situations for Manaka during the series. Satsuki got the short hand of the stick, having a bias view on the matter, she has it worst because of her constant confession toward him and his unrequited response to her love (Nishino has become friends again and Aya was passive as always).
During middle school, Manaka/Nishino relationship was immature; he had someone else on his mind. After knowing that, she decided to still stay as his girlfriend, she only decided to attend another high school for few reasons: she couldn’t contend with Aya who had a stronger connection through her novel with Manaka, she didn’t have a dream of her own, and leaving a open space for either Manaka or Komiyama to get off the waitlist to enroll. Her break-up with Manaka, made him realize what he lost, which allow him to grow a little and his interactions with the other 2 girls that are left. With Nishino reintroduction back into the story, she and Manaka became friends again. From there on, all memorable, realistic, outside of school relationship began for them. She understood Manaka personality and reacted perfectly to them. Even when Manaka lied to the others, regarding her, she understood and played it out, even though it hurt her. Not stating she was going after him again like mad girl, she was still reluctant on her relationship with him at first, but the protagonist always gets his girl back.
At first I thought Aya would win with “first girl” cliché rule. Reading this story overall as a series, instead of basing off each chapters, it was realistically that Nishino was perfect for him. For what Manaka missing in his life, she filled it and vice versa. She did what the other girls failed to do, she understood him. She tries to pry him to open up his feeling and problems instead of holding it in. Taking him out on dates, clearing misunderstanding in her relationship w/ other guys (Higure and Okusa). She always made sure she to get the message across that she cares for him, but he was too dense to accepted this as anymore than friendship until she confess. Which clear all of Manaka insecurity about Nishino feelings towards him (ex. does she love him)? This was constant mind battle for the protagonist and the 3 girls in his life.
Aya going to different college meant Manaka cannot talk to her about novel/movies anymore, left a hole in his heart. It was indeed sad that she stopped all contacts with him and thus ending their friendship, maybe because he didn’t pick her or my take is that it’s for both character to move on and development on their own, instead of Aya depending on Manaka for her stories or Manaka depending on her scripts for his movie. They were holding each other back in a way.
Manaka allowing Nishino to leave for France to accomplish her dreams is normal response for the person you love. She supported him and now he supports her. During their sperartion, he bettered himself compared to before to become suitable lover for Nishino or any of the girls, which he never deserved due to his indecisive nature!
One thing I like about Aya, it was the end, she finally found her goal in life, instead of being leashed by Manaka own ambitions. If you realize, his movie directing dream was very important to him then the girls in high school at the time.
