Mao is a teenage girl who doesn't know the warmth of family. Her mother ran away with another man, and her father actively distances himself from her. Her only happy memories were with Hiro, Daiki, and Hina Nakamura, but even those days were numbered, as the neighboring Nakamuras split apart after the parents died in an accident. Years later, after Mao runs away from her father’s new family, Hiro invites Mao to stay with him in the now-empty Nakamura household. What follows is an engaging and heartwarming tale of friendship, reconciliation, mutual understanding, and love.
Throughout the story, Mao struggles primarily with her sense of belonging. She can't face her uninvolved father, her stepmother, and her stepsister who seemingly “took her place” in their household. She often turns to Hiro for solace, but even in the Nakamura household, she feels like she's imposing on Hiro. Part of Mao’s journey is realizing that she’s not deadweight; that she’s kind, supportive, and especially important to those who love her. Development is taken step-by-step, and guided by Hiro's reassuring support, Mao strives to gather the courage to confront her father, who is still scarred by her mother's betrayal. On the other hand, Hiro seeks to reunite with his younger brother and sister, who were adopted by relatives after an accident took away their parents. Personal insecurities and doubts prevented them from reuniting in the past, but after inviting Mao over, Hiro resolves to break down the barriers of time and trauma that had separated them for so long.
Often easier said than done, expressing one’s true feelings is the central theme of the story. The characters all have their reasons for hesitating in confiding with others, whether it’d be the fear of hurting someone else’s feelings or having little self-confidence. However, it’s often what’s left unsaid that leads to the most regret and pain, and the story gives us plenty of reason to cheer on the characters as they struggle to find the courage to say what they need to say. This theme also contributes to what's particularly striking about Taiyou no Ie: how endearing the characters are. Even when the emotions and relationships can get a bit convoluted, the characters are always trying their damned hardest to confront them and move on. It's hard to hate on the messier romantic elements when you have such an earnest cast, and this quality is exactly why Taiyou no Ie distinguishes itself from the typically frustrating romance shoujo manga.
Each characters’ internal conflicts and doubts are shown meticulously. They may not be who they initially seem, and many develop as they confront their most important issues. Interactions are natural, relationships are developed steadily, and the balance between drama and slice-of-life is just right. Should you read Taiyou no Ie? If you’re looking for a mature romance with heart-warming family themes, potent character development, and poignant drama, Taiyou no Ie might just be it.
