Time for the review.
About the story. I think that yes, it is pretty cliche. Just a high school guy coming to another city with hopes and dreams and just happens to live next door to the girl he likes... Yeah. I'm not going to say it's a revolutionary manga or something. But what I honestly really like about this manga (I read the manga and didn't watch the anime; personally I like manga better b/c you can fast read the cheesy parts of the story.) was that the main character went through heaven and hell in order to get with the girl he liked. What I mean is that this guy did so much, so much, to try and win over her heart, suffering and losing in the process. I'm not going to say how, and you may say that in that said process, it's cliche, but I liked it. (Once again, opinionated.) I've read quite a lot of this kind of manga imo, (romance, drama) and i think this manga doesn't quite get what it deserves.
About the art. Personally, the artwork and character design is what seals the deal. I mean yes, the character design is a little generic, (as with all manga/anime) the drawing and artwork is miles above anything else I've read from this time period that which this was first published. (circa 2004.) I love Seo Kouji's drawing style (read Kimi Machi), and he represents the character's emotions very well. And while I didn't really like anime/manga girls with short hair, later on, I grew to like Suzuka's character design.
Character...
Character is the *hands down* most important part of a romance manga. (maybe the story in there as well.) once again, what I loved about this manga, was Yamato's perseverance, not only in his sports and stuff, but how he went through so much to get with Suzuka. It's really cool, and once you read it, I hope that you understand.
Okay, about Suzuka. Many people will say she's a bitch, and yeah, I get where they're coming from. Strangely enough though, when I was reading this manga, I didn't exactly get the bitchy vibe from her. Yes, I get that she gave Yamato a hard time, but when her ______ got __ by a _______, you can understand why she doesn't exactly want to get in another relationship. Somewhat. In any case, Suzuka is rarely seen being a bitch to anyone but Yamato, and as her own relatives commented- 'she only shows her moody side to people she likes'-, I think this moody, over-the-top tsundere is kind of a twist on the overly cliche romance manga where the girl falls in love with the guy just like that. I mean, if when Yamato first asked Suzuka out and confessed, and she accepted, that would just be like any other manga.
The other characters in the manga are kinda generic, from the archetypal pervert/wingman friend, to the friend of the girl you like who gives you advice on your love life. But that's just stuff you need for a romance manga.
Overall, if you didn't read this thing at all, understand that I respect what others think of the manga, but honestly... Don't listen to the others who tell you this manga is a piece of shit. Cause it's not. I really, really, REALLY liked this manga. Overally overall, if you've got time to kill, (I read this manga in 2 weeks or so) why not take a look at this manga? It's really nice to read about the struggles that Yamato goes through, the shit he puts up with to get with his dream girl, whom, is slightly annoying at first, but whom you WILL learn to love yourself.
Oh yeah, and before I forget, the subplot of sports and stuff, it really accelerates the overall story and gives purpose to many of the things the characters do. I mean, in other romances, you see the guy, and the girl, pretty much ALWAYS in high school... And that's it. There's no subplot or anything. And once you read about Yamato's determination and why he joined the track team and why he strives to get better; you can only read about it. (Yes, it is unrealistic, how good he is.) Anyways, I digress.
You have to read this manga. Give it a try.
