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"Mars" is a manga series written by Fuyumi Soryo in 1996. The story starts out with the classic trope of good girl meets bad boy; the main character, Kira, is a quiet girl with a strong passion for art, while her love interest, Rei, is quite the opposite. He pulls girls left and right, and is often found roaming the streets on his motorcycle. While this initial synopsis might seem cliche and like it was pulled right out of Grease, the story turns into so much more. Readers will begin to learn about the characters' deep secrets filled with themes of suicide, sexual violence, murder, and more. This story is the definition of a page-turner; I binged all fifteen volumes in four days. Over time, readers uncover the pieces of the puzzle of the characters' pasts. The story's unpredictability is unique in this way, and readers will find that things are never as they seem. Heavy themes might seem depressing, but are actually inspiring as the characters grow, accept their pasts, and learn to love.
While this story is not a light-hearted romance, Rei and Kira's connection is beautifully intimate. While Rei helps Kira come out of her comfort zone and not let the past define her, Kira helps Rei come to terms with his own past. The way they lift each other and help each other become the best version of themselves is truly heartwarming. The art style reflects this as well. I've always been a fan of 90s manga art, and Mars is no exception. Panels are simple but captivating, and the mangaka's use of space is truly unique. The manga's beautiful craft only adds to the incredible story.
If you are looking for an exciting, shocking, and suspenseful drama: Mars is for you. If you are looking for an intimate and heartfelt romance: Mars is for you. This perfect merge of these two genres is an incredibly passionate and memorable experience for the reader and is not something you want to miss out on.
