First off, this manga is manipulative. The characters in it are manipulative and the author is trying to manipulate the audience as much as possible. It was so frustrating reading the first few chapters because of how obvious the characters were about creating plot and tension that I hate read the first three or so volumes.
Characters:
There is definitely a problem with characters. What this manga does really well is that it shows the emotions of the leading characters in ways that are relatable, but it's pulled off in a sloppy way. Momo, the main character that has a complex about her skin tone, goes through a lot of pain and suffering and throughout the series she doesn't learn from any of it.
The side characters are incredibly wishy washy. They are the ideal mob mentality where they'll hate Momo or they'll love her and they're not afraid to switch on a dime. They have no personal thoughts. When side characters befriend Momo and they're her friends for the rest of the manga we hardly get to know them. The series is so focused on the core four characters that everything and everyone outside of their emotional lives is irrelevant.
Then there's Sae. God, I hated her with the passion of a thousand burning suns. You could tell that Sae was nothing but a plot device for a good chunk of the manga and what she did was beyond horrendous. She was evil incarnate. It wasn't until the last few volumes where I started to feel any sympathy towards her and that was only because her character did a 180.
The character development isn't good. It's very basic and if a character changes too much there isn't much explanation. Take Sae, when she falls in love for the first time she's a new character. There is no transition, it's just boom, there she is now.
Peach Girl has a bad habit of bringing up adult and serious situations only for it to mean nothing. I can't even tell you how often this manga brings in attempted rape. Actually, I will tell you. There are at least 4 major events where Momo or Sae are about to be raped and it's so gross how the manga handles it as if it were nothing. The first time there were repercussions. Momo was traumatized. Every time after that this situation was used to build tension and have one of the potential boyfriends come rescue them.
I don't know what Japanese High School life was back when this came out, but there are so many uncomfortable situations of characters that are between 15 and 17 being sexually assaulted, or dating men in their 20s, or doing porn, or something else that you wouldn't expect to find in a shojo romance.
The part that frustrates me so much about this manga is that no matter how much I complain about it, it's effective. This manga is super manipulative, but I kept with it. Whether I was enjoying myself or hate reading it out of spite I was continuing with these characters that on the surface I like. However, for every time I'm enjoying the manga there are at least three instances that make me facepalm, like the two male love interests literally pulling on Momo's arms as if she's a toy in their toddler years arguing over who loves her more.
I'm glad I read this, but it did not age like fine wine. I think I have a better grasp of Shojo, but I would not recommend this to anyone.
Story: 4/10
Art: 5/10
Character: 4/10
Enjoyment: 4/10
Overall: 4/10
