It all began when I sought out fun, short, and underrated manga to read. This one surfaced in MAL's manga suggestion section, catching my attention with its cover. Despite the initially appealing colors and drawing style, as I delved into the story, I noticed a lack of logic and a subpar drawing style. But before that, it's worth mentioning this is my first manga review, and I did my best despite potential writing errors and some spoilers.

The plot revolves around Miu, a young girl facing health challenges due to her weak physique. Her crush on the school heartthrob, Touto, becomes the focal point of her life. A pink potion called 'Cherry Soup,' concocted by her childhood friend Haru, promises to change Miu's life for the better. The potion works, making Miu lively, and she discovers shared interests with Touto. However, an impulsive decision to drink the entire bottle leads to a fatal accident, turning Miu into a zombie.

The characters follow well known archetypes in the teen romance subgenre: a cold popular guy, a supportive childhood friend, and a shady popular girl. Predictably, Touto wins Miu's heart despite friend-zoning her earlier. Meanwhile, Haru's unwavering support goes unacknowledged as he fails to confess his feelings.

The story unfolds predictably, and the characters' designs, part of Shouko Konami's signature art style, didn't resonate with me. The overall narrative lacked depth, and the rushed ending, coupled with attempts at humor, fell flat. Shikabane Cherry left me unimpressed, it was truly a forgettable read best suited for younger audiences.

In conclusion, if you're seeking a mature storyline, Shikabane Cherry may not be the best choice; its clichéd love triangle and rushed conclusion might leave you wanting more.

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It's funny, it's cute, it has horror-comedy, it has an explicitly trans character: this manga rules.

Art: Very cute. It's a solidly good artstyle with many nice features. You can tell the artist really knows how to draw gore too, even if they don't employ it often.

Character: This cast is so endearing and I loved seeing them become friends. While not the most memorable, they carry the plot very well.

Story: While it drags in places, this is a fun, fast-paced romcom with a fairly solid slow build. Not every plot point finds a satisfying resolution, but everything important gets resolved and I liked it from beginning to end.

This is a light read I'd highly recommend, especially if you're a shoujo fan who enjoys horror elements. (There's not much horror per say, but you need to be able to stomach a bit of light body horror)

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