AnimeSuki Forums

Mykas · 2007-07-03, 19:19

The first viz volume is out it felt nice to be reading the real thing instead of scanslations (not that I don't appreciate scanslations) The presentation is really nice and it was done really well. I know a lot of people hate this series but for me it is still one of my favorites and I am glad to finally see it in English.

SooHip · 2007-07-04, 16:39

its plain and simple.
People's opinions on the ending is based on which girl they wanted to "win"
In the manga's case it was Nishino who got the nod.
And those who wanted Aya or Satsuki or whoever hate the ending.

aikming · 2007-07-05, 11:03

Mizuki Kawashita has explained that she intended to end the manga with Aya when the story is in middle high school. When the story progress to high school, both the direction and fans response influence, she decided to end the manga with nishino. The ending is rushed because of the serialization but it has been long decided that she would end the manga with nishino

blahdida · 2007-07-06, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by aikming

Mizuki Kawashita has explained that she intended to end the manga with Aya when the story is in middle high school. When the story progress to high school, both the direction and fans response influence, she decided to end the manga with nishino. The ending is rushed because of the serialization but it has been long decided that she would end the manga with nishino

That would have been nice if there was more character development for Nishino, even i would support Nishi if she was more involved with the story (I just go for anyone who was obviously suppose to win) To me, this is just as if in Love Hina that Keitaro ends up with Mitsune, misleading perceptions

not enough development

Arakawa · 2007-07-06, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by blahdida

That would have been nice if there was more character development for Nishino, even i would support Nishi if she was more involved with the story (I just go for anyone who was obviously suppose to win) To me, this is just as if in Love Hina that Keitaro ends up with Mitsune, misleading perceptions

not enough development

I personally think it was good the way it was. There was already a lot going on with Nishino and Manaka imo. In a real life situation I can see how you would struggle between picking the two girls, but Nishino and Manaka had already developed an intimate relationship whereas Aya was just beating around the bush. I like how the ending was more realistic than another fairy tale.

But then again, this could be a biased opinion since I always liked Tsukasa @_@

TraN · 2007-07-08, 09:43

I liked the ending... Maybe because i liked Nishino and hated Aya...I don't think the manga could of had a better ending, hehe.

jofosho999 · 2007-08-16, 23:56

it seemed like nishino was going to win due to the time manaka and her spent from volume 12 up. i blame the author for not giving manaka and toujo more time together since amachi and kozue were taking up all that space. otherwise, this is my fav romance manga and hope they make an alternate ending

whitewater_81 · 2007-08-17, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by jofosho999

.... hope they make an alternate ending

lol..actually there is..this time Toujo wins...i think the link was posted here in this thread...just go a few pages back and you'll see it..

Mykas · 2007-08-17, 23:30

actually that is just a fan made ending, it would be nice to see an extra volume from the author with alternate endings and maybe some art and so on.

whitewater_81 · 2007-08-18, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mykas

actually that is just a fan made ending, it would be nice to see an extra volume from the author with alternate endings and maybe some art and so on.

yeah, he like cut and paste some scenes from the manga and put it in a page and changed the charas lines.

Well yeah,it would be really nice if the author made some alternate ending herself but i was really satisfied with the ending anyway so no biggy..hehe.GO NISHINO!!!.

Ashlotte · 2007-08-28, 19:12

It was OK I suppose for a shonen romance...But god did it start really dragging in parts and really gaining a repetitive feel over time.

I wasnt big on the continual introduction of new girls...It was like the author was saying "Well I don't know how to develop the current characters further so heres some new girl im shoving into the story for no reason". Although if they'd focused on the existing girls im sure it would have given that more of the same feel...Satsuki continuing to throw herself at manaka...Tsukasa finding herself in romantic situations with manaka only for him to run away...etc, etc.

Story had potential it felt like, but didn't go very far with it.

2H-Dragon · 2007-08-29, 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by SooHip

its plain and simple.
People's opinions on the ending is based on which girl they wanted to "win"
In the manga's case it was Nishino who got the nod.
And those who wanted Aya or Satsuki or whoever hate the ending.

No actually the ending is just bad period even if you liked Nishino.

Forbin · 2007-08-29, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2H-Dragon

No actually the ending is just bad period even if you liked Nishino.

Precisely. It appears that
1) The Mangaka didn't know who would win in the end beforehand.
2) The Mangaka picked Nishino because she won the 'popularity' contest.
3) Satsuki didn't have very much Nishino interaction. Her purpose was to keep Aya away from Manaka.
4) Yui wasn't there to block Nishino, she was a completely different side story.
5) She brings in a 5th character just to 'milk' the manga, but then completely just ignores her at the end.

That's why it sucks.

Think of it this way, what if Inuyasha ended with Inuyasha and Kikiyo getting married and Kagome going back home forever? That was shown but would probably be considered a 'bad ending'. (And PS, yes I know this is impossible but just consider it)

Vexx · 2007-08-29, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2H-Dragon

No actually the ending is just bad period even if you liked Nishino.

That seems to be the hardest point to get through to people. The quality of the story has nothing to do with "who won". It has to do with the mechanics of the plotline, evolution of the character relationships, and portraying the characters themselves in a sane, connected manner.
I'm prone to using Frodo as an example of character evolution since he does things later in the book he never could have done in the early sequences... but the reader understands how he got that way.

A number of these 'harem' romances (anime or manga) suffer from the "jerky stickpuppet syndrome" (coined that during Shuffle!'s anime run). The characters don't move naturally on the stage but are jerked from position to position. The writers are no longer invisible but have become a malicious god shoving their creations around doing things they would not naturally do.

Any ending would have been fine if the journey there had been written in a cohesive manner with an understanding of human behavior. The author set up her premise nicely, created some interesting characters -- but seemed to have no idea how to converge on a solution. When the sales and merchandising fell flat, the publisher told her to wrap it up so she used the "time jump" epilog to skip over to the results.

Even Love Hina, as messy and rambling as it is, succesfully communicated *why* the characters thought and decided as they did and it was clear why it ended as it did (though I'll always think Keitaro chose poorly

).

Mykas · 2007-08-30, 07:04

I was posting about this manga on another forum and decided to bring what I said to this discussion since I have been working on this whole why does the ending suck theory for a while.

I have recently been thinking about the end of this manga and why the ending is so reviled by everyone (except the nishino fanboys) there are a few theories.
1) (and this is one of mine) That people are disapointed because thier expectations were led twards aya if she had been chosen the people who didn't like her and prefered another girl could have accepted it because they expected it. nishino on the other hand was a great surprise to many. most people would have been ok with "thier" girl winning ( i am a satsuki fan) but couldn't accept someone besides thier girl or aya winning.
2) the manga was poorly constructed in its base, it meanders about repeating themes and when the ending comes it pops up suddenly and without any explanation.
3) (my new theory)there was no real confession scene with a decision time included, the orriginal confession to nishino is pathetic and in the first volume so it doesn't count. I am talking about a confession at or near the end of the manga where the guy who has held back his feelings finally lets it all out like the fans have been screaming at him to do for many volumes. In ichigo 100% we are essentially cheated of this experience and instead we just have the female confessions which are pretty typical stuff from this sort of manga. Harem manga is pretty formulaic and I have come to believe when an element of the formula is missing people find something dissapointing but they aren't sure what it is.
I am not saying these theories are mutually exclusive simply that they all exist, i am sure there are more out there as well.

Aznbanana · 2007-09-01, 20:53

Well.. just finished reading it and honestly, i hope there is some kind of continuation to this because it just felt like it didn't end properly with the loose ends on some of the characters. I sorta felt dissapointed at the timeskip before Tsukasa left because the author could've used that time to solidify the relationship between Manaka and Tsukasa without any interference. I was pretty dissapointed at how Manaka chose Nishino jsut because of a dumb misunderstanding. I mean, he didn't CHOOSE CHOOSE, he just eliminated the choice because of a misunderstanding. I'm honestly a Nishino fan because her personality was fun and she can cook

Anyways, the ending just came way to suddenly and it lacked the build up a good ending should have. But this was an interesting nonetheless since he didn't take the most obvious female lead but the one who took advantage of her opportunites even though im not endorsing her choice lol.

gnajub · 2007-09-01, 22:09

about the toujou ending.. is it like a doujin or something like a fan-made video? i would like to see it my self but it seems that the user is out of bandwith.. argh.. any rapidshare links or something?

Freeter · 2007-09-01, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aznbanana

honestly, i hope there is some kind of continuation to this

Nope, none. What you saw is what you got. Drama CDs are done, anime is history, and Kawashita's going to start a new series in Jump soon.

There are more nails in this coffin than at a hardware store

smudboy · 2007-10-06, 16:34

Ichigo 100%. What a beautiful story. I just finished the manga today.

Here are my thoughts:

Spoiler for Ichigo 100%:

The immaturity and indecisiveness of the hero and heroine, the breakups with the hero’s "girlfriend", the failed attempts of affection from a somewhat perfect rival (Satsuki), with an (alibi) long story, repetitive themes (Kozue being an offshoot of Aya, Chinami of Nishino), and of course the traditional wacky contrived situations, made for an otherwise wonderful, romantic story.

This is perhaps one of the more contemporary harem romances, and such, has more impact than others.

The plot with Ichigo 100% reminded me of Nodame Cantabile, where the protagonist (Shinichi Chiaki) is a talented musical perfectionist, while striving to become a conductor of an orchestra while fighting his internal and external issues, he (reluctantly and unknowingly) falls for the heroine (Megumi Noda), who is quite his opposite, merely because she has a talent and an innocent joy in playing the piano (music is emotional, boom.) There are references to him only loving music, and as such being impressed by that one aspect from another, would cause him to notice Noda (and it was stated that of his previous girlfriend, he admired because of her singing talents.) Their dreams don’t exactly match up, but due to lack of rivalry (or Chiaki’s lack of interest in women and love of music), they end up together. Both stories involve following ones dreams and creating beautiful memories along the way. With this in mind, for Ishigo 100% I was imagining the classic idealistic reality, the two people sharing their ideas and dreams, and living their life together.

Near the end, the story was gearing Aya to finally confess her feelings, for Manaka to finally express himself properly to her, and for the two to continue their dream of making stories for books and film. But lo! Things don't turn out the way we expected, and that is what makes it sad and beautiful. Though the sudden, more contemporary and realistic scenes seem out of place, it is a nice form of resolution. Half way, I was completely expecting the triangle between Satsuki, Aya and Manaka to close, but it got extended to Nishino again (could’ve sworn she broke up with him. Girls these days!)

There are a few things I felt were left out and important:
1) Manaka telling Aya about the confession back in chapter one, about him stupidly mistaking Nishino for her, as opposed to his own introspection when given multiple opportunities (and nothing finalized or closed) to express himself, instead of constantly wondering about her opinion of him. Though he’s finally answered his intention towards the girls and his life (obviously in not the clearest of ways), his emotions and past which seemed vital throughout the years are suddenly not “Oh yeah, I actually meant to ask you out years ago instead of Nishino, originally. Whoops.”
2) also, “Hey, here’s your bra back.”
3) The four year epilogue time period to explain, (well, lots of things, but mostly) Amachi and Satsuki’s resolved motives and happenings (or lack of development) on the hero and heroine (it seems they just gave up, despite constantly picking themselves up before).
4) Maturity. From just about everyone (about everything Manaka & Aya do, especially about their dreams, Satsuki not “completely following through” with her advances despite multiple attempts, the ambiguity of the Manaka/Nishino relationship). Of course, these are teenagers, so immaturity is abundant. But the central goal, or theme of the story, of having an ideal and to share ones’ dream, was suddenly brought to light in the last chapter; that final resolution of growing up and need to move on. Throughout the years, Aya stating she’ll make movies with Manaka and attend the same schools (but only if they’re a couple? No, she's too shy, so clearly not. Any other planning? No.), Manaka just doing what he can in his normal innocent way, and he getting caught up in his moment of weakness with Nishino and misunderstanding of Aya’s “boyfriend”, seemed a poor, misconstrued answer to the following of his and Aya’s dream, and especially his feelings for both girls. (“Oh she has a boyfriend. I guess I’ll do something else.”) The final goodbye from Aya expressing her ability to move on and write for herself was a healthy realization on her part, and though late in coming, became the painful reality Manaka had to accept, by letting her go. I am a bit confused as to why he let her go, but we must assume it is because of his realization of his intentions with Nishino.

Although I was expecting a confession out of Manaka to Aya, (and forgive my observations if they’re wrong, as that’s what the long, entire story seemed to be about), it was his lack of maturity (or perhaps his resolution towards the girls), that kept him quiet; that to realize that his dream to become a filmmaker, to be actualized like Aya and Nishino, was what he must strive for, as his own growth was (at the time) seemingly stagnant.

Though the epilogue and last few pages was not unexpected, and appear rushed to many, it seemed to fit the rest of the story: Manaka still wants to go out with Nishino, Aya (and co.) still want to make movies with Manaka, Sotomura has his production company, and Satsuki, well, really hasn’t changed. Though the situational issues between them in the past are somewhat resolved (or forgotten), they’re all pretty much (going to be) the same as they were during the school years.

Although we’ll never see a sequel, I feel only through popularity and hopefully some proper character development would it have the ability to become one. Yes, seeing a bunch of emotionally mature Ichigo 100% characters would be nice this time round. Can't have romance without adults.

Oh, and to clarify, I clearly do feel cheated and pained at the improper communication between Aya and Manaka. But, perhaps that was the writer's intention?

smudboy · 2007-10-06, 22:18

I must say, I really liked the insight Mughi and Pengu had about this series with all your details. Great analysis guys!

I've been randomly reading the last chapter, and I still feel there's a lot left unsaid between these characters.

2007-07-03, 19:19	Link #461
Mykas Wu Di Jin Gang Tui Join Date: Jan 2007	The first viz volume is out it felt nice to be reading the real thing instead of scanslations (not that I don't appreciate scanslations) The presentation is really nice and it was done really well. I know a lot of people hate this series but for me it is still one of my favorites and I am glad to finally see it in English. __________________ Proud memeber of the Ying Mu Jun Tuan

2007-07-04, 16:39	Link #462
SooHip Member Join Date: Jun 2007	its plain and simple. People's opinions on the ending is based on which girl they wanted to "win" In the manga's case it was Nishino who got the nod. And those who wanted Aya or Satsuki or whoever hate the ending. __________________ WICKED

2007-07-05, 11:03	Link #463
aikming Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005	Mizuki Kawashita has explained that she intended to end the manga with Aya when the story is in middle high school. When the story progress to high school, both the direction and fans response influence, she decided to end the manga with nishino. The ending is rushed because of the serialization but it has been long decided that she would end the manga with nishino __________________ http://anime-horizon.blogspot.com Anime & Manga Horizon - Anime, Manga, Gundam, Figures

2007-08-17, 23:30	Link #469
Mykas Wu Di Jin Gang Tui Join Date: Jan 2007	actually that is just a fan made ending, it would be nice to see an extra volume from the author with alternate endings and maybe some art and so on. __________________ Proud memeber of the Ying Mu Jun Tuan

2007-08-28, 19:12	Link #471
Ashlotte Clockwork Join Date: Oct 2006	It was OK I suppose for a shonen romance...But god did it start really dragging in parts and really gaining a repetitive feel over time. I wasnt big on the continual introduction of new girls...It was like the author was saying "Well I don't know how to develop the current characters further so heres some new girl im shoving into the story for no reason". Although if they'd focused on the existing girls im sure it would have given that more of the same feel...Satsuki continuing to throw herself at manaka...Tsukasa finding herself in romantic situations with manaka only for him to run away...etc, etc. Story had potential it felt like, but didn't go very far with it. __________________ No matter what enemy. No matter what ally. Mowing everything down with maximum destructive power. That is... "The White Devil of the Administration Bureau"

2007-07-08, 09:43	Link #466
TraN Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia, Western Australia, Perth Age: 30	I liked the ending... Maybe because i liked Nishino and hated Aya...I don't think the manga could of had a better ending, hehe.

2007-08-16, 23:56	Link #467
jofosho999 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007	it seemed like nishino was going to win due to the time manaka and her spent from volume 12 up. i blame the author for not giving manaka and toujo more time together since amachi and kozue were taking up all that space. otherwise, this is my fav romance manga and hope they make an alternate ending

2007-08-30, 07:04	Link #475
Mykas Wu Di Jin Gang Tui Join Date: Jan 2007	I was posting about this manga on another forum and decided to bring what I said to this discussion since I have been working on this whole why does the ending suck theory for a while. I have recently been thinking about the end of this manga and why the ending is so reviled by everyone (except the nishino fanboys) there are a few theories. 1) (and this is one of mine) That people are disapointed because thier expectations were led twards aya if she had been chosen the people who didn't like her and prefered another girl could have accepted it because they expected it. nishino on the other hand was a great surprise to many. most people would have been ok with "thier" girl winning ( i am a satsuki fan) but couldn't accept someone besides thier girl or aya winning. 2) the manga was poorly constructed in its base, it meanders about repeating themes and when the ending comes it pops up suddenly and without any explanation. 3) (my new theory)there was no real confession scene with a decision time included, the orriginal confession to nishino is pathetic and in the first volume so it doesn't count. I am talking about a confession at or near the end of the manga where the guy who has held back his feelings finally lets it all out like the fans have been screaming at him to do for many volumes. In ichigo 100% we are essentially cheated of this experience and instead we just have the female confessions which are pretty typical stuff from this sort of manga. Harem manga is pretty formulaic and I have come to believe when an element of the formula is missing people find something dissapointing but they aren't sure what it is. I am not saying these theories are mutually exclusive simply that they all exist, i am sure there are more out there as well. __________________ Proud memeber of the Ying Mu Jun Tuan

2007-09-01, 20:53	Link #476
Aznbanana Member Join Date: May 2006	Well.. just finished reading it and honestly, i hope there is some kind of continuation to this because it just felt like it didn't end properly with the loose ends on some of the characters. I sorta felt dissapointed at the timeskip before Tsukasa left because the author could've used that time to solidify the relationship between Manaka and Tsukasa without any interference. I was pretty dissapointed at how Manaka chose Nishino jsut because of a dumb misunderstanding. I mean, he didn't CHOOSE CHOOSE, he just eliminated the choice because of a misunderstanding. I'm honestly a Nishino fan because her personality was fun and she can cook Anyways, the ending just came way to suddenly and it lacked the build up a good ending should have. But this was an interesting nonetheless since he didn't take the most obvious female lead but the one who took advantage of her opportunites even though im not endorsing her choice lol.

2007-09-01, 22:09	Link #477
gnajub Banned Join Date: Apr 2007	about the toujou ending.. is it like a doujin or something like a fan-made video? i would like to see it my self but it seems that the user is out of bandwith.. argh.. any rapidshare links or something?

2007-10-06, 16:34	Link #479
smudboy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007	Just finished Ichigo 100%. My thoughts. Ichigo 100%. What a beautiful story. I just finished the manga today. Here are my thoughts: Spoiler for Ichigo 100%: The immaturity and indecisiveness of the hero and heroine, the breakups with the hero’s "girlfriend", the failed attempts of affection from a somewhat perfect rival (Satsuki), with an (alibi) long story, repetitive themes (Kozue being an offshoot of Aya, Chinami of Nishino), and of course the traditional wacky contrived situations, made for an otherwise wonderful, romantic story. This is perhaps one of the more contemporary harem romances, and such, has more impact than others. The plot with Ichigo 100% reminded me of Nodame Cantabile, where the protagonist (Shinichi Chiaki) is a talented musical perfectionist, while striving to become a conductor of an orchestra while fighting his internal and external issues, he (reluctantly and unknowingly) falls for the heroine (Megumi Noda), who is quite his opposite, merely because she has a talent and an innocent joy in playing the piano (music is emotional, boom.) There are references to him only loving music, and as such being impressed by that one aspect from another, would cause him to notice Noda (and it was stated that of his previous girlfriend, he admired because of her singing talents.) Their dreams don’t exactly match up, but due to lack of rivalry (or Chiaki’s lack of interest in women and love of music), they end up together. Both stories involve following ones dreams and creating beautiful memories along the way. With this in mind, for Ishigo 100% I was imagining the classic idealistic reality, the two people sharing their ideas and dreams, and living their life together. Near the end, the story was gearing Aya to finally confess her feelings, for Manaka to finally express himself properly to her, and for the two to continue their dream of making stories for books and film. But lo! Things don't turn out the way we expected, and that is what makes it sad and beautiful. Though the sudden, more contemporary and realistic scenes seem out of place, it is a nice form of resolution. Half way, I was completely expecting the triangle between Satsuki, Aya and Manaka to close, but it got extended to Nishino again (could’ve sworn she broke up with him. Girls these days!) There are a few things I felt were left out and important: 1) Manaka telling Aya about the confession back in chapter one, about him stupidly mistaking Nishino for her, as opposed to his own introspection when given multiple opportunities (and nothing finalized or closed) to express himself, instead of constantly wondering about her opinion of him. Though he’s finally answered his intention towards the girls and his life (obviously in not the clearest of ways), his emotions and past which seemed vital throughout the years are suddenly not “Oh yeah, I actually meant to ask you out years ago instead of Nishino, originally. Whoops.” 2) also, “Hey, here’s your bra back.” 3) The four year epilogue time period to explain, (well, lots of things, but mostly) Amachi and Satsuki’s resolved motives and happenings (or lack of development) on the hero and heroine (it seems they just gave up, despite constantly picking themselves up before). 4) Maturity. From just about everyone (about everything Manaka & Aya do, especially about their dreams, Satsuki not “completely following through” with her advances despite multiple attempts, the ambiguity of the Manaka/Nishino relationship). Of course, these are teenagers, so immaturity is abundant. But the central goal, or theme of the story, of having an ideal and to share ones’ dream, was suddenly brought to light in the last chapter; that final resolution of growing up and need to move on. Throughout the years, Aya stating she’ll make movies with Manaka and attend the same schools (but only if they’re a couple? No, she's too shy, so clearly not. Any other planning? No.), Manaka just doing what he can in his normal innocent way, and he getting caught up in his moment of weakness with Nishino and misunderstanding of Aya’s “boyfriend”, seemed a poor, misconstrued answer to the following of his and Aya’s dream, and especially his feelings for both girls. (“Oh she has a boyfriend. I guess I’ll do something else.”) The final goodbye from Aya expressing her ability to move on and write for herself was a healthy realization on her part, and though late in coming, became the painful reality Manaka had to accept, by letting her go. I am a bit confused as to why he let her go, but we must assume it is because of his realization of his intentions with Nishino. Although I was expecting a confession out of Manaka to Aya, (and forgive my observations if they’re wrong, as that’s what the long, entire story seemed to be about), it was his lack of maturity (or perhaps his resolution towards the girls), that kept him quiet; that to realize that his dream to become a filmmaker, to be actualized like Aya and Nishino, was what he must strive for, as his own growth was (at the time) seemingly stagnant. Though the epilogue and last few pages was not unexpected, and appear rushed to many, it seemed to fit the rest of the story: Manaka still wants to go out with Nishino, Aya (and co.) still want to make movies with Manaka, Sotomura has his production company, and Satsuki, well, really hasn’t changed. Though the situational issues between them in the past are somewhat resolved (or forgotten), they’re all pretty much (going to be) the same as they were during the school years. Although we’ll never see a sequel, I feel only through popularity and hopefully some proper character development would it have the ability to become one. Yes, seeing a bunch of emotionally mature Ichigo 100% characters would be nice this time round. Can't have romance without adults. Oh, and to clarify, I clearly do feel cheated and pained at the improper communication between Aya and Manaka. But, perhaps that was the writer's intention? Last edited by smudboy; 2007-10-07 at 08:13.

2007-10-06, 22:18	Link #480
smudboy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007	I must say, I really liked the insight Mughi and Pengu had about this series with all your details. Great analysis guys! I've been randomly reading the last chapter, and I still feel there's a lot left unsaid between these characters.