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Japanese title
MARS
Manga-ka/Author
惣領冬実 Fuyumi Soryo
Genre
drama, romance, shoujo
Volumes: 15
Distributor: Tokyopop
Classification: 15
Originally serialised in
別冊フレンド
Bessatsu Friend
Rating
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Mars is the story of Kira Aso and Rei Kashino - two very different people
who are drawn to each other despite their immense differences. Kira is a shy,
introverted artist with a dislike of socialising, and Rei is a delinquent
troublemaker who only cares about riding his motorcycle and hitting on girls for
fun.
So it is much to Kira's alarm when Rei asks her for directions in a park while
she was sketching. She draws him a map and runs away. However, after discovering
Kira's sketch of a mother and child on the back of the map, Rei decides to talk
to the introverted Kira the next day in class... and an unlikely friendship
begins.
Kira's drawing touched Rei, who is firstly an orphan, and secondly has never had
any artistic talent of his own. He is so overjoyed when Kira not only lets him
keep her drawing but promises to give him the finished oil painting, that he
offers to do the only thing he can for her in return - protect her. In an
uncharacteristic burst of bravery, Kira also asks him to model for her, and
stunned, he agrees. Not long passes before their friendship begins to develop at
some speed, and attracts the jealous attentions of several others at their
school; notably, Rei's friend Tatsuya (who has had a crush on Kira since they
were in junior school) and Harumi, a classmate who has eyes only for Rei... and
anything, or anyone, who gets in the way.
Flamboyant Rei lives life on the edge, and has no inhibitions regarding girls;
but something about timid Kira begins to change him, and in turn, Kira begins to
warm to him and become braver and more outspoken. It's then not surprising that
their friendship soon begins to develop into romance, despite the best efforts
of those around them. However, there are shadows in both Kira and Rei's pasts
which linger on the horizon. Will their romance end in tears? And will Kira
manage to persuade Rei that there are things worth living for?
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Mars is a
mature and intelligent take on the classic Romeo and Juliet love story.
Kira and Rei's lives are fraught with problems, painful memories and threats to
both their lives, but both remain true to the deepest feelings in their hearts.
Thus as you can guess, while Mars is in places extremely harrowing and
sobering, it is also a very touching story.
Some of the subject matter is rather inappropriate for younger teens; but that
said, everything in this series is handled with a great deal of dignity and
sympathetic thought. An antidote to some of the frothier romance manga out there,
and more importantly, a series which will make you smile, think and hurt alongside
the characters.
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Manga
Mars is
another of Tokyopop's releases, and was finished some years ago. It's another of
the less wildly popular series out there, but should be found in larger
bookshops and manga specialists. There is also a related single manga volume,
Mars Gaiden, which focuses on Rei and Tatsuya's friendship before the events
of Mars as well as non-related stories by the same author.
Anime
There is no Mars
anime; however, in 2004, a live-action adaptation of the story was created in
Taiwan, in which the lead characters Rei and Kira are known respectively as Ling
and Qi Lou.
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