Young Love? Really?

In "Suzuka", a romance coming-of-age story by Kouji Seo, young high-schooler Yamato moves to Tokyo to gain independence, moving into his aunt's so that he can attend a prestigious Tokyo high-school.

On his first day of living in Tokyo, he stops by the school and sees a girl practicing the high jump in the gym. Transfixed, he thinks about her constantly. When he discovers that his aunt's place is actually a girl's bath-house and dorm, he is astonished (and inevitably chuffed) to find that the girl, Suzuka, is his neighbor!

Unfortunately, our Yamato is hardly the ideal man for serious, pressured Suzuka, whose life revolves around excelling at the high jump and beating her personal record. She was scouted for the prestigious sports school, and Yamato took the exam several times before gaining his own place.

The best way to describe this manga series is probably every teenage boy's wildest dream combined with his most humiliating nightmare; Yamato might well be surrounded by beautiful college girls, as well as living next door to the girl he likes, but he has to work hard to earn his board, and said girl has nothing but insults for her admirer.

When Yamato stumbles into the Track and Field sports team alongside Suzuka, his flippant attitude can only push him lower in her regard!

Artwork-wise, Seo delivers with beautifully detailed cells, and a real flair for romance. As a girl though, I find it a little awkward when there's the occasional flash of underwear, but it's not as often as in some worse mangas so I can't complain... although the detail does extend to Seo's designs of underwear...

Actually though, the character's are really engaging, and the development of the relationship between the besotted Yamato and stubborn Suzuka is completely believable. There's also some really interesting insights into how the Japanese view relationships, and their attitudes towards superstition and education.

I also have to say that I've read the entire series twice. It's hard to describe how Suzuka manages to draw me back in, but I can honestly say that this heartbreakingly honest depiction of two young people in love is absolutely (particularly towards the end) involving. The end is completely unprecedented (even with me saying that you'll never guess it) and the trials that the two experience alongside their friends and colleagues is really realistic.

This story doesn't glamorize anything about young life in Japan; the two experience some moments that are absolutely beautiful, but the majority is plagued by misunderstandings and their own inability to communicate honestly.

Truthfully,it's the first time a manga has been so honest, but uplifting. I recommend it to anyone who wants a manga series that can be reread over and over, and not get old. It's not a fantasy, and no one has any exceptional circumstances, but the two experience everyday hardships and push themselves in both life and sport until the end.

Btw the end is nice, but not totally happy. There are dreams that are put aside, and regrets experienced, but this series is about being able to make do, and enjoy what you have.

Which is really refreshing.