Mars, Tome 9

Mars [マース] #9

by Fuyumi Soryo

A bad boy can change a good girl forever. Rei is the school delinquent. Kira is shy and studious. What they see in each other is a mystery to their friends. What they find in each other is a miracle to themselves. With a style that is artistic and chic, this tale of restless and confused high school love will appeal to young women everywhere.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Comics, Fiction, Young Adult

168 pages, Poche

First published January 12, 1999

About the author

Fuyumi Soryo (惣領冬実) is a Japanese manga artist from Beppu, Oita, Japan. She is a graduate of the Oita prefectural Geijutsu Midorigaoka High School.

She was born into the home of a master of the Kanze school of Noh. In her childhood she liked to draw pictures of horses and things but had no special interest in manga. While enrolled in fashion college, she happened across Shogakukan's Rookie of the Year Contest and applied to raise money for the Sōen fashion contest. There she received an honorable mention, and debuted with "Sunspot Visitor" (Hidamari no hōmonsha) published in the April 1982 edition of Bessatsu Shōjo Comic (now Bestucomi).

Her works translated abroad include Mars and Eternal Sabbath. In 1988, she was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo manga for Boyfriend. Currently her last manga series is Cesare which centers around the infamous Borgia family of the Italian Renaissance and Cesare Borgia himself.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kiras mom is a shitty ass excuse for a mother. In fact, I don't consider her a mother at all. Sure don't protect your daughter, you cow.

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My head is throbbing so bad

I didn't even know that I've been holding my breath. This was so intense, drowning kind of intense, I thought I'd never be able to break the surface of the water and breathe. Also, the lines of her mother, is she for real?! It was so infuriating! How could she be like that? But I'm happy that Kira finally decided to break away, although the events leading to it is very depressing and disturbing. You can definitely see Masao's influence carved in her words and her eyes. The real face of misery. Leaving that house and that kind of presence is for her own good. Hoping it stays like this though (hope is free, anyway.) But Rei is right, this turning point will come back to bite his ass in the next volume since Kira's stepfather is a "respective" personality and his bad reputation can't top that. Such prejudice. Just how cruel can life be?

[☾❀Apple✩ Blossom⋆｡˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this supposed to be a good outcome or...?

[dania · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 for attempted murder but also -1 for everyone being officially mentally ill, for rei being thirsty even in these circumstances and kira for being an absolute idiot but i suppose i get it.... why seek therapy when you can date?

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings for Discussion on Past Abuse.

Rei is so over Kira at this point and it was really sad. It was also sad to see his destructive behavior in retaliation to the break up he initiated. However, Rei walking away is just the motivation Kira needs to do the right thing and stand up for herself...although she goes a little overboard. Also, Rei's stepmother pops in for a rather confusing scene but I'm hoping there's gonna be some payoff now that Kira's stepdad plot seems to have found its conclusion. I was, however, a little grossed out that Rei told Kira he wanted to sleep with her while she was literally having a panic attack over her PTSD and attack. Like, not the time Rei. You "being a guy" is a disgusting rationale for all this.

I probably would have obsessed over this series if I'd had gotten my hands on it as a teen. As an adult, I'm still having fun with the drama and silliness of how dramatic these 15-17 year olds are...but overall I just think the series is ok.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/1L5Z0wV0UwQ

The ending of this volume was a little too dramatic for me and confess that it sort of silted my enjoyment of the volume overall.

I think this was the fastest volume I've read so far though! I think its simply because so much felt at stake emotionally? It was hard to stop reading, especially seeing Rei and Kira break up! That was extremely shocking and think I WAS in shock for majority of this volume! LOL!

However, I think the decisions they made at their ages isn't inaccurate. As much as I didn't like all that Kira said at the end, I felt her desperation and given what happened prior to that, I can't say high school me wouldn't have reacted the same way (at least to a degree because one thing she said I just don't think I would ever say).

I will say that the mangaka can tell such an incredible story! Due to what Masao said to Kira before, I was extremely leery of her stepfather. However, it seems that he DID change? I feel Kira was in the right about living in reality. No matter how much her mom would want things to go back to the peaceful days, there is simply no turning back for Kira. I admire her courage in facing forward.

I can't believe I'm halfway through this series! I do believe volume 10 is the last volume I read in high school and remember being desperate to see how Rei and Kira's story unfolds. Thankful for the opportunity to do so now!

[Carissa (Regency Woman) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am literally hiding this entire review for spoilers because I can't not rant about a few things.

Vol 9 is interesting because some very clear lines are finally drawn. We know that Kira is darker than the readers give her credit for, but she also finally stands up to her abuser. Albeit not in the most helpful of ways (you don't really want to risk arrest) but still. She's stronger in Vol 9 than she was ever was in Vol 1 so we have seen a clear progression.

Kira's mother is one of the worst mothers in the history of Asian entertainment. And I say that having seen a lot of truly toxic, manipulative nasty mothers. Kira's mother takes the cake not because she's mean-spirited and cruel but because she's passive. And stupid. What type of loving mother allows her daughter's rapist back INTO THE HOUSE? As if nothing happened and nothing will happen again? I'm sorry, but I'm with Rei on this one, once a rapist, always a rapist. And Kira's fear clearly proves that deep down, she's thinking the same thing.

Now, one thing I won't support is the end of this volume. Kids, don't do this. Do not tell your bf/gf that you don't care if they hurt you or even if they kill you because it's them doing it and you love them so much. Just, please don't. This is where the manga waxes seriously melodramatic and reminds me once again that it has all the 1990s angst of teenage love and insanity.

That aside, this is still one of my favorite volumes, but I feel like I say that every time. Must be that I just love the series as a whole. Yep, that's it.

Vol 10 is next.

[Kinsey Breland .: avid_midnight_reader :. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand Rei being upset and scared over the fact that Kira’s abusive stepfather was moving back in with her and her mom, but I don’t think that’s an excuse to break up with her. If anything, he really needed to stay by her side now more than ever. Rei is someone that Kira trusts. If things started to get bad again behind closed doors, Rei would be a safe place she could run too. And the fact that Rei jumped right back into his player ways after ending things Kira was disappointing to see. I’m glad they made up right before something did happen at Kira’s house.

The things that Kira was saying to Rei at the end of this one makes me worried. Things like “I don’t care if you hurt me. You can do anything,” and “As long as you’re the one doing it, I wouldn’t even mind being killed”. I really hope Rei didn’t sleep with her that night. Kira was clearly really shaken up by what had just happened with her stepfather and was probably going through PTSD like side effects.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Kira... I feel bad for her and her mom both here. I do like that she ended up doing what was best for her, but it's goanna bite her I am sure.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY. HEART. CAN’T. HANDLE. THIS.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more like a 3.5 stars for me. While I still hate that Kira's stepfather is in the picture, I'm glad Kira finally stood up for herself. I don't like that Rei wanted to just give up because Kira was traumatized though. To me, that is just really bad weakness for him in my eyes.

[hua · Rating 2 out of 5]

tw viol

je lis au taff donc je suis pas hyper concentrée mais juste horrible comment toute l'histoire du viol est traitée je déteste et j'arrive pas à savoir ce que je pense que Kira qui go insane à la fin

[Shannon Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not that I forget how poignant and brilliant this series is, because I most certainly don't. it's just that I'm amazed by it all over again every time I re-read it. From the quality of the art, the incredible detailing in every scene, even the backgrounds and scenery, tot he particular way Soryo draws realistic anatomy, to how much I personally love her art style. And beyond that, the story is so touching, a perfect blend between romance, but that tackles real-world heavy subjects, teen angst, paired with significant legitimate drama, and a moving story that brings up all kinds of topics and explores things like forgiveness, betrayal, the very essence of humanity, and how love can truly change a person for better or worse. Everything about this series is brilliant.

And this volume in particular is great. (Who am I kidding, I love the all). This one though, starts out with a very touching moment/scene between Rei and Kira, which is possibly one of my favourite scenes in this whole series, because it's just so poignant and sweet (and the shipper in me is giddy for them. Not to mention, from a technical standpoint, it's all beautifully drawn. In general though, this is another excellent volume in an excellent series. This particular volume sees their relationship deepening, and Kira going out into the world and starting to come into her own around the rest of society (not just around her friends).

I'm always happy to revisit this series, and I have a feeling it will remain one of my favourite manga series, for teh rest of my life, and just generally one of my favourite love stories overall. And beyond that, I'm adding to this book (even as a re-read) to my reading challenge. Though I generally don't count single manga (because I feel like they unfairly inflate the reading challenge), in this case, I'm counting this one, and will be counting one of the last volumes too, as I've re-read the entire 15 part series, so I feel like counting 2 of them is fair for the whole thing.

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kira dan Rei putus karena Rei marah Kira terima-terima saja serumah kembali bersama ayah tirinya yang sudah memperkosanya. Setelah itu seperti tidak terjadi apa-apa, dengan enteng Rei berkencan lagi dengan gadis-gadis lain.

Harumi memarahi Kira. Mengatakan bahwa Kira seharusnya memperjuangkan Rei jika dia benar-benar mencintai lelaki itu, bahkan jika itu membuatnya terlihat menyedihkan.

Pada akhirnya Rei dan Kira akhirnya jadian lagi. Tapi ayah tiri Kira tak menyukai hal itu. Dia berusaha melecehkan Kira lagi sehingga gadis itu menghantamnya dengan jam beker sampai gegar otak. Ibu Kira tetap berpihak pada sang ayah tiri. Kira pun memutuskan untuk keluar dari rumah dan tinggal di flat Rei.

[Cath T · Rating 1 out of 5]

My least favorite so far. Every decision made by either of them annoyed so me to no end. I understood both sides during the argument, but everything lead up to nothing in the end! HE GETS WHAT HE WANTS EVERY TIME.

Rei demands. Kira asks for sympathy. He pulls away. She chases him and gives him what HE wants. The cycle continues.

She’s so insanely dependent on him, it’s so unhealthy and I hope it’s addressed as such later. Rei is such an idiot and acts on impulse. There’s only so much I can chalk to them being young and traumatized, they’re just idiots. I want them to break up already and save me from this torment.

[wholesome bat · Rating 2 out of 5]

fuck rei. he guild trips, victim blames, and is manipulative . also, you can’t spend the night with your girlfriend who is fleeing a dangerous living environment because you can’t help but want to have sex with her?? You can’t keep it in your pants any longer?? Oh, and your boyfriend leaves you and starts showing his true colors, but YOU should feel bad and YOU should have to cry and apologize and do things that make you feel bad/unsafe to keep him around. THIS SERIES IS GETTING GROSS AND IM SO SAD

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

These kids need real therapy! We get a break up where he acts like a man whore and she waits for him outside like a desperate chick which I get too honestly. He is the first man that she has had feelings for that seems to respect her to a certain degree. She is scared by her step dad and runs to him and he is like I am horny.... and she is all if its you I am fine. 90s manga was so wild sometimes. I like her friends still but goodness gracious healthy they may have the only healthy relationship.

Her mom was garbage in the last volume. She is even worse garbage in this volume.

[Mada · Rating 1 out of 5]

wow kochalam te serie ale nastepne tomy bede przegladala tylko z ciekawosci bo to co sie dzieje poczawszy od osmego to jakis zart, rei jest napisany tak okropnie ze to nie do uwierzenia, czuje dyskomfort na sama mysl i mam cicha nadzieje ze te chore rzeczy ktore powiedzial na sam koniec maja jakies drugie dno, moze podejrzewa sam siebie z powodow autodestrukcyjnych a nie realnych zamiarow? naprawde nie wiem, nie podoba mi sie to

[Smutnerdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I swear the mom is trash, so worried about her own comfort that it's nearly been a week of living with the step-dad and he's already doing things that he shouldn't and she's willing to overlook it and accept excuses and apologies. At this point I'm rage reading to get past this area cause I wanna throat punch the mom, she all about just wanting the comforts and simple life back not worried about her daughter at all.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kira has to move back in with her stepfather when her mom decides to give it one more try. Rei says he cant be with her anymore, so Kira loses the protection she thought she had & the love she so wanted.

What happens when Kira waits till late at night for Rei to return home? What happens when her stepfather find out about Rei?

[d★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5] por un momento me asusté cuando rei termina con kira, pero al final todo se resuelve; y la madre de kira no tiene justificación alguna, es la peor…

y como leí en otra review, siento que esto describe la situación actual de rei y kira: ¿por qué ir a terapia cuando simplemente pueden hacerse novios?

[Vex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why does Rei have to be so problematic at a time like this??? I get that Rei and Kira are traumatized af but seriously wtf is going on at this point?

I remember what being a traumatized teenager was like though and this was unfortunately relatable.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Por un segundo pensé que todo se tornaría más turbio con Rika asesinando y Rei ayudándola a incubrir lo sucedido. Siento que eso hubiese sido un curso bastante natural para la historia con todo lo que los personajes han ido viviendo y desarrollando.

[Jesica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya sabia yo que Rei no era el unico que tenia un lado temible oculto..."
Makio me sorprendiste--! :O

[Vera Neves (Sinfonia dos Livros) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwww... finalmente algum avanço a sério!

[scarlettraces · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gets real.

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread - Another great volume! If only the other past plot points were left out, this story could have been a lot more succinct and an overall better read so far

[IneloquentAF · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Hana Arika (tiq4far TikTok ft gram) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmmmm I've said the volume before they will get back together. Warning: The last of this volume is very spicy 🥵🥵🥵

[Brianna Jo♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm out of words.