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裸足でバラを踏め [Hadashi de Bara wo Fume] #9
裸足でバラを踏め 9
蒼一郎のために動き始めた純。蒼一郎も予想外のチャンスに恵まれ、事態は好転するかと思われたが…望が2人の前に立ちはだかる!! 愛と金に翻弄され続けた純が、最後に手に入れるのは!? 大河ラブ・ロマンスついに完結!!
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
15 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Rinko Ueda
89 books188 followersJapanese name: 上田倫子
She is a Japanese manga artist who does mainly shojo manga. Her works are primarily serialized in Margaret magazine, with series published in collected volumes by Shueisha, though she has also been featured in fellow Shueisha publication Ribon, as well as illustrating the novel adaptation of her own Stepping on Roses series in Cobalt.
She is a Japanese manga artist who does mainly shojo manga. Her works are primarily serialized in Margaret magazine, with series published in collected volumes by Shueisha, though she has also been featured in fellow Shueisha publication Ribon, as well as illustrating the novel adaptation of her own Stepping on Roses series in Cobalt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 19, 2015
The final volume - this is a fairly short series compared to some. It's a fairly typical Shojo, with a girl (and/or her family) falling on hard times, until the 'hero' comes in with an offer to rescue her... just so long as she agrees to marry him in exchange.
This volume, however, takes things from a cute, if fairly typical manga to a soap opera that would give any of those on TV a run for their money. Sumi's attempts at putting off Nozumo fail as he loses more and more of his sanity in his obsession with her. Things come to a head as long-buried mysteries are solved, and unknown relationships are revealed, and the true depth of Nozumo's madness is revealed.
~*~*~*~*~*~
As a whole, while it isn't one of my top favourite manga series, I did find it quite entertaining (despite the maximum-drama in this volume). I liked Sumi well enough, though the lack of common sense in the last volume was a bit irritating - . The rest of the characters were likeable enough as well, despite their own flaws.
The plot is fairly straight-forward with this one, and the 'big reveal' is hinted at volumes ago so it's not really a surprise to anyone. The only shock is just how deep Nozomu's psychosis and obsession run, and the lengths he'll go to in his depravity.
One thing I really like about this series is, again, the art. I am a sucker for art, and if it's pretty enough you'll get bonus points no matter how boring the writing is. I've seen a few volumes of Tail of the Moon, which is apparently another manga by this author, and she's outdone herself here. I love the outfits she comes up with for Sumi as well.
If you have time and just want a quick romance to read, I'd say go ahead and pick this up. Just don't expect something extraordinary.
BTW, does anyone know anything about the one-shot she mentions in here? Just before the final chapter? It's called Hoiku-Men!" (Childcare Man), and is about a business man who is forced to temporarily take over his grandmother's day-care(?). It sounds like it'd be funny - is it on Mangafox or anywhere?
This volume, however, takes things from a cute, if fairly typical manga to a soap opera that would give any of those on TV a run for their money. Sumi's attempts at putting off Nozumo fail as he loses more and more of his sanity in his obsession with her. Things come to a head as long-buried mysteries are solved, and unknown relationships are revealed, and the true depth of Nozumo's madness is revealed.
~*~*~*~*~*~
As a whole, while it isn't one of my top favourite manga series, I did find it quite entertaining (despite the maximum-drama in this volume). I liked Sumi well enough, though the lack of common sense in the last volume was a bit irritating - . The rest of the characters were likeable enough as well, despite their own flaws.
The plot is fairly straight-forward with this one, and the 'big reveal' is hinted at volumes ago so it's not really a surprise to anyone. The only shock is just how deep Nozomu's psychosis and obsession run, and the lengths he'll go to in his depravity.
One thing I really like about this series is, again, the art. I am a sucker for art, and if it's pretty enough you'll get bonus points no matter how boring the writing is. I've seen a few volumes of Tail of the Moon, which is apparently another manga by this author, and she's outdone herself here. I love the outfits she comes up with for Sumi as well.
If you have time and just want a quick romance to read, I'd say go ahead and pick this up. Just don't expect something extraordinary.
BTW, does anyone know anything about the one-shot she mentions in here? Just before the final chapter? It's called Hoiku-Men!" (Childcare Man), and is about a business man who is forced to temporarily take over his grandmother's day-care(?). It sounds like it'd be funny - is it on Mangafox or anywhere?
January 14, 2013
Although I can tell right away that the plot is serious, reading Hadashi de Bara o Fume at first was amusing. It truly made me laugh a lot at first. However, as the story moves on, it felt to me like Mara Clara 3 was unfolding right in front of my eyes.
Pretty girl 1 has three younger siblings and an older brother—they are currently in dire straits. With no money for rent, much less medicine for her younger brother Tomi who was sick, she wanders off the street and was noticed by pretty boy 1. Pretty boy 1—who was with pretty boy 2 at the time—handed him a handkerchief with money in it and she instantly fell in love with him.
Because they were really penniless, pretty girl 1 tries to sell herself on the streets and was bought by pretty boy 2. Pretty boy 2 married pretty girl 1 so he could secure his position in their family business as well as his inheritance.
It turned out that pretty boy 1 and pretty boy 2 were best friends, the latter fell in love with pretty girl 1 but because she’s already married, even though it’s only for convenience, refuses pretty boy 1. Infuriated, pretty boy 1 marries pretty girl 2.
Pretty girl 2 became best friends with pretty girl 1 while pretty boy 1 plotted to overthrow pretty boy 2 from his own company. Once he succeeded, pretty boy 1 separated from pretty girl 2 and seeks divorce while announcing to the entire business community that pretty girl 1 is already her fiancée.
Pretty boy 2, on the other hand, penniless, did manual labor alongside pretty girl 1’s older brother and served as part-time translator to an English businessman in order to feed pretty girl 1‘s three younger siblings. All the while, pretty girl 1 was on pretty boy 1’s side, the former trying to overthrow the latter for pretty boy 2 this time around.
Somehow, pretty boy 1, pretty boy 2, and pretty girl 1 crossed paths [this is after pretty girl 1’s and pretty girl 2’s confrontation where pretty girl 1 was asked to jump off a cliff and down to the raging, cold water below].
Anyway, enraged, pretty boy 1 scares off pretty boy 2 by aiming his riffle at him [and actually fires in his direction] while they were all hunting. After the hunting, pretty boy 1 becomes even more adamant in marrying pretty girl 1 so he organized the wedding but first he fired pretty boy 3 [who happens to be pretty boy 2’s former butler whom pretty boy 1 hired when the latter resigned from pretty boy 2's services].
Right before the wedding, pretty boy 1’s father appeared [complete with a cross pendant that was apparently a pair with that of pretty boy 1’s] with pretty girl 1’s brother—who turned out to be not her real brother after all—both telling them that there shouldn’t be a wedding because the two are blood-related siblings.
Pretty boy 1 insists and brings pretty girl 1 to the church but right before the pair would kiss, pretty boy 2 appears and drags her out of the church while the rest of the family reveals the truth.
Pretty girl 2 consoles pretty boy 1 and after sometime, everyone was revealed to be living happily even the scheming cousin. Pretty boy 2 was rich again and he had rehired his butler.
This seemed a lot like a Pinoy telenovela to me. Even though it was predictable, I liked it and it worked for me somehow in spite of its rich man—turned poor—turned rich again formula simply because some of its parts made me laugh. Ah, and because I really love the art, too! ^_^
Pretty girl 1 has three younger siblings and an older brother—they are currently in dire straits. With no money for rent, much less medicine for her younger brother Tomi who was sick, she wanders off the street and was noticed by pretty boy 1. Pretty boy 1—who was with pretty boy 2 at the time—handed him a handkerchief with money in it and she instantly fell in love with him.
Because they were really penniless, pretty girl 1 tries to sell herself on the streets and was bought by pretty boy 2. Pretty boy 2 married pretty girl 1 so he could secure his position in their family business as well as his inheritance.
It turned out that pretty boy 1 and pretty boy 2 were best friends, the latter fell in love with pretty girl 1 but because she’s already married, even though it’s only for convenience, refuses pretty boy 1. Infuriated, pretty boy 1 marries pretty girl 2.
Pretty girl 2 became best friends with pretty girl 1 while pretty boy 1 plotted to overthrow pretty boy 2 from his own company. Once he succeeded, pretty boy 1 separated from pretty girl 2 and seeks divorce while announcing to the entire business community that pretty girl 1 is already her fiancée.
Pretty boy 2, on the other hand, penniless, did manual labor alongside pretty girl 1’s older brother and served as part-time translator to an English businessman in order to feed pretty girl 1‘s three younger siblings. All the while, pretty girl 1 was on pretty boy 1’s side, the former trying to overthrow the latter for pretty boy 2 this time around.
Somehow, pretty boy 1, pretty boy 2, and pretty girl 1 crossed paths [this is after pretty girl 1’s and pretty girl 2’s confrontation where pretty girl 1 was asked to jump off a cliff and down to the raging, cold water below].
Anyway, enraged, pretty boy 1 scares off pretty boy 2 by aiming his riffle at him [and actually fires in his direction] while they were all hunting. After the hunting, pretty boy 1 becomes even more adamant in marrying pretty girl 1 so he organized the wedding but first he fired pretty boy 3 [who happens to be pretty boy 2’s former butler whom pretty boy 1 hired when the latter resigned from pretty boy 2's services].
Right before the wedding, pretty boy 1’s father appeared [complete with a cross pendant that was apparently a pair with that of pretty boy 1’s] with pretty girl 1’s brother—who turned out to be not her real brother after all—both telling them that there shouldn’t be a wedding because the two are blood-related siblings.
Pretty boy 1 insists and brings pretty girl 1 to the church but right before the pair would kiss, pretty boy 2 appears and drags her out of the church while the rest of the family reveals the truth.
Pretty girl 2 consoles pretty boy 1 and after sometime, everyone was revealed to be living happily even the scheming cousin. Pretty boy 2 was rich again and he had rehired his butler.
This seemed a lot like a Pinoy telenovela to me. Even though it was predictable, I liked it and it worked for me somehow in spite of its rich man—turned poor—turned rich again formula simply because some of its parts made me laugh. Ah, and because I really love the art, too! ^_^
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2021
2 stars *may change
WHY did the insane, kidnapper sexual assaulter get a happy ending???????,,,,???????
WHY did the insane, kidnapper sexual assaulter get a happy ending???????,,,,???????
December 23, 2014
I got disappointed to this last volume. I think the story has so much potential but the mangaka suddenly dumped all these cliché things out of nowhere ´д`;
Eeeeeeeeeew wtf! how did this turn out to be a fucked up story?!
It all went well after but I didn't really like it. I think the mangaka clinched the story. (￣ー￣ )
I still like the illustration.
Sumi was hard as rock then and now she became a damsel in distress. The story became weird(er) with Nozomu.
The climax was abrupt and so was the ending!
March 8, 2014
This is where the story ends and keeps from becoming a 5 star series. Like some other manga series this story suffered from a rushed ending. I almost wonder if what happens is the author is told suddenly that "this is the last volume" and they have more story still to tell, and had thought they had several volumes to do it. This story arc at the end just felt way too fast, and we the character development came too swiftly. I almost gave this 3 stars it annoyed me so much, but I had enough love for the series that I'll still give it a 4.
April 8, 2014
Synopsis:
Poor Sumi Kitamura... Her irresponsible older brother Eisuke keeps bringing home orphans for her to take care of even though they can barely afford their own basic needs! Just when Sumi's financial problems become dire, wealthy Soichiro Ashida enters her life with a bizarre proposition: he'll provide her with the money she so desperately needs if she agrees to marry him. But can Sumi fool high society into thinking she's a proper lady? Moreover, is it worth giving up everything for this sham of a marriage?
Sumi tries to get Soichiro's company back for him, but she doesn't realize that he's about to embark on a life-changing opportunity. Meanwhile, Nozomu is hellbent on marrying Sumi regardless of any consequences. Can anything stop Nozomu at this point? Or will Sumi and Soichiro find a way to be together?
My Thoughts:
This volume was a rollercoaster. I'm not entirely sure how satisfied I am with the ending because I feel that crazy ass Nozomu didn't get what he deserved. That man should be in jail or a mental institution. Still, it wasn't all bad. The big surprise that gets revealed in this volume I probably should have seen it coming.
Still, I'm glad that both Sumi and Soichirou worked to put in the effort into being together and getting Soichirou's company back.
The series was a hell of a ride and I'll probably read it again someday, but all that Nozomu crazy time can be hard to take after a while.
Poor Sumi Kitamura... Her irresponsible older brother Eisuke keeps bringing home orphans for her to take care of even though they can barely afford their own basic needs! Just when Sumi's financial problems become dire, wealthy Soichiro Ashida enters her life with a bizarre proposition: he'll provide her with the money she so desperately needs if she agrees to marry him. But can Sumi fool high society into thinking she's a proper lady? Moreover, is it worth giving up everything for this sham of a marriage?
Sumi tries to get Soichiro's company back for him, but she doesn't realize that he's about to embark on a life-changing opportunity. Meanwhile, Nozomu is hellbent on marrying Sumi regardless of any consequences. Can anything stop Nozomu at this point? Or will Sumi and Soichiro find a way to be together?
My Thoughts:
This volume was a rollercoaster. I'm not entirely sure how satisfied I am with the ending because I feel that crazy ass Nozomu didn't get what he deserved. That man should be in jail or a mental institution. Still, it wasn't all bad. The big surprise that gets revealed in this volume I probably should have seen it coming.
Still, I'm glad that both Sumi and Soichirou worked to put in the effort into being together and getting Soichirou's company back.
The series was a hell of a ride and I'll probably read it again someday, but all that Nozomu crazy time can be hard to take after a while.
April 11, 2024
This book 2 stars
Overall Series Rating: 3 Stars
I read this series on recommendation. Despite Goodreads constantly putting it forward in my suggestion feed I’ll admit wasn’t all that keen after I read the blurb, but when a fellow blogger put it forward I thought I’d try it.
Overall I did enjoy the series and Stepping On Roses gets bonus points for being unpredictable. I thought the plot would follow a Cinderella set-up (which to some extent it does) and tie up neatly in a happy end, but I wasn’t expecting the manipulating story I got in the first few volumes.
Sumi agrees to marry Soichiro to make sure the children her (useless) brother has been bringing home will be taken care off. She is a pawn in Soichiro’s games and out of her depth with the society she’s suddenly landed in.
Because I liked Sumi and wanted to know the outcome I continued with Stepping On Roses. The whole series is enjoyable. Though personally I thought the story lost a little after a while (maybe if it had been a little tighter / fewer books) and at one point I was thinking “what is wrong with these people?”. The ending twist was very much an eye-roll but on the whole still an ok series.
Overall Series Rating: 3 Stars
I read this series on recommendation. Despite Goodreads constantly putting it forward in my suggestion feed I’ll admit wasn’t all that keen after I read the blurb, but when a fellow blogger put it forward I thought I’d try it.
Overall I did enjoy the series and Stepping On Roses gets bonus points for being unpredictable. I thought the plot would follow a Cinderella set-up (which to some extent it does) and tie up neatly in a happy end, but I wasn’t expecting the manipulating story I got in the first few volumes.
Sumi agrees to marry Soichiro to make sure the children her (useless) brother has been bringing home will be taken care off. She is a pawn in Soichiro’s games and out of her depth with the society she’s suddenly landed in.
Because I liked Sumi and wanted to know the outcome I continued with Stepping On Roses. The whole series is enjoyable. Though personally I thought the story lost a little after a while (maybe if it had been a little tighter / fewer books) and at one point I was thinking “what is wrong with these people?”. The ending twist was very much an eye-roll but on the whole still an ok series.
April 2, 2013
After completing this volume, which is the finale of the series, both my husband and I had the same response: what happened?
In the last volume, Sumi seemed to be taking charge, maybe preparing a coup to overthrow Nozomu and his nefarious schemes. In this volume, she's back to being the damsel in distress, powerless to change her fate to the point where she can't speak, can't take action. She has to rely on outside sources to help her. I get that this is a period piece, and Sumi is playing a role that prevents women from being too assertive, but she's exhibited enough personality and gentle force throughout the series only to waffle at the very end? It's a little disappointing.
I think that the mangaka meant to pull everything together in a wonderful reveal, but it never quite delivered. It all wrapped up too nicely in the end (crazy obsessed people don't change overnight, if ever). My husband mused that perhaps her series got canceled and she had to wrap up sooner than planned? Whatever the reason, I think the story was stronger than how it ended.
In the last volume, Sumi seemed to be taking charge, maybe preparing a coup to overthrow Nozomu and his nefarious schemes. In this volume, she's back to being the damsel in distress, powerless to change her fate to the point where she can't speak, can't take action. She has to rely on outside sources to help her. I get that this is a period piece, and Sumi is playing a role that prevents women from being too assertive, but she's exhibited enough personality and gentle force throughout the series only to waffle at the very end? It's a little disappointing.
I think that the mangaka meant to pull everything together in a wonderful reveal, but it never quite delivered. It all wrapped up too nicely in the end (crazy obsessed people don't change overnight, if ever). My husband mused that perhaps her series got canceled and she had to wrap up sooner than planned? Whatever the reason, I think the story was stronger than how it ended.
September 10, 2014
This series was amazing.
95% of the time I was being seriously freaked out. Like, I'm reading, flip page, and nearly scream when I see what was going on. That happened to be practically every chapter!!! Which made for a very exciting read!
I basically read this entire series in one day. It was just so good. I think that some of the parts were definitely for more mature audiences, but I still loved it. I'm starting to realize that I'll have to deal with some of the parts I don't like to get to the main plot which I do like.
I guess you win some, you lose some. But either way, I loved the plot, the characters(especially Soichiro, I could really sympathize with him), and everything was good! And there was even a happy ending for Nozomu! I really wish that Komai could've ended up with somebody though....
Seriously though, this series was so good that I couldn't stop thinking about it over and over for at least half an hour. It made me feel so happy. I was happy, but my happiness was tinged with sadness that the series had to end :) 1000 stars.
95% of the time I was being seriously freaked out. Like, I'm reading, flip page, and nearly scream when I see what was going on. That happened to be practically every chapter!!! Which made for a very exciting read!
I basically read this entire series in one day. It was just so good. I think that some of the parts were definitely for more mature audiences, but I still loved it. I'm starting to realize that I'll have to deal with some of the parts I don't like to get to the main plot which I do like.
I guess you win some, you lose some. But either way, I loved the plot, the characters(especially Soichiro, I could really sympathize with him), and everything was good! And there was even a happy ending for Nozomu! I really wish that Komai could've ended up with somebody though....
Seriously though, this series was so good that I couldn't stop thinking about it over and over for at least half an hour. It made me feel so happy. I was happy, but my happiness was tinged with sadness that the series had to end :) 1000 stars.
February 14, 2013
Well that was disappointing. :l To think I was actually looking forward to getting to see Sumi get her own this volume. Have all the corporate takeovers! But nope, 'twas but a fleeting dream. More Sumi victimization and Nozomu evilry. (Now with bonus incest!) For reasons I cannot comprehend Rinko Ueda felt the need to give Nozomu a happy ending. -_- Seriously, you didn't let Sumi set him on fire, you didn't let Sumi push him off a cliff, you didn't let Sumi take him down in a hostile corporate takeover and now you want to add insult to injury by giving that abusive controlling rapist a happy ending? NYET. 1.5 stars
February 15, 2018
I'll just put my own thoughts on the final volume. It started well but there were a lot of times... I mean a looooot... when I wanted to bitch slap the heroine. Arrgghh.. And kick the Hero (too - I'm not biased haha). I wanted to throw and smash my tablet but luckily I refrained myself.
There were lots of unresolved issues for me. And I wanted that type of drama on how the Hero would have gotten back his wealth but nadaaaaa... The ending was hurried to be honest. With all my emotions spilled over the cliff, I got a "that's it?" ending.
There were lots of unresolved issues for me. And I wanted that type of drama on how the Hero would have gotten back his wealth but nadaaaaa... The ending was hurried to be honest. With all my emotions spilled over the cliff, I got a "that's it?" ending.
March 29, 2013
I should probably add the other 8 volumes to my Goodreads shelves.. Alas, I don't really know why I continued reading the series. I thought it was okay, thus the 2.5 stars rating, but it didn't captivate me anymore than cheap television does.
My notes contain sentences like "Psycho is back! Marry ALL the sisters!" and that in itself should explain it all, I think.
My notes contain sentences like "Psycho is back! Marry ALL the sisters!" and that in itself should explain it all, I think.
December 28, 2014
There needs to be a show of this
I loved this manga I loved everything about it there was nothing I didn't like there was great tintion in the book and sumi looks like me but with long hair
I loved this manga I loved everything about it there was nothing I didn't like there was great tintion in the book and sumi looks like me but with long hair
October 28, 2012
3.5 stars
After all that waiting, and that's how it ended? Everything was wrapped up way too quickly, with little development. Not gonna lie, I'm kind of disappointed :/
After all that waiting, and that's how it ended? Everything was wrapped up way too quickly, with little development. Not gonna lie, I'm kind of disappointed :/
January 16, 2013
IYYYY!!!!! Gece 3'e kadar okumamın sonucu bu mu olacaktı yahu. O kadar uğraş güzel bir kurgu oluştur. Ama sonunda saçma sapan bir şekilde olayı sonlandır. Bir kardeş çıkmamışlardı yaaa -_-
April 1, 2013
This book deserves negative stars. I wouldn't even wish this book upon my enemies. On a more positive note, this is the last book!
May 12, 2017
Ok this got real weird at the end.
September 6, 2018
This is my review for the entire series, so there will be spoilers. As always, I'm not entirely sure why anyone would want to read the review for the last book in a series if they haven't read the other books, but there you have it! Spoilers to follow.
Concluding, spoiler-free comments: This is a great little series. Fast-paced, very dramatic (but not melodramatic) and well-written, I think this will appeal to both readers of Shojo and Josei, as it has a nice combination of Shojo characters in Josei situations. The romance strikes just the right chord, and all in all, it was a pleasant and warm series. Would highly recommend, and would definitely read again.
Concluding, spoiler-free comments: This is a great little series. Fast-paced, very dramatic (but not melodramatic) and well-written, I think this will appeal to both readers of Shojo and Josei, as it has a nice combination of Shojo characters in Josei situations. The romance strikes just the right chord, and all in all, it was a pleasant and warm series. Would highly recommend, and would definitely read again.
October 16, 2019
Good lord.... I've read a pretty large collection of manga for the past decade, but this one, this one by far is about as Soap Opera as you can possibly get! Stepping on Roses rivals every soap opera, every foreign tv drama, and every Harleyquin romance by its sheer levels of batshit insane plot twists, Drama, tangled romantic triangles, etc. It is trash at the highest level and was entertaining as hell through all its bullshit. Do not read if you can't stand stupidity because this series takes the cake, but it's also like cotton candy: it's a joy to consume even when there's no substance.
One thing I appreciated is that the "love triangle" is a rather twisted one, and even subverts the usual tropes in some ways: our desperate heroine, Sumi, marries Soichiro for money to help her starving family, but secretly crushes on the seemingly kindhearted Nozomu who was the first to offer her help by handing her a wad of cash when she needed it. After the wedding, Soichiro starts off heartless and borderline possessive while simultaneously cold towards poor Sumi, while Nozomu seems genuinely in love with her and the manga teases their love as being true.... BOY, DOES THAT DYNAMIC CHANGE QUICKLY! By the second volume, the reverse is proven to be true: Soichiro grows to care deeply for Sumi but is too much of a tsundere to express himself properly and lets his actions speak volumes, whereas Nozomu is......... frankly, a straight up psychopath.
Most of the "romantic drama" is Nozomu being a creepy stalker and constantly trying to ruin Sumi's (and Soichiro's) life by gaining possession of her by any means possible, and boy, things get pretty crazy as the series goes on. Nozomu will pull out all the stops, and the manga does a great job showing how even the littlest actions he does come from the heart of someone who's utterly obsessed and a Textbook Abusive Asshole. It would take too long to cover the sheer depths of madness the guy goes to get what he wants, but let's just say he.... doesn't know when to stop. From ruining Soichiro's career to blackmailing Sumi to marry him instead to straight up AXING DOWN PEOPLE'S HOTEL DOORS TO FIND SUMI (like, that was some serious The Shining shit ), nothing quite tops his madness like the finale:
All in all, this is a ridiculous little series that gets more and more dramatic and intense at every page turn and is definitely a good "starting" manga for the simple exposition and silly plot for those new to the media. It's absurd, it's convoluted in ways I didn't think POSSIBLE, but it's a wild ride that leave you smiling and shaking your head in amusement.
One thing I appreciated is that the "love triangle" is a rather twisted one, and even subverts the usual tropes in some ways: our desperate heroine, Sumi, marries Soichiro for money to help her starving family, but secretly crushes on the seemingly kindhearted Nozomu who was the first to offer her help by handing her a wad of cash when she needed it. After the wedding, Soichiro starts off heartless and borderline possessive while simultaneously cold towards poor Sumi, while Nozomu seems genuinely in love with her and the manga teases their love as being true.... BOY, DOES THAT DYNAMIC CHANGE QUICKLY! By the second volume, the reverse is proven to be true: Soichiro grows to care deeply for Sumi but is too much of a tsundere to express himself properly and lets his actions speak volumes, whereas Nozomu is......... frankly, a straight up psychopath.
Most of the "romantic drama" is Nozomu being a creepy stalker and constantly trying to ruin Sumi's (and Soichiro's) life by gaining possession of her by any means possible, and boy, things get pretty crazy as the series goes on. Nozomu will pull out all the stops, and the manga does a great job showing how even the littlest actions he does come from the heart of someone who's utterly obsessed and a Textbook Abusive Asshole. It would take too long to cover the sheer depths of madness the guy goes to get what he wants, but let's just say he.... doesn't know when to stop. From ruining Soichiro's career to blackmailing Sumi to marry him instead to straight up AXING DOWN PEOPLE'S HOTEL DOORS TO FIND SUMI (like, that was some serious The Shining shit ), nothing quite tops his madness like the finale:
All in all, this is a ridiculous little series that gets more and more dramatic and intense at every page turn and is definitely a good "starting" manga for the simple exposition and silly plot for those new to the media. It's absurd, it's convoluted in ways I didn't think POSSIBLE, but it's a wild ride that leave you smiling and shaking your head in amusement.
February 16, 2020
2.5 stars really. This...was a ride from start to finish, but a very rushed ride. Even if this is an old series, I'll avoid spoilers if only to stop myself from rambling. The drama is through the roof, all the way to soap opera levels, but the ending 'twist' comes far too late in the game to be explored properly. Everything all ends abruptly, character development isn't fleshed out enough to make way for more rushed drama, and the happy ending that everyone gets isn't really deserved by quite a few. It's like trying to slap a pretty bow onto a Christmas gift for your kid that you smashed up in front of them. No problem really gets fixed, they just move on like nothing happened and pretend everything's okay. Not to say I didn't enjoy things, because I did, but this is always the problem I have with drama series. They always push for bigger and bigger levels of spectacle, while forgetting any other elements of a good story, so everything ends up falling flat at the end, because in the end you're only sticking around for the show, not the characters. You'll remember the twists, but you don't remember anyone's names in the end. There were elements here that if given more time to explore properly would've been really fun to see. Too bad that wasn't the case. Again, I still enjoyed the ride, but I'm glad I'm finished with the series, and I don't think this will be one that I'll revisit ever again.
January 12, 2024
Stepping on Roses is a series I absolutely devoured as a teen and I'd say I still enjoy it just as much as I did then. This is is a pretty crazy last volume though. The drama is turned up to the max where everything is on the highest tension and risk it can be on and Sumi's agency and grit is turned down to the max to make her as much of a damsel in distress as possible. I think it resolves pretty alright, but the ending is definitely rushed.
The only thing I really hate about the end is that Nozomu still gets a "happy ending" after everything when he really needs mental healthcare and therapy. Even after the reveal of the He's basically a crazy staler without the decency to fill out the mold of a yandere and absolutely did not deserve a happy ending.
Still, I think it's a good series with beautiful art, just a bit rushed towards the end. I wish it got the treatment that Tail of the Moon did where there were multiple chapters of a post story continuation. I really would've loved to see more of Sumi's and Soichiro's life after everything went down.
4/5 stars
The only thing I really hate about the end is that Nozomu still gets a "happy ending" after everything when he really needs mental healthcare and therapy. Even after the reveal of the He's basically a crazy staler without the decency to fill out the mold of a yandere and absolutely did not deserve a happy ending.
Still, I think it's a good series with beautiful art, just a bit rushed towards the end. I wish it got the treatment that Tail of the Moon did where there were multiple chapters of a post story continuation. I really would've loved to see more of Sumi's and Soichiro's life after everything went down.
4/5 stars
January 10, 2019
Stepping on Roses was a manga that surprised me with how much I loved it. Vol. 1 really sucked me and each Vol. continued to do that until a few hours later I had already completed the whole series. I was sad to see it end as the plot is mixed with romance, scandals, and historical Japanese fashion.
Sumi is such a kind character and she will do anything to keep her family healthy and fed. She would even sell herself if it meant they had what they needed. Luckily, a young man offers to do just that but she must commit to a marriage with him but there will never be love. Of course with a plot like this we can expect them to eventually fall for each other and even though I knew it was coming, I loved every minute! Soichiro is handsome, rich, and becomes the head of a company. He is quite annoyed with Sumi at times but throughout the series we see him fall for her.
There are a few twists that happen throughout each Vol. and one those being a love triangle that has its own twists too.
Overall, it was a great series and one that I would revisit again in the future.
Sumi is such a kind character and she will do anything to keep her family healthy and fed. She would even sell herself if it meant they had what they needed. Luckily, a young man offers to do just that but she must commit to a marriage with him but there will never be love. Of course with a plot like this we can expect them to eventually fall for each other and even though I knew it was coming, I loved every minute! Soichiro is handsome, rich, and becomes the head of a company. He is quite annoyed with Sumi at times but throughout the series we see him fall for her.
There are a few twists that happen throughout each Vol. and one those being a love triangle that has its own twists too.
Overall, it was a great series and one that I would revisit again in the future.
January 21, 2025
This was by far the weakest volume of the series and felt so rushed!!! Especially the ending!!! But that twist was great!!! And Nozomu really dgaf!!! LOL.
Also, does Nozomu really deserve a happy ending?? After all the bullshit he started?! Whatever!
Overall, I give this series a 4/5 stars. I thought this series was a lot of fun. It was unintentionally funny at times and I loved the crazy drama. I laughed at Nozomu being so nutty. This series was like a lifetime movie!!! And the art is GORGEOUS! If you’re willing to shut off your brain and not take it seriously, then you will love the craziness of this story. It’s a wild ride lol
Also, does Nozomu really deserve a happy ending?? After all the bullshit he started?! Whatever!
Overall, I give this series a 4/5 stars. I thought this series was a lot of fun. It was unintentionally funny at times and I loved the crazy drama. I laughed at Nozomu being so nutty. This series was like a lifetime movie!!! And the art is GORGEOUS! If you’re willing to shut off your brain and not take it seriously, then you will love the craziness of this story. It’s a wild ride lol
August 7, 2022
This is a review for the whole series, rather than the last volume. It is, after all, a single story and each volume is a quick read. This is my first manga and I really enjoyed it. It had all the fun tropes: marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, rich man poor woman, love triangle, scheming relatives, secret baby, mistaken identity, found family, rags to riches, riches to rags, blackmail, multiple fishes out of water and doubtless a whole lot more. A real masterclass in how to craft a story that has the reader rushing to buy the next volume in a series.
June 27, 2017
Wow! I am so glad that I read Ms. Ueda's fantastic story! This is the final volume, and I don't give away endings. But, let me say this, there is a great twist to this story that I never saw coming! This is the sort of story that should be done as an anime or a full length movie. If you're the sort who "never reads romances", I challenge you to try this series. Thank you Rinko Ueda for nine volumes of pure pleasure and excitement.
January 19, 2022
Read it to get a taste of a typical Shojo manga as this series seems to be a nostalgic favourite of people who grew up reading manga. It’s ok I guess. Outdated troupe. Cliched poor girl rich guy story. Some elements seemed to have not aged well.. but oh well, it was a guilty pleasure read! Very very very pretty art though!
May 11, 2024
This was pure daytime soap opera fodder. An absolute melodramatic train wreck, but also like train wreck, hard to look away. I admit it was fun to read, and I enjoyed the outrageousness and the absolutely idiocy required to make this thing marginally hold together with so many plot holes in favour of drama...ha ha, just like a soap opera.
August 12, 2024
Final volume!
This volume was INSANE. I suspected the "plot twist" already a few volumes back, but it's the way my innocent soul tough that was going to be the solution to it all - and not that he would still want to go trough with it, bro.
And the way the horrible character get's a happy ending? I can't.
Very fast read to say the least, downed this series in a few hours.
This volume was INSANE. I suspected the "plot twist" already a few volumes back, but it's the way my innocent soul tough that was going to be the solution to it all - and not that he would still want to go trough with it, bro.
And the way the horrible character get's a happy ending? I can't.
Very fast read to say the least, downed this series in a few hours.
January 1, 2021
Well, I'm glad I went back after three years and finally finished the series, even if the ending was a little...meh. The twist makes sense, sure. But I still hate Nozomu's guts, and I hate that even at the very end people still associate with him.
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