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Twinkle Stars #4
Twinkle Stars, Vol. 4
The second semester of school is starting, and Chihiro's kinder attitude toward Sakuya is making her heart race! When he recommends her a book to read, she's positively overjoyed. But on the way home from a night of stargazing with the Star Appreciation Club, Chihiro suddenly approaches her! What does he want to talk about...?
- GenresMangaShojoComics Manga
408 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2017
About the author
Natsuki Takaya
159 books2,716 followersNatsuki Takaya (高屋奈月, real name Naka Hatake) is the penname of a Japanese manga artist best-known for creating the series Fruits Basket. She was born on July 7, 1973; (Tanabata). Takaya is left-handed and once revealed that she wanted to be a mangaka since first grade, when her sister started drawing.
She was born in Shizuoka, Japan, but was raised in Tokyo, where she made her debut in 1992. She enjoys video games such as the Final Fantasy series or Sakura Wars, or working on her different manga series, such as Fruits Basket, which is the second best-selling shōjo manga ever in Japan, and the top selling shōjo manga in North America. Fruits Basket has also been adapted into a twenty-six-episode anime series.
In 2001, Takaya received a Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga for Fruits Basket.
According to Takaya (in a sidebar of a Fruits Basket manga volume), she enjoys drawing girls (girly ones) more than she does boys. Takaya also enjoys electronics and music, but dislikes talking about herself. Also revealed in a sidebar of Fruits Basket, Takaya broke her drawing arm (left) after Fruits Basket volume six was published. She had to go into surgery, and as a result, had put Fruits Basket on a brief hiatus. Takaya made a full recovery, but complains that her handwriting had gotten uglier, due to the surgery. During her hospital stay, she gained an interest in baseball.
She was born in Shizuoka, Japan, but was raised in Tokyo, where she made her debut in 1992. She enjoys video games such as the Final Fantasy series or Sakura Wars, or working on her different manga series, such as Fruits Basket, which is the second best-selling shōjo manga ever in Japan, and the top selling shōjo manga in North America. Fruits Basket has also been adapted into a twenty-six-episode anime series.
In 2001, Takaya received a Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga for Fruits Basket.
According to Takaya (in a sidebar of a Fruits Basket manga volume), she enjoys drawing girls (girly ones) more than she does boys. Takaya also enjoys electronics and music, but dislikes talking about herself. Also revealed in a sidebar of Fruits Basket, Takaya broke her drawing arm (left) after Fruits Basket volume six was published. She had to go into surgery, and as a result, had put Fruits Basket on a brief hiatus. Takaya made a full recovery, but complains that her handwriting had gotten uglier, due to the surgery. During her hospital stay, she gained an interest in baseball.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 27, 2022
I often feel sentimental as I get close to the end of a manga series, even if I've been having a tough time appreciating it. That's one thing that accounts for my boosting up this volume of Twinkle Stars from the previous ones. :) Another is that, after four omnibus editions--eight normal volumes' worth--I finally got into the groove of this story and its ensemble cast.
This being a shorter story, with a smaller cast than Fruits Basket helps its case. It doesn't wallow in pain anywhere near as much, except with Chihiro's backstory.
One of the threads running through this book is jealousy, and how if you haven't opened yourself up to the point of actually asking someone out, or declaring your love, you don't have the right to be jealous of them, regardless of what your emotions might be telling you. I mean, we know Chihiro isn't going to miss his chance or anything. The part towards the end of the book where he recognizes that he's moving past his grief, and could be open to a new love, was nicely done.
Hijiri and Saki's arc in the first half of the book was a lot of fun. Usually I'm not a fan of age-gap romances, but if one of them is a servant, and the two have a weird bantering cat-and-mouse relationship, it seems I'm okay with it. In fiction. If the genders were flipped it would be pretty uncomfortable, though. Hmm. Either way, it's nice that some of these characters don't have a traumatic past.
Kanade's part of the story was handled well, too, and it was nice that it wasn't drawn out too long. Since this is a story for teens, maybe that's why this adult-centered arc was resolved quickly, and off-page.
About the art: mostly fine, but I really don't like how characters' hands look in close-up. Thanks, brain. Now I won't be able to unsee that.
This being a shorter story, with a smaller cast than Fruits Basket helps its case. It doesn't wallow in pain anywhere near as much, except with Chihiro's backstory.
One of the threads running through this book is jealousy, and how if you haven't opened yourself up to the point of actually asking someone out, or declaring your love, you don't have the right to be jealous of them, regardless of what your emotions might be telling you. I mean, we know Chihiro isn't going to miss his chance or anything. The part towards the end of the book where he recognizes that he's moving past his grief, and could be open to a new love, was nicely done.
Hijiri and Saki's arc in the first half of the book was a lot of fun. Usually I'm not a fan of age-gap romances, but if one of them is a servant, and the two have a weird bantering cat-and-mouse relationship, it seems I'm okay with it. In fiction. If the genders were flipped it would be pretty uncomfortable, though. Hmm. Either way, it's nice that some of these characters don't have a traumatic past.
Kanade's part of the story was handled well, too, and it was nice that it wasn't drawn out too long. Since this is a story for teens, maybe that's why this adult-centered arc was resolved quickly, and off-page.
About the art: mostly fine, but I really don't like how characters' hands look in close-up. Thanks, brain. Now I won't be able to unsee that.
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June 28, 2023saki and hijiri, ugh better than her sensei I guess? I did say I would forgive takaya if hijiri doesn't end up with the teacher but like this? I guess I can imagine them to be really close in age (i have nothing against age gaps but like she was in middle school when he was professing his love). but mostly anything is better than a student-teacher relatinship so I guess it's not that bad. also, most of these weird relationships are like 'oh i get it from the perspective of the vulnerable/young girl but it can't be anything but grooming from the guy's perspective' but here through the special story we can still see why hijiri is everything to saki. Anyway, i am excited for more yuuri stuff but i know he's gonna end up with that student council president and i am not excited about that. he literally just rejected her. if he confesses to saku and she rejects him (obviously, chihiro is on another level for her), and he goes to the student president (we don't even know her name!!!) it would be bleh.
oh this was the kanade volume btw. what beautiful art depiction of the panic attack panels.
oh this was the kanade volume btw. what beautiful art depiction of the panic attack panels.
August 9, 2023
Would’ve been a 4 or a 5 but the unnecessary adult x child relationship made me throw up a little in my mouth
March 2, 2020
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE SERIES
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Content Rating: Older Teen (bullying, child abuse, attempted suicide, some mild language and violence)
Format Read: Paperback
Trigger Warnings: bullying, child abuse, depression, attempted suicide
Series Note: The US edition consists of 5 omnibus editions. The series was originally released in Japan in 11 volumes (found on Goodreads here).
Twinkle Stars is an emotionally charged teen romance of first love and familial angst from the author of the wildly popular series, Fruits Basket. In five omnibus editions, Takaya tells the story of two teens who are emotionally bullied and scarred by their classmates and family but after a mysterious meeting find hope and healing in each other. Theirs is a heavy journey of abuse, depression, and attempted suicide, but Takaya injects a lot of affection, eventual support, and a little of her signature humor into the otherwise dark story. While the romance was hesitant and heartbreaking with more downs than ups, it had its sweet and uplifting moments with consequent happiness for all involved. The art was simple and strong with soft smiles, painful tears, and a few trademark flails to lighten the somber content. Overall it was an emotional rollercoaster with dark turns but a happy finish that I highly recommend for romance readers who like their love stories full of tenderness and tissues. And if you're a fan of Fruits Basket, it is not to be missed.
For Fans Of: Fruits Basket
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Content Rating: Older Teen (bullying, child abuse, attempted suicide, some mild language and violence)
Format Read: Paperback
Trigger Warnings: bullying, child abuse, depression, attempted suicide
Series Note: The US edition consists of 5 omnibus editions. The series was originally released in Japan in 11 volumes (found on Goodreads here).
Twinkle Stars is an emotionally charged teen romance of first love and familial angst from the author of the wildly popular series, Fruits Basket. In five omnibus editions, Takaya tells the story of two teens who are emotionally bullied and scarred by their classmates and family but after a mysterious meeting find hope and healing in each other. Theirs is a heavy journey of abuse, depression, and attempted suicide, but Takaya injects a lot of affection, eventual support, and a little of her signature humor into the otherwise dark story. While the romance was hesitant and heartbreaking with more downs than ups, it had its sweet and uplifting moments with consequent happiness for all involved. The art was simple and strong with soft smiles, painful tears, and a few trademark flails to lighten the somber content. Overall it was an emotional rollercoaster with dark turns but a happy finish that I highly recommend for romance readers who like their love stories full of tenderness and tissues. And if you're a fan of Fruits Basket, it is not to be missed.
For Fans Of: Fruits Basket
January 24, 2019
I have to say, despite my complaints on previous volumes' reviews, the background art of this series has been really phenomenal. When we saw the Chihiro/Sakura backstory, there were some really beautiful depictions of the cherry tree. It goes without saying that any of the night sky spreads that we see are fantastic. There was one panel in particular with a tree shadow over a shrine's torii that kind of surprised me with how breathtaking I found it to be. I do enjoy Takaya's art, regardless, but if that's her assistant(s)...man.
Overall, I probably enjoyed this volume the most so far. Saki is likely my favorite character, though I wish we saw more of Yuuto. Sei/Hijiri and Saki have an interesting relationship, and I enjoyed that backstory. I've also liked learning more about Kanade throughout the series, because his character feels the most real to me. He represents the struggles many teens and young adults face in regards to pleasing their parents, or finding what they're passionate about, or just trying to make something of themselves that isn't in line with what everyone expects.
I already started the final omnibus, and I flipped through some of it when I shouldn't have, so I already know it's going to be somewhat frustrating. I want to see how everyone ends up, but I'm also just ready to move on to something else.
Overall, I probably enjoyed this volume the most so far. Saki is likely my favorite character, though I wish we saw more of Yuuto. Sei/Hijiri and Saki have an interesting relationship, and I enjoyed that backstory. I've also liked learning more about Kanade throughout the series, because his character feels the most real to me. He represents the struggles many teens and young adults face in regards to pleasing their parents, or finding what they're passionate about, or just trying to make something of themselves that isn't in line with what everyone expects.
I already started the final omnibus, and I flipped through some of it when I shouldn't have, so I already know it's going to be somewhat frustrating. I want to see how everyone ends up, but I'm also just ready to move on to something else.
December 6, 2017
It took a while to get back into the series after a while gap between volumes but once I got back into the book, I really loved the volume. Saku and Chihiro are cute as always. And Yuuri, my Gods, he is adorable.
But my favourite part of this volume was by far the parts with Hijiri and Saki. Keeping it vague to avoid spoilers, lets just say their relationship is unique and I love it. Looking forward to the final volume... IN FEBRUARY. I am going to die waiting for the next volume...
But my favourite part of this volume was by far the parts with Hijiri and Saki. Keeping it vague to avoid spoilers, lets just say their relationship is unique and I love it. Looking forward to the final volume... IN FEBRUARY. I am going to die waiting for the next volume...
February 4, 2020
2020 Reads #144
This manga should just have a trigger warning for awful parents neglecting and abusing their children. I like Natsuki Takaya’s works, but it is so cruel that she saddles so many of her characters with such trauma in their pasts. It’s really depressing! I do like how she illustrates you can find and make your own family eventually, no matter what your past was. But this manga just continues to be so bittersweet and melancholy...
This manga should just have a trigger warning for awful parents neglecting and abusing their children. I like Natsuki Takaya’s works, but it is so cruel that she saddles so many of her characters with such trauma in their pasts. It’s really depressing! I do like how she illustrates you can find and make your own family eventually, no matter what your past was. But this manga just continues to be so bittersweet and melancholy...
December 26, 2018
I loved this volume so much!!! We get some more great background info about some of our characters, & of course A LOT more relationship drama. Things are about to get super intense in the last volume & I don’t know if I’m ready! Super excited to see how everything wraps up!
July 21, 2019
I think my favorite character in this series is actually Kanade, but Takaya is so good at complex, emotional stories/characters. I feel invested in all of these characters and I can't wait to find out how it ends.
December 14, 2018
4.5 stars, I especially loved the Hijiri and Saki backstory and subplot in this volume.
January 19, 2019
Enjoyed this volume as well. Had it’s dark moments with getting Kanade’s story but overall liked it. Sad to know there’s only one omnibus volume left.
April 21, 2019
Not sure what to say, I'm starting to enjoy this series more as I go.
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January 21, 2021I love Hijiri and Saki so mucchhhhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2022
Loved it!
June 28, 2021
Sei and Saki ❤️
Saku and Chihiro ❤️
Saku and Chihiro ❤️
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews