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Twinkle Stars #5
Twinkle Stars, Vol. 5
Between his love life and college plans, Yuuri has never been more stressed, and seeing Chihiro with Sakuya only makes things worse. Yuuri finally decides to tell her how he feels...but how will she react? And considering his vulnerable state, can she even bear to reject him? All will be revealed in this heart-pounding, heartbreaking finale!
606 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2018
2 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Natsuki Takaya
157 books2,703 followersName (in native language) : 高屋奈月
Natsuki Takaya (高屋 奈月 Takaya Natsuki, 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.
Natsuki Takaya (高屋 奈月 Takaya Natsuki, 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.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 27, 2022
In the long run, this feels more elegant and less overblown (whether in drama or "comedy" or size of cast) than Takaya's other work Fruits Basket, and that's mostly for the better. Despite its rather predictable endgame and conclusion--this is a shoujo manga, after all--there were a couple of places where it brought a tear to my eye.
I appreciated how Sakura and Chihiro's relationship was handled at the end, though it's hard to imagine it going any differently. Sakura being in a coma past the end of the story, leaving things open-ended? Her ? Hardly.
I liked the various adult-teenager relationships in this book, whether between siblings, or between guardians and their charges... or even that one love relationship, even though I usually hate an age-gap romance. These adults make sure that those under their care are safe and comfortable, and always have someone to banter or bicker with. Compared to FB's adults, they're angels. Even the lackadaisical ones.
I appreciated how Sakura and Chihiro's relationship was handled at the end, though it's hard to imagine it going any differently. Sakura being in a coma past the end of the story, leaving things open-ended? Her ? Hardly.
I liked the various adult-teenager relationships in this book, whether between siblings, or between guardians and their charges... or even that one love relationship, even though I usually hate an age-gap romance. These adults make sure that those under their care are safe and comfortable, and always have someone to banter or bicker with. Compared to FB's adults, they're angels. Even the lackadaisical ones.
April 13, 2023
Finally done with this series... Oof I read the whole last volume in one sitting and it was very bittersweet. And yet again.. I think I was more moved by the side characters than the main ones but oh well I guess I just love Takaya's portrayal of familial relationships more in this one.
March 25, 2018
It's been a long time since I read manga, and as I really loved Fruits Basket I was eager to read this.
I wasn't disappointed. It was a very beautiful if also tragic and dark story. The sheer amount of suffering that Sakuya, Chihiro, and Sakura have endured was truly heartbreaking. Natsuki Takaya truly captured the depth of the absolute darkness that haunted them (Kana-chan included), and how they each have fought not just to hold onto their lives but to rise from the darkness.
I was initially very disappointed with the ending. I can't help but admit I shared the same feelings Sakuya felt, but it was inevitable and I admired her strength. But then I got to the very end and my faith was rewarded. It was still sad, but realistic and hopeful.
I wasn't disappointed. It was a very beautiful if also tragic and dark story. The sheer amount of suffering that Sakuya, Chihiro, and Sakura have endured was truly heartbreaking. Natsuki Takaya truly captured the depth of the absolute darkness that haunted them (Kana-chan included), and how they each have fought not just to hold onto their lives but to rise from the darkness.
I was initially very disappointed with the ending. I can't help but admit I shared the same feelings Sakuya felt, but it was inevitable and I admired her strength. But then I got to the very end and my faith was rewarded. It was still sad, but realistic and hopeful.
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June 28, 2023don't know what to say. i mean that was the only way to resolve this story but also I don't know. this was definitely not as good or as satisfying as fruba but it's not like I don't like the characters here. I mean Yuuri is just mwah also love that he doesn't end up with the class pres just for the sake of everyone being paired up. honestly, all the seichan romantic plots were unnecessary and icky too (butler wasn't that bad but still the whole thing could just not be there and it wouldn't have been missed). But they do focus on Yuuri's feelings for Saku so maybe not having any romantic plotlines for seichan might have been conspicuous. I actually kinda liked the extreme complexity of the situation around the main couple but also it only left the time skip as a way out and that was kinda cliche but understandable so IDK. My favourite parts of the story were all about Yuuri and his family. Then, Saku's story, Kanade's story, them finding meaning in each other. and also, Sakura and Chihiro stuff.
But it wasn't all that for some reason (the reason being that I am that annoying fan who can't let go of expectations arising from previous brilliant works of the author).
But it wasn't all that for some reason (the reason being that I am that annoying fan who can't let go of expectations arising from previous brilliant works of the author).
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
February 18, 2019
5 Stars!
Rip. My. Freaking. Heart. Out. Why. Don't. You.
I loved the Twinkle Stars series, almost as much as I loved Fruits Basket! I love the way Natsuki Takaya develops her characters, making them both strong and weak, and her main characters so beautifully kind. Takaya always manages to blow me away with her work, and tear my heart into tiny pieces and then ends by placing a band aid over the remains. There were a lot of parallels between the characters in Twinkle Stars and her characters in Fruits Basket, though I didn't mind that at all. There were definite differences between them, but they were very similar.
I love Takaya's work, and I'm hoping to get into more of it soon.
There are a few things in this series that people should be aware of. Some language, themes of depression and suicide, and the occasional sexual innuendo here and there. So, be forewarned about that if you are thinking about this series.
This one will not be easily forgotten, and I know I'll be reading it again in the future.
Rip. My. Freaking. Heart. Out. Why. Don't. You.
I loved the Twinkle Stars series, almost as much as I loved Fruits Basket! I love the way Natsuki Takaya develops her characters, making them both strong and weak, and her main characters so beautifully kind. Takaya always manages to blow me away with her work, and tear my heart into tiny pieces and then ends by placing a band aid over the remains. There were a lot of parallels between the characters in Twinkle Stars and her characters in Fruits Basket, though I didn't mind that at all. There were definite differences between them, but they were very similar.
I love Takaya's work, and I'm hoping to get into more of it soon.
There are a few things in this series that people should be aware of. Some language, themes of depression and suicide, and the occasional sexual innuendo here and there. So, be forewarned about that if you are thinking about this series.
This one will not be easily forgotten, and I know I'll be reading it again in the future.
January 22, 2021
hmmm overall for the whole series, I didn’t really like the story and didn’t really think it was for me.
It had that sort of “star-gazing” feel to it where you felt kinda not in time but it also made it confusing on what was going on and who was speaking. I sometimes didn’t really understand the things the characters were going through emotionally or in the scene because I think the translation didn’t seem to grasp it and catch what the scene implied. I actually didn’t like the main couple but liked the side couple Hijiro and Saki a lot more (even though they had only a few scenes). I think the series has the ingredients but just didn’t come together in the best way.
The artwork was beautiful as always and I am a huge fan of the author (I have all her works). It gave me the same type of feeling of “5 centimeters per second” weirdly enough.
It had that sort of “star-gazing” feel to it where you felt kinda not in time but it also made it confusing on what was going on and who was speaking. I sometimes didn’t really understand the things the characters were going through emotionally or in the scene because I think the translation didn’t seem to grasp it and catch what the scene implied. I actually didn’t like the main couple but liked the side couple Hijiro and Saki a lot more (even though they had only a few scenes). I think the series has the ingredients but just didn’t come together in the best way.
The artwork was beautiful as always and I am a huge fan of the author (I have all her works). It gave me the same type of feeling of “5 centimeters per second” weirdly enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2018
Volume Review: 4/5
I didn't realize this was the last volume when I was reading it! So I was surprised when the end suddenly came. However, it was a mostly good ending. By mostly good, I mean, I have this thing where I reeeeeeeeally dislike it when manga-ka's make their characters suffer for a few months or YEARS alone before finally getting back together in the end. So while it does have a super good ending, some of it is painful. However, this entire manga has painful parts, but it's a good painful, it's a learning painful, and it definitely creates sympathy. I love what the manga-ka did in the end with Sakura (whoops, spoiler). By the end, I really liked all of the characters.
Series Review: 5/5
This series is so heartwarming and beautiful, I definitely recommend it!
I didn't realize this was the last volume when I was reading it! So I was surprised when the end suddenly came. However, it was a mostly good ending. By mostly good, I mean, I have this thing where I reeeeeeeeally dislike it when manga-ka's make their characters suffer for a few months or YEARS alone before finally getting back together in the end. So while it does have a super good ending, some of it is painful. However, this entire manga has painful parts, but it's a good painful, it's a learning painful, and it definitely creates sympathy. I love what the manga-ka did in the end with Sakura (whoops, spoiler). By the end, I really liked all of the characters.
Series Review: 5/5
This series is so heartwarming and beautiful, I definitely recommend it!
May 13, 2019
I don't think Natsuki Takaya could ever top Fruits Basket, but this was still a lovely series. I may have felt a bit more invested in the characters if I had read this as it was published and been forced to wait in between volumes; instead I was able to check out the series from the library and read it in its entirety in a single weekend.
Takaya's character art is beautiful as always, and she's the master at writing heartbreakingly dysfunctional parent/child relationships (and subsequent healing of the abused individuals). Definitely recommend checking it out if you enjoyed Fruits Basket.
Takaya's character art is beautiful as always, and she's the master at writing heartbreakingly dysfunctional parent/child relationships (and subsequent healing of the abused individuals). Definitely recommend checking it out if you enjoyed Fruits Basket.
June 28, 2018
(4.5 stars but I round up because it was soooo good)
This was a big book. I mean, obviously not the biggest I've read, but definitely the biggest manga volume I have seen. Still, the story was so captivating and a brilliant end to the series that I just flew through. I will admit, towards the end I was panicking and all those who have already read this will understand where I'm coming from but still, if you can't tell, I really enjoyed this whole series and I highly recommend to fans of shoujo/shojo and Natsuki Takaya's works.
This was a big book. I mean, obviously not the biggest I've read, but definitely the biggest manga volume I have seen. Still, the story was so captivating and a brilliant end to the series that I just flew through. I will admit, towards the end I was panicking and all those who have already read this will understand where I'm coming from but still, if you can't tell, I really enjoyed this whole series and I highly recommend to fans of shoujo/shojo and Natsuki Takaya's works.
June 29, 2021
Final volume thoughts:
Wow, make me cry, why don’t you!? That was a sweet conclusion to a beautifully sad story. I’m glad that everyone was able to grow up into wonderful adults at the end. I loved that Chihiro was able to show Sakura how wonderful life could be, just like Saku did for him. Saku’s love not only changed Chihiro’s life but Sakura’s as well.
Overall thoughts:
I give this series a 4.5/5. Like Fruits Basket, this story touched my heart.
Wow, make me cry, why don’t you!? That was a sweet conclusion to a beautifully sad story. I’m glad that everyone was able to grow up into wonderful adults at the end. I loved that Chihiro was able to show Sakura how wonderful life could be, just like Saku did for him. Saku’s love not only changed Chihiro’s life but Sakura’s as well.
Overall thoughts:
I give this series a 4.5/5. Like Fruits Basket, this story touched my heart.
September 22, 2019
Beautiful artwork and three-dimensional characters, as usual with Takaya-sensei. But if I never read another story where a girl ends up with a guy who treats her like dirt, it will be too soon.
(P.S. Dear manga translators: if Anglophones can understand the concept of “sensei,” we can understand the concept of “onii-san.” XOXO, me.
(P.S. Dear manga translators: if Anglophones can understand the concept of “sensei,” we can understand the concept of “onii-san.” XOXO, me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2020
2020 Read #145
2.5 stars
Honestly? I feel like the cruelty was too high in this series to the point that nothing felt fulfilling to me as the reader. I just...have very mixed feelings. Fruits Basket had catharsis, and you can tell Takaya tried the same with this series...but it didn’t work, at least not for me.
2.5 stars
Honestly? I feel like the cruelty was too high in this series to the point that nothing felt fulfilling to me as the reader. I just...have very mixed feelings. Fruits Basket had catharsis, and you can tell Takaya tried the same with this series...but it didn’t work, at least not for me.
December 23, 2018
This volume was an emotional rollercoaster! I loved most of the characters and would have spent even longer with them. I love the subtle ways Natsuki Takaya’s art amplifies her stories. The ending felt right while still being surprising.
February 10, 2019
This manga series!!! This was a long series but wow was it worth it! I loved the characters, the twists, & basically everything about this series. If you love manga or just great stories then definitely check this series out.
June 5, 2019
Aye teared up a few times while reading this and was reminded why I like this mangaka’s work even if sometimes I get confused following along. The emotions, specifically the loneliness and actions characters really hit home.
September 21, 2019
I'm happy this series has finally picked up and is getting interesting. This was a pretty intense volume with a lot of Chihiro's tragic back story.
I'm looking forward to the next volume these days. So that's good
I'm looking forward to the next volume these days. So that's good
September 6, 2021
Oh man, I'm crying myself to sleep today. There's one thing I didn't like about the ending but I saw it coming since last volume. This kind of ending is pretty common for shoujo manga, it's just not my favorite thing. Overall I love this whole thing form chapter 1.
April 29, 2018
Well, that was an emotional rollercoaster. So many feels!
December 22, 2018
I really enjoyed the last volume!
August 15, 2019
Honestly, this is why I love Takaya's writing. There was a little bit more I wouldn't have minded learning about or seeing but overall, success!
December 24, 2022
Loved it! I didnt expect it to end that way but I was very happy that it did!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews