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Mars [マース] #3
Mars, Vol. 3
Kira is a lonesome waif who cares more about her art than anything else. Rei is an arrogant, rebellious and tough playboy who wears his delinquency like a badge. When these two opposites find each other, the sparks fly, but they also attract some unwanted attention. While Kira deals with Rei’s jealous suitors, Rei has to confront demons from his past.
198 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 1997
99 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Fuyumi Soryo
149 books351 followersFuyumi 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
December 12, 2015
I still like Rei and Kira's relationship, but since they were mostly apart this issue was not so compelling. Mostly it was Rei racing motorcycles, which I am not interested in, although Soryo seemed to do a decent job depicting the sport (based on my non-existent knowledge of it, heh).
Also the comments on gender and psychology seemed very simplistic and reductive. I did not enjoy those pages.
Also the comments on gender and psychology seemed very simplistic and reductive. I did not enjoy those pages.
July 6, 2022
It's so beautiful
I love it so much that their relationship is healthy. Kira may be nervous and worried at times but she's not greedy and she fully supports Rei's dreams and ambitions and vice-versa. So far, it's nothing but beautiful. Although, I was really going nuts with the race, I thought he'd be hospitalized or something. And the art exhibit in the end—I swear if it didn't appear to you as poetic as it did with me, I dunno bro. I'm so in love with this!!
Also, lol, I thought they were university students because they don't wear uniform!! But they're still in high school.
I love it so much that their relationship is healthy. Kira may be nervous and worried at times but she's not greedy and she fully supports Rei's dreams and ambitions and vice-versa. So far, it's nothing but beautiful. Although, I was really going nuts with the race, I thought he'd be hospitalized or something. And the art exhibit in the end—I swear if it didn't appear to you as poetic as it did with me, I dunno bro. I'm so in love with this!!
Also, lol, I thought they were university students because they don't wear uniform!! But they're still in high school.
August 19, 2021
Still alright
There’re still some problematic elements to this manga, no doubt about it, but the last 1/4th was the best part about it. The race and the art display reveal was really exciting, touching and riveting. I hope the storyline keeps developing in that way. The art work is beautiful as per usual and I will be continuing on with this series.
There’re still some problematic elements to this manga, no doubt about it, but the last 1/4th was the best part about it. The race and the art display reveal was really exciting, touching and riveting. I hope the storyline keeps developing in that way. The art work is beautiful as per usual and I will be continuing on with this series.
December 25, 2019
With these two being apart for most of the volume, it's hard to rate it higher. However, I was glad to get more insight into Rei's brother and his death.
June 28, 2020
Charming.
This one focused more on the backstory than the last few. It did throw me off a bit because of the instances where it happened and how it was told. It was decently done most of the time. When it played it, it didn’t feel wrong. The author made the backstory fit in the overarching story.
There is a little too much backstory introduced, though. We’re just barely starting out the series and all of the cool information is being spilled. Maybe later on it will balance out.
Kira surprised me in this one. (Slight spoiler) She asked Rei to model for her shirtless for a painting. Often girls in ‘80s-‘90s shojo mangas are super shy when instances like this come up. But she just went for it! She did it in a way that wasn’t annoyingly shy and not overbearing either.
The characters are pretty balanced. They have their strengths that are believable. They have plausible weaknesses. It makes it have a more realistic vibe. Very well done.
*** spoilers ***
This one focused more on Rei’s race than anything else, even including the backstory. I found it to be enjoyable and paneled well.
I didn’t like how it dragged on and on. The race is a little too long for the genre it fits into. It’s a contemporary artsy romance and not really about the sports. I suppose that the later volumes could be more sports-centered. We’ll have to see.
*** end of spoilers***
This one focused more on the backstory than the last few. It did throw me off a bit because of the instances where it happened and how it was told. It was decently done most of the time. When it played it, it didn’t feel wrong. The author made the backstory fit in the overarching story.
There is a little too much backstory introduced, though. We’re just barely starting out the series and all of the cool information is being spilled. Maybe later on it will balance out.
Kira surprised me in this one. (Slight spoiler) She asked Rei to model for her shirtless for a painting. Often girls in ‘80s-‘90s shojo mangas are super shy when instances like this come up. But she just went for it! She did it in a way that wasn’t annoyingly shy and not overbearing either.
The characters are pretty balanced. They have their strengths that are believable. They have plausible weaknesses. It makes it have a more realistic vibe. Very well done.
*** spoilers ***
This one focused more on Rei’s race than anything else, even including the backstory. I found it to be enjoyable and paneled well.
I didn’t like how it dragged on and on. The race is a little too long for the genre it fits into. It’s a contemporary artsy romance and not really about the sports. I suppose that the later volumes could be more sports-centered. We’ll have to see.
*** end of spoilers***
August 21, 2023
I don't care much about bike racing, but I do care about this story... I'm just worried about some character appearing... I hope there's no unnecessary drama coming 😩
January 1, 2025
For such a shy girl, when it came to asking Rei to model for her paintings, Kira didn’t have much trouble with asking him; even asking for him to model nude for her.
I don’t understand why Kira’s art teacher, Ms. Kaneko, was surprised that Rei would get mad when his classmates would sneak around to take photos of him, but would then agree to model for Kira. Those kids didn’t ask him first. They followed and stalked him. Kira always asked him first, and that made him feel respected and appreciated.
Kira is always way too gullible when it comes to the jokes that Rei and a few other characters would make. I hope she grows to learn what is clearly a joke in the span of these books. Some of the things she fell for were crazy.
The reason why this volume got a lower rating from me was because most of this manga was about Rei racing in the Suzuka 8-endurance. That storyline just didn’t interest me as much as the other elements in this series.
3.5 stars
I don’t understand why Kira’s art teacher, Ms. Kaneko, was surprised that Rei would get mad when his classmates would sneak around to take photos of him, but would then agree to model for Kira. Those kids didn’t ask him first. They followed and stalked him. Kira always asked him first, and that made him feel respected and appreciated.
Kira is always way too gullible when it comes to the jokes that Rei and a few other characters would make. I hope she grows to learn what is clearly a joke in the span of these books. Some of the things she fell for were crazy.
The reason why this volume got a lower rating from me was because most of this manga was about Rei racing in the Suzuka 8-endurance. That storyline just didn’t interest me as much as the other elements in this series.
3.5 stars
November 11, 2022
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/1L5Z0wV0UwQ
What a volume!!
I'm trying to remember what happened at the beginning because I was completely sucked into the race in this volume! Sports manga is one of my favorite "genres" and was pleasantly surprised to see that same intensity here in this shojo manga!
Not only the racing aspect, but really seeing Kira focus on her passion and her love of art was really exciting. (Though I was totally shocked how she asked Rei to model for her! LOL!) The one art piece she drew was absolutely incredible! I also loved when Rei pointed out how artists see things differently and the whole conversation surrounding him saying that.
It was really heartbreaking hearing more about Sei this volume. I'm not sure how much to comment on that, but it was hard.
One thing I really enjoyed this volume is how much our main couple acted like teenagers. They had some really sweet moments and given the turn of events in the previous volume, it was nice to have a little bit more of a "breather" in this one. (At least specifically in regards to the romance.)
This volume probably has been my favorite yet!
What a volume!!
I'm trying to remember what happened at the beginning because I was completely sucked into the race in this volume! Sports manga is one of my favorite "genres" and was pleasantly surprised to see that same intensity here in this shojo manga!
Not only the racing aspect, but really seeing Kira focus on her passion and her love of art was really exciting. (Though I was totally shocked how she asked Rei to model for her! LOL!) The one art piece she drew was absolutely incredible! I also loved when Rei pointed out how artists see things differently and the whole conversation surrounding him saying that.
It was really heartbreaking hearing more about Sei this volume. I'm not sure how much to comment on that, but it was hard.
One thing I really enjoyed this volume is how much our main couple acted like teenagers. They had some really sweet moments and given the turn of events in the previous volume, it was nice to have a little bit more of a "breather" in this one. (At least specifically in regards to the romance.)
This volume probably has been my favorite yet!
May 14, 2020
I really regret not reading this series in my preteens, I think the angst would have resonated so much better. However, I still really am digging this story and watching Kira and Rei grow and their relationship to each other develop. Volume 3 is the backstory volume where we learn about Sei and his unfortunate suicide and how it affected Rei all these years. Kira decides to paint Rei as the god Mars and enters it in an art competition. Kira drives his motorcycle in the big race and is ultimately disqualified for breaking his time in the race rule.
This got a little dark when it explored Rei's feelings on death and showing his brother jumping from a building. But Kira is starting to come out of her shell and even Rei is growing and adapting so it's nice to see. Especially because I'm pretty sure this is a longer series.
This got a little dark when it explored Rei's feelings on death and showing his brother jumping from a building. But Kira is starting to come out of her shell and even Rei is growing and adapting so it's nice to see. Especially because I'm pretty sure this is a longer series.
November 12, 2015
Rei is the type of guy that Kira couldn't stand; flirty, reckless, and a biker. When a chance encounter leads to Rei saving Kira from a teacher with bad intentions, neither of them know the extent to which the other will impact them.
On the outside, MARS is a typical coming-of-age story centered on the relationship between good girl and a bad boy. But underneath the romance lie stories of suicide, rape and murder; the idea that everyone has a secret to hide, even those who seem most innocent. When the dark pasts of Rei and Kira come to light, they struggle to keep their relationship together.
This is definitely one of my favorite manga series out there, I highly recommend it for the shoujo fan! :)
On the outside, MARS is a typical coming-of-age story centered on the relationship between good girl and a bad boy. But underneath the romance lie stories of suicide, rape and murder; the idea that everyone has a secret to hide, even those who seem most innocent. When the dark pasts of Rei and Kira come to light, they struggle to keep their relationship together.
This is definitely one of my favorite manga series out there, I highly recommend it for the shoujo fan! :)
August 3, 2021
When I got up to the third book I just QUIT. First off I wasn’t into 90s manga art anyway, but I decided to give this a try. The art was decent but not very detailed. I was hoping the storyline would cover for the vagueness of the art, but it was just as terrible. They got together so fast and why would anyone break someone’s fingers?! Would not recommend.
December 7, 2020
this was by far the best volume oh my god the DRAMA of it all! the motorcycle race and the art show and the tragic backstories... plus it wins solely for the beautiful cover. trying not to tear through the next 12 volumes at mach 6
February 10, 2022
In Vol 3, Rei races in the Suzuka 8-endurance (motorcycle race) while at the same time back in Tokyo, Kira sits at her easel and begins painting MARS, the God of War, of whom Rei is her inspiration. Although so far apart physically, their actions feed and charge each other psychically. Kira doesn't stop her work until she knows the Suzuka race has finished, and Rei as he does incredible stunts of physical strength to beat out the other riders, Rei actually thinks a prayer to Kira for protection.
The only thing that truly happens in Vol 3 is the Suzuka race and Kira's painting of MARS in an 8 hour sitting. But it's an intense read just the same. It's not a volume you pick up with the intention of being interrupted and being able to put it down again. You want to know if Rei wins the race, what does Kira's painting look like, and what will their reunion be like even though they've only been apart for just a little while.
The thing I like most in this volume is that Rei admits to Kira that he drives a lot more carefully on the streets than he used to, especially when she's with him, because he's afraid of crashing. He doesn't want to risk what they have. And Kira, well, the readers learn that when she's talking about a beautiful, strong, and sad set of colors that she sees surrounding Rei, what she's seeing are the powerful colors of a sunset. And those are the colors she used for her painting of MARS. The moment when Rei sees the Kira's painting in the gallery is one of my favorite moments in the entire series. Just beautiful.
On to Vol 4.
The only thing that truly happens in Vol 3 is the Suzuka race and Kira's painting of MARS in an 8 hour sitting. But it's an intense read just the same. It's not a volume you pick up with the intention of being interrupted and being able to put it down again. You want to know if Rei wins the race, what does Kira's painting look like, and what will their reunion be like even though they've only been apart for just a little while.
The thing I like most in this volume is that Rei admits to Kira that he drives a lot more carefully on the streets than he used to, especially when she's with him, because he's afraid of crashing. He doesn't want to risk what they have. And Kira, well, the readers learn that when she's talking about a beautiful, strong, and sad set of colors that she sees surrounding Rei, what she's seeing are the powerful colors of a sunset. And those are the colors she used for her painting of MARS. The moment when Rei sees the Kira's painting in the gallery is one of my favorite moments in the entire series. Just beautiful.
On to Vol 4.
August 9, 2023
«Veo colores en ti, son fuertes y hermosos. Y tristes... Me pregunté por mucho tiempo cuáles eran los tuyos. Son los de la puesta de sol. El llameante matiz de la puesta de sol que se quema justo antes de que venga la oscuridad».
En este tomo dejó de ser cliché. Me dieron ganas de irme a una de esas carreras. Me está gustando lo que estoy viendo, me encantaría que sólo narraran ellos y que no aparecieran personajes a alabar estúpidamente a los protagonistas. Otro manga que hubiese funcionado espectacularmente como novela (¡con ilustraciones!). Sigo pensando que va a ser de esas típicas historias donde estás amando lo que sucede y alguno de ellos se muere y sólo te están contando lo que sucedió desde un futuro nostálgico con anhelos de lo que pudo ser. Si pasa eso, vendré a despotricar.
En este tomo dejó de ser cliché. Me dieron ganas de irme a una de esas carreras. Me está gustando lo que estoy viendo, me encantaría que sólo narraran ellos y que no aparecieran personajes a alabar estúpidamente a los protagonistas. Otro manga que hubiese funcionado espectacularmente como novela (¡con ilustraciones!). Sigo pensando que va a ser de esas típicas historias donde estás amando lo que sucede y alguno de ellos se muere y sólo te están contando lo que sucedió desde un futuro nostálgico con anhelos de lo que pudo ser. Si pasa eso, vendré a despotricar.
September 25, 2022
I gotta ask... WHY do all the main characters look exactly alike?! Rei and Sei are twins so atleast THAT makes sense, but I'm like halfway thru the book right now where Kyoko, Kira and Rei are all talking about Sei being dead and I can barely tell them apart! When they do the little quarter panels and it's zoomed all into their face it's impossible to know who it is that's being shown. Like I literally thought Kyoko was Rei at first on the track, esp in that racing suit, then later on Rei looks like he's hugging himself only it's really Kira he's holding, and besides from bits of context I've gained from the page before, I can't tell if it's really Kira or Rei that's kissing the danmed phone! Like why do all the main characters have the same face and haircut but then all the other characters look totally unique?! It's fucking stupid, makes no sense! I like this series so I'm gonna keep going with it but ugh danm... I just had to stop and bitch about this first, it's driving me nuts! Lol I'm done now... sorry. 🧏🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
July 2, 2024
This one has little one-on-one time. But the romance it’s really intense in a very quiet soft way. We see more of Rei’s shadows, getting closer to understanding the layers of his character. Kira feels things too deeply, and maybe that’s why she tears up a lot, but there’s a lot of strength and understanding in her too.
June 20, 2017
ahora entiendo cuando decían que el protagonista tenia un lado salvaje no era figurativo sino literalmente--!
October 14, 2020
I love Kira's outfits she looks cute and artsy!!!
December 4, 2020
4.5 Stars
Reread - Loved this chapter since Kira finally finishes her drawing, everything was beautiful though I kind of skimmed the motorcycle racing parts since I wasn't that interested
Reread - Loved this chapter since Kira finally finishes her drawing, everything was beautiful though I kind of skimmed the motorcycle racing parts since I wasn't that interested
February 2, 2021
they kissed through the phone deserves stars to be taken off for that I'm sorry but 🤢🤮
Want to read
May 29, 2021Come ho detto in contemporanea con la nuova. Mi manca il volume #4.
November 2, 2021
I don't know what's so charming about this series, but it's quite interesting. Scary but sweet bad boys have always been a weakness lmao 🤣
November 13, 2022
Somehow I am liking this manga, even though it is a lot of cringe, but on the other side Im always laughing about it and it is an easy read😅👌🏻
April 28, 2023
That was so intense
October 29, 2023
I don’t *want* to care about this relationship, but I do. This manga makes me care and keeps pulling me back.
September 12, 2024
to me, this perfectly encapsulates the (japanese) spirit of the nineties. it is a cultural treasure and a period piece. its so beautiful
July 1, 2019
4 stars
May 19, 2021
Idk there's just something about this manga that I really enjoy.
January 16, 2022
3.25 stars. This was all about a motorcycle race and while I know it's a huge part of Rei's passion, I could care less. I was there for the romance though, so that's what the three stars is for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews