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Mars [マース] #8
Mars, Vol. 8
Is Kira and Rei's love built to last? Mixed signals abound in this on-again, off-again relationship. Every time Rei tries to make a move on Kira, she freaks and pushes him away. Finally, Rei guesses she's hiding a horrible secret from her past. What could it be?! Meanwhile, Kira's mother gets out of the hospital - and tells Kira they're moving. When Rei finds out, he tells Kira to come live with him, but she doesn't want to leave her mom's side. Could this be the end of Rei and Kira's love?
170 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 1998
54 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Fuyumi Soryo
149 books350 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 94 reviews
July 6, 2022
I'm was full smiles and then the final sequence was just so enraging I forgot I how to smile anymore
I mean, Rei was speaking the truth. Her mother sold her out. Just how could her mother let that demon enter their life again? This is fucked-up but at least we finally get to know where Kira is really coming from. I hate this hopeless, defenseless feeling of not being able to do anything though. All I can do is watch them make stupid decisions and feel embarrassed for them. Not that I'd do better though in that situation because this kind isn't to be taken lightly and is hard to deal with if the perpetrator is inside the house, adding the fact that the victim is still a minor and her mother is sick, so she wouldn't be able to get away from him. What a perfect timing to come back, no? That must be what the demon was thinking at the time. Disgusting.
Kira is a tough girl but this is a different kind of pain—and I worry for what's about to happen next considering Rei decided to break up but he couldn't handle her decisions. You know what's the right thing to do? Burn that hell of a "step-father" alive because you don't, he's the one who'll do the burning process. What do you know, this series is mentally draining.
I mean, Rei was speaking the truth. Her mother sold her out. Just how could her mother let that demon enter their life again? This is fucked-up but at least we finally get to know where Kira is really coming from. I hate this hopeless, defenseless feeling of not being able to do anything though. All I can do is watch them make stupid decisions and feel embarrassed for them. Not that I'd do better though in that situation because this kind isn't to be taken lightly and is hard to deal with if the perpetrator is inside the house, adding the fact that the victim is still a minor and her mother is sick, so she wouldn't be able to get away from him. What a perfect timing to come back, no? That must be what the demon was thinking at the time. Disgusting.
Kira is a tough girl but this is a different kind of pain—and I worry for what's about to happen next considering Rei decided to break up but he couldn't handle her decisions. You know what's the right thing to do? Burn that hell of a "step-father" alive because you don't, he's the one who'll do the burning process. What do you know, this series is mentally draining.
June 29, 2021
DONT GET SOMEONE TO OPEN UP ABOUT BEING RAPED BY PRETENDING TO WANT TO RAPE THEM WTF even though I liked the rest of the volume this was enough to make me take three stars off wtf
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2017
So now we find out Kira's big secret. Rei is supportive again, and a big twist comes.
I can't believe her mother would take her back to the man who abused her just because he promised and apologized. I understand Kira not wanting to leave her mother, and also Rei telling her to leave and his feeling that her mother chose her ex over Kira, and Kira's anger at Rei saying that. She said what I have said many times- Don't insult my parent. They are all I have. I feel for all three of them. Kira cant just leave her mom, her mom wants to provide for her and send her to college, but now she can't work and Rei just wants her to be safe...
I can't believe her mother would take her back to the man who abused her just because he promised and apologized. I understand Kira not wanting to leave her mother, and also Rei telling her to leave and his feeling that her mother chose her ex over Kira, and Kira's anger at Rei saying that. She said what I have said many times- Don't insult my parent. They are all I have. I feel for all three of them. Kira cant just leave her mom, her mom wants to provide for her and send her to college, but now she can't work and Rei just wants her to be safe...
June 26, 2021
Well, that was a wildly careening ride.
August 2, 2025
There have been times during Kira and Harumi's friendship that I didn’t think they were very supportive of each other, especially when it comes to talking about Kira’s relationship with Rei. To Harumi, having sex is no big deal and she was constantly trying to push Kira into taking that step with Rei, saying that he would leave her soon if she didn’t. The idea of Harumi trying to force Kira to do something like that when she clearly wasn’t ready to take that step rubbed me the wrong way.
This volume was very emotional. We learned more about Kira’s background and what happened that resulted in her mom splitting up with her step-father. She did the right thing in the aftermath of finding out that the man raped her daughter, but I don’t agree with inviting him back now. I get that Kira’s mom has been struggling lately with being a single parent, but there are other ways to get by without bringing her daughter’s rapist back into the picture. I don’t blame Rei at all for being upset and not liking the situation.
This volume was very emotional. We learned more about Kira’s background and what happened that resulted in her mom splitting up with her step-father. She did the right thing in the aftermath of finding out that the man raped her daughter, but I don’t agree with inviting him back now. I get that Kira’s mom has been struggling lately with being a single parent, but there are other ways to get by without bringing her daughter’s rapist back into the picture. I don’t blame Rei at all for being upset and not liking the situation.
December 17, 2020
5/5 for being really sweet and redeeming all the characters!! and getting to see them all happy for once!! until the last 1/4 lol
edit: ACTUALLY i forgot about That Part it’s getting a whole star off for that oh my god it was awful
edit: ACTUALLY i forgot about That Part it’s getting a whole star off for that oh my god it was awful
December 16, 2022
the last thing i expected when i started this series was a deep dive into the human psyche but i’m here for it.
August 19, 2018
I recently re-read this entire series, and this is absolutely one of my favourite volumes. The drama is real, but it doesn't feel manufactured or stupid. Normally teen drama bothers me, because it's so trivial, but the drama in Mars is for the most part, pretty serious. Mars overall touches on some heavy topics, like suicide, sociopathy, assault, and this volume is no exception.
All of Mars as a whole is exceptional, really, the entire series is just phenomenal, and every time I re-read it, I recall the little details about just how brilliant it is. Not only is the story line compelling and intense at times, but the romance is swoon worthy, you really get a sense of the characters and come to root for them, their development is great, and artistically, Soryo's style is just GORGEOUS. There's so much attention to detail, and not just amongst the characters, but in every single one of the backgrounds and other stuff. This whole series is truly a classic of shojo manga, and volumes 7, 8, 9, and 10 are some of my favourites, because they're so intense, and beautifully emotional.
All of Mars as a whole is exceptional, really, the entire series is just phenomenal, and every time I re-read it, I recall the little details about just how brilliant it is. Not only is the story line compelling and intense at times, but the romance is swoon worthy, you really get a sense of the characters and come to root for them, their development is great, and artistically, Soryo's style is just GORGEOUS. There's so much attention to detail, and not just amongst the characters, but in every single one of the backgrounds and other stuff. This whole series is truly a classic of shojo manga, and volumes 7, 8, 9, and 10 are some of my favourites, because they're so intense, and beautifully emotional.
December 29, 2020
I don't know how I feel about that development, it's absolutely awful that Kira is supposed to just live with a person who hurted her in the worst place possible. I'm on Rei's side with her mom being super weak for accepting him into their lives again just so she can live more comfortablely. It's totally messed up.
July 21, 2024
Literally cried
November 11, 2022
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/1L5Z0wV0UwQ
Me halfway through this volume: This is really moving and beautiful.
Me at the end of the volume: Umm, what just happened? *nervous laughter* 😬😬😬
Okay, let's rewind though! Kira's story in this one was heartbreaking. If I thought Rei's overall story was, Kira's is just as much but in a different way. I think this series really dives deep into struggles and heartbreak that it can be almost overwhelming to read about. They way she coped with what happened to her left me aching to give her a huge hug.
It also made me thankful for that incredible sweet moment between Rei and Kira (due to how hard it was hearing Kira's story)! That was beautiful and really appreciated Harumi's words of having a slow build relationship takes time and truly does bring it to a whole other level.
However, I have no idea what's going to happen next. There was a surprising plot twist thrown in and the ending only further leaves me conflicted.
Also on an unrelated note, I must have read further in this series then I thought because I remembered the triggering scene between Rei and Kira in this one. I thought my friend only had the first few volumes (unless she had a variety of volumes that didn't go in order?), but I distinctly remembered this one.
Anyway, I'm nervous for these two. Yet even if I'm nervous, I think this was the beginning of Kira's turning point and a pivotal volume where SHE needs to make a decision on what she will do, not just what her friends hope she will do.
Me halfway through this volume: This is really moving and beautiful.
Me at the end of the volume: Umm, what just happened? *nervous laughter* 😬😬😬
Okay, let's rewind though! Kira's story in this one was heartbreaking. If I thought Rei's overall story was, Kira's is just as much but in a different way. I think this series really dives deep into struggles and heartbreak that it can be almost overwhelming to read about. They way she coped with what happened to her left me aching to give her a huge hug.
It also made me thankful for that incredible sweet moment between Rei and Kira (due to how hard it was hearing Kira's story)! That was beautiful and really appreciated Harumi's words of having a slow build relationship takes time and truly does bring it to a whole other level.
However, I have no idea what's going to happen next. There was a surprising plot twist thrown in and the ending only further leaves me conflicted.
Also on an unrelated note, I must have read further in this series then I thought because I remembered the triggering scene between Rei and Kira in this one. I thought my friend only had the first few volumes (unless she had a variety of volumes that didn't go in order?), but I distinctly remembered this one.
Anyway, I'm nervous for these two. Yet even if I'm nervous, I think this was the beginning of Kira's turning point and a pivotal volume where SHE needs to make a decision on what she will do, not just what her friends hope she will do.
December 22, 2011
I fall in love with the story a little bit more with each volume I read. Mars is now in my top favorites. I just hope it has a happy ending o.O Can't wait to keep reading....
January 20, 2022
Rei is a walking red flag and Kira needs therapy to finish that savior complex
January 12, 2023
NOPE
Do you know what you don't do to a person who you think is a SA victim? Pretend to SA them to test you hypothesis. Unbelievable.
Do you know what you don't do to a person who you think is a SA victim? Pretend to SA them to test you hypothesis. Unbelievable.
March 17, 2022
Vol 8 of Mars is crucial. Here's where we learn why Kira has intimacy issues with Rei. I won't go into detail except that what you're thinking is probably the reason why. You most likely guessed correctly. So that's an uphill battle for Rei and Kira and then circumstances crop up that make the situation far, far worse. I can see Rei's point in what happens at the end of this volume. He can't just sit by and watch Kira repeat history, and he has no faith whatsoever that things will be different this time. I sort of get Kira's logic, but I understand Rei and his choice a lot more.
We've also got some Masao back in this volume, and he says something that I think is very telling, and probably true. Psychopaths are brutal, but sometimes they do tell the honest truth. He says, "Do you know why people in this world wish for peace or no more discrimination? That's because people aren't peaceful creatures by nature. They love to discriminate." And that discrimination can take any shape or form.
Anyway, I love this volume and I love how the story ramps up again from this point on.
On to Vol 9.
We've also got some Masao back in this volume, and he says something that I think is very telling, and probably true. Psychopaths are brutal, but sometimes they do tell the honest truth. He says, "Do you know why people in this world wish for peace or no more discrimination? That's because people aren't peaceful creatures by nature. They love to discriminate." And that discrimination can take any shape or form.
Anyway, I love this volume and I love how the story ramps up again from this point on.
On to Vol 9.
April 3, 2021
I do love how as this series progresses the characters reveal more about themselves. So we have yet another layer to Kira as her and Rei continue to struggle through drama to try and make their relationship work. This volume does deal with Sexual Assault so trigger warnings for those who need it! Otherwise, a great add for the series!
July 28, 2024
Rei definitely had no right to approach Kira’s trauma the way he did. He’s incredibly flawed and half the time I wish she would dump him. But…this is shoujo, and even though I recognize how terrible the dynamics are, I still think it’s a great series.
Also, her mother sucks. Ending pissed me off.
Also, her mother sucks. Ending pissed me off.
September 8, 2022
This was some heavy shit... Wow.
January 8, 2011
OK, this is for the overall sereis which I finished on January 8, 2011.
Masao is just a phsyco! He is crazy man, I say crazy. WIth all those stuff and the stuff he says and with his mind tricks and anger problems. He's a m******. Though he says that he isn't. He is though. Remember at the end?! He fully is and I don't care what people think. He fully is one.
OMG! It is so horrible what happened to her! D:
The first thing I wanna point out is that Kira cries a lot. She cries when she is happy. She cries when she is sad. SHe cries when she is angry. She cries when she is scared. SHE CRIES ALL THE TIMEEEEE! Like seriously. It kinda annoyed me. A lot. Some times. Occasionally. But she does cry a lot. A LOT.
Rei isn't that hot. I like his personality though. :D
The overall series is OK. It was slow during different times. THere was always a lot of times where this major thing happened and then the chracters get over it and then some random stuff that happenes and then something big again. Kinda a pattern.
I like Sei even though he wasn't really alive.
Children. HA!
So overall, that is all I have to say which isn't much.. I give the series 3 stars. I think it could have been better.
HAHHAHA. They did that thing. That part surprised me.
Masao is just a phsyco! He is crazy man, I say crazy. WIth all those stuff and the stuff he says and with his mind tricks and anger problems. He's a m******. Though he says that he isn't. He is though. Remember at the end?! He fully is and I don't care what people think. He fully is one.
OMG! It is so horrible what happened to her! D:
The first thing I wanna point out is that Kira cries a lot. She cries when she is happy. She cries when she is sad. SHe cries when she is angry. She cries when she is scared. SHE CRIES ALL THE TIMEEEEE! Like seriously. It kinda annoyed me. A lot. Some times. Occasionally. But she does cry a lot. A LOT.
Rei isn't that hot. I like his personality though. :D
The overall series is OK. It was slow during different times. THere was always a lot of times where this major thing happened and then the chracters get over it and then some random stuff that happenes and then something big again. Kinda a pattern.
I like Sei even though he wasn't really alive.
Children. HA!
So overall, that is all I have to say which isn't much.. I give the series 3 stars. I think it could have been better.
HAHHAHA. They did that thing. That part surprised me.
December 18, 2022
I really didn’t know what the hell I was getting myself into when I started this series.. this volume had me crying from how fucked up it was.
People that claim there’s no variety in shōjo don’t know what they’re talking about. This series proves that shōjo isn’t just ditzy, dramatic, “feminine” romance. Mars is dark, disturbing, and brutal.
I love the deep romantic aspects of this series and can’t look away from the horrifying themes intertwined within it. I’m riding this story out, and I hope it’s worth it in the end.
People that claim there’s no variety in shōjo don’t know what they’re talking about. This series proves that shōjo isn’t just ditzy, dramatic, “feminine” romance. Mars is dark, disturbing, and brutal.
I love the deep romantic aspects of this series and can’t look away from the horrifying themes intertwined within it. I’m riding this story out, and I hope it’s worth it in the end.
January 3, 2022
tw; r*pe is mention in this book!
Spoiler below btw
I can’t believe the mother chose the stepfather, like I get it that they need money but the stepfather r*ped her daughter in the past. and like Rei said once a guy is like that he wont change. and are they officially over or is it just like a temporary break? I can’t wait to read book vol nine
Spoiler below btw
I can’t believe the mother chose the stepfather, like I get it that they need money but the stepfather r*ped her daughter in the past. and like Rei said once a guy is like that he wont change. and are they officially over or is it just like a temporary break? I can’t wait to read book vol nine
February 25, 2024
Kira akhirnya mengaku pada Rei bahwa dia pernah diperkosa oleh ayah tirinya. Tapi cara Rei mendapatkan informasi ini agak aneh. Dia sengaja maksa buat nyentuh Kira. Lah? Gimana sih? Ga beres. Gitu hubungan bisa terus berlanjut. Zzzz.
Anyway, ibunya ini malah berhubungan lagi dengan si ayah tiri selama dia di RS. Alasannya dia udah ga kuat kerja, jadi perlu bersandar pada si ayah tiri. Jadilah Kira akhirnya harus serumah lagi ama ayah tirinya. Ayahnya sampai nyembah-nyembah buat minta maaf dan berjanji ga bakal melakukannya lagi. Dan si ibu gilanya memutuskan kembali meski sudah tahu anaknya pernah diperkosa sama si suami ini. GILA!
Anyway, ibunya ini malah berhubungan lagi dengan si ayah tiri selama dia di RS. Alasannya dia udah ga kuat kerja, jadi perlu bersandar pada si ayah tiri. Jadilah Kira akhirnya harus serumah lagi ama ayah tirinya. Ayahnya sampai nyembah-nyembah buat minta maaf dan berjanji ga bakal melakukannya lagi. Dan si ibu gilanya memutuskan kembali meski sudah tahu anaknya pernah diperkosa sama si suami ini. GILA!
July 20, 2022
tw viol
J'ai pas trop trop aimé la réaction de Rei qui essayé de forcer Kira à agir quand il voulait coucher avec elle alors qu'elle avait peur pcq elle est victime de viol mais je trouve ça intéressant qu'à la fin son père revienne dans l'intrigue et qu'on la voit justement struggle entre choisir de se protéger VS rester avec son père pour sa mère etc genre ofc la situation qu'elle vit est horrible mais je trouve ça intéressant de montrer les dilemmes auxquels font face les victimes etc surtout dans le cercle familial et relationnel
J'ai pas trop trop aimé la réaction de Rei qui essayé de forcer Kira à agir quand il voulait coucher avec elle alors qu'elle avait peur pcq elle est victime de viol mais je trouve ça intéressant qu'à la fin son père revienne dans l'intrigue et qu'on la voit justement struggle entre choisir de se protéger VS rester avec son père pour sa mère etc genre ofc la situation qu'elle vit est horrible mais je trouve ça intéressant de montrer les dilemmes auxquels font face les victimes etc surtout dans le cercle familial et relationnel
November 20, 2025
Messy Messy still. We are dealing with Kira's previous SA and how she handles it vs how Rei wants her to handle it (and honestly I am with Rei on this one). What I am not with Rei on, is how he pushed her into telling him about it. And we saw the crazy guy again and KIRA is like I am like you tooo.... girl your response to the move tells me you aren't (which is okay to, I get why she is feeling/acting the way she is). But her mom... I will never forgive.
August 22, 2021
This volume unravel the deepest secret that Kira has been hide all this time and also at the end of this volume makes me curious about what will happen in the next volume.
I can assure Kira and Rei will never totally break up because you know I think they just made for each other. So they will forever get back together anytime soon. Don't worry.
I can assure Kira and Rei will never totally break up because you know I think they just made for each other. So they will forever get back together anytime soon. Don't worry.
January 25, 2024
It seems to me that in trying to give Rei catharsis this man must do many mistakes which is welcomed in any event, but he sexually assaults his girlfriend just to find out if she's raped. Then, in an uncharacteristic move, it's solved by a trip to the beach. And the end? Girl. Kira is my queen my the way. "I kill people in my head" many such cases! Making a woman complicated is the move!
April 25, 2024
La INTENSIDAD de este tomo, Dios mío. Rei me está comenzando hasta a dar miedito por la forma en que decidió sacarle la verdad a Kira sobre lo que pasó con su padrastro, pero al final estuve de acuerdo con él. No importa qué tan mal esté la situación, ¿volver a vivir con el hombre que abusó de tu hija? No me jodan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2024
i’m dropping this, it was interesting at first and i like melodrama but it’s not exploring any themes it’s started with, just feels like shock value and weak attempts escalate things. i wanted an emotional melodrama like people described, but it’s reading like a “my mom sold me to one direction” story on wattpad. beautiful artwork.
January 15, 2025
Emm no, este volumen es un trigger warning completo de la R Word.
Muy mal planteado, Rei hace algo horrible y la trama continúa. La madre hace algo horrible y la autora decide presentar a Kira como una chica muy estúpida y manipulable.
Que mal que no voy a poder ver a los personajes igual cuando vengo de leer dos tomos que me encantaron.
Que metida de pata con el planteamiento.
Muy mal planteado, Rei hace algo horrible y la trama continúa. La madre hace algo horrible y la autora decide presentar a Kira como una chica muy estúpida y manipulable.
Que mal que no voy a poder ver a los personajes igual cuando vengo de leer dos tomos que me encantaron.
Que metida de pata con el planteamiento.
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