Mars, Vol. 5

Mars [マース] #5

by Fuyumi Soryo

Kira and Rei's roller-coaster romance continues! When Rei suddenly gets ill, Kira takes care of him at his apartment... and ends up sleeping over. After their night together, Rei finally tells Kira the real reason his twin brother Sei killed himself: Rei told him a secret he knew Sei would never be able to handle. Kira tries to comfort Rei, but secretly wonders if mere words have the power to ease the pain Rei harbors deep inside. Meanwhile, Kira's best friend, Harumi, warns Kira if she doesn't start sleeping with Rei soon, he'll probably break up with her. Ouch! Kira's worries deepen when Rei's ex-girlfriend tells him she's still in love with him - and will do anything to win him back. With the pressure mounting by the minute, Kira is about to make the biggest decisions of her life!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Young Adult, Comics, Fiction

198 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 1997

About the author

Fuyumi 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.

Reviews

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I swear it gets better and better

The things that really shake the human soul aren't beauty or kindness. Although such things are certainly moving. But those feelings don't last long. But... anger or sadness are different. They leave an indelible mark. Even after the wound heals... you can never forget the pain completely.

That moment when Rei cried was heart-wrenching. I was just glad that the whole Shiori circus is over and done with—and that Rei already figured out his real feelings. I mean, I'd seriously hate it if that issue dragged on for volumes on end making Rei's feelings too vague (this is why I don't like love triangles.) Everything was just so good after that—maybe the calm before another storm? Also, the old man in the suit, I dunno why but I felt a connection. I think he's Rei's real father!! And I'd love it if he really is. He sounded like a good man. He'd be a nice addition to rebuild Rei's soul.

Also, the fact that Rei never takes advantage of Kira's innocence, and doesn't push forward persistently with what he's told not to in everything, especially in intimate moments. He respects his girl's wishes! And I love that Kira is not changing to be some kind of thirsty gorilla wanting to keep a man to herself. I honestly am in love with her good-as-lamb character. The platonic relationship is good. Sex doesn't define love, and there are tons of ways to show it other than that. I swear though, Rei would be holier than thou at the end of this series!

Also, I honestly thought the idea of Harumi and Tatsuya as a couple is cute, and thought I'd like that to see that develop on the later volumes LOL—but I never thought they'd do the deed immediately while our attentions are on Kira and Rei!!

This series has never been anything but good! I honestly did not expect an LGBTQ representative to appear at the cliffhanger—and mind you, in a shojo context. This is a pleasant surprise, although I knew I'd be left with another broken heart afterward.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/1L5Z0wV0UwQ

This was definitely a bombshell of a volume with a lot more things coming out! I didn't think there could be anything more shocking then the previous volume, but each volume has proved me wrong.

Despite that the last volume was very heavy, this volume definitely had heavy moments, but also had a really sweet scene with Rei trying to teach Kira how to ride a bike. I loved that so much! I also loved how she went to try and take care of him when he was sick. Really two sweet moments in a "chaos" of heavy emotions!

Up to this point, we've heard a lot of different things from people that surrounded Rei on what happened with Sei, and while we have definitely seen and learned a few things from Rei, we learn everything from him in this volume. (At least I think everything?) Given what has been told before, I was really shocked by the things he said. I felt like Sei's friend of "You really did love Sei, right?"

I've appreciated how Rei has honored Kira's boundaries (aka no-no beams LOL). Since we DO know he has slept around a lot before, I've admired his character in not going further with Kira. Granted, I have a feeling that is going to change given the conversation Harumi and Kira have and then this new character that has arrived.

I'm grateful that we had another bit of a "reprieve" in this volume because it was exactly what I needed!

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kira is super cute, and I like that the story is not just stuck in one year, but now they are seniors, and I am hopeful they will graduate in one of the books as well. A lot of it, though I don't agree with it, is stuff teens face daily, like Harumi telling Kira to sleep with Rai or he might leave her. I do love how kind Rai is to Kira, and how respectful of her boundaries.
Unfortunately, volume 6 is one the library is missing, soooo on to 7, where hopefully Masao will be explained a bit more.

[Kinsey Breland .: avid_midnight_reader :. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if I believe Rei when he says that he hated Sei. The way he always talked about his brother, I could tell he cared about him. When he told Kira that he hated his brother, he was probably just projecting. All siblings fight, and Rei may have been angry with Sei the day he told him about their biological father, but he didn’t hate Sei. Rei blames himself for Sei’s suicide, and saying that he hated him and wanted him to go away was to try and protect himself from the guilt.

I couldn’t believe Shiori was still trying to convince Rei to go out with her. She’s become obsessive with him, and Takemura was only encouraging it.

I love watching the friendship between Kira and Harumi grow. By this point, it’s hard to believe that Harumi used to bully Kira. Now they are best friends.

[☾❀Apple✩ Blossom⋆｡˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

MMM I have a feeling this is going to be weird 🤨

[hua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très cool la venue d'un personnage homosexuel mais pas cool le discours sur c'est normal que les mecs ont du désir sexuel pcq boys will be boys etc

[♡︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this manga has me in a chokehold and it’s not letting up. i need to study for a final exam but here i am😭

[Kayla]

I think this is getting too crazy. Read this this morning before work, and I'm quaking and confused. Kira continues to try to explain Sei's death, but the story itself wants to say that it's unforgivable to ki yourself. Which, honestly, I do agree, even if we're only thinking of the survivors and loving friends and family left behind. They haven't delved too much into Sei's mental health, but it seems to be explained through how much turmoil the twins went through just as kids, without a loving mother or father to support them, only eachother. And when one twin feels rejected, as they both fight and both feel that they lack independence, it seems like Sei found his breaking point. I think it's quite a sad story. Having a twin who killed themself, that would be horrifying for your mental health. No wonder we met Rei as he was in the beginning, thinking of death as something he wouldn't quite shy away from. Super sad 😭😭😭

[Laysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so emotional. You can see the depth of the wounds these characters have and how that shaped their personalities until this point. I keep feeling like both Kira and Rei have so much to heal in each other and not in a: "I can fix you" way, but just by going through life and its challenges together.

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Reread - Glad the annoying side plot is over and finally moving onto the more serious topic which made me really love this manga when I was younger

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This one definitely got my attention back despite almost quitting the series. Is it perfect? Nope and it's severely outdated in its 90s beliefs towards mental health.

[cc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I literally finished this three minutes ago and don’t remember a damn thing.

[Carissa (Regency Woman) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into too much detail from this volume going forward would mean giving away some fairly crucial spoilers. Let's just say that we learn more about Rei and his twin brother, Sei in this one, and their relationship with their father in particular. Rei opens up more to Kira about his family, which is something he doesn't usually do. And they spend a special day together away from the craziness of their ordinary, everyday life. Kira and Rei begin moving closer to physical intimacy, but Kira struggles with an inner block, something I already know about, but Rei isn't sure what's causing her fears. All he knows is that he's growing more and more sexually frustrated and while Kira might be fine to never go there (or she thinks she is), Rei isn't fine with it, at all, but he doesn't know what to do.

And cue the dude who will be the villain in the next couple of volumes, and was the overarching villain throughout the entire Japanese liveaction drama series and movie.

I like this volume because it gives greater depth into Rei's character. It's still not perfect, primarily because Shiori puts in another appearance and because Rei and Kira wax very melodramatic in this one. But the entire series is a melodrama, so what in the world am I saying. I have nothing really to complain about.

[Snail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rei and Kira—constantly crying! This volume is so soft and gentle. The art is sparse but beautiful. The details that are shown—how they hold hands or embrace, the facial expression—are so tender.

Where are modern manga like this? Re-reading works like Mars and Black Jack (and I know those were thirty years apart), the art, the pacing, everything feels so deliberate. Even when things get goofy. It’s a strong contrast to a lot of modern manga, which often feel loose and rushed. Even sloppy. Nothing wrong with that, but… makes coming back to classics feel like a treat to be savored.

Art: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★

[lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have nothing against this volume, it just didn’t have anything super crazy that grabbed my attention right away. definitely entertaining when rei yells at kira though, 4/5 stars for kira almost driving her bike into the RIVER

[cher · Rating 2 out of 5]

wut in the world

harumi pls chill bruv like gah how r u gomma pressure UR FRIEND into having sex like making her feel nervous that her bf will move on if she doesn't put out??? not cool 😠😠😠

I jus want more wholesome interactions :( chasing the high of the escalator scene 😔😔

[dania · Rating 4 out of 5]

i don’t know how to feel ?

[Ines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me after that cliffhanger: "surprised pikachu face."

[Penélope Albornoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

En este tomo del manga empezamos a comprender a Rei; la ambigüedad en su relación con su hermano gemelo. A veces lo quiere y significa todo para él, otras veces dice que lo odia y que le deseaba la muerte. Sentía una feroz competencia Sei porque era honesto y amable mientras Rei se consideraba una persona ruin.
Se explica que la personalidad de Rei es la de un solitario, porque siente que su familia lo abandonó y lo traicionó, juzgándolo cada vez que él hacía lo que deseaba; por eso él actúa de forma autodestructiva y lastima a lxs demás.

Por otro lado empiezan algunos atisbos de sexualidad en la relación y las dudas que conllevan. Kira es inexperta y está asustada de que la relación cambie después de consumar y Rei, experimentado y deseoso, no quiere presionar pero se pregunta por qué ella no quiere. Me pareció interesante la reflexión.

Punto aparte, y aspecto que no me gusta de este manga en general, es que todos los “enamoramientos” se basan únicamente en la apariencia de la gente. Me parece un tanto frívolo.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one really until the very end with a new potential rival and the odd comment about the new guy being too pretty and are we sure he is a guy…. Le sigh

Kira and Reí had a really cute moment when he tries to teach her how to ride a bike. That was my fav.
We finish up the story with his ex so that was good but to just introduce a new rival?!?!? Blehhhh

His brothers suicide is very much front and center in this volume. I think the conversation of feeling guilty and anger and how those feelings never go away was interesting and good.

There is also talks about where their relationship is going physically. And the conversations are so high school. People saying to reí and Kira why would he wait essentially? He can just get someone else. Instead of the people in the relationship having a discussion about what makes them comfortable or not is so freaking high school. I guess at least he doesn’t “just keep trying” until she doesn’t say no anymore.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drama continues!
This volume of the series was more character driven than plot driven. Rei reveals more about his past, revealing that his and Sei's father wasn't actually their father. That revelation is ultimately what drove Sei to jump from the roof. There was a lot of crying of both Rei and Kira in this volume as well. Kira worries about Rei wanting more of a physical side to their relationship and her just not being ready. Adorably, Kira plays nurse maid when Rei gets a cold. And Rei FINALLY shuts down Saori for good.Oh, and Kira's artwork is finding some popularity out in the world.

So not too much plot but more backstory development and exploration of the Rei/Kira dynamics were instead explored.

[Brianna Jo♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So nothing really eventful happened in this volume. It was mostly filler stuff but I quite enjoyed it! We kind of got to see the characters relax even if it was for a little bit. Kira nursed Rei back to health, she got to see her painting in a gallery, there was some controversial talk about teen issues like sex (pressure to have it and not have it), and it's hinted that we might be learning a little more about Kira's past traumas. We also got introduced to a new character. A girly-looking boy named Masao. I'm interested to see how his role in Kira and Rei's relationship goes and I'm always excited to see LGBT characters in a very hetero space such as shoujo manga. We'll see how he's portrayed though...

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being disappointed with the last volume, I was thinking about quitting this series. But this volume sucked me right back in. I like that this volume slows itself down a bit so you can see Rei and Kira together doing ordinary things like taking care of Rei while he's sick.

I'm kind of over Shiori and her involvement in the story. I'm not sure if I'm liking the direction still, but with that cliffhanger ending, I gotta start the next volume. I really hope they don't backtrack and be like "oh, that isn't what he means."

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karena Rei membolos, Kira menengoknya di flat. Ternyata Rei sakit. Kira pun menginap untuk merawatnya. Di depan Kira untuk pertama kalinya Rei bisa menangis setelah mengakui sisi tergelapnya bahwa dirinyalah yang memberi tahu Sei kenyataan bahwa mereka bukan anak kandung ayahnya hingga Sei memutuskan bunuh diri. Such a broken boy.

Di akhir kisah, muncul tokoh baru, Masao. Cowok yang tampangnya kayak cewek. Dan dia ... suka Rei! Hiiiiiiih!!!

[p j · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing bad or good happened just a little update on the death of Sei.
Kira take care of Rei when he felt under the weather!
Rei put a stop to Kiori, and told her to find someone else that is important. A stranger man ask Kira if she’s selling the Mars painting of Rei, i’m guessing it’s the father but I’m not sure. hopefully we see the stranger man again. and yes I am binge reading this manga 😂🤧

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aw I feel so bad for Kira. She's so sweet but I wish she would stand up for herself more. Also the thing about her and Rei not having sex yet is so.. I mean I'm glad that Rei isn't pressuring her but it makes me feel a little sad that her friend would think that she doesn't love Rei just because they haven't had sex yet. Also, a queer character? I'm excited to read Vol 6!

[d★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

y sigo teniendo conflictos con lo qué pasa en este volumen: desde shiori apareciendo y entrometiéndose entre rei y kira, e incluso la actitud de kira me resulta un poco molesta; ahora apareció otro personaje misterioso que probablemente haga las cosas más complicadas de lo que ya están

[wholesome bat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate what Kira is dealing with in her relationship because it is so close to when I dealt with around that age and I feel for her so deeply. It just hits so close to home, but I think that added realism lends its self tie the story telling

[Joldettori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok thank goodness it didnt't go the way i thought it would. However, Kira is somehow not progressing anymore. On the contrary, which seems strange given the experiences presented in this volume. Hopefully it will make sense in the next volume

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bye bye cow