Strobe Edge

I am surprised to see some of the harsh reviews of this manga, because I consider myself a pretty picky shoujo fan and I really adored Strobe Edge. To summarize my main point, I think it bests most of its peers because of its characters' sincerity and the chemistry between the leads.

Story (9):
The storyline is standard shoujo. Cute girl and cool guy develop feelings for each other but have to overcome the difficulties presented by competing love interests. However the core emotion that the story captures is that of first love. While "unrequited love" definitely weighs in heavily, the author's strength lies in communicating Ninako's surprise and happiness as she discovers first love (even in the context of it being unrequited). The story has a much more natural development and pacing than some other shoujo, which is why I give it such a high rating. Minus 1 point for unnecessary crying, an abrupt ending, and a laggy, repetitive internal dialogue leading up to the climax.

Art (5):
Sorry not sorry. It's cute, but if I'm judging it against other shoujo I have to say that the characters lack distinction. Other readers have noticed this, too. Ninako's friend group are all drawn with the same face, but are told apart by their differently styled hair. The two male leads are identical, save for the fact that Ren has dark hair. In fact, he's the only character for the first ~30 chapters with dark hair. Otherwise, he would be lost in this sea of clones. Also, lips. Everyone seems to have had lip injections. Guess it's a style.

Character (8):
Best part! I have criticized other shoujo manga for having weak characterization, unappealing leads, or inexplicable romance, but none of that applies here! The lead characters have well-defined, realistic personalities. People who are not fans will call Ninako ditzy or stupid, but she is more accurately described as clumsy, naive, and endearing. At the beginning of the manga, I found her particularly refreshing. She confronts and owns her emotions early on, winning over the reader with her positivity in the face of rejection. Ren is also likable; he's cool and intelligent without fully succumbing to the "perfect guy" type. He displays his flawed logic throughout the series as he struggles in his relationships with his girlfriend, Ninako, and his former friend Andou. The relationship between Ren and Ninako is possibly the best developed one I have seen in recent shoujo, particularly because it develops out of genuine compatibility (as opposed to the tropes of delinquent/tsundere, hot prince/"plain girl"). Throughout the series, the surrounding company are all struck by the chemistry between Ren and Ninako, and slowly (even reluctantly) begin to root for them.
I've gone on too long about this subject, but I will also say that the supporting cast is well-characterized. They add to the story with their distinct personalities, which is always a mark of good manga.

Missing Shoujo Trademarks (7):
Shoujo is predictable, so I wanted to give a few shout-outs to this manga for omitting the following typical scenes:
1) The whoops-I-fell-in-a-completely-average-situation-and-now-we're-in-a-compromising-position moment
2) The you-had-your-first-kiss?-then-when-will-you-have-sex friend group conversation that is just so unnecessary
3) The I'll-wait-until-you're-ready-but-believe-me-I'M-READY conversation between the formerly promiscuous boyfriend and entirely inexperienced girlfriend
4) The transformation scene where the girl is thrown into a dressing room and emerges as a goddess finally worthy of her handsome, rich boyfriend
5) The unexpected cuddle session when the sick and delirious male lead pulls the unsuspecting female lead onto the bed in the nurse's office/at his home
6) The date to the fair where they ride the ferris wheel to have some serious conversation
7) The date on Christmas or New Year's
8) The date to the aquarium

Strobe Edge, gosh. I seriously love this manga. Its my favorite type of non shoujo ish standard manga. I really love shoujo mangas, and I was asking around if somebody knew a good shoujo manga, and someone recommended it. I'm extremely grateful they did. The story line is what got to me. So the main girl Ninako, doesn't really know what love is, then she meets Ren, she falls in love yada yada yada, same old thing with every freaking shoujo manga, but halt. The author throws in a twist! Ren has a girlfriend already! *zomg* That seriously took me by surprise, since I thought she was going to be all happy lovely dovey like every other shoujo manga. Then there is the other love interest, Andou. Andou is the sweetest character ever, he is a major playboy but he cares deeply about Ninako, he even changes his playboy ways for him.

As for the art, is nothing spectacular for me, I think that the artist did a good job at the guys, I honestly don't care for side characters that are guys, but she made me honestly like all of them with her drawings. Her drawings on girls showed the true feeling of how girls act. That is what stands out for me, although the drawing style isn't that spectacular.

This honestly, is more realistic in the sense of the meaning behind it. (not bashing on Maid-Sama or anything because I actually like it

So i would like to discuss mainly on the theme of this story rather than the story aspect since everyone has already been talking about it.
Story: 7
Overall the flow of the story is really nice with a reasonable amount of events and conflict to impact onto the characters and their growth.
Art:8
The art is really nice with dynamic framing and page turning to create the heart wrenching effect in order to give reader them feels. The way the emotion was show was really well planned and it gives me an insight into the characters themself
Character 9
This is a really strong point in the story that really kept me on edge. Since every character has their own unique strength and flaws so that us reader wouldn't be able to hate any character. So in the end we could just simply read while constantly wondering what would happen. Even when i wanted to, i couldn't bring myself to dislike any rival since they themself has their own indepth conflict motives. Other than the two main, we would also fell inlove with the side characters who's in their own love story and also are growing beside our main 3
Enjoyment 7
Indeed the characters have conflict feeling and action, which would of course have questionable course of ations leaving me frustrated but i couldn't really felt any hatred or any sence of wanting to ditch the manga

Finally the theme (spoiler)







Strobe edge unlike other shoujo manga which tend to stick to the traditional the one true love theme (even Ao haru ride does this 😑), the author really play with the concept of changes in one's feeling. Most evidence in the relationship of Ren and Mayuka. Their relationship started with the promise of never changing but with more and more conection between Ren and Ninako, Ren feelings started to change. Mayuka was actually the first to recognize this. She was scare about it at first but she slowly came to realize she herself is also changing when she doesn't felt as relentful towards her father re marrying as she thought. Both of them are changing and this changes is leading them onto different path. This was the end of their relationship (their relationship actually pulled me out of the true love bubble that not every relationship has a happy ever after) The side characters is also a contribution to this changing theme, both with Daiki falling for Sayuri after being rejected and Sayuri relationship with Yuutarou. Ninako also slowly changing throughout the story, comparing Nina at the start vs the Nina at the end we can clearly see her growing stronger and more strong willed. This changing theme is really what makes Strobe edge shines much brighter than other shoujo mangas. It really bring onto the table a much more mature side of love where we question ourself whether to let someone go or hold onto them in the name of love. Mayuka really is the grown up when she decide to broke up with Ren even though she still loves him very much.

I would recommend this manga only to those people who are new to shoujo world...surely someone new can enjoy more than me....(I've read a lot of love genres)...it was a decent manga with lots of love complex....if you look at it from pros eye...it's pretty clear that school Life was way toooo typical...
So,
Story-6
It was a very simple story with no complicated story twists .from starting to end you know who main girl lead is gonna end up with.
And if someone has read ao haru ride before this manga ...than they can realize the striking similarities in events....events took place on mostly same location as ao haru ride.coming back to story..it was repeating...the same old happening...I didn't felt anything original...but if someone have time to spend they are recommended this

ART-7.. this manga had some great art...I only liked the fact that girl had small height than boy....but if you have hawk eyes then you can see in some pages height of lead girl grows -_-....that's a negative point from my side ...surely someone can't be as frustrated as me to see the close up of each girl looking futaba(ao haru ride lead girl).and nothing to say about the lead boy...since it didn't draws me in..T.T

Character -6...now let's talk about the..the characters....I found nothing special about the main leads ...there was no improvement in lead boy...I still haven't found the reason why they fell in love...but then again you can't say it's first sight since it took 43 chapters to realise their love. Coming back....other characters in the story plays great role in telling side stories...and only character I liked was andou..(lead boy's friend)...his cute side over that playboy personality was able to be seen . ANYWAYS I guess others have came so far to like even the main leads it's just me....so there is no problem with characters.

Enjoyment-5. Ok! I gave it less since ...I have read much better than this...and my temper is less for typicality... (why they main girl lead have to cry so much)...well I did found cute moments until they actually starting to notice each other...so someone can give it a try...and one shouldn't think much over main leads thoughts...since it really ruins the enjoyment(personal experience -_-)

Overall-6...so nothing was worse in it....or much great so it got 6 from My side...if not the story then anyone can enjoy the art ....so if you are new to love genres then give it a shot...

It is not because i am an odious or ridiculous girl
It's just that the story seemed like a total crap
The protagonist is a complete idiot and stupid, I had not seen such a repugnant character in my life
I Hate the female protagonist from start to finish
I also detested the male protagonist too because he was a pathetic boy and he was unfriendly and disgusting, totally disgusting
I only liked the girl named Maya, the development of her character was the best in all of history
That's why I didn't like the story at all
Because it was a complete shit from start to finish

Alright, Strobe Edge. I wish they made it into an anime but there is a live action movie that I will watch later. Strobe Edge is about the crazy in so called love Ninako chan. But I mean, she never knew what love is until she experienced stomachaches lol.. What I got the most of this story is kids striving to be mature and act like adults. And also, of course, experiencing your first love.

Story: 8
Just so you know, this is one of those typical love stories and depending on which romance manga's you like, you may not be attracted to this one. It's the same where it's a love triangle and two best friend's love the same girl and blah blah blah. Yes, same typical plot but i enjoyed the story and wanted to know when will everything come together with all the characters. I love the school, slice of life feel. It makes you feel like your really in school and experiencing all the fun, anxiety, good times and triumphs that these characters go through. The story somewhat has it's own originality to it and the fact being that you can't wait to get to the end, especially when you hit those key pages where it made Ninako chan forget to breathe or made her heart thump, you would be going through the same feelings too. It's great that it makes you feel like a kid again. And makes you think of how you felt during your first love experience. You know you were as naive and love sick just like these characters.

Art: 8
Art wasn't too bad. it kinda reminds me of Bokura Ga Ita manga for a second. How big and glossy Ninako chan's eyes are. How Ren kun's face looks like he doesn't care about things and Andou kun with his smiles but heartache behind it. Also, some images have missing or one eye and that's what reminds me of Bokura Ga Ita. But, there's also some action scenes in this manga as well, and I like how the drawings don't confuse you of what you think it's trying to portray. It's clean and able to understand.

Character: 9
This is what makes the manga enjoyable. The character development. Granted, only character I wished was more to it is Ren kun. He was still left mysterious to me, his background. But everyone else are love able, they might make mistakes but they are kids trying to learn from their past. Kids with goals, kids with balls of emotions and learning how to deal with them, and kids that simply wanting to do their best. The great part of this is that they are a few couples that they continually talk about and don't get left behind. Everyone in the group are all friends so when they go through their high school years together, it makes it enjoyable that no one is left behind because everyone's story is great to hear. Character development was on point.

Enjoyment: 8
There are pages in the manga where you might feel bored. But each chapter usually ended pretty well to me. Kept you wanting to know more.

Overall: 8
I give this an 8 because I love the characters so much. Especially Andou kun. He's adorable and I love that he learns how to be the person he's supposed to be too. Out of all, he became the most matured I think. But you can decide that when you read the manga.

This manga is highly recommended to those who have just started their anime life...well to me it was an average manga cause there are a bunch of mangas like this out there.
Story-5
It have same old story.a dumb, clumsy, airhead girl ..nanaiko (main female lead ) have no experience in love starts liking ren kun(main male lead)..the most popular boy in school( yeah so new right...I know!) .and how she will make him like herself.you can find out by reading it.
Art-7
Miss Io (the artist) have a unique art style ..and it is the only thing I found good in this manga . But yeah it's really annoying that when zoomed every girl looks like she have futaba syndrome( futaba is a character from authors more better manga Ao haru ride...)
Character-6
Ah well it's not like there is some uniqueness in any of the leads .it's kinda typical to have female lead right and honest and kind in each event that happens in manga..
We get to know everyone's thought except the main lead that is for ,I think,to make him look mysterious but knowing Andou's thoughts( ren's best friend) make u feel connected more to him.And you start feeling only if he were the main guy . He is more developed in the end than other two.
Enjoyment-6
It will become someone's favorite if it were be someone's first or something.but for me I have read many great manga so I knew I won't be enjoying it this much until and unless it's some masterpiece . My opinion is you read it only if u don't want anything new or as I said in beginning if u are new to this genre .
Overall-6
Well it was a fine manga . If u like it then there is a better manga for you by the author i.e 'Ao haru ride'.that one is more of a masterpiece .but this manga won't make you feel like you wasted time .it's even though it is a bit boring in middle ending chapters make up for it.authour know how to put cute moments. It's worth a read.

Many people recommend this manga so I give it try. And when I start reading I noticed the art is quite similar to ao haru ride. I'm quite confused at first then I search the author of AHR. And I found out that the author of SE and AHR is the same. XD XD I was stupid. Somehow the character development is a bit fast in my opinion. XD but in overall I really like this manga! Give it try! :)

I really love the Art. I already finished it now. I hope there will be an anime adaption like Ao Haru Ride. :)


Art: 10
Story: 9

All hail Sakisaka Io-sensei! Sasuga desu ne~. I gave this manga a 10/10 score simply because it was such a masterpiece.(tears)

Although it exhibits a common plot for shoujo mangas – cute girl falls in love with the coolest guy in school, it was a lot more than I expected. Our heroine here, Ninako, suffers from an unrequited love for Ren who is, unfortunately, committed in a long term relationship with his first love. Being in an unrequited love is such a pain in the ass. You know the feeling when you just want to rush to that someone and then you realize that you just can’t? Or better yet, you know you shouldn’t. That is how Ninako’s everyday life turns into a drama. The other characters too have their own stories to tell.

Although I’m a beginner when it comes to love, after reading this, it feels like I’ve undergone all the heartaches and dokidokis in the world. It depicts that falling in love isn’t just about flowers and butterflies, but it is experiencing pain to appreciate happiness.

Other than the ultra mega i-don’t-know-how-to-describe-how-beautiful-it-is art of Io-sensei, the whole story is heart-warming and you’ll see yourself glued to your computer chair until you finish the whole manga. Warning: This is ADDICTIVE. Happy reading then! Ja ne~

Overall, a pretty interesting ride. I do love the artist since the Blue Ride series. She can make you feel butterflies by reading her stories and Strobe Edge didn't disappoint on that aspect. Sure, there were times where the side stories took over and the main plot just has some pages in the volume. Or, when the story got a bit tiring. But things picked up soon, with the thrill of a confession still there and the interest high till the very end. In addition, the characters were nice and the MC cute and adorable. The love triangle, more over, was really good and you can't help but feel sorry for the remaining one.