Sakura, Saku

As someone who really enjoyed Ao Haru Ride and Strobe Edge, I was so excited for another shoujo by Io Sakisaka. This manga definitely met expectations, with the usual fluffy, sparkly vibe and adorable romance. Sakisaka is truly talented at writing stories that appreciate even the smallest moments in life, and I think that is what draws me to her works. For the characters, I loved the earnest FL and the kind ML. I even liked the way the side characters are written. All of the characters feel very genuine, even if we don't get much more depth to their personalities. There are some very cutefriendships in this manga, which fits the overall vibe of the story. I also really enjoyed the sweet, wholesome romance. It is a cute slow burn that takes its time, but feels rather natural and exciting. This manga does have a lot of classic shoujo tropes in it too, which can be good or bad, depending on your personal preferences. As with Sakisaka's other works, I really loved the art style of Sakura, Saku. It features the recognizable fluffy and soft styles that her works often feature. It adds to the cute aesthetic of the story, making the manga feel very complete. However, as another reviewer mentioned, there is some unnecessary drama in this manga that interrupts the ending of the story. I wholeheartedly agree that it should've been left out. The manga would be absolutely perfect if not for that. Regardless, I still did enjoy this manga for the most part and would recommend it to fellow shoujo enjoyers.