MARS volume 4

Today's post is on MARS volume 4 by Fuyumi Soryo. It is the fourth in the MARS series and is published by Tokyopop. The cover has Kira on it looking cute. The intended reader is someone who likes teen drama, real life troubles, and more drama. There is no language, no sex, and talk of suicide. The story is told from Kira's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Burned by An Old Flame
Just when things are beginning to heat up between Kira and Rei, Rei's old girlfriend shows up and confesses that she never stopped loving him. When Rei tells her not to come around again, she walks into traffic and Rei is forced to rescue to her. His act of heroism only intensifies her obsession, and soon the exiled ex refuses to get out of bed or eat until Rei agrees to see her. When Kira tried to give him some girlfriendly advice on the matter, Rei lashes out at her and reduces her to tears. Emotions continue to escalate until the anniversary of Sei's death, when repressed memories are unearthed and hidden secrets revealed.

Review- Some of the reason behind Sei's dead are revealed but not all. Rei and Kira are trying to get closer but unresolved issues are stopping them. Rei trying to deal with his brother's death and Kira trying to be forward are the main issues in this volume. The storytelling is really starting to get off the ground. With lots of character interaction, plot development, and of course drama the real beauty of MARS is starting to show. The art is beautiful mixing finely detailed drawing for emotional impact with more simplistic style for humor. The art, like all manga, is very important to the way the story is told. So much about the plot and character's is told in how they are drawn, the backgrounds used with them, and the way shadows are played. We can see Kira's innocence in her softer style, when Rei is feeling the weight of Sie's death the art changes around him. Soryo knows what she is doing and does it well.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.