Boys over Flowers truly evokes an overwhelming sense of nostalgia within me.

Rewatching the drama and rereading the series as a young adult, in contrast to my initial experience as a child, has been an eye-opening revelation regarding the numerous problems inherent in the series.

The trope of the bully and victim, along with the rich boy meeting a low-income girl with a heart of gold, has its own set of issues.

However, when one delves into the entire series once again, it can be quite alarming.

Nonetheless, despite these flaws, for the sake of the precious memories it holds, I still find great enjoyment in rereading and rewatching the series.

It's as if it's a journey back in time, allowing me to relive those moments that once captured my heart, even if I now see it with a more critical eye.

Let me begin by stating this: I have read 10 chapters of this series, and it is absolute rubbish. The only redeeming quality of this series is the art. That's all there is to it.

Everything else - the plot, the characters, all of it - is terrible. Let's first consider the plot: a poor, supposedly strong-willed girl falls in love with a rich, troubled bully. Makino Tsukushi is not strong at all. In fact, she is unable to speak up for herself or clear misunderstandings, is confused about her feelings 95% of the time, and never manages to extricate herself from trouble on her own. She is always the damsel in distress.

Furthermore, this manga carelessly uses all these serious issues - bullying, rape, violence, abuse - without any regard for the message it is sending. The author clearly completed this project solely for the purpose of entertainment because not a single aspect of this work suggests healthy relationships.

Our heroine is almost raped twice, both times because of her love interest, Domyouji Tsukasa, who doesn't need a girlfriend but a therapist. I understand the whole trope of a good girl falling for a damaged bad boy, and there are times when it can be executed well, but there is a difference between that and a blatantly abusive relationship.

This series may have been popular, but it was by no means good. It was ridiculous and awful, and it made Domyouji seem like an ideal boyfriend when he really should have been seeing a doctor or going to rehab. Makino shouldn't have had to deal with most of the things she did. If she had been the strong, good, reliable heroine she was supposed to be, she would have walked away a long time ago, just like I am walking away from this manga and all its toxic glory. Completed: March 16, 2017

I preface this by saying the only reason I initially wanted to read this is because I watched the 2009 Korean (K-Drama) Drama series of the same name that's currently airing on Netflix. I liked the show enough but wanted to read the source material. I also found out that there is also a 2018 series on Netflix called Meteor Garden and that series is also based on this manga series.

This series is a cultural phenomenon throughout Asia and I was fascinated by that so I wanted to know more. I have since watched the entire anime series, the above referenced shows and am currently watching the 2001 Taiwanese version of Meteors Garden which is the first version of the live action.

While I do find some of the situations in the series problematic, I take the original manga series in the context that it was written in 1992. This series is almost 30 years old. Take that however you like it!

This story is set in Tokyo, Japan. It centers on students at the fictional Eitoku Academy, an elite school for children from rich families. It tells the story of Tsukushi Makino, a girl from a middle class family. While at Eitoku, she encounters the F4, a gang of four young men who are children of Japan's wealthiest families, and who bully anyone that gets in their way. The school is ruled by the F4 (Flower Four), four young men from Japan's wealthiest families. Tsukasa Domyouji, the son of the wealthiest, most powerful family in Japan, takes an interest in Tsukushi because she is the only girl at Eitoku who does not like him. Tsukushi, however, is repulsed by his hot-headed nature and bullying demeanor, falling instead for soft-spoken and sensitive Rui Hanazawa (Tsukasa's best friend since childhood). This love triangle forms the basis of the entire series.

The story unfolds with Tsukushi's determination to stand up to the F4 and their bullying ways. She refuses to be intimidated, which only makes Tsukasa more intrigued by her. As the story progresses, we see the complex relationships between the characters develop. Tsukushi's feelings for Rui and Tsukasa are constantly evolving, and she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats.

The setting of Eitoku Academy adds to the allure of the story. The luxurious campus, the exclusive events, and the high society atmosphere all create a backdrop that is both glamorous and exciting. The characters' fashion sense and social status also play an important role in the story, adding another layer of depth to the narrative.

Overall, this manga series is a classic that has captured the hearts of readers and viewers alike. Despite its age, it still manages to be relevant and engaging, with a story that is both romantic and exciting. Whether you're a fan of romance, drama, or just good storytelling, this series is definitely worth checking out.

So I find that I am that one person in about fifty who truly despised this book with a passion. (Ok, I may be exaggerating a little.) Disclaimer: this is my opinion, and nothing more. Let's explore in more detail why I felt like burning my eyes after reading this.

1) The female lead is incredibly annoying, constantly whining and astonishingly stupid. This is perhaps the reason why everything she does seems wrong, and she is so detested by everyone.

2) She is obsessed with a guy who doesn't reciprocate her feelings (and isn't even worthy of them), and for most of the story, he is rather cold towards her. Surprisingly, the one she ends up with is even worse.

3) IT IS EXTREMELY LONG!!! Naturally, this means that everything is drawn out for a considerable amount of time. To be fair, if I liked the series, I might not mind, but here it just means more stupidity to wade through.

4) I don't understand why the author makes such a big deal about money and exaggerates the whole 'high-class' and 'low-class' concept. (In my opinion, the female lead seriously lacks class, but I don't think it has anything to do with money.) While wealth inequality exists, this was presented in such an over-the-top and clichéd way that I'm not sure what the reader is supposed to gain from it. On one hand, the female lead (and perhaps the author) condemns the wealthy for being too powerful, but on the other hand, it plays into the romantic fantasy of dating a super-rich guy?

5) The female lead has no redeeming qualities worth mentioning. She's stubborn, but in a stupid and pointless way. She's average in looks and intelligence (which could be acceptable if I actually liked her, but I don't). She is said to be "kind," but is actually rather bitchy. Her so-called 'emotional strength' is really just her being stubborn, and she gets worked up over nothing. Also, she is extremely shallow and lacks common sense. It's just poor writing that adheres to the clichéd trope of the traditional (and overdone) female shoujo character who is average, somewhat 'kind,' stupid to a fault, supposedly'strong,' and somehow has two or more people involved in a love triangle with her.

6) All of the situations are exaggerated to an absurd degree, which takes away from whatever humor it might have had initially. For example, the bullying at her school (of course, the female lead is bullied -__-). It's completely unrealistic to have a girl tied to a moving vehicle. Or the wealth of these people. It seems like the entire school is filled with multi-billionaires, considering the number of mansions, private jets, cars, etc. they possess.

7) Ah, and now we come to the humor. Just give me a moment while I use my microscope to find it. Enough said.

8) F-4, which, as I may remind you, stands for FLOWER 4. Honestly, it's the stupidest name for a group of hot guys I've ever come across. Beyond that, they're all just trash. They remind me of Jake Paul and Team 10 nonsense. I don't know what there is to romanticize, except for the fact that they're obscenely wealthy (again, mixed messages from the author - don't like the rich except when you're dating them?).

9) There are no redeeming points in this manga. No substantial and meaningful plot or characters, just over-the-top drama, and not to mention the art is unattractive.

10) I cried at the end. Not because it was emotional or because I was upset it was finished, but because I was so relieved it was over and I could release my frustration over wasting my time by writing numerous scathing reviews about it. It takes a lot to make me cry.

So, a warning to any potential readers: Prepare for a manga that is充斥着 excessive amounts of stupidity and cheesiness on every page.

I initiated reading the manga version of Hana Yori Dango while awaiting new episodes of Meteor Garden (2018).

I desired to observe the resemblances and alterations that the Chinese TV series made compared to the original narrative.

I am able to perceive that the manga presents a faster-paced story-telling version. There were more straightforward illustrations for scenes that were expounded upon in the live-action series. In a sense, it was better as I advanced further in the story after volume 1. However, it was somewhat deficient in character development.

The manga's concise nature allowed for a quicker progression through the plot, but it sacrificed some of the in-depth exploration of the characters' personalities and motives.

Nonetheless, it was still an interesting experience to compare the two versions and see how the story was presented differently.

It made me appreciate both the manga and the TV series in their own unique ways.

Cliché I found annoying in the whole manga:

1. The female MC is often portrayed as poor, hardworking, headstrong, selfless, and sometimes even a bit silly. This kind of characterisation has become so common that it lacks originality.

2. The male MC, on the other hand, is usually rich, despicable, and full of himself. He is good at sports and can play a musical instrument, which seems to be a standard set of skills for male leads in shoujo manga.

3. The female MC's family is often in a financial crisis, and she has to work part-time to take care of her younger sibling. This situation is used to evoke sympathy from the readers and make the female MC seem more heroic.

4. Serious issues like bullying, violence, and attempt to rape are sometimes treated lightly in the manga. This is a concerning trend as it may give the wrong message to the readers, especially young girls.

5. The male MC always has a lot of fangirls, but he eyes none of them. This makes him seem even more desirable and exclusive, which is another common trope in shoujo manga.

6. There are often backstories to explain the male MC's bad behaviour, but these explanations are sometimes not very convincing and feel forced.

7. Situations that show the female MC's benevolence, to the point of being kind to a fault, are also quite common. While kindness is a good trait, it can sometimes be overdone and make the character seem too perfect.

8. The classic "hate at first sight, then fall in love later on" trope is also present in many shoujo manga. This kind of relationship development can seem a bit contrived and predictable.

9. The female MC is not exactly pretty, but so many guys fall for her because of her good nature. While this is a nice idea, it can also give the impression that looks don't matter as long as you have a good personality, which is not entirely true in real life.

10. There is always this pretty and innocent looking girl who is actually evil. This is a common villain archetype in shoujo manga and can be quite tiresome after a while.

11. The male MC's family often doesn't want him dating a poor girl, which creates conflict and drama in the story. This kind of social class divide is a common theme in many shoujo manga.

12. The female MC is often threatened to stay out of the male MC's life, which adds more tension and drama to the story. This kind of external obstacle is used to test the relationship between the two main characters.

13. People who hated the female MC or were indifferent to her in the beginning magically realise their mistake, become her friend, and help her out when she is in trouble towards the end. This kind of character development can seem a bit too convenient and unrealistic.

14. Extreme possessiveness and jealousy are sometimes misrepresented as love in shoujo manga. This is a dangerous message as it can give the wrong idea about healthy relationships.

15. The male MC turns a new leaf and becomes a better person because of the female MC. This is a common trope in shoujo manga and is used to show the power of love and the ability of a person to change for the better.

The only redeeming quality in the manga was Tsukushi's never give up attitude. If she didn't have that, this manga would be way worse than Twilight. Hmmm, maybe Twilight is inspired by overused shoujo tropes.
Although I hated the series from the beginning, I thought of reading it till the end to see why it's popular. Halfway through the story, there was this je ne sais quoi that kept me interested. I still wouldn't recommend it.

I hunted this book with the desperation of a person in need of water to survive. I paid a hefty sum, only to be completely disappointed. Why on earth did I read this book? Well, someone had claimed that this book was similar to LJ Shen's series Sinner of Saints. What blatant lies! I want to get back the time I wasted hunting this book down and the time I wasted reading it.

I do have to admit that... I did start to watch the awful YouTube series. For some strange reason, it's so bad that I just can't stop watching. And what perfect timing I have because this series is getting a remake and will be coming to a channel overseas.

This book is about a meek girl and her life with the four guys who rule the school. The heroine lacks strength, and the guys are pretty much immature. It's a story that fails to engage and leaves a lot to be desired. I really wish I had never come across this book in the first place.

In reading the initial few volumes of this series, it becomes blatantly evident that there are significant problems, and it has not endured well over time.

The principal male character, whom one would assume she will ultimately be paired with, instructs 4 classmates to rape the main character (MC) as a means of teaching her a lesson. They manage to bring her to the ground, but fortunately, the rival boy who has romantic feelings for her intervenes and tells them not to carry out the rape. However, the main boy is extremely disappointed that they failed in their task.

The reason the main boy likes her is rather peculiar. She kicked him in the face, which oddly enough reminds him of his sister, and he has a rather disturbing sister complex. Additionally, the main boy punches another girl in the face for bullying the MC, despite the fact that he himself tried to have the MC raped.

Based on these rather concerning and inappropriate plot elements, this series is not recommended. It contains themes that are not only uncomfortable but also raise questions about the moral and ethical implications of the story.

For the first time in my life, I am going to ignore the red flags.

BOF is my guilty pleasure.

I know there are warning signs, but I just can't seem to stay away.

Maybe it's the excitement, or maybe it's the way it makes me feel.

Whatever the reason, I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

I tell myself that it's just a harmless indulgence, but deep down I know that's not entirely true.

There are risks involved, but I am willing to take them.

After all, life is short, and sometimes you have to do what makes you happy.

So for now, I will continue to enjoy my guilty pleasure, BOF, and worry about the consequences later.

The story revolves around a middle-class high schooler who manages to enroll in a high-class private university. I am truly captivated by the plot as it has a deep connection to the main character. Despite the presence of school bullying, the main character shows remarkable determination to stand up for herself, regardless of the difficulties she faces in life. The additional content at the end provides valuable insights into the character development of the three female school bullies.

However, I did come across some translation errors in my copy, which understandably left me a bit dissatisfied. It's important to note that this manga was published in the early 90's, and as a result, the art style is not as modern as what we might be accustomed to today.

Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this series to anyone who has a penchant for romance and enjoys following the journey of a strong-willed main character. It offers a unique blend of drama, romance, and personal growth that is sure to engage readers.

There was something truly captivating in the way all of the characters in this series came together. It had a certain charm that I found irresistibly compelling.

As I was reading it, it did remind me a great deal of Ouran. Perhaps that is precisely why I liked it so much. Tsukushi, the protagonist, is an interesting character. I absolutely loved it when she began to take action and stand up for herself.

Although I wasn't overly fond of the artwork style, I was able to overlook it due to my deep love for the storyline. This is an honest story that is filled with twists and turns, ups and downs. But then again, that's what real life is like.

I would highly recommend watching the anime version as well! It might offer a different perspective and enhance the overall experience of this wonderful series.

I have just come to the realization that although I have significant issues with YA books and their overused cliches, my stance towards YA manga is quite different. It's not just that I don't mind them; in fact, I truly enjoy them. I firmly believe that this must be attributed to the art. The captivating visuals in YA manga have the power to draw me in and keep me engaged in a way that the written words of YA books often fail to do.

This is actually a reread for me. The first time I embarked on reading Hana Yori Dango was during my college days, but unfortunately, I don't recall reaching the end. So, I have decided to start from the beginning and read it all over again until I reach the final page. I'm looking forward to rediscovering the story and the characters, and seeing if it still holds the same charm for me as it did back then.

If you happened to be a fan of Watt's Paper Princess, there is a high probability that you will also take a liking to Hana Yori Dango. Both stories revolve around a poor girl who is on a scholarship to a prestigious and fancy school, only to be tormented by four extremely good-looking guys. The similarities in the plotlines make it likely that readers who enjoyed one will find the other equally appealing.

P.S. I think I might also have an issue with YA comics. For some reason, I just can't envision myself reading any of them. Maybe it's the format or the style that doesn't quite resonate with me. However, I'm always open to trying new things, so who knows, maybe one day I'll give YA comics a chance and be pleasantly surprised.