Finished reading 'Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia.' It's a masterpiece. Such a sincere, beautiful, and emotional story, told in such a delicate way by Makoto Ojiro. I had already read one of her manga, but this is on a whole new level.

It begins like a typical romance told from a creative perspective. By the end, it turns into a realistic portrayal of ideal love. It's not so much a story for you to project yourself into, but one to admire. Makoto captures a 'rhythm of life' and gives you a quite a ride.

The characters are adorable. Despite their simple characterization, which contributes to the realistic aesthetic, they shine through their movements and expressions. It's a visually engaging manga that not only conveys the action but also the reactions and the passage of time to the viewer.

The manga is very well drawn. The line is distinct, put one panel of it in the middle of a hundred and I would know exactly which one it is just by the style. It has charisma, it is well done, and it's clean and precise. The characters are easy to identify, realistic, but still very expressive. There are many expressions that would make great stickers.

But what steals the spotlight are the backgrounds. It's a manga about astronomy, so impressive starry skies are to be expected. However, Makoto goes beyond that and creates a magical world that coexists with reality, almost bordering on fantasy. In key moments, it becomes exaggerated, as if trying to capture not the objective but the subjective view of the characters. The nights feel enchanting, the skies surreal, and rain seen through the window turns into a giant aquarium when they kiss.

Moreover, there are many references to photography. Some panels are drawn like long-exposure photos, which adds even more charm to a work that is already so visually captivating. As someone who understands photography, it reminded me of how much I used to love taking photos and reignited my desire to get back into it. You can feel the author's passion for photography and astrophotography while reading.

The reading experience flows very smoothly. Even though it's a slice-of-life story, the author doesn't let a chapter go by without something changing, or a volume without something dramatic happening. The manga isn't afraid to challenge the reader and push the characters to their limits. When the moment of truth arrives, things go wrong, they make mistakes, and they dare to take risks.

It feels a lot like a more optimistic take on '5 Centimeters Per Second,' combined with a touch of 'Your Lie in April.' It reminds you that life can be tough and fragile, that the people you love may change and drift away. It can be lonely, but it's still worth it.

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