Customer Reviews

DearS, Vol. 1

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As most reviews and intros have said about DearS, the story goes about as an alien girl finds her way into the life of an ordinary guy who stands indifferent on the whole aliens-living-among-us facade. It should be noted that even though the book says it's for ages 13 and up (Teen), it should've been more towards the ways of 16 and up in areas, or at least any part concerning the teacher who is driven by sexual desire it seems.

As far as the story goes, it feels a bit like Chobits without as much of it's morals, but brings in it's own bag of morals as well. The DearS, being as attractive and kind as they are, were a slave race who's ship crashed landed in Japan over a year ago. Being a slave race in a world where you're free to do as you wish can be hard on some. In case with Ren, the main DearS character of the story, it was as if she just landed on Earth herself, unable to speak the language nor what to do or where to go. After stumbling into Takeya, the main guy lead, things start to change, for the both of them.

Overall, I'm like the story, if not just for the plot line as with it's different art style. This does not look like your Chobits/Love Hina artstyle that some people are used to in the "Pretty Girl" genré. Aside from some overproportions the character have that soft feel to them, with a lot of free forming of the hair, particularly in Ren. The book also switches from chibi (cute, quick characters) to very detailed, but not as much to interupt the flow of believement in those characters.

DearS definately gets my recommandation if you're into the Pretty Girl genré. For those starting to read in that area, it probably won't change you over, but it'll get you to wonder how things will turn out in the next book.

The Plot is easy to follow. The characters personalities flow nicely against each other to make such a comedy as this one. I think it is a great read for those of the mature comedy persuasion.

one of my friends let me borrow this first volume for a weekend,
and just about every waking minute of those two and a half days was spent reading it. (..barring time spent gaming and things of that sort)

anyways,
i like how DearS starts up..and how it leaves lots of questions to be answered in future volumes.
now, a lot of people *won't* like that, but that's when you save up money and buy the first three volumes all at once so you don't get too confused.

sorry..um...getting back on track..
i don't think the way Ren is always almost-disrobed is a cheap...
well, okay, maybe it is a way to slip much female form into DearS,
but it all serves a purpose, and not done just for it's sake.
(though it will scare people like my conservative christian mother away..)
^and that will make it a rather tough sale for kids who deal with the same..^


but, the story is intriguing and (as in all manga) there's always a big cliffhanger at the end making you NEEED that next volume.

and again, some might not like that,
but this is my review.

they can make their own.
- Henry

At first look at this manga you would say, "Chobits with aliens.", but I disagree with this( Even though, I thought the same thing. ). Having aspects and a plot similar to the ever so popular Chobits, it can be predictable and sometimes hard to find the differences between the two. Many manga-ka have used the Chobits feel. But how can you blame them? It's a good theme! I'm not trying to defend them, they should try to come up with new and original themes. DearS may have ripped off CLAMP a bit however, it has a very different feel and environment. Yes, a lot of the ideas come into the story but reality and thought can only extend so far for the human mind. It's not a long extended series that keeps going on forever to get the money, it has a humble feel that has it's fans. If you have finished the Chobits series and liked it, DearS could be just for you. I also applaud Peach-Pit being females and coming up with such a perverted and fun series.

Yet another example of a mediocre shonen romance, DearS borrows heavly from Chobits to craft a story about an average Joe(Takeya) who finds himself caring for a clueless and beautiful alien (Ren) who has a tendency get naked. And what do ya know, but she's part of a race whose only purpose in life is to be slaves! I'm sure somewhere in Japan some lonely teenaged boy's life is complete because of this.

Perhapse what's most notable about this title is just how bland it is. Just as nothing is particuarly bad, nothing is all that good. Each character is made up of cliches borrowed from other series, from the neurotic, sexually terrified lead to the female teacher who attempts to sexually assault students on a daily basis. Each and everyone of them lacks any charm what-so-ever. The daily complications of Takeya and Ren's life are predictable and a bond between the pair never forms. The foreshadowing of a dark subplot is equally boring and ripped from Chobits, and the explanation behind the alien migration is just stupid. Again, there really isn't any problems in the writing that make this title torturous to read; it's simply deviod of any substance and originality.

If your a fan of the harem genre or have any interest in seeing boobies, you'll probobly dig this. One could even argue that this is one of the better "boy-meets-submissive-girl" mangas. But for anyone else, tread with caution.

2 1/2 out of 5

It just is not as good as Chobits. Also the Hero of the manga is a bit of a jerk to his dears. He appears to have feelings for her and wants to not be having her as a slave and see her as her own person. But then he acts mean to her for no reason. I find this to be annoying.

The translation and printed book itself are excellent quality.

I hope the story has a happy ending. I've seen far too many anime/mangas with a heartbreaking ending. Where the 2 characters are either torn from one another or the girl the main character loves dies on him.

I finally got around to reading this manga even though I bought it quite awhile ago. it has an interesting storyline and alot funny moments as you conintue to read through the manga as well. I'd recommend it too anyone who maybe interested in scifi or just a good read. I plan to continue this series for awhile^^

this book is really good. the artwork, story, everything but parents need to be cautioned. THIS BOOK IS A LITTLE TOOOOO SHOWY. yes i know its a T rated book but i really think its an OT rating. if you dont want your son/daughter seeing this kind of stuff, dont let them read it. oh i forgot this book has a lot of language in it, too.

DearS is, definitely, one of the most beautiful manga i've come across. The artwork is spectacular, and even better is the fact that this book has a beautiful fold out colour poster inside.
The drawback, which caused its lower star rating, is that no matter how I look at it, DearS is, sadly, very familiar.
Familiar as in, almost a rip-off of Chobits.
Now I dont mean to be too harsh. The two are, at this point, just far too similar. We have humans revering non-humans, in Chobits it's the robot persocoms, and in DearS it's the alien race known as DearS.
A hapless teenager ends up living with an unbearably cute one of these. Chobits: Hideki gets Chii. DearS: Takeya gets Ren.
These girls are 'special' in some way and incredibly naiive and child-like. The protagonist is clueless on the 'super people' (DearS, persocoms) and needs constant help from a friend. (Shimbo/Neneko)
As you can see, the similarities are rather obvious. However, I was glad that Ren doesnt talk in the same cute way Chii does. Having memorized a dictionary, her talk is very scientific.
It's not like DearS was bad, in fact it's quite good, it would just be far, far better if Chobits didnt exist, and Chobits does what DearS is doing far better in my eyes.
DearS looks as if it does have potential, though. There are a few interesting things that pop up in this volume that rather intrigued me and made me want to read more. I will be interesting to see what direction DearS takes next, as it looks as if in later volumes it will break away from the Chobits mould.
In conclusion, I will continue to read DearS in the bookstore as I have done until it starts to get more interesting/different, in which case I will probably defintiley buy it.
The only thing that really flawed this manga apart from what I have desribed is Takeya's home room teacher. A popular trend in shonen manga is the 'sexy teacher' who doesnt seem to realize that her students are half the age of herself and frequently undresses in class to try and turn them on. Obviously such teachers do not exist, and I find the stereotypical 'sekushii sensei' rather irritating. Although this teacher can be midly amusing when she tries to make her students translate spanish smut, however.
So my advice is, it's best to see how this series goes before committing to it. Although the artwork is absolutley beautiful, in any case.

I have read 'DearS' 1-6 and personally I thought the story was hilarius! And no, I did not buy it only to look at the pictures...I read it but hey, if your into looking at the pictures (there are many like the one on the cover...) then this book would be good for you! The story is ok if you can follow it so I don't know if that helps anyone but thats my opinion...