Komatta Toki ni wa Hoshi ni Kike

I had read most of yaoi and shounen ai manga, and to be honest I like many of them too. So, not to be biased, but Komatta Toki ni wa Hoshi ni Kike was outstanding and I love it so very much.

Story:
The story is mainly revolved around friendship and family. You might get a clue of romance here and there, but the relationship of both character might be a bit vague. Perhaps I could say that the relationship of main characters are too deep that you might get wondering whether they are best friend, a family, or lover, maybe a mix of all.

Art:
I love Miyuki Abe sensei's art, though when you read this manga, it was not her best drawing during the several first volumes, but it was improved as the volume and story continue. I believed you will get hooked by the first time you read this manga.

Characters:
The story does not have too many characters, and you will remember each and everyone clearly. The characterisation for both of the main characters (Kiyomine and Takara) and most of the supporting characters are crystal clear. You will clearly understand their personality and background.

The characters development are great, especially Kiyomine and Takara. You will see how they started their relationship, how they have changed, and act at the end of the story. The interesting thing was their relationship might change and developed but their original personality were not changing at all. I love how sensei could pictured that we do not need to change our personality or thinking to be liked by others, because we have our own charms.

And be happy, you not only see the main characters development, but the other characters too!

Length & Genres:
This manga isn't like any other shounen-ai manga, why? Because it has so many chapters and volumes. No shounen-ai manga can get this long. But no worries, you will not get bored, and the plot doesn't seem to be so slow at all. You will find enjoyment in every chapters. You will get the mix of comedy, drama, romance, friendship, family, slice of life, problem, and drama equally.

Summary:
Everything are great and I really do recommend this manga for everyone out there who are looking into reading a shounen-ai manga that has real story, not just some cliche romance drama or a lemon or PWP. This manga is worth the time to be appreciated. I really do hope they would make this manga into an anime. I would die for this because It will be worth it lol

Overall, this manga is beyond amazing, and for me, there is no manga, not even a usual 'normal' romance manga that has yet appear to beat this manga.

I started reading Komatta Toki ni wa Hoshi ni Kike after I read another work by the same mangaka, Super Lovers. I originally thought there were going to be some explicit guy on guy action (I thought the manga was classified as Yaoi/Shounen-Ai), but the story doesn't need that at all. In the end they have developed an undeniably special relationship, but I was never sure what kind exactly: a "I'd take a bullet for you" bff relationship, the brotherly kind of relationship or the lovers kind. And in the end, I was still content with not knowing.

The macho main guy is Hosaka Kiyomine, the handsome heartthrob who has: money, looks, fighting skills, a horrible personality (only on the surface, but actually has a heart of gold) and an extreme sister complex.I like that we don't constantly have to see how cool or indifferent he is, and there plenty of moments where he actually laughs with his friends, and not only when he's with the other main character.
The other half of the main duo is Fujishima Takara, the baby-faced guy who has eyes like a dear, a small (and SUPER CUTE) face, soft and light brown hair, a petite figure and a slender waist where you can easily put one arm around (seriously, this is how he was described at one time). But he can also open a can of whoop ass better like Kiyomine can and is as naive and caring as they come. I really felt for the dude: mom dies, dad leaves him behind for work, grandparents shower him with love and then they die as well. Kawaiso ne. But, he looks like he's always cheerful (except in the first 2 or 3 volumes) and he makes a lot of great friends.
The supporting cast also packs some punch, most notably Kiyomine's cousin, Reiichi Kashiwagi and Takara's dad, Fujishima Kou. Reiichi especially... I mean, how perfect (or lucky) can one guy be?!

There weren't too many "love" scenes (the duo actually never share a passionate kiss and confess their love to one another or something like that) and surprisingly worked for the development of the story, even when it's classified as shounen-ai/Yaoi.

The first time I started reading, I didn't like the art that much, especially how Kiyomine was drawn. He's supposed the heartthrob of all heartthrobs, but I just couldn't get vibe from him. But when I got to volume 7 or so, I kind of got what all the fuss was all about. Especially after seeing the Y.S.Y Models photo. ;)

However, the thing I fell in love with was how detailed the backgrounds always were. Especially the last 5 or so volumes where there were a bunch of scenes with animals (they were in Africa visiting a reserve (or was it 2 reserves?)). When I reread the manga, I then started to get annoyed at the over use of black backgrounds (with sparkles, etc.) for the simplest of sentences; they kind of disrupted the flow of the story.

I think I've already re-read some of the chapters a few times, and I still giggle at some of the scenes. Komatta Toki ni wa Hoshi ni Kike is definitely one of the manga's I'll keep enjoying for a period of time. The sad part is that I still haven't read volume 25 though... can't seem to find it anywhere.

Komatta Toki ni wa Hoshi ni Kike has a brillaint story line with appealin characters which will lure you into this hilariously funny story.I especially think the relationship between the 2 main characters and their bonding through the manga is what makes it one of my favourite mangas.
i quote 'i'll rape you'... lol

Ask the Stars for Help! is a really great shounen-ai manga that displays incredible character growth, cute and funny scenarios, comedic relief, realistic portrayals, and is overall enjoyable. I have reread what scans are posted over four times, which is 14/26 volumes, and it never gets old. I would recommend this manga to anyone, even people who might shy away from shounen-ai type mangas, because it is really rewarding to read.

So far there hasn't been any explicit scenes, but it truly demonstrates the growing bond between the two main characters, Kiyomine and Takara, who dorm together in high school. What I enjoyed the most is the realistic aspect of this manga; it shows the real emotions that people feel and are embarrassed to admit and personal weaknesses, such as childishness, hot-headedness and selfishness. The characters learn what friendship really means, the development of love, lessons in life and learn who they really are. It's not just a shounen-ai manga, but it's a plot that provides lessons that some people are afraid to face. Though I admit some of the scenarios that the two get caught up in seem to a bit far-fetched, but it could happen ^.^ However, those scenarios are not just completely random and do tie into the plot.

The comedy is genuine and hilarious. When an arrogant Kiyomine and a hot-headed Takara combine, there is sure to be hilarious conflicts. The supporting characters, and even supporting animals (ferrets and a border collie XD) all stay true to their personalities and even develop themselves over time and add to the comedy and atmosphere. The art took me some time to get used to, since I was used to newer mangas, but now I love it and think it's beautiful.

Overall, this is one of my favorite mangas and even if you are unsure about shounen-ai, I would give it a read because it really hooked me immediately and now I am craving for more. I hope this review was helpful!

This story has to be my all time favorite manga series. I first started reading it years ago when I accidentally stumbled across it. I only just finished reading it this year. It is one of those stories that is totally driven by how charming and likeable the main characters are. Some of the story arcs are not as strong as others, some arcs have great 'geek out' moments for us story lovers. A few parts were laugh out loud funny but that's rare. More the characters in this story make me smile and they make me happy. Even when the story arc is very dark and unpleasant, you reach a moment when the story is at its darkest and the main characters absolutely shine and makes slogging through that part totally worth it. Its a story i will probably re-read whenever I'm feeling down and need something to cheer me up. This is my number 1 favorite because the protagonists are so lovable.

Komatta Toki ni wa Hoshi ni Kike (English: Ask the Stars for Help!) is a rare find amongst shounen-ai manga. And for one reason only: Length. It is indeed rare to find an 85 chapter long story on such a genre, whereas other shounen-ai manga lacks in character and story development or otherwise has a rushed story, KTHK takes its time with the plot and the people, and therefore also takes its time with the main point of the genre: the romance.

The summary does a good job of giving the gist of the manga. For those of you who have read Hana Kimi they will find resemblances between the two; however, unlike Hana Kimi where the situations are over the top and so unrealistic it should have the ‘fantasy’ genre tag attached to it KTHK isn’t as convenient – (Huzzah!). The story focuses more on the friendship between the two males, which later on blooms into something more. There’s not a lot of ‘ai’ in the shounen-ai part of things though this proves to be a much more effective way of displaying the bond between the two. However, that is not to say the ‘couple’ does have its moments.

The characters themselves aren’t that remarkable at first glance. You have Kosaka Kiyomine – tall, moody, strong and of course, the beauty of the school. Needless to say he would be your typical seme. So that leaves the uke, Fujishima Takara. Short, fiery-tempered, feminine physique and quite dependant on Kiyomine. Though these two display the same traits amongst their stereotypes their personalities manages to shine through to the audience as well as the constant progress in their character development. Takara and Kiyomine starts off in stereotypical character shells, but soon changes little by little due to each other.

Surprisingly, there’s a supporting cast too! The manga does not just revolve around the main love interests as there are a bundle of people who are close to the two: either dorm mates, friends or family – all of whom adds to the story in their own way, be it commentating or being the focus of the chapter.
The art, though it may not be the highlight of the manga is fairly decent. Like shoujo manga it uses panelling and much black backgrounds with the scattering phrases to deliver its effect. The drawings are solid, and clear enough to give a good flow to the story-telling.

Unfortunately, this manga is not licensed in English and at the time of writing this review only 32/85 chapters has been scanlated – much to most readers distress as it doesn’t look like it will be uploaded any time soon. Regardless, KTHK is a shounen ai that should have more recognition and popularity – a love story filled with comedy, drama and the occasional ‘moment’.

All in all a fantastic shounen ai.

This manga had me hooked. I could not stop reading it. When I came to the final chapter, I got quite emotional realising the story was about to come to an end.

Story - 10/10

The story is like a rollercoaster, many ups and downs. Also many twists and turns. The story develops beautifully as well, with the start seeming to be somewhat generic. But little by little it becomes more complicated and as more and more characters are introduced, the world gets fleshed out further and further.

Art - 8/10

The art is great most of the time. However it is not perfect. There were a few times where I wasn't able to make out the flow of a scene very well. Although it only happened once or twice. Most of the time it was great.

Character - 10/10

The characters of this manga are amazing. One thing I really commend the Mangaka on is character development and how well she intermingles and relates them all together. From the main characters, to even the side characters, you will find yourself sucked into their worlds and caring about each and everyone of them (welll almost all of them...).

Enjoyment - 10/10

I could not stop reading. I was looking for a somewhat long BL manga to sink my teeth into and this didn't disappoint. There are plenty of moments when I smiled and burst into laughter and moments where I felt sad and worried. As I sit here typing this review, I still feel emotional just thinking about the manga.

Overall 10/10

I am surprised that this manga isn't more popular. It was an enjoyable read all the way through. I got very emotional in the final chapter though knowing the story was coming to an end - especially after getting so attached to the characters. I hope the mangaka will one day make a sequel - she teased that she might make a 1 volume sequel in the final chapter. Although that was said almost 15 years ago so I won't get my hopes up. I highly recommend people to pick this up, especially if you're into shounen ai/BL.

Ask the Stars for Help! is a really great shounen-ai manga that displays incredible character growth, cute and funny scenarios, comedic relief, realistic portrayals, and is overall enjoyable. I have reread what scans are posted over four times, which is 14/26 volumes, and it never gets old. I would recommend this manga to anyone, even people who might shy away from shounen-ai type mangas, because it is really rewarding to read. I had read most of yaoi and shounen ai manga, and to be honest I like many of them too. So, not to be biased, but Komatta Toki ni wa Hoshi ni Kike was outstanding and I love it so very much,well i would like that this manga will became anime next year , it will be interesting <3