This manga is what you'd call a mixed bag. Those of you who have read it know what a mean. There are many different issues, themes and such all mixed into one and it makes for a truly wonderful combination.
This series has few flaws, and small ones at that.
All the characters were good, more or less, exept for maybe Kakeru, Yuki's "evil friend". I think the series would have been better if he wasn't stuck in there. I think he was an eyesore and a very bad example of the kind of friend somebody should have.
The head of the Sohma family, Akito, was more likeable as the series goes on to almost every extent, but for a while when I was closer to the end, Akito wasn't too appealing to me. I think this may have been caused by a bit of a shock revealed in Volume 17.
The art of this manga is pretty good, although like pretty much any manga, there were parts where it could have been better and would have been more appealing to look at.
I laughed quite a bit at different parts of the series, from beginning to end. There is plenty of comedy, and good comedy at that. It never gets into the really gritty comedy you sometimes see on modern-day American TV shows and the like, and for that I am greatful. Clean humour is the best humour.
As the characters begin to tell us more of their story and their pasts are revealed, it feels more and more like a veil has been pushed away from your face and you can see clearly. Pieces of the puzzle that were there at the beginning of the series lock into place with the new things to put everything together.
I'm sure it's impossible for anybody not to go through this series without shedding a few tears. I cried at different parts, but the one that got me the most were the last 2 or 3 pages of the last chapter. It got me. The ending was so beautiful and happy, I couldn't help it. I felt my self thinkg "Oh my god. Oh my god." It was a surprise, yet great.
However, a few stones were left unturned at the end, but maybe that's what the writer wanted. Afterall, this was ultimatly the story of Tohru, not the other characters.
Overall, I think anybody who hasn't yet touched this series should give it a go. I can almost guarantee you will like it. The chapters seem to flow by and you really get to know the characters. At the end, it feels like letting go of old friends.