Only rarely do I ever write reviews, but this manga was simply amazing and I want everyone to know about how great it was. So as much as I dislike writing, I'm forcing myself to do this. First, I'm not sure if I qualify to rate shoujo mangas yet because I don't think I've read very many, but I have watched numerous anime series, a myriad of movies, several books, and an ample amount of manga series. So in the large scale, I'm good enough.

The story of the manga isn't too special but it is very realistic. It's not about some girl--out of some bullsh*t necessity--living in some bishounen's apartment/house. Or merely popular bishounen who randomly falls in love with an average female protagonist. Or whatever other incredibly typical storylines of mangas/animes are. Instead, it's a relatively simple and realistic story. The story's very slow-paced, nothing's ever random or surprising, but still very exciting. Bishounens also don't pop up out of f*cking nowhere, who claims to have had a crush on the female protagonist a long time ago, forming a love triangle and then randomly disappears when not needed (I can't help myself but to compare this manga with the last manga I read: L-DK).

In comparison to other shoujo mangas, the art is well done. Though unoriginal, the art fits with the genre and it doesn't at all interfere with my overall enjoyment of the manga. The manga did have a hint of originality though (I have a thing for originality and uniqueness).

Unlike many other mangas and animes, the characters aren't defined by the whispers of others. That is, whispers about how amazing, weird, or beautiful the characters are. None of the characters are introduced that way. The characters actually HAVE character. I'm able to understand all the characters, and they're all very likeable. More than two main characters are present; the manga has many other loveable characters, making it not just about romance, but also about friendship. The friendship of the main characters have a really beautiful bond and it's just very pleasurable to read/see. Again, to compare this shoujo with others, the female protagonist isn't some dumba$$, her feelings and little goals and desires make her relatable and fun to watch.

OVERALL, the manga stayed more on the realistic side, but despite that, it still manages to be really cute and exciting. Though it's not a masterpiece, Ao Haru Ride is easily my 3rd favorite shoujo manga/anime yet (after Bokura ga Ita and NANA).